Ayala Malls spreads the joy of sharing this Christmas

MANILA, Philippines -“Christmas brings happiness, but this year, it also brings sadness, ” said Ayala chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala. “It is a time for helping earthquake and typhoon victims who badly need aid.”

Christmas is a time for giving and it brings out the spirit of family and community togetherness, amid the calamities that our nation faces.

Thus, Ayala Malls celebrates a meaningful Christmas with its “Tugon sa Bohol” campaign, an initiative for the restoration of the damaged churches in Bohol due to the recent earthquake. The activities include “Songs of Hope,” a benefit concert by the award-winning Loboc Children’s Choir held last Nov. 8 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, and “Kisame,” an exhibition of photographs of ceiling paintings of Bohol’s colonial churches on Nov. 11-14 at the Fashion Walk in Greenbelt 5.

The “Stars of Joy” concert series showcases a display of music and dance directed by Audie Gemora with musical direction by Mel Villana. This presentation illustrates how the Ayala Malls has evolved through the years, and how they have captured the Filipino’s love for the arts, music, food, and the movies. The concert series encourages mall goers to come together as a community and show support for typhoon Yolanda victims through donations.  Donation boxes will also be located in all Ayala Malls concierge. Unveiling this Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m., at the Glorietta Activity Center, catch Piolo Pascual, Martin Nievera, Kuh Ledesma, Joanna Ampil, and the Steps Dancers.

Leading men Piolo Pascual, Tom Rodriguez, and Sam Milby with Sam Concepcion star in “Stars of Joy” concert series at the Abreeza Mall Activity Center on Nov. 15, Marquee Mall Park on Nov. 23, TriNoma Activity Center on Nov. 24, Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center on Nov. 30, Alabang Town Center’s Corte on Dec. 7, Market! Market! Activity Center on Dec. 8, and Centrio Mall in Cagayan De Oro on Dec. 15.

The tunnel leading to Greenbelt expresses Christmas joy in the art of photographer, artist and chairman emeritus of Ayala Corporation Jaime Zobel de Ayala who sees the magic of Christmas through his artistic lens.

“Pepe’s Secret Christmas” shows a Christmas celebration of the Filipino as seen through the eyes of a young man and a rowdy assortment of talking and dancing animals.  Headed by Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, director of Steps Dance Studio and founder of Steps Dance Project, and through the direction and choreography of James Laforteza, “Pepe’s Secret Christmas” is a contemporary display of Ballet Theater. “Pepe’s Secret Christmas” will hit the stages of Harbor Point, Subic this Nov. 23, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro this Nov. 30, the Abreeza Mall, Davao on Dec. 7, and Marquee Mall, Pampanga, on Dec. 14. The creative team behind “Pepe’s Secret Christmas” includes associate choreographers Jun Saagundo and Jeffrey Espejo, writer Floy Quintos, production and costume designer Gino Gonzales; and lighting and technical director Katsch Catoy.

Glorietta customers are welcome to “A Thousand Encounters,” a photo competition and photomap exhibit inspired by a concept of Jaime Zobel de Ayala. A photo booth at the entrance of the revitalized Glorietta will capture the myriad expressions. Open to all Glorietta Christmas shoppers from Nov. 14 to 17, the contest will be awarding the Solo Creative Photo, Couple Creative Photo (for two participants), and the Group Creative Photo (for three to six participants) at their best. The winner of the Solo Creative Photo will get a shopping spree at the Ayala Malls worth P25,000, while the Couple Creative Photo winners will be treated to an overnight stay at the Raffles Suites with free breakfast for two, and the Group Creative Photo winners will be treated to a buffet for 10 at the Holiday Inn restaurant.