Parol Christmas Lanterns

 In the Filipino language, a Christmas lantern is called a parol. There's no greater symbol of the Filipino Christmas spirit than the parol. All through the Christmas season, star-shaped lanterns can be found hanging outside homes and along the streets of cities and small provincial towns, farms and fishing villages. For Filipinos, making a parol, decorating one and lighting a parol is an expression of shared faith and hope.

 The word parol (pronounced “pah-roll” with a rolling "r") comes from the Spanish word for lantern, farol. According to World Book's Christmas in the Philippines, the roots of the parol can be found in the Mexican piñata. The piñata came to Spain from Italy in the 1300's, spread to Mexico and finally came to the Philippines when the Spaniards brought Christianity to the islands. The book A Child's Pasko: Christmas in the Philippines explains that the parol was originally used to light the way to church to attend the daily Misas de Aguinaldo, or Gift Masses, which begin on the 16th of December, and ends with the Misa de Gallo, or "Mass of the Rooster" at midnight of Christmas eve. The midnight mass is followed by a usually lavish meal at home, which is always anticipated by the kids. The first Misa de Aguinaldo that is held at dawn on December 16th marks the official start of the Christmas season.

 Parol Making Workshop

 Now that you know something about the history of parol, we will keep this pinoy tradition alive here in Canada. The Hirit Team will be holding a Parol Making Workshop on Nov. 25 (Friday), 6:00pm  at St. Red Robinson Theater, Boulevard Casino, Coquitlam BC. Their will be teachers and volunteers who will guide you in making your parol.

 Here are the materials you need to make your Parol. You can purchase these materials in any arts/crafts store or dollar store. We also have materials at the venue but only for limited quantity.

For Traditional Parol

• 10 flat bamboo sticks or any flexible sticks
• 5 bamboo posts
• string/thin wire
• 3 sheets of Japanese (tissue) coloured paper or any decorative coloured paper
• Scissors
• Glue or paste

 For Paper Parol

• Any coloured art paper
• Scissors
• Staple
• Glue or paste

Gather the materials. Bring your family and friends. This is an interactive workshop and everyone will have fun making their own parol. This is our small way of making everyone especially the new generation of pinoy-canadians to be familiar with their Filipino tradition and culture. Let's keep our pinoy tradition alive.

 Parada ng Parol

 After our exciting Parol Making Workshop, we will proudly showcase for the very first time our parol tradition during the Rogers Santa Claus Parade on December 4 in downtown, Vancouver. Our float entry is Hirit sa Pasko: Parada ng Parol. This is our community's first participation in the Santa Claus Parade. Around 300,000 spectators are expected to witness the parade.  

Halina at magsama sama tayo sa Hirit sa Pasko: Parada ng Parol.