The bright and colorful Christmas lantern that is found in the home of almost every Filipino has found an avid fan in United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson, who tweeted about the beautiful parols she saw while visiting a popular flea market in Manila.
In a tweet, the US envoy shared photos of her and some vendors at the Dapitan Market in Quezon City, a go-to place for those looking for cheap, but unique and elegant home decoration, art and craft supplies, Christmas decor, and housewares.
“Learning more about beautiful Filipino parols — symbols of light and hope. Can’t wait to hang mine! Had so much fun at the colorful and festive Dapitan Market!,” Carlson said in a tweet.
Dapitan Market, or Dapitan Arcade, brims with Christmas decorations—from parols to Christmas tree ornaments—these days as the country ushered in the pre-holiday season, a period after Halloween and before Christmas when Filipinos start to deck their homes with enchanting Christmas lights and parols.
The parol, traditionally made of bamboo sticks and colorful paper or plastic, and shaped into a star, can be found almost anywhere in the country once the so-called "ber" months set in.
For many, it symbolizes hope and victory of light over darkness. Others regard it as a representation of when Jesus Christ was born in a stable and the Star of Bethlehem that guided the three wise men.
Carlson looked enchanted with the parols hanging in Dapitan Market, and even shared a few snaps of her visit.
Earlier, she shared her love for festivities as she posed with an embassy official while in a Halloween costume.
The ambassador noted in a tweet how she loves celebrating holidays.