Greenhills Christmas Lanterns

Transcript

00:00 One of the symbols of the Filipino Christmas is the "parol".

00:04 When the vermonsts were just born,

00:06 the lights spread all over the streets and our homes.

00:11 But before a "parol" gets light,

00:14 it takes hours to be completed.

00:18 Let's watch this.

00:20 Christmas in the Philippines is a colorful and joyful celebration full of hope.

00:27 One of the symbols that gives color to Christmas is the Christmas lanterns or "parol".

00:33 Because it is not only a decoration,

00:36 but it also brings light and meaning to every home.

00:40 Within a few years,

00:43 one lantern store can be found in Granada Street, Barangay Valencia, Quezon City.

00:48 The ones that give color and shine the "parol" to our Christmas,

00:53 all of their products are designed by them.

00:57 But of course, one of the big roles behind this is the "parol" makers.

01:03 Because of the selection of materials and assembly,

01:07 they show their dedication to give a colorful Christmas to the Filipinos.

01:13 I've been looking for a job since I was a kid.

01:17 I started working as a "parol" maker when my father took me in.

01:23 I made 15 "parols" a day.

01:28 Depending on the size,

01:30 if it's big, I make 5 or 6.

01:33 If it's small, I make 10 or 12.

01:37 Bernie is the one who makes the lights for the Christmas lanterns,

01:44 so he can't avoid the challenges.

01:47 It's hard. At first, you'll be surprised when you see a "parol".

01:52 If you're not used to it, you'll do it over and over again.

01:58 But despite the trials,

02:00 it's not certain that this joy will be replaced

02:03 because the "parols" they make can be found in different countries,

02:08 malls, and in the houses of artists.

02:11 We Filipinos are very traditional in buying "parols"

02:17 and decorating them.

02:20 We can't live without "parols" because it makes us happy.

02:27 Despite modernization and technology,

02:30 the tradition of making "parols" is still alive and thriving.

02:34 It shows our love for our culture

02:38 and the importance of faith in God.

02:41 [MUSIC PLAYING]