Ever since the Ayala Triangle Gardens lit up for Christmas in 2009, it has brought together family and friends from all over metro, becoming a beloved holiday tradition and attraction. On weekdays, you would see friends and colleagues posing for photos with the light display; on weekends, family with their young kids in tow took over.
“It was first envisioned to serve the Makati community, but over the years, it became well-loved that it became part of our tradition,” Chrissy Roa, marketing head of Ayala Land Estates, said in the virtual press launch of Ayala Land and Make it Makati’s Festival of Lights.
As the pandemic continues and the threat of catching COVID-19 from gatherings remains, the organizers of the crowd-drawing holiday lights and sounds show decided to once again do it online, like last year. Roa said the first virtual edition of the show in 2020 was watched by 5.5 million viewers.
“This year, we want to make our second virtual lights and sounds show even more meaningful and special,” added Roa.
In partnership with Globe Studios, the 13th edition of the Festival of Lights consists of two parts. Viewers can now watch the first part on Make it Makati’s Facebook page. The part one of the Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition 2021 recreates the light show at Ayala Triangle Gardens designed within the digital space to present a 360-degree animation.
It is an upgraded version of last year’s virtual show. “We have more 3D holographic elements, Christmas elements, and Santa going around the garden to make it more festive,” said Quark Henares, head of Globe Studios.
The second part, which will be released two weeks after the first, will showcase a Christmas story featuring Paskong Pinoy traditions in 2D animation. Accompanying the show is a new Christmas medley by Jose Mari Chan. An animated version of the OPM icon will also be gracing the second part of the virtual show.
“The Festival of Lights is an event that people look forward to every year. I remember around three years ago when I was invited to perform right here at Ayala Triangle Gardens. I am glad that I was invited to be part of this festival that everyone looks forward to,” Chan earlier said.
To make the light show accessible to more people, on-ground QR code displays and digital boxes will be placed in areas of the Makati Central Business District and Csssircuit Makati.
Ayala Land is also hosting a contest for the best entries that use the Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition 2021 filters, starting Nov. 20 to Jan. 9, 2022. One grand prize winner will receive a four-day three-night all-expense paid trip to El Nido, Palawan for two, inclusive of airfare in partnership with AirSwift, free food, and RT-PCR testing.
To join, participants must post their entries on their Facebook and Instagram accounts with the official tags and hashtags: @makeitmakati @ayalaland #FestivalOfLights, #ChristmasInOurHearts, #MakeItMakati, and #AyalaLand.
Other holiday activities happening in Makati CBD include live performances every Friday to Sunday of November and December; Simbang Gabi Masses at the Jaime Velasquez Park and Legazpi Active Park starting Dec. 15; and an online Christmas concert with Jose Mari Chan and the Manila Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 25.