The Lantern Parade is the longest-standing tradition of the University of the Philippines Diliman. But in the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda”’s rage, many UP officials initially decided not to proceed with the annual parade and come up with a simple exhibit or display instead.

Because the parade is an event that the entire campus looks forward to every year, many students were rattled and shaken by the news that instantly spread like wildfire.

Eventually, the administration heard what the UP community had to say and chose to push through with this year’s parade, but in a more toned-down manner.

With that, preparations and conceptualizations immediately resumed in every participating college, department and organization on campus.

For its 91st year celebration, the Lantern Parade, themed “Maalab na Serbisyo Publiko ng Mapagkalinang Kampus,” allowed for simplicity and modesty to permeate the entire UP community and all its guests. This year’s Lantern Parade ushered in the Christmas season, in solidarity with the victims of Yolanda.

All of the floats and lanterns incorporated relief goods in their concept and design, as the guidelines for this year’s parade stated that 30 percent of the main raw materials had to be

relief materials.

The relief goods—ranging from bottled water and biscuits to school supplies, clothes and many others—were collected after the parade and donated to the typhoon victims.

Although this year’s parade was more simple and modest, it was still no less of a show of creativity and talent. Apart from the unique floats and lanterns,  there were also performances, music, dancing and food everywhere.

Colorful spectacle

The UP College of Human Kinetics paraded the different varsity teams, including the UP Pep Squad that hyped up school spirit through their winning performance.

The School of Library and Information Science put a smile on every audience member’s face as they paraded in pop culture’s favorite characters such as The Avengers, Sailor Soldiers and minions from “Despicable Me.”

Performing a mini concert with their party-on-wheels float, Christian group Students of Destiny sang Christmas songs on top of their van, accompanied by a glittering disco ball and blazing skylights.

National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development students created a glowing tree float out of slippers and green umbrellas, while College of Arts and Sciences students built an ant-and-grasshopper nature-themed float. A short dance performance recounting the experience of ants overcoming hardships won CAS students the Most Creative award.

The UP College of Fine Arts highlighted the cultures, traditions and folk beliefs of different indigenous groups in the country, including the Ifugao, Tagbanwa, Tinguian and many others.

Their floats showcased the rich tradition of these native Filipino groups.

Some of the Fine Arts floats were intricately designed representations of a Maguindanao wedding on a boat, a musical group of the T’Boli and an old woman of the B’laan tribe weaving a native piece of cloth. All of the floats of the college featured larger-than-life puppets being operated by students.

With the onset of globalization, the College of Fine Arts wanted to remind people of the beauty in native tradition, and to promote efforts to preserve this rich culture that is truly Filipino.

The UP Lantern Parade is as much a tradition as putting up a Christmas tree, lighting up even the simplest parol or greeting Jesus Christ a happy birthday. To the UP community, it is a tradition that no tragedy can destroy. The Lantern Parade is not only a culmination of the struggles and successes of the year, but it is also, and most importantly, a celebration of what UP is all about—scholars in service of the nation.

Throughout the years, the grandeur of the floats and performances showcased the ingenuity of every member of the UP community. But what lies underneath is what helps people understand why the Lantern Parade has been celebrated since that first day 91 years ago.

It is essentially the burning fire of school spirit and nationalism that brings light to the parade and its guests—a light that shines much brighter than all the glistening lanterns.

PHOTOS BY KRISTA RODRIGUEZ