PHOTOS: UP Fine Arts takes off with 'Flight' in the 2012 Lantern Parade

UPDATED, 12:07--"'Flight' is open to various interpretations," UP College of Fine Arts dean Leonardo Rosete told GMA News Online, referring to the College's take-off theme for the 2012 Lantern Parade. "We don't need to elaborate," said Rosete as he gestured to the students' productions waiting to be brought out. "You just connect the dots." UP Diliman's annual revelry known as the Lantern Parade marks the last school day of the year, and is highlighted by a procession of colorful floats and presentations from the University's different colleges. The CFA is no longer eligible in the parade's contest for the best lantern as they have for years been unbeatable and have thus become the parade's lone hall-of-famer. But this has not dampened their drive as the College now feels that it has a reputation to preserve. Fine Arts students went crazy with the versatile theme as they produced floats and costumes ranging from rockets and UFO's to high-on-alcohol people and flying cockroaches. "Our faculty went with bats, and I'm the king of the bats," said Rosete in his interpretation on the theme – a Dracula outfit. Unlike Fine Arts, most UP units went simple with their presentations, with a brief dance and introduction. But the audience was also treated to some really colorful floats that gave the CFA a run for its hall-of-fame status, as evidenced by the College of Engineering's jeepney-Transformer robot. This year's parade was longer than usual, with a lengthy interlude between the last float to the much awaited fireworks display finale. But the spectacular light show at the Oblation Plaza alone made the long wait into the late night most worth it. If you weren't there, that's a tragedy. But we here at GMA News Online are the generous types, so check out the slide-show we made for you and see the fun you've missed. In addition, here's our video of last night's sprawling crowd. — DVM/KDM GMA News Video by Earl Victor Rosero, GMA News