Some of my most unforgettable Christmas light designs along Ayala Avenue were the church-shaped lights, the Nativity scenes, and the angels (it’s just a pity that I didn’t have a photo of these). Over the last several years, the decorations eventually stuck to the traditional parol or star designs, but they were still stunning to look at during the night.

Another Makati Christmas tradition that we also look forward to is the light show in Ayala Triangle. Christmas lights are installed on the trees in Ayala Triangle, and each night, these will be made to “dance” to some cheerful or upbeat music. 

When I was younger and when there were still coffee shops and restaurants in Ayala Triangle, we would head over here every Friday, have dinner in any of the restaurants here (who remembers Banapple, Kanin Club, Amici, etc.?), and wait for the light show to begin as we sipped a cup of coffee at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Those were the good old days of our youth, when we were carefree, and relaxation meant going out to see our friends after work and capping the work week with a conversation over food and drinks.

Over the years, the Ayala Triangle light show has gained popularity, especially among families. In fact, some families from other cities would come to Ayala Triangle just to enjoy the light show. The merriment is complemented by the cool breeze of the “ber” months, and I think it’s a good (and maybe even budget-friendly) way to bond with kids.

These days, I still marvel at the lights whenever I walk along Ayala Avenue. I’m thankful because it’s a great way to clear my mind after a day’s work.