Lantern fest in UP slated

In celebration of the Yuletide season, the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) will hold its annual Lantern Parade on Wednesday night. People will again crowd the sidewalks of UPD awaiting the passing of floats and costumed performers accompanying each parade entry.

Long held as a symbol of the festive mood Christmas brings, lanterns are crafted by UPD students, employees and residents as part of the annual competitive that lights up the UPD campus every December.

This year, expect anything from giant dinosaurs, moving buildings and flying saucers to fire-breathing dancers, facsimiles of famous faces and animé characters.

The parade passes by various UPD colleges in a circular route around what is known as the Academic Oval and ends at Quezon Hall, the administration building. There, participants wait in line to display their entries and present them to judges who labor to find deserving winners.

Participating administrative units, student organizations, barangay UP residents and academic, research and training centers will unveil their lanterns as they begin marching at 4 p.m. All will vie for prizes in the latern and participation categories.

A revered tradition and a much-anticipated event in UPD, the lantern parade is a fitting way to end classes in UPD and never fails to enthrall spectators.

Expected to end at 9 p.m., the parade will be capped by a spectacular fifteen-minute fireworks display. The parade is free and open to the public.