Nothing can capture the splendor of Christmas in the Philippines better than its majestic Churches, which come alive with dazzling lights and beautiful parols as Filipinos celebrate the most festive Christmas in the world. Around the country, Filipinos pay homage to their Churches for nine straight nights in December for the traditional Simbang Gabi, a joyful celebration leading up to Christmas Eve, when throngs would flock to their Churches to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
To showcase the magnificence of the traditional Filipino Christmas, Ayala Land is bringing the Philippines’ oldest Churches to the center of Makati. Throughout the holidays, Makati’s streets will be home to magnificent light installations replicating Philippine Churches from various regions, 300 years old and above. Each church is a historical and cultural landmark, bringing to life the rich traditions and heritage of the Philippines right to the center of the business district.
Be awed as you behold each of the 10 churches, including the 385-year old Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, 414-year old Nuestra Senora de Guia in Guadalupe, Makati; the 443-year old Taal Basilica Church in Batangas; the 311-year old Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte; the 419-year old Binondo Church in Manila; the 422-year old Lucban Church in Quezon Province; the 384-year old St. James the Greater Parish in Dapitan City; the 437-year old Quipayo Church in Camarines Sur; the 435-year old Paete Church in Laguna; and the 419-year old Baclayon Church in Bohol. These replicas will be installed along Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue.
Each light installation captures the architecture of these structural icons, and arebeautifully adorned with clusters of parols and capiz décor on palm trees to reinforce the classic Filipino theme. At night, Makati’s streets will come alive with a magnificent and dazzling showcase of history and tradition that will definitely take your breath away.
As 2015 commemorates also the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in the Philippines, Makati Cityshowcases a very traditional, Filipino Christmas to celebrate the heritage and culture of the country.
“As Makati lights the major thoroughfares of the Makati Central Business District and fill the Ayala Triangle Gardens with the dazzling display of lights, the community is instantly brought into a festive mood. This is why Pinoys go crazy over Christmas, over a Makati Christmas for that matter,” said Manny Blas, Project Development Head of Makati. “As the country’s premier city for business, lifestyle and entertainment, Makati prides itself in being the city where it all happens. It is our intent to liven up and truly celebrate the Christmas season with the denizens of Makati by providing them with a traditional and inspiring Christmas experience.”
For Ayala Land, these installations, which will come to life on November 3, are a tribute to the Philippines’ rich history and cultural legacy, and its way of celebrating a truly Filipino Christmas. By bringing these to Makati City, the solemnity and grandeur of Filipino Christmas traditions will once again be rekindled in the hearts of everyone.
The light installations create a wondrous atmosphere for the festivities that Makati has lined up, in keeping with its yearly Christmas tradition.
Welcome Christmas with the highly anticipated Light and Sound show running from November 7 through January 4, featuring three medleys, at Ayala Triangle Gardens.It will be followed by the biggest outdoor Christmas Bazaar at the Globe Circuit Event grounds in Circuit Makati, the city’s newest and most dynamic entertainment district, showcasing hundreds of merchants from November 27 to 29.
Let the glorious strains of holiday hymns fill you with the Christmas spirit as Makati high school students take part in the 6thMakati Christmas Caroling Competition on December 17.
Since the true meaning of Christmas can be found in prayer and thanksgiving, the Ayala Triangle Gardens will serve as a venue for daily Thanksgiving masses from December 15 to 23.
Christmas is indeed the season that never fails to delight and amuse even the busiest of people. It is the only season that brings families, friends and colleagues even closer together. And when Makati ushers in the start of a long and festive Christmas celebration in the city, everyone eagerly anticipates what spectacle the city has to offer.
For more information about the city that makes it happen, visit www.makeitmakati.com or like and follow makeitmakati on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.