CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — As the Giant Lantern Festival 2022 resumes after a two-year hiatus, Barangay San Juan made history as it clinched its first title in 114 years of GLF history.

Barangay San Juan brought home the grand trophy and P300,000 cash prize even as San Juan's maker Mark Niño Flores also made history in his decade-long lantern-making stint, bagging his first-ever championship title and making him the second youngest maker at 27 years old.

"Our triumph would not be possible without the grace and blessings of the Lord Almighty. My father also played a huge role in my career now, as he was the one who introduced me to lantern-making. My sincerest gratitude also goes to my team, who performed excellently to give our audience a great show," Flores said.

Sharing the podium with San Juan were Telabastagan and Sta. Lucia, which were named first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.

After the competition, a two-week exhibition in various sites will be held, kicking off on 18 December at the Robinsons Starmills Pampanga.

To recall, the GLF was held in 2020 and 2021 through a blend of digital and limited face-to-face schemes due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, where just an exhibition of the seven participating giant lanterns was delivered.

Gracing the return of the competition were 10 barangays — whose masterpieces covered a wide array of themes supported by the lantern makers' designs, gimmicks and messages.

This year, thousands of spectators from all over the world were able to see the entries of barangays Bulaon, Calulut, Del Pilar, Dolores, Pandaras, San Juan, San Nicolas, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Niño and Telabastagan during the festival competition night on 17 December 2022, at the Robinsons Starmills Pampanga.

Household members were also delivered with digital streaming of the festival — as it was broadcasted on various private and government-run social media platforms.

Apart from the traditional love, hope, and faith-themed messages, this year's entries highlighted the City's Covid-19 pandemic recovery stage and other societal matters — including environmental management, and gender equality, among others.