MANILA, Philippines—The season of giving and festivity is upon us and even as we face almost two years into the pandemic, Ayala Land and Make It Makati remain headstrong in bringing joy and magic to the Christmas tradition.
The Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition 2021 is launching once again through a two-part show in partnership with Globe Studios, helmed by Director Quark Henares and Acid House and co-presented by Coca-Cola. This year’s lights show amps up the spectacle as Philippine music and “Christmas” icon, Jose Mari Chan collaborates and conducts a heartwarming medley composed of his iconic holiday songs for both installments.
Still courtesy of Ayala Land
In a media conference prior to the premiere of the anticipated lights show, the “Christmas in our Hearts” crooner elaborates on the value of togetherness amid the uncertainty brought about the present situation.
Chan highlights, “The spirit of Christmas will be there with or without the pandemic. We need to instill that love in our people and most especially the spirit of giving and sharing. I always tell my friends that this pandemic has presented an opportunity for us to live the spirit of Christmas. Why? Those of us who are blessed with sufficiency, this is a wonderful opportunity to share our blessings to those in need, those who are unemployed, those who are hungry in our country.”
Quark Henares, Jose Mari Chan, Chrissy Roa; (Middle left – right) Shiella Aguilar, Mel Ignacio, Doug and Kendra Kramer; (Bottom left – right) Sharon Vital, Marketing Manager for Makati, Leo Mercado, Globe Studios Head of Short Form Productions, Ivan Despi. Image courtesy of Ayala Land.
He adds, “I grew up immersed in very colorful and very happy Yuletide music at Christmas time, so it’s not surprising that in composing my Christmas songs, I was inspired to derive the happy tunes from all the memorable music that I grew up with.”
To make the light show accessible to more people, on-ground QR code displays and digital boxes will be placed in areas of the Makati Central Business District and Circuit Makati such as underpasses, walkways, malls, and parks, to lead them to the main event.
Chrissy Roa, Marketing Head of Ayala Land Estates champions, “Families and friends may be physically apart, but the country’s most-loved Christmas lights and sounds show aim to give deeper meaning and greater joy to the holiday by connecting everyone—near or far—through the Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition.”
Big prizes calls for a bigger celebration
Images courtesy of Ayala Land
Along with the Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition 2021, augmented reality Instagram filters will also be launched for a complete digital Christmas celebration. Featuring the lights and sound show on the background, the filter transports social media users to the festive Ayala Triangle Gardens.
Making it more festive, Ayala Land is hosting a contest for the best entries that uses the Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition 2021 filters. Running from November 20, 2021 to January 9, 2022, one (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a 4-day 3-night all-expense paid trip to El Nido, Palawan for two (2), inclusive of airfare in partnership with AirSwift, free food, and RT-PCT testing.
Runner ups will also receive amazing prizes. The first is Seda Hotels Gift Certificates for an overnight stay or a free dine-in dinner for two (2). There are 10 of these Seda GCs up for grabs. They can also win four (4) roundtrip airfare tickets from Manila to Boracay!
To join, contestants must post their entries on their Facebook page, Instagram Feed, and Instagram Stories with the official tags and hashtags: @makeitmakati @ayalaland #FestivalOfLightsVirtualEdition, #ChristmasInOurHearts, #MakeItMakati, and #AyalaLand from November 20, 2021 to January 9, 2022.
The Christmas spirit continues
A sneak peek from Part 2 of the Festival of Lights Virtual Edition 2021. Image courtesy of Ayala Land
Apart from all of these executions, there’s more in store this Yuletide season in Makati. A walkable and bike-friendly city, anyone can invite their friends and family for intimate get togethers at al fresco areas and dine-in restaurants. Launching by the end of November, drop by the Makati Al Fresco Parklets at Rada Promenade, and the Makati Street Meet at Legaspi and Salcedo Villages.
Mall-goers are also welcome to enjoy safe al fresco dining at the Riverside Sessions in Circuit Makati, happening daily starting November 20. Sway to holiday tunes sung by live performers every Friday to Sunday from November to December in Circuit Makati and Makati CBD.
On December 15, Jaime Velasquez Park and Legazpi Active Park are welcoming families to anticipate Christmas together by hosting Simbang Gabi. As the season calls for a melodic experience that swoons the heart, on Christmas Day, December 25, Ayala Land and Make It Makati are hosting an Online Christmas Concert with Jose Mari Chan and Manila Symphony Orchestra, where everyone is invited to watch the fun and dazzling show featuring nostalgic Christmas tunes.
A merry holiday also includes meaningful discussions. Make the holiday season more significant by diving deeper and tuning in to the State of The Arts Podcast on Spotify, a show about the arts, theater, and creatives in and around the Philippines.
Celebrating Christmas is all about love, light, and togetherness with the family. Furthering the holiday spirit, Ayala Land has created a virtual tour, “Christmas Cities”, a nationwide Christmas celebration featuring lights and decorations at Ayala Avenue and Circuit Makati, where families can take memorable groufies.
Viewers can catch the initial premiere of part one on November 12 at 6:00 p.m, launching on Make It Makati’s Facebook page, part one of the Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition 2021 recreates the light show at Ayala Triangle Gardens designed within the digital space to present a 360-degree animation. Part two of the lights show is also launching very soon.
For more updates follow the Facebook and Instagram accounts of Makati It Makati and Ayala Land. #FestivalofLightsVirtualEdition #ChristmasInOurHearts #AyalaLand #MakeItMakati