At almost six feet in height, passersby can't help but take a second look at a giant lantern in Rizal Village in Gubat, Sorsogon.

What is more captivating is that it is made up of thousands of shells.

64-year-old lantern-maker Pio Fabilane said it took him a month to finish the lantern, which he sells for P2,500.

Fabilane also has miniature versions of the lantern using different kinds of shells.

Every Christmas, lantern-making is one of the most popular businesses in Gubat.

“Masaya ako [na] marami [ang] nabebenta sa produkto namin, nakakarating na kung saan saan,” said Emma Enano, a lantern seller.

[I'm happy because we sell a lot of our products and they reach many different areas.]

“Ito ang [ginagawa ko para] sa mga anak ko, nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” added Bing Escanador, a lantern maker.

[This is what I am doing to put my kids through school.]

Aside from shells, some lantern-makers use Christmas lights to make their lanterns more attractive.