Brighter Christmas for all: Inside Meralco's holiday oasis

A grandmother of two young girls visited the park on a cold Thursday night, hoping to catch the lights still on after failing to see them last time.

- GABRIELL CHRISTEL GALANG

Vilma, who lives a few streets away from Ortigas, felt like a kid at heart as she took her granddaughters to Liwanag Park—a Christmas tradition set by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to bring a festive atmosphere amid the urban life.

Nestled in a busy corner of Pasig City within the Meralco compound lies a light attraction, filled with glowing installations and interactive displays that draw families, students dropping by after finals week, and employees heading home after their nine-to-five. It provides a pause, giving the business district a chance to slow down and bask in the holiday spirit.

What started as a way to cheer up Meralco employees in 1998 eventually drew in more passersby, prompting the gates to open to the public and the attraction to expand to welcome visitors from all walks of life.

Now in 2025, the park has grown beyond just Christmas decor. It features nativity statues, displays made from recyclable materials, LED and solar-powered lights, and a newly integrated three-dimensional (3D) mapping projection that wraps the entire Lopez building facade.