Friday, March 31, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News National

Lights and lanterns

Honor Blanco CabiebyHonor Blanco Cabie
November 11, 2019, 1:20 am
in National
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

In Metro Manila or elsewhere in this predominantly Christian country of 106 million people, Christmas lights and lanterns of different colors and shapes have started to deck public squares and major highways.

At the Ayala Avenue in Makati City’s Central Business District, switching on the Christmas lights began on November 5 near the two-hectare landscaped urban park, the Ayala Triangle Gardens, with the entire stretch of Ayala Avenue illuminated by eye-catching ornaments and installations.

These installations, as witness the lighted materials for the past few years, has highlighted craftsmanship and tradition, beckoning both local and foreign visitors to the Ayala Triangle, named after its owner and developer Ayala Land and opened to the publlic this week.

“This event has always been one of the things many Filipino families look forward to every year,” says Cathy Bengzon, adding “Ayala Land is honored to be part of this tradition…our way of bringing cheer to the community, and sending a positive message to everyone.”

ADVERTISEMENT

This year’s design features Christmas trees and angel wings: elements that are more than just pretty displays that mark the holiday merriment and festive celebrations.

“The trees have always been a symbol of life and light, and we wanted to use these elements to impart a message of hope and strength to everyone. It’s always a joy to be able to share a meaningful Christmas with every Filipino family through our installations,” continues Bengzon.

This year’s theme, designed by premier event stylist and interior designer Zenas Pineda, features bronze-colored, cone-shaped Christmas trees with intricate patterns reminiscent of the decors that lined and lit up the city’s lamp posts decades ago.

Local materials and products are being promoted through details and decors that showcase abanico-shaped installations and Capiz chandeliers, including solihiya and adarna feather patterns, which all signify what Ayala Land describes as “the rich heritage of Filipinos.”

Provinces north of Manila have also started lighting their giant lanterns in public squares near town halls, including national highway junctions to remind motorists passing by that the country’s longest festival – Christmas – has begun, with the icy Siberian winds blowing south as early as September.

As early as the latter part of September up to the cold weeks of December, Gerona town in Tarlac provides stiff business competition to lantern makers in San Fernando, Pampanga, where the giant lantern parade has become an icon for Christmas festival in this country which received the Cross in the 16th century.

The highway in Caturay, a dominant agricultural economy with rice and sugar cane as main products of this second class town of Tarlac, the “melting pot” of Central Luzon, twinkles with different colors and lantern shapes from sundown to dawn.

Farther north, in Rosario town in La Union, 216 kms from Manila, a tree house at the junction is decked with multi-colored lanterns that provide lights to and tribute from night travelers passing by –- those from the Ilocos and Benguet or those driving from the metropolis for quick visits to the province at this time.

Some towns in La Union, like Aringay and Bacnotan, Ilocos Sur, like Cabugao and Sinait, and Ilocos Norte, like Badoc, the hometown of the Lunas, and the Darat junction in Pinili, where Filipino guerrillas fought hand-to-hand combat against the Americans during the Philippine American War, have their share of the night lights from giant lanterns along the concrete MacArthur highway.

In the metropolis, particularly near the Greenhills shopping center, motorists can switch off their head lights with the bright gleam from lanterns of different shapes on both sides of Gilmore street.

At the busy Roxas Blvd. fronting Manila Bay, lanterns of different shapes and with several bulbs are hung on electric posts, making a kaleidoscopic skyline for the capital during the night.

The Christmas lanterns are like the carols being sung starting in September in this country, one of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia – the other is East Timor – which have become a lasting symbol for one of the biggest holidays in this archipelago of 7,100 islands.

The official observance does not begin until Dec. 16, with what Tagalogs call the “Simbang Gabi,” or what Ilocanos call “Miatinis,” or what Cebuanos call “Misa de Gallo” from the Spanish term which means Mass of the Rooster, and lasts until Epiphany.

The Philippines, which became a predominantly Christian nation in the 16th century following the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, has several symbols of Christmas, but the lanterns are the biggest in this country.

Homes and buildings are dolled up with beautiful star lanterns called “parol,” from the Spanish “farol” which means lantern.

Traditionally, “parols,” made of bamboo sticks wrapped with crepe paper and a candle to illuminate it, are denotative of the star of Bethlehem which led the lowly shepherds to Jesus’ manger 2,000 years ago.

Almost every home, city street, building, shopping district, public square, department store, commercial area, and church are decorated with lustrous Christmas trees and prismatic blinking lights.

”Parol” is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, a five-point star-shaped Christmas lantern.

Starting in the latter part of September, lanterns -– some have taken other shapes like Santa Claus with his herd of reindeers and other innovations symbolic of Christmas, are seen everywhere.

Originally, the Filipino lantern was made of thin bamboo frames and masked with colored cellophane or with rice paper also known as Japanese paper or “papel de Japon.” It has two tails that serve as the rays of the star.

Nowadays, the materials range from plastic, shells, glass, beads, foil, feathers, hemp, leaves, seeds, soft drink straws, wood and even metal.

Tags: central business districtChristmasChristmas lightsLanternZenas Pineda
ADVERTISEMENT
Honor Blanco Cabie

Honor Blanco Cabie

Related Posts

Solon wants to revive Masagana 99 program

byMaricel Cruz
March 30, 2023, 11:50 pm
0
8
Kin of drug war victims ask ICC to resume probe

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Thursday urged the agriculture department to revive the Masagana 99 rice production program...

Read more

Napolcom activates Maguindanao offices

byManila Standard
March 30, 2023, 11:45 pm
0
8
Napolcom told to stop payment for supplements

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) approved the activation of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) and Maguindanao del...

Read more

Navotas City prepares for Holy Week influx

byJun David
March 30, 2023, 11:40 pm
0
8
Kin of drug war victims ask ICC to resume probe

The Navotas City government has started preparations to ensure safe observance of the coming Holy Week. The city has set...

Read more

Makati schools shift to using solar

byJoel E. Zurbano
March 30, 2023, 11:35 pm
0
8
Razon-Leviste joint venture seeking Meralco supply deal

Nine public schools in Makati City have already shifted to sustainable and renewable energy by using solar panels, Mayor Abigail...

Read more

Warm climate poses risk for cardio patients

byRio N. Araja
March 30, 2023, 11:30 pm
0
8
Kin of drug war victims ask ICC to resume probe

Warm temperature can pose health risks to those with heart problems, according to the Philippine Heart Association. Dr. Jeannica dela...

Read more

DOLE releases P4.7m salaries in Bohol towns

byManila Standard
March 30, 2023, 11:20 pm
0
8
DOLE halts December labor probes

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Regional Office No. VII Bohol Field Office (BFO) simultaneously released a...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • NextPay processed P3.2-b digital transactions in 2022
  • Notice of Postponement of Annual Stockholder’s Meeting- Asia Pacific Medical Center Iloilo
  • ASIAN TERMINALS, INC.: Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
  • Sneakers for Makati : AB4.0
  • Basilan ferry fire death toll: 31
  • 9 out of 10 suspects tag Rep. Teves in Degamo murder—Remulla
  • PH, China set to restart joint oil exploration talks
  • PBBM reaffirms PH commitment to fight impunity

Advertisement

Latest News

9 out of 10 suspects tag Rep. Teves in Degamo murder—Remulla

byMaricel Cruzand1 others
March 31, 2023, 1:30 am
0
8
Soriano named comms adviser

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said 9 of the 10 suspects in the custody of the National Bureau...

Read more

PH, China set to restart joint oil exploration talks

byRey E. Requejoand1 others
March 31, 2023, 1:20 am
0
8
PH, CH form way to settle dispute

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday said the Philippines and China are set to resume talks on a possible...

Read more

PBBM reaffirms PH commitment to fight impunity

byVince Lopezand1 others
March 31, 2023, 1:10 am
0
8
As Muslims mark Ramadan, PBBM calls for solidarity

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the rule of law prevails in the Philippines and its criminal justice system...

Read more

Or. Mindoro to be placed under state of calamity amid oil spill

byOthel V. Campos
March 31, 2023, 1:00 am
0
8
Sunken tanker no sail permit

The entire province of Oriental Mindoro will be placed under a state of calamity, Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor said Thursday,...

Read more

DOJ revising ‘departure formalities’

byRey E. Requejo
March 31, 2023, 12:50 am
0
8
Reversal of Sulpicio case sought

The Department of Justice on Thursday stood by the strict implementation of the departure formalities by the Bureau of Immigration,...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App