PINASenti:PAROL
Parols are the traditional Christmas lanterns in the Philippines that are hung outside houses as decoration. Made in the shape of a star with five or more points, they symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.
The traditional materials for making parols are mostly simple — bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper, and crepe paper. In modern times, plastic, heavier paper, cellophane and capiz are also used. The traditional candle or oil lantern inside has been replaced by electric lights.
The parol-making tradition clearly began after the Christianization of the Philippines. The word parol comes from farol, which is Spanish for lantern (an allusion to the famed lighthouse of Pharos). World Book’s Christmas in the Philippines suggests that the parol originated from the Mexican piñata, which like the parol is decorated with crepe paper. The piñata, originally from Italy, was brought to Spain and from there to Mexico then finally to the Philippines when the Spaniards brought Christianity to the country and galleon trade with Mexico began.
According to A Child’s Pasko: Christmas in the Philippines, the parol’s original function was to light the way of those going to church for each Misa de Gallo and the Misa de Aguinaldo. The paper lampshades were originally shaped like fleur-de-lis or crosses. Rather than storing their lanterns in between uses, the owners chose to display them. The people would try to outdo each other’s designs, coming up with more beautiful and innovative designs each year. The typical design that eventually resulted was that of a five-pointed star with tassels that suggested a comet’s tail. The practice of making parols was encouraged by the Church and resulted in the elevation of parol-making to an art. To this day, new innovations are being made to the design of parol lanterns.
ZODIAC SIGNS
CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid.. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times.. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want. 20 years of good luck if you forward. ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19) Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous… Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered..) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic. 16 years of good luck if you forward. SCORPIO - The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser.. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges.. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative… Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward. “Get what they want”. Please be accurate! HAHA
AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality….. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional… Can be a bit rebellious… Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out…. Eccentric personality. 11 years of luck if you forward.
PISCES - The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20) Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don ‘t like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful. 8 years of good luck if you forward.
TAURUS - The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20) Charming but aggressive.. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally… Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous… 12 years of good Luck if you forward
GEMINI - The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20) Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty… Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
CANCER - The Protector (June 21 - July 22) Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person.. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
LEO - The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22) Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control.. Like boundaries.. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted.. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy… Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos.. Attractive. 13 years of bad luck if you do not forward…..
VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Dominant In relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word.. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy.. Often shy. Pessimistic… 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - O ct 22) Nice to everyone they meet. Can’t make up their mind … Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful… Flirtatious Give in too easily. Procrastinators.. Very gullible. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.
SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Good-natured optimist… Doesn’twant to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome)..Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing.. Doesn’t like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient…. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends.. Flirtatious. Doesn’t like rules… Sometimes hypocritical.. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn’t like being doubted.. beautiful inside and out
