Best Christmas Lights Displays in Manila

Christmas lights displays in Manila used to be lavish and extravagant. Unfortunately, the economic miseries of the Philippines have tainted away much of the grandeur of Christmas as I had experienced in my childhood. Light and décor displays used to be so grandiose and one shopping mall would almost always try to outdo the other. Fortunately for kids today, there still are some folks who certainly know how to add charm and a festive cheer to the holidays. Driving around the city, I was overjoyed at finding some substantial Christmas lights displays that will certainly bring the 'wow' factor back to the holidays.

Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong has of late emerged as a contender for a don't-miss Christmas landmark. What started as a lights display among a handful of houses, this residential lane today attracts hundreds and hundreds of visitors every night during the holidays. Admirers and sightseers throng this quiet corner of the city which at night transforms into a lavish display of blazing lights and holiday cheer that would make you wish it were Christmas everyday! The houses usually try to outdo one another, and aside from the blinding sea of flashing lights, you'd see displays including murals depicting Nativity scenes complete with mechanically moving parts! Real live Santa Clauses and his helpers would be dancing on rooftops or parading through the street handing out goodies to the lucky ones. Christmas carols waft through the scene and the air is simply electrifying!

Another favorite pastime of many Christmas lights enthusiasts is to drive through Makati and its array of posh hotels and mall complexes. Each hotel traditionally puts up its own lavish Christmas display on its façade, and they are beautiful. The Ayala malls also offer lots of luxurious lights displays during the holidays, as well as extravagant fireworks shows on select days of the month, most notably during the New Year.