Sarah G., Vice Ganda grace lighting of Araneta Center’s giant Christmas tree

Araneta Center kicked off the holiday season with the traditional lighting of its 100-foot Christmas tree led by showstoppers Sarah Geronimo and Vice Ganda on Friday.

The giant Christmas tree consisting of more than 3,000 LED light bulbs and decors like chandeliers, bells, poinsettias and a seven-foot star topper. INQUIRER.net photo / Krissy Aguilar

Araneta Center executives with Vice Ganda, Sarah Geronimo and Bilibining Pilipinas beauty queens.  INQUIRER.net photo / Krissy Aguilar

Held at the Times Square Food Park, hundreds of people came to witness the 37-year-old tradition dating back in 1981 with many performances from showbiz personalities and singers.

Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2 Grand Champion Janine Berdin opened the stage with her rendition of Yeng Constantino’s “Pasko sa Pinas.” She also sang her version of Sampaguita’s “Nosi Ba Lasi.”

Xia Vigor, Onyok Pineda, Carlo Mendoza, Jayden Villega and Chunsa Jung, collectively called “The Just Kids League” together gave an energetic dance performance with Hashtag CK Kieron and Vivoree Esclito.

Kieron and Esclito also had a duet of “Rewrite the Stars” from 2017 musical film “The Greatest Showman.”

Hashtag McCoy de Leon also wowed the audience with his dance performance of “Closer” by The Chainsmokers and Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like” and “Versace on the Floor.”

Darren Espanto serenaded the audience with his original “Pasko Na” from his new album “This is Christmas” and his rendition of “Dying Inside to Hold You” by Timmy Thomas.

(From left to right) CK Kieron, Vivoree Esclito, TNT Boys, Janine Berdin, Darren Espanto and McCoy de Leon.  INQUIRER.net photo / Krissy Aguilar

Meanwhile, Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo sang her 2013 song “Ikot-ikot” and her version of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Sarah Geronimo. INQUIRER.net photo / Krissy Aguilar

The Unkaboggable Vice Ganda, on the other hand, sang Sia’s “Beautiful People.”

The Unkaboggable Vice Ganda singing Sia’s “Beautiful People.”  INQUIRER.net photo / Krissy Aguilar

Araneta Center also partnered with the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children to treat 19 blind kids to a memorable day.

Binibining Pilipinas beauty queens Miss Universe Philippine Catriona Gray, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman and Miss Globe top 16 finalist Michele Gumabao were in attendance to give the kids canes and Christmas gifts.

INQUIRER.net photo / Krissy Aguilar

As “Christmas is Home” is Araneta Center’s theme this year, the known shopping and entertainment district is also the new home of the well-loved and returning Christmas on Display (COD) show, which will have its own festive launch on November 23.

“Yung COD, matagal na yan dito sa Araneta. Nawala lang noon 2002. May clamor from the people who know about COD that we put it back,” said Senior Vice President for Operations of Araneta Center Antonio Mardo.

“Ang gusto nga natin dito ay para magkaroon ng place where people are bonding, friends are bonding, families are bonding. Enjoying themselves for the Christmas season. This is the place to be for Christmas,” Mardo added. /jpv