The Philippines is said to have the longest Christmas celebration in the world, with ours beginning as early as September. It’s already November, but I have to be honest that I am not quite feeling the Christmas spirit yet, probably because the weather is still quite warm, and I’ve been preoccupied with a lot of things.
Anyway, the metropolis is starting to sparkle with all the Christmas tree lighting events and holiday launches all over. I’m glad that the hotels actually made an effort to hold their events on different dates, so I’ll probably be able to attend a lot more Christmas events this year that will hopefully uplift the Christmas feeling within me.
Allow me to share with you the Christmas Trees that matter to me, as a way of saying thank you to the hotels and establishments that reached out to invite me to their ceremonies <3
November 4 – Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
While Mövenpick technically did not have a formal tree lighting, they were the first to welcome the season with a thanksgiving dinner for the media featuring a special menu by French Executive Chef Christian Booby.
They also launched their Christmas Charity Drive in cooperation with blogger Jean Yu. Proceeds of the limited edition shirts designed by her will go to the Cordova Alternative Resource for Education (CARE) Center, specifically benefitting educational needs of children. The shirts can be bought at the hotel lobby until December 25.
November 7 – Montebello Villa Hotel
Cebu’s only garden hotel, Montebello Villa Hotel unveiled their elegant Filipino themed Christmas Tree. Present during the event were stockholders led by Head of Sales and Marketing and OIC Hotel Manager “Concon” Kintanar.
Montebello Villa Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
Montebello Villa Hotel Christmas Tree 2019
November 9 – Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu
Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu’s Christmas Tree is always grand and blue.
Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu Christmas Tree 2019 
Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu Christmas Tree 2019
November 12 – Cebu Parklane International Hotel
What makes Parklane special among others is that they’ve taken the eco-friendly route by using recycled materials on their Christmas Trees. From water bottles, water gallons, hotel slippers, tissue boxes, and recycled tin cans, this year’s tree makes use of old newspapers!
For Parklane, behind the tree’s shimmer and glitter is a purpose and reminder for us to nurture, sustain and preserve our environment. Truly Glorious!
They’ve also partnered with Cancer Warriors Foundation. Buy a gift at the Parklane lobby and be a gift to others this season.
Cebu Parklane Christmas Tree 2019 
Cebu Parklane Christmas 2019
Most of all, Parklane brought us back to the true essence of the season, the birth of Jesus.
November 13 – Quest Hotel and Conference Center
For a long time, bells have traditionally been associated with the celebration of Christmas. With this, Cebu’s cool, clean, and comfy hotel, Quest Hotel has ushered in the most beautiful time of the year by ringing Christmas bells.
They are also bringing back their Wishing Tree!
Quest Hotel Wishing Tree 2019 
(L-R) Director of Sales & Marketing Herley Broutin, Area Director of PR Mia Sy, Executive Chef Danilo Gonzales, Chief Engineer Julius Quirante, Financial Controller Angel Gomez 
Hansel and Gretel’s Gingerbread House
With a minimum purchase of P1,000 from Hansel & Gretel’s Gingerbread House including toys from Seed Studio at the lobby, you get a card where you can write your wish and hang it on the tree.
The initiative is for the benefit of PADS (Philippine Accessible Disability Services, Inc.).
November 14 – Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan
As a green resort, Crimson Mactan used upcycled materials for its tree, topped with a starfish.
The event featured performances by the Canjulao Elementary School Ukulele ensemble and UP Serenata.
November 15 – Robinsons Galleria Cebu
Robinsons Galleria Cebu formally unveiled their Christmas centrepiece featuring a cute and classic Christmas Tree, a Christmas House (perfect for photo ops) and a vintage pickup at the activity center.
This season, Robinsons Galleria Cebu is also sharing the #RLove with Rise Above Foundation.
November 15 – Summit Galleria Cebu
Summit Galleria Cebu officially welcome the festive season with their Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event started with a prayer for the late JGJ. The unique tree is adorned with “puso” (hanging) rice decorations. You too could hang your own “puso” ornaments by simply donating to the hotel’s partner organization, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The hotel is also promoting its Christmas Book Drive to continue the legacy of John Gokongwei, Jr.
Summit Galleria Cebu Christmas Tree 2019 
Summit Galleria Cebu Christmas Tree 2019
Be a gift to others this holiday season.
November 15 – Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights Christmas Light Show
Ayala Center Cebu‘s Festival of Lights has awakened. Catch the spectacle every 30 minutes starting 6PM til mall closes daily.
Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights 2019 
Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights 2019 
Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights 2019 
Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights 2019 
Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights 2019 
Ayala Center Cebu Festival of Lights 2019
November 16 – Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s Christmas Tree of Hope is a classic. Decorated in red, gold and green, the Christmas tree takes us around the world with dolls dressed in various national costumes.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Christmas Tree 2019 
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Christmas Tree 2019
Until January 6, 2020, Donate to the Tree of Hope for only P200 per Christmas Ball. Along with it, you can write your wish on a card and hang it on the tree, and at the same time help in giving underprivileged children a chance at education through the hotel’s partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation.
November 18 – Seda Hotel Ayala Center Cebu
Seda Ayala Center Cebu Christmas Tree 2019 
Seda Ayala Center Cebu Christmas Tree 2019
Seda Ayala Center Cebu formally welcomes the Christmas season as it lit its Christmas Tree. The simply elegant tree, decorated by native materials reflects Seda’s unique brand of Filipino hospitality.
Seda Hotels Ayala Center Cebu HR Director, Bobot Codoy, GM Gwen dela Cruz, DOSM Frances Alfafara, Assistant Financial Controller Jaynard Solante led the Tree Lighting Ceremony 
Seda ACC Management 
Jun Grimares – Program Manager of Smile Train
And while the tree itself might bring a smile to your face, you too can share the gift of smiles as the hotel has partnered with Smile Train, which provides free cleft surgery for children in need. To help, just buy a Christmas decoration beside the Christmas tree and proceeds will go to the global non-profit organization.
November 19 – JPark Island Resort and Waterpark
Jpark Mactan Christmas Tree 2019 
Jpark Mactan Christmas Tree 2019
JPark is always synonymous with “Grand”, and fresh from their recent 10th Anniversary celebration, they formally unveiled their Christmas Tree and giant Christmas Wreath, which when viewed from a distance would read as “10”. Glorious!
The ceremonial lighting was led by Chinese Consul General to Cebu Jia Li, Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Cindi Chan, JPark Island Resorts and Waterparks Chairman Justin Uy, Lapu-Lapu City Congresswoman Paz Radaza and JPark General Manager Jonathan Nowell.
The ceremonial lighting was led by Chinese Consul General to Cebu Jia Li, Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Cindi Chan, JPark Island Resorts and Waterparks Chairman Justin Uy, Lapu-Lapu City Congresswoman Paz Radaza and JPark General Manager Jonathan Nowell. 
The ceremonial lighting was led by Chinese Consul General to Cebu Jia Li, Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Cindi Chan, JPark Island Resorts and Waterparks Chairman Justin Uy, Lapu-Lapu City Congresswoman Paz Radaza and JPark General Manager Jonathan Nowell. 
Jpark Chairman Justin Uy 
Jpark General Manager Jonathan Nowell 
Lapu-Lapu City Homecare Center 
Angelicus Children’s Choir 
The Amigos 
Fidelis Choir
Hosted by DJ Jacky G, the event featured performances by Angelicus Children’s Choir, Fidelis Choir, Jpark’s own talents “The Amigos”, and Lapu-Lapu City Homecare Center, the resort’s CSR partner through the years.
November 21 – Bai Hotel
To glisten means to shine, sparkle and glitter and Bai Hotel was all of that when they formally unveiled their Christmas Tree.
Bai Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
Bai Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
Bai Hotel Christmas Tree 2019
The Tree Lighting Ceremony was led by Bai Hotel VP for Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes, President Angelli Lua-Domingo Founder/Chairman Danilo Lua, together with Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
Hosted by Paulo Varela and Mia Ali, the event also featured performances by The Singing Ambassadors. The second anniversary celebration followed at the Ballroom.
Bai Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
The Singing Ambassadors
In this season of giving, Bai Hotel Cebu visited Kythe Foundation to give gifts and joy to the kids. Kythe Foundation is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illnesses.
November 22 – Mactan-Cebu Airport
At the very place that family and friends will reunite for Christmas, the Arrival hall at the Airport Village, Mactan-Cebu Airport held its bell-ringing ceremony to formally welcome the season.
Mactan Cebu Airport Christmas Tree 2019 
Mactan Cebu Airport Christmas Tree 2019
The tree lighting was led by Lapu-Lapu City tourism officer Ed Mendez, MCIAA Public Affairs Manager Mary Ann Dimabayao, Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Cindi Chan, Lapu-Lapu City mayor Junard Chan, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) Chief Operations Adviser Michael Lenane, and GMCAC Deputy Chief Commercial Officer Cristina Angan.
The tree lighting was led by Lapu-Lapu City tourism officer Ed Mendez, MCIAA Public Affairs Manager Mary Ann Dimabayao, Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Cindi Chan, Lapu-Lapu City mayor Junard Chan, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) Chief Operations Adviser Michael Lenane, and GMCAC Deputy Chief Commercial Officer Cristina Angan. 
Key airport officials together with their sponsors, also awarded the winner of their Mercedes Benz Raffle, Vanessa Ayalde, a native of Biliran.
Key airport officials together with their sponsors, also awarded the winner of their Mercedes Benz Raffle, Vanessa Ayalde, a native of Biliran. At the same time, they launched a new raffle promo with a Harley Davidson at stake.
Mactan-Cebu Airport launched a new raffle promo with a Harley Davidson at stake 
Sisters of Mary Boys Town handbell choir ringers 
Knapsack Dancers
Hosted by Camille Alburo, the event featured performances by Sisters of Mary Boys Town handbell choir ringers and the Knapsack Dancers.
November 23 – Bluewater Maribago
There is nothing quite like a Filipino Christmas and Bluewater Maribago has officially welcomed the Christmas season with their annual Parol-lighting ceremony. It was led by Assistant General Manager Domiku Ugarte and his wife Evangeline Hayco-Ugarte together with Lapu-Lapu City Congresswoman Paz Radaza, and First Lady Cindi Chan.
The Tree Lighting was led by Assistant General Manager Domiku Ugarte and his wife Evangeline Hayco-Ugarte together with Lapu-Lapu City Congresswoman Paz Radaza, and First Lady Cindi Chan 
Bluewater Maribago Christmas Tree 2019
The green hotel also awarded the winners of their internal parol-making contest. They are:
3rd Place: POMEC Department
2nd Place: Housekeeping Department
1st Place: Purchasing Department
Executive Chef Stephen Del-Amen and the whole culinary team of Bluewater briefly shared what they have in store for their guests this season.
The green hotel also awarded the winners of their internal parol-making contest. They are: 3rd Place: POMEC Department 2nd Place: Housekeeping Department 1st Place: Purchasing Department 
Executive Chef Stephen Del-Amen and the whole culinary team of Bluewater briefly shared what they have in store for their guests this season. 
Led by Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Cindi Chan, Councilor Quennie Ammann, Congresswoman Paz Radaza and Bluewater Maribago Assistant GM Domiku Ugarte, the Balay Pasko is perfect for gifts and pasalubong for the holidays.
Parols of different shapes and sizes now brighten up the entirety of the truly Filipino resort. This was immediately followed by the unveiling of “Balay Pasko”, the resort’s version of a gingerbread house where sweet treats and delicacies can be bought. Perfect gifts and pasalubong for the holidays.
Marigondon National High School Campus Ministry Chorale 
Jerika Teodorico
The event was further energized with performances by the Marigondon National High School Campus Ministry Chorale, and Bisaya pop artists Jerika Teodorico and Von Saw.
November 25 – Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa
This side of Mactan Island has brightened up with the Christmas Tree Lighting of Shangrila’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
Shangri-La Mactan Christmas Tree 2019 
Shangri-La Mactan Christmas Tree 2019
Lee by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and freshly-appointed General Manager Christian Nannucci, the cluster of Christmas trees features blue, silver and gold adornments.
GM Christian Nannucci 
Led by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and freshly-appointed General Manager Christian Nannucci, the cluster of Christmas trees features blue, silver and gold adornments. They are joined by their First Ladies.
The event featured performances by world-class Cebuano seamstress and songstress Kate Torralba, Marc Mercado, John Walt, Axel Bordario and Children’s Haven Orphanage of Cordova which is the hotel’s beneficiary for this season’s festivities.
World-class Cebuana Kate Torralba 
Head on over to the Embrace Wall at the lobby, buy any handcrafted decoration with a minimum donation of P300, and hang it to the Christmas trees along with your greetings and wishes. 
Children’s Haven Orphanage of Cordova
Head on over to the Embrace Wall at the lobby, buy any handcrafted decoration with a minimum donation of P300, and hang it to the Christmas trees along with your greetings and wishes.
November 26 – Maayo Hotel
Maayo Hotel, Mandaue City’s only 4-star Wellness Hotel celebrated its 2nd anniversary and unveiled their Christmas Tree.
Maayo Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
Maayo Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
Maayo Hotel Christmas Tree 2019 
Glorious Chairs by Being Miss East
The Tree Lighting Ceremony was led by Mandaue City Treasurer Atty Regal Oliva, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, Maayo Hotels General Manager Karen Mendoza, SVP for Human Resources of Primary Group of Builders Paulette Liu, and CEO of Primary Group of Builders William Christopher Liu, Jr.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony was led by Mandaue City Treasurer Atty Regal Oliva, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, Maayo Hotels General Manager Karen Mendoza, SVP for Human Resources of Primary Group of Builders Paulette Liu, and CEO of Primary Group of Builders William Christopher Liu, Jr. 
The Chocolate Queen (2nd from left) Raquel T. Choa together with Maayo Hotels, SVP for Human Resources of Primary Group of Builders Paulette Liu, CEO of Primary Group of Builders William Christopher Liu, Jr., and Maayo Hotels General Manager Karen Mendoza
True to Maayo Hotels’ endeavor and support for locally sourced products in Cebu, the Christmas Tree features capiz lamps, woven baskets, and monstera leaves. Uniquely sophisticated!
The Basics 
The Playful Mix
Hosted by Maria Gigante, the event was pumped up with performances by The Basics, The Playful Mix, Axel Bordario and John Walt.
This is a developing story.