The successful lighting of the “Parul Sampernandu” at SM Xiamen, on 27 November 2015.  The Consulate General in Xiamen launched this cultural diplomacy initiative in cooperation with SM Xiamen to showcase lanterns (made of capiz/seashells) provided by City of San Fernando, Pampanga (CSFP). The CSFP along with the Giant Lantern Festival Foundation, are the Consulate General’s partners in promoting Philippine Christmas traditions in Xiamen, particularly in bringing in the Giant Lantern in Xiamen’s Annual Lantern Festival in February-March 2014. 

SM Xiamen Manager, Mr. Von Aaron Tan together with Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores pulled the ceremonial curtain to signal the lighting of the lanterns installed at the Corcierge of SM 1 before a peak hour crowd of 500 shoppers and guests. 

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Allan Brosas, SM China Head and SM officials and staff, Engineer Roman T. Go, Chairman of the Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS) and faculty members, Mr. Edward Tenorio, President of Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX),FAX officers and members, Mr. Aaron Tan, owner of Xia Men Cheng Xing Industry and Trading Co., Ltd, and the Consulate General’s officers and staff and members of the Filipino community.

The lantern display will run for the whole duration of the Christmas holidays and Chinese New Year until 19 February 2016.  The display is expected to be viewed by at least 60,000 people daily or more during the holiday periods.  SM Xiamen complex (SM 1 and SM 2) is the most popular mall given its strategic location in downtown Xiamen.  END