There are two things that usher in the holiday season here in the Philippines: when radio stations start playing Christmas songs and when malls and estates deck their halls and walls with bright lights and decors.
The jolly and nostalgic music and the visually-arresting Yuletide displays have their way of uplifting weary spirits and bringing people together amid the madding holiday rush. Shopping malls, hotels, and mixed-use communities in Metro Manila and nearby Luzon provinces are quite generous in giving that magical and vibrant experience to everyone.
We list down five establishments and estates where Christmas comes alive.
Magical field of lights in Nuvali
The football field in Ayala Land’s eco-community estate in Sta. Rosa, Laguna becomes a garden of lights dancing to Christmas medleys from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. as Nuvali opens its lights and sounds show, dubbed the “Magical Field of Lights,” to its residents and guests.
For its second year, over 5,000 LED bulbs are scattered all over the field, dancing to the tune of popular Christmas songs, like “Kumukutikutitap,” “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,” and “Joy to the World.” There’s also a 50-meter light tunnel, festive LED Christmas trees, and dandelion light installations where guests can take their photos.
A Christmas fair that showcases traditional Filipino Christmas culinary treats complement the nightly spectacle on the fields. The lights and sounds show runs until Jan. 8, 2018
Conrad Manila’s glass tree
Luxury hotel Conrad Manila lights up its 12-foot art tree by visual artist Impy Pilapil. Dubbed “Celeste Yule” the contemporary Christmas tree of the contemporary hotel is actually a sculpture of high grade steel and glass, which allows interaction with viewers through image reflection.
A Christmas concert by the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band and Hail Mary The Queen Children’s Choir added a captivating note to the official tree lighting event led by Peggy Angeles, executive vice president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Sung Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines; Bita Rasoulian, Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines; Felicidad Sy; Elizabeth Sy, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto; Hans Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime and Harald Feurstein, Conrad Manila general manager.
Magical mirrored rooms at Estancia
This Ortigas mall becomes a selfie paradise as it opens its psychedelic installation made of colorful lights and mirrors called Vast Imaginarium. Each room, named The Enchanted Room, The Lit Room, The Abyss Room, and The Green Room, has its own distinct theme perfect for different kinds of selfies.
The Estancia Vast Imaginarium is located at the North Wing and Capitol Commons Park.
Sparkle of Christmas at Filinvest City
The master-planned urban and business district in Alabang goes to the future to celebrate Christmas with its 3D-mapped Christmas tree and state-of-the-art musical lights show.
The “Sparkle of Christmas at Filinvest City,” which runs every weekend until Dec. 31, includes the Festino Market, a chic and tastefully set-up al fresco market; arts and craft workshop sessions; the Festino Café offering third-wave brews; weekend performances by Spongecola, Ebe Dancel, Sandwich, among others; and the first-ever Building Christmas décor contest.
Vertis North’s cathedral
In the northern part of the metro, a giant cathedral exquisitely covered with thousands of lights comes ablaze as Vertis North in Quezon City celebrates its first Christmas. Veering away from the traditional red and green Christmas colors, the cathedral is draped with thousands of LED lights, which include cyber spheres, meteor lights, intelligent lights, and laser lights that produce a variety of hues. It is designed by Voltaire de Jesus.
Aside from this giant spectacle, the Vertis Northern Lights, a lights and sound show patterned after Makati’s Festival of Lights, will dazzle everyone this holiday season.