These days, venturing out onto the jam-packed Metro Manila streets can be a harrowing experience. But let not the horrendous traffic put a damper on that Christmas spirit.
Instead of getting stuck on EDSA , why not take some time off to gaze upon the sights that remind us of the holidays.
From glittering lights to beautiful Christmas trees, there are many beautiful corners in the city where you can relish the holiday vibe with your loved ones.
Ayala Triangle Lights & Sounds Show
Right smack in the middle of Makati’s business district and in the center of rush hour madness, the Lights &Sounds Show at the Ayala Triangle is an oasis in the traffic wilderness of Ayala Avenue.
This annual display of luminous wonder has been a most anticipated sight to behold since it beamed its first rays five years ago.
With this year’s theme of “Beats and Hues,” three different light shows will beset to big band and jazz music, African rhythms, and electronic dance beats. These shows can be enjoyed every night, every 30 minutes from 6-10 p.m., until January 3, 2016.
The Mall of Asia Grand Festival of Lights Parade
On the other side of town, SM Mall of Asia (MOA) exhibits its own kind of glow with the Grand Festival of Lights Parade. More than a line-up of colorful lights, it features Santa himself, leading a string of floats with dancers and performers like gingerbread men, snowmen, and cute cartoon characters, all lit up with their own colorful LEDs.
The Parade is scheduled every Saturday of December, starting at 5:30 p.m. until Dec 21. The last parade will be on Christmas day. The fun route begins at the North Arcade (near IMAX), onwards to the South Arcade, and ends with the fireworks display at the Seaside Boulevard.
The Stretch of Roxas Blvd, Manila
If the stunning fireworks at MOA are not enough to light up your holidays, take a short drive to Roxas Boulevard to catch the Christmas lights arrayed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other buildings on the strip. They may not offer as much pomp and pageantry as seen at the malls, but they deliver a holiday air nonetheless.
Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong City
The Christmas lights display on Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong actually began in 1996 by three families who simply wanted to foster community solidarity. As the years went by, with more and more people participating in this annual effort, the lights have evolved into a spectacle in its own right, drawing a large volume of visitors. It’s exciting electric displays have earned recognition from the Mandaluyong City government as a tourist attraction.
The lights are usually on from 6 p.m. till midnight during the holidays.
Meralco Liwanag Park, Ortigas Ave, Pasig
And there from where all electric power comes is the Meralco Liwanag Park, which illuminates the Christmas sky with over 100,000 lights and lanterns. An annual theme sets the tone for this brilliant celebration; past years have exhibited the nativity scene with the Star of Bethlehem, a bulb-lined silhouette of an imposing church, a cascade of tiny pin-lights twinkle under the gaze of the Meralco logo. Inside the park, children can also play and tour a Christmas Village for free.
Araneta Center
At the heart of Araneta Center stands one of the largest, most gigantic Christmas trees in the metro. Towering at 100 feet, the tree has been lit by stars and celebrities since this tradition began in 1981. This year, the ceremony was graced by popular Kapamilya stars who lent their own glitter to the occasion.
The lighting of the tree ushers in the many Christmas activities at the Araneta Center, generally centered on holiday shopping. And at the end of their retail adventures, shoppers can take a relaxing break, and spend a few moments of reflection by the twinkling lights of this blooming tree.
