In every Filipino home hangs a parol or lantern every Christmas. The parol is a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem or Christmas Star that appears in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew where three wise men from the East were inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem, until they reached Bethlehem where the baby, Jesus, was born in a manger.
Hanging a star in our homes every Christmas is paying tribute to that star that appeared at the birth of Jesus and the same asteroid that led the Wise Men to the Son of God.
Stars are taken as symbols of divine guidance and protection. It can often be referenced as divine light. And I’d say divine light shone upon persons deprived of liberty (PDL) while they were making different giant star-shaped lanterns using their bare hands. A few months before December, the PDLs in the different municipal and city jails in Negros Occidental, including those in the provincial jail, spent their days and nights making and designing giant lanterns. These lanterns are not the usual commercial lanterns found and sold in stores.
A glance is not enough to enable one to appreciate the beauty and value of every giant lantern that was meticulously mounted and designed by the creative minds and hands of PDLs. They used indigenous and recycled materials, and even crops and other products their respective local government units are famous for.
Take for instance the parol of PDLs of Metro Bacolod District Jail Male Dormitory – Annex that is made of buri fiber, shells of scallops, red kidney beans and yellow and green munggo beans. The image of the Holy Family at the heart of the lantern emphasizes the reason for the season. When its colorful LED lights are lit, the giant lantern gives a bright Christmassy glow that brings Christmas cheer to spectators. But once up close, one will surely be in awe upon discovering the different elements that give a unique texture, color and visual appeal to the popular Christmas ornament.
San Carlos City District Jail’s entry to the “13th BJMP PDL’s Parol Making Contest” is made mostly of materials coming from the coconut tree. But some parts of the parol is made up of abaca, also known as Manila hemp. Pandan leaves and capiz shells were also used.
Meanwhile, the 4ft by 4ft lantern of La Carlota City District Jail features the two major crops of the local government unit: corn and sugarcane. Dried mature yellow corn kernels fill the body of the lantern that is accentuated by sugarcane and a few shells. Lampshades illuminate and display silhouettes of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the Three Kings illuminate at the center of the parol.
Banana leaves and parts of its trunk make up the aesthetic beauty of La Castellana Municipal Jail’s lantern. The PDLs of the town that is known for its yearly Banana Festival, also used common recyclable materials like empty plastic bottles and straw.
On the other hand, persons deprived of liberty of Isabela town crafted a 6ft by 6ft hexagonal star made of bamboo and hand-woven mat. Varnished corn kernels and dried peanut shells were intricately assembled on top of the hand-woven mat, appearing like bite-sized chocolate eclairs and thin wafer rolls from afar. The white LED lights even emphasize the beautiful patterns that make the lantern’s design uniquely charming.
Twenty-one BJMP units participated in the 13th “Suga Sang Paskwa” Parol Making Contest in partnership with Robinsons Place Bacolod. A trade fair featuring all products of PDLs in the province are displayed is also a good place to go for those who are looking for meaningful gifts. All entries are displayed at the second level of the shopping mall.
Jail Senior Superintendent Marie Rose Laguyo, Assistant Regional Director for Administration and concurrent Jail Provincial Administrator of Negros Occidental said that in the past two years, they were not able to hold the contest because of the pandemic.
Laguyo said that while the PDLs have been making and selling lanterns for years, the competition is special because participants had to strictly follow the criteria and materials that must be inexpensive and recycled.
Activities like lantern making, arts and crafts that PDLs busy themselves with are also therapeutic. According to her, through various skills trainings conducted in the BJMP facilities, PDLs are able to make products like bags, rugs and photo frames that is a source of livelihood.
“We are working together for the benefit of our PDL and also, the BJMP’s mantra is ‘Changing lives to build a safer nation,’” emphasized Laguyo.
This collaboration of the local government units, BJMP and the private sector is something that must continue and strengthened because it takes a whole community to rehabilitate and develop persons deprived of liberty into more productive citizens upon their release to the mainstream.
I have been covering and featuring this project of the PDLs for the many decades that I have been a journalist. I have seen them making these lanterns and have talked to some of them who have expressed joy and pride in being productive and also being able to send money to their respective families especially during the holidays.
Let me thank those who have already bought parols from them and allow me to invite everyone yet to get lanterns, to colorfully light up your home this season of advent and get it from the PDLs. It is their love for their families that propel them to hang on and to keep working hard. Remember, every lantern bought from them is a sign of support, concern and love for them and their families who they continue to support even if they are constrained within the walls of the facility.
Let us all give love and light this Christmas.*
