Intrigues hound Pampanga’s bid for world’s biggest parol

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Walt Disney’s plan to employ Pampango craftsmen to make the world’s biggest Christmas lantern for the Guinness Book of World Records may yet go kaput — because of "intrigues."

Provincial board member Robert David said he might back out of the project for which he was commissioned because of reports that the city government resented his involvement.

David said he signed an agreement last Friday with Walt Disney Singapore Corp., Robinson’s Land Corp. and Jagaa Innovators Association for the construction of a 100-foot high Mickey Mouse Christmas lantern.

But he said "intrigues" are hounding the project.

San Fernando Mayor Rey Aquino said the issue boils down to "lack of courtesy."

"We would like to help in any way, even financially, if only we were formally told about it. It is a matter of basic courtesy," he said.

Aquino said it was an "insult" that David entered into the agreement without the involvement of the city government which has carried on with the lantern tradition.

The city government itself, he said, is planning to build a Christmas lantern with 60-foot diameter, on top of parol entries with 18-foot diameter, in its traditional Christmas lantern festival.