3 MIN READ

By JANCELLE ILANO & WROANA MISA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY (Updated October 22, 4:14 PM)—After six years, lanterns will again light the streets of UP Drive. 

The University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) will bring back its Lantern Parade this year, after it was last held in December 2019, marking the return of one of the campus’s most treasured year-end traditions.

On October 20, University Student Council (USC) Volunteer Corps Councilor James Barra announced on Facebook that the lantern parade will be celebrated once again.

“(W)e are officially bringing back a tradition that lit up our campus with unity and pride, the Lantern Parade…iikot tayo sa UP Drive sa isang masiglang parada at ang mga parol na ginawa natin ay dadalhin natin at ima-martsa bilang simbolo ng nagkakaisang ningning ng ating komunidad,” the USC Councilor wrote.

(We will walk around UP Drive in a lively parade, carrying and marching with the lanterns we made as a symbol of our united community.)

The social media announcement included an endorsement letter from Pag-iilaw AdHoc Committee Chairperson Roland Rabang, which was approved by UP Baguio Chancellor Joel Addawe on October 13 and made public on Monday.

“[T]he lantern parade was a traditional fixture in the UP Baguio December events but was apparently halted only during the pandemic…this as an avenue to unify the university community,” read part of the letter.

According to Barra, after the pandemic ended, the tradition was not immediately revived because the university was still transitioning from online to face-to-face classes.

The lantern parade precedes the Pasiklaban, an annual December sem-ender at the university. However, this year, it is set to take place on December 2, during the Pag-iilaw (not December 12 at the Pasiklaban, as earlier reported), as clarified by Barra.

December 12, according to the UP Baguio Academic Calendar. 

The event’s return was the result of USC’s discussions with offices in charge of the annual Pag-iilaw, noting that the same event is observed in other UP campuses and “as an avenue to unify the university community.”

Barra also said that students will now participate in the university’s Lantern-Making Competition after coordinating with the Human Resources Development Office. The lanterns created during the contest will be displayed during the parade.

“This time, we don’t just watch the campus come to light; we will walk and shine with the staff, faculty, and students as one UP Baguio Community,” he stated. 

Meanwhile, iskolars ng bayan in UP Baguio are looking forward to witnessing the return of the annual tradition parade.

“It will be quite a sight…It’s another twist for the pasiklaban, para mas mapakita niya rin ‘yung colors ng UP Baguio.”, said student Sachie Han.

(To better showcase the colors of UP Baguio.)

She also views the event as a way to foster camaraderie, especially among freshmen participating in the lantern-making. 

Second-year student Joshua Roel Cuaresma expressed excitement about the event, saying he was eager to participate even before he entered the university. 

“It’s good na nirevive nila yung lantern parade. Gusto ko siyang ma-experience,” he added. “Sana maging maayos din ‘yung implementation…mas mararamdaman talaga na pasko na.”

(It’s good that they revived the lantern parade. I want to experience it. I just hope the implementation goes well… it would really make it feel like Christmas.) #nordis.net