Magalang Mayor Malu Lacson recently met with Consul General Roderico Atienza and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, where she presented a miniature Lubenas Lantern as a symbol of Magalang's intangible cultural heritage. The meeting, which highlighted a local connection through Consul Pangilinan-Daquipil, a fellow Kapampangan and alumna of Holy Family Academy, resulted in an agreement to bring a complete set of Lubenas Lanterns to San Francisco to showcase traditional Kapampangan lantern-making artistry to the Filipino community in the United States.
A Cultural Gift and a Kapampangan Connection
The courtesy visit centered on a shared commitment to promoting Kapampangan culture beyond Philippine shores. Mayor Lacson, who was re-elected in the May 2025 elections with nearly 38,000 votes , presented a miniature Lubenas Lantern to the consulate . The meeting also celebrated a personal connection, as Consul Pangilinan-Daquipil, who has represented the consulate at events like the California Business Outlook 2025 , is a fellow Kapampangan and an alumna of Holy Family Academy in Magalang. This shared heritage strengthened the cultural significance of the meeting, reinforcing the importance of bringing the Lubenas tradition to the United States.
The Lubenas Tradition and Global Showcase
The Lubenas is a cherished Kapampangan tradition, particularly in Magalang, where it is celebrated every December as a nine-day devotional procession marking the start of Simbang Gabi . Under Mayor Lacson's leadership, the local government has provided subsidies to barangays to sustain the tradition, recognizing its importance in preserving community participation and faith . The Lubenas has previously made its way abroad—in 2024, lanterns from Magalang were showcased in Milan, Italy, bringing joy to overseas Filipinos there . The agreement to bring a full set of Lubenas Lanterns to San Francisco extends this cultural bridge to the United States, allowing Kapampangans and other Filipinos in America to experience the artistry of traditional lantern-making and reconnect with their heritage.
