Christmas Lights and Sights in the Philippines

Photo from Facebook Page of UP Lantern Parade

No massive earthquake or super typhoon can stop the Filipinos from celebrating Christmas—at least in a simple but the most meaningful way possible.

Two weeks from now, the jolliest time of the year will already unfold.

And we, Filipinos are known for having the world’s longest Christmas season, starting on the first day of September and ending on the feast of the Epiphany.

Spectacular Christmas lights and sounds are everywhere, making us feel the merry spirit all-season round.

Wherever you may be, you can enjoy Christmas attractions that are most often, free of charge as we join hands in empathizing with our fellowmen in central Philippines.

To those who are in Canada who are going home to celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, here’s our list of Christmas events you can go to.

Merry Musical Lights at TriNoma mall. For those living in Quezon City TriNoma is the most accessible shopping mall, but if you don’t have budget for shopping you can simply watch their lights and sounds show scattered around the mall’s garden. The show lasts for 8 minutes daily at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm, until January 5.

Animal display at Power Plant Mall. It has been a tradition of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati to exhibit realistic animatronic animals as soon as the Christmas season ushers. Children can ignite their imagination by posing beside the animals. And this year, these lifelike animals can be found in its various entrances.

Fireworks display at SM Mall of Asia. SM Mall of Asia’s main attraction behind its shopping mall is its Pyromusical at San Miguel by The Bay. Every Friday and Saturday, mall goers can enjoy a five-minute fireworks display which is made more fabulous as the Christmas season enters.

Ayala Triangle Gardens. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

Lights and Sounds Show at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Another sight to behold in the Makati area is the 800,000 LED bulbs dancing in synchronization with Christmas medleys. This Christmas sight at Ayala Triangle Gardens runs daily, every 30 minutes from 6pm to 9pm, until December 31.

Moving Mannequins at Greenhills Shopping Center. In San Juan, you can also watch a lights and sounds show with moving mannequins. It runs daily until January 5, 2014. Each show lasts approximately 15 minutes, from 6:30pm until 11pm.

Roxas Boulevard in Manila. By just walking along Roxas Boulevard, you can already feel the spirit of Christmas with its beautifully decorated buildings. Flickering and shimmering Christmas lights and decorations are scattered everywhere in the streets. You might also want to take your pictures with these amazing decorations as you wander along the road.

Choco Treats at SM Manila. After savoring the beautiful Christmas sights in Roxas Boulevard, you can directly go to SM Manila to witness the giant display of chocolate treats, including a bathtub sundae, a caramel eclair chair and many more. This Christmas attraction runs from November 15, 2013 to January 6, 2014.

Christmas Bazaars at Shopping Malls. As early as September, discounted items at malls can already be found. You can visit your favorite bazaars to buy selected items at a lower price. You can also buy some items that can be donated to the earthquake and typhoon victims.

Fabulous Christmas Decorations at Policarpio St., Mandaluyong. If you want to feed your eyes with spectacular Christmas decorations, you can pass along Policarpio St. in Mandaluyong City. The houses there are decked with lights and decorations from roof to gate, from windowsill to doorframe, from the walls to the trees. Hurry up because they remove the decorations on the first week of January.

UP Lantern Parade in Diliman, Quezon City. The annual lantern parade in the University of the Philippines in Diliman is not just for its students, anyone can watch the showcase of lanterns and colorful floats by various colleges and organizations in the university. This year, it will be held on December 18.

Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando City Pampanga. Another lantern parade can be found in San Fernando, Pampanga. Every year, the province exhibits an impressive exhibit of huge lanterns, showcasing spectacular lights, interplay of colors and kaleidoscopic patterns accompanied with lively Christmas music.” This year, the Giant Lantern Festival, also known as “Ligligan Parul” will be held on December 14.

Maytinis Festival in Kawit, Cavite. For residents of Kawit, Cavite and nearby provinces, the traditional Maytinis Festival is a must-see event. It happens on December 24, wherein it showcases a dramatic recapitulation of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

Here are more Christmas attractions that you can enjoy for free:

Santa Meet and Greet
Have a photo op with Santa as he spreads Christmas cheer!
Date: Every Saturday from December 7 to 25, 2013, every hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Event Center, SM Manila

Sweet Symphony Chorale Presentation
Date: All Sundays from December 1 to 25, hourly from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Event Center, SM Manila

David Pomeranz at Concert at the Park
Date: December 6, 7:00 pm
Location: Rizal Park open air auditorium

Lani Misalucha with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
Date: December 7, 2013, 6:00 pm
Location: Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chorale Fest
Date: December 7, 15, 21 & 22, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Location: Robinsons Otis, Paz M. Guanzon St., Paco, Manila

Hallmark Christmas Showdown
An inter-school chorale competition
Date: December 8, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Location: Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila

Sing and Joy Manila
Seven chorales representing different barangays will serenade mall goers.
Date: December 12, 2013, 5:00 pm
Location: Event Center, SM Manila

Nine Nights of Christmas Carols
Chorale performances of traditional and modern Christmas songs to delight park-goers.
Date: December 15 to 23, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Location: Central Lagoon, Rizal Park, Roxas Boulevard, Manila

Some Christmas attractions which can also be enjoyed by children are not for free; nonetheless, paying this price will still not hinder you from helping our fellowmen in need.

Disney On Ice

What it is: Disney characters come to life in an ice-skating show
Where: Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City
When: Show starts December 25 and runs until January 5
How much: For schedules and rates, check out www.ticketnet.com.ph

Theme and Amusement Parks. Children are so fond of theme parks that you can’t let Christmas pass without letting them enjoy the rides and sights. In Pasay City, you can visit Star City and SM Mall of Asia. While in Tagaytay and Sta. Rosa, Laguna you can visit Sky Ranch and Enchanted Kingdom respectively.

May we all have the jolliest and most meaningful Christmas this year!

Bangon Pilipinas!