The greatest show on earth at Shangri-La Plaza

Christmas is a magical time, and what fits better as décor than the circus with its array of characters and colorful elements?

Shangri-La Plaza Mall once again brings out the child in us with its Christmas décor. This year, the mall drew inspiration from the circus — the greatest show on earth — and it looks as if it literally rolled into the mall and threw magic in the ceiling, in the atrium, and at every corner and entrance of the mall.

There are colorful hot-air balloons, moving trapeze artists in various poses hanging onto gold rings, carousels, gilded animal ornaments, a carriage and a ferris wheel, and giant gift boxes.

Shang’s grand Christmas tree, which will be lighted today, Dec. 1, is one of the tallest in the city at around 50 feet. It continues the circus theme with ornaments such as animals, balloon, deck of cards, Ferris wheel, acrobats, and is topped with a lighted marquee.

“Our entrances have been turned into revolving carousels to welcome mall guests, while the Grand Atrium offers a breathtaking scene of twirling acrobats, balloons, gift carriages, and colorful balls and banners, suspended from our 25-meter-high ceiling,” says Shangri-La Plaza EVP and general manager Lala Fojas.

Shang’s tradition of going all out at Christmastime has always been appreciated by its loyal consumers because the amount of details it puts into its décor is pretty obvious. Shang works with Filipino craftsmen and exporters to produce such a spectacle — particularly for this year’s circus theme.

A circus mainstay — an acrobat on a unicycle

“Christmas is a magical time, it’s the season of wonders, and what fits that better than the circus? For many of us, the circus is a place full of wonder and mystery.  It also brings us the nostalgia of childhood. But really, whatever age you are, the circus remains magical and will always wow in the same way that Christmas does. People always look forward to the amazing characters, performances and experiences, and we’ve worked hard to prepare similar exciting activities and experiences at the Shang.”  

In Shang’s décor, the circus ringmaster is replaced by Santa Claus. The decorations combine a lot of vintage circus elements, like the deconstructed carousels at the entrances. The ones suspended from the Grand Atrium ceiling are quite large since they are hung high up, anywhere from four to 20 feet in height. The main Christmas tree also has many circus elements as ornaments and as decoration at its base. Materials include wood for the structures, papier mache sculptures, and lots of lights.

Kinetic acrobats in different poses with their gold rings

“Beside the Main Mall, the East Atrium is dressed up in twinkling rope light swags, gold tinsel and tassels. Shang’s grand Christmas Tree, which is one of the tallest in the city at around 50 feet, carries the circus theme with striped hot air balloon ornaments, deck of cards, ferris wheel, acrobats, and topped with a lighted marquee.”

Shang is holding its annual Christmas tree lighting today, Dec. 1, with “a flurry of exciting performances to accompany it, pretty much like what you’d look forward to at the circus.”   

Every year Shang Plaza puts together a cohesive Christmas décor with attention to detail.

The mall features Santa’s Fun House with an infinity room and a hall full of warped mirrors, a Holiday Express train to take kids around to enjoy all the mall’s sights and sounds, and a Santa’s Corner for them to personally tell Santa their wishes.

This year’s musical performances at the Grand Atrium, Level 2, are at 7 p.m. with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and Ateneo Chamber Singers on Dec. 15; indie folk band Ben&Ben on Dec. 22; and the Philippine Madrigal Singers on Dec. 23. Karylle will be performing at the East Atrium, Mid-Level 2/3 on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.

Anyone for card tricks?

Various choirs will also be serenading shoppers from Dec. 2 to 30 at both the Grand and East Atriums. These include the UP Jazz Ensemble, the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, the UP Singing Ambassadors, and Voces Manila.

On the observation that Christmas has gotten commercialized, Lala points out, “Going around the Shang to look at and enjoy the decorations does not incur expense for mall guests. We want them to enjoy the wonderful performances which are all for free. Christmas is meaningful and magical — we want people to have that experience when they come to the Shang.”     

“Christmas is meaningful and magical — we want people to have that experience when they come to the Shang,” says Shangri-La Plaza EVP and general manager Lala Fojas.

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Shangri-La Plaza Mall is located on EDSA corner Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.

Check out the author’s travel blog at www.findingmyway.net. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @iamtanyalara.