More Philippine Christmas Pictures: Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong
Update: According to a commenter, Dianne, the lights turn on on December 15, 2007.
Based on my previous experience, it is better to go there on a weeknight if you want lesser people. Lana laments that there is more of tiangge than lights and decorations. We hope there will be a balance.
Christmas is a time for lights. The dazzle and the razzle, the twinkling and the shine – all are part of the merriment of the season.
In a quaint street in Mandaluyong Philippines, neighbors decided to make their celebration more festive by decorating their houses with lights. It has now become a tourist attraction of sorts.
From the tower to the gates, the window and the doors, the walls and the trees, all adorned with lights, Policarpio Street teems with people from across the metropolis just to view the sights. Though some old timers say the displays have lost some luster this year and that the area has become more of a bazaar with all the ambulant and makeshift vendors hawking their wares, it will still uplift your Christmas spirit.
There was a pirate ship, the house of Santa, displays of the nativity with the three magi going around them. You would even see an American Winter Christmas showcase but commercialized with Garfield, Barnet, the little mermaid spinning, bugs bunny grinning while Cinderella and Aurora stood at attention.
But the most impressive display was the house which was lined with lights. You’d think that it was from some fantasy land if you didn’t know better. It was attractive and if you have a Canon EOS 400D camera, you could have a grand time playing with the shutter speed. Unfortunately, I only had my first generation Fujifilm A303. But I think I capture the spirit of the message.
Comments
15 December 2006
ruth said:
lackluster pa tong lagay na to? wow. pero hm, marami silang pambayad ng kuryente, ano?
17 December 2006
Jun Asis said:
I think the owners are some of the old rich and powerful of Mandaluyong. The “lesser” lights applies to the neighborhood. There a was a time that every house was all lit up. Kaya lang, tumaas yung power rates, di na nakayanan siguro sa budget.
4 June 2007
justine said:
hahaha.. hey!.. bahay ko 2 !…. promise!
Jun Asis said:
Which one Justine?
29 September 2007
REYNALD QUITOLA said:
LOVE THE EFFORT!!!
7 November 2007
buma said:
Make it feel like medieval period! wahehehe
26 November 2007
belle sternberg said:
that was my home town…i’m proud of it…
3 December 2007
Lana Morgan said:
it was my home town too..of course I’m proud of it!! but policarpio st. now is not really that beautiful..no more lights…no more christmas lights..no more dancing santa claus..etc..only tiangge..
wat happened??what’s the reason????
5 December 2007
Elmar said:
I took pictures of Policarpio St. last year. Im planning to visit the place soon.
Lana, have you visited the place lately? wala na mga lights? talaga?
10 December 2007
nelson said:
how do you get to policarpio po??? im from pasig…
11 December 2007
jun said:
nelson: am not sure how it is now. from pasig, ride jeep going to quiapo and get off at acacia lane or bonifacio (landmark: AMA Bank, you’ll also see a jollibee acrosst the other corner). Tawid ka sa other side and take the Boni-Stop and Shop jeep going to Boni. Just ask the driver to drop you at the nearest street to Policarpio. You’d probably encounter a mass of people walking to the site.
12 December 2007
dianne said:
the display this year will start on the 15th of december. c=
carmie said:
Hi! May I use some of your Policarpio photos for an article in our publication? Leave me a msg at carmie.carpio@asianjounal.com if it’s OK with you. Your name will be credited, of course. Thanks a lot!
16 December 2007
Jun Asis said:
carmie: i tried sending you email but it keeps on bouncing. I give you permission to use the policarpio pics. Please use this in the attribution: used with permission from Jun Asis of Magandangbalita.com.
6 January 2008
dainty said:
hhhmp mayayaman talaga kaming mga policarpio,punta kayo sa bahay namin ha. . .hikhikhik
9 July 2008
Policarpio said:
to dainty, may i know you mam…
na generalize mo kasing lhat ng policarpio mayaman
how about those who are not?
13 August 2008
emily encarnacion said:
pls email me your contact number coz Im interested to avail your services of decorating and installing lights for christmas.