Lanterns fill UP night sky for a cause

Taking a cue from the Disney animated movie “Tangled," lanterns illuminated the night sky over the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Sunken Garden on Wednesday, because of “Feu de Sororite: Lantern for a Cause," an event organized by the UP Phi Delta Alpha Sorority. Sorority Lady Chancellor Saerom Kim said that the event was supposed to be a low-key event for sorority members where they would release 54 lanterns to mark their 54th anniversary. But Facebook had a different plan, that the number of lanterns ballooned to more than 150. “We posted the event on Facebook and we got [confirmations of attendance] from different people," she said. “Only about 20 of [the people in the event] are members of the sorority," she added. The group decided to use the event as a fund-raising activity for their community outreach programs. Kim said the proceeds from the P100 lanterns will be given to communities in Navotas, Ermita and Malate.
The concept, Kim said, came from the last year's movie “Tangled," a Walt Disney take on the fairytale “Rapunzel." Since “Feu de Sorority" is French for “Fire of Sisterhood," they figured lanterns would be a perfect way to celebrate. What do you live for? For the hundred or so attendees of the event, this wasn’t just about reenacting a picturesque and romantic Disney scene — it was something personal. If Rapunzel’s parents in “Tangled" released lanterns in the sky in the hope that their lost daughter would return, Kareena Fontanilla, an Architecture senior from UP, went there to offer a lantern for her grandmother, who passed away earlier on Wednesday. Apple Yatco, meanwhile, went to the event with her nephew Blake, who was running around Palma Hall before the event began. “Favorite niya kasi 'yung ‘Tangled’ so I wanted him to see [lanterns in the sky] for himself," she said. Iriz Beleno, who studies in nearby Ateneo de Manila University, came to the event with her boyfriend because she liked the cause and because they were celebrating their “monthsary" this Thursday. Under the night sky Since the crowd stayed close to the Sunken Garden grandstand, several lanterns ended up stuck in nearby trees, prompting organizers to holler last-minute instructions to the crowd. Some parts of the Sunken Garden were perilously muddy, thanks to the strong rains the day before. Potential fire hazards and mud aside, the 150 or so lanterns were a sight to behold. As the first batch of lanterns was released, the crowd gasped, squealed and stood in awe. “Parang ‘Tangled’!" one girl exclaimed. Alver Remolar, one of Kareena’s friends, didn’t expect the event to be as “bongga" as it was. “Ang ganda ng kinalabasan lalo na nung marami nang lanterns na pinalipad," he said. As the last lanterns disappeared into the night sky, the crowd grew also dispersed. Kareena and Alver’s friends were among the few who stayed. “I wasn’t supposed to come," Kareena explained. “But instead I decided to offer a lantern for [my grandmother’s] soul." She turned teary eyed as her friends gathered around and gave her a group hug. There’s something about the night sky and things that glow (stars and fireworks, too) that make people think about life in an introspective way. It also does make you wonder: What do you live for? — VS, GMA News