Daily TribuneExcitement swelled as the lights dimmed for the countdown. When the tree finally lit up with soft, festive brilliance, the lobby transformed into a glowing cityscape of celebration.
THE Mandaluyong City Choir serenades guests with Christmas classics.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY KIM OJEDA FOR DAILY TRIBUNE
A CLASSIC Filipino Christmas favorite, the ham, a holiday ham topped with cherries.
The festive spirit came alive in the heart of Entertainment City as Citadines Bay City Manila welcomed the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting. This year’s celebration, themed “Pasko sa Siyudad,” brought together lights, music and joyful moments that captured the magic of the holidays in the city.
The hotel lobby shimmered with the warmth of a classic Filipino Christmas. Guests arrived in elegant hues of white, blue, silver and gold, gathering around the evening’s focal point: an exquisitely adorned tree illuminated by radiant parols, lush florals and vibrant accents — echoing the joy and color that define Filipino holiday traditions.
Excitement swelled as the lights dimmed for the countdown. When the tree finally lit up with soft, festive brilliance, the lobby transformed into a glowing cityscape of celebration.
Amplifying the holiday spirit, the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir filled the space with timeless Christmas melodies. Their bright, youthful harmonies stirred nostalgia, bringing back memories of holidays spent in laughter, warmth, and tradition.
Guests were then treated to an abundant holiday spread featuring beloved Filipino Christmas delicacies. A glazed ham crowned with cherries took center stage at the carving station, complemented by assorted sushi rolls, creamy macaroni salad, bite-sized appetizers, and beautifully plated hors d’oeuvres.
The evening flowed with laughter and anticipation as a raffle brought moments of surprise and delight. Guests cheered with every name called, celebrating small wins and the joy of the season together.
Throughout the celebration, moments of connection naturally unfolded — friends and partners posing beside the tree, savoring festive dishes, and exchanging stories over holiday treats.
More than a tree-lighting ceremony, “Pasko sa Siyudad” at Citadines Bay City Manila became a heartfelt gathering that brought together its community to welcome the season of joy, warmth, and togetherness.
