TALA AWARDS

6-7PM | YBCA Forum

The TALA Awards will continue the tradition of judging parols submitted based on festival theme, craftsmanship, concept execution & creativity, and exhibition presentation.

In the spirit of giving, we will supply each group with a 36 inch parol starter pack so that the focus can be on the concept and decoration. You will need to bring your parol’s early on December 13th, 2025 for judging. If you're interested in participating, then fill out this form. The awards honor the best overall contingent in each category, recognizing the most inspirational parol lanterns and their impactful presentations. Each award winner will receive a cash prize of $800.

The theme of this year’s Festival and Tala Awards is

MAKIBAKA:
Ignite the Fight, Light Up Our Legacy

Makibaka has been a rallying call for Filipinos through the decades, from our homeland to San Francisco/Bay Area and beyond. From the First Quarter Storm to the farmworkers of Delano, the spirit to fight for dignity and justice flows in our veins.

Our current SOMA Pilipinas current exhibit Makibaka: A Living Legacy celebrates this powerful heritage – the courage, creativity, and collective care of our people.

As we enter this holiday season, we hold our families and communities close– especially those facing hardship and harm. In these uncertain times when immigrants, LGBTQ+ and transgender people and so many others live under threat, we come together to make and light our lanterns to be in community and honor our culture. We sing, dance and gather not only in celebration, but in defiance of fear and isolation. Through every struggle, our people have turned pain into collective action. That is our living legacy and together we will keep it shining.

This year’s Parol Festival and Tala Awards theme: Makibaka: Ignite the Fight, Light Up Our Legacy invites us to honor that legacy by shining our own light to keep hope burning bright.

FAQs:

    • Use the provided 36-inch parol starter pack as a Lantern Base.

    • Drop off Contingent Parol on the day of the Parol Lantern Festival at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, DECEMBER 13, exact time TBD

    • Need 1-2 people from your group to talk to judges between 4:00PM to 5:00PM.

    • Performance for 30 sec. - 1min. during the announcement of the contingent after the parol stroll.

  • We have 3 category this year:

    1. General or Professional Groups/Organizations

      Award: Most Aligned with the Makibaka Theme

    2. Individual/Chosen Family and Youth Groups

      Award: Most Uplifting / Best in Community Storytelling

    3. Arts & Culture Groups

      Award: Most Creative Expression

  • Application is DUE on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

  • 1. Craftsmanship & Attention to Detail (10 Points Total)

    This refers to effectively translating the concept and design through fine structural construction, neat craftsmanship, and compliance with the parol specification.

    • Size of the parol is 36 inches/3 feet.

    • Durability of the Skeleton (bamboo stick) of the parol.

    • Application of Materials to the parol.

    2. Concept Execution & Creativity: (10 Points Total)

    This pertains to the aesthetics and coherence of the design and the application of colors, shapes, lines, texture, and other artistic elements to create a thematic expression in the parol.

    • Visual emphasis, Placement, and Use of the materials.

    • Understanding and Application of the theme “Passing the Torch, Forward in Light” to the parol.

    3. Presentation (5 Points Total)

    The overall appearance and appeal of the parol, including the 30 sec. to 1 min. group performance.

  • Please reach out to brianna@bayanihancc.org for any questions or concerns.