Star of Bethlehem

The most popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines is the parol (from the Spanish farol which means "lantern"), the star-shaped lantern that represents the star of Bethlehem which led the three wise men to the stable where Jesus was born. The parol has actually become the iconic symbol of a Filipino Christmas. It can be as simple or as elaborate as one's budget will allow, from the traditional bamboo and tissue paper lanterns to the colorful and brightly-lit ones from the province of Pampanga. This one is somewhere in between. It is made of capiz shell (mother of pearl or nacre) but left in its natural, translucent color. The lights inside blink and rotate, however, and I failed to capture it in that second when all the segments are lit up.