Cubao Christmas Tree lighted

Ten thousand and one lights lit up the nightlast Friday during the traditional lighting of the giant Christmas Tree at the Araneta Coliseum to signal the high point of this year’s holiday celebration at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

While songbirds Jolina Magdangal, Jamie Rivera, LA Lopez and Dingdong Avanzado sang the carols from their ‘Christmas Album,’ Quezon City Mayor Feliciano ‘SB’ Belmonte and Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas, senior executive vice president of the Araneta Group and mother of Trade Secretary Mar Roxas, switched on the 85-foot Christmas Tree to herald the wonderful news that the Center is all dressed up for the festive celebration.

Filipina world beauty crown holders Maricar Balagtas and Michelle Reyes participated in the joyful event with Bb. Pilipinas national beauties, Zorayda Ruth Andam (Miss Universe), Gilrhea Quinzon (Miss World) and Maricari Tolosa (Miss International).

The brass band struck a song and fireworks lit the sky as the traditional event unfolded before a record crown of shoppers in front of the green gate of the Big Dome.

Minutes earlier, Belmonte launched the Metro Centro Quezon City Development Program, one of his top priority projects for the people of the city of his affections.

The two-and-a-half-show, entitled ‘Ngayong Pasko Sa Araneta Center,’ started at 6 p.m. and was directed by Leo Rialp.

Continuously since 1981, the lighting of the Christmas Tree has touched the hearts of every shopper.

This year, Araneta Center officials joined hands with Star Records and the Talent Center of Channel 2 to turn the occasion into a "jolly season."

Besides top city government officials, other guests included ACI lessees and performers such as Dianne del Fuente, Tootsie Guevarra, Formula Boys Band, Tin Tin Arnaldo, the Gimik cast (John Pratts, Carlo Aquino, Stefan Moni), Nikki Valdez, Tabing Ilog performers Maoul David and Kate Villarente.

For TV viewers at home, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), based at the Araneta Coliseum, showed live on IBC 13 both the ‘Miss World on the Batch’ show and the ‘Coronation Night’ of Miss World 2001 where Ms. Gilrhea Quinzon represented the Philippines.

BPCI will soon show on TV the Miss International beauty pageant in Tokyo on Dec. 1, also on IBC 13, where Ms. Tolosa competed.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, ACI will hold the Belen lighting rites in front of the fruit section of Farmers Market where life-size replicas of the main characters in the Nativity will be unveiled by top city officials.

Nightly, the COD musical Christmas tableau continuously welcomes people from neighboring places to witness daily presentations that have regaled Filipinos for many years now.

During shopping hours, big discount sales, bodega sales and special promos are evident center-wide at Shoemart, Ali Mall, Isetann, Farmers Plaza, Fiesta Carnival, Farmers Garden, Food Gallery and Food Plaza and Rustan’s Superstore as they offer special offers of all kinds. Incidentally, Araneta Center will be having a Big 3-Day Centerwide Sale on Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 with up to 60 percent off on selected items.

Highlight of this year’s Christmas celebration at the Araneta Center is the 26-show, 14-day ‘100 Years of Disney Magic,’ a spectacular show on ice and the biggest, most expensive Christmas presentation in the Philippines jointly organized by Uniprom Inc. and Feld Entertainment.

The ‘Disney’ show features over 60 characters and will have its Philippine red carpet gala premiere on Dec. 22 at the Big Dome, simultaneous with both the Media Day and Charity Day. This presentation will last up to Jan. 6, 2002.

Mickey and Minnie, expected to make a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, lead the group of Pinocchio, Alladin, Snow White, Prince Charming, and The Little Mermaid, who are coming to town for this family show.

The celebration at the Center was unwrapped last Saturday, Nov. 10 during the 20th anniversary of the Viva Entertainment Group when Viva Entertainment’s top divas like Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha and Jaya shared top billings with Pilita Corrales in Janno Gibb’s "Vivas & I" concert at the Big Dome.