Page 16 - NYPCG - KAAKBAY 2018 July to December

16 July to December
2018

“Feel Pinas” Parol-Making Workshop Kicks off Fil-Am Christmas Season in New York

The Philippine Consulate General New York, in
cooperation with the Department of Tourism in New York and the
Filipino School of New York and New Jersey, organized a Parol-
Making Workshop on 17 November 2018 at the Philippine
Center.

Attended by children and their families and Fil-Ams who
have long been staying in the US and wish to recall and revive
the parol-making tradition, the Workshop served as a prelude to
the forthcoming Parol-Lighting ceremony and Simbang Gabi sa
Konsulado in early December.

In his welcome remarks, Consul Arman R. Talbo, shared
brief a history on how the “parol” was introduced in the
Philippines and how it evolved from a traditional to a more
modern Christmas ornament and decor. As Filipino Christmas
traditions are suffused with religious symbolism, he shared the Families in NY participates at the “Feel Pinas” Parol Making Workshop held at
significance of the “parol” to Filipino homes as each family the Philippine Center on 17 November 2018. (Photo by NYPCG)
joyfully awaits the celebration of the birth of Jesus during
Christmas. He added that the parol represents the star that
appeared in the sky to herald the birth of the Messiah.

Ms Susan de Mundo, Tourism Attaché, added that the
Philippines has one of the longest and the most lavish display of
parols during the Christmas season citing various sources of
parol in the country including Pampanga, Sorsogon, and Laguna.
She announced that the Tourism office will assist in the display of
parols in the Center to bring the colorful tradition to Fifth Avenue,
Manhattan’s busiest thoroughfare especially during the holiday
season.
Consul Arman R. Talbo (left photo) welcomes the participants of the “Feel Pinas”

Mr. Francis Estrada, a visual artist, and museum Parol Making Workshop held at the Philippine Center on 17 November 2018. Mr.
educator at the Museum of Modern Art, and freelance educator Francis Estrada (Center), museum educator at the Museum of Modern Art
of Philippine art and culture, led the workshop at the Center. shows how to make the star using the bamboo material. (Photo by PCGNY)

(continued from pg. 15… 122nd Anniversary of Rizal’s Martyrdom)
The program was also highlighted by a reflection from Ms. Olive Abarquez, Founder of the Alumni of the Rizal Youth

Leadership Institute and Jose Rizal Model Student of the Philippines in 1998. Ms. Abarquez, currently an NYC Public School
Teacher, urged the KOR Officers to engage the youth in the activities of the KOR and underscore the importance of the role of
the youth and Rizal’s ideals and virtues in the family and in community building.

An additional 11 members of the Ladies for Rizal Auxiliary for New York were sworn in by Sir Atty. Suba, KOR East
Coast Regional Commander. Carla Angeline Mongado, a newly-inducted member rendered a beautiful love song.

The evening’s activities also solemnly featured a dramatic Tableau of Rizal’s execution, staged by members of the
New York Chapter.

Sir Mariano Aquino, KOR-NY Chapter Commander thanked all the present and new members of the New York
Chapter and expressed hope for more activities geared for the youth in the coming activities of the Knights.

New members at the Knighting Ceremony of the Consul Arman R. Talbo exalted to the rank of The new members of the Ladies for Rizal, NY Chapter were inducted
KOR-NY Chapter held during the 122nd Death Knight Commander of Rizal at the 122nd Death Anniversary of Jose Rizal held at the Philippine
Anniversary of Jose Rizal in New York on 19 Center in New York.
December 2018.