Plantation Bay Resort & Spa's sparkling Christmas

CEBU, Philippines -  The Christmas tree is a very important part of the celebration of Christmas. It symbolizes life. While few families put up a real tree, many of the artificial ones look quite life-like and serve the purpose of setting up for this festive season.

One of the most distinctive Christmas decorations reflecting the essence and the joy of the holiday season are the cheerful lights that announce to one and all that Christmas time is here again.

This years  tree lighting ceremony at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa was distinctly unique. Instead of lighting the beautifully decorated Christmas tree at the main lobby, each  guest was  given a red, battery operated  parol  and invited to join the musical marching band that played Christmas songs.

We made our way around the outer ring of the resort  and  marveled at the soft, mellow  colors of the sky which were illuminated by the bronzing sunset. As we walked  passed the property's   well-equipped gym, the Palermo Café Bar, the Fiji restaurant that specializes in seafood and Asian cuisine, the   beautifully furnished colonial-inspired villas and cottages built on stilts over the water, the well-manicured surroundings slowly began to sparkle with colorful Christmas lanterns . The lively parade ended  at the Peninsula Beach where each one hung the parols on a twig tree emblazoned with Tivoli lights. Immediately after, the entire resort glowed with Christmas ornaments and festive lights.  It was simply a sight to behold.

Over  sumptuous cocktails with  lots of champagne, wines and spirits, we were treated to yet another delightful surprise. Santa Claus was coming, but not driving a sleigh drawn by 8 tiny reindeers, but on a banca by the lagoon  manned by two elves. Everyone cheered as he distributed goodies and candies .

The evening's festivities would not have been complete without the fabulous  song and dance numbers by the talented in-house staff. Seasoned and goal-oriented general manager Efren Belarmino surprised everyone by gamely joining in dancing maglalatik,which provided one of the evening's highlights . Detail-oriented events coordinator Paige Ginete could not have been happier. 

It was indeed an enchanted evening,  thanks to GM Efren Belarmino, PR Associate Hannah Patalinjug, Stephanie Trocio, sales manager, Jid Velasco- sales account manager, Jimmy Martinez, cost control manager and the entire team who made the event wonderfully beautiful.  (FREEMAN)