Araneta Center lights up giant Christmas tree
Thousands of people turned out and cheered as cellphone cameras clicked when the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City lit up last Friday night as it switched the lights on its iconic giant Christmas tree, a tradition that started in 1981.
Thousands of people crowded the venue at the Times Square Food park on the premier lifestyle hub. It is the second year in a row that the 100-foot Christmas tree is housed on the food park on the corner of Times Square and Gen. Roxas Avenue.
Judy Araneta Roxas, mother of Senator Mar Roxas; Stella Marquez Araneta, chair of Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc., Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Binibining Pilipinas queens, movie stars, executives, and sponsors led the lighting of the giant holiday tree. Ace comedian Vice Ganda and actress-singer Sarah Geronino joined the celebration. This was Vice Ganda's fifth straight year of leading the celebration, and Geronimo's first.
Other guests include Darren Espanto, McCoy de Leon, TNT Boys, Janine Berdin, Vivoree Esclito and CK Kieron, and The Kids Choice jurors Xia Vigor, Chunsa Jung, Onyok Pineda, Carlo Mendoza and Jayden Villegas. OPM band Mojofly rounded up the list of performers. The show was hosted by Gretchen Ho, Benj Manalo and comedian MC.
With the theme "Christmas is Home," the Araneta Center also partnered with the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children and gave Christmas gifts and canes to 19 blind kids.
Beauty queens who graced the events were Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, BB. Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman and Miss Globe Top 15 Michelle Gumabao. - ROBERT REQUINTINA
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