THE holiday season is a time to celebrate love, family and long-held traditions. In Filipino culture, Christmas is celebrated as early as September, bringing generations together over music, food and get-togethers.
Here are five ways to celebrate Christmas at the region’s premier lifestyle destination:
Be enchanted nightly by the Disney-themed ‘Festival of Lights’
Delight in “Reimagine the Magic: A Festival of Lights,” an audio-visual display featuring illuminations twinkling and dancing along to popular Disney songs. “A Festival of Lights” is directed by award-winning lights and sounds director Voltaire de Jesus, with musical arrangement by the former musical director of Hong Kong Disneyland, Rony Fortich. The show runs every 30 minutes from 6 to 9 p.m. until Jan. 20, 2019 at The Terraces.
Celebrate the season of giving with ‘Laruang Aguinaldo’
More than about receiving presents, Christmas is about giving. Spread the holiday cheer to more little ones with gifts and toys from Rustan’s and Toys R’ Us. Purchase a toy and give to a child through Unicef and Kids 4 Kids with “Laruang Aguinaldo” ongoing until Dec. 16. Kiddo members who present their purchase receipt at the Kiddo booth get a special exclusive Christmas gift.
Meet and greet Santa Claus and join the Christmas Parade
Kids get a chance to meet Father Christmas every Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 23 from 4 to 5 p.m. at The Gallery. Don’t miss out the Christmas Mall Parade every Sunday around the mall until Dec. 23, 5 to 6 p.m. Timezone will be leading the parade together with the Brown Academy of Music members. Kiddo Club members can also join by signing up at the Concierge near Guess to get special treats.
Feel the holiday spirit with the mall-wide Christmas decor and music
Ongoing at Level 4 from 6 to 8 p.m, groove and sing along to favorite Christmas tunes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Dec. 21, while various choir groups fill the air with Christmas carols and medleys every Tuesday and Thursday until Dec. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m at Level 1. Marvel at this year’s Christmas Tree at The Gallery and handmade parols around the mall that make the holidays merrier. Made of local and indigenous materials inspired by the designs of Manuel Baldemor and Bambi Mañosa, the decorations incorporate traditional Filipino elements such as the parol, sig-id, sipa balls, banig and puso. As a step toward sustainability, the ornaments used are also recyclable and eco-friendly. An outdoor Christmas tree illuminated by Firefly and True Value stands at the entrance of the expansion area.
Check everything off the list with extended mall hours.
The main mall will be open until midnight on Dec. 21, until 11 p.m. until Dec. 20 and Dec. 22 and 23. Holiday mall hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31; and 12 noon to 9 p.m. on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2019. PR