Christmas at the Makati Central Business District

Charmed by the carols.  Right to left – Ayala Land President Jaime I. Ayala, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Ayala Land SVP Marivic Añonuevo, Kabalikat Buhay Foundation Chair Dra. Elenita Binay, Kabalikat Buhay Foundation Director Nini Licaros, Makati City Social Welfare Department Head and City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra.

For countless years now, the Makati-going public has looked forward to the Ayala Avenue Christmas décor. An annual effort of Ayala Land and with changing themes each time, it lights up the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) like a bright beacon of welcome. For a time, it was about competing for attention in terms of color and creativity when it comes to nativity scenes. Then it was about a new wave of lanterns adorning the streetlamps and tivoli lights dotting the trees and center islands.

This year, the MCBD is blanketed by a different light—one that is full of joy and hope. More than just about lighting up the city, this year’s décor of a million miniature versions of the traditional white parol is all about inspiring acts of kindness befitting the season of giving.

Ayala Land’s Miriam Katigbak, head of Signature Projects-Strategic Landbank Management Group which is responsible for such developments as Ayala Center, Bonfacio Global City, and Nuvali, posed a challenge that has never been done in the past to her team: to execute a Christmas effort that was about giving back to the community beyond a mere lighting aesthetic and instead, tying this up as a full corporate effort across Ayala Land and all its subsidiaries, with the support of other corporate partners.

Now, there are a million white stars blanketing the main thoroughfares of the MCBD—along the stretch of Ayala Avenue from EDSA to Buendia, Makati Avenue from Paseo de Roxas to Pasay Road, and Paseo de Roxas from Makati Avenue to Ayala Avenue—all of which represent hope, joy, love, optimism, and the real meaning of Christmas.

Dubbed “A Million Christmas Stars,” the little stars are meant to bring hope and light to the Christmas season for the underprivileged children supported by NGOs - the Kabalikat Buhay Foundation and Unang Hakbang Foundation, which were chosen as the beneficiaries of Ayala Land’s Christmas project. Both organizations are engaged in helping street children and those living in poor urban communities through various programs in education and child welfare and support—a mission which is consistent with Ayala Land’s vision to enrich lives through a lasting commitment to nation-building by promoting the betterment of the Filipino.

Kabalikat Buhay Foundation, headed by former Makati Mayor Dra. Elenita Binay, is an organization that provides various support activities to street children, orphans, and the needy. Likewise, Unang Hakbang Foundation has a nationwide effort to protect and provide for the needs of underprivileged children, specifically in the areas of rebuilding the children’s self-esteem, improving their skills and assisting families in taking care of their children.

“The décor now has a deeper meaning and purpose befitting the season of Christmas, and it is one that every Makati resident or office worker can support and be proud of,” shares Joel Luna, chief architect of Ayala Land and a member of the team that designed the decors. “During this Christmas season, everyone who will see the huge number of stars lining the streets will be struck not just by the decors, but also by the numerous acts of kindness that made the decors possible.”

Through these Christmas stars, ALI integrated a fundraiser to consolidate corporate contribution within the mother company and its subsidiaries. ALI made a conscious effort to consolidate its annual corporate gift list to maximize proceeds for the two NGOs. A corporate Christmas card that features the street children of Makati on its cover design was also created. The children were photographed one Sunday morning along Ayala Avenue and around the Tower One and Exchange Plaza Building. Thus far, thousands of cards have been ordered by both corporate and individual sponsors. Proceeds from the sales of these cards were turned over to KBF and Unang Hakbang last November 5 during the simple lighting ceremonies held at the Tower One fountain area.

Both these efforts have inspired the Ayala Land management and staff to go beyond the glitter of Christmas and bring back the sparkle in the eyes of disadvantaged youth and adults. Companies such as Globe, Philippine Star, Jollibee, Hershey’s and McCann Worldwide Group have seen the value of the project and also gave their invaluable support. “We hope that the intent of integrating the spirit of giving with the décor would become a Christmas tradition for the Makati CBD,” remarks Luna.

Present at the simple turnover ceremonies to the beneficiaries were Ayala Land President Jaime I. Ayala, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Kabalikat Buhay Foundation Chair Dra. Elenita Binay, Kabalikat Buhay Foundation Director Nini Licaros, Makati City Social Welfare Department Head and City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra.

The audience was serenaded by the Kilyawan Boys Choir, Ateneo de Manila University Glee Club and kids from the Kabalikat Buhay Foundation.  A special number with R&B pop princess Kyla capped off the evening.