City of lights

CEBU, Philippines - As December drew near, November beckoned a  softly spoken but intently felt cheer

Taking the place of Halloween's witches and ghouls made of plastic, Christmas Trees were lighting up all over town, gilding the city with lights; fantastic

As the holiday season's revelry is well on its way,following are some venues in the city which you should not steer clear, as their Christmas Trees and  Lights resound the yuletide  season's cheer!

SM City Cebu

- SM City Cebu started the holiday revelry early this year, unveiling the enchanting "Christmas Village of Hope" and lit its Christmas Tree on November 7 in the mall's Northwing Atrium.

More than just a Christmas-themed diorama of miniature villages and homesteads, the "Christmas Village of Hope" is essentially a fundraiser for the Kythe Foundation Inc., to benefit pediatric cancer patients. Anyone could pledge donations by "renting" real estate space in the Christmas diorama.

Calyx Center Cebu

- The lighting of Calyx's Christmas Tree on November 12 was also the launching of its "Adopt a Wish Program."

Gilded with "wish cards" made by 35 children of the Barrio Luz Daycare Center, Calyx's "Tree of Hopes and Dreams" invites all of Cebu to help fulfill the wishes of the kids.

Those who wish to learn more about Calyx's "Tree of Hopes and Dreams" and the "Adopt a Wish Program" may visit the ground floor level of Calyx Center Cebu, where the staff of Serenitea, Sunburst or Dong Juan, as well as the center's security guards, are more than willing to be of assistance.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel &

Casino

- Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino general manager Philippe Frugére, Children of Asia Philippines co-country manager Alain Delage, and Cebuana socialite and philanthropist Amparito Llamas-Lhuillier led the ceremonial lighting of the hotel's Christmas Tree on November 14.

On the occasion, Frugére announced the hotel's support for the programs and advocacies of Children of Asia Philippines. Children of Asia was established in 1991, a French humanitarian organization providing comprehensive care to over 10,000 distressed children in Southeast Asia. Since 1998, the organization has provided food, medical care and schooling to poor children in Cebu.

Radisson Blu Cebu

- An evening of timeless classical music and superb performances topbilled Radisson Blu's Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on November 20 - with the hotel's elegant silvery-white and azure tree at the center of all the fun and merry-making.

Cebu vice-governor Agnes Magpale; Elizabeth Sy, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; and Radisson Blu Cebu general manager Nishan Silva led the lighting of the 30-foot tree - which was followed by carol renditions by the internationally acclaimed University of the Visayas Chorale.

Performances by Markki Stroem, Joseph Brian Cimafranca, Izarzuri Vidal, Angel Romalito Peilago, Imee Cruz, Anselmo Estillore and Desiree Seraga also contributed to the flair of the event.

Crown Regency Hotel and Towers Cebu

- The hotel's first Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, at the hotel's lobby on November 21, had Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama as guest of honor.  It was really a time of good cheers, delicious food and delightful entertainment - with Cebuano talents Danielle Ozaraga and Philip Mancol of Cebu Sinulog Idol, Windey Prado Avendaño and the Los Cantantes choir performing endearing Christmas classics.

Cebu Parklane

International Hotel

- "The hotel in Cebu that stands for Cebu" lit its Christmas Tree on November 21, with no less than Cebu vice-governor Agnes Magpale and Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama in attendance.

The San Diego Performers complemented the vibrant and festive Christmas Tree of the hotel with their dynamic performance. The overall mood resonated the welcoming warmth that Cebu is famous for.

Parkmall Cebu

- On November 22, Parkmall Cebu celebrated the lighting of its Christmas Tree and the unveiling the pet-friendly mall's fairytale-themed "Christmas Candy Park." The occasion also marked the giving of treats and toys to the children under the care of the Kaabag Foundation.

Located in Parkmall's Piazza, the candy park feats a landscape made of giant candy canes, colorful gingerbread cookies, marzipan figurines and more - sure to captive the fancies of the young and old alike.

Cebu City Marriott Hotel

- Vibrant lights with hints of silvery mauve and blue filled the lobby of Cebu City Marriott Hotel on November 27, during the lighting of its Christmas Tree.

Performances by dancers from Balletcenter Cebu were part of the ceremony's highlights - which was capped by an outstanding rendition of carols by the Celestial Voices Choir.

Quest Hotel and

Conference Center Cebu

- The lighting of its Christmas Tree on November 27, signaled the start of the hotel's yuletide revelry and highlights.

Located at the hotel's main lobby, the predominantly white and blue Christmas Tree is matched with other Christmas dioramas located close to where it stands - including a White Christmas-themed fireplace and a cozy sled backdropped by a scenic snowscape tableau.

Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan

- Lapu-Lapu city mayor Paz Radaza, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) general manager Nigel Paul Villarete, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation chief executive adviser Andrew Harrison, and the hotel's general manager Benhur Caballes led the hotel's Christmas Tree lighting on November 28.

With the theme "Christmas in the Sky," the Christmas Tree is gilded with scale model planes and hot air balloons - giving it a unique flair that's not readily found anywhere else.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

- Guests and attendees to Marco Polo Plaza Cebu's 10th Christmas Tree lighting ceremony were treated to exhilarating performances by the ballerinas of the Cebu Center for Dance on November 29 - prior to the formal lighting of the hotel's "Tree of Hope."

The event - titled "Christmas Around the World" - was very well attended. It features  the performance was an eclectic mix of classic ballet and modern dance, infused with a Christmas-themed twist that made the occasion uniquely memorable, all in all.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa

- Guest and select media friends attended the Christmas Tree lighting at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. The holiday theme around the resort is a Filipino Christmas. This year, parols make up the main decorations at the resort, especially parols from Pampanga.

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa

- A dangle of Christmas lights and decorations is the design of Shangri-La's Mactan Christmas Tree. Instead the usual ceremonies by the lobby, the hotel's Christmas Tree lighting was held outdoor. A group of young choiristers serenaded the guests with jolly and merry English and Tagalog Christmas songs. Cocktails were served afterwards to travel and media partners, and other guests. (FREEMAN)