UP Lantern Parade illuminates causes and dreams, hope and anger

The University of the Philippines held its Lantern Parade on Wednesday, showcasing floats and performances from colleges and groups from across the UP nationwide network. 

The annual tradition features colorful lanterns, created by the students themselves, that illuminate and parade through the Diliman campus's academic oval. It is also open to nearby communities who want to join, and has historically drawn huge crowds that gather on the sidelines to watch the glowing creations go by.

This year's theme is Abé-abé/Kaisa, the former being a Kapampangan word that means unity. But more than just a showcase of the students' creativity, the event also underscores societal issues such as attacks on human rights, climate change, environmental degradation and corruption.

This year, anger over the flood control projects controversy was a main feature of several of the entries. Some of the entries depicted politicians as monsters as the participants called for accountability. "Ibalik! Ibalik! Huwag kurakutin!" chanted the UP School of Economics during their moment in the spotlight.

The College of Engineering's float was a large crocodile wearing a crown, and during their performance they threw a net over a money-flashing performer with a crocodile head while Blind Justice held scales aloft as they called for the ouster of top government officials. 

Other issues took center stage as well. The Asian Center's float, a large colorful fish comprised of smaller fish, highlighted the importance of fish as a symbol and as food in Asia. The performers also took the opportunity to chant, "West Philippine Sea! Atin ito!" as their float, made of recycled, recyclable and indigenous materials, made its way to the performance area.

The winning lantern from UP Manila, that of the College of Medicine, depicts the Sierra Madre as a protector and a haven, as the group in turn called for the protection of the mountain range and the communities that live nearby.

UP Babaylan's floral float also expressed its performers' hopes for greater acceptance and for marriage equality, featuring a bride and groom. As the performers waved rainbow flags, one declared, "Our love is as sacred, as real as anyone else's. Marriage equality is dignity, it is security, and it is belonging."

The UP Lantern Parade was first held in 1922 and was institutionalized in 1934. — BM, GMA Integrated News