Lights of Happiness - Part 3

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

The last of the series. The end of our Quest for the Lights of Happiness. All in the 21 days of a Filipino Christmas. (That's officially from Dec 16-Jan 6! Just in case you got stuck in your own Himalayas.)

The former Lizares Mansion now Angelicum School never fails to amaze.
Note the fire lantern floating just above. Wonderful!

Obviously it rated high on the Happiness Meter.
Observe closely the words etched near the center window.
It's not Merry Christmas as I first thought but "Will you marry me?"
We just witnessed a marriage proposal! Sweet!!

Plaza Molo was all-lighted up with a hundred star lanterns dangling from the trees!

The Iloilo Provincial Capitol was a sight to behold!
The already impressive structure upped its notch with a very organized assembly of lights.

Across the capitol, Atrium Mall was consistent with its message of PEACE,

Surprise, surprise! A carnival of rides sprung at the back of SM City Iloilo's parking lot.
From the deafening screams, I'd say people enjoyed the rides to the max!

Just one of the carnival rides that can test the strength of your guts.
A possible 5+ on the Happiness Meter!

Kiki has to content herself in the shooting skills booth.
Scored 3 out of 4! Not bad for a first timer. ;-)

And of course, the Belen. A creche or tableau depicting the birth of Christ.
Another traditional Filipino Christmas symbol.

The Lights of Happiness can be found in the neighborhood plaza, in our own homes, on the streets of our barangay, in schools and offices, government buildings, the malls and even carnivals. It can be in the stage lights during our kids' Christmas presentation. It is also in the flash of digicams, mobile phones, tablets or DSLRs that capture our happy holiday moments with family, friends and old classmates. It was in the skies as fireworks to welcome the New Year. Most of all, it will always be in the eyes of our beloved ones saying I'm happy to be with you this Christmas. 


Kiki: "My favorite color is red. But I don't like this soppy flat shoes. Can you get me red high-cut sneakers instead? Puhleezz?" Read: Converse Chuck Taylors. Even if a size bigger. Of course I'm a sucker mom. I had to get it. Even if it meant giving up the sky-high platforms I was eyeing as a Xmas present to myself! Haha. But it is rather cute, don't you agree? All in the spirit of Christmas. ;-)


Therefore I conclude that happiness is all around us only if we let ourselves see it with our hearts... Happy 3 Kings everyone!