THE HOLIDAY season kicked off along the busy streets of Makati City’s central business district as Ayala Land hosted the annual street lighting ceremony on Nov. 3 at the Ayala Tower One and Exchange Plaza fountain area. The Christmas lights display was lit along Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue.

“Christmas is the highlight of the year for Filipinos, and we always want to make it special for everyone. By mounting the exquisite Christmas display, and through the Festival of Lights, we provide venues for people to enjoy the spirit of the season,” Ayala Land Project Development head of Makati Shiella Aguilar said in a press release.

While last Christmas featured a stained glass inspired display, this year’s installation showcases weave patterns from around the country.

The decorations use weave patterns from the country’s three major regions: inabel and burdado from Luzon, banig tikog from the Visayas, and T’Boli ukli and Yakan patterns from Mindanao.

The Christmas decoration project has been going on since the 1990s said Ayala Land’s Corporate Brand and Hotels Marketing manager Sharon Vital.

“We [really] wanted it (the theme) be Filipino-inspired. We wanted it to be local. We wanted to showcase Filipino culture. And at the same time, it has to bring joy,” Ms. Vital told BusinessWorld of this year’s installation theme.

She noted that the display took months to plan and three months to construct.

Along Ayala Avenue, a giant Christmas gift shines with patterned green lights. Various red and green parols (lanterns), and giant green and pink Christmas balls also light up the street.

The holiday lights set ups will be on display in Makati City’s central business district from 6 p.m. to early morning daily until Jan. 7, 2018.

The official Festival of Lights ceremony will be held at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on Nov. 9. – Michelle Anne P. Soliman

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