Thousands attend giant Christmas tree lighting at Araneta City
Thousands of people flocked to Times Square Food Park at the Araneta City to watch two kinds of stars - the lighting of 100-foot Christmas tree and entertainers. People cheered as cellphone cameras clicked when UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador Anne Curtis-Smith, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. chair Stella Marquez Araneta, reigning Bb. Pilipinas queens, teen stars, and city officials flipped on the switch to light the holiday tree spruce during the 38th annual event held last Nov. 8. Still one of the most anticipated events in the City of Firsts, the centerpiece of activity is adorned with 750 pieces of 9-foot garlands, diamond ornaments some as large as 30 inches; 250 cascading lights, sputnik and strobe lights; and over 1,500 Christmas balls in silver and gold, as well as teal in line with the new colors of the rebranded Araneta City "The Christmas tree is so beautiful! It's Christmas time in the city," said Letty Bonifacio, an overseas Filipino worker,...