MikeLigalig.com

Filipino-Americans in the Chicago area braved cold snowy weather to attend local artist Fred DeAsis’ 2nd annual Parol Workshop targeted at increasing Filipino-American youth’s appreciation of their Philippine roots.

Fil-Am artist DeAsis told abs-cbnNEWS.com that holding the free workshop "is my way of giving back to our country."

"There was also a great interest from other kababayans who missed the joyous moments and camaraderie in making parols," De Asis said, adding that the parol is not just a Christmas decoration but a way of working together with family and neighbors.

The thirty-odd participants in the half-day affair used basic materials like bamboo sticks, papel de hapon (Japanese paper) and glitter "the way our grandparents used to build them ," DeAsis said. He also noted that there should have been 100 participants if the weather had been better.

As it was, DeAsis said that aside from being snowy, wet and cold, a snow storm was forecast at noon.

Still the event at the Radmacher Gallery of the Skokie Public Library in Skokie, Illinois pushed through last Dec. 1 since Christmas is never complete without a parol.

Aside from just parol-making, there was also a sing-along of Filipino Christmas Carols, kakanin (native finger food) and gifts for the children attendees.

There were even Christmas carols playing in the background while everybody worked on personalized parols.


Mother with Fil-Am boys and 2 Pinays listening carefully as Fred demonstrates the
step by step processes of parol making.

DeAsis is known for his ground breaking historical and cultural traveling exhibit: "Kut-kut" the Lost Art of the Philippine."

His free Parol Making Workshop was launched in 2006 at the Paaralang Pilipino – PACF School, Glendale Heights, Illinois. The workshop aims to promote parol making, one of the Philippines cultural traditions during the Christmas season. The tradition goes back to early 1600s after the arrival of the Spaniards to spread Christianity. The workshop includes presentation of the history and significance of parol in our culture.

Attendees thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and according to DeAsis, Mario Arguilles of Barrington said "para tayong nasa Pinas except may snow sa labas at very cold (it’s like we’re in the Philippines except that there’s snow outside and it’s very cold."

Arguilles was all praises for DeAsis because "the workshop was all hands-on…He made it so much fun, poignant and enjoyable."

"This is what I call innovation and simply genius," Arguilles added.

Family working together. Grandpa showing grandchild techniques while father
helping daughter tie up the bamboo sticks together.

Margarita Peña of Glenview commented that DeAsis’ workshop was so different from the way Filipinos usually ran workshops since "most have multiple layers of committees and lots of decision makers with their own agenda to push. Then most want big bucks to participate and their programs are same boring activities like others do."

"No one wanted to go home. It was so much fun for the kids and adults. The spirit of goodness and sharing filled the air. Fred insisted on helping each other and sharing the joy of making parol. Funny no one wanted to take a break; we were all so focused on having fun making parol. No one was left behind. We all finished almost at the same time," she said.

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