There is a street in Mandaluyong (Policarpio, I think) which is closed to vehicular traffic at night during the Christmas season. The reason: for the past several years, the residents have been decorating the facades of their houses with Christmas lights that are, well… shall we say, far brighter and far more colorful than average residential Christmas lights. The display has become so popular that this place in Mandaluyong has become a local tourist attraction during the holidays — complete with food hawkers galore.
The Mandaluyong display was the first thing I thought of when I saw a video sent by my friend, Polo. See, the Mandaluyong residents have become kinda competitive and neighbors try to outdo each other with their Christmas lights. I wonder what they would do if the house in the video below was in their neighborhood. Perhaps, “eat your heart out” would be the appropriate message. 
Polo’s e-mail came with the following explanation of sorts:
This display was the work of Carson Williams, a Mason, Ohio, electrical engineer who spent about three hours sequencing the 88 Light-O-Rama channels that controlled the 16,000 Christmas lights in the 2004 version of his annual holiday lighting spectacular. His 2005 display included over 25,000 lights that he spent nearly two months and $10,000 to hook up. So that the Williams’ neighbors wouldn’t be disturbed by constant noise, viewers driving by the house were informed by signs to tune in to a signal broadcast over a low-power FM radio station to hear the musical accompaniment.
The rough quality of the video led some viewers to believe it was put together in stop-action form using still photographs, but that appearance was an artifact of the high compression used in the clip circulated.
Thanks, Polo. It is such an enjoyable video. 
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
pinayhekmi 12.02.06 at 1:40 am
If I’m pulling up to that house would I not get a seizure?! Hahah!
cheH 12.02.06 at 2:18 am
Godness me!lol I can’t imagine the reaction of my german kapitbahay kung yan ang x-mas lights kow dito ! Very impressive but way tooooo much I think:)
Connie 12.02.06 at 3:05 am
I’m not into that kind of decor either but, still, I’m amazed at how he could sync lights and music. Ang tiyaga nya ha.
babe 12.06.06 at 10:44 am
hi! encountered your blog about 2 days ago (blog-hopping) and came upon your entry about pinoy mom bloggers. sorry, this feedback may look not relevant in this particular entry but i decided to post here so that you may see it. just started blogging last september 2006 and loving it. i’m proud to say i’m a blogger mom! could you please include me in that list you were referring to? i love reading blogs about parenting, children, marriage, family and everything. have a nice day!
Suzie 12.06.06 at 2:22 pm
Hi! Sorry to bring this up here but is there something wrong with your pinoycook.net webpage? If you access it, it is showing another webpage.
Connie 12.06.06 at 3:30 pm
I will, babe. I have a few to add already.
Suzie, it’s been fixed. Can you try again?
Suzie 12.07.06 at 10:26 am
I tried it again today, still gives this message “This domain is parked, pending renewal, or has expired.Please contact the domain provider with questions.”
Connie 12.07.06 at 3:45 pm
It’s fine now, Suzie. The domain did expire. Caught me flat-footed. But it’s back now with new recipes.
kyle 12.15.06 at 1:04 am
“See, the Mandaluyong residents have become kinda competitive and neighbors try to outdo each other with their Christmas lights. I wonder what they would do if the house in the video below was in their neighborhood. Perhaps, “eat your heart out†would be the appropriate message”
Have you seen the latest Max Chicken commerical? That is EXACTLY the sentiment being shown there.. Man standing outside plugs in his House Xmas light and looks smugly at his next door neigbor. His house is beautifully lit like those in Policarpio St. Neighbor is lying on his loungechair and nonchantly flicks on a switch. His house lights up pretty much like the video above with matching accompanying music.
When I saw that commercial, I thought it was pretty cool. Then I saw the video above.
I dont think its the SAME video.. remarkably similar enough to make one think it was “inspired” by the Youtube video…
Hi, by the way, just bumped into your blog
Kyle
Connie 12.15.06 at 1:26 am
Hi Kyle. Nice to have you here.
Re the Christmas lights. Although I must admit that the display is impressive. ooohh I don’t know… seems kinda tacky, really. As in overdone. A display, nothing more and nothing less. Doesn’t really speak of true Christmas spirit. In fact, the “payabangan” attitude is really screwed.