Philippine Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, Embassy personnel, and members of the Filipino community in Ankara pose with the Christmas Parols made by workshop participants. (Embassy photo)

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto pose with the Turkish student members of the Ankara Book Society, who participated in the Parol-making workshop. (Embassy photo)

Ankara, 10 December 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara hosted the Parol Festival at the Meryem Ana Church in Çankaya, Ankara, on 10 December 2023, the second Sunday of Advent. The Parol Festival was a lantern-making workshop, attended by over forty (40) participants from the international community, Turkish nationals, and Filipino community 

Under the theme of “Creating a lantern to inspire hope and peace in the world,” the Embassy shared the traditional method of Parol-making with the international church members from English, French, and Spanish communities, as well as with some Turkish students members of the Ankara Book Society, a youth organization in Ankara supported by the Turkish government. The Ankara Book Society collaborates with different embassies in Ankara for cultural promotion.

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto lit up the Advent candle during the international mass held in Meryem Ana Catholic Church on the second Sunday of Advent. (Embassy photo)

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. explains the importance of the parol-making tradition for Filipinos. (Embassy photo)

Before the final blessing at the International Mass, officiated by Apostolic Nuncio Marek Solcyznski, Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro, the Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, and other priests, Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. spoke about the Filipino tradition of Parol-making in anticipation of Christmas. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Bensurto talked about the importance of the Parol in the Filipino Catholic faith and explained its origins in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He mentioned that the Parol represents the efforts and sacrifices made by every Christian family to prepare for the arrival of Christ. In the Philippines, people display these lanterns outside their homes during Christmas to signify the presence of Christ in every Christian family. The Ambassador expressed his hope that by sharing the Parol from the Filipino tradition, they could spread the spirit of Christ with their fellow brothers and sisters in Türkiye.

The Ambassador thanked the Apostolic Vicar and the Apostolic Nuncio for the opportunity to share this Filipino Christmas tradition with the international community as a way to celebrate the second week of Advent.  Ambassador Bensurto and Madame Ann Mariz Bensurto also presented Filipino Parols to Bishop Massimillano and to the Apostolic Nuncio Marek Solcyznski, respectively.

Philippine Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto present a Parol to Bishop Massimillano, Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, and H.E. Marek Solcynzki, Apostolic Nuncio, Vatican Embassy, respectively. (Embassy photo).

After the mass, more than 40 participants, including adults and children, took part in a workshop where they designed and created their own Parols.

The participants make their own Parols in their preferred design and colors. (Embassy photo)

During the festival, the Philippine Embassy served sopas, pandesal, ham, and provided chicharon, in addition to the food served by the other communities.

Ambassador and Madame Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Consul General Juan E. Dayang Jr. lead participants in singing and dancing to Christmas carols after the workshop. (Embassy photos) 

Ambassador and Madame Bensurto and Consul General Juan E. Dayang Jr. also led the community singing of Christmas carols, which created a festive and lively atmosphere during the event. 

The event was made more colorful through the lighting of Parul Sampernandu, the Christmas lanterns donated by the City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga, the Christmas capital of the Philippines.

 The Christmas lanterns from Pampanga or Parul Sampernandu hang near the small nipa hut (Bahay Kubo).

The Parol Festival is an event organized by the Embassy to promote the traditional Filipino culture of Parol-making among Filipinos, foreigners, and Turkish locals in Ankara, Türkiye. It also aims to encourage engagement and interaction between the Filipino and international communities. END