Known for encouraging uniqueness and the expression of oneself, Bonifacio Global City, the “home of passionate minds,” brings to us some never-before seen twists in centerpieces of Christmas celebration.

The Great Big Giant Christmas Story

Bonifacio Global City’s major attraction for the season is “The Great Big Giant Christmas Story” -- the country’s first-ever architecturally-projected shadow play. It features an original story and libretto about a boy named Giant Jack who loves his family so much that he requested his friends -- diamond dwarves, rainbow pixies, sugar fairies – to make the most beautiful gift for his mother; the warmest gift for his father; and sweetest cake for his sister -- all at greatest sizes. When Jack saw the gifts, he was disappointed. He wanted giant sizes of the gifts. But for his friends, those were giant gifts. Find out what happened next and how Giant Jack, his family and friends ended up celebrating Christmas joyously in the weekends showing of the play in Bonifacio High Street.

Vivid background colors show the different worlds that the main character Giant Jack visited, with all the characters rendered as shadows.

For some days the play is projected on the whole facade of C2 building in the newly opened Bonifacio High Street Central. The production made use of building mapping technology to ensure that the elements complement the size and exterior features of the façade. Even some characters seemingly lift from the building making them more visually alive. Digital technology was utilized to produce the animation and integrate the filmed shadows. Coupled with affectionate original song and musical score, the whole shadow play is guaranteed to delight the kids.

Lace-inspired Christmas Nativity

Emerging as a crucible of Philippine contemporary art, BGC stages a unique Filipiniana-garbed Nativity scene beneath a huge lace-inspired star as its centerpiece art installation this season. The Belen, as we call it locally, inspires creativity and sharing in reliving the meaning of Christmas.

It is a fresh execution of the most popular Christmas scene. Instead of Caucasian looking images, a family in Filipiniana attire is seen and the kings and shepherds are unmistakably Asians in their native attire as well. The illustration and painting were done on matte board and were later digitally enlarged and printed on canvass.

The shelter is a stylized star inspired by sputnik parol. But the most extraordinary is the material used, As clear acrylic panels; and the design applied on it, laser-cut intricate laces, very much like doilies. This renders the whole piece more attractive to the visual effect of LED lighting, which was elaborately designed and went through experimentation with materials coming from abroad.

The same style is applied on the star lanterns adorning the whole district. In varying height levels and LED colors, not to mention the tree-lined streets trimmed with curtain LED lights, BGC warmly welcomes families and friends celebrating the holidays.

Star Lantern photo: Laser-cut, doily designed star lanterns adorn the home of passionate minds

Simbang Gabi

One with the world in celebrating the spiritual meaning of Christmas and in keeping with the Filipino tradition, BGC again holds the 9-day Simbang Gabi at the Bonifacio High Street B2 activity center.