The Christmas season in the Philippines won't be as fun without the colorful decorations and the carols that we hear all throughout the Ber months. In 2011, I never got a chance to catch the most-talked about play of lights and sounds at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. This year, I vowed to make sure I see what my friends were talking about last year.
The long wait is over as Makati City once more shares the magical experience of its well-lauded Enchanting Lights and Sound Show. I was invited to catch the wonderful premier last Friday night and now know what people meant about being dazzled by beautiful lights twinkling in harmony with music.
Ayala Triangle Gardens has been transformed into an extravagant spectrum of dazzling lights and sounds to create a distinct magical experience for everyone to enjoy. The whole production is created by award-winning lighting designer Voltaire de Jesus and acclaimed musicians and composers Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso of Liquid Post.
The breathtaking display has a contemporary design which, according to de Jesus, does away with the traditional red and green Christmas setting. Instead, he incorporated over one million (ONE MILLION!) LED lights including cyber spheres, flash pods, meteor, intelligent, and laser lights. He shares that what inspires him to create new designs and outdo the previous ones is the reaction of the audience. "This year, aside from using more lights, I also added more movement with the laser effects and orchestrated color changes which I hope will be a crowd-drawer as well."
And draw the crowd the show did during the first night as droves of people came to the Ayala Triangle Gardens to witness the once-a-year spectacle. I love the concept of big balls slowly moving up and down while the lights merrily dances beside them. Wait for the green laser lights to come out then try moving in front of it for cool slow motion effects.
Likewise, the sound design is definitely something that will hype excitement as well. Far different from the ordinary, Nicolas and Amistoso say that they made their sound design this year more unique, quirky, and unpredictable -- something you wouldn't imagine to be part of a traditional Christmas carol. "We had to top what we did last year. We used mixed genres and types in our medleys."
I was surprised and pleased to note that the composers did incorporate various musical disciplines such as children's music, orchestral, rock and roll, psychedelia, rock, and jazz. It was very enjoyable to tap my feet along with the music while marveling at the quick-changing colors of lights in front of me. Catch the phenomenon from 6-9PM every 30 minutes every day until the end of December.
Ayala Land affirms that it aims to offer something innovative every year to celebrate the season with the dynamism that Makati is known for. Mel Ignacio, Ayala Land Assistant Vice President for Strategic Landbank Management Group, shares, "We always want to make sure that we provide the people who live, work, and visit Makati a memorable Christmas experience by coming up with a spectacular lights and sound show." She adds that visitors to the city will see how Makati has evolved from being a center of business to a place where lifestyle, entertainment, and culture also thrive.
Aside from the Enchanting Lights and Sound Show, look out for these following Christmas festivities happening in Makati next month:
-- December 6, 6PM, Ayala Triangle Gardens - 3rd Makati Inter-High School Christmas Caroling competition
-- December 6, 6PM, Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk and December 7, Glorietta Activity Center - Kindred Voices concert series with international quartet Blake, Lea Salonga, and Nikki Gil with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga
-- December 14, Ayala Triangle Gardens - 2nd Avenue's Christmas Concierto with The CompanY
-- December 15 to 23, 6PM, Ayala Triangle Gardens - Thanksgiving Masses
Watch out also for the Magical Tribute Tree by Convergys in honor of the men and women of the BPO industry.
For more information, visit Makati City's website or like and follow them on Facebook and Twitter at makeitmakati.
This Magical Christmas Celebration in Makati is brought by Ayala Land, Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida, Amaia, Ayala Center, Ayala Malls, Makati Commercial Estate Association, Master Card, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Convergys, 2nd Avenue, Power Mac, Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes, and Amici.
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