BRIEFS: The Manila Hotel’s tree lighting ceremony

The Manila Hotel officially marked the start of the Christmas Season with its annual Christmas tree lighting tradition with no less than the City of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso as its guest of honor in the ceremony held at the hotel’s grand lobby.

Two beauty queens, namely Miss Earth Philippines 2019 Janelle Tee and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Miss Asia Pacific 2019 Klyza Castro, together with Manila Hotel chairman Basilio Yap and president Joey Lina, assisted the mayor in lighting the Christmas tree.

The event was more special by Manila Hotel’s long-standing commitment to support the House of Refuge, a shelter that provides basic needs to abandoned, orphaned, and maltreated young children and teens. Every year, the hotel fulfills its pledge by turning over its donation in a simple ceremony kicked off by the traditional tree lighting.

During the event, guests were regaled with Christmas carols performed by the Hail Mary The Queen Children’s Choir. A special number was also performed by the children from the House of Refuge, who later received gifts from Santa Claus. The hotel’s mascot, Willy the Bear, also showed up to add more joy to the festivities.

Bonifacio Global City (BGC) held its annual Christmas lighting ceremony — Aglow: A BGC Christmas Fairytale, to officially welcome the holidays last 20 November 2019 at Bonifacio High Street.

BGC unveiled its 55-foot Christmas tree centerpiece, standing tall at 7th Avenue, alongside a sea of twirling fairies awakened through the genuine wish of kids of Fort Bonifacio, beneficiaries of the Christmas Aklat Project led by Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, BGC’s social responsibility arm.

A fireworks display then lit up the evening sky. And as fairy dust rained on the venue, the centerpiece burst into a brilliant blaze of colors, lit in all its splendor. Guests were guided by fairies carrying lanterns to a holiday dinner treat under the stars at the Bonifacio High Street Park which was filled with shining lights creating a truly magical spectacle. Indeed, BGC was aglow.

“BGC always aspires to bring something new for our BGCitizens. This year’s Holiday celebration centers on giving people a magical Christmas that will bring out the kid who once believed in limitless possibilities and happily-ever-afters. This whole celebration aims to spark that joy all over again,” said Myra Ocampo, head of BGC’s Commercial Operations.

SM City Pampanga’s Biggest Lantern of Hope brings light and music to the Christmas Capital of the Philippines with a dazzling spectacle inspired by the province’s iconic giant lanterns.

The Pampanga Eye, the 65 meter (or 213 feet) tall ferris wheel located at the mall’s Skypark, sparkles with 17,664 dancing led lights synced with all-time favorite Christmas carols and festive fireworks. This amazing extravaganza happens in SM City Pampanga on 23 and 30 November and 7 December 2019.