Makati in color: Where Christmas tradition meets imagination
As the crowd counted down to zero, Ayala Avenue and Ayala Triangle Gardens instantly transformed into a Christmas destination, continuing a proud tradition that has spanned over 50 years.
Thousands of lights and hundreds of installations amazed those who gathered at the canopy of Tower One and Exchange Plaza on Nov. 13 for the lighting ceremony, which officially kicked off weeks of activities under the banner of “Makati In Color: Where Christmas Tradition Meets Imagination.”
While the décor glowed, the audience enjoyed Christmas -themed performances by singers Cris Villonco, Shiela Valderrama, and Arman Ferrer, the Chorale Society of Makati, and Mari Dance.
“[A]s we light up Makati, we continue a tradition that has brought families, friends, communities together for decades,” said Ayala Land Inc. president and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy in her Christmas message during the gathering. “This year’s theme reflects that spirit of creativity and renewal.”
“[This event is] traditional because Christmas is timeless… rooted in our faith and traditions. At the same time, Makati as a city, the CBD as an estate of Ayala Land Inc., has huge ambitions and a vision for transforming with a lot of new things,” Hans Lopez-Vito, the head for Brand Experience and Brand Strategy for Corporate, Estates and Residential at Ayala Land, told Inquirer Property in an interview.
Ayala Land partnered with Make It Makati to mount this year’s event. They enlisted Zenas Pineda, a longtime designer for the yearly Christmas event, to interpret the theme into a visual treat. Using locally sourced and produced materials, she married the Christmas tree and the parol with the sarimanok and anahaw, which symbolize the Filipino values of prosperity and resilience.
Meanwhile, Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay said in her message that a string of calamities made the Christmas décor even more important, and not only to Makatizens.
“They serve as a quiet promise of a bright tomorrow that will offer hope and joy. They bring the spirit of Christmas of warmth, compassion and love to the hearts of the weary and move us to uplift our downtrodden brethren,” she said.
This “quiet reminder” will be hard to miss when visiting Makati. For the very first time, the décor will extend beyond Ayala Avenue and Ayala Triangle to Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, as well as Ayala’s flagship malls from the Makati CBD to Circuit Makati.
Weekend performances and community activities at Ayala Triangle Gardens will ensure a celebration at scale, said Lopez-Vito. “Makati In Color: Paskong Likha” and “Makati Street Meet” will feature food and art, among others. Visitors may also watch choral, orchestral and theatrical performances; see a movie at an outdoor cinema; or join Simbang Gabi and the New Year’s Eve countdown.
“Makati In Color” lasts until Jan. 11, 2026. Follow Make It Makati on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Threads for updates, schedules and event highlights
