APART from the Christmas tree, perhaps no other holiday symbol is as widely popular as the “parol” or lantern.

With a little ingenuity and imagination, anyone can make a parol—the only limit to its size or grandness is your budget.

For the past 30 years, the students of Bauan High School in Batangas province have been creating their own lanterns, mostly made of indigenous and organic—others would even say unusual—materials, some of which have been rescued from the garbage heap.

“The materials used may not be what Christmas lanterns are usually made of, but for the students, these are the materials from which they create intricate designs and patterns,” said Bauan Parulan Festival coordinator Manrique Cabaya. “These lanterns attest to the creativity, artistry and ingenuity of the students.”

And one need not travel to the town of Bauan to see these breathtakingly beautiful parol because for the first time, all the winning entries and finalists will be displayed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.

“In the past, only the winning entries were displayed at the CCP, but now, all entries are here for the people, especially Metro Manila residents, to appreciate,” Cabaya said.

The CCP has been a major supporter of Bauan High School’s parulan festival, sponsoring the prizes for winners of the contest.

This year’s winners—lanterns crafted out of guyabano leaves, mongo beans, sotanghon and bihon noodles, and fish scales—are an impressive lot, chosen according to craftsmanship, beauty, the uniqueness of materials used and their aesthetic appeal.

The other parol entries, however, are just as awe-inspiring—from one made of garlic cloves and onions to another one fashioned out of cigarettes and match sticks. There were also others that were created out of rice grains, beans, corn husks coconut shells and wood shavings.

According to Cabaya, the tradition of lantern-making in the BHS, which began three decades ago, was aimed at showcasing the students’ creativity and resourcefulness.

“But more importantly, our goal was to keep the students busy, to keep them away from sex, drugs and violence,” he said, adding that the school administration was then alarmed by the increase in criminal activities involving teenagers.

And judging by the students’ enthusiastic response, the school seems to have succeeded in keeping them busy and out of trouble.

“It takes the students nearly two months to make the lanterns, but it takes longer brainstorming about the concept of their entry and how it can stand out from among the rest. Months before the contest deadline, students gather any materials they can possibly use,” Cabaya said. “Advisers start guiding the students on how to process the materials during weekends and during their vacant periods in school.”

But beyond the competition, Cabaya noted that the activity seems to have resulted in a more intangible though no less valuable gift—instilling in students the principles of camaraderie, teamwork, discipline and pride in what they do.

The unique Christmas lanterns of Bauan High School will be on display at the Little Theater Lobby of the CCP Complex, Pasay City, until Dec. 23. Admission is free. Those interested in buying the lanterns may call Aurora Gutierrez at 043-7271090.