It was a kaleidoscopic image that fell like a rainbow fell from the sky and landed on the table in the form of cellophane and tissue paper. There were smaller stars and larger stars, and each star meant something special.

“Pasko Na,” meaning “it's Christmas now,” was a hands-on learning experience that informed participants about the “parol,” or traditional star-shaped lantern used by Filipino’s as a symbol of hope during the Christmas season.

To show that you’re Filipino you have to hang a parol, said MC Canlas during his lecture at the Asian Art Museum on Dec.5. The turnout was the largest in the workshop’s four-year history, and was supposed to run until 3 p.m. but ended 90 minutes early when supplies ran out.

Traditional parols were made of bamboo sticks and rice paper. A tiny candle was placed inside the parol to illuminate the lantern, which was a symbol for the star of Bethlehem.

Over the years, parols have transformed from simple five-point stars into complex colorful works of art with intricate lighting patterns and shapely designs.

Marisse "Marigonz" Gonzales, a jewelry designer and Filipina painter, described the evolution of the parols into four generations of advancement.

The first generation parols, she said, were the traditional bamboo lanterns. The second-generation lanterns were larger in size and electric-powered. The following generation brought about the commercialized lanterns, which were smaller versions of the second-generation lanterns and were made of a shell called capiz, or were made of plastic.

The fourth generation lanterns include four elements that make the parols unique. The lanterns are now multi-dimensional, the lighting patterns are more advanced, and for safety purposes the lights within the lantern comply with the Underwriters Laboratories standards. The last element of the fourth generation parol is that each lantern is uniquely designed by an artist.

“I transform my ideas into lanterns,” said Gonzales. “This way each parol that is made has a unique design and means something.”

Gonzales’ latest creation is a pendant she calls “Journey of Hope,” which marks the 100th year of Filipino migration to the United States. The “Journey of Hope” lantern is displayed at the Yerba Buena Gardens.

Participants chose from a variety of colored cellophane and tissue paper and used their own methods to construct their parols. Many of the participants heard about the event from family members or by surfing the Internet. Many of the visitors said they had seen a parol, but didn’t know how to make the lantern.

SF State alumna, Amelia Navala attended the workshop with her husband, who also graduated from the university and heard about the event from her daughter who participated in a previous workshop.

“I’ve never purchased a real parol, but I see them all the time,” Navala said. “When my daughter came home with one I figured, ‘Why buy a ready-made one when I can add my own artistic style?’”

She explained the importance of Christmas and what it means to her and her family. Navala said she tries to carry on family traditions and celebrate Christmas big-time, but finds it difficult now that the holiday has become so materialistic.

“Christmas is a really big holiday for us because it’s about being with family and friends,” Navala said. “It’s nice to have a piece of home with you, and the parol represents our culture and who we are.”

Visitors came to the workshop for various reasons, but for Cerita Gaddi, a student at Sacramento State University, her parol signified something more special for her and her family this Christmas.

“Christmas has always meant togetherness and family,” said Gaddi. “My father has been away and his return will mean a better Christmas. Plus, it’s too expensive to purchase a parol so I figured I might as well make one for us.”

The emphasis for the parol workshop was to remind Filipinos that “hindi ka nag-iisa,” which means “you are not alone.” Helen Serafino, the Community Outreach coordinator of the Bayanihan Center said this was the perfect type of event to bring the community together.

As the workshop came to an end, participants who didn’t complete their lanterns packed their parols in red plastic bags provided by the Bayanihan Community Center. Those with completed parols praised their star-shaped masterpieces and showed one another their creations.

“It’s nice to see people come together during the holidays,” Serafino said. “It’s even nicer seeing not only our people, but all different kinds of people coming together and participating at events like this. It really brings us together.”