Christmas is a time of giving, sharing, and loving. It’s the most awaited season of the year when bright lights fill every street corner and Christmas carols are heard almost everywhere. And as part of Filipino Christmas traditions, who could ever forget the tree that never fails to fascinate people? The Fig tree, which symbolizes the Holy Trinity because of its triangular shape and is also referred to as “God’s Tree”—the Christmas Tree.
This year, as part of the tradition that began in 1981, the Giant Christmas Tree in the heart of Araneta Center, Cubao, signaled the start of the most celebrated holiday of all—Christmas.
“We take pride in producing the biggest Christmas event every year that everyone wouldn’t want to miss. Everyone has fond memories of the Araneta Center Giant Christmas Tree, and it’s a great tradition that we want to continue year after year as it gets better,” shares Cecille Marvilla, Marketing Head of the Araneta Group.
The Giant Christmas Tree, located right in front of the Big Dome, serves as a pleasant and refreshing sight amidst the bustling streets of Cubao. With a towering height of almost 100 feet, more than ten thousand lights adorned with colorful giant ribbons and Coke Smile baubles, it’s a sight that will surely make people take a second glance.
The Araneta Group, in cooperation with Coca-Cola and Biogesic, prepared a fun and star-studded event that put a smile on the faces of everyone who witnessed the first lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree this year.
Local government officials, spearheaded by Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, along with beauty queens Carlene Aguilar, 2008 Binibining Pilipinas World Danielle Castaño, and 2008 Binibining Pilipinas Universe Jennifer Barrientos, helped kick off the illumination of the Christmas Tree.
A few minutes before 6:00 PM on December 7, the Giant Christmas Tree unfolded its radiance in the middle of an enthralled crowd, accompanied by an amazing fireworks display that left everyone in awe. To jumpstart the holiday season with a bang, ABS-CBN stars, including Gary Valenciano, John Lloyd Cruz, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Nikki Gil, and the cast of Betty La Fea, were present to make the evening even brighter and merrier.
The Giant Christmas Tree Lighting also served as a venue for Coca-Cola to introduce their multi-hued collectible Coca-Cola Christmas Smile Glasses.
Now that the Giant Christmas Tree is lit, there’s no stopping Christmas from coming. The season of love is officially here. And despite the economic challenges the Philippines is currently facing, the value of being together with family during the happiest season on Earth is just one of the many reasons to smile and be merry.
Written by: Maritoni Alvarez
Written for: Yehey
