The parol is a constant fixture in Filipino Christmas celebrations. This star-shaped lantern, traditionally made of bamboo and colorful materials, is a staple in houses, streets, and establishments during Christmas.
Some would say it is synonymous with the holidays themselves. It is such an important part of Filipino Christmas that even Jose Rizal, in exile, could not properly celebrate the festivity without one.
As soon as the holiday season starts in the Philippines, parol lanterns (as sure as the pine trees, lights, the nativity scene, and merry tunes) also pop up. But though it is a famous icon of the holidays, its origins have been mostly obscured.
Where and how did parol-making start in the Philippines?
What is the history of parol in the Philippines?
The carrying of lanterns to mass has been around since Spanish colonial times. Back then, people brought torches to novena to light their way to the Simbang Gabi (midnight or dawn masses), and these lanterns took many forms. Those early versions were called faról, borrowing the Spanish term for the lantern. Later, it became parol as adopted by the Filipino language.
The birth of the star parol
However, the parol now may be unrecognizable from the parol our great-grandparents knew. Though their idea of parol and the ones we know share materials, it was not always shaped like a star.
In fact, parol lanterns shaped like stars only came into popularity during the American colonial period. Allegedly, the popular five-point star design of the parol was originally made by an artisan in Pampanga named Francisco Estanislao.
Though Estanislao’s parol used the same combination of bamboo sticks and Japanese paper as its predecessors, the star design was novel. Or at least it was novel enough to stick around until over a century later. Plus, it certainly was different from the usual oblong parols and folded paper lanterns that took on other different shapes which were popular back then.
Contrary to what most people believe, the parol of the old times was not made strictly for holiday merriment. During the Spanish colonial times, parol-making was a religious act as part of the traditional Lubenas (or novena) processions. As such, the parol then took many forms, from crosses and lambs to fish and doves.
Why a star?
According to various sources, the star parol borrows its meaning from the core events in the Bible leading up to the celebration of Christmas. It is supposed to represent the star of Bethlehem, which guided the Three Wise Men to Jesus. Over time, it became a shorthand for the story and the hope and joy that it stands for.
From a religious celebration to a festival of lanterns
The move from distinctly religious symbols like crosses to more generic shapes like stars in lanterns were also mirrored in the celebrations. With the rise of the star parol design, its previous iterations became less popular. Furthermore, it became less about religious figures.
The home of the Lubenas lantern processions in Pampanga now celebrates the Giant Lantern Festival annually in lieu of the old ceremonies. In fact, the modern festival’s origin is far from religious as it started as a celebration to honor the then Philippine President, Manuel L. Quezon. Since then, it has become a seasonal tourist attraction in Pampanga.
Given this, the province and its capital, San Fernando, earned its rightful title as the ‘Christmas Capital of the Philippines.’ Every year starting mid-December, the city hosts a parade that features giant lanterns adorned with lights that dance to the beat of accompanying music.
Parol in modern times
Beyond symbolism, parol-making also impacts Pampanga’s local tourism and economy. Its festival is famous across the country and draws local and foreign tourists to the province. Furthermore, the interest in parol-making is enough to make an industry out of its lanterns to support the locals.
Parol has also become an important element in the Province of Pampanga as it is closely tied to its history. Many natural phenomena and historical events have previously halted the celebration of the lantern parade. The latest was the recent global pandemic that threatened the survival of parol-making as an art. To save the craft and boost the local economy, the government provided assistance to lantern-makers to keep the industry alive.
The future of parol-making
Though parol-making has been a tradition for many centuries, there are some uncertainties about its future. Local parol-makers are burdened by the thought that their craft might be a dying art.
There are long-time lantern makers who are concerned about the parol-making industry because it is their main source of income. On the other hand, there are also people who are willing to shell out money for these lanterns so that they can keep their decades-old family tradition going.
But aside from being a source of livelihood and pride, parol-making is also an identity that makes Filipino Christmas unique. However, despite the best efforts of its passionate artisans, there are still threats to the continuity of parol-making.
Challenges to the future of parol-making
It is a challenging craft to learn and an even harder one to teach. While mastering a simple parol is one search away on the internet, creating detailed and intricate lanterns requires time, effort, and patience. In addition, the younger generation has a dwindling interest in niche crafts like parol-making.
How can parol-making survive?
Though the Kapampangan lantern makers and the Giant Lantern Festival are big factors in the survival of parol-making, ensuring the tradition stays alive requires a community effort and government intervention. Given this, the Office of the President (OP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently held a nationwide parol-making contest.
The said contest was open for participants from across the country to showcase their culture and ingenuity. Furthermore, the event is part of the government’s effort to promote cultural tourism, which focuses on heritage, culture, and arts.
Digitalization may be a threat to the survival of parol-making, but it is also an opportunity. With computers, one can make complex and accurate designs without needing to spend hours and hours mastering the craft. Additionally, this can also encourage the younger generation to see parol-making not as a dead end but as an opportunity to express their passion for design.
An enduring Filipino Christmas tradition
The parol may be a simple object, but it holds so many stories from the colonial era to modern times. Though their meaning may vary from one person to the other, it encapsulates what Christmas is like in the country—simple, vibrant, and hopeful.
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