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Have you ever wondered who makes most of the Christmas lights and decors around the Metro?

Most streets of Metro Manila become colorful every Christmas Season. To my surprise, a lot of those hanging on street posts were made by one company.

RolRen’s Lanterns and General Merchandise is one of the top companies directly hired or outsourced by local government units making Christmases more colorful in the different cities of Metro Manila.

Many of their products sold in malls and specialty stores are priced slightly higher, but when you go straight to the factory, you can buy them at very attractive prices. For Overseas Filipino Workers and foreign tourists, this is also a great place to order Christmas lanterns and decors then have them shipped. Another alternative is to contact the owners months ahead (the earlier you order, the lower the price) and ask for what’s available or have a custom designed lantern.

I went to their factory in San Fernando City, Pampanga Province. This was such a treat. The place was packed with different kinds of lanterns and Christmas themed decors. I was able to go around and take a closer look.

There’s a humongous lantern probably 15 feet tall that I tried to carry. Of course I couldn’t. It had Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the center.

A very tall angel, maybe 20 feet high, with a trumpet was relaxing to look at. I’m sure it would even look better at night when lit.

Stacked also were numerous huge lanterns possibly 12 feet in diameter.

Most of the products here especially the gigantic ones are already owned and almost ready for pick-up. But the smaller ones, those I can actually carry, are for sale. They have the traditional parol (parol is the Filipino word for Christmas Lantern) sold at Php800.

The Chandelier type which is their modern version of lanterns using LED lights are sold here at Php1,000.

The small capiz lantern is priced at Php300. Capiz lanterns are made of sea shells.

Rolando Quiambao is the lantern maker and designer at RolRen’s. Rol for Rolando and Ren for Renita, his wife. He is also called king of the giant lanterns. He bagged the grand prize for the Giant Lantern Festival competition in Pampanga four times making him a hall of famer.

He says they’re busy all year round. Their main customers are local government units asking them to make not just lanterns but decors also for festivals and local events.

His other clients are from abroad and his products are enjoyed in different parts of the world. He attributes this to his passion for the craft. His ideas are endless and he tries to create new designs every year. The lanterns are cheapest when bought from his factory between January and June.

RolRen’s Lanterns and General Merchandise
1142, 11th Ave., Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Telephone numbers: (045) 963-1710 / (045) 862-5156 / (0922) 821-6959 / (0932) 853-0272
Renita Quiambao, Proprietress
Rolando Quiambao, Lantern Maker/Designer

If you think this article wasn’t a waste of your time, it would help me feel appreciated if you click this link here and like my Facebook page. Thank you

The RolRen’s experience was part of the shoot I did for the travel show I host “I Love Pinas” aired in the Philippines and abroad. The staff and I took the photos. Know the airing schedule of the show, click here. Please like “I Love Pinas” on Facebook, click here. Watch the Rolren’s experience on “I Love Pinas” Christmas Special, 11:59pm, Thursday, December 20, 2012 GMA News TV (QTV) and on Light TV Channel 33 on December 15, 2012, Saturday 5:30pm.

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