The Iconic Parol: A Shining, Shimmering Journey to the Philippines
- museomaritimo
- 19 hours ago
- 5 min read
December 4, 2025 – Pasig City, NCR, Philippines
Article by SM Floralde
When the “Ber” months come, and Jose Mari Chan starts singing his most popular Christmas song on the airwaves as his humorous memes appear on social media, Filipinos begin to see various decorations gradually being installed in every mall and commercial establishment in the metropolis.
As the Amihan season ushers in northeasterly winds towards December, a Christmas-themed light and music show features lasers, smoke effects, and projector animations at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City. On the other side of Metro Manila, the Araneta Center initiates the Yuletide season with a colossal Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Quezon City. Around the country, religious and traditional events, as well as regional fiestas, take place nationwide to welcome and celebrate the holiday season. However, one element never fails to sparkle radiantly during the cold nights of the Christmas season. It is our very own “parol,” which found its way to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. At present, as the lanterns shine brightly within the historic walls of Intramuros in Manila, we may look back at the history of the parol in our country.
The Divine Inspiration
The idea of illumination originated from a biblical story. Two thousand years ago, the world’s only saviour was born in the little town of Bethlehem. Sleeping in a manger, the infant Jesus was comforted by his loving parents, Mary and Joseph. In search of the Messiah, the Magi (the three men traditionally believed to be kings or astrologers) travelled to Israel and followed the star. They understood that the celestial object was a sign of the birth of the “King of the Jews,” fulfilling ancient prophecies. The Three Wise Men concluded their journey by bringing gifts to the future King of All Kings, guided divinely by this luminous star. Today, the Star of Bethlehem is a Christian symbol representing the hope of salvation and the light brought by Jesus's birth, as it also serves as the inspiration for the creation of the star-shaped Filipino parol.
History of Parol in the Philippines
The word “parol” is a Tagalog term derived from the Spanish word “farol,” which means “lantern” (a lamp with a transparent case that protects the flame). During the Spanish era, parols were used as part of a Christmas novena procession. Back then, the Hispanic lanterns, illuminated with candles or oil lamps, were rectangular or oblong in shape and made of white paper. To mark the beginning of the Advent, a Christian season of four Sundays that precedes Christmas, the lanterns were used in parades to illuminate the path to early morning masses called Simbang Gabi. Also known as the Misa de Gallo, this series of nine dawn masses was celebrated in preparation for Christmas, beginning on December 16. This Filipino tradition has continued up to the present day.
Filipinized Version of Spanish Lantern
In 1908, the first traditional five-pointed star parol was attributed to Francisco Estanislao. He’s a salt maker from Pampanga who became an artisan and learned to make lanterns crafted from bamboo sticks and colorful Japanese paper. During the American occupation, Filipinos made parols to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. With its growing popularity, the parol soon adorned homes, streets, malls, and buildings throughout the country. In fact, some festivals were conceptualized to recognize parol for its cultural significance, such as the Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul), which is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” Today, this colorful and gleaming festival attracts large audiences from across the country and around the globe.
Modern Filipino Parol
In the modern age, this time-honored ornamental lantern is displayed in most commercial centers and hung in many Filipino homes during the Christmas season. However, the star-shaped parols have evolved significantly from their early forms. First, aside from kawayan and papel de hapon, innovative parol makers utilize a wide range of materials such as capiz shells, sinamay, abaca, fabric, plastic, metal, and other recycled materials. Second, they come in various shapes, such as rectangular, triangular, and hexagonal forms, as well as shapes representing people, animals, and inanimate objects. Third, they are produced in numerous sizes—from 12 inches to 20 feet—and are created in a variety of designs, ranging from simple ones, such as classic paper stars, to intricate works of art like the giant lanterns of Pampanga, which are massive in size and feature complex, synchronized lighting systems that create a dazzling, “dancing-lights” effect that mesmerizes every spectator.
Recently, parols have been used not only as decorations but as elements of non-Christmas presentations, such as in a parade of nations for an international beauty pageant. For instance, in the Miss Universe 2018 preliminary competition, Catriona Gray showcased her iconic national costume, which featured a bodysuit inspired by Visayan batik; a headpiece and accessories from the T’boli tribe; and an enormous Pampanga parol adorned with a mural depicting Philippine history. For curious viewers, the ensemble is currently on permanent display at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) building in Manila.
From its divine inspiration in Bethlehem, to its journey across great oceans aboard the mighty galleon ships of Spain, and to its arrival beyond Philippine shores to illuminate homes in barrios and barangays throughout the country, the parol has come a long way. Much like a symbol of triumph of light over darkness, the parol has served as a beacon during festive occasions and even during or after major calamities, becoming a shining and shimmering emblem of Filipino culture and tradition. In our contemporary times, our collective spirit of celebration has led us to realize that the parol is not merely another decorative item for the holidays but, rather, a symbol of faith and hope for Filipinos during the Christmas season.
References:
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