The Filipino Parol (Christmas Lantern)

https://themixedculture.com/2013/12/15/parol-filipino-christmas/

Filipino Christmas celebration is colorful, lively, full of traditions, bright and definitely twinkling. One of the most iconic symbol of  Filipino Christmas spirit, is the Christmas lantern or locally known as “paról”. The star-shaped lanterns are displayed hanging outside the house, along the busy streets of the cities and even in provincial towns and small villages. May it be a parol with simple or intricate designs, for Filipinos it is an expression of shared faith and hope. It also symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and Filipinos’ goodwill during Christmas season.
For Filipinos, parol making and hanging them outside is a representation of the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of the newly born Jesus Christ. The origin of paról can be traced back during the Spanish era in the Philippines, when the Spaniards brought Christianity to the islands. Parols were initially used to light the way to church to faithfully attend the 9-day Simbang Gabi or Misas de Aguinaldo, which begin on the 16th of December, a devotion for petition of special favors. After coming home from hearing the mass, instead of putting away the lantern somewhere else, people would hang it outside the house.

Paróls are star-shaped lanterns and traditionally made of  bamboo, papél de japón (Japanese paper) and illuminated with candle or kalburo (carbide). As times goes by, the lantern evolved into more intricate, lavish and brightly lit Christmas ornament. Aside from the traditional design of parols, other materials are used such as capiz shells with elaborated lights became popular too. Adding to the meaning of parol, the lantern also demonstrates the craftsmanship of Filipinos. Many communities, such as villages, schools, and groups hold competitions to see who can make the best paról. In the province of Pampanga, an annual Giant Lantern Festival is held, which attracts various craftsmen from across the archipelago.

Yuletide season is definitely bright and twinkling in the Philippines, no wonder with the paról, it became the Festival of Lights. To appreciate and see the peak of the Festival of Lights in the Philippines, one must travel at night from December 16th up to January 6th. All kinds of paróls will make your holidays merrier and bright. Filipinos’ Christmas lantern, a tradition, an art and an iconic symbol of Christmas.

How to make a Filipino Parol: 

http://theartofhomeeducation.com/2013/12/15/the-parol-christmas-lantern/

How did Christmas start?

https://youtu.be/IoBM3XQCC2g

This video shows how the tradition of Christmas began in many parts of the world.

 Christmas in the Philippines 

People in the Philippines like to celebrate Christmas for as long as possible! The playing of Christmas carols in shops can start in September! The formal Christmas celebrations start on 16th December when many people go the the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses. The last mass is on Christmas day. The Christmas celebrations continue to the First Sunday in January when Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated.

In the Philippines the early masses held before Christmas are called the 'Misa de Gallo' or 'Simbang Gabi' in Filipino.

Most Filipinos are Christians with about 80% of people being Catholics. It's the only Asian country with so many Christians. Because of this, Christmas is the most important holiday in the Philippines. December is actually one of the 'cooler' months of the year in the Philippines. The Philippines only has two real seasons, wet (June to October) and dry (April and May). December is one of the months in between the wet and dry seasons.

Christmas Eve is very important in the Philippines. Many people stay awake all night into Christmas day! During Christmas Eve evening, Christians go to church to hear the last 'simbang gabi' or the Christmas Eve mass. This is followed by a midnight feast, called Noche Buena.

The Noche Buena is a big, open house, celebration with family, friends and neighbors dropping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Most households would have several dishes laid out and would normally include: lechon (roasted pig), ham, fruit salad, rice cakes (bibingka and puto bumbong are traditional Christmas foods) and other sweets, steamed rice, and many different types of drinks.

http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/philippines.shtml



Other links:


http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/05/world/asia/irpt-xmas-philippines-traditions/



http://www.filipiknow.net/facts-about-christmas-in-the-philippines/

Decorate a Christmas Tree

Click on the link and decorate your Christmas Tree!

Drag and Drop the decorations onto the tree! (It needs Javascript to be enabled) To clear the decorations reload/refresh the browser.

https://www.whychristmas.com/fun/decorateatree.shtml

Filipino Christmas Traditions (Learn Some Tagalog Words)

Being mostly Catholics, Filipinos start a novena (a series of nine masses) on December 16th. The masses are part of the religious tradition of Simbang Gabi, which literally means “Night Worship.”

Filipinos go to church at four o’clock in the morning and afterward have breakfast together. A traditional drink during this season is a warm ginger tea called salabat and a traditional treat is a flat but thick yellow rice cake called bibingka.

PASKO: Christmas in the Philippines

The Tagalog word Pasko derives from the Spanish word Pascua. Although the wordPascua means Easter, Pascua de Navidad refers to Christmas.

The Philippines is known for having the world’s longest Christmas season. The four months that end with the syllable –ber are considered Christmas months, which is why stores and households start playing carols on the first day of September! And the holiday season extends beyond December 31st. It doesn’t end until the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings (Tatlong Hari) which falls around January 6.

If Mexico has piñatas, the Philippines has its parol. Of course, a parol is not something to hit with a stick. It is a Christmas lantern, most commonly in the shape of a five-pointed star. The bamboo or rattan frame is covered with rice paper, tissue or cellophane. Almost every family either builds or buys one to hang by the window or door. Shopping malls construct giant versions of parol. Traditionally, a candle was placed inside for light to shine through; for safety reasons, people now use bulbs or even a flashlight.

Families, schools and other places also display a creche or nativity scene called belen. Christmas trees made of plastic are decorated with lights, tinsel and balls.

The Tagalog word for gift is regalo, but Filipinos have a special word for “Christmas gift” — pamasko. Children receive fresh bills of money called aginaldo, usually when they visit their godparents and elderly relatives on Christmas morning.

Mostly Catholics, Filipinos begin a novena (a series of nine masses) on December 16th. The masses are part of the cherished religious tradition of Simbang Gabi, which literally means “Night Worship.” Filipinos go to church at four o’clock in the morning and afterward have breakfast together. A traditional drink during this season is a warm ginger tea called salabat and a traditional treat is a flat but thick yellow rice cake called bibingka.

What every Filipino looks forward to is Noche Buena, the grand family dinner after the midnight mass.

Christmas morning is the time for visiting relatives. Filipinos wear new if not their best clothes. Children do mano, which is kissing or bringing to their forehead the hand of an elderly person. This is when they receive their pamasko, certainly aguinaldo from godfathers and godmothers. Christmas lunch and Christmas dinner are with family.

Merry Chistmas!

The Cost of Dying: Funerals and Cemeteries

Presentation guideline:

We learned that both in Japan and the Philippines, there are many ways to remember the dead people in our lives. For many people, remembering the dead is a traditional part of life.

Ceremonies of remembering the dead often include extensive preparations, that are sometimes expensive. Also, cemeteries are likewise expensive to keep and maintain.

Some people believe that saying goodbye to dead loved ones should not cost so much money. Money is to be used for living people, not the dead. So, expensive funerals, and high cost of cemeteries are not practical.

However, some people believe that having lavish ceremonies for the dead is necessary, it is a way to say goodbye, and a way to show respect for the dead person. Cemeteries are needed, even if these are expensive, because there must be an official place where people can go and visit the remains of their dead loved one.

What about people who have no relatives, how will they be remembered? Will you be willing to pay for the funeral and a space in a cemetery for someone you don’t know? What do you think can be done for people like this?

What is your opinion about remembering the dead? Do some research, and give supporting facts about your opinion.

How Japanese people celebrate Obon

In Japan, Obon is often a solemn occasion, with visits to the cemetery, going to hometowns and meeting relatives.

How do you celebrate Obon? Compare Obon, with the Philippines’ Undas.


Videos:

Japan's OBON Festival: Invitation for the Dead

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OFKADRlkoL8

Learn Japanese Holidays: Obon

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gpK7NogNB4g

The Japanese Tradition (A Funny Look at Obon) 日本語版

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fob-Zt3bUpo

Tourism in the Philippines: Statistics

City of Manila

Manila City skyline view from Harbour Square

Makati City

Makati City skyline

Tourism is an important sector for the Philippine economy, contributing 7.8% to the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014.^[2]
Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of 7,107 islands with 82 provinces divided in 18 regions. Philippines is known for having its rich biodiversity and it is the main tourist attraction in the country.^[3] Its beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands and diving spots are among the country's most popular tourist destinations. The country's rich historical and cultural heritage is also one of the attractions of the Philippines.
Popular destinations among tourists are El Nido in Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Manila and many more.

 

 

Since 2010, South Korea has been the largest source of visitors to the Philippines. In 2013, a total of 1.17 million South Koreans visited the Philippines. It is followed by the United States, Japan, China, Australia, Taiwan, and Canada.^[5] In 2013, the country attracted 4,681,307 visitors.^[5]
In 2014, the Department of Tourism announced that the year 2015 will be the Visit the Philippines year.

Arrivals

Tourism Statistics[20]
Year	Foreign Tourists
1996	1,049,367
1997	1,222,523
1998	1,149,357
1999	1,170,514
2000	1,992,169
2001	1,796,893
2002	1,932,677
2003	1,907,226
2004	2,291,347
2005	2,623,084
2006	2,843,335
2007	3,091,993
2008	3,139,422
2009	3,017,099
2010	3,520,471
2011	3,917,454
2012	4,272,811[21]
2013	4,681,307[22]
2014	4,833,368[23]
2015	5,360,682[24]
Jan-Feb 2016	1,091,983[25]

Top 20 international visitors

Rank	Country	Jan-Feb 2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011
1	South Korea	284,763	1,339,678	1,175,472	1,165,789	1,031,155	925,204
2	United States	155,796	779,217	722,750	674,564	652,626	624,527
3	China	130,916	490,641	394,951	426,352	250,883	243,137
4	Japan	92,531	495,662	463,744	433,705	412,474	375,496
5	Australia	43,712	241,187	224,784	213,023	191,150	170,736
6	Canada	36,773	156,363	143,899	131,381	123,699	117,423
7	Taiwan	35,344	177,670	142,973	139,099	216,511	181,738
8	Singapore	28,376	181,175	179,099	175,034	148,215	137,802
9	United Kingdom	28,238	154,589	133,665	122,759	113,282	112,106
10	Malaysia	23,990	155,814	139,245	109,437	114,513	91,752
11	Hong Kong		122,180	126,008	114,100	118,666	112,106
12	Germany		75,348	72,801	70,949	67,203	61,193
13	India		74,824	61,152	52,206	46,395	42,844
14	Saudi Arabia		50,884	43,483	38,969	30,040	27,945
15	Indonesia	8,824	48,178	46,757	45,582	36,627	34,542
16	France	12,502	45,505	38,946	39,042	33,709	29,591
17	Thailand		44,038	45,943	47,847	40,987	37,862
18	Russia		35,378	38,976	41,254	33,729	23,908
19	Guam		35,262
20	Vietnam		31,579

 

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_the_Philippines