A piece of home: Windsorite continues annual donation to Filipino community

A Windsor man has given a lantern to the Filipino community, hoping to bring some joy this holiday season.

A desire to help Windsor’s Filipino community feel more at home over the holidays is what helps get Daniel Aguilar in the spirit for the season.

Each year, Aguilar takes the time to craft a symbol of home – a star lantern, commonly referred to as a “parol” among the Filipino community.

“I just wanted to show my culture to Canada,” Aguilar explained.

On Saturday, the Windsorite donated a lantern to the Filipino Community Centre of Windsor-Essex.

Made from a bamboo frame, designed similar to a wreath, Aguilar crafts each star lantern himself.

Over the span of 30 minutes, he builds the star, the frame and two “tails” at the bottom.

“I want to donate this parol because I want to contribute to the Filipino community centre here in Windsor,” he said.

A key part of Filipino tradition, Aguilar said, the star lantern is a nod to the star of Bethlehem and signifies “love” and “hope.”

Throughout the holiday season, he says star lanterns are often featured throughout different parts of the community.

“They’re going to be homesick,” Aguilar said. “But to release the homesick, you can come here to the Filipino Community Centre and join us.”

According to Eddy Chu, the sitting vice-president of the centre, Christmas is big in the Philippines, and the star lanterns are a key feature.

“We’re so happy to accept it, and it’s so beautiful,” Chu said of the lantern.

This is at least the 7th time Aguilar has donated a star lantern, and he says he looks forward to keeping the tradition alive in the years to come.