Filipino family turns home into winter wonderland

A family in the Philippine capital Manila, has turned their home into a holiday spectacle, featuring dazzling Christmas lights and artificial snowfall created from soap bubbles, bringing seasonal cheer to children in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Visual artist and homeowner Margie Organo Tajon, 66, adorned her house with thousands of carefully arranged Christmas lights and hundreds of festive figurines, transforming the property into a holiday attraction.

Since it began in 2020, the display has drawn large weekend crowds, with parents bringing their children to marvel at the lights and play beneath the soap-bubble snowfall.

Tajon said she began decorating her home before the pandemic, inspired by the anticipation of becoming a grandmother. With children confined indoors at the time, she said she wanted to create a safe and joyful space for them.

Tajon added that the project brings her immense happiness, noting that while the display required significant expense, the joy it brings to children is priceless.

Visitors say the display has become a memorable experience for families. Resident Luz Tabora said her grandchild, who has never travelled outside the Philippines, was excited to experience the artificial snow. 

"Our grandchild has not visited places outside the country, outside the Philippines, so the kids are quite excited. When I see my grandchild happy it makes me thrilled as well." Tabora told Reuters as she watched her grandchild frolic in the artificial snow.

-Adrian Portugal