(SPOT.ph) We may still be in some form of community quarantine but protocols are relatively less strict than they were in 2020. People can now head out with the whole family, go shopping at the malls, or visit nearby destinations known for their Christmas decorations. You may choose from hotels that have some of the tallest Christmas trees or outdoor areas with bright and colorful lights.
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Looking for a picture-worthy Christmas light display? Here are some spots in and near Metro Manila with cheery Christmas sights:
Casa Santa Museum
Located within popular wedding venue Jardin de Miramar in Antipolo City, Casa Santa Museum boasts more than 3,700 items related to Christmas and Santa Claus—from life-sized statues to singing figurines. It was a family rest house that was turned into a museum in 1995 and has since been getting plenty of guests because of its unique collection. Accredited by the Department of Tourism and compliant with health protocols, Casa Santa Museum accepts private tour or shared tour bookings. You can also take a break and have some snacks at the al-fresco Meryenda Cena by Cafe Leona.
Casa Santa Museum is at 276 San Jose Extension, Padilla, Antipolo City, Rizal. It is open on Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Saturdays to Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance is at P250 per head.
Eastwood City’s Festive Fungi, Merry Mycelium
Festive Fungi, Merry Mycelium, which is a larger-than-life art installation by Leeroy New, now occupies the Eastwood Central Plaza in Eastwood City. It features variations of mushrooms and fungi that are seven meters in height. They also light up in various colors to the tune of Diego Mapa's very own version of your Christmas carol favorites. Festive Fungi, Merry Mycelium joins other Christmas displays at Eastwood City, including the Magical Christmas Carousel Garden at the fourth level of Eastwood Mall, Neon Lights Display at the Eastwood Central Plaza, and a 40-foot Christmas tree at the Eastwood Mall Open Park.
Festive Fungi, Merry Mycelium is at Eastwood Central Plaza, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.
The Peninsula Manila
The Peninsula Manila's legendary The Lobby is known for its large elegant space, events-worthy sweeping staircases, and live music performed by a band overlooking the lounge. It's made even more special this holiday season as a 45-foot tall Christmas tree adorns classic hall. Installed on October 15, it is made from reusable materials; decorated with six lively characters: the Nutcracker, Gingerbread Man, Robin, Reindeer, Santa, and Peninsula Page; and lit by more than 3,000 LED lights. All over The Lobby are 75 traditional Christmas lanterns or parols, designed by Mark Wilson of Caro Wilson and handcrafted by artisans from Baguio and Sorsogon.
The Peninsula Manila is at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City.
Bonifacio Global City
Bonifacio Global City prides itself in being a walkable and bike-friendly city. It has wide sidewalks, pedestrian-focused traffic regulations, street art best seen while on foot, and lanes made especially for personal mobility devices (or PMDs). And with the holidays now in the air, cheery Christmas decorations and various versions of Christmas trees can be found all over BGC.
Bonifacio Global City’s Christmas trees are at Bonifacio High Street, High Street South, and One/Two Parkade.
Ortigas East's Bamboo Forest
Ortigas East goes beyond the typical Christmas decoration this year as they launched the Bamboo Forest installation on November 23. "Embodying strength and flexibility," according to a statement, the one-of-a-kind lights display is located at Silver City 1A. "The installation reflects on the community’s united and undivided strength in facing difficult and unprecedented times,” they added.
Ortigas East's Bamboo Forest is at Silver City 1A, Frontera Verde, Pasig City.
Ayala Triangle Gardens' Festival of Lights
The Ayala Triangle Gardens' annual Festival of Lights is still virtual, similar to their Christmas display in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. It features not just one, but two parts: The first is a recreation of Makati's Christmas lights-and-sounds show within the digital space through a 360-degree animation. The second, which is this year's special addition, is a 2D animation narrating the Paskong Pinoy tradition of celebrating with family. It's made even more special through the accompanying new Christmas medley by Jose Mari Chan.
Aside from the online show, the bustling Central Business District is all lit up with larger-than-life installations designed by Zenas Pineda and inspired by the Kapampangan parol and elements of stained glass windows often seen in the Philippine cathedrals. The pieces also boast good sustainability practices as they are made from recycled materials, including the elegant capiz chandeliers that were used in previous Makati Christmas displays.
Ayala Triangle Garden's Festival of Lights is available for streaming anytime through Make It Makati's Facebook and YouTube pages.
Robinsons Starmills Pampanga’s Giant Lantern Festival
San Fernando, Pampanga, dubbed the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines," celebrates its parol-making industry by holding the annual Giant Lantern Festival (a.k.a. Ligligan Parul) every December. And for the past 13 years, Robinsons Starmills Pampanga's parking lot has been the venue of this highly anticipated event, where participating barangays—namely Bulaon, Calulut, San Juan, San Nicolas, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Niño, and Telabastagan—present the most dazzling lanterns. You can see the giant and brightly colored parols yourself by booking a slot through www.giantlanterns.com or register onsite at the Robinsons Movieworld ticket booths at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga and Robinsons Angeles.
The Giant Lantern Festival runs until January 2, 2022 (with slots at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) at the rear parking area of Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, San Fernando Pampanga.
Pasko 2021: The CCP Façade Lights and Sound Show
Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City launched their annual Christmas lighting event on December 15, 7 p.m., which was also streamed through their Facebook page. You can watch the Leandro Locsin-built structure come to life with a 10-minute light-and-sound show every 7 p.m., 8 p.m, and 9 p.m. for free until January 2, 2022 There are no performances every Monday and during inclement weather. Designed by the Technical Team from the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Production Design and Technical Services Division, the projection features Christmas symbols alongside well-loved Christmas carols.
Pasko 2021: The CCP Façade Lights and Sound Show runs until January 2, 2022, every 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
University of the Philippines Diliman's Sambabaylaan
Through Filipino multi-media artist Toym Imao's creations, the whole campus of the University of the Philippines Diliman is now surrounded by larger-than-life sculptures of illuminated babaylans in various stages of the Palawanon or Tagbanua ritual dance pagdidiwata. These lanterns can be found in the central lampposts along University Avenue, which starts and ends with a huge shooting star suspended above the Oblation. Imao calls this “a heavenly gift that bridges the earth and the heavens.” There are also babaylan-shaped lanterns in front of various University of the Philippines buildings that contributed significantly to the state university's fight against COVID-19, such as the UP Health Service, UP Genome Center, the CHK Gymnasium (which is used as a vaccination site), and the Kamia and Molave dorms (which are used as isolation facilities).
Sambabaylaan is found in various locations within the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.
SM Mall of Asia’s Night of Lights
SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City launched a drive-thru installation of cheery Christmas sights to make sure that viewers remain safe while taking their holiday photos without having to leave their cars. Called Night of Lights, it features over a million Christmas lights spread out in three zones and three tunnel installations. There are areas with candy canes, Christmas trees, and dreamy light arches. The MOA Tram also passes through the tunnels for mall-goers without cars.
Night of Lights is open from December 4 to January 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., (except on December 24 and 31) at MOA Concert Grounds, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. To get a free ticket and book a slot, present a single-receipt purchase of P2,000 from any establishment at MOA, S Maison, SM by the Bay, or MOA Square at the booths located near Sbarro at the North Main Mall or S Maison concierge.