Parol Competition at Philippine Lantern Festival

The 14th Annual Parol Philippine Lantern Festival on December 3, at the Jacobs Center’s Celebration Hall, 404 Euclid will be highlighted by the Parol Competition where the general public and students are invited to compete.

There are two competitions for the general public and students to participate. The Grand Competition will award $250 for First Place, $150 for Second Place and $100 for the Third Place Winner. Participants in the Grand Competition will be required to submit a registration fee of $10 by December 1.

The School Competition is open to all students from Elementary, Middle and High Schools. No registration fee is required. The top winner in each category will receive $50.00.

RULES & REQUIREMENTS:
 Submit Registration Form by December 1 and applicable fees.
 Parol must be decorated by applicant listed on Parol Competition Registration Form.
 Parol must be a three – dimensional lantern.
 Parol dimensions are a minimum 12 inches height/12 inches wide/ 2 inches deep.
 Parol must be a five points star at a minimum: one pointing upward, two outward, two downward.
 Parol must have two traditional tails on the two bottom points.
 Parol material to be used maybe of crepe paper, cellophane wrap, tinsel, metal, shell or fabric.
 Parol frame to be made of bamboo or other suitable material.
 Lights are optional but recommended.
 Applicants must participate in Parade of Parols or have another designated person to participate in the parade with created parol on December 3, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
 Winners will be announced on December 4, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

CRITERIA FOR ADJUDICATION
Design 10 pts
Craftsmanship 10 pts

With December less than two months away, it is one the most exciting times in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation, whose celebration of Christmas brings many Filipino diaspora wonderful memories of “home.” Included in that is the parol, a five-point star-lantern symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem, which lead the Three Kings to the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is a Filipino symbol of their strong faith as Christians and fond memories of the family making a parol each Christmas.

PASACAT Executive Director, Anamaria Labao Cabato shared, “Growing up, I remember my mom re-papering the parol every Christmas, with the trimming on the outline of the star and the beautiful tassels.” Cabato continued, “Mom said that they used to place candles in the parols, but often times caused fires.” Filipino’s now use the intricately capiz shell parols which provides a kaleidoscope of lights in different patterns and styles.

PASACAT hopes to inspire and encourage families to rekindle the tradition with Parol Making Workshops and a Parol Competition to be held at the 14th Annual Philippine Lantern Festival on December 3, 100 PM to 500 PM at the Joe and Vi Jacobs Center’s Celebration Hall. The winners will be announced at the end of the Parol Festival.

Free workshops are also be conducted by the House of the Philippines on Saturday, November 19, 10 am – 1 pm at the Hall of Nations, Balboa Park and on Wednesday, November 30, 4 pm – 6 pm at Skyline Hills Library, 480 South Meadowbrook Drive, San Diego.

Tickets to the Parol Festival are $12.00 for General Admission and $8.00 for students and seniors.

PASACAT is a non-profit cultural arts organization founded in 1970. The Parol Philippine Lantern Festival is funded in part by the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, San Diego County Community Enhancement Fund and the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture.

For more information, contact PASACAT, 102 East 16th Street, National City, CA 91950, 619-477-3383, E-mail: admin@pasacat.org, website at www.pasacat.org or Facebook PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company.

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