Nelson Morales

Tisoy’s Parol. Finding joy in the simplicity of life

Tito Piamonte (62) works on his contest parol at a streetside in Malabon City on December 4, 2025. He uses discarded materials as deisgn elements and hopes to join and hopefully win the cash prize for this year's Parol Deisgn contest in his neighborhood. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PHOTO ESSAY: Tisoy’s Parol: Finding joy in the simplicity of life

Jonathan Cellona

ABS-CBN News

<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]] </div>As the afternoon heat subsides and a cooler breeze sweeps through the busy streets of Malabon City, life spills out onto the sidewalks. Tucked between neighborhood stores and quirky dwelling places, a solitary figure emerges, hunched over a collection of wire and bamboo. In a city gearing up for the Christmas season, 62-year-old Tatay Tito Piamonte, or &#x27;Tisoy&#x27; to his neighbors, is hard at work, piecing together the Philippine Christmas essential: the parol.Tatay Tisoy is in a race against the clock, or at least, against the calendar. He is crafting his entry for Barangay Tañong&#x27;s simple Christmas lantern contest — a challenge he takes seriously after securing the title last year.&quot;Para sa contest ito,&quot; he says, taking a brief pause from adjusting the bamboo frame. The theme for this year&#x27;s contest emphasizes simplicity and resourcefulness, a theme Tatay Tisoy embraces completely.<div>&quot;Babalutin ko ng sako at mga recycled na tray ng itlog,&quot; he explains, pointing to the brown packing carton beside him. &quot;Mga karaniwang materyales para hindi ma-gastos ang parol.&quot; <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176535150161020251204-tisoy-malabon-parol-maker-JC1682.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="display:block;width:960px" alt="Tito Piamonte, 62, works on his entry to a Parol making contest at a streetside in Barangay Tañong, Malabon City on December 4, 2025. Piamonte utilized discarded materials as part of his design and hopes to win the annual contest, which comes with a 10K cash prize. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/>Tito Piamonte, 62, works on his entry to a Parol making contest at a streetside in Barangay Tañong, Malabon City on December 4, 2025.  Piamonte utilized discarded materials as  part of his design and hopes to win the annual contest, which comes with a 10K cash prize.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsCurrently, the workspace is a jumble of raw materials — bamboo sticks, plastic wire, a few red and green tassels, and a frame wrapped in recycled carton. These modest pieces will soon be illuminated with shining lights, transforming into a star worthy of the coveted P10,000 grand prize.</div>His daughter, beaming with pride, brings up snapshots on her mobile phone. &quot;Nag-champion siya nung isang taon!&quot; she announces, a testament to her father&#x27;s understated creativity.His is a story of a life well-lived. Born in Bacolod, Tatay Tisoy moved to the city and built a life here, working as a fish dealer in his younger years. Now with nine grown children, his pride is not in great wealth, but in family.&quot;Nakapagpatapos naman ako,&quot; he shares, mentioning his one child who became a teacher. Though not all pursued college degrees, he is deeply content. &quot;Wala naman akong anak na sakit ng ulo, wala naman suwail,&quot; he says simply.His life, much like the parol he meticulously constructs, is a collection of essential and recycled pieces, carefully assembled.The &#x27;tambor&#x27; (central circle) and &#x27;siku-siku&#x27; (criss-crossing star shapes) are the pathways taken by his children, now with families of their own.The colorful &#x27;palimbun&#x27; (outer rim) and &#x27;puntetas&#x27; (smaller details) are the series of good decisions and lucky breaks he received while building his life in the big city.The parol&#x27;s tail, resembling a shooting star, is the occasional contest win and the professional success of his children. <div>Finding joy in the minimal</div>As he surveys his half-finished project, which his daughter will later adorn with a &quot;character&quot; detail, Tatay Tisoy reflects on the season.Christmas, for a man like Tito Tisoy, remains a source of happiness, regardless of one&#x27;s circumstance. His final words resonate with the simple, resourceful spirit of his craft:&quot;Masaya pag Pasko kahit walang wala.&quot; He pauses and offers a thoughtful modification. &quot;Meron sa wala kailangan masaya ka.&quot; <div> <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176535200947420251204-tisoy-malabon-parol-maker-JC1876.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" style="width:960px"/>Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</div>

Tatay Tisoy Piamonte is in a race against the clock as he crafts his entry for the local barangay’s simple Christmas lantern contest—a challenge he takes seriously after securing the title last year.

Tatay Tisoy Piamonte is in a race against the clock as he crafts his entry for the local barangay’s simple Christmas lantern contest—a challenge he takes seriously after securing the title last year.