Christmas comes to Eastwood and Venice Piazza
MANILA, Philippines - It’s going to be a star-studded Christmas at Eastwood City as giant stars in various hues and sizes are elegantly scattered around the mall to spread holiday sparkle and joy among shoppers.
Highlight of the decoration is a 60-foot, star-spangled Christmas tree with a built-in staircase where chorale groups serenade shoppers when night falls. At 6 p.m. today, the United Voices Concert Chorus, the resident choir of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, fill the air with Christmas ditties. Be captivated by the magical atmosphere that the concert creates so wonderfully, announcing that it’s Christmas time in Manila.
The other featured chorale groups are the Manila Chamber Singers, Dec. 10; Himig Sanghaya Chorale, Dec. 11 and 16; the CCF Eastwood Choir, Dec. 17; Hangad, Dec. 18; and the Children’s Joy Foundation on Dec. 23 and 25.
Over at the Eastwood Mall Open Park, singer Anthony Castelo will perform a repertoire of light classics and famous movie themes that are popular with hopeless romantics today at 7 p.m. Kuh Ledesma and her equally talented daughter Isabella will perform live on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. Laugh the night away with comedian and impersonator Jon Santos on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Mr. Rock and Roll RJ Jacinto is also performing on Dec. 17 at 7p.m.
Moms will definitely have a heyday taking photos of their kids at the PLDT Christmas Village. Here, kids can witness a Christmas Snow Shower during weekends from 6 to 8 p.m. The snow-capped PLDT Christmas Village is at Eastwood City Walk 2.
Not to be outdone, Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, also boasts a giant Christmas tree likewise adorned with stars made of white capiz, and hand-painted Venetian masks to be in sync with the Italian theme.
Kids can have an exciting play time at Venice Piazza’s fun weekend activities. While the parents are busy over afternoon coffee, kids can explore the kiddie scooters, Moto GP, bungee fun, kiddie rides, inflatables, street magicians, stilt walkers, unicyclists, jugglers and more! Kids at heart can also join the fun by feeding the pegions that go down the Venice Piazza every afternoon.
As soon as the sun fades, The Venice Piazza’s open ground is transformed into a concert hall as it presents the “Holiday Sounds & Good Cheer” featuring Jon Santos on Dec. 10; Anthony Castelo, Dec. 11; Kuh Ledesma and Isabella, Dec. 17; and Christian Bautista on Dec. 18.
If Eastwood City has a Christmas village, Venice Piazza puts up a Santa’s Corner so kids can meet and greet the good, ol’ man from North Pole dressed in an Italian ensemble.
YOU KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS WHEN…?The first crow of rooster during the early morn of Dec. 16 marks the beginning of the Misa de Gallo, popularly known to Filipinos as Simbang Gabi.
At Eastwood City, the annual Simbang Gabi will take place at the Holy Family Chapel on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 16, 18 to 24 at 5:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Dec. 17 at 6:15 p.m. Over at Venice Piazza, the Mass will be held at the open grounds from Dec. 15 to 23 at 6 p.m.
Watch the night sky light up with fireworks on all weekends of December until Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. at Eastwood Mall Open Park and the Venice Piazza.
Christmas Is Giving
Shop ‘till you drop for trinkets, accessories and other cool gift items at Eastwood Central Plaza’s Holiday Bazaar on all weekends of December. If export-quality furniture items and home furnishings top your gift-list, head to the Holiday Fair ongoing until Dec. 11 and on Dec. 15 to 22 at the Eastwood Mall Atrium.
Last minute shopping for gifts can also be accomplished at Venice Piazza’s bazaar on Dec. 16 to 18 and Dec. 23 to 25.
Find the perfect gift for your partner in the His and Hers Sale from Dec. 9 to 11 at Eastwood City Walk 2. Participating brands include Bratpack, Memo, Mental, DC, Get Laud!, and Calvin Klein.
For edible gifts, go to the Holiday Gourmet Market. Whet your appetite with its wide selection of pastries, hams, wines, imported cheeses, homemade cookies and pastries.
Indulge in the richness of cocoa at the Chocolate Festival on Dec. 17 and 18 at the third floor of Eastwood Mall. From those that melt in the mouth to the ones you just can’t resist, the festival lets you indulge in your fave chocolate confection. Eastwood Mall is bringing the best chocolate houses in town such as Choclery, Artisan Chocolates, Crukitchen, Heavenly Chocolates, Risa Chocolates, Theo and Philo, truffles, and more!
Kids aren’t left out as Eastwood City holds its Christmas Kids Sale from Dec. 16 to 18 at Eastwood City Walk2. . Make your little one the happiest person on earth this Christmas with toys and clothes from Toys R Us, 2rats for the Brats, Bear Huggs, Giordano Junior, Osh Kosh B’ Gosh and Clipper.
Christmas is everyone’s favorite time of the year, but also one of the most stressful. So Eastwood City and Venice Piazza decided to come up with these exciting activities and tempting offers to make this annual event a joyous and memorable one for every Juan!
Welcome the New Year with a bang!
Be part of the momentous New Year’s countdown to a lucky and prosperous 2012 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park on Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to the wee hours of Jan. 1, 2012.
Catch class acts as they entertain guests until the official countdown begins.
