San Fernando Lanterns

They have gone a long, long way. The lanterns of San Fernando or the Parul Sampernandu, as local folks would call them, has travelled not only in the country but also in other parts of the world. They shine not only in the land where they were made but elsewhere.
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The lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga form part of the Kapampangan culture and history. They were conceptualized, made and re-made for several years now. They humbly started as bamboo sticks and Japanese colored paper in crude but elegant designs that shine like a speck in the sky on a starry night.
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Kapampangan ingenuity, perhaps, made lantern makers to use other materials such as tie wires and colored plastics that replaced the bamboo sticks and the colored papers. Other materials such as capiz shells are likewise used nowadays. Other lanterns are adorned by Christmas lights to add glitter to the lantern bulbs that wink.
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History shows that Kapampangan craftsmen have “invented” lanterns to symbolize the biblical star that guided and led the three wise men to the stable where Christ was born. Through the years, the lantern became a symbol of Christmas.
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For Kapampangans, the lanterns are more than just a symbol of Christmas. They are an industry now. While they are mere “seasonal products”, they rake in thousands of pesos in earnings including those which are exported to other countries. The latter are dollar makers for some.
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Lanterns also symbolize Kapampangans’ reverence to the nativity that without the Christmas star (which the lanterns signify), the holy occasion wouldn’t be complete. The people of Pampanga are generally religious. Such religiosity enjoins Kapampangans in the Christian world’s celebration of Christ’s birth.
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Last Monday, 30 Christmas lanterns shone at the chancery grounds of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Over the years, there were a number of San Fernando lanterns that were lit in different private and government offices in other parts of the globe.
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Malaysia is a Muslim-dominated country, yet San Fernando lanterns made their way in being lighted up at our Embassy in the said country. They represent not only the Kapampangans but likewise the whole country, Philippines.
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The recently held competition in the Giant Lantern Festival of the city has drawn crowds from all walks of life. Barangay Del Pilar has regained its crown as the best, the brightest of them all. The annual competition is just one of the highlights of the Christmas celebration in Pampanga.
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If one would like to see how giant the San Fernando giant lanterns are, they are still on display at one of the giant malls in the city. They continue to light up the night, complementing the festive mood of the yuletide. In their kaleidoscopic designs, they continue to impress people as they also showcase Kapampangans’ ingenuity when it comes to lantern-making.
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As the day nears, I take this opportunity to greet all the readers of my column a very Merry Christmas to all. Let us live the meaning of Christ’s birth by emulating the goodness our Savior has done for mankind.
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For other opinions, comments, suggestions or adverse reactions, you may reach iWrite at 0918-4899920. ●

http://www.headlinegl.com/san-fernando-lanterns/

Clark Wine Center is more than a wine shop to people living in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone. Clark’s wine shop is also a popular venue for parties and family gatherings. Conveniently located on the main highway of Clark Philippines, it is accessible to guests from Manila, Subic, Pampanga, Angeles City and of course those who live and work in Clark. Aside from the 2-storey wine shop which also has a nice roof deck lawn for small party of up to 80 people as well as an indoor wine tasting room which accommodates up to 60 comfortably, this wine store called Clark Wine Center also has one hectare of picnic grounds surrounding it.

Best birthday gift to send to someone living in the Philippines is a nice bottle of wine from Yats Wine Cellars. Delivery of birthday wine can made to Manila, Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines and Subic.

Wine Shop Manila offers best luxurious beers in Philippines called Vintage Beer.
Birthday gift of wine is the most popular gift idea this year in Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars offers birthday wine gifts that are unique and certain to make the recipient very happy. These birthday wines are not available in wine shops so it is a unique bottle of wine for the recipient.

Things to do in Clark Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center located inside Clark Freeport Philippines. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

Yats Leisure Philippines

This Manila Wine Shop is the largest wine shop in Philippines. This is the wine shop to go for fine vintage wines, not just the big names like Lafite, Latour, Petrus, Cristal, Krug, Grange, Vega Sicilia and Sassicaia. This wine shop in Manila offers many excellent vintage wine for under p4,000, even for some that are 20-30 year old from St. Emilion and Pomerol.

Clark Wine Center is lauded by wine and food lovers from Manila and tourists from abroad as the best place to buy wine in Pampanga or Subic or Tarlac.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:

ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Buy wine in Cebu, Philippines at good wine shops and boutique wine stores that offer good selection of good vintage wines at all price points. Good white wines that available at the wine shops in Manila and Pampanga include Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Pouilly Fuisse, Corton Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard Montrachet and Beaune. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila. Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. The best way to learn more about wine in the Philippines is to attend public wine tasting events that have no sponsors.