PHL Embassy in Ankara and the Filipino Community in Turkey Celebrate the 4th Philippine Parol Festival

The Papal Nuncio Paul Fitzpatrick Russell (extreme left) awards the first prize to the parol designed by Ms. Lale Leyla (middle) and Ms. Cecilia Eguia (third from left) which was out of egg shells, used ribbons, newspapers, wood and dried leaves in the 4th Philippine Parol Festival held in the Philippine Embassy in Ankara Turkey on December 10 (Photo credits: Mr. Cris Baguya).

19 December 2017 ANKARA – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkey celebrated the Yuletide season with the Filipino community on December 10 with the culminating event of the 4th Philippine Parol Festival, which included a Christmas luncheon and merienda of popular Filipino cuisine; the judging and announcement of the winning parol entry; and the lighting up of the parol entries and Christmas lights in the chancery.

The judges, which included the Papal Nuncio Paul Fitzpatrick Russell; Fr. Jean Marc Balhan of the Meryem Ana Church; Professor Tugba Ozturk of Ankara University; and Ms. Ipen Duru of ACS Technology in Ankara, noted the parol entries' common aspiration of hope and the remarkable use of various recyclable materials. The parols were judged according to relevance to the theme, “Kinang: Kwento ng Pag-asa”; creativity, uniqueness and/or originality; types of recycled materials used; neatness and craftsmanship of the parol entry.

First prize went to the group of Ms. Cecilia Eguia, Ms. Christine Eguia, and Ms. Lale Leyla whose parol was made out of egg shells, used ribbons, newspapers, wood and dried leaves.  Second prize went to the group of Ms. Cristeta B. Lima, Ms. Marisa Isbilir and Ms. Nowela Yanos who fashioned a star-shaped parol made of colored plastic spoons and cups and newspaper.

The Third prize was awarded to the group of Ms. Maria Victoria Marquez, Ms. Stella May Molejon, and Ms. Nurissa Tabilog whose star-shaped parol was made of toothpick, paper, raffia, box paper, and sunflower seeds. The group of Ms. Reysa Marie Bote, Ms. Cristina F. Cruz, and Ms. Rosel D. Habla was presented with an Early Bird prize for their parol made up of colorful rolled paper and cups.

The Christmas program with the community was capped with songs and dance performances and a lighting ceremony that turned on the Christmas lights of the chancery and the parol entries. END

The Papal Nuncio Paul Fitzpatrick Russell and Fr. Jean Marc Balhan, Parish Priest of the Meryem Ana Church, and Dr. Tugba Ozturk, Professor, Faculty of Education of Ankara University (second from left, foreground) are seen judging the parol entries of the 4th Philippine Parol Festival held in the Philippine Embassy in Ankara Turkey. (Photo credits: Mr. Cris Baguya)

The Filipino community in Ankara, Turkey join in a community singing exercise and are showered with Christmas sweets from the Chancery during the Christmas celebration. (Photo credits: Mr. Cris Baguya)

The Philippine Embassy and members of the Filipino community in Ankara, Turkey pose for a Christmas photo at the end of the 4th Philippine Parol Festival held in the Philippine Embassy in Ankara Turkey. (Photo credits: Mr. Cris Baguya)

For more information, visit www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey.