Every year, the Manila Electric Company sets up a light show during the Christmas season in their grounds in Pasig City.
In all the years that they have put on this annual show, I cannot remember having gone, despite my saying I would drop by.
Before the end of 2012, I was finally able to drag my family over and watch the free annual show for the first time.
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C.O.D. Christmas Show
The best Christmas show used to be the one staged by the store named C.O.D. In Cubao.
Using the entire face of their building, robots would be constructed to move, dance, and even sing every season. It was such a spectacular thing that people from all over the country would flock to Cubao just to see it.
Train
So when C.O.D. Closed down a few years ago, many were disappointed to also hear that shows would not be staged in Cubao anymore.
Since then, the people behind these shows have moved on over to Greenhills Shopping center in Mandaluyong to stage their presentations.
And while they still do feature mechanical marvels, it just isn’t the same as seeing it on a building several stories high in the heart of Cubao.
Thankfully, other places have decided to provide their own shows during the holidays with the disappearance of the C.O.D. display.
One of them is the annual display of the Manila Electric Company, or Meraclo, for the 2012 Christmas season.
Location
Set within the Meralco complex in Pasig City, the displays were divided in to tow major areas. The first was organized on the Meralco Street, the main road which is located in the front of the complex.
Meralco Building
This covers two thirds of the displays and included the Nativity Scene, the Three Wise Men, the Train, and the main building for the light show. And little way down the street is where you will find the night bazaar to buy food and clothes.
The final third of the displays were located on Garden Street, which is at the back of the Meralco complex.
Walking to the rear displays is prohibited. To get there, you will need to take a free ride on one of several electric vehicles zipping up and down the roads.
Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicle
I counted at least two different electric vehicles decorated in Christmas lights. I’m not sure, but I think there were a total of three zipping about.
We were hoping to ride on one so we could see the displays at the back, but the long line made us change our minds.
Our concern was that we’d spend too much time in the long line instead of enjoying the different decorations and inexpensive food.
Decorations
While the lights are plentiful and scattered over a wide area withing the Meralco compound, its the details of the statues that are quite amazing.
House
If you happen to get close to each display, you may wonder why they all have the same brown color throughout.
Well, if you look closer, you will see that each display is actually made of copper wire!
Yup, each strand was carefully stretched out, patiently bent in to shape, and then painstakingly cleaned to have that consistent copper color.
The Three Wise Men
Starting off with the Three Wise Men who were twice the size of an average person. From afar, they looked to be made of solid material. But if you happen to get closer, you will see the strands of copper wire that formed them.
But if you thought they were big, they were totally dwarfed by the sheer size of the Nativity Scene. The sheep quietly looking at the Baby Jesus stood taller us. While the crib could easily fit three or four people with ease.
Nativity Scene
Watching over the Virgin Mary while Joseph towered above her to make sure that all is calm while Meralco made sure that all is bright.
And just when you thought that was it, if you happen to cross the road to the Merry Christmas sign in Tagalog, you’ll be able to catch a Utility Repairman as he begins climbing a post that needs servicing.
For the kids, an electric train with two coaches was available to take them on a quick ride twice around the small tracks.
Parents may be been slightly disappointed that the train didn’t cover the entire complex, but that never bothered the kids. In fact, some of the kids need to be chided to get out because they wanted to keep on riding.
Night Bazaar
Speaking about shopping, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was a Night Bazaar where people could buy clothes like shirts, pants, sweaters, and hats.
Stalls
I’m not very family with prevailing prices, but if the number of people is an indication, them it looks like some of the items were competitively priced.
Speaking about prices, the food was not only great, it was downright cheap!
A small cup of Mango-Orange Juice just cost me PhP10. The bigger one one was a tad bit more at PhP 15 only.
Food Stalls
Sticks of Easau, or Chicken Intestines, were PhP10 and quite tasty. And even if you are not into Balut, or Fertilized Duck Eggs, just the smell of the barbeque being grilled would be enough to get your appetite going.
Four pieces of Sioma was just PhP 20. And if you want something simpler, you could get a small cup of Buttered Corn Kernels for just PhP 15, while the bigger one will set you back PhP 20.
Of all the things we saw in Liwanag Park, it was the food that everyone appreciated the most.
Transportation
Utility Repairman
Going to the Meralco complex is as easy as hopping on a bus of jeepney. They’re plentiful if you are coming from the Epifanio delos Santo Avenue, or EDSA side. These are the same vehicles that go through the Greenhills Shopping area.
The same buses and jeepneys also come from the opposite direction of C-5 and the Antipolo area. Just make sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the front gate of Meralco. Then again, you can’t miss it as the lights will come in to view long before you get to the entrance.
If you will be taking a car, you won’t have any problems with the free parking. Not only are the designated areas big, security guards are always on hand to provide directions to the nearest empty spot.
Restrooms
There are Portalets, or portable restrooms, on the grounds. However, I suggest emptying your bladder at before visiting Liwanag Park
The Portalets can get a bit dirty between cleanings so you might find yourself a little unfortunate if you end up at the tail end of the cleaning cycle.
If you find it to be unbearable, you may want to consider crossing the street and making use of the restroom at the gasoline station there.
Final Thoughts
While the disappearance of C.O.D. was a big loss for the Christmas Season, it is nice to see that other places, such as Meralco have pitched in to may the holidays much more fun.
Train
It hope that the tradition they started back in the year 2006 will continue on for generation, just like what C.O.D. did for us.
Bringing is definitely a camera is a must as there are a lot of opportunities for night photos. And if you have a tripod, now is the best time to use it. Having a stable platform will help in taking pictures with less noise and blur.
Finally, people tend to flow in after dinner so you might want to go as early as possible. And since the Liwanag Park is open from 6:00pm to 10:00pm until January 6, 2013, you still have a chance to check it out.
Till next time, keep your cameras ready, your eyes peeled, and your minds open. You never know where your next adventure will take you!
Must Do’s
- Charge your camera batteries as your flash will drain it faster.
- Bring a tripod if you have one.
- Try out the food at the Night Bazaar.
- Check out the copper details of the statues.
- Use the rest room before going.
- Arrive early.
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