The Trees Light Up

CEBU, Philippines – The Queen City of the South ushered in the merry season this year with the lighting of Christmas trees in all the “big” places.

SM City Cebu November 6

SM City Cebu opened the holiday season with a bang, as usual, lighting up its Christmas tree and unveiling the enchanting “Christmas Village of Hope” at the Northwing Atrium.

The “Christmas Village of Hope” is now on its 7th year. It is a fundraising project originally conceptualized by Clayton and Joji Tugonon  as a fundraiser to benefit pediatric cancer patients who are under the care of the Kythe Foundation.

Radisson Blu Cebu November 10

This year, Radisson Blu Cebu’s Christmas tree lighting was part of “Blu Sapphire,” the city hotel’s 5th Anniversary Gala Celebration. The ceremony was followed by a five-course dinner at the hotel’s Santa Maria Grand Ballroom, a gala affair with performances by the finest talents around.

Also, a fashion presentation featuring the creations of the city’s top designers highlighted the gala dinner.

Calyx Center Cebu November12

Calyx Center Cebu lighted its Christmas tree with the launching of its “Adopt a Wish Program.” The program, which stated last year, invites people to “adopt a wish” of the poor children of Sitio Tutay, Pinamungahan, Cebu. The children’s “wishcards” decorated the Calyx’s wonderland-themed Christmas tree.

More information about the “Adopt a Wish Program” is found at Calyx Center Cebu’s official Facebook page.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino November 20

The lighting Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino’s crystal-themed Christmas tree at the hotel’s main lobby was highlighted by performances by US Disney Cruise singer Rina Echivarre, the Scarlet String Quartet and the Maguikay Children’s Choir.

Hotel general manager Grant Raymond Jeffries, together with vice-governor Agnes Magpale, philanthropist Amparito Lhullier and executive director of the Children’s Shelter of Cebu Mitchell Ohlendorf led the tree-lighting ceremony. Jeffries announced beforehand the hotel’s support for the Children’s Shelter of Cebu in its official program for 2016, as part of the hotel’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino-Mactan November 24

For its part, Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan had the lighting of its Christmas tree in an occasion billed “The Royal Christmas.” It was held at the hotel’s main lobby, with hotel manager Rex Benhur Caballes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Assistant General Manager Ahmed Cuizon, and GMR Megawide Airport Cebu Corp. Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison.

Entertainment was provided by dancers from the Ballet Center Cebu, the Marigondon Ukulele Ensemble and the Blare Band.

Cebu City Marriott Hotel November 26

This year’s Christmas tree lighting at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel was memorable, with the presence of concert pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria, who performed a selection of pieces prior to the tree lighting.

Present were key officials of the hotel: General Manager Patrick Carroll, Director of Engineering Dodo Enriquez, Director of Finance Joe Fijardo, Director of Sales & Marketing Cleofe Albiso and Director of Services Harry Seno.

Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort & Spa November 26

“Pasko’ng Pinoy” is this year’s theme of the season at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

The resort’s Christmas officially opened with the lighting of its 15-feet tall Christmas tree, predominantly decorated with capiz shell ornaments. The tree complements the resort hotel’s nativity scene that is also predominantly made of capiz shell.

New general manager Rene Egle was also formally introduced to guests and members of the media during the occasion.

Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan November 27

Holiday activities at Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan – with the theme Jingle & Mingle – were launched with the Christmas tree-lighting at the resort’s beachfront garden. The event was graced by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz C. Radaza, who lighted the tree along with Resort Manager Kristofer Quadros and  Director of Sales Jo Ann Castillo.

The resort’s 22-foot tree is made of dried twigs from the local “shapoo” plants and dried corn leaves, with the ornaments made of bamboo and nito vines. The tree now draws guests for that postcard-worthy Christmas photo.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa November 27

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa had its Christmas tree lighting at the resort’s Alcatraz Lobby, with select media members, representatives from various travel agencies and a number of the resorts’ guests in attendance.

Ayala Center Cebu November 27

The lighting of Ayala Center Cebu’s Christmas tree at The Gallery was one of three events that set the Christmas mood at the mall. The event was preceded by the lights show at The Terraces titled “Symphony of Lights.” The three-tiered event ended in a fashion presentation showcasing the holiday sollections of well-known Cebuano fashion designers.

Present during the festivities were Ayala Land AVP Clavel Tongco, Cebu Holdings Inc. president Jun Bisnar, and Ayala Center Cebu’s Bong Dy. Also in attendance were the 12 Miss Cebu 2016 candidates.

Crown Regency November 28

Crown Regency Hotels and Towers Cebu lighted its 25-foot rotating Christmas tree, which is a mix of innovation and traditional design, at the hotel’s main lobby. The event, which was graced by proudly homegrown Cebuano performers and children from the Children’s Joy Foundation highlighted the lively Christmas atmosphere.

The hotel’s general manager Hitesh Sampat dedicated much of the celebration to the children. The hotel has a tradition of always invite children in their Christmas celebrations.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu November 28

The “Tree of Hope” at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu was lighted signaling the start of the hotel’s holiday season. Marco Polo Plaza’s general manager Julie Najar, resident manager Xavier Masson, vice governor Agnes Magpale, Msgr. Roberto Alesna and GMA Network’s Ann Marie Tan led the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting.

Performances by Marco Polo Plaza’s Chill Mae Absin, the Cebu Centre for Dance, the Celestial Voices Choir and GMA talent Frencheska Farr were part of the evening’s highlights.

Pasko sa Sugbo 2015 Opening Salvo December 1

A fireworks display and the lighting of the “Tree of Hope” were the highlights of the opening salvo of this year’s “Pasko sa Sugbo 2015” at the Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Standing 125-feet tall, the tree is sponsored by M. Lhuillier. It is taller than last year’s Christmas tree by 5 feet. Now on its 14th year, “Pasko sa Sugbo” is part of the Cebu City Government’s year-end highlights, a month-long celebration that fetes a string of performances and activities that are open to the public.

JPark Island Resort & Waterpark, Cebu December 4

The five-star water park resort is now in Yuletide season. It has lighted its Christmas tree, adorned with aquamarine, blue, and gold Christmas decorations.

With the tree lighting ceremony, the resort’s corporate social responsibility activity has also commenced – 30 kids from the Home Care Foundation are to experience the water park for themselves.

Montebello Villa Hotel December 3

As Montebello is soon celebrating its golden year, the theme of its Christmas tree lighting is gold. Its Christmas tree is decorated with silver and gold ornaments. The Christmas tree art also embraces Filipino traditions and innovation.

Sarrosa International Hotel & Residential Suites December 5

Sarrosa Hotel’s  Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the hotel lobby had the theme “Christmas Balls of Hope.” The occasion was in partnership with The Chocolate Chamber. Attendees were asked to put messages of joy, peace and love on tree for every love offering of a Christmas Ball of Hope. Another highlight of the event was the launching of the hotel’s very own chocolate drink, a hot “tsokolate” from The Chocolate Chamber.

SM Seaside City Cebu December 9

The new SM Seaside City Cebu lighted its Christmas tree at the Mountain Wing Atrium. Adorned an art deco design, the tree is a fitting match for the event’s Star War theme. Guests of honor Annie Aboitiz, Teresin Mendezona and Lita Urbina – together with SM Prime Holdings vice president Marissa Fernan and SM Supermalls vice president for operations - Visayas Joy Veloso – led the tree-lighting ceremony. At 60-foot tall, this year’s SM Seaside City Christmas Tree is the tallest among SM Malls in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort December 5

In time for the 10th year anniversary of Bluewater Sumilon, the resort lighted their 15-foot Christmas Tree. The Bluewater’s “Tree of Hope” is made with native ornaments, to achieve the look of a simple Filipino-design tree. Bluewater Sumilon marketing communications officer Eric Monsanto said the resort has been supporting Filipino products by using the Filipino-inspired ornaments and trimmings of buri in their tree. Mae Mercader, Noreen Tormis, Saison Dampios Jr. and Carlo Rivera