Lantern Parade in UP–Fun time with my little one

Posted on December 20, 2007
Filed Under Faith and Spirituality, Fun, Sports, UAAP, etc | Viewed 926 times

Last year my youngest son Alan Jr and I looked forward to the Lantern Parade in UP. We have lived in the vicinity, in Teachers’ Village, for the past many years but have never bothered to watch the spectacle. We were not able to watch, though—the parade didn’t push through because of the protest that took place at that time. A protest that went beyond proportions—the students protested against the highly contested tuition fee hike. We all know that the resolution to increase the tuition fees by almost 3 times for incoming freshmen has been implemented beginning school year 2007-2008. I am lucky because son BA still enjoys the P6th+ tuition fee per semester.

Taking off from my busy schedule—this is the beauty of home-based work and being in control of one’s own time (perks of an early retirement), Alan Jr and I went to UP. Most of the roads were closed, but hubby was able to bring us to the grounds of Palma Hall, where the participants and spectators have assembled. Earlier, BA told us that most roads were closed, and the only other option was for us to walk all the way from home to UP, which he did. Yes, we could walk, but it would perhaps have taken us about half an hour or so to reach the place.

We were lucky to be there in the nick of time, the students have gathered, and the program has begun. It was a spectacle, seeing the works of art—they were not all lanterns. Most of them were works of art, crafted by the student themselves, one could just imagine the time, effort, creativity, and imagination put by the students who created these pieces.

How the students cheered (and jeered) when each of the works of art were presented. The presentation was completed by a vinta-inspired dance by the students of the Asian Institute of Tourism.

The crowd had a grnd time with an array of small jeepney-clad young men and women crazily mimicking the chaotic traffic we are all so used to, after which the crowd was surprised with individuals who appeared as a tamaraw, a roaring tiger, a green archer and a blue eagle (jeered the most), reminding everyone of the UAAP’s 0 win—a sweep (?) by the UP.

And the crowd’s favorite? a guy dressed, or is it undressed, oblation style, who gamely danced the papaya dance, while the crowds either danced or cheered. It’s amazing how the papaya dance has its impact, just like the “sinabawang gulay” jingle.

Another favorite was Ikotron—you guessed it right, the “ikot” jeepney transformed into a robot.

After the parade, we went to the oblation area for a program. I don’t remember the name of the emcee who gamely entertained the large crowd with his ad libs and singing. Finally, after the program, the countdown—a fireworks display capped the night.

After the fireworks display, we walked our way to the UP Chapel where we came just in time for the 8 pm Simbang Gabi. UP Chapel is nothing fancy compared to the other churches. In fact, most of its pews are torn and old, and its wall paintings done by national artists are crying to be repaired and restored in their original beauty (this is another story though), but it has its own warmth, its own effect for spirituality. It is one of my favorite churches.

Alan, Jr and I had a good time—a fun time, our bonding time, all for the cost of P35 (P10 for dirty ice cream, P10 for a bottle of drinking water and P15 for a jeepney ride—hubby fetched us in the jeepeny stop). There are more activities lined up in UP, including cultural ones, this coming year—their Centennial Year.

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Comments

12 Responses to “Lantern Parade in UP–Fun time with my little one”

Flor P. Velasco on December 20th, 2007 9:54 pm

UP Baguio has a very beautiful Christmas lights and decors….Napaka liwanag ang UP Baguio ngayon…
ba on December 20th, 2007 11:55 pm

Come January 8 and UP will be alive again after 2 weeks vacation. ^_ Woohoo centennial!
Kongkong622 on December 21st, 2007 7:44 am

naku i missed it again!!

I was planning to take the kids. Sayang
Mari on December 21st, 2007 7:55 am

A great way to spend the holidays – bonding with our kids.

Have a Merry Christmas and a very Prosperous New Year, Dine.
Toe on December 21st, 2007 5:13 pm

I remember when I was a kid and my older siblings were studying in UP. They all had different orgs and I used to help them with their lanterns for the parade. That was so much fun. It’s good they brought back the lantern parade this year. Great that you and Alan, Jr. had a wonderful time bonding.

Pengeng dirty ice cream.
Kyels on December 21st, 2007 6:59 pm

Wow, that was fun! I like the sound of Ikotron; interesting!

Tita, what is Simbang Gabi actually?
haze on December 22nd, 2007 3:50 am

This is what I’ve been missing…the Philippine Parol and the Christmas spirit ! Those are just incomparable !
kimmy on December 22nd, 2007 9:44 am

happy holidays, mommy dine!

kahit kailan ay hindi pa ako nanood ng parolan sa campus namin hehe…
Leah on December 23rd, 2007 12:33 pm

Good to find the time to enjoy and experience this activities.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the Best for the New Year!
raqgold on December 24th, 2007 12:50 am

merry christmas, sexymom!
Shoshana on December 24th, 2007 5:24 am

Dine, that sounds like a wonderful time. My 3 year old and I loves to go to cafe have some soup and talk. He’s so grown up that way.
julie on December 30th, 2007 5:00 pm

We have been planning to go there with the kids year after year but we haven’t had the time to do so since the sked always coincides with another activity.

As we always say, maybe next year. Glad to know you were able to see the Lantern Parade with Alan Jr.