The majestic Christmas tree at Glorietta Park

A Christmas tree symbolizes life in winter, light in darkness, and hope for the coming spring — exactly what the birth of the Infant Jesus is all about. And despite the hard times and recent calamities, many of the establishments around the metro have not only lighted their Christmas trees but brought to life what it symbolizes. After all, Christmas is all about giving and sharing.

Hope Shines at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel

A hundred orphans from the White Cross orphanage center in San Juan City donned Santa Claus outfits as they were the ‘special guests’ at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel held recently.

Some got emotional seeing children, aged two to six, receive early Christmas treats from the employees of the hotel.

Shangri-La Human Resources Director Wilma Estaura shared: “Extending a helping hand to these abandoned children is something that you can’t buy.  What matters is the happiness that you feel every time you see them happy.  And this is what the Yuletide season is all about.”

Christmas carols filled the air as the little ones came walking down the stairs of the hotel escorted by their guardians. 

When the giant Christmas tree was switched on, everybody clapped their hands in jubilation, especially the children who were amazed by the beauty and splendor of the giant Christmas tree. 

“First time po silang makakita ng parol sa itaas ng Christmas tree kaya tuwang tuwa po sila,” shared White Cross teacher Millet Pernes. 

Asked what it means to her, Pernes said, “Sinasabi lang po na may liwanag pa rin ang buhay ng mga bata kahit na anong pagsubok ang mapunta sa kanila.  Sa gitna ng krisis, bakas pa rin sa kanilang mukha ang pag-asa para sa magandang bukas,” she said.

Christmas indeed came early for these children as they ate their food, licked their candies, and tinkered with their new toys.

“Thank you po sa gift,” five-year-old Princess Banderlipe said, her eyes beaming with confidence and hope for the future as she shared her dream of becoming a doctor someday.

When asked about his ambition in life, nine-year-old Jemark Megalang simply said, “Gusto pong maging driver,” adding with a very sincere tone, “Kasi po malamig doon sa kotse.” Perhaps, Jemark has been suffering long enough, and he just wanted a little comfort this time.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Makati Shangri-La Hotel is turning green this holiday as it launched its campaign on environmental preservation and protection in line with the holiday celebration.

Dubbed “Dreaming of a Green Christmas,” the hotel captures the essence of the tree as a symbol to remind people of the urgent need to protect and preserve the environment through reforestation.

The Christmas tree planting campaign aims to address the rampant destruction of the forest covers of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges which is threatening the raw water supply of thousands of hectares of land in the country.

“Tree planting is a long-term initiative. Trees take a long time to grow but when they take roots, they will stay forever and do beneficial things in the years to come,” shares Makati Shangri-La Hotel area manager/general manager Reto Klauser who adds that they plan to plant trees where there is water connectivity, particularly around the three major dams.

Guests can buy the seedlings for P100 and pledge them in the name of their loved ones and friends as alternative gifts. The pledged seedlings will be planted by the hotel’s volunteer employees at the Ipo Dam in January. Last year, they did the tree planting at the Angat Dam.

The narra, tibig, kupang, aklingparang, hawili, binayuyo, and alibangbang seedlings were sourced from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources seedling banks.

A Gift of Change

Robinsons Malls knows that there’s nothing more enlivening than seeing the eyes of children light up as they watch merry spectacles, or their smiles as they open their gifts under the tree. Indeed, Christmas is always best seen through the eyes of children.

Aside from the Dora the Explorer spectacle that they will hold in various Robinsons malls, Robinsons launched the Gift of Change coin bank which aims to help the Jaime Cardinal Sin (JCS) Village.  During the past years, Robinsons has been helping the village set up community-run businesses through baking lessons as well as in putting up the JCS Learning Center.

The coin banks will be placed in various stores and tenants in seven Robinsons Malls in Metro Manila. Shoppers can drop their loose change in support of the project.  To date, the donations have already reached P100,000 which all come from the shoppers, tenants, employees, and corporate sponsors.

The donations will help make Punta, Sta. Ana parish priest Fr. Mark C. Munda’s wish list for the children of JCS Village come true. The wish list includes lessons on library management, science laboratory materials and equipment, audio-visual learning equipment and materials, school and office supplies for the high school students, and general health clinic supplies for the children.

Sparkling Anew

Araneta Center brought to life a dazzling display of lights and sounds during their Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Gateway parking lot recently.

Since 1981, the Araneta Christmas Tree, inspired by the Rockefeller Center’s giant Christmas tree in New York, has been one of the most anticipated Christmas events in the city.

Almost a hundred-feet-tall in height with more than 10,000 lights and accentuated with hundreds of glittering stars and balls, the Giant Christmas tree was a sight to behold with huge ribbons and colorful gift boxes.

Top local government officials led by Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach, and ABS-CBN stars graced the occasion.

The tree lighting celebration became meaningful through the symbolic turn-over of the Disney on Ice “Disneyland Adventure” charity show ticket by Feld Entertainment representative Zach Ellard to Araneta Center COO Rene dela Cruz. The charity show aims to help typhoon victims.

Love is all Around

Ayala Malls believes that this year’s Yuletide celebration should be centered on going beyond our personal needs and thinking about what others need.

“Despite the depressing outlook we have on the calamities, they brought out the good qualities in us like the generous spirit and sincere intentions of giving and helping out. This holiday season is all about giving more than receiving,” said Ayala Malls Group VP/COO Rowena Manhit-Tomeldan.

The Ayala Malls recently launched its annual Christmas shopping bag promotion. For a P500 worth of shopping receipt in any Ayala Mall with P5 donation, a customer will get a Christmas edition shopping bag. They also introduced the Santa’s Factory where children and parents can create their own personalized gifts. For every kit worth P100, a portion will go to charity.

Last November 25, Ayala Malls held the Greenbelt 4 Holiday Collection Preview which showcased masterpieces from artists Arturo Luz, Wig Tysman, and Joe Mendoza as well as designers/merchants Ana Rocha, Amina Aranaz, Arnel Papa, Myth, Firma, and AC+632. These items were auctioned off last November 28, followed by a Christmas concert featuring Piolo Pascual.

All proceeds of these various activities will go to the rehabilitation and reformation projects of Children’s Hour and Habitat for Humanity’s Bahay ni Juan sa Caluan. The funds will help relocate informal settlers and build houses for them to decongest the Pasig River area.

Yuletide Splendor

A London-inspired Christmas enlivens the heart of Filipinos this year with the Towers of Yuletide Splendor at the Heritage Hotel Manila.

The Christmas theme at the hotel’s lobby retells the timeless and enchanting tales of the World Heritage site of London. The magical walk-through Towers of London is replete with a sandstone fortress and medieval courtyard.

Hear the angelic voices of the children’s choir at the majestic lobby from December 16 to 23 at 7 p.m. Executive chef Alvin enhances the Yuletide indulgence with a special lunch or dinner buffet at Riviera Café from November 15 to December 31.

On December 13, the hotel will hold a Christmas Children’s Party. Kids will further experience the joy of Christmas as a guest celebrity storyteller takes them into a Yuletide journey while they sample scrumptious international flavors seasoned with holiday spices. Children will have a heyday as they participate in fun games and activities and get loads of goodies.