A tree in town for everyone
Big, beautiful and a sight to behold—a Christmas tree is a symbol that reminds everyone of this wonderful season of giving. There are several ways one can set up his tree but here in Cebu, hospitality brands and commercial establishments alike all went out of their way to come up with the best one that Cebuanos can marvel at.
For instance, the huge teal-colored Christmas tree at SM Seaside City is a good 63 feet tall. This one is a definite show stopper with the mall claiming it is the biggest one it has for the Visayas and Mindanao malls.
Ayala Center Cebu for its part, celebrates Cebuano artistry featuring the geometrically inspired work of award-winning furniture designer Vito Selma. Because of Selma’s trademark playing with lines, the green tree (surrounded with white fabric made up like triangles and an elegant touch of gold) looks like it’s a lot of little trees put up together because of the triangle cutouts.
Another golden tree in town is the one in Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. The tree is simple yet elegant and blissfully golden. It was lighted with much pizzazz and warmth, welcoming the yuletide season with a chorus of beautifully sung Christmas songs, sparkling lights, good food and great people.
Another one, this time sparkly with white crystals, viewers’ eyes glowed with delight when Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s tree lit up. For the hotel, Christmas is a timeless celebration of two distinct virtues. “Crystals symbolize timelessness. We chose the white crystals because it symbolizes hope and unity,” said Waterfront Cebu’s E-marketing specialist Bea Evardone.
Speaking of hope, another nearby hotel desires to light up for the dreams and lives lost in recent tragedies that people have seen and heard about from all over the world. Marco Polo Plaza Cebu chooses to celebrate this festive season highlighting peace on Earth and goodwill to men. Its Christmas tree, wrapped in white adornment, bears the message of peace and unity. With this Tree of Hope, people get to donate P200 to a non-government organization and will get to hang a Christmas ball on the tree per donation given until Jan. 5, 2016.
Sarrosa International Hotel, for its part, launched the Christmas Balls of Hope during its annual tree lighting event. A special holiday program was done with this year’s beneficiary in mind: the Cacao de Filipinas Fellowship.
For Bluewater Maribago, it’s all about classic tradition. Wearing his
Barong Tagalog, general manager Rhyz Boac emphasized the value of stars in the Filipino Christmas celebration. “We have lined up activities for Christmas Eve until New Year’s Eve for you because you (resort guests) are our stars and for the real stars (beneficiaries) who are always with us in this celebration.” The tree is still very much present, but lanterns were put up with the resort’s beneficiaries in mind. Proceeds from the holiday activities lined up will be given to Boyong Elementary School, Hospicion de San Jose in Barili, Task Force Kalikasan and the House of the Orphans in Cordova.
Another establishment borrows from local inspiration. Seemingly on fire with warmth and light, Crimson’s Christmas tree is made up of natural materials like nito, which is a material used to make woven baskets. A glorious woven angel sits on top of its delightful tree, sounding the trumpet of the coming of Christmas.
With a touch of red and gold, Cebu City Marriott Hotel celebrated a night of elegance and class as it lit up its 15 foot Christmas tree with 9,000 LED lights. The night was about music: an excerpt of the Nutcracker by Ballet Center Cebu was excellently performed and the Celestial Voices Chorale sang hymns throughout the night. Cebu’s renowned concert pianist, Dr. Ingrid Sala-Santamaria, enraptured the hearts as she played Chopin’s Ballad #1 in G-minor, then following her final note was the most awaited countdown for the lighting of the tree.
Another Christmas countdown happened at Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark—this time, one that led to people dashing and diving in the waters of happiness. Epitomizing the scenic waves and the alluring crystal waters of the beach, Jpark Island bedecks their Christmas tree with tints of aquamarine, blue and gold. Jpark then treated 30 children from Home Care Foundation with a waterpark experience and some gifts the children would surely love.
The Grand Convention Center of Cebu kicked off the start of the festive season by lighting up an animated musical village Christmas tree. A Christmas message was delivered by Winglip Chang, president of 101 Restaurant City Inc. Then, the Christmas Village Tree was launched, led by guest of honor Lydia Yu, accompanied by GrandCon’s general manager, Kathy Angala. The Mandaue Children’s Choir filled the celebration with song and the holiday interior designs were all inspired by Pinky Chang of Pink Flora.
Indeed, with the Holidays stretching to a couple more weeks, there’s a Christmas tree for everyone here in Cebu.