Dynamic holiday canvas. The iconic Lopez Building transforms into a canvas of color and light, illuminating the holiday spirit through 3D mapping magic. Photographs courtesy of Meralco
LIFE

Meralco’s Liwanag Park: A Brighter Holiday Escape

Maria Bernadette Romero

For those seeking a festive escape from the city’s holiday rush, Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) Liwanag Park in Pasig City offers a dazzling retreat. 

Each year, the Meralco Operating Center transforms into a wonderland of lights and interactive attractions, and this season, it promises bigger, brighter, and more immersive experiences.

The theme for 2025, “A Brighter Christmas for All,” sets the tone from the moment visitors step in. 

At the heart of the park is a 3D mapping display projected onto the iconic Lopez Building using the Panasonic Projector PT-RQ35K, turning its façade into a living canvas of vibrant holiday visuals. 

The dynamic show captures the magic of Christmas in a way that feels both modern and enchanting, drawing visitors into the spirit of the season while inviting them to pause, watch, and take in the spectacle.

But the magic of Liwanag Park goes beyond visuals. Sustainability is woven into every corner, with installations crafted from repurposed materials that transform recycled components into eye-catching displays. 

At the same time, copper-wire houses, LED-lit tunnels made from used meter covers, and a giant belen blend Filipino tradition with imaginative design. This creative approach gives the park a unique character, showing that holiday celebrations can be both beautiful and thoughtful.

Interactivity further sets the park apart. Visitors can hop on the tranvia, wander through tunnels of lights, or explore displays designed to engage all senses.

A 45-foot Christmas tree commands attention in the middle of a food park, where visitors can enjoy a variety of snacks, including Paskong Pinoy favorites, puto bumbong and bibingka.

Every step brings a discovery, turning a simple visit into a playful, immersive experience. Families, friends, and couples find spaces to laugh, marvel, and create memories, making Liwanag Park a lively haven amid the hustle and bustle of the metro.

Operating hours are designed to maximize the holiday experience: From 1 to 23 December, the park is open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., extending to midnight from 24 to 31 December. 

Admission is free, encouraging wide access, while safety protocols ensure a secure and comfortable visit. Its convenient location in Pasig City makes it an easy stop for anyone seeking a festive escape or a picture-perfect backdrop for holiday celebrations.

Ultimately, Liwanag Park is more than lights and rides — it’s a space to pause, unwind, and connect.

In a year-end rush filled with errands and commitments, it offers a chance to slow down, share smiles, and step into the holiday spirit. This season, Meralco’s Liwanag Park isn’t just a display — it’s an invitation to experience a brighter, lighter, and more joyful Christmas.

Community empowerment. In partnership with the Archdiocese of Lipa, OMF donated solar streetlamp to parishes throughout the archdiocese as part of its community electrification efforts.
Meralco lights up Plaza Roma in Intramuros. The ceremonial switch-on of the park was led by (from left) OMF president Jeffrey Tarayao, Intramuros Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand Geluz and senior vice president and chief external and government affairs officer Atty. Arnel Paciano D. Casanova.
Heritage shines through recycled brilliance. The seasonal attraction features sustainable and energy efficient installations, including a 20-foot Christmas tree made of recycled meter covers and steel crossarms and illuminated by LED bulbs.
Sustainable and vibrant displays. The Liwanag Park features many installations crafted from repurposed materials, including a 45-ft. Christmas tree, houses made of copper wires, tunnels of colorful LED lights with bulbs set inside used meter covers, and the giant belen.
Bringing warmth to families in need. As part of spreading the holiday cheer, the OMF distributed Noche Buena packages to indigent families across the province through the parishes under the Archdiocese of Lipa.
Historical connections. Visitors can explore Meralco’s tram replica, crafted from recycled wooden boards, as a tribute to the company’s rich heritage and its historical ties to Intramuros.
Savor festive treats. After exploring, guests can partake of gastronomic delights and traditional local delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka at the tiangge and food bazaar located within the park grounds.
Bright and vibrant displays. Visitors can explore through a whimsical garden of lights and pathways that illuminate with every step.
A piece of history. Children and adults alike can also enjoy a tranvia ride — a crowd favorite that evokes Manila’s old-world charm and Meralco’s rich history.”
Spreading holiday cheer. Meralco, through the One Meralco Foundation, brings holiday cheer to the province of Batangas by lighting the façade of the historic Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian in Lipa City.

Lighting up Intramuros with history and heart

Meralco also illuminated the historic Intramuros with the Liwanag Park at Plaza Roma, a collaboration between One Meralco Foundation (OMF) and the Intramuros Administration.

Families, tourists, and heritage lovers can delight in festive brilliance until 4 January 2026, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The park blends tradition and innovation, offering a festive escape that celebrates both Filipino heritage and environmental responsibility.

With sustainability as the core of this attraction, Liwanag Park at Plaza Roma features a 20-foot Christmas tree made from recycled meter covers and steel crossarms and illuminated by energy-efficient LED bulbs, as well as a tranvia replica crafted from recycled wooden boards which is a nod to Meralco’s historical ties to Intramuros.

Spreading the light in Batangas

As an extension of its lighting attractions, Meralco also spread the holiday cheer to Lipa, Batangas through the OMF.

The foundation partnered with the Archdiocese of Lipa to light up the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian and provide solar streetlamps to parishes across the archdiocese as part of its community electrification — reinforcing Meralco’s commitment to energy access, safety, and community empowerment.

Solar lights and Noche Buena packages for indigent families were also turned over to the archdiocese during the ceremonial lighting.

This initiative underscores OMF’s mission to energize underserved communities, enhance productivity, and uplift Filipino families.

This year’s “Maliwanag ang Pasko” is more than a display of lights. It is a celebration of Filipino resilience, kindness, and unity. Through beautiful spaces, sustainable creations, and heartfelt community programs, Meralco reminds us that the greatest gift we can give is a brighter future for all.