Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN—The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council and the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans teamed up for this year’s Parol Contest and Parade held on last December 19.

"Tonight is important because it is a collaboration of SIPA and the fourth annual Historic Filipinotown Parol Festival. We’re combining two community events," said SIPA executive director Joel Jacinto. ‘We want to collaborate—that’s the sign of the times—and we want to feed off the energy, and having the event here on SIPA on the west side of Historic Filipinotown was really gratifying."

The parol parade started at Manila Terrace and culminated in judging at the SIPA headquarters at Hoover, west side of Hi Fi. Leo Pandac of Hi Fi Neighborhood Council announced the winners in the Parol Contest, minutes after judging. Remy’s on Temple’s entry won the "Best in Show; Lord of Harvest Church won "Best Original" and Burlington School garnered the "Most Traditional" pennant. "One of our parols was made by a Pampangueno in conformity with the tradition of Pampanga," Neighborhood Council President Cecille Ramos told Asian Journal. "I am challenging all barrios in Pampanga to join the festival and contest next year, when we will have a big parade," Ramos said.

David Rockello of the Hi Fi Neighborhood Improvement Council, who briefed the judges, said that the parol entries should have been made during the last 24 hours prior to judging. "The entries should be a clever interpretation of the parol," Rockello said. An accomplished parol-maker himself, his entry was one of the winners in last year’s contest.

In the children’s and senior’s category, the winners were: Burlington School, "Best in Parol"; Hi Fi Neighborhood Improvement Council, "Best in Children"; Hi Fi NIC, "Best in Innovative Parol"; Christian Ortiz, "Inspired Parol"; SIPA, "Innovative Children’s Parol"; SIPA, "Inspired Senior Parol"; and Hi Fi NIC, "Inspired Senior Parol". This list was released by Parade and Contest chairman Leo Pandac.

The parol festival attracted more than 50 entrants and close to 300 people to the SIPA headquarters. "The parade and festival is growing, and SIPA continues to support a lot of families; not just Filipinos, Latinos and others. It’s really gratifying," Jacinto told Asian Journal. "If you look outside (on Temple St.) there is a visible sign—lighted parols hanging on utility poles—signs that Historic Filipinotown and Filipinos in Los Angeles are increasing their visibility and presence. So that’s good. Mabuhay!"

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( Published on December 27, 2008 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A5 )