For our family, holiday season doesn’t officially start unless our mom moves her Christmas cross-stitch in the middle of the wall, takes out the boxes of sparkling decors and chasing lights and most importantly weaves her magic decorating our Christmas Tree.
She would then share her story of how when she was still a little girl, they couldn’t always afford to buy a christmas tree, so she promised herself that when it was her time to have a family, she would make sure we had a beautiful tree every Christmas. For her, a tree was more than a decoration, it was a symbol of hope, love, and gratitude for overcoming the hardships they had to face in order to give us a better life.
I guess that’s why I always take photos of the giant Christmas trees at the malls, and send it to my mom because i know it would always bring a smile to her face. And when it comes to the biggest Christmas Tree in the city, nothing can compare to the nostalgia and amazement whenever I see the one at the Araneta Center, in Cubao.
The COD (Christmas On Display) show may have moved to Greenhills but for the past 35 years, the giant Christmas Tree lighting has become a trademark and holiday tradition in Cubao.
Last November 4, hundreds of people once again gathered in Cubao to bask in that wonderful feeling of hope and joy as the Araneta Center lit up the 100-foot Christmas tree at the Gateway Food Park, beside the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a star-studded affair with a lot of Kapamilya celebrities like Alex Gonzaga, Loisa Andalio and Iñigo Pascual, along with the talented batch of “Goin’ Bulilit” mainstays Mutya Orquia, Nhickzy Calma, Marco Masa, Izzy Canillo and Xyriel Manabat. Also part of the sparkling lineup of stars are Maris Racal, as well as the famous teens of “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7” Vivoree Esclito and Marco Gallo.
The ceremonial tree lighting was led by “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda, who was also joined by other executives of the Araneta Center and the lovely Binibining Pilipinas 2016 winners, including Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina.Making the event more meaningful this year, the Araneta Center invited several street children under the He Cares Mission to experience the momentous tree lighting and get a chance to see their favorite stars up close. The kids will partake an early Christmas dinner and receive their early Christmas gifts. Music will also fill the air with performances from the Four Wheel Drive band, and capped off by a grand fireworks display.
Another highlight of the night was the revelation of the first-ever staging of “Le Grand Cirque” in the country which was unveiled via high-tech video mapping that projected the image on the side of Gateway Mall.
Direct from Las Vegas and touted as the greatest show in town, “Le Grand Cirque” will run from December 25, 2016 until January 3, 2017 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Continuing with the valued tradition of sharing blessings, Araneta Center is giving away a brand new Isuzu mu-X to a lucky patron, while ten lucky patrons can win an overnight stay at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center. The “Feel the Ride” Christmas promo runs from November 4 until January 15, 2017, and shoppers will be eligible to join for a single receipt purchase worth P1000. As a way to express deepest gratitude to its online supporters, the Center’s “60 Gifts for 60 Days” promo is also ongoing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The promo runs every day until December 23.
The Araneta Center Grand Christmas Tree Lighting is made possible by PLDT Home, Coca-Cola, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and Jollibee. For more details on its Christmas activities and promos, visit http://www.aranetacenter.net and follow Araneta Center on Facebook and Twitter.