Filipino Christmas lights up Manila Hotel

Filipinos are known for celebrating any occasion with warmth and grandeur. Overseas workers are famous for food-filled potlucks, while town fiestas back home feature karaoke showcases, marching bands, colorful decorations, processions and carnival games with bright little chicks as prizes. 

This nostalgic sense of community and festivity is what the Manila Hotel aims to recreate in its 2025 Christmas display, launched through its tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, 5 November.

The event was attended by Manila Hotel chairman Basilio Yap, president and CEO Atty. Jose D. Lina Jr., director and executive vice president Enrique Yap Jr., Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, former Executive Secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea and officials from the Department of Tourism. 

Guests enjoyed classic Filipino merienda (snacks) such as balut, fried chicken, sago’t gulaman, kutsinta and sorbetes. The program opened with a dance performance by the Children of the House of Refuge Manila, followed by Christmas carols performed by the Malacañang Chorale.

Manila Hotel director and executive vice president Enrique Yap Jr. expressed his gratitude to the guests and staff, calling them the source of pride for the five-star hotel in the nation’s capital. “From your childhood memories of visiting the lobby, to Noche Buena, reunions and celebrations spanning generations, we celebrate resilience, the Filipino spirit of always finding the reason to smile, to share, and to give no matter the challenges, and we celebrate togetherness,” Yap said.

The hotel’s social director and design consultant Rachy Cuna, the creative mind behind Pasko sa Nayon (Christmas in the Village), explained the concept. “Pasko sa Nayon, that’s why everything is about fiestas. The Higante Festival, the materials that we used, if you’re familiar with Cebu, the ones used to wrap rice, those are puso weaves. That’s the main element we focused on,” he said.

 The theme extends throughout the hotel, from the façade and grand lobby to the function halls and guest rooms, showcasing locally sourced textiles, traditional weaving techniques, and Filipiniana-inspired décor to bring the warmth and charm of a traditional Filipino Christmas to life.

In the spirit of giving, the hotel renewed its annual support for the House of Refuge, continuing its mission to share hope and kindness with children in need. 

Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing, said, “May our tree lighting ceremony remind us of what makes Christmas in the Philippines truly special, the comfort of Filipino food, the strength of community, and the joy of gathering with loved ones. It is a time to celebrate not only our traditions but also the meaningful connections that bring light to our lives.” 

Guests are invited to embrace the season and experience the warmth of home and heritage through Manila Hotel’s festive displays and offerings inspired by Filipino Christmas traditions.