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Christmas is a happy, fun and beautiful occasion in the Philippines. Many Filipinos enjoy various Christmas-themed attractions around Metro Manila. Lights and sounds display, giant Christmas trees, enchanting carnival rides, festive entertainment and other captivating attractions highlight the joy of the holiday season.
Here are some great Christmas attractions worth experiencing this Christmas season:
Symphony of Lights and Sounds at Ayala Triangle
The lush gardens of Ayala Triangle have been transformed into a spectacular spectrum of dazzling lights and festive sounds. This Christmas season, the Symphony of Lights and Sounds show can be enjoyed every day, every hour from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. The grand lights, laser and sounds display started last November 16, 2011 and will run until December 30, 2011.
The show is free and open to the public so anyone can just go to Ayala Triangle Gardens to enjoy the amazing display of dancing lights and sounds. The trees are wrapped in colorful LED lights while some have dangling LED lights that make them look like simulated rain. The whole thing is like a full production of light displays, laser effects and orchestrated color changes to the tune of popular Christmas carols. People of all ages can appreciate the majestic lights and sounds show. Another great Christmas attraction in the area is the beautiful giant Belen in Tower One. The people can also walk around the vast greeneries of Ayala Triangle Gardens and dine in various restaurants.
Penguin Park and other new attractions at Manila Ocean Park
The Manila Ocean Park recently opened the first and only Penguin Park in the country. People can now see penguins up close and learn about their world. The Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) belong to the South American species of penguins from the coastlines of Chile and Peru, close to Antarctica.
Many people find penguins cute because they look comical as they walk and waddle in an upright position. Manila Ocean Park guests can observe the penguins swim, feed, waddle, slide, and interact with one another in a replica of their natural habitat. It features nesting burrows, rocky shores and an indoor pool with glass panels for underwater viewing. Guests also have the option to go near the penguins, feed them and have their photos taken with the penguins.
The Trails to Antarctica Exhibit Hallway showcases educational presentations about Antarctica, its wildlife and more. Kids and the kids-at-heart can enjoy the thrill of sliding down the Slide O’ Fun. It is the longest ice slide in the city which spans 42 meters.
Get the chance to experience a White Christmas in the Snow Village. Guests are provided with jackets as they enter the winter town. People can walk in the snow and feel the chill in the air as they go around the winter village.
Manila Ocean Park offers various Christmas packages for the whole family to enjoy. Guests can take advantage of special promo specials (Moonlight Adventure P500, Ultimate Experience 800, Marine Life Encounter P500) until January 15, 2012.
MOA Eye - Mall of Asia’s Giant Ferris Wheel
The SM Mall of Asia opened its giant Ferris wheel attraction to the public last December 16, 2011. The giant Ferris wheel is called the MOA Eye, similar to the giant Ferris wheel in London named London Eye.
The MOA Eye is located inside SM MOA’s amusement park complex across the SM IMAX parking area. The MOA Eye is now the tallest and biggest Ferris wheel in the country. It has surpassed the height and size of Enchanted Kingdom's Wheel of Fate. The MOA Eye towers at 160 feet and overlooks the Manila Bay.
Visitors can enter the amusement park free of charge. The fee for the Ferris wheel ride is P150 per person which takes approximately 10 minutes. The MOA Eye carriages are air-conditioned. Small kids can ride the giant Ferris wheel as long as children below 3.5 feet are accompanied by an adult. Ferris wheel riders should be in good health condition, free of any heart or nervous disorders and should not have neck or back weakness and motion sickness. Pregnant women are not allowed to ride the giant Ferris wheel. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the carriages.
Cubao’s giant Christmas Tree
The Giant Christmas Tree of Cubao located inside Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City is probably the biggest Christmas tree in Metro Manila. It towers at almost 100 feet tall and is decorated with 10,000 Christmas lights and giant bows. Giant gifts surround the foot of the tree. The lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree in Cubao has been a yearly tradition since 1981. It continues to attract visitors from different parts of the country. This attraction is free and open to the public.
Star City
Star City is a favorite amusement park of many Filipino families. It is located at CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. Star City is known as a walk-through amusement park with shopping stalls, food centers, arcades, carnival rides and other attractions.
The popular rides inside Star City are the following: (1) Kiddie Rides: Kiddie Bumper Cars, Kiddie Wheel, Magic Tea Cup, Rodeo, Quack – Quack and Little Tyke (2) Adult Rides: Spring Ride, Zyklon Loop, Star Flyer, Wild River, Adult Bumper Boat, Adult Bumper Car, Blizzard, Surf Dance and Viking (3) Family Rides: Magic Forest, Balloon Wheel, Red Barron, Wacky Dragon, Wacky Worm, Telecombat and Grand Carousel. Other attractions include Pirate Adventure, Laser Blaster, Kilabot ng Mummy, Dungeon, Land of Giants, Peter Pan, Time Tunnel, Snow World and Dino Island. Visitors can also enjoy free live shows inside Star Theater featuring Ballet Manila.
Star City is open from 1:00 p.m. onwards from December 16, 2011 to January 8, 2012 (except December 25 and January 1 - 10:00 a.m. onwards). The entrance fee is P60 per person (children 32 inches and below are free). Other packages are also available.
COD Christmas Show in Greenhills
Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan is popular for its tiangges. Shoppers flock to Greenhills Shopping Center to take advantage of bargains and watch the COD animatronics and light show. The moving mannequin display is free for people to enjoy. This fun attraction can be seen until January 6, 2012.
Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong
Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong City transforms into a wonderland of Christmas lights and decorations during the Christmas season. Houses are dressed up in a multitude of flickering lights and mesmerizing decorations such as Santa Claus figures, Belens and various Christmas ornaments. Many people visit Policarpio Street to enjoy the spectacular displays.
One of the popular houses in Policarpio Street is the Dalisay Mansion. It has been featured countless times in the news and other TV programs. Every square meter of the mansion is covered in lights. The “House of Santa” is also very popular because of the owner’s huge collection of Santa Claus items.
Photos: “Dec31: Under the stars” by Daniel Ansel Tingcungco, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved; “CubaoXmas3” by Dennis Villegas c/o WikiPilipinas.
Videos: “Ayala Triangle Christmas Light show 2011, Makati City, Philippines” c/o Youtube; “Penguin Exhibit” c/o Youtube; “sm mall of asia ferris wheel – moa eye1” c/o Youtube; “Giant Christmas Tree” c/o Youtube; “2011 Policarpio St. Mandaluyong Christmas Decorations – Philippines” c/o Youtube; “Go Star City!” c/o Youtube; “COD Greenhills 2011” c/o Youtube.
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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. She took up MBA at the same university. Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.
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