QUEZON CITY — The Araneta City here in this city ushered in the Yuletide Season with the 1st Christmas tree lighting on Tuesday (Nov. 14) at the Gateway Mall 2.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte was represented by Councilor Lagumbay.
Mayor Belmonte could not make it to the event due to prior commitment.
Rochelle Nava and her son Rafa Tan sang the Christmas song “Give Love on Christmas Day”.
They expressed their gratitude and happiness to be invited by the Ayala Malls management to grace the occasion and to belt out a Christmas song and love song “Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap” together.
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, “Let it Snow, Let it Snow”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Rock”, and “Rock Around the Christmas Tree” Christmas songs
were rendered by performers clad in Christmas clothings.
Zephanie performed a dance and song heart-pounding Tagalog love song.
She also sang the Christmas song “Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart” with the participation of the amazed audience.
She likewise belted out” Kumukutikutitap” Christmas song.
Miss International 2023 3rd Runner-Up Nicole Borromeo, together with Araneta City officials, led the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting.
The 35-foot silver Christmas tree features 520 Christmas balls, 200 LED lights, 58 Sputnik light bulbs, and 1,500 pine garlands.
The event at the New Gateway Mall 2 marked the culmination of Araneta City’s series of Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.
The Araneta City first lit its iconic giant Christmas tree, that was adorned this year with red-gold accents and carousel to signify the revival of Fiesta Carnival, in a star-studded festivity on Nov. 10, 2023. Separate in-door tree-lighting events were then held from Nov. 11-13, 2023 at the Ali Mall, Gateway Mall, and Farmers Plaza, respectively. – By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
