The sights and sounds of Christmas

That Christmas-y feel is all over town with Christmas trees brightly lit up here, there and everywhere.

Among the early tree-lighting ceremonies was the festive affair at the Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City when the giant tree (all of three floors in height) was lit up.

Then there was the coming alive of the 32-feet blue and white Christmas tree at Radisson Blu Cebu which also launched the hotel's 30 Days of Giving campaign. Doing the honors were Cebu Gov. and Mrs. Hilario Davide III, SM Hotels president Elizabeth Sy and executive vice president Peggy Angeles, and Radisson Blu general manager Laurent

Boisdron. For every guest present that night, Radisson donated a pair of slippers to the elementary school children of Naga City. It was a beautiful evening of music with soprano Iona Ventocilla, theater artist Arman Ferrer, the multi-awarded

Mandaue Children's Choir and the UV Chorale rendering well-loved classics.

SM City Cebu timed the lighting up of its giant Christmas tree with the unveiling of the Christmas Village of Hope, a magnificent exhibit of Christmas scenes from all over the world owned by Clayton and Joji Tugonon. The wondrous display (with houses and buildings which can be "owned" for a fee) benefits the children under the care of Kythe Foundation Inc.

To welcome the holiday season, Cebu City Marriott Hotel had its traditional tree lighting affair at the lobby. Music filled the air with the Classic Youth Orchestra on centerstage.

Over at Bluewater Maribago Resort, it was the lighting up of its annual Balay Parol (House of Christmas Lanterns) that ushered in the Pasko Sa Bluewater holiday festivities. Dubbed Walk Among the Stars, the affair launched the resort's charitable 12 Days of Christmas Project which supports

the kids of the Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation Phils., the Hugpa Day Care Center and the Mary Queen of Heaven Missionaries.

Enchanted was this year's theme for Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino's opening celebration of the Christmas season. On the other hand, its sister hotel, the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino opted for a Christmas Wonderland theme with beautiful performances by Rhina Echivarre, Ballet Center, String Quartet Kantasugbo Chorale and the Hiperactiv Entertainment.

Festive Season 2016 at Marco Polo Plaza unfolded with its Timeless Tradition of lighting up the Tree of Hope which offers each decorative ball for sale at P200. Proceeds go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

On Dec. 16, the Festive Buffet at Cafe Marco starts with its array of Christmas favorites: Stuffed Turkey, Ham, Chicken Relleno, Christmas log and pudding etc. And don't forget to pass by the Chef's Christmas Store at the lobby for more Christmas goodies.

Holiday Sparkle at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa began on Dec. 1 with the lighting up of its cluster of Christmas trees. Entertainment included a contemporary dance performance accompanied by live musical ensemble and singers.

A Season to Gather was how Montebello Villa Hotel called its Christmas tree lighting affair. It was a cocktail party at the main lobby.

TREE LIGHTING AT CEBU CITY MARRIOTT HOTEL. From left are Frances Alfafara, Fiona King, general manager Patrick Carroll, Harry Seno, Diosdado Codoy, engineer Dodo Enriquez and Cathy Adis.

'ENCHANTED' AT WATERFRONT AIRPORT HOTEL AND CASINO. From left are rooms manager Ali Banting, group marcomm manager Pia de Villa, hotel manager Benhur Caballes and marcomm manager Hanski Garcia.

PASKO SA BLUEWATER MARIBAGO. At the lighting up of the Balay Parol, from left Lapu-Lapu tourism officer Hembler Mendoza, Bluewater director Kerbasi Ugarte and general manager Rhyz Buac.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE OF HOPE. At SM City Cebu during the unveiling of the Christmas Village of Hope owned by Clayton and Joji Tugonon (second, third from left) shown here with director Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings, vice president Marissa Fernan and lawyer...