Christmas trees around Metro Cebu
The Christmas Trees of Cebu for 2018
The SunStar Live! team went around the metro to check out Christmas trees in several popular establishments, from the towering 30-foot tree at the Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark to the tree at the Seda Ayala Center Cebu that was covered with indigenous materials.
Atime for love, a celebration of life—nothing marks Christmas like a towering tree; covered with all the tinsel and bells, surrounded with lights, and that magnificent star on top of it, reminding us of the Divine plan.
Here are some of Cebu’s beautiful Christmas trees this year.
Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark
Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark introduced the tallest Christmas tree (30 feet) in Mactan last Nov. 15. Decorated with colorful Christmas balls and candies, and a star and Christmas angels on top, the tree reflects the ambiance of the hotel: sweet, playful and full of color. Children from Jpark’s partner, the Lapu-Lapu City Home Care Center, showed their gratitude for all the support they’ve received as they sang some Christmas songs. / MMC
AppleOne Properties Inc.
Homegrown real estate developer AppleOne Properties Inc. introduced its 12-foot classic green Christmas tree filled with candy canes and Santa Claus miniatures last Nov. 26. For this year’s Christmas, its goal is to relive the traditional Christmas vibes when children used to gather under the Christmas tree waiting for Santa Claus to give them gifts. / MMC
Montebello Villa Hotel
Montebello Villa Hotel brought joy to the world last Dec. 3 as it lit its Christmas tree adorned with native parols (lanterns) made of capiz shells, snowflakes and Christmas lights. The combination of native lanterns and snowflakes allows both locals and foreigners to feel at home this season. / MMC
Diamond Suites Hotel
Diamond Suites Hotel welcomed the season last Dec. 5 with its eight-foot Christmas tree adorned with silver and gold Christmas decors. Symbolizing the eight wonderful years of the hotel’s existence, the tree stands beside an indoor fire place decorated with Christmas stockings and a Christmas wreath. / MMC
Summit Galleria Cebu
The hotel’s Christmas tree is accentuated with golden ornaments, music sheets and guitars, and a “puso” above the tree to represent the Queen City. The lighting ceremony last Nov. 17 was a merry one, especially for the children of the hotel’s partner charity, Little Servants of Christ the King Orphanage. A ballet performance by Turning Point School of Ballet and Music, and Christmas carols from Cebu’s Children Choir, completed the holiday event. / PPC
SM City Cebu
SM City Cebu’s Christmas Tree lighting event last Nov. 8 wowed everyone with its bright and colorful Christmas tree dominated by bright tones of red, green and gold. Across all SM Malls, the Bears of Joy project was also launched: Each time you purchase two Bears of Joy, one will be donated. / Irene Labucay, STC Intern
Quest Hotel & Conference Center Cebu
Quest Hotel & Conference Center Cebu held its annual bell-ringing ceremony last Nov. 14. With its Wishing Tree, Quest gives back to the community in partnership with Seed Studio Toys and Lorenzo Ceniza. The project sells handcrafted toys and stylish beaded bags made by local communities, and is for the benefit of the Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc.’s Adaptive Sports and Rehabilitation Center. / PPC
Robinsons Galleria Cebu
Robinsons Galleria Cebu’s “Winter Holiday Tree” was designed with huge window panes and white, red and gold ornaments. The tree lighting ceremony was also a starstudded one with Kapamilya stars RK Bagatsing and Joseph Marco. Sorority from Rock Republic sang a few Christmas songs, and Robinsons Land Corp. gave out Christmas gifts and baskets to its beneficiary, Tejero Daycare Center. / PPC
bai Hotel Cebu
bai Hotel Cebu had its tree lighting ceremony last Nov. 23 together with its grand opening. Before the night culminated with the Grand Opening Gala, a magical ceremony took place, showcasing the towering tree covered with all kinds of beautiful Christmas ornaments. It looked every bit the perfect centerpiece at the hotel’s lobby.
/ PPC
Seda Ayala Center Cebu
Sea Ayala Center Cebu held its tree lighting ceremony last Nov. 19. The tree was covered with indigenous materials like pandan, banig, abaca etc. Guests were also treated to a musical performance by the Bukas Palad Music Ministry (Fidelis Choir). Seda partnered with Smile Train this year, and two “Smile Trees” can be found at the lobby where guests can purchase Christmas ornament cards for the benefit of the foundation. / MRL
38 Park Avenue
Cebu Landmasters Inc. had its Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 38 Park Avenue, located at Cebu IT Park. The theme “Golden, Sparkling Christmas” featured a tree decked in gold tinsel garland, Christmas ball ornaments and icicle curtain lights. The UV Chorale serenaded the guests. CLI partnered with Children’s Hour for its Christmas Open House, as a portion for each reservation made during the ceremony will be given to Children’s Hour. / MRL
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa Cebu
In celebration of the resort’s 25th anniversary, shades of silver with touches of blue illuminated the halls of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. Its Caring Tree, a 12-foot fiberglass creation, is part of its CSR initiative. Make a child’s wish come true by dropping by the tree and making a donation. / MRL
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
Celebrating “Pasko sa Bluewater,” the resort’s tree is 20-feet tall, decorated with native parol “lanterns” in different sizes and colors. Apart from that, it also launched its “Balay Pasko” where guests can shop for holidaythemed sweet and savory treats. The resort will be doing a series of CSR activities benefiting the people of Maribago as a way of giving back to the place it calls home. / MRL
Ayala Center Cebu
With the theme “Awaken Amazing Christmas Wonder,” Ayala Center Cebu kicked off the holidays with a tree lighting ceremony last Nov. 5. Its tree is adorned with a “puso,” as well as stars covered in fabric with ethnic patterns—a nod to the Philippines’ rich culture. To celebrate the season, Ayala launched a series of events that will take place over the next couple of weeks, including “Awit at Laro” on Dec.12 featuring Gary Valenciano. / CBQ