PH Center in SF lights up Christmas lanterns to cheer front liners

The Philippine Consulate lights up Christmas lanterns at the Philippine Center in San Francisco to provide cheer to front liners. CONTRIBUTED

SAN FRANCISCO — To show support and appreciation to all the front liners in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco lit up its parols (Philippine lanterns) April 16 at the Philippine Center on Sutter Street.

The parol, an essential Filipino Christmas décor, symbolizes light and hope. According to Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr., the lanterns are meant to serve as “a reminder of our resilience, faith and hope, especially in the face of adversities — values that are ingrained in Philippine culture and psyche.”

“We hope to spread some cheer amid these very dark times. We hope to remind our frontliners, especially our Filipino American front liners, that together we can overcome this challenge, and that we are all in God’s care,” said Bensurto.

On behalf of the Consulate General staff, Bensurto lauded all front liners, calling them our “modern-day heroes who risk their own lives to save the lives of others.”

The United States has the world’s highest confirmed death toll from Covid-19 with more than 40,000 fatalities to date.