Pampanga’s parol making tradition thrives in Cebu City

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The iconic “parol” or Christmas lanterns are unquestionably among the decorations that add cheer and brightness to the Christmas occasion.

True enough, for motorists and passersby along N. Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City, it was impossible not to notice and marvel at the sidewalk display of colorful lanterns, which comes in various colors, sizes, and designs.

This display belongs to the Bucad family, who have been visiting Cebu for the past 12 years to sell their handmade Christmas lanterns.

The majority of these lanterns are made in San Fernando, Pampanga, which is known as the country’s Christmas capital.

Birchman Bucad, who manages the parol store, told CDN Digital that it was his grandfather’s idea to venture and expand the family’s business here in Cebu in 2008.

After the latter passed away in 2010, the second generation, that of her father, and eventually, them, took over their family’s business.

As they do not have any relative here in Cebu, Bucad said they only rented a place along N. Bacalso yearly. They come to Cebu every first week of September and go home to Pampanga days before Christmas on December 25.

With the Cebuanos’ positive response on their craftsmanship, Bucad said they were able to open additional outlets in Cebu, including their stall in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

“Sa una po talaga, medyo nahirapan kami kasi hindi namin masyadong gamay dito noon. Nung nagtagal po, dumadami na po yung mga customers. Tsaka yung mga tauhan po namin dito dumadami na rin po. Dati nagstart kami mga walo lang kami, ngayon umabot na po kami ng mga 20,” he said.

(At first, we really found it difficult because we were not familiar with the place. Eventually, our customers increased. And our workers here also increased. When we started before, we only had eight, now we reached 20.)

Additionally, according to Bucad, the Cebuanos were among those who demonstrated that adversity would not stop them from celebrating Christmas, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette’s devastation in December 2021.

After all, he said, the parol was a symbol of hope and a guiding light for the Filipinos.

“By that time, yung pera parang ano na lang eh. Ang gusto na lang ng mga tao maging masaya, magbigay ng mga parol sa bahay nila o magbigay ng kasiyahan sa iba ba. Kahit may pandemic at least may parol tayo na nakasindi. Hindi ganun kalungkot yung mararamdaman nila,” he said.

(At that time, money was just that. What the people wanted was to be happy, to have Christmas lanterns in their homes or to give happiness to others. Even if there is a pandemic, at least they have Christmas lanterns that we have lighted. And they don’t feel as sad as they felt.)

To keep up with the trends, Bucad said they would update their designs yearly.

As of now, the Bucad family has more than 10 designs available, including the Eiffel tower and poinsettia designs. They also customize designs for their clients.

Aside from these designs, he said they would also ensure safety in all of their lanterns and spend weeks even months in assembling them, including its electrical parts.

The price of their Christmas lanterns ranges from P800 to P8,500.

Over the years, he said, they have already sold their product to various business establishments and local government units here in Cebu, including the Talisay City government.

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