Christmas is a big thing in the Philippines. Many Filipinos love everything about Christmas. As soon as the "BER" months start, the Christmas mood sets in. As early as SeptemBER, Christmas songs begin playing on the radio; puto bumbong and bibingka stands begin sprouting like mushrooms; and Christmas parols, colorful lights and other decorations begin appearing on homes, streets and commercial establishments.

Some Filipinos like putting up their Christmas trees as early as SeptemBER while most have made it a habit of putting up their trees by second or third week of NovemBER. The Christmas tree comes in different colors, shapes and sizes but the spirit of Christmas holds true from the simplest to the grandest Christmas tree of all.

It’s amazing how some individuals and establishments devote a lot of time, effort and money in coming up with beautiful, eye-catching and unique Christmas trees.

Christmas trees for a cause

Dusit Thani Manila’s “Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree! Unity in Diversity” features Christmas trees by 12 famous personalities, schools and multinational companies. Hotel stay-in guests, dine-in guests and Facebook friends can vote for the best Christmas tree until Dec. 25. P100,000 will be donated to the winner's chosen charity.

Tessa Prieto-Valdes’ Christmas tree

Fashion designer and social philanthropist, Tessa Prieto-Valdes adorned her Christmas tree with Barbie dolls wearing clothes created by world-class Filipino fashion designers. Her beneficiary is Fr. Gerard Sorsogon’s Divine Healer Learning Center, which takes care of 300 young poor children.

Tim Yap’s Christmas tree

TV host and eventologist Tim Yap tree used 100% recycled materials such as twigs from trees, fabrics and buttons used for Red Cross dolls. Youth volunteers were responsible in making the charity dolls from recycled fabrics and factory surplus materials. Yap’s beneficiary is Red Cross.

“Ang Christmas tree is for kids. It reminds me of my childhood so yun, it’s about toys … iba’t ibang ways of celebrating Christmas pero in the end nag-u-unite sa isang mensahe, which is sharing, which is giving to each other,” Yap told QTV News.

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Rajo Laurel’s Christmas tree

Fashion designer Rajo Laurel used discarded materials such as wire hangers, scrap fabric, old twine, scrap metal and colored paper to make his Christmas tree. Rajo’s beneficiary is RAGS2RICHES.

Celine Lopez’ Christmas tree

Columnist Celine Lopez's Christmas tree called “Little Black Tree” is inspired by Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress. She chose the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women (CATW) as the beneficiary.

Other Christmas trees

Other participants are School of Fashion and Arts, the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Canon, HSBC, Tesoro's Philippine Handicrafts, Lifestyle Asia Magazine, Thai Airways, and Teddy Manuel Flowers and Events.

Ricky Reyes’ 24-foot Christmas tree

Celebrity hairdresser Ricky Reyes told Philippine Daily Inquirer that he began shopping for Christmas decor as early as July to avail of big discounts.

He said that in his home, Christmas officially begins after All Souls’ Day. This is the time when he keeps himself occupied in transforming his home into a beautiful Christmas haven.

“I love decorating and I love Christmas. I don’t hire an interior designer; I do it myself. I’m a frustrated architect, foreman, interior designer, landscaper,” he said in the article.

This year, Reyes’ grand Christmas tree is two feet taller than the previous one. Reyes’s amazing 24-foot Christmas tree is a real treat for the eyes. It stands mighty high in his living room, right across from the grand staircase.

Reyes’s towering Christmas tree is adorned with all-season pink flowers, traditional red poinsettias, extra-large golden balls highlighted with colorful cut-glass, red balls with glittering beads, and gold and red trimmings.

Reyes wasn’t born into a rich family. He experienced hardships early in life and had to work in order to provide for his family. Now, Reyes lives a very comfortable life. He credits his success to his perseverance and hard work.

“I’m not rich. Next to the rich people of Manila, my wealth is nothing. But I know how to live a life. I enjoy life, I give the best family atmosphere to my family, I sleep on a nice luxurious bed. I earned this. I worked so hard to have a better life. I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor while I am still alive,” Reyes told PDI.

For Reyes, each day is like Christmas. He loves buying gifts for his family every day and never goes home empty-handed.

Giant Christmas trees around the country

SM MOA, Pasay City

Inside the SM Mall of Asia is a 50-foot Christmas tree while a 75-foot Christmas tree stands just outside the mall at San Miguel by the Bay. The outdoor Christmas tree illuminates the area with 600 pieces of Firefly CFLs and 47,000 pieces of Firefly LED bulbs. Firefly Electric & Lighting Corp. (FELCO) wants to inspire Filipinos to embrace a Green Christmas this year.

Albay, Bicol

The people of Albay celebrate their first Green Christmas through their 58-foot tall eco-friendly Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is composed of green painted fuel drums and almost a thousand solar-powered rice LED lights. The Christmas tree symbolizes Albay’s campaign for "environment protection, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction."

Araneta Center, Quezon City

The Christmas tree at the Araneta Center stands almost a hundred feet tall. It is decorated with hundreds of Christmas balls and more than 10,000 lights and cascading LED lights.

Tagum, Davao del Norte

The Tagumenyos are proud of their 106-foot-tall Christmas tree. It is decorated with 550 colorful bulbs, 300 meters of flexible lights, 36 pieces of lighted bells, and 36 pieces of lighted doves.

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

The 150-foot Christmas tree in Puerto Princesa, Palawan took two months to set up. It is adorned with huge handmade ornaments and a giant sleigh riding Santa Claus. The Christmas ornaments were made by the people of Palawan.

Agusan del Sur

The Manobo tribe lighted a 280-foot giant living Christmas tree. The century-old Toog tree (Petersianthus quadrialatus) or Philippine Rosewood was decorated with 1,001 Christmas lights.

Photo: “Tim Yap’s Christmas tree” from Dusit Thani Manila Facebook. Used for journalistic purposes only.