Wonders of Christmas

The Peninsula Manila’s 45-foot-tall Christmas tree at the lobby

In the spirit of Christmas, I will focus on festive displays of different hotels, malls, and outdoor spaces in the city.

The grandest and most spectacular light show is The Festival of Lights at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.

The annual lights and sounds show encompasses the trees at the park covered in a multitude of colored Christmas lights, programmed to synch with a medley of Christmas songs. Now a beloved holiday tradition, the colorful spectacle features laser lights and haze machines for an even more dramatic, magical experience.

Continuing the festive Christmas cheers is The Peninsula Manila that is just across the Ayala Triangle.

Their 45-foot-tall Christmas tree at The Lobby heralded the start of the holiday last month when the children from Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines helped light up the tree.

SM malls have extensively decorated all their retail spaces with various Christmas themes.

From little children marveling at the gigantic tree festooned with thousands of twinkling lights, dear old Santa welcoming guests in his red velvet suit, to a 20-string children’s orchestra playing festive music, Peter Bear choosing a lucky little guest to light the candle-of-the-day of the Advent Tree, a life-size gingerbread house, The Peninsula Manila Lobby becomes a holiday greeting card brought to life.

Across The Pen, the Makati Shangri-La has created A Sweet Christmas, a labor of love with a whiff of spice from the burnt cinnamon.

The grand lobby was transformed into a giant gingerbread house, handcrafted by the hotel’s pastry chefs for 20 days and 20 nights. Mr. Gingerbread Man is at the forefront of their Christmas story, reminding everyone that selflessness and love are what matters.

Makati Shangri-La’s grand lobby was transformed into a giant gingerbread house.

At the start of the holiday season, Makati Shangri-La held a Christmas tree lighting affair with A Sweet Christmas Story, a ballet show by the Philippine Ballet Theater, at the Lobby Lounge.

The hotel is also offering the gift of hope for children with critical illness through Makati Shangri-La’s adopted community under EMBRACE, Shangri-La’s Care for People Project.

The hotel supports the medical, financial and emotional needs of 16 children who are diagnosed with cancer and leukemia. For only P500, guests are entitled to one Gingerbread Star that they can hang on the Sweet Christmas Tree at the hotel lobby. All proceeds will go to Makati Shangri-La’s EMBRACE Kids.

The gigantic elegant S Maison Christmas tree is embellished with balls and geometric shaped ornaments.

One of my favorite outdoor Christmas tree displays is the Pandora Christmascape at the Bonifacio Global City. Created by Moss Manila, the Pandora Rose theme Christmas tree is a breathtaking wonder. With its soft and charming blush, Pandora Rose emanates youth and this distinct warmth as opposed to the traditional silver and gold.

Christmas season is the busiest time of the year for the retail malls so they go all out in decking the halls with the most festive and amazing decorations. Every year gets more and more impressive with various themes and color schemes.

The Power Plant Mall in Rockwell has some of the most beautiful and festive displays in every corner of the mall. Giant stuffed animals that even move are delighting their shoppers with total amazement.

SM Malls have extensively decorated all their retail spaces with various Christmas themes. SM Megamall chose a magical and metallic kaleidoscope to make their mall more attractive during the holidays.

The tree has a regal air with tiaras in the base and in the other parts of the tree. It’s quite elegant with royal blue and gold ornaments and the main display is surrounded by white magical horses. Its sister mall, Podium carries a similar color palette for the new mall’s Christmas décor.

The gigantic elegant S Maison Christmas tree is embellished with silver, rose gold, and gold Christmas balls and geometric shaped ornaments. SM Aura chose an “Under The Sea” theme with a walk through 3D tunnel with animated seascape.

Whatever your holiday theme is this year, make your Christmas session the merriest filled with love and peace. Merry Christmas to all!