ACROSS THE CITY, yet another Christmas tradition has come to life as the Ortigas Center formally opened this year鈥檚 鈥淐hristmas on Display,鈥 an animatronic presentation which includes elaborate sets, lights and sound.
The 14th edition of Ortigas and Co.鈥檚 鈥淐hristmas on Display鈥 (COD) depicts a short story about a prince and a peasant girl overcoming their social statuses to become lifelong friends.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 [COD] also coincides with the company鈥檚 85th year, hence the story being close to the Ortigas story — on how they thrive and what their goals are: that they want to cater to people from all walks of life,鈥 Renee Bacani, Ortigas Malls VP and general manager, told 大象传媒 during the launch on Nov. 11 at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City.
鈥淐hristmas on Display鈥 was first staged in 1957 at the COD department store branch in Avenida, Manila and was a brainchild of Alex Rosario, Berting Aguirre, and Vivencio Dioneda. The life-size dolls were then made from wood and papier mache.
It was in the 1980s when COD transferred to Cubao, Quezon City that the annual show — which featured everything from robots and rocket ships to rural Filipino scenes — became a Metro Manila Christmas tradition. The dawn of the 2000s saw COD close down, spelling the end of the beloved yearly show. But in 2002, Ortigas and Co. decided to resurrect it and has since held it at the large walkway canopy facing Ortigas Ave. of Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City.
The Rosario family of Rosario Animated Displays — who worked on the COD store鈥檚 Christmas extravaganza — are also behind the Greenhills version.
鈥淐hristmas on Display鈥 runs at the Greenhills Shopping Center from Nov. 11 to Jan. 1, with shows held every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — ZBC
