A TIME 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 star-studded 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 holiday-themed 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
J Centre Mall
The mall prepared a fun program for guests during its Tree Lighting event last Nov. 9. There was a balloon drop, and inside some of the balloons were surprises. Adorable kids in winter-themed costumes strutted their stuff in a mini fashion show. J Centre’s Christmas tree was glimmering and glitzy, with gold and silver stars and spheres. CBQ
Mandani Bay
Mandani Bay’s “Christmas by the Bay” last Nov. 10 lit up the night sky with a fireworks display that made for a stunning backdrop of the Christmas trees. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, while Cebuana singer Anna Fegi-Brown belted out a few Christmas classics. Mandani Bay does not just have one but four outdoor Christmas trees. CBQ
Cebu Parklane International Hotel
The night of the tree lighting ceremony held last Nov. 20 was also the culmination of Parklane’s program “Star of Life”—the hotel sold succulent plants for the benefit of Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. For the past six years, Parklane comes up with a Christmas tree made from recycled materials as part of its advocacy to be eco-conscious. This year, the blue and white tree is adorned with giant stars made from shampoo and conditioner bottles. CBQ
Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino
Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino’s “The Christmas Dream: A Filipino White Christmas” was held last Nov. 5. Its tree was a stunner; its floor-to-ceiling height, and the sparkle of its bows and balls, made it more magical. Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza led the ceremony, which was also attended by this year’s Miss Lapu-Lapu candidates. A feast was also prepared by the hotel’s culinary team. CCP
SM City Consolacion
SM City Consolacion brought the circus to town for its Tree Lighting ceremony last Nov. 11. Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado was among the VIPs who got to witness the Christmas Holiday Circus. The mall had long begun the season’s festivities with a 100-days-to-Christmas countdown. CCP
Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan
For Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, it was all about a Christmas Holiday Journey around the world in the form of Christmas drinks from four countries—the Philippines’ white rum-based Fiesta Halo-Halo, the USA’s mulled wine, Spain’s Sangria de Dulce, and Japan’s chardonnay-based Utsukushi Anata. Crimson Mactan, a green resort, used upcycled materials for its tree. Aptly topped with a starfish, it glows in the middle of the poolside garden. CCP
Parkmall
The proudly Cebuano Parkmall has 2,000 parols in different areas of the mall. What makes these parols extra special is that they were each handcrafted by the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) of BJMP Mandaue. Just as the stars shine hope for humanity, these parols beam hope for those inmates who put in their labor of love. The ceremony ended with a grand fireworks display. CCP
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Marco Polo had its tree lighting ceremony for its Tree of Hope last Nov. 17. The program included ballet and modern dance performances by students of the Cebu Centre for Dance and GMA Network talents. The Tree of Hope has for years been making wishes come true as the donations benefit programs by the GMA Kapuso Foundation. JVC
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
Drizzled in green, white, red and gold, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s Christmas tree is a sight to behold. Behind the dazzling tree sits the makings of a giant toy brick house. Councilor Margot Osmeña, Sen. Nancy Binay, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, general manager Anders Hallden and singer Moira dela Torre, inaugurated the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. TLN
Radisson Blu Cebu
To welcome the Christmas season, Radisson Blu Cebu lit up its bright and gigantic Christmas tree decorated with festive balls during its Christmas Tree lighting ceremony entitled “Christmas Classics.” The bright and blue Christmas tree lit up to the voice of the Mandaue City Children and Youth Chorus together with the joyful tune of the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra. CGS