Sept 30 - Dec 9, 2006

"Paskong Pinoy: Parol Making Contest"

Theme: "Prepare to Celebrate the Birth of Christ"

Submit all Parols and completed entry form in person
Deadline by: Dec 2, 2006 Sat 12pm
Arlington Diocesan Center
80 N. Glebe rd
Arlington , VA 22203

All parols will be photograph and catalogue prior to announcing the winners on Dec 9, 2006.

For more info please call Parol Committee:

Ben Manalaysay - 703-354-7422
Loulou Rosales 703-716-1951
Ed Tiong 703-403-5624


Due to space limitations and storage, we will only keep the winning entries. For complete details please download a copy of Parol Entry form by clicking on link below:

 http://www.filamtennis.com/pages/vafilam/pdfs/Microsoft Word - 2006ParolContestentryformpdf.pdf 

General Information

In launching their theme for the upcoming Simbang Gabi 2006 season  “Prepare to Celebrate the Birth of Christ”, Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia coordinators in cooperation with several Fil Am organizations announces a “Paskong Pinoy: A Parol Making Contest”.

This upcoming season heralds a special Christmas celebration bringing participation from all aspects of the Fil Am community – individual, family, association and business community. The office of Multicultural Ministries of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington (Northern Virginia), headed by Fr. Richard Mullins and under Pastoral leadership by his Excellency Bishop Paul S. Loverde, will exhibit a limited number of Parols (Christmas Star Lantern) at the Bishop’s Diocesan Center located at 80 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA  22203 after the deadline submission of the Parol on December 2, 2006 Saturday 12pm. At a designated time and date, visitors will have a chance to view these parols along with the world collections of the Nativity Scenes by Fr. E. Hoyos, who heads the Hispanic Apostolate in the whole Northern Virginia area.

As for the organizers, it is their hope and fervent wish that in the true spirit of "Bayanihan" and keeping the spirit of Christ in the coming months brings about the process of building and strengthening relationships among Filipino American Associations, business communities, families, and friends. Just imagine in every Fil Am homes displaying a “Parol” showcasing our gift of culture to the community, as well as our distinctive qualities of ingenuity, hospitality and passion for hope and peace with a proud and rich cultural faith tradition. Of course with the Holiday season ahead, we are often times bombarded with commercial overtures, the hurriedness and traffic congestions around our area, and the gift-giving so peculiar to this season, we are drowned from experiencing the most important meaning of Christmas. After all the Parol or "Christmas Star Lantern" symbolizes the heart and spirituality of the Filipino people, let this season be a special one. Let the blessings of the great anticipation of our savior’s birth Jesus Christ, be a time of spiritual preparation, of perhaps a healing of woundedness, division, and reconciliation among friends, families, and loved one. For the Filipinos, the "Parol" is the symbol of hope and peace in the Philippines, for the world, for their families and loved ones. 

In keeping alive the cultural and faith traditions of the Philippines and passing on the heritage to the youth, local Filipino organizers of the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia(website: www.filipinoministry.catholicweb.com), Fil Am Tennis Organization of Northern Virginia (http://www.filamtennis.com ) and other Fil Am associations in the Metro DC area have come together to prepare and herald the arrival of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions of the Philippines - Simbang Gabi. Simbang Gabi is a novena of nine masses in anticipation and preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Traditionally from December 16 - 23, Catholic Churches across the Philippines and now through the missionary heart of the faithful Filipinos working with their fellow kababayan community and local Pastors and Bishops, have open doors across the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.

Community organizers will look forward to the colorful Parade of Parols leading the procession during each nine day novena mass of Simbang Gabi, reminding as of the light of Christ and anticipating the many blessings of the season. As we prepare for the celebration of the Birth of Christ, It is their hope that as we envision the future of our next generation, we look to the Present - our children and the youth leaders of the community to be the "Parol", a guiding light for our families, our community, our country. But not unless as Parents and Community leaders, that we initiate the role of passing down our faith values and cultural traditions untethered from our own prejudices and biases can we become a People of Hope.