Philippine Ambassador Mariel Algabre, Embassy personnel, and members of the Miriam Ana Catholic Church pose with the Christmas Parols made by participants. (Embassy photo)

Ankara, 21 November 2021 – Several Philippine Christmas  parols (lanterns) were made by 22 participants from the international community of the Meryem Ana Catholic Church, Cankaya, Ankara, on 20 November 2022.  The Philippine Embassy’s Parol Festival’s objective is to introduce the hand-made star-shaped Christmas parol, a symbol of Filipino Christmas spirit.   Recalling the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of baby Jesus,  and expressing shared faith and hope,  Filipinos hang  parols  outside their houses, buildings or  in the streets of towns and cities. Whether with simple or  intricate designs, a parol   shows Filipino ingenuity.

International participants try their skills in Parol making. (Embassy photo)

After  the international mass officiated by Apostolic Nuncio Bishop  Marek Solczynski, the Parol Festival gathered around a hundred church-goers from the English, Spanish and French-speaking communities, who  actively participated in the  Filipino tradition of parol making.  The participants, children and adults,  had fun creating their own parols , choosing their preferred colors and designs.

Participants showing their finished Parols. (Embassy photo)

The international community was also able to enjoy Filipino food such as pancit,  lumpiang shanghai , and biko rice cakes, in addition to the delicacies served by the other communities. During the Festival, the Filipino Community members sang Filipino Christmas carols to the delight of the participants.

The Embassy will  distribute gifts and certificates of appreciation to all participants who completed their parols at  the Simbang Gabi Christmas Party on 18 December , that will be sponsored by the Philippine Embassy at the Meryem Ana Grounds.

The Parol  Festival is one the activities of the Embassy to share the unique, colorful, and bright Filipino celebration of Christmas. END

Embassy personnel and Filipino community members assist participants in making their Parols (Embassy photo)

Ambassador Mariel P. Algabre and Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang, Jr. with judges of the best parols,  including Nigerian Paschal Nwaribe, Spanish Defense Attaché Angel Sevillano Queipo De Llano, and Father Seraphin Kazadi. (Embassy photo)

The Philippine Embassy  presented a mock-up Bahay Kubo with Parols by Filcom member Joelyn O. Navarro. (Embassy photo)