BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Iloilo chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), in collaboration with the city government, aims to showcase over 2,000 rainbow Christmas parols to enliven the streets of Iloilo City and the neighboring towns in Iloilo province.
Fulbert Woo, PCCI-Iloilo president, said that in addition to illuminating the city’s main roads, such as the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (also known as Diversion Road) in Mandurriao district, there are plans to decorate the national highway in Pavia and Santa Barbara towns, which leads to the Iloilo Airport, with these vibrant lanterns.
Previously known as the “Ilonggo Christmas Parol of Hope”, this annual endeavor is celebrating its fourth year. It has been rebranded to “Ilonggo Rainbow Christmas Parol”.
Instead of the traditional star-shaped design, the new lanterns will feature seven points, each wrapped in different hues of the rainbow.
“This signifies a brighter and more colorful Christmas celebration for the Ilonggos,” said Woo.
Additionally, he shared that the project would also uplift the spirits of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the male dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), who have been entrusted with crafting the lanterns.
As of Oct. 11, the PDLs have crafted around 600 of these rainbow parols, with 100 already adorning the streetlight posts on the city’s primary roads.
The PDLs will receive compensation for each lantern they produce.
The official lighting of the grand rainbow parols is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, PCCI-Iloilo is also gearing up to introduce a new lantern-making competition titled “Parol sang mga Ilonggo”. This contest will see participation from city barangays.
“We aim to engage the Ilonggos from various barangays in this contest, and we’ll disclose the specific categories and guidelines post the election,” Woo confirmed./PN
