In the Filipino language, a Christmas lantern is called a parol. There's
no greater symbol of the Filipino Christmas spirit than the parol.
Christmas to me back home wasn't so much the Christmas tree trimmed with balls and garlands or the puto with queso de bola. What I remember most are the parols that that hang under the bridges or overpasses. It was such a profusion of color and filmy streamers swaying in breeze.
Christmas season in the Philippines begins when the parol vendors come out. Unlike here in the US where Christmas season begins in late November after Thanksgiving, parol vendors start selling their parols in the “ber” months, September, October, November and December. Christmas season in the Philippines is a significantly longer period of time.
There are only two types of parols (if we really simplify it). There’s the traditional parol and the capiz parol. The parol that makes me really nostalgic for home is the more traditional parol. The star with the halo around it and has hanging streamers on the 2 bottom points. These parols are usually made of papel de japon or japanese paper, celophane or foil.
The capiz parol is the fancier version of the parols. It’s made of capiz which is pretty sturdy, it’s colorful and it’s most often lit from inside with a bulb or LED. To make it even more fancy, the lights made to blink. You can even get those capiz parols that have lights timed to music that’s installed inside the parol.
Filipino parols are so symbolic of the Filipino Christmas season. A Filipino parol shines in every ones house to celebrate the season of sharing, giving, peace and love. Filipino Christmas parols are so unique and for us Filipinos, easily recognizable as the symbol of our faith and our culture.
