I recently visited Muntinlupa City Hall to take a close look at the Christmas decorations that were set up. Check out what I photographed and posted below for you to see. I hope you will enjoy the images.
The high Christmas decoration at the front of Muntinlupa City Hall recalling Lord Jesus as an infant who was visited by the Three Kings.
The very tall and highly decorated outdoor Christmas tree at the front of City Hall.
Check out the decorations at the exterior of this store inside City Hall.
A very artistic Christmas tree by the City Hall stairs.
Even this pillar got heavily decorated.
To put things in perspective, the decorations and tall Christmas tree outdoors were officially set up weeks ago. In fact, the City Government formally lighted the outdoor Christmas tree on the evening of November 15, 2024. You can watch it via the City Government’s social media posts by clicking here and here.
A closer look at the outdoor Christmas tree at City Hall.
If you wish to visit Muntinlupa City Hall, go visit their building along National Road (referred to by Google Maps as Manila South Road or Manila S. Road). For the precise Google Maps location of Muntinlupa City Hall, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/1GgJgaEGkshMvANu7
When celebrating Christmas wherever you are, always remember that Christmas is truly all about Lord Jesus who is our Savior and the Hope of ALL nations.
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Recently, the Christmas spectacle at Filinvest City Central Park was launched and already it has attracted a lot of visitors who enjoyed the place, sights, special activities and facilities that were prepared this year.
To be specific, Filinvest City’s Christmas season spectacle at the park is formally titled “Cherish Every Moment of Christmas at Filinvest City” which is a program of activities and special events to delight visitors on weekend nights (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) starting from the weekend of November 29 – December 1 until the weekend of December 20 – 22.
Lots of colorful lights, structures and decoration established to provide visitors the atmosphere of the season of Christmas.
Some hanging Christmas lights at this new structure with a roof.
On Friday nights, visitors can enjoy live musical performances from artists Blaster on December 13 and Munimuni on December 20. The band Over October already performed on the park on November 29. Still on Friday evenings, fireworks displays are scheduled to happen at 8PM (November 29 to December 20).
Those who want to see new facilities and decorations at the park, the Christmas Display is lighted starting 6PM to 9PM from November 29 up to January 6, 2025.
Lots of places to have your pictures taken at.
Christmas display at the Filinvest City Central Park looks livelier this year.
When it comes to brand new structures, Filinvest City’s The Tree is the one that stood out the most this year. The Tree is the newest events stage at the Filinvest City Central Park designed to be a suitable place for live musical performances, lighting ceremonies and other special activities. It was also made to bring the community together for celebration and connecting with each other. I personally witnessed the first live performance there on the evening of November 29 and what impressed me was the vibrant lighting and how the color of the lights changed efficiently.
This is The Tree, the brand new structure built at Filinvest City Central Park.
As I explored the different places of Filinvest City Central Park on the evening of November 29, I noticed a lot of people enjoying the place. You can see what happened by watching my video below.
In ending this post, I want to say that no matter how the organizers portrayed Christmas, always remember that Christmas is all about Lord Jesus who is the Savior and Hope of ALL nations!
That being said, as we enjoy the Christmas season and the blessings, we should never forget our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Learn from the holy scriptures below.
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
John 3:16 (AMPC)
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (AMPC)
Therefore, the honor that belongs to the Father he will now share with his Son. So if you refuse to honor the Son, you are refusing to honor the Father who sent him.
John 5:23 (TPT)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (NKJV)
Santa Claus is not the reason of Christmas nor is he the definitive figure of the season. Lord Jesus is the one we should honor, thank and praise every Christmas. The birth of Lord Jesus in Israel thousands of years ago remains highly significant and essential. Celebrate Christmas by having unwavering faith in Lord Jesus!
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Today is the first day of December. Not only does this reminds us that 2024 is coming to an end, it is also a reminder that Christmas is nearing. That being said, today is also the final day of the 2024 Christmas bazaar of Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) and there is still time for you to buy items for gift-giving.
The AHVA’s Christmas bazaar officially launched on the morning of November 29 at the Phase 2 park using the two covered courts – one covered court has the many sellers of assorted goods (bags, clothes, household items, toys, decorations and more) and the other has the small businesses that sell different types of food and beverages. The two covered courts are located along Legaspi street.
This image shows some of the many sellers at the covered basketball court at the Phase 2 park inside Alabang Hills Village. A wide variety of items are being sold here.
Something caught the attention of many at this particular booth.
The smaller covered court is where the food and beverages are being sold.
Meanwhile, there are other sellers of clothing and assorted items occupying spaces in close proximity to Don Jesus Boulevard. For the newcomers reading this, the office of the AHVA is located along Don Jesus Boulevard.
A few of the other sellers occupying spaces in close proximity to Don Jesus Boulevard.
If you are located within Alabang or in the nearby BF Homes communities, if your car has a valid AHVA sticker, and if you need to buy products for Christmas gift-giving, I encourage you to take the opportunity to visit the Alabang Hills Village Christmas bazaar today. The bazaar will end tonight at 9PM.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, water concessionaire Maynilad confirmed that its 1.6 billion water reclamation is on track to start fully operating by the end of this year and it will serve more than thirty thousand residents in four barangays in the city, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Maynilad Water Services announced that its water reclamation plant in Muntinlupa is nearing completion and will be fully operational by year-end.
Built at a cost of P1.6 billion, the Cupang Water Reclamation Facility and sewer conveyance system are located in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa.
It said it is now preparing for the testing and commissioning of the facility, which was designed to treat up to 46 million liters of wastewater per day.
The plant uses the conventional activated sludge technology to effectively remove pollutants from wastewater, contributing to a cleaner ecosystem.
When it becomes fully operational, the plant will serve about 33,000 customers in Barangays Sucat, Buli, Cupang, and Bayanan in Muntinlupa. The wastewater from the communities will be treated before it is discharged.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you think the new water reclamation facility of Maynilad will be very helpful in the years to come?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The City Government of Muntinlupa has new additions to its growing list of achievements as it won two awards at the Digital Democracy Awards, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City government won at the first Digital Democracy Awards organized by the Makati Business Club (MBC) and sponsored by USAID Philippines and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, and Department Of Information And Communications Technology Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue presented the Digital Democracy Champion award to 14 city local government units for their exceptional implementation of Digital Democracy initiatives.
Muntinlupa is one of the 14 winners and it also received the Data Stewardship Award for its “responsible handling of citizen data and dedication to advancing smart city initiatives.”
The 14 LGUs that won and recognized as Digital Democracy Champions “for their dedication to advancing citizen participation and transparency in governance” are: 1. Cagayan de Oro City 2. Victorias City 3. Himamaylan City 4. Iligan City 5. Quezon City 6. Isabela City, Basilan 7. Masbate City 8. Tagbilaran City 9. Batangas City 10. Muntinlupa City 11. Naga City 12. San Fernando City, La Union 13. Tagum City 14. Zamboanga City
According to MBC, the awardees in key categories are:
People’s Participation Award: Quezon City for their “Usapang QC” initiative, which bridged communication gaps and engaged over 430,000 residents.
Citizen-Led Policy Award: Naga City for translating citizen feedback into impactful policies, exemplifying the power of participatory governance.
Leadership Award: Batangas City Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha, for her exceptional vision and hands-on leadership in advancing digital initiatives.
Outstanding Public Communication Award: Tagbilaran City for their innovative and creative communication strategies, including social media campaigns and community engagement efforts.
Data Stewardship Award: Muntinlupa City for their responsible handling of citizen data and dedication to advancing smart city initiatives.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you very happy to see the city get recognized again with new awards?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The City of Muntinlupa made it as an awardee of the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) as recorded in the official list of awardees that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) released online.
For 2024, there is a grand total of 714 SGLG awardees nationwide covering cities, municipalities and provinces. Among them are 14 National Capital Region (NCR) cities and Muntinlupa City is one of them.
For transparency, posted below is the 2024 SGLG list of awardees from the DILG. Feel free to download a copy.
It should be recalled that Muntinlupa City was also an SGLG awardee in previous years (click here, here and here).
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you very happy that Muntinlupa is once again an SGLG awardee?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In times of prosperity or hardship, Festival Mall (originally named Festival Supermall) in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City continues to attract families and shoppers. Since the mall’s early days in 1998, its amusement center X-Site kept on succeeding on attracting visitors and providing them bouts of varied fun in return to what the customers paid for. X-Site is a lively form of entertainment-focused capitalism that just keeps on moving forward and attracting visitors.
Located at the 3rd floor (note: officially referred to as the 2nd Level or 2L or 2nd Floor by the mall. The 1st floor and 2nd floor of the mall are referred to as Lower Ground Floor and Upper Ground Floor respectively), the X-Site Amusement Center has a wide floor space with a high ceiling.
The way it was designed, X-Site has several arcade games (lots of fun retro games included), merchandiser games, a virtual reality ride, KTV booths, motion-sensing dance spot, the ring toss, entertainment stores, indoor sports games, redemption games, bumper cars, and the indoor roller coaster (which explains the need of having a high ceiling). Watch below the YouTube video and the images I prepared below.
At the arcade games section inside X-Site.
Having a high ceiling made it possible to have an indoor roller coaster (tracks above the machines and people in this image). Other amusement centers in Alabang had lower ceilings which made their places feel small or tight when compared to X-Site.
Some newer machines plus indoor sports games added into the arcade games section.
This is the place for those who love dancing and music.
Back in 1998, I know a few friends whose had not even visited Festival Mall (at the time we talked) yet they already heard of the positive word-of-mouth feedback about the indoor roller coaster of X-Site.
The indoor roller coaster of X-Site remains a favorite ride for those who kept coming back.
On December 25, 2023, I visited Festival Mall to look around. I passed by X-Site and I saw an unusually large number of people there composed of young people, children and their parents/guardians.
For the newcomers reading this, December 25 here in the Philippines is a time of having fun during the Christmas season and also it is the day when the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) opens in cinemas. This explains why a lot of people spend time at the shopping malls and it is a cultural thing here in the Philippines.
Considering the fact that the original cinemas of Festival Mall have deteriorated leaving only 2 or 3 screens operating (note: the mall also has modern cinemas at the expanded side), a lot of people still visited the mall to watch the MMFF movies that opened on December 25. As for the large number of people who flocked to X-Site that same day, I can only speculate that some of them might have been moviegoers passing the time as they wait for the next screening of movies to watch.
I took this shot of X-Site on December 25, 2023. Look at the high number of people on the floor.
If you plan to visit Festival Mall in Alabang and if you are craving for fun rides or games, then you might want to visit X-Site Amusement Center.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Very recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government started the distribution of Christmas packages covering roughly one hundred forty thousand (140,000) households, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Christmas came early for residents of Muntinlupa as the city government started the distribution of its Pamaskong Handog packs.
The Muntinlupa City government is targeting to distribute the Christmas packages to about 140,000 households in the city.
“Gusto nating bawat household sa Muntinlupa ay may celebration ngayong Pasko. Kaya tiniyak natin na lahat ng 140,000 households sa lungsod ay makakatanggap ng Pamaskong Handog (We want every household in Muntinlupa to have a celebration this Christmas. That is why we assure that all 140,000 households in the city will receive the Pamaskong Handog),” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon who led the distribution of the packages.
Each Pamaskong Handog package has three kilos of rice, a pack of 400 grams of spaghetti pasta, a pack of 900 grams of spaghetti sauce, a pack of 400 grams of elbow macaroni, a box of 113 grams of instant champorado, a can of 175 grams of corned beef, a can of 150 grams of meat loaf and a can of 85 grams of liver spread.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, have you contacted your local community officials about updates of Christmas packages coming in?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The eight illegal aliens – seven Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese citizen – who were recently arrested inside Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, will soon be deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). All of the suspects were found to be undocumented and also under suspicion of scamming.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The eight foreigners apprehended for illegally staying in the country at a village in Muntinlupa City are set for deportation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday.
Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, in a news release, said seven Chinese nationals and a Vietnamese national were arrested by operatives of the BI’s intelligence division along three streets inside the village on Oct. 22.
“The homeowner association representatives of the Ayala Alabang Village were very helpful in helping us verify target areas,” he said in statement.
All of them were found to be undocumented — two of whom were also found to be overstaying while one was suspected to be an illegal entrant.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier reported that items used for online scamming were seized from the suspects.
Viado noted that they have received information that smaller “pockets” of scamming hubs are forming after the closure of big Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs in the country.
“We have found reason to file deportation cases against them. They will be considered undesirables once their cases are resolved, and face deportation,” the BI chief added.
The operation was conducted with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the NBI National Capital Region (NCR).
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted that the local authorities arrested the illegal aliens and prevented them from proceeding with scams? Do you think there are small groups from POGOs that could be secretly operating in your local community?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, eight foreigners – seven Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese citizen – suspected for scamming got arrested inside a house in Ayala Alabang Village as a result of an operation by elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), according to a Malaya Business Insight news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Malaya Business Insight news report. Some parts in boldface…
SEVEN Chinese and a Vietnamese suspected as scammers were arrested in an operation in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, the Department of Justice said yesterday.
In a statement, the DOJ said the operation, carried out with the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, stemmed from information provided by residents and corroborated by intelligence regarding the presence of the foreigners in the posh village.
The DOJ said three Chinese were initially nabbed, two of whom were found to be overstaying in the country, while the other one could not present any documentation.
It said one of the three served for a time as a manager of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“Upon entry, there was a live computer operated by a Chinese individual. When read by an interpreter, the screen showed scripts used in a standard phishing scam,” the DOJ said, adding operatives also found a voice-over IP, an equipment usually used in telephone scams to avoid detection.
Four Chinese and the Vietnamese were later arrested.
The DOJ said four failed to present documentation and were considered illegally staying in the country.
“One Chinese national, though not lacking in documentation, is suspected to have harbored the illegal aliens in violation of immigration laws,” the DOJ said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you concerned that scammers from overseas could be living somewhere in your local community secretly doing illegal operations? Do you think that foreign POGO workers could be secretly staying in your village right now? Do you think the seven arrested Chinese nationals could be spies of Communist China?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
