Skyranch’s “Pampanga Eye” – the country’s tallest Ferris Wheel – was transformed Friday night into the “Biggest Lantern of Hope” and made as platform for a spectacular 12-minute fireworks display accompanied by Ryan Cayabyab’s Christmas classic “Kumukuti-kutitap.” An impressive first, here in Pampanga and in Central Luzon, that did not fail to draw out the deafening applause from the hundreds of spectators around the mall as well as those stalled in the traffic gridlock on Jose Abad Santos Avenue.
Dubbed as the Grand Pyro Musical Show, Friday night’s extravaganza was SM’s own tribute to Pampanga’s lanternindustry “ushering in the joyous spirit of the season,” according to Pampanga Mall Manager Engr. Junias Eusebio.
It took the organizers three weeks to prepare the show, with 1,725 fireworks shots mounted on the wheel alone.
SM City Pampanga PR Manager Rain Cervantes said that the event is the mall’s way of spreading the spirit of hope this Yuletide season.
“The point is, mallgoers from all walks of life see this and they become inspired. Hope springs from inspiration,” she said.
Friday’s event also featured the distribution of gifts to Aeta children handed out by the Mutya Ning Kapampangan candidates as part of the SM Bears of Hope program. Shoppers can support the program where P200 buy two teddy bears, one to keep and one to be given to selected beneficiaries of the project. Proceeds of the program will also help fund programs of SM Foundation this Christmas season.
More fun
While, the grand pyrofest show was only a one-night affair, Skyranch offers much, much more fun for everyone everyday from 12 noon to 12 midnight on weekends and from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight on
weekdays.
Aside from the Pampanga Eye, there are the Flume Ride that mimics the experience of going down a raging river, the Super Viking gondola that swings up to 90 degrees, and a double-decker Carousel that harkens back to npostalgic times.
Located on a 10,000 square-meter site at the back of SM City Pampanga, Skyranch is the first amusement park in North Luzon and the newest destination for both local residents and tourists.
Developed by SM Prime Holdings, Inc., in partnership with S&T Leisure Inc. and Westech Philippines, the Skyranch brings all the thrills, all the excitement, and all the fun to kids and kids at heart with its 20 rides.
Inside the mall, events include a Glittering Holiday Parade from the characters of Cartoon Network on all Saturdays of December as they carnival along the longest mall in the Philippines.
Also, witness the special Christmas skit of costumed role-playing artists as one strolls along the park and have selfies and groupies every Sunday for the whole month of December.
– Bong Z. Lacson with SMPP PR
