Christmas at MOA with The Filharmonic

MANILA, Philippines - SM Mall of Asia (MOA)’s giant Christmas Tree has over 500 ornaments and is embellished with red and white Christmas balls in stripes and polka dots with cute little Santas and small gift boxes with a string of sparkling 40,000 LED lights.

MOA recently launched its holiday festivities with the lighting of its giant Christmas Tree, gift giving and an exclusive homecoming concert of The Filhamornic, the voices behind the movie Pitch Perfect 2.

The Filhamornic is the Fil-Am a cappella group unique in its musical talent and cultural diversity. The all-male group that was featured on NBC’s hit musical competition, The Sing-Off, has really much to sing about. It includes making it to the semi-finals, finishing the first Sing-Off national tour and sharing the stage with Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas and Pentatonix. And then there was being part of the movie Pitch Perfect 2 that kicked off their journey.

During its exclusive concert, The Filharmonic guys wowed the audience with their cool and upbeat voices in their renditions of well-loved carols like All I Want for Christmas, Pasko Na Sinta Ko, Flashlight and Last Christmas. They also performed the songs Chains, One More Night, Shut Up And Dance, Treasure, Monster Mash-Up, Stay, September, Kilometro, Beat Box Battle and This Is How We Do It in their signature style.

The lighting of the giant Christmas tree has been part of the SM MOA holiday tradition since 2006. The 54-ft. Christmas Tree, said to be the tallest indoor tree in the country, has over 500 ornaments and is embellished with red and white Christmas balls with stripes and polka dots, cute little Santas and gift boxes around the tree.  The base is an enchanting little house where Santa and his elves watch over his ruby red couch.

Sharing honors with the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas Tree were SM SVP for Operations for Premier Malls, Steven Tan with the members of The Filharmonic, Joe Caigoy, VJ Rosales, Niko del Rey, Trace Gaynor, Barry Fortgang and Jules Cruz. 

Being the season for sharing, one of the event highlights was the turnover of the three gift boxes to beneficiaries. Twenty kids from Asilo de San Vicente de Paul received 20 gift packs and a playground set from Toy Kingdom, gift packs and gift certificates from National Bookstore, health and wellness products from Watsons for Operations Smile and gift packs and gift certificates from National Bookstore for Pangarap Foundation.

More excitement awaits the shoppers for the Grand Festival of Lights until Dec. 25.