Ayala Malls' Holiday Trail: Celebrating Christmas the Filipino Way

Ah, Christmas. The season of giving, festivities, and cheer. It is during this holiday that we revel in the magic of mistletoe, music, and Santa Claus, and for those living outside the tropics, the wonders of winter.
But Filipino Christmas is one of a kind. The extravagant displays of bright and colorful parols and Christmas trees, children singing carols filling up the streets, and friends and families gathering to exchange gifts and enjoy a hearty Noche Buena are just some of the moments that shine the most during Christmas in the Philippines.
Joining in on the holiday cheer is one of the country’s biggest shopping mall chains, Ayala Malls, through its “Holiday Trail” event held last Nov. 8 at Ayala Malls Circuit, One Ayala, Greenbelt, and Glorietta. During the celebration, the Filipino tradition came alive with their “Christmas in My Home” campaign, showcasing just what a Pinoy Christmas truly is.
Pinoy ‘Salu-Salo’
No celebration is complete without food. For Filipinos, Christmas parties are best enjoyed through a “salu-salo,” a feast where they and their loved ones gather in one place to munch on Christmas dish staples and create lasting memories together.
Commemorating this tradition, Ayala Malls held a “Taste of Christmas: Salu-Salo" event at Greenbelt 4, the trail’s third stop. Serving fares such as bibingka (baked Filipino rice cake) and pork adobo courtesy of Filipino restaurants Manam, Fely J’s, and Crisostomo, guests indulged in what would make for a classic Pinoy noche buena.


The event’s guests also had their “kampay (cheers)” moment, as they enjoyed a delightful range of beers, courtesy of proudly Filipino craft beer brand Engkanto Brewery.
To top it off, visitors were also able to take home a little bit of Christmas joy with Wildflour’s gift basket, packed with sweet and savory delights from the Wildflour Pantry, as well as Ayala Malls’ holiday card and coaster gift sets, featuring designs of Filipino artist Robert Labayen.
A Feast of Lights and Colors
Filipino homes light up during the Christmas season, but so do our shopping malls!
With Halloween decorations gone, Ayala Malls has begun beautifying its premises with tall Christmas trees and colorful lights through the “Holiday Trail” event. The Christmas Tree lighting event kicked off at the Ayala Malls Circuit, complemented by an exhibition of Labayen’s Filipino Christmas-inspired artworks.
The spectacle continued on at One Ayala, where a towering Christmas tree adorned with colorful decorative Christmas balls and lights graced its activity center. Meanwhile, Greenbelt 4’s Zen Pond glittered in gold with its luxurious gold-hued trees and warm lighting.
The last of Ayala Malls’ Christmas trees was lit up in Glorietta’s activity center, its height as tall as the mall’s third floor, along with a range of festive decor designed in collaboration with Labayen.
Star-Studded Christmas Carol
Hailed by many as “Karaoke Masters,” Filipinos especially love it when music fills the holiday air. At malls, iconic tunes like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” or Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas in our Hearts” begin playing as early as September.
Ushering in the holidays in true Filipino fashion, Ayala Malls’ “Holiday Trail” likewise featured a lineup of artists, who serenaded guests with their signature melodies and Christmas tunes. Over at Ayala Malls Circuit, the performing arts institution Trumpets Playshop brought the holiday magic through a musical performance.
Meanwhile, One Ayala’s crowd was charmed by Filipino K-pop group ALAMAT, who performed their hits “Noli,” “Sa Panaginip na Lang,” and “Maharani.” The Chorale Society of Makati likewise blessed the venue with their magical chorale performance.
The festivity went on at Greenbelt 4, where OPM icon Jed Madela serenaded guests with a medley of Filipino carol songs, such as “Pasko Na Naman” and “Kumukutikutitap,” followed by a powerful rendition of Ryan Cayabyab’s “Munting Sanggol.”
The last stop at Glorietta filled the celebration with even more music, with up-and-coming artists like Mix Fenix and Paul Pablo, along with chorale group Coro Jesu, gracing the stage with their live musical performances.


Anticipation went up with the entrance of "Popstar Princess” Sarah Geronimo, who transformed the Glorietta activity center into a concert stage with her performances of fan favorite hits such as “Kilometro,” “Dati-Dati,” and “Tala.”
Concluding the event on a festive note, the pop star royalty also delighted the crowd with her own version of “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

The Celebration Continues: More Festive Activities at Ayala Malls
The "Holiday Trail" event was just a peek at what the lifestyle hub has in store for its guests, as Ayala Malls is also set to present a slew of holiday activities across its malls nationwide. This includes dazzling light shows and fireworks displays at these destinations:
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights (lights and LED show) at Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Nov. 30 to Jan. 5, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
- Holiday at Play Light Show at Ayala Malls Vermosa (Nov. 15 to Jan. 12)
- A Night of Lights, a stunning 3D Projection Mapping show at Alabang Town Center (all Saturdays and Sundays of December plus special shows on Dec. 23, 25, 30, and Jan. 1)
- Ayala Malls Centrio’s Magical Night of Lights (Nov. 9 to Jan. 12)
- Ayala Malls MarQuee Mall’s Giant Lantern Fair (Dec. 28 to 29)
- Fireworks displays at TriNoma, U.P. Town Center, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, and Ayala Malls MarQuee Mall this December
Shoppers are also in for a treat, as Ayala Malls is holding pre-holiday and holiday sales at Ayala Malls Abreeza, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Legazpi, Ayala Malls Serin, Ayala Malls Solenad, Ayala Center Cebu, and Ayala Malls Centrio, among others, on select dates from November to December.
For those in search of the perfect gift this Christmas, these bazaars are also coming to various Ayala Malls locations:
- Designer Holiday Bazaar at Glorietta (Nov. 21 to Dec. 1)
- Holiday Market at Ayala Malls Vermosa (Nov. 15 to Dec. 31)
- Cacao Ibang Pasko Mini Fair at Ayala Malls Vertis North (Nov. 15 to 30)
- Community Christmas Market at Ayala Malls Solenad (Nov. 15 to Jan. 5)
- Pinoy Christmas Bazaar at Ayala Malls Serin (Dec. 1 to 31)
- Holiday Fair at Ayala Malls Centrio (Dec. 1 to 23)
- Home for the Holidays at Alabang Town Center (Dec. 2 to 12)
- Mindanao Trade Expo Christmas Fair at Ayala Malls Abreeza (Dec. 13 to 17)
Aside from these, visitors can also catch various food festivals, including Ayala Malls MarQuee Mall's "Big Bite: Northern Food Festival" from Nov. 15 to 17, Ayala Malls Manila Bay's "Holiday Food Truck," and Ayala Malls Abreeza's "Urban Eats Holiday Fair" from Dec. 19 to 23. Those looking to complete their Simbang Gabi can also do so at various mall locations.

“It is in this warm, festive spirit of Pinoy Christmas cheer that we envision Ayala Malls as a perfect place to experience the heart of the season,” said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Senior Vice President and Head of Leasing and Hospitality at Ayala Malls and Ayala Land during the event.
“From the stunning Christmas illustrations by Mr. Robert Labayen, capturing our beloved Filipino traditions, to the mouthwatering Christmas dishes lovingly prepared for Noche Buena, and the soulful melodies of our Christmas chorale filling the air, tonight’s holiday trail is just a glimpse of the unforgettable experiences waiting for you at Ayala Malls this November and December."
Ayala Malls' COO Paul Birkett also said in a statement, “We are delighted to offer a multi-sensory lineup of experiences designed to make your Christmas enjoyable, memorable, and relaxing. Our goal is to lift the burden of holiday hustle and bustle, allowing you to truly enjoy the season.”

All of these and much more await you and your family at Ayala Malls! For more information on Ayala Malls' holiday offerings, visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).
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