The Philippines has the longest Christmas season ever.
For many Filipinos, that means hearing Jose Mari Chan holiday jingles on the radio as early as Sep 1. Some even put up decorations around that time. Among the iconic decorations in Filipino households is, of course, the parol or lantern.
The Filipino community in Singapore is transporting a part of that Christmas tradition by giving a giant four-meter parol to the Singaporean government.
Parols are usually made out of bamboo sticks formed into a star and covered with colored paper and other trimmings. Then again, there are more elaborate parols that are made of more durable materials.
In fact, the giant parol given to Singapore is made out of fiberglass.
The media invite issued by ACM points out that “the gift to Singapore will mark the first time the country is exhibiting a lantern made out of fiberglass and on a large scale outside the Philippines.”
The assembly of the giant parol has started at Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum. It will be unveiled during the Love, Light and Living Festival on Sat, Sep 3. The parol will be lit up at around 7pm following the formal presentation of Philippine ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales.
Aside from the giant parol, 10 one-meter parols will also be displayed on the ACM lawn.
The festival — which showcases a variety of cultural activities — will be held from 1pm to 9pm on Sat, Sep 3, and from 1pm to 5pm on Sun, Sep 4. It is part of the museum’s Christianity in Asia exhibition which will end on Sep 11. Admission is free.
For those who can’t make it, here are photos of the actual parol displayed outside the Asian Civilizations Museum
