Some 4,000 floating lanterns will decorate the waters south of the Rizal Boulevard on Thursday, July 3 between 6 to 7 p.m. as part of the 65th Founding Anniversary of Foundation University.
This tradition, known as the Dal-uy Festival, is a solemn Asian tradition wherein each lantern is launched with a prayer. It has come a long way from the Buddhist rite to pay respect to ancestors and offer comfort to spirits of the deceased.
Foundation University students, faculty and staff write down their prayers, or wishes, on a plastic candle shield atop the wooden plank. “The wishes could be just about anything,” Engr. Marlon Tanilon, dean of the Office of Student Life says, “some wish for a girlfriend or a boyfriend, some for better grades, while some teachers write down ‘salary increase.’”
Some wishes do come true. Annaliza Tepacia, a future teacher, said she was so happy that what she wrote as a prayer was realized. She, however, wants to keep it a secret.
Shiela Marie Lagarde, an office secretary, said she wrote “To finish my MA degree.” She’s now halfway towards her goal.
Started over 10 years ago, the Dal-uy Festival used to be celebrated at the pond inside the FU main campus until the number of people wanting to launch their own lanterns grew.
Victor Vicente Sinco, university vice president for finance and administration, said the Rizal Boulevard was an ideal choice so that everyone could have a chance of launching their floating lantern.
To prepare for this activity, the University made recyclable wooden planks where the candles and the plastic shield are mounted. The lanterns are lit and launched shortly before sunset, providing a warm yellow color to the southern portion of the boulevard.
This is the moment when photographers wade in the water to take prize-winning photos. One such photo became the banner photo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer three years ago.
From a distance, men on board bancas guard an area bounded by a long rope to ensure that the lanterns don’t sail out of sight and pollute the environment. After everyone has gone home, the lanterns are collected and cleaned, ready to be used again next year. (PR/Ann Cale)
