The holiday season is officially upon us as Araneta City has formally lit up its giant Christmas Tree, marked with an all-digital program that was filled with prizes and musical performances from some of the most popular celebrities today!

Held last Saturday, November 14, and streamed live through Facebook and YouTube, the event had the theme “Comfort and Joys at the City of Firsts.” This is the first time in the 39 years of this yearly tradition that it went all-digital, foregoing the usual merriment that goes with the event in light of health protocols currently in place.

But even though there was no physical celebration in Araneta City, audiences on Facebook and YouTube still felt the Christmas cheer from wherever they were with back-to-back performances from some of the biggest musical acts in the country.

The event started with a pre-show that was hosted by Ana Ramsey. One of the most popular bands today, December Avenue, which was brought by Coke Studio, sang some of their hits and even rocked out to a modern rendition of the Christmas jingle “Joy to the World.” Twenty lucky winners also took home some exciting prizes during the pre-show; ten of them were lucky enough to get a pizza package from Pizza Hut delivered straight to their homes, and another ten will surely have a delicious Christmas feast with a Noche Buena package.

After the pre-show, Robi Domingo took over the hosting duties. Jeremy Glinoga, The Voice – Teens finalist sang his own Yuletide hit “Ngayong Pasko” while Janine Berdin, the champion of Tawag ng Tanghalan, sang the beloved Holiday song “Jingle Bell Rock.” One of the highlights of the program was the special performance from Vice Ganda, who belted out the classic “All I Want for Christmas is You” but done with a punk rock twist.

Aside from the wonderful musical performances, many members of the audience were thrilled with the prospect of winning the night’s top prize. One lucky winner’s Holiday will surely be more festive after winning a Grand Entertainment Showcase!

Several personalities also joined in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas including the Bb. Pilipinas 2019 Queens Gazini Ganados, Bea Patricia Magtanong, Resham Saeed, Aya Abesamis, Emma Tiglao, and Leren Mae Bautista. Mrs. Judy Araneta-Roxas, the Vice Chairman of the Araneta Group, also shared her Holiday message while inviting everyone to come visit Araneta City.

“I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope [this event] gives you hope and happiness. Pwede ba we see each other here at Araneta City? Maybe your next visit,” Araneta-Roxas remarked.

After this, the celebrities all came together to start the countdown to the lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree. Adorned with thousands of lights and various ornaments, the Christmas Tree has a very important message to deliver—hope.

This was especially timely as many of our countrymen are still reeling from the effect of several typhoons that hit the country in the past few weeks. The Giant Christmas Tree Lighting also gave importance to Araneta City’s relief efforts for people who were affected by the recent tragedies. Through Operation R.E.A.C.H. (Relief Efforts of Araneta City to Help), the City of Firsts is focusing on the real meaning of Christmas, which is giving to those in need.

The Araneta City Giant Christmas Tree lighting was sponsored by Coca-Cola, Coke Studio, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Philippines Graphic, Pilipino Mirror, Novotel Manila Araneta City, Purefoods Fiesta Ham, Magnolia Queso De Bola, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Dairy Queen.

To know more about Operation R.E.A.C.H. and the other programs, offers, and promos of Araneta City, visit https://aranetacity.com/. You may also like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.