[IN PHOTOS] UP Lantern Parade 2015: A tribute to Philippine cinema

 

MANILA, Philippines – “Kahit may ulan, hindi magpapapigil itong ningas natin dito (Despite the rain, our flame would never be extinguished),” said University of the Philippines (UP) Chancellor Michael Tan during the closing program, as the rains of Typhoon Nona joined the Lantern Parade 2015 last December 14 at the Diliman campus.

This year’s theme was “Dingas 2015: Adhikaing Diliman, Adhikaing Bayan.”

Passion for film

Being the only college in the Hall of Fame, the College of Fine Arts (CFA) had been given its own category in the competition, wherein 3 winners would be selected among all the CFA floats only. A separate group of 3 winners would be selected from all the other university academic units.

CFA translated the main theme into “Sining sine: Pagbabalik-tanaw sa Pelikulang Pilipino (Art and Film: Remembering Philippine Cinema).” Using recycled materials, they brought to life some of the most notable passion pieces in the country – films that define the Filipino people.

In 3rd place was the float for the 1959 movie, Juan Tamad Goes to Congress. The film’s main message, the correlation between laziness and corruption, was translated into a visual float by the image of a pig wearing a human mask.

The Asiong Salonga lantern won second place. Based on the movie by Pablo Santiago, the float featured a replica of a young Joseph Estrada, who played the eponymous role in the 1961 film.

The champion among the CFA floats was the one featuring the movie Ang Panday. Based on the story of Carlo J Caparas, the float showed the image of Fernando Poe Jr, complete with moving hands that could actually “hammer” a sword.

The Gerardo de Leon classic, Dyesebel was also highlighted by a float with a purple shell enclosing a mermaid. Pedro Penduko, another movie by the national artist for film, was featured.

 

The Ishmael Bernal movie, Himala, which received a 1983 Berlin International Film Festival nomination, also graced the streets of the Academic Oval.

@rapplerdotcom "Himala" float from the College of Fine Arts #UPLanternParade pic.twitter.com/VnjnVdUyVC

— Sheen Seeckts (@SheenSeeckts) December 14, 2015

 

The 1981 Gawad Urian awardee for Best Film of the Decade, the movie Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (Manila in the Claws of Light) by Lino Brocka, also got a representation in the annual parade.

A float featuring a stage with the words “Pelikula ni (Film by) Celso Ad Castillo,” was also present, representing the Vilma Santos movie, Burlesk Queen.

 

@rapplerdotcom "Pelikula ni Celso Ad Castillo" from ths College of Fine Arts #UPLanternParade pic.twitter.com/nFydhLli8g

— Sheen Seeckts (@SheenSeeckts) December 14, 2015

Aside from floats, CFA also created mascots for the parade. Giant nuns marched to characterize Sister Stella L. Another group of mascots featured the trends of the 80s as the Bagets joined the parade.

Heneral Luna, a very recent film by director Jerrold Tarog, also became an inspiration for one of the floats.

Other fields

Aside from film, there were floats inspired by other fields. 

In the academic unit category, the blazing sun of the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) float won 3rd place.

A Sarimanok-designed house won second place.

 

The College of Engineering bagged first place for its lantern featuring an image of the Oblation, with a flaming heart. Engineering themes were incorporated through lighted miniature buildings and houses.

College of Engineering float #UPLanternParade @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/mnOjcR6Kho

— Sheen Seeckts (@SheenSeeckts) December 14, 2015

Another notable float was that of the College of Mass Communication, represented by an enormous microphone. The float symbolized the media’s role of transmitting information and being the voice for the voiceless.

@rapplerdotcom "Ang Mikroponong Parol" from the College of Mass Communication #UPLanternParade pic.twitter.com/YjLR4hGZCl

— Sheen Seeckts (@SheenSeeckts) December 14, 2015

 

The lantern of the College of Arts and Letters featured passionate native dancers, distributing the flame to everybody else.

UP Street Dance at the #UPLanternParade pic.twitter.com/EC5sf6uz09

— Sheen Seeckts (@SheenSeeckts) December 14, 2015

 

The College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) lantern symbolized the union of the heart and the mind.

 

The same idea was used by the UP Pep Squad when it participated in the Cheerdance Competition for the 78th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

 

 

The Friends of Campus Animals (FOCA), a Diliman-based group, brought along their furry friends. It was a rare occasion for their four-legged companions – usually not allowed on campus – because UP lifted the ban for the parade. Through a Dog Pack Walk to kickstart the parade, FOCA called on pet owners to be responsible for their dogs and also petitioned that the ban be lifted permanently.

The #PetFriendlyUP Doga Pack Walk now passing by AS Steps for #UPLanternParade @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/TbMCFFrV4E

— Sheen Seeckts (@SheenSeeckts) December 14, 2015

You can check out more photos of the night’s festivities below:

 

 

– Rappler.com

Sheen Irerick Seeckts is a freelance writer currently exploring the media industry and the world. She is also a proud “Iska” from the UP Film Institute. You may want to check out her blog here: irerick.wordpress.com.