To celebrate Christmas this year, Ayala Malls takes a nostalgic look at childhood songs and games in “Awit at Laro.”

To launch this yearend project, Ayala Malls showcased paintings by Filipino artists on wooden doors.

The artworks auctioned off earlier depicted childhood games such as spinning tops (turumpo), hide-and-seek (taguan), checkers (dama) and shooting marbles (holen).

“As a nation, we have always looked forward to Christmas,” said Ayala Malls Group head Jennylle Tupaz. “At the heart of the Filipino Christmas is love for family, embracing traditions and celebrating togetherness—all of which you will feel and experience at all Ayala Malls.”

An “Awit at Laro” concert featuring Gary Valenciano is touring 21 Ayala Malls across the country until Dec. 22.

Painting contributed by Jaime Zobel for the “Awit at Laro” charity art sale

The show, directed by Valenciano’s son, Paolo, will include performances by Steps Dance Studio, Jona, Katrina Velarde, Darren Espanto, Lara Maigue, Yeng Constantino, Joey Ayala, RJ dela Fuente, AC Bonifacio, Daryll Ong, Janella Salvador and Valenciano’s daughter, Kiana, and younger son, Gab.

‘Incredible advocacy’

The project, a brainchild of Valenciano and Bambi Mañosa, aims to raise funds for Unicef, the Tukod Foundation and the Shining Light Foundation.

Valenciano said it was Mañosa who brought up the idea of combining music with play, which eventually led to “Awit at Laro,” the album.

At the launch, Valenciano performed the song he wrote, “Bawa’t Isa sa Atin” (Each One of Us), as well as his hit song “Di Bale na Lang.” He then announced he would perform in 17 of the 21 Ayala venues throughout the Christmas season.

Ayala Malls deputy head Mariana Zobel de Ayala and Gary Valenciano

“I didn’t think it would get this big. What started out as an idea has now become an advocacy,” he said.

Aside from the shows, Ayala Malls has lined up a series of activities, including “Laruang Aguinaldo,” in which stores will sell toys until Dec. 16 that customers can purchase and donate to Unicef and Kids 4 Kids.

Also on Nov. 3, Ayala Malls held its Christmas tree lighting with decorations inspired by indigenous textiles. These textiles served as inspiration for the work of Ayala Corp. chair emeritus Jaime Zobel that is featured at the Greenbelt tunnel every year.

Every weekend, from Nov. 16 to Dec. 23, Ayala Malls’ 3D projection, “A Night of Lights,” will delight visitors at Glorietta, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, UP Town Center, Ayala Malls Fairview and Ayala Malls Solenad.

From left: Bobby Dy, Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, Yeng Tupaz, Gary Valenciano, Jaime Zobel, Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco and Mariana Zobel de Ayala

A roving farmers’ market, TienDA sa Ayala Malls, will set up shop at Ayala Malls The 30th on Dec. 1-2.

First organized in 2017, the project was a partnership between the Ayala Malls and the Department of Agriculture. It won for Ayala Malls the Gold Award for Cause-Related Marketing at the 2018 ICSC Asia Pacific Shopping Center Awards held Oct. 23 in Kuala Lumpur.

“We are excited to freshen things up for thousands of families who spend the season with us,” said Tupaz.