BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Iloilo chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the city government will officially switch on rainbow-colored Christmas parols on Friday, Nov. 17.
The parols will light up the streets of the city and neighboring towns in Iloilo province until February 2024, according to PCCI-Iloilo.
Previously known as the “Ilonggo Christmas Parol of Hope”, this annual endeavor is celebrating its fourth year and has been renamed “Ilonggo Rainbow Christmas Parol”.
“Compared sa last year, ang amon subong nga theme is ‘rainbow parol.’ Ang amon nga parol subong is pito ka colors which are the colors of the rainbow,” said Felix Tiu, the vice chairman of PCCI-Iloilo.
Instead of the traditional star-shaped design, the new lanterns will feature seven points, each wrapped in different hues of the rainbow.
The PCCI, in collaboration with the city government, aims to showcase over 2,000 rainbow parols.
PCCI-Iloilo Board of Director Jordan Toledo said the parols are crafted by the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the male dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Earlier, PCCI-Iloilo president Fulbert Woo said the project would also uplift the spirits of the PDLs who will also receive compensation for each lantern they produce./PN