Ayala Land is set to bring the Yuletide spirit back into the city with its Festival of Lights and other holiday events and attractions

“I can say that Christmas in Makati will be bigger and brighter.” That’s the promise Shiella Aguilar, estate head for Makati of Ayala Land, gave during the preview of what’s to come for the holiday season in one of Manila’s busiest cities. The real estate firm is happy to announce that, this year, its Festival of Lights and other holiday events will be enjoyed by the Filipino people live after two years in isolation.

“It is important for us here in Ayala Land to stay connected to the communities that we serve. This is especially true for Makati, which is our flagship estate,” Aguilar says. “Makati is home to several signature events that have become part of the city’s soul. Events that made the city come alive and brought together members of the community and families from all over the country. Christmas gives us an opportunity to do this in an even bigger way.”

And bigger it is. Its festivities will start with the lighting ceremony of the Christmas decorations on Ayala Avenue on Nov. 3. In line with its sustainability goals, the real estate firm is reusing its past ornaments—parols and capiz lights—to adorn Makati Central Business district. According to Chrissy Roa, Ayala Land’s head of marketing and communications, the decorations will be seen in more parts of Ayala Avenue. In addition, a giant parol installation will be erected in the courtyard of Ayala Triangle Gardens, offering family and friends a perfect spot to snap some photos for the holiday season.

Nothing beats an immersive holiday experience. After successfully bringing its Festival of Lights into the digital world, Ayala Land is ready to welcome Filipinos back to witness its grand lights show live this year at the Ayala Triangle Gardens starting Nov. 10.

Conceptualized by director Ohm David and lighting designer Sueyen Austero, this year’s festival will be a 360-degree experience centering on the theme of “coming together.” Apart from the traditional dancing string lights and magical laser lights, people can also see a gigantic 3D animated video, made in collaboration with Kroma and Acid House. Ayala Land has been producing the Festival of Lights for 14 years, and what makes Festival of Lights 2022 unique is the presence of local indigenous symbols in the show.

“We wanted something to symbolize coming together. So, we gathered many indigenous backgrounds of the Philippines… We have Inabel, Tboli, Mangyan patterns just to keep that sense of tradition, celebration, and something truly Filipino alive,” David says.

“It is not just the light show,” Austero adds. “We are expecting a lot of emotions. Coming from the hiatus caused by the pandemic, some will be emotional seeing these lights live again.”