Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu celebrates its second year

Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu recently celebrated its second year anniversary with an evening of classical music and the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony of Cebu’s tallest indoor Christmas tree.

The event commenced with a Christmas dance by the University of Cebu Dance Troupe. The artist, clad in blue and silver Victorian-inspired attire descended from the Grand Staircase carrying Christmas Stars, dancing to the classical Christmas tunes and setting the tone for the night’s festive atmosphere.

Shortly after, guests were invited to witness the formal lighting ceremony of the blue and white Radisson Blu Christmas Tree. Ms. Elizabeth Sy, President of SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation together with Mr. Lyle Lewis, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu and Vice-President for Philippines and Japan of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Michael Rama, Cebu City Mayor, and Jose T. Sio, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation flicked the giant light switch together and illuminated the stunningly tall and arresting Radisson Blu Christmas Tree in the hotel’s Grand Lobby.

The night’s merry-making continued in the hotel’s Santa Maria Ballroom where guests were witness to a Christmas concert of timeless classical pieces. The 45-minute show was produced by Nestor Jardin, Creative Director of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation and directed by Junjet Primor. The impressive line up of performers included the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra led by Rey Abellana, the internationally acclaimed Mandaue Youth and Children’s Chorus with choir master Dennis Sugarol, pianist Dave Sibonga accompanying tenor Ervin Lumauag and internationally acclaimed Soprano, Rachelle Gerodias. The concert was capped with an impressive rendition of Mark Hayes’ “A Light of a Million Mornings” by all the performers.

As the lights dimmed signaling the end of the Chirstmas concert, the red and gold curtains of the Cebu Maria Ballroom opened and unveiled yet another Christmas tradition, a culinary celebration lovingly prepared by the hotel’s team of award winning chefs. The feast, in a room decked in curtains of blue and silver was a banquet for both the eyes and the plate. Crowd favorites include an impressive selection of Chinese Dim Sum, hand-pulled Chinese La Mien Noodle Soup, and various carvings including Peking Duck, succulent Prime Rib and the staple to any Cebu festivity, the lechon. Sweet treats were aplenty with Fruit Mince Pies and Deep Fried Ice Cream topping the list.

While guests were happily feasting, the party atmosphere was turned up a notch as the Renaissance Band performed dance anthems in keeping with the evening’s celebration. The celebration was capped with Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu raffling off a bevy of prizes including a trip to Shanghai, China for two, complete with round-trip tickets from Cebu to Shanghai via Manila and a four-night, five-day stay at the luxurious Radisson Blu Hotel New World Shanghai.