Text and photos JELLYN GUECO

For many Filipinos, the end of the holiday season means taking down the Christmas decorations that have been gracing their homes since the beginning of the ’ber months. The Christmas tree, the belen, the lights, and of course, the parol—all carefully packed away in plastic storage boxes until the next holiday season comes knocking. But for a parol master like Paul Paras, the festive vibe is an all-year-round affair.
It has always been a mystery to me what happens to Christmas-themed businesses like parol sellers when the holiday season is over. Do they just close up? Do they start making or selling other products? While I passed by the street side parol shops in Pampanga, curiosity coupled with a touch of nostalgia compelled me to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes beyond the season.
I walked through the shops and asked around, and eventually found myself in Paul Paras’ workshop in Barangay Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga. There, I learned that being a parol master is more than just a seasonal job. It’s a way of life.

A craft passed down through generations
Paul Paras, now in his late 50s, is a third-generation parol maker who has been making Christmas lanterns since he was a teenager. Growing up watching his grandfathers and uncles who were parol makers, he said it was but natural for him to learn how to make one. 

But making parol for a living was not something he immediately considered. In his 20s, he also dreamed of seeing a bigger world outside of Pampanga and the Philippines. He left the country to become an OFW in Korea. But not long after, he decided that life abroad was not something he saw himself pursuing long-term. When he came back to the Philippines, he continued his uncle’s business and became a full-fledged parol master.
Now, with over 40 years in the industry, Paras is one of the better-known mamarul (lantern makers) in Pampanga. His works have adorned the National Museum of Fine Arts and have traveled the world. His eldest son, Juan Angelo, is also following in his father’s footsteps, working toward being a parol master in his own right.

Post-Christmas parol grind 
I’ve always thought that the holiday season is the busiest time of the year for parol makers, but Paras said that while they get the most sales during the ’ber months, the production does not really stop because they have to prepare for next year’s orders. 
“The Pampanga parol is handmade and it takes a lot of work and skill to make one. It takes about a week to finish one standard-sized parol. If we want to make thousands of those, we have to work non-stop even after Christmas,” says Paras.

During the off season, Paras says they also export to other countries and receive orders from all over the Philippines, balikbayans, and OFWs who take the lanterns with them when they leave the country. These orders combined with the sales they earn during the Christmas season sustain them throughout the year. 
“We have to learn how to budget because our biggest earnings are concentrated during the holiday season. We need to make sure we have enough to keep the production going and also for our daily expenses,” he explains.

Embracing innovation and sustainability 
My childhood memory of the Pampanga parol in the 1990s is shaped like a star made of colorful paper, illuminated by blinking light bulbs inside, and bigger than a car tire. The one we had hung in front of our house was even covered by clear plastic to protect it from the rain. But as I walked around Paul Paras’ workshop, I realized how much the parol-making industry has evolved. 
Paras shares that while keeping the tradition alive is essential, adapting to new technologies and listening to the demand of the market are equally important. 
“The core design of the Pampanga parol is still the same but every four to five years, the trends of how it’s made and what materials are used change,” says the parol master. “In the beginning, we used bamboo and Japanese paper, then plastic became more popular, and now capiz shells are more in demand because of their durability.”
The demand for more sustainable and energy-efficient Christmas decorations is another factor why Paras started incorporating LED lights into their designs. 
“Some parol masters still prefer the traditional light bulbs because it’s what they’re used to. They say it’s more beautiful that way or more ‘classic,’” he adds. But I think we also have to adapt and innovate. While we still make the old-school parol when we have special orders, we now offer more modern designs and materials.”
Walking out of the workshop, I ask him why he has lasted so long as a parol maker. Paras pauses before answering, thinking of the right words to say.
“Aside from the financial rewards of this business, the sense of fulfillment knowing that the parol we’re making brings joy to homes all around the world is priceless,” he says, his face lighting up like a parol at Christmastime. “The Pampanga parol is a symbol of Christmas, of love, of hope. It warms my heart whenever I meet families who tell me that they’ve saved up just to buy a parol. It feels that all the hard work, the skill, and the craftsmanship that goes into making one parol is truly worth it.”