As it formally opens Liwanag Park to celebrate the Christmas season
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s largest power distributor, illuminated the Christmas season with a unique blend of a heartwarming celebration by honoring its valued customers and partners, opening its headquarters to anyone who wants to experience the brightly lit Liwanag Park.
As the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led company continue to keep the lights on for many consumers, it also put a spotlight on Filipinos who, in their own simple ways, also ignites hope to their respective communities.
This is aligned with what One Meralco Foundation (OMF) has been doing for the past several years, as it empowers Filipinos living in remotest corners of the country through its electrification initiatives. For OMF, the solar-powered lighting systems it provides to homes, schools, and rural health centers do not just literally bring light – they also create lasting impact on the lives and livelihood of unserved and underserved communities.
“With this sustainable solution, the community now enjoys the steady supply they once only hoped for, a testament how renewable energy can transform lives. Indeed, it takes a village to ignite and bring forth impactful and meaningful change” OMF President and Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Jeffrey O. Tarayao said.
As the sun sets in off-grid areas, the soft glow of a light bulb finally shines in their homes. OMF’s unwavering commitment to power marginalized communities has not only uplifted the lives of the residents but has also created a spark of hope empowering them to foster a brighter future for all.
Giving back to customers
Meralco also celebrated another significant milestone as it hit its eight million customer mark—demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to deliver stable and reliable service to Filipino consumers. To honor its customers, the company paid tribute and recognized what it called eight light bearers from different customer segments who represent the diverse stakeholders the company serves.
“To our eight million customers, we welcome a milestone for Meralco, we thank you for being a consequential part of our 121-year history. This inspires us to continue lighting lives, one connection at a time,” Pangilinan said.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz highlighted the positive impact of the customers in their communities. “As we celebrate our 8 millionth service, we see beyond just the number. Every connection represents a success. A community we help brighten—because each customer represents an opportunity to be a beacon of hope and progress” he said.
For Meralco, while it literally and figuratively brings light, its customers are also light bearers in their respective families and communities.
“As we light the Liwanag Park today, we celebrate you, our valued customers. Ang inyong mga kwento ng tagumpay ang patuloy na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa amin araw-araw, para tuluy-tuloy kaming makapagbigay ng liwanag sa bawat sulok, sa bawat buhay na aming pinaglilingkuran,” Meralco First Vice President and Head of Corporate Retail Services Charina P. Padua said.
Liwanag parks as gifts to Filipino families
The iconic tourist spot starts to brighten the city skyline as Meralco officially opens the Liwanag Park in its headquarters. The lighting ceremony was graced by the First Lady Hon. Marcos, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto together with the Meralco executives.
Meralco’s commitment to sustainability is evident as it uses recyclable materials. From the 20-foot Christmas tree and the tunnel of lights made of used meter covers, to the giant belen crafted from copper wires, underscores the company’s dedication embracing sustainable practices.
The park’s enchanting light displays and other designs adorning each corner are also inspired by this year’s theme, Paskong Pinoy. It captures the different Filipino festivals like Pahiyas and Gigantes, each with its colorful and unique background display. The Lopez Building façade also transformed into a huge canvas of light and musical display playing Tagalog Christmas songs. Adding to the sensory feast, is the bazaar located inside the park where visitors can choose from an array of the local delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka.
Visitors can also enjoy a myriad of activities, such as riding the tranvia for free. The short ride on the railway offers a different perspective of the light displays. The vintage tranvia is a symbol of the company’s transformative journey, once a historic mode of transportation and now represents the pivotal event when Meralco transitioned from a railroad company to an electric distributor powerhouse.
Meralco lights up Liwanag Park in Intramuros
This year, Meralco also opened a Liwanag Park at the Plaza Roma in partnership with the Intramuros Administration. The park also features sustainable installations including a 20-foot Christmas tree made of recycled meter covers and steel crossarms and illuminated by LED bulbs, as well as another replica of a tranvia which connects Meralco’s history with the heritage of Intramuros’s storied walls during the turn of the 20th century marked by a period of expansion and modernization.
Since 1998, Meralco’s Liwanag Park has become a holiday tradition and destination to millions of Filipino families that has brightened Christmas for decades. It is a testament to the company’s commitment to bring joy and spread light to the lives of Filipinos.
The park in Ortigas City is open to the public from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. until December 31, 2024, meanwhile the Liwanag Park in Intramuros is extended until January 6, 2025.
