FedEx supports the giant lantern-making industry by flying a giant "Parol" to the Asian Lantern Festival in Taiwan.
Pampanga, February 15, 2003 - FedEx Express (FedEx), the largest express transportation company in the world today flies a giant lantern measuring 18 feet in diameter from San Fernando, Pampanga, to Taichung in Taiwan.
The giant lantern, the winner in the Giant Lantern Festival held in San Fernando last December, is the official entry of the Philippines to the Asian Lantern Festival to be held in Taichung from February 15 to 23, 2003.
"We are very excited to be part of this activity," says Alex C. Yim, Managing Director of the FedEx Asia Pacific Hub Operations in Subic Bay. "In handling the shipment of the giant lantern, FedEx once again showcased its strength with a superior network of aircraft, direct flights through the FedEx AsiaOne Network® and a team of FedEx people who 'live to deliver'."
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary, Richard J. Gordon, is sending a delegation to present the giant lantern at the Festival in Taiwan as part of DOT's "WOW Philippines" program and the "Visit Philippines 2003" campaign of the World Tourism Organization.
"Giant lantern-making is undisputedly Kapangpangan. It is the pride of San Fernando and has earned the city an international reputation for producing lanterns of gigantic size and intricate designs," explains Mayor Reynaldo Aquino of San Fernando, Pampanga.
"This giant lantern entered in the Taiwan Festival has 5,350 bulbs and operated by eight (8) rotors and has been designed and crafted by 15 skilled lantern-makers from baranggay Del Pilar for nearly two months," added San Fernando City Vice- Mayor Eligio H. Lagman.
The giant lantern was transported from FedEx's Asia Pacific Hub in Subic Bay to its transhipment center in Taipei. FedEx took extra special care with this sensitive shipment knowing that it represents the pride and culture of the people of Pampanga, and the Philippines.
FedEx Express, a US$15 billion subsidiary of FedEx Corp., connects areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product in 24-48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3.3 million items to 214 countries each working day. FedEx employs approximately 144,000 employees and has more than 45,000 drop-off locations, 640 aircraft and more than 45,000 vehicles in its integrated global network.
