An anonymous author once wrote: “A good teacher is like a candle which consumes itself to light the way for others.”
During Christmas season, parols are seen everywhere. As early as November, Filipinos houses, offices, schools, shopping malls and even streets are adorned with these star-shaped multicolored lanterns. Parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, a five point star-shaped Christmas lantern. Many Filipinos make their own lanterns. The parol (pah-role), or star lantern, is the symbol of Christmas in the Philippines, representing the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem. It emits warmth unparalleled among holiday adornments and is unique to the Philippines. Originally made of thin bamboo frames and covered with colored cellophane or with rice paper also known as Japanese paper or papel de Japon.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. Today, the parol become more colorful because of the twinkling bulbs in dazzling pattern that help illuminates each parol. Parol represents the Filipino innovation, creativity and it is the greatest expression of Christmas spirit. Parol making is a traditional folk craft. School children are taught how to make parol and they usually have a lantern parade to showcase their work.
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", is the legendary and mythical figure who, in many cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day). The legend may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. In North American tradition (in the United States and Canada), Santa lives on the North Pole, which according to Canada Post lies within Canadian jurisdiction in postal code H0H0H0. Santa Claus's home traditionally includes a residence and a workshop where he creates - often with the aid of magical elves or other supernatural beings, eight or nine flying reindeers - the gifts he delivers to good children at Christmas. Another legend of Santa says that he makes a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior ("naughty" or "nice") and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves that make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer that pull his sleigh. The tradition of Santa Claus entering dwellings through the chimney. Here in the Philippines, we refer Santa as our Parents, Ninong and Ninang (God Parents), or other member of families and friends who gave gifts and Christmas Cards to their children’s, grandchildren’s or friends during Christmas day.
Why do we have a decorated Christmas Tree? Christmas Tree begun in the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He did many good works there, and spent much time in Thuringia, an area which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity. The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night. Christmas here in the Philippines is not complete without Christmas tree. Since pine trees grow only in a few places in the Philippines, not everybody can afford to have a fresh Christmas tree. Filipinos have created unique and original Christmas tree using different kinds of local materials, from recycled materials to a more exquisite form of art. Giant, well lighted and decorated Christmas trees are a sight to behold in the city street, malls, parks and office building facades. Some big establishments put their Christmas display with a different theme every year, and become a very popular attraction during the Christmas season. Just like anywhere in the world, Christmas tree is not complete without the gifts beneath and around the tree with eager children waiting for their gifts to be open on Christmas day.
The practice of exchanging Christmas cards also became a widespread custom in most countries. Europeans had distributed wood prints of religious themes for Christmas during the Middle Ages. In 1843 English illustrator John Callcott Horsley created the first modern Christmas card. The card depicted a family celebration and its caption read, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” Even the early Christmas card manufacturers believed Christmas cards to be a vogue which would soon pass. They operated on a quick turn basis and did not bother to document the cards they produced. However, the Christmas card was destined to become an integral part of the holiday season. By 1880 their manufacture was big business, creating previously unknown opportunities for artists, writers, printers, and engravers. The "trick card" was the most popular Christmas card of the Victorian era. While infinite in variety, it always featured some element of surprise. While seemingly simple at first glance, the turning of a page, the pulling of a string, or the moving of a lever would reveal the unexpected, showing the card to be more complex than first imagined. Another popular trick card employed the use of realistic reproductions of money and checks. The resemblance was close enough to be deceptive when first opening the card. The "Bank of Love" card was so similar to a real five pound note that it was withdrawn soon after being issued. Cards resembling checks would be issued from 'The Bank of Blessings" for "Ten Thousand Joys." Railway tickets were printed with "Prosperity" being the destination from "All Difficulties," transferable "Only To Old Friends." "Tab cards" comprise the largest group of trick cards. They consisted of two cardboard sections attached at the edges while a tab between the two enabled a different scene or text to be brought into view when manipulated. One such card considered daring in the late 1880's wished the receiver a "Joyous Yuletide" while featuring a young women whose legs appeared to move as if dancing when the tab was pulled. Trick cards were among the many Christmas cards the Victorians collected in special scrapbooks. Great enjoyment was found in sharing their cards with family and friends throughout the entire year.
Arnis is now the official sport of the Philippines. Before the weekend, President Arroyo signed into a law Senate Bill 1424, authored by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri. The lawmaker was teary-eyed when he recounted how late grandmaster, Roland Dantes, constantly pushed for the sport to become a symbol of this country. When the law takes effect, its impact will include the propagation of the sport in all school, which will also be mandated by law. As of now, many other sports are already required in many schools as part of physical education, way ahead of even our national indigenous sport. Establishment of a genuine Filipino martial arts sports association, like world governing bodies of other sports. The loophole is that there are none, because the sport emanates from here. Over the weekend, Sen. Alan Cayetano and Rep. Lani Cayetano sponsored arnis training for hundreds of barangay tanods in Pateros and Taguig, under the supervision of PCKEAM. The training including basics of single-stick self-defense, and unarmed combat. The barangay officials learned how to subdue their more unruly constituents and protect themselves with only they are issued: a baton.
