Location: Meralco Center, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
The lights and sound show of Meralco Liwanag Park
Today, is the anniversary where I last visited Meralco Liwanag Park. My family used to visit this Christmas attraction for the last three consecutive Christmas season from 2017, 2018 and 2019. It may not proper to say that I missed to visit it this year, because there was no such thing this year due to the pandemic. When I scanned through my picture archives and search the same pictures in my blog posts, I notice that I did not have postings about this attraction, though I happened to visit it thrice. No doubt, December is my busiest month, and I normally fail to compose and post blogs on this month.
What does really Meralco mean? This question is
specifically addressed to my foreign blog readers. Well, MERALCO is an acronym
for Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company which was its original
company name until 1919. It is the largest private sector electric
distribution utility company in the Philippines servicing its customers
for 117 years already in 2020. Its services covers 36 cities and 75
municipalities. Its franchise area of over 9,685 square kilometers
includes the country's industrial, commercial and population centers where at
year-end 2018, it recorded a market capitalization of P357.3 billion.
The Giant Belen
I knew that this post is already history. But at this moment, I am being reminded of the saying that goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." Yes, I believe, I really missed witnessing again another MERALCO Liwanag Park which was not showcased this year due to pandemic. As an act of gratitude to Meralco, I am posting these pictures to let the company know that I am one of the those tens of thousands who was amazed by this attraction.
The Three Kings
To be specific, Meralco Liwanag Park is consist of 1.2 million LED bulbs which mesmerizingly dazzled at the facade of the main building of its company's headquarters at Ortigas Center in Pasig, with a Smart Cities theme, a bright exterior covered with colored lights that sync with music in a show that play every 30 minutes.
The Tunnel of Lights
The main attraction that guests queue endlessly is
its actual electric train, which runs on an oval track. Guests
take time to board the train as most of the guests would like to ride on it.
There are also giants sculptures of the famous Belen; a church mockup; a
bahay-kubo made of recycled copper wire; a maze where guests can walk through;
giant three kings; the magical lights show of the main building façade; a
tunnel of lights; the Christmas Eco-Village; the magically light-adorned trees
and many others.
A season's greetings of dazzling light
As crowd in this attraction is so huge, pictorials is quite difficult. I usually take photos on a close-up basis to avoid capturing the photo bombers. It is so difficult to control the sea of crowd. One may need patience to wait for the right timing of capturing pictures with lesser guests flocking in every attraction.
The sea of crowd excited waiting for the light and sound show
If this project was only showcased this pandemic time, no doubt, guests will be uncontrollable. It might result to higher rate of COVID 19 transmission. As this attraction is becoming a family tradition to visit it, this would again be restored for showcase in the forthcoming Christmas season if pandemic is already over.
The corridor of lights
My family and I took us so long waiting for our turn to board the train. Kids and adults were on a long line disregarding the feeling of exhaustion standing for more than an hour just to experience what is in store in boarding a Christmas train.
Yes! we were next to board on the forthcoming train
As the next batch of passengers, we were already seated comfortably at the train's departure area. We can hear the honking of the train. Accommodating the guests for the train ride was so systematic. It was on a first to line up first to ride basis.
Finally! I was on board
Indeed! patience is a virtue. It took us one hour and 35 minutes to have our turn for the train ride. I did not regret it. After all, everybody who wanted to be at the train lined up religiously. All were on equal footing. That's why, to finally ride on it is really a prize.
What an exciting free train ride
Unfortunately, in our group of four, my wife was left because being pregnant, she was not allowed to board the bumpy and shaking train ride. She was left on the boarding area capturing some photos for us while we were on board.
Disembarking the train
The exit point was at the other end and clearly, riders are not allowed to board again the train unless they go back again to the end of the line. I can see no special treatment even if kids are begging for another ride, their companion adults will insist not to since the line is too long to wait.
The entrance to the Christmas Eco-Village
The Christmas Eco-Village used recyclable materials and it draws a thick crowd, with the guests trying to scrutinize what materials consist a certain figure or structure on this part of the park.
Part of the Christmas Eco-Village
The creatively crafted figure at the Christmas eco-village
The figure is consist of used bottles
