By: ELMER RECUERDO
Photos: Can-avid Municipal Tourism Office
Photos: Can-avid Municipal Tourism Office
CAN-AVID, Eastern Samar – Colorful lights from giant Christmas lanterns brightens the plaza of this town as thousands of visitors from nearby municipalities come in droves each night to marvel at what has now become an annual Yuletide event.
Can-Avid Mayor Vilma Germino said the giant lanterns event is an annual competition that pits artisans of different barangays in coming up with creative giant lanterns that make use of locally available materials.
"We are proud of this project because many people from different places, not only from Eastern Samar, come here and enjoy watching these lanterns," Germino said.
Can-Avid Mayor Vilma Germino said the giant lanterns event is an annual competition that pits artisans of different barangays in coming up with creative giant lanterns that make use of locally available materials.
"We are proud of this project because many people from different places, not only from Eastern Samar, come here and enjoy watching these lanterns," Germino said.
The project started in 2018 by then Mayor Gil Norman Germino, the husband of the current local chief executive.
"The local government unit will continue this tradition despite the odds," she said, which among others include the high cost of electricity and the sourcing of funds for the prizes.
Germino said that the giant lanterns do not only bring local tourists to her town but also increase economic activity since many small businesses have opened at the town plaza to cater the needs of the visitors.
She said that part of the taxes collected from these businesses will be used to pay for the electricity cost of the lanterns.
"The local government unit will continue this tradition despite the odds," she said, which among others include the high cost of electricity and the sourcing of funds for the prizes.
Germino said that the giant lanterns do not only bring local tourists to her town but also increase economic activity since many small businesses have opened at the town plaza to cater the needs of the visitors.
She said that part of the taxes collected from these businesses will be used to pay for the electricity cost of the lanterns.
This year, 14 lanterns from clustered villages vie for top prize P200,000 courtesy of House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan, the second prize of P150,000 given by Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone and P100,000 for the third prize donated by Ms. Marie Villarino, private contractor.
The giant lantern festival opened last 18 December with a switch on ceremony and will continue until January 7.(CJ/ER)
The giant lantern festival opened last 18 December with a switch on ceremony and will continue until January 7.(CJ/ER)
