DRIVING THOUGHTS
The Christmas parol is out, perhaps by the tens of thousands around Metro Manila, bringing the warmth of the season in multi-colored lights. Hanging along the main thoroughfares and side streets, windows of houses and shops, churches, gardens, and government offices, the Pinoy Parol shines a reminder of many family traditions.
Yes, the parol or Christmas lantern, is a symbol of hope and faith, elements that strengthens resilience that has made Filipinos survive natural disasters. Hope is a strong emotion because it strengthens faith and gives lessons on humility.
But to most Filipinos, the parol is just a reminder of many past Christmases. Who has not attempted – and succeeded – to craft a parol as a class assignment from grade school to high school? Out of these creative attempts came the Filipinos’ love for the parol, and they have adopted it as part of Christmas celebration. It has also produced craftsmen who have made beautiful parol designs that have made the Pinoy Parol a premium product which is now quite pricey, here and abroad.
We Filipinos cannot think of a Christmas season without a parol. An entry in a history book says Jose Rizal, while living in exile in Dapitan in 1893, had written a letter requesting that Japanese paper be sent to him so he could “celebrate Christmas properly.”
In many parts of the world, a parol outside a window states that a Filipino must live in the house.
The parol is usually hung outside windows to represent the “Star of Bethlehem” that guided the Three Kings” to find the baby Jesus in a manger.
In the late ’80s, the parol was known as the “Star of Hope” in Negros Occidental where it offered hope to displaced sugar workers in Negros Occidental. Then governor Daniel Lacson, Jr. initiated the Star of Hope project which produced 200,000 star-shaped Christmas lanterns from 18 livelihood centers around the province. A unique collapsible design of the parol make it possible to ship the Christmas lanterns to many parts of the world, thus its success.
The design of the parol has traveled a long way from history. It started during the Spanish time when people would carry torches or candles to light their way to churches for the nine-day Christmas novena procession which became known as the Simbang Gabi. Articles about the Pinoy lantern say the parol in the design we know it today started in 1908 in Pampanga.
Through the years, its design became more intricate, inspiring local competitions and festivals. In Pampanga, the famous Giant Lantern Festival is held every year and attracts artists and tourists.
The intricately-designed and multi-lighted parol of today came from the five-point star made from bamboo sticks and Japanese paper illuminated inside by a candle. Today, the parol still retains the star shape and is lighted with LED bulbs which illuminate to show various patterns. The icons of Christmas are also carried inside these lanterns, with the Christmas Belen or a church as the popular designs.
I cannot imagine not having a parol hanging over the garden, or from a corner inside the house when December rolls in. Someone always beats me to hanging our parol.
One evening in December, when I see it hanging outside the window, a good feeling always comes over me. Despite being tired from work and the long drive home crawling through holiday traffic, the parol outside my house says – Feel the joy of Christmas!