Fire in the Sky

To add a splash of spectacle to wedding receptions, couples nowadays opt to release Sky Lanterns instead of the usual doves, butterflies, balloons, among others. Fireworks, although used for more dramatic effects, are more costly, hence Sky Lanterns are the best alternative.   

In the musical flick Mamma Mia that starred Meryll Streep, we saw these type of lanterns gracefully floating in the moonlit sky, as well as in Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo’s wedding reception in Batangas. Sky lanterns are slowly becoming favorite crowd pleasers not only during weddings and baptisms but also in corporate events.

To usher in the Year of the Metal Tiger, SM City Cebu buzzed into 2010 with the Asian traditional practice of releasing sky lanterns made of rice paper, bamboo sticks and cotton wicks to the heavens. Around 150 flying lanterns were simultaneously launched on the eve of the Chinese New Year at the North Wing Parking Area. SM shoppers, composed mostly of families and barkadas, tried their hand on launching mini-hot air balloons as they made silent prayers for luck in the Year 2010, while symbolically letting go of their individual worries of the past.

It was the start of tradition. “It’s never been done in Cebu and we plan to make it a tradition,” quipped Marissa Fernan, Vice-President of SM City Cebu.

Fire/sky lanterns vary in size, shape and color with a minimum height of 3.75 feet (which SM used) to 11 feet max. Colored lanterns are ideally launched at daytime to purposely show-off their eye-candy hues while the usual whites are best during nightfall. To successfully launch these fire lanterns, one must exactly know the wind speed and direction, and according to sky lantern suppliers Julie Sio and Valerie Duterte, it has to be at less than 5 miles per hour. Well, it takes a lot of patience though before letting the lighted lantern go. Of course these pose a fire risk and so it is advised to stay away from gasoline stations and dry-standing crops. To ensure safety, SM requested for a fire truck that stood by during the duration of the event.

So, till next year!