Barcelona, 22 December 2023 - The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona and the Maritime Museum of Barcelona launched the "From Sea to Star" exhibit of Philippine capiz parol lanterns with a lighting ceremony on the evening of 21 December 2023 at the Maritime Museum’s main entrance hall. Over 80 members from the Filipino community and local residents were in attendance to witness the event.
The exhibit features the iconic Capiz Parol, a testament to the Philippines' rich maritime heritage. Made from translucent Capiz shells sourced from the coastal waters of the Philippines, these parol lanterns are not just symbols of Christmas but also embody the deep connection between the Filipino people and the sea—a sentiment that resonates with Catalonia's maritime history.
MMB Director General Enric Garcia welcomed the guests and congratulated the Consulate for once again staging a successful collaboration and bringing the Filipino community and Filipino culture to the Museum.
Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, in her remarks, underscored the deep cultural ties between the Philippines and Catalonia, and the common reliance and love for the sea by Filipinos and Catalans.
In addition, the Consul General highlighted the strategic importance of linking the celebration of the Philippines' maritime heritage with the country's legal triumph in the 2016 arbitral ruling. "While we celebrate our maritime culture through these Capiz Parol lanterns, we also remember our nation's legal victory in the 2016 arbitration," she stated. "This event today is a culmination of a series of events we held to promote the arbitral award, including talks by the esteemed Justice Antonio Carpio here in Barcelona and Valencia, which affirms our sovereign rights and emphasizes the need for a rule-based maritime order. Our maritime heritage is not just about tradition; it's a narrative of resilience, sovereignty, and our ongoing commitment to uphold our rights in international waters."
The parol lanterns were donated by the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, the parol-making capital of the Philippines, and home of the Giant Lantern Festival. They were made by Giant Lantern Festival champion Mark Flores.
In a significant nod to sustainability, the lighting ceremony featured parol lanterns powered by a solar-charged generator. All parol lanterns featured in the exhibit also use energy efficient LED lights. The exhibit highlights the use of natural and renewable resources. The Consulate also took it as an opportunity to highlight the Philippines’ amended Renewable Energy Investment Act and encourage Spanish renewable energy investments to the PH.
The launch of this exhibit marks yet another collaborative effort between the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona. Last month, they collaborated on the restoration of the Maritime Museum’s vintage vinta by completing it with a sail and mast that came all the way from Zamboanga City. An exhibit on Sama-bajau, nòmades de la mar was also launched along with the unveiling of the restored and completed vinta, which was held on 23 November 2023.
The capiz parol exhibit was made possible thanks to the invaluable assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, the City of San Fernando, Pampanga through City of San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag, the City of San Fernando, Pampanga Tourism Office, and the DFA Consular Office in San Fernando Pampanga.
The "From Sea to Star" exhibit not only celebrates the rich tradition of Christmas in the Philippines, where the parol is a revered cultural icon, but also underlines the Philippines’ maritime heritage and the importance of sustainable practices in preserving Philippine cultural heritage. It invites visitors to explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, and to appreciate the role of renewable energy in our future.
This exhibit, which will run until mid-January, is a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the warmth and spirit of a Filipino Christmas and to reflect on the essential role of sustainability in our world today.END
For more information, please contact:
The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Maritime Museum of Barcelona Christmas tree adorned by a Filipino parol
Consul Raisa Mabayo explaining the process by which the Filipino parols draws its energy from a sustainable power source
Filipino parols displayed at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona
Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro and MMB Director General Enric Garcia welcoming guests
Attendees to the Filipino parol lighting ceremony