Mesmerizing festival of lights in Makati now on view nightly
New feature: 3D light show complete with smoke machine—and kids lose themselves in it, dancing and twirling in the cloud of smoke
Traditions make people look forward to the Christmas season. They become powerful memories that can bring happiness to a person. For Filipinos, Christmas traditions include reunions, Noche Buena, parol, Misa de Gallo, bibingka and puto bumbong.
Some traditions start because of circumstances and location, like the Festival of Lights in Ayala Triangle Gardens
in the heart of the Makati business district. Before the pandemic, residents of the city would troop here to watch the free light show.
But there are also people who come from other places who still consider Makati their home. They are those who come to work every day here, passing by Ayala Avenue and getting acquainted with the details of the giant parol, on their commute or on their work break.
They are the same people who get to see how the
changes at night, when the lights are on and music plays in the background. They then bring their families and friends to the 15-minute light shows, intending to make core memories with them.
Visitor-friendly
As the light show returns on ground, the display was designed with all kinds of visitors in mind. If people are still wary of crowds, they can opt to stay in the less dense area of Tower One and Exchange Plaza or another part of the garden and still be able to appreciate the show from afar.
However, the best area is still under the trees in the gardens. From there you can look up and see lights in the shape of local weaves hanging from the trees. Director Ohm David included the weaves to celebrate local artistry.
The same spot is also good to watch the three five-minute shows prepared by Tunog at Liwanag sa Teatro, where David is a member. The group has been in charge of the light show for more than a decade.
The shows are divided into three themes: the first one is upbeat music that visitors can dance to and upload to their TikTok; the second is a lineup of favorite Christmas songs; and finally, the crowd can listen to the voices of Pembo Elementary school choir perform Christmas carols.
An addition this year is the 3D light show that plays in time with the music.
The 3D light show is an addlandscape ed bonus for visitors who come with their families. Smoke machines have to run to make the 3D lights visible, and kids love losing themselves in it. They dance, twirl and jump in the cloud of smoke.
It’s one of the reasons going to the Festival of Lights is worth it. The Christmas energy fills the air. Everybody who goes there sings and dances. You can feel the happiness of people going there.
“This is my first time witnessing the show. I was invited by my friend who works here. I really enjoyed it,” said Jhune Pao Candelaria, who traveled from Bulacan with his friends.
Candelaria said he would have wanted more Filipino songs featured, but still liked how the show went.
There are food and beverage offerings at the venue, though it’s not the same as prepandemic. It’s best to go there after dinner, or grab supper at the nearby establishments.
An anticipated Simbang Gabi will be hosted by Ayala Land at the Ayala Triangle Gardens starting Dec. 15 until Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. The Philippine Youth Symphonic Band will be performing on the first night.