Filipino lantern parade regales San Francisco

SF Consulate personnel and their family members participated in the 11th Parol Lantern Festival and Parade. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

SAN FRANCISCO–More than 20 contingents from different institutions and organizations joined the Filipino community in celebrating one of its much-awaited Christmas traditions, the 11th Parol Lantern Festival and Parade on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 14.

The parade, organized by the Filipino-American Development Foundation, began at the Martin Luther King Waterfall at the Yerba Buena Gardens and ended with a program at Jessie Square.

What started a few years ago as a simple Christmas celebration by the Filipino community in San Francisco has developed into one of the major festivals in the city. This year’s celebration not only featured a parade of colorful, artistic and innovative parols, but participants and on-lookers were also treated to musical performances, artistic displays and games.

This year’s theme, Liwanag para sa Tanan: Enlightenment for All, celebrates and calls for the creation of a better society that implements immigration reform and promotes equal rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queer (LGBTQs).

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

In light of the recent calamities that struck the Philippines, the Philippine Consulate General Parol Contingent drew attention to the overwhelming sympathy, support and assistance that the Philippines has received, and is still receiving, from people all over the world. The bright parol designed with the colors of the Philippine flag was meant as a “thank you” to them.