This year’s Lantern Parade, which has now become a tourist attraction, was made spectacular by the participation of come-backing College of Fine Arts in the campus-wide celebration as a bona fide competitor. It will be recalled that the CFA, since 1989 participated in the annual affair as a Hall of Famer, having monopolized all the competition categories in the past. With the start of a new millennium, the playing field was made even and the CFA, to the dismay perhaps of many units in the University, had to compete again.
The Fine Arts show in this year’s parade certainly confirmed earlier fears. It clearly proved that in terms of creativity, spirit, volume, texture, and drama, the CFA has them in ample terms. Nearly sweeping the evening competition, the Fine Arts contingent, in déjà vu fashion, romped away with five of the six awards, namely, the biggest participation, the most spirited participation, the most dramatic lantern, the most creative lantern, and overall participation. The award for most resourceful lantern went to the College of Home Economics and Barangay UP Campus.
Chaired by PCGG Chairperson Haydee B. Yorac, the board of judges included Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon (represented by DOT Undersecretary for tourism promotions Rolly Reyes), Phivolcs director Raymundo Punongbayan, Boots Anson-Roa and Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Zorayda Ruth Andam.
This year’s festivities revolved around the theme "Ang Pamantasan at ang Pandaigdigang Kapayapaan." As expected, most of the lanterns and floats fielded by many academic units either had the dove or the globe and the oblation as recurring motifs.
But not the CFA.
The Fine Arts lanterns consist of enlarged representations of insects, stages of their life cycle, plant forms and symbols of violence to show metaphorically the role of the University in the quest for world peace.
Inspite of their diminutive size, insects are catalysts of the life in the planet. In their search for food, they become propagators of plants, which are man’s main source of oxygen. In the same manner, man’s search for knowledge in the University should propagate the advocacy of peace by inculcating respect for all human kind regardless of race, creed, culture or economic power.
The life cycle of insects is a cycle of dramatic transformations and the University is the arena for the transformation of man. As the larva spins a cocoon that protects the pupa, which transforms into a butterfly, let the University spin the love and respect for human life.
Let UP be the cocoon that protects and under whose nurturing skies, the role of the faculty and students transform to include the role of catalysts of world peace.
The Fine Arts participation, the first under the deanship of Prof. Virginia B. Dandan, was conceptualized and ably coordinated by award-winning production designer of José Rizal, Muro Ami and now Bagong Buwan Leo C. Abaya, who is also an assistant professor in the College and concurrently serving as college secretary.
A colorful world of insects and plant forms unfolded on campus where butterflies, praying mantises, fireflies, dragonflies, moths, bees, wasps, bugs, and beetles cavorted with mushrooms, lotuses and flowers perched on a snail, while ants and cockroaches carried symbols of violence like guns, bullets and bombs only to be enveloped with their secretions to render them inutile.
The Fine Arts delegation was undoubtedly the longest in this year’s parade. It took the CFA quite some time to present its works at the amphitheater amidst ooohs and ahhhs of a delighted and appreciative audience. The sheer volume alone of the Fine Arts delegation was a sight to behold. CFA students, alumni, staff and faculty practically occupied the entire space of the presentation grounds at the back of Quezon Hall where the final judging was held.
In keeping with its theme on world peace, the evening celebration was capped by the participation of the military in the program, the first time that it happened in the history of the lantern parade. Upon the invitation of the CFA and the swift coordination of Lt. Col. Ramiro A. Alivio, the Drum and Bugle Team of the Philippine Marine Corps, under the baton of M/Sgt. Justus L. Soriano, wowed the audience with their exhibition that included various formations and dance routines to the lilting airs of martial music and Christmas carols.
It is said that the UP Lantern Parade can be traced back to the tradition of Filipinos carrying lanterns of various shapes and sizes to light the way to the early morning mass or misa de gallo.
Historically, UP was the first in the country to celebrate Christmas with a unique lantern parade showcasing colorful and ingenious creativity by its community. As early as 1922, UP geared up for the Christmas break by holding festivities in the old Padre Faura campus in Manila. Parties, merry-making, gift giving were held. By 1934, this tradition was formally institutionalized by President Jorge C. Bocobo to afford the university constituents "a frolicsome activity before the year ends."
During the early years in Manila, the lantern parade started from the University Quadrangle on Padre Faura St. and made its way to Taft Ave., Isaac Peral and Florida Sts., culminating in front of the Parade Grandstand in front of the Engineering building where the Court of Appeals now stands.
When the University transferred to Diliman in 1949, the parade was held around the academic oval. The assembly point was at the site where the UP Catholic Chapel now stands. In later years until the present, the participants converge at University Ave. before the University Gateway.
Every lantern parade features a particular theme for the celebration. College participants would then vie for such prize categories as "rowdiest group," "most colorful costume" and "most symbolic float," among others.
The early lantern parade celebrations not only boasted of well-executed lanterns and floats but beautiful muses as well. The highlight of each year’s parade was the proclamation of the Lantern Queen. Celebrities, like Boots Anson-Roa and Nelia Sancho were once UP Lantern Queens.
There, however, was a time when UP had to forego the day of the lanterns. The first time was in 1941 when UP had to close because of World War II. After a five-year hiatus, it was resumed in 1946.
The second time the tradition was disrupted was in 1957 when students staged their first boycott due to the indecision of the Board of Regents to select a University President. The executive committee was left with no other choice but to declare a Christmas recess on the eve of the parade.
The last lantern parade prior to the declaration of Martial Law was in 1969, marking also the last time that the UP Student Council (UPSC) sponsored the event. Its revival in 1977 was managed by a committee constituted by the UP President. Likewise, the selection of a Lantern Queen was deemed irrelevant by some sectors which protested the beauty contest aspect of the event.
Apart from the jollity, the Lantern Parade occasioned various forms of protest against the likes of Martial Law and oil price hikes. This year’s parade was no exception as the UPSC decried the recent approval of the Revitalized General Education Program by the University Council.
The touches of seriousness notwithstanding, the gaiety of Christmas as a time for thanksgiving and joy preponderates.
With the establishment of the UP System in 1972 and of its constituent universities, the Lantern Parade was decentralized into separate campus happenings. There has only been one joint parade of all the campuses since then. This was at the Luneta in 1998 when the nation celebrated the centennial of Philippine independence.