Christmas Lights-and-Sound show @ Ayala Triangle

The lights-and-sound show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens is one of the must-see events during the Christmas season.  It's a 30-minute spectacular display of dancing lights, accompanied by Christmas songs.  The tree branches were decked with LED lights in jewel colors, and has a meteor shower effect.

Since its opening on November 16th, people come to the park every night to be dazzled by this Christmas rainbow.    The show runs from 6 pm to 9 pm,  until December 30th.

The multicolored LED balls fall from the branches like heavenly bodies.  

It felt like I was under the Tree of Souls in the fictional universe of Avatar.:p

The Ayala Triangle Gardens is a 20,000-square meter park in the middle of three major streets in the Makati Central Business District.  It's an oasis populated by trees, lush greenery and public art pieces from some of the country's famed artists.

Looking towards Ayala Avenue from the lobby of Tower One & Exchange Plaza.

Wishing you all the Joy, Hope and Wonder of Christmas!

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Watery World-Wednesday

Stars @ BHS/Watery World-Wednesday

 Dazzling stars installed around Bonifacio High Street and in the fountain area.  

These brilliant lights add to the festive mood at this al fresco-styled mall.

 Christmas songs filled the air---although the wind was warm and humidity high.

We lingered at the fountain area to catch some cool night breezes and was captivated by these glittering stars like they were real heavenly bodies.

Linking to Watery World-Wednesday

Ho-Ho-Ho [Ruby Tuesday]

Underneath all the bulging bundles is a beating Christmas heart...

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Blue Christmas [Blue Monday]

 Christmas, children, is not a date.  It is a state of mind.

~ Mary Ellen Chase

Linking to Blue Monday

Last hurrah [Ruby Tuesday & My World]

@ mirandablue

The Christmas celebration officially ended on Sunday, the feast of the Epiphany for Catholics.  Most of the Christmas decor has been taken down and kept in storage. Here's the last glimpse of the decorations that made our Christmas party a more festive affair.  This is at the home of a co-worker who graciously welcomed the whole gang into his home.  Thank you, Ding!

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World Tuesday

Tree of Lights at Eastwood [My World & Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

Even when I promised myself not to get stressed-out from all the holiday frenzy,  I found myself running around in the mall and in the supermarket like a chicken with its head cutoff.  I hate last minute shopping!  But when the dust settled, and the leftovers have been put away, I finally had the time to see the sights and watch a movie.

After dinner on Christmas day, we drove to the nearby mall, Eastwood, to check out the scene.  This giant Christmas tree greeted us at the mall's courtyard.  It's about 25 feet tall and decorated with lighted fiberglass balls that look like M & M's.

@ mirandablue

The mall was pretty crowded--restaurants were full, and the theaters were jam-packed, too.  I spotted a live TV broadcast of GMA, one of the local networks; and a couple of the mimes by the base of the Christmas tree.

Here's the crowd outside Eastwood mall on the night of December 25th.

@ mirandablue

The Metro Manila Film Festival, a festival that features locally-produced films, started on Christmas Day.  I was in the mood for comedy but the theater was already full when we got to the ticket counter. So we opted to watch Rosario, one of the entries in the festival.  Set in the 1920's, Rosario is a tragic story of a liberated woman who was a victim of  her own moral choices and society's prejudices. The credible acting and attention to details, being a period movie, were impressive,  but the story was too heavy for me.  I needed a sugar rush after Rosario.:p

@ mirandablue

The crowd was thinning around 11 pm when we found our way to one of the restaurants.  We ended Christmas day with a sweet and light Riesling.  

I am linking to My World and Ruby Tuesday.

@ mirandablue

Slim Santas [Ruby Tuesday & My World]

@ mirandablue

I don't know what happened to Santa but I've never seen him this thin before.  A result of recession, perhaps?  Or Santa took his no-carbs diet too seriously?  I envy Santa's waist line!

Elves or whatchamacallit---these whimsical creatures would definitely add cheer to the holiday decor.  All these were designed by Weenee Lagdameo of Accent Pieces.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

The Nutcracker at the Fiesta Market [My World and Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

The Fiesta Market is an outdoor market area of Market! Market!, a mall in Global City, Taguig.  It has regional food stalls where I go when I have cravings for native delicacies like kwakoy, mango tart, lengua de gato and other favorites like dried squid, roasted coffee from Bukidnon, and Vigan empanada.  It has the freshness of a Sunday street market where you can find fresh vegetables and fruits, flowers and seafoods.   There is also a hawker's area where you can sample various Filipino food--from pork BBQ to halo-halo, lechon, fish kinilaw, pancit habhab and dinuguan.  Fiesta Market also has  a well-stocked rice vendor and wine stores.  

Separated by a fountain is Market! Market!'s Christmas display---The Nutcracker.   This  attracts kids an adults alike.  Standing beside a bunch of kids, I was as fascinated by a life- size Clara dancing with her prince, with larger-than-life rotating nutcracker and a host of animated characters.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

 

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

Stars in High Street [My World & Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

I did a little shopping at Bonifacio High Street on Saturday and was delighted at the Christmas installations. The stars in red and gold caught my attention---they're made from abaca rope and rattan poles, homegrown and simple yet they add a festive air to the al fresco shopping experience.  With synchronized music and lighting, these Christmas installations dominate the garden area, an added interest to shoppers.  Christmas is definitely in the air albeit the warm breezes.  

@ mirandablue

This mall is popular to people with dogs and kids---there's a stretch of garden in the middle with water features and contemporary art installations where dogs [and their humans] can socialize and compare notes.    There are restaurants and coffee shops, fashion specialty stores and global brands, sports and electronic stores, hobby and lifestyle shops, a book and music store, a spa, health and beauty shops.  A shopping playground where nothing feels cramped or hurried.  And anyone can find his/her quiet spot.

@ mirandablue

Exercise buffs also found a haven here.  And these stars would visually entertain the joggers while they huff and puff on the sidewalks.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

Red Topiaries [Ruby Tuesday]

I hope you're not taking down your Christmas decor yet. In the Philippines, we usually remove the Christmas decor on the night of January 5th (Three Kings or Epiphany), or the Twelfth Night. In some cultures, it is believed to be bad luck to take down Christmas decor before the Twelfth Night.

Because my family has no Christmas traditions, I just enjoy myself getting creative with Christmas decor. When you're too lazy to put up a tree, or your apartment is too small to accommodate a real Christmas tree, then these pearly capiz cone-shaped topiaries would make a festive table accent.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

" Always leave something to wish for; otherwise, you will be miserable from your very happiness."

~ Baltasar Gracian

Eat well, be well!

With so many vegetables and fruits to choose from, how about something healthy for Christmas lunch? Check out this green salad with ripe mango, crab meat and shrimps---they add lots of color and taste to your plate, not to mention the vitamins. I love this crunchy and tasty green salad after the cholesterol-laden food we had at Noche Buena.

Eat well, and be well this Christmas and throughout the New Year!

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday