Jaw Dropping Christmas Opulence in Kuala Lumpur

If there was a single place Santa Claus wouldn't mind visiting this season, it would be KL's Pavilion Mall. The place left no stone unturned to transform the place into a Christmas Wonderland. Several trees decked in tasteful decors rise all over the mall, the most grandiose of which is in the central activity area. I came into it with mouth agape, i must have snapped an indecent amount of photos because, well, such beauty doesn't allow me to stop clicking the shutter.

There's a golden carriage perched perched above a canopy. Surrounding the area are a dozen Christmas Trees. An elegant chandelier hang down in midair while a lavish lampshade with a dozen lanterns stand at the other side. There's a yellow-roofed train running in circles while hundreds of poinsettias adorn what free space is available.

At nearby Fahrenheit Mall, half a dozen purple Christmas Trees stand proudly at the foyer. A giant tree stands at Berjaya Times Square. KL, the capital of a predominantly Muslim, country, knows how to celebrate Christmas in opulent style. After all, it doesn't merely reflect a religion, but a symbol of kindness and cheer during the season.

Once again, Merry Christmas everyone!

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Pavilion Mall

Lavish and eye-popping pomp and pageantry at the activity area of the Pavilion Mall.

Purple Christmas Tree at Fahrenheit 88.

White Christmas at Hotel Radius International. 

Happy Manila Christmas, Everyone!

Robinson's Galleria

The Philippines, once known as "the sick man of Asia", posted the second strongest annual economic growth in Asia of 7.1 percent in the third quarter, lagging only China and outpacing the 6.2 percent expansion of Southeast Asia's biggest economy, Indonesia. This was from a Reuters report by Rosemarie Francisco. "There is no denying it, the Philippines is having a fantastic year despite strong global headwinds," HSBC said in a note to investors. There is good news all around. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Elsewhere, Filipinos have been showing the world what they can do. Singer Bruno Mars is relentless with his chartbusting hits. Janine Marie Tugonon proved that Filipinas are world class beauties - with brains!, winning 1st runner up at the recent Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held in Las Vegas - where, of course, she should have won. Her answer was a clear winner compared to Miss USA's mediocre answer. Filipina beauties have been making it to the Top 5 of every international Beauty Pageants for the last 10 years or so. The guys do equally well. Andrew Wolfe won 1st runner up at the Mr. World Male Pageant held in London. And June Macasaet took the champ's trophy at the Manhunt International 2012. Nonito Donaire, Philippines' other boxing superstar, won his  championship belt in boxing. Sure, Manny Pacquiao suffered his first loss in a long time, but look how he picked himself up. This Superstar pugilist shows how inspirations are made when he moved on as fast as he got knocked down cold in the ring - and this underlines the resilience of the Filipino spirit. Pacquiao's loss may have been devastating (and almost personal) for his countrymen, but he has moved on - and so have we. In time, the victims of Typhoon Pablo will rise from the tragedy of calamity. 

Here are a few photos from some of the places I frequent in Metro Manila. Though I don't carry my "usual" camera with me, thank heavens for phone cams. You have to pardon the quality, but here's wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas, everyone. May we not forget the blessings we've received this year, and may we be grateful for them. May God bless all the kind souls and the broken hearted, the innocent minds, the physically and emotionally sick and the lost souls, including those who continue to suffer. God bless all of us. Lastly, let's not forget to share what we have! Only then can we truly be blessed.


Happy Holidays!


This is the Eye in the Manila Sky!

Power Plant Mall at the Rockwell Center in Makati

Power Plant Mall

Power Plant Mall

Edsa Shangrila Mall in Mandaluyong City

Identifiable Floating Objects at the Shangrila

Edsa Shangrila Mall

Rustan's glittery wonderland tree. This photo doesn't give justice to its beauty.

Thousands of toys and gift ideas gathered at the activity hall of Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. 

At a garden between Greenbelt 3 and 5.

A white tree in Greenbelt 5.

An angel playing with balls in Greenbelt 3.

Odd, but beautiful Christmas Trees at the Calvin Klein shop.  

Between Greenbelt 4 and 5

Greenbelt 5

Palm trees bathed in lights at Greenbelt 3. Watching movies here.

Blue, but nonetheless Happy Christmas at the lobby of Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City

Quiapo Church & Random Images Around Manila

What is a visita iglesia without Quiapo Church? It's also known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene as well as Saint John the Baptist Parish. It enshrines the miraculous Black Nazarene which has a huge number of devotees. When the district of Quiapo was founded by Governor General Santiago de Vera in 1586, the Franciscan missionaries built a church made of bamboo and nipa materials which was decimated by fire in 1639. More than 200 years later, an earthquake destroyed it. A third church was built and completed in 1899, but this was again razed by fire. Funds were raised and Filipino architect Juan Nakpil was commissioned to rebuild the church.

These days, Quiapo Church is visited by many devotees, and a gargantuan feast day is celebrated every January.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The iconic and miraculous Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church. This photo only courtesy of wikipedia's Constantine Augustine and flickr's blagkensiak.

A caruaje (horse-drawn carriage) in Escolta.

A colonial building that presently houses a branch of the Philippine National Bank (above and below).

Arsenio H. Lacson immortalized in this statue in Plaza Lacson established on December 2003. Lacson was an artist, athlete, journalist, a congressman and the very first elected mayor of the city of Manila in 1952. Undre his stewardship, he helped complete the stockyard, Slaughterhouse, Boystown, Girls Home, Youth Reception Center, Manila Zoo, Quiapo Underpass and the Manila General Hospital, now known as "Ospital ng Maynila".

Manila Post Office

Pasig River