MANILA, Philippines - Christmas came early to the SM Mall of Asia with the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas Tree recently, officially signaling the start of the Christmas season at the mall.
SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy lighted the 50-foot Magical Christmas Tree decorated with thousands of gold Christmas balls and poinsettias that also formally opened the Christmas Wonderworld Celebration at the SM Mall of Asia.
The program started with a play, “A Magical Christmas Story,” performed by Philippine Opera Company. It is a Christmas story set in the kingdom of MOA, with an evil queen who does not want to celebrate Christmas. The other characters come up with a plan to make Christmas happen in the kingdom by lighting the symbolic Christmas Tree, so all of the men and women in the castle will start to feel the spirit of Christmas.
Visitors will also be taken on a Yuletide trip around the world with “Sounds of Christmas Around the World,” a unique and meticulously constructed tableau of singing dolls and landscapes of different countries like France, Thailand, Japan, England, Alaska, Philippines, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Sounds of Christmas Around the World will give holiday shoppers a welcome music break daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SM Mall of Asia’s Christmas Wonderworld also features the Grand Festival of Lights. Themed floats with dazzling bright lights and colorful decorations will parade around the North and South Arcades with dancers, singers, and seasoned performers in beautiful whimsical costumes. It’s a breathtaking experience that will surely bring good cheer to everyone during this favorite time of year. The Grand Festival of Lights will take place on Nov. 28 and all Saturdays of December (Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26).