Shang Plaza Tree Lighting with Jed Madela and MADZ

The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus Bautista

No less than Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. declared the beginning of Christmas season at the tree lighting ceremony of Shangri La Plaza Mall, November 5, 2022.

The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Shangri La Plaza Mall EVP for Retail and Commercial Joy Polloso said, “The tree lighting event signals a season that is special for all Filipinos. We are grateful for the support of Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Councilor Benjie Abalos and for our partners like Rustan’s President Donnie Tanotoco. All our musical guests made it an unforgettable night.

From left: Argentinian Amb Ricardo Luis Bocalandro, Mdme Maria Elena Urriste de Bocalandro, Councilor Benjie Abalos, Shang Plaza Mall EVP Joy Polloso and Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Joy Polloso is referring to artists headlined by: Jed Madela, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Contemporary A Capella Singers Association. C.A.S.A, who are composed of students from the Ateneo De Manila University.

Jed Madela is one of the most powerful vocalists in the country. The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

“Christmas in the Philippines is a point of pride that we happily share with our visitors from abroad. We’re very grateful for the presence of Argentinian Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro and Madame Maria Elena Urriste de Bocalandro. The tree lighting and the music we have tonight is but a taste of the celebrations and hospitality that Filipinos are known for around the world,” Polloso added.

The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Floating In the Air

The design of the tree itself is unique. It dominates the cavernous Grand Atrium of Shang Plaza Mall, stretching more than a hundred feet high. What makes it unique is the absence of a base. Viewed from below, it appears to be floating in the air. Viewed from the higher levels, close up, you’ll see steel cables suspending rings connected to the rafters. The tree is a perfect Instagram background. Whether you shoot it from ground level or from afar.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers sang a new repertoire with BTS and Frozen songs. The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jed Madela’s A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jed Madela, the A.S.A.P regular, proved he is one of the most powerful operatic voices by opening with NESSUN DORMA. Having the Philippine Madrigal Singers as background voices for this particular song doesn’t hurt either and made it even more memorable.

His second song was a chance to show off his songwriting skills. He wrote and performed A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS released during the height of the pandemic. Now, was the opportune time to perform it to an audience thirsting to hear Madela, live and in person. The song was produced under STAR MUSIC in the album of the same name, 2020.

No holiday concert would be complete without a song by Jose Mari Chan as Madela did the classic A PERFECT CHRISTMAS.

Center: Argentinian Amb Ricardo Luis Bocalandro, from left: Tablescaping Queen Pinky Tobiano, Shang Plaza Mall EVP Joy Polloso, Jed Madela and Mdme Maria Elena Urriste de Bocalandro. The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

MADZ’ version of BTS and more

The Philippine Madrigal Singers nickname MADZ, is the premiere chorale group of the country. They’ve won countless competitions and awards from abroad. A majority of their songs are Filipino classics: MANILA (by Hotdogs), Ryan Cayabyab works’ KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA and the entertaining, funny DA COCONUT NUT. Of course the holiday classics: NAMAMASAKO, O HOLY NIGHT, APAT NA BUWANG KAPASKUHAN.

So when they sang PERMISSION TO DANCE by BTS, it revved up the young people in the audience. You can argue that the MADZ vocals was even better than the original. Before that was a very moving medley from FROZEN: from ALL IS FOUND to Evan Rachel Wood’s SHOW YOURSELF to LOST IN THE WOODS and INTO THE UNKNOWN.

MADZ have recently turned over some of its members which does so every 5 years or so. Members usually come from students of University of the Philippines, ADMU, UST and DLSU and other prestigious schools. They’ve refreshed their repertoire to fit their younger team.

Contemporary A Capella Singers Association. (C.A.S.A) are composed of students from the Ateneo De Manila University. The Shangri La Plaza Mall Tree Lighting was a grand musical celebration of the upcoming Christmas season at the Grand Atrium last November 5, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

CASA

The Contemporary A Capella Singers Association from Ateneo De Manila, has a very diverse repertoire which includes beat boxing to barber shop quartet renditions of popular songs. There’s ROYALS by Lorde, BAD GUY by Billie Eilish to YOU’RE A MEAN ONE MR GRINCH. The group has a lot of members with different specializations in sound not just the usual bass, tenor, alto, soprano. More synth, drum beat and guitar effects through vocals. CASA’s a nice contrast to the more traditional vocal acts.

PICXEL is a creative and fun gift idea. The shop is located at ground floor of Shangri La Plaza Mall. Photo by Jude Bautista

PICXEL

Going through Shang Plaza Mall, I discovered a very unique gift idea for this season. It’s a custom photo puzzle service. You can give them a photo of your choice, be it a loved one, favorite pet or cartoon character, whatever. They will turn into a puzzle. You also have the choice of giving it completely done and framed. OR (the more popular) gift of being a puzzle your recipient can put together on their own. When they are done, it will reveal the picture you chose. It’s a nice and fun family activity. You can find PICXEL in the ground floor of Shang Mall.

PICXEL is a creative and fun gift idea. The shop is located at ground floor of Shangri La Plaza Mall. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Wine Fair was held at the Grand Atrium, of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from October 12-16, 2022. Attendees were able to taste the best wines from around the world for free. This is one of many events constantly happening at Shang Plaza Mall. Photo by Jude Bautista

Wine Fair

The same day, I discovered PICXEL, I also bumped into the WINE FAIR last October 16, 2022. Also held in the Grand Atrium of Shang. The fair features the best wine labels from around the world: Latin America, Australia, New Zealand as well as the finest from Europe: French, Italian and Spanish wines.

The friendly staff of PWM stall. The Wine Fair was held at the Grand Atrium, of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from October 12-16, 2022. Attendees were able to taste the best wines from around the world for free. This is one of many events constantly happening at Shang Plaza Mall. Photo by Jude Bautista

You could get a lot of great deals like buy 5 bottles, get 1 free and discounted prices. Almost all the labels there get prices off ranging from P100 to P500. There are many events in Shang Plaza Mall, like the Wine Fair that are worth the trip.

Distributors, each had a stall. They were more than happy for attendees, anyone there to sample the wines in their selection. My personal favorite is from PWM, who had friendly staff. They carry labels/brands: MONTES (from Chile), KAIKEN (from Argentina), FREIXENET (from Italy’s Prosecco region), YALUMBA (from the Barossa Valley in South Australia), PIRRAMIMMA (South Australia) and CHAMPAGNE HENRIOT (Northern France).

Bershka is now at Level 1, Main Wing, in Shangri La Plaza Mall.

Bershka at Shang

One of the newest brands opened at Shang Plaza Mall too. From shangrila-plaza.com: “Good news to all Bershka fans! The Inditex hip street style brand has opened its latest store at Shangri-La Plaza.

A favorite among adventurous young people who are in the know especially in music, internet culture, and new technologies, Bershka’s pieces are designed to deliver the latest trends to the next generation of tastemakers. Their stores also reflect this very approach as they showcase contemporary design, funky lighting, eye-catching screens and projections, modern graphics, vibrant colors, and an up-to-date music playlist.

Bershka is now at Level 1, Main Wing, in Shangri La Plaza Mall.

Bershka’s newest store at Shang further enhances the mall’s diverse and dynamic retail mix. “There’s nothing quite like experiencing our store first hand. Being personally present and doing a physical shopping in the mall is something you can’t absolutely substitute with online,” says Joy Polloso, Executive Vice-President Retail and Commercial, Shangri-La Plaza. “We’re excited to be here for the Shang community within the estate, and our surrounding areas. And with Shang’s strategic location, we hope to continue making Bershka accessible to more customers.”

For styles that are on trend and fashionably youthful, #ShangRecommends to check out Bershka’s Smiley, Tie-dye, Neon, Rick and Morty collections, and more. #ShopShangNow and visit their store on Level 1 at the Main Wing or avail their Shop from Home service.

In the Philippines, Bershka is exclusively distributed by International Specialty Retailers, Inc., a member of SSI Group Inc.

For inquiries, visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.

Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.

Bershka is now at Level 1, Main Wing, in Shangri La Plaza Mall. (26)

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