Heritage tree lights up the holidays in Villar City
The moment served as a reminder of how this half-century-old tree has become part of Villar City’s growth story
After the lighting, the park eased into a relaxed holiday fair.
The heritage tree lit up in a bright burst of color.
Tycoon Manuel B. Villar Jr. led this year’s ceremony, joined by Sen. Mark A. Villar, Atty. Emmeline Villar, and grandchildren—Emma, Tristan, and Cara.
Villar City welcomed the festive holidays with the lighting of its 50-year-old heritage tree—an old favorite holding its own in this fast growing 3,500-hectare megacity.
This towering tree stood tall once again, drawing families, neighbors, and the people shaping the city’s next chapter. It’s a simple gathering that has now grown into a true community tradition.
Tycoon Manuel B. Villar Jr. led this year’s ceremony, joined by Sen. Mark A. Villar, Atty. Emmeline Villar, and grandchildren—Emma, Tristan, and Cara. They stood alongside Mary Lee S. Sadiasa, chief operating officer of Villar Land Inc., and Allan James Santos, Villar City Division head. Together, they switched on the lights that now wrap the tree from trunk to crown, marking the start of the holiday festivities.
Simple yet meaningful
The scene was simple yet meaningful. Families and employees enjoyed the performances, saw the heritage tree light up in a bright burst of color, and turned their gaze to the fireworks that swept across the sky and wrapped up the evening on a festive note.
At the same time, the moment served as a reminder of how this half-century-old tree has become part of Villar City’s growth story, standing amid new roads, rising developments, and a broader vision for Metro South. That it continues to be preserved shows how the Villar Group respects heritage and values continuity in the middle of rapid change, choosing to protect what is already rooted even as the city pushes forward.
Holiday fair
After the lighting, the park eased into a relaxed holiday fair.
Pop-ups sold bibingka and puto bumbong, traditional Christmas staples whose buttery aroma mixed with the scent of toasted coconut in the cool evening air. Other stalls served hotdogs, pizza, pasta, refreshing coolers, and fresh brews from Coffee Project, giving visitors plenty to nibble on as they wandered around.
Families paused to take photos beneath the lights, children played at the park, while groups settled comfortably onto the benches, enjoying the cool, crisp evening air and the easy atmosphere that lingered after the ceremony ended.
The heartwarming scene showed how this corner of Villar City is already taking shape as a shared space—one that is comfortable, welcoming, and open to anyone passing through. And with the heritage tree set to shine throughout the season, it extends a simple invitation: drop by, enjoy the lights, and get a glimpse of the character Villar City is beginning to form.
Families enjoyed the performances at the lighting ceremony.
