People have not kept
their excitement and mouths from saying something Christmas-related since the
start of the “-ber” months. Aside from carols playing all over the radio and every
household’s flickering lights, when can we really feel the essence of
Christmas?
Warm
smiles, festive mood, and exquisite hospitality – these innate Filipino
characteristics are aggrandized during the holiday season and most especially
at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino during their annual Christmas Tree
Lighting as it welcomed the Christmas season last November 23.
This
event has been a tradition that serves as a transition period from Thanksgiving
Day to the most celebrated holiday, Christmas. Turquoise and lime took over
last year’s traditional red-and-gold color combination. Although there is
nothing wrong with the classic, Mr. Alfred Portenschlager, the General Manager, wanted to
twist some things up a little bit. Of course, Country Classics helped in creating
magic to the hotel.
Traffic
along Mabolo and Salinas Drive may have delayed some of the guests but the
Harmonic Overtone Choir kept the Grand Lobby alive with their soulful
renditions of “Joy to the World”, “Silent Night”, and “Noel” to name a few.
Aside
from the color combo, its earlier schedule compared to last year’s is one noted
difference along with the other hotels that will still be having theirs on the
first week of December.
In strengthening
their corporate social responsibility, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
chose to help one of Cebu’s public hospitals, the Vicente Sotto Memorial
Medical Center (VSMMC) particularly their Psychiatric ward.
Dr. Celia Mabalatan,
VSMMC’s Chief of the Training and Research Division, gratefully received their
early Christmas gift from the company.
“We’re
not saying that it’s [our donation] very lavish, but it’s something that they
will really need,” Ms. Naomi Verdan-Agua, Marketing Communications Head, told the
Freeman as she enumerated new bed sheets, pillows, and pillowcases as some of
the things the ward can buy with the donation. Just because someone is mentally
challenged, that does not mean he has no right to sleep on a clean and comfy
bed. After all, it is a season of sharing and of being jolly.
Mr. Portenschlager
is fond of classical art that is why Balletcenter Cebu was a new offer this
year compared to the past years’ usual choir performances. Actually, they
should have performed during last year’s Tree Lighting event but the lobby
underwent a renovation, taking much space for such a graceful performance to
transpire from those talented dancers who are living up to the ideals of its
founder, Madame Fe Sala Villarica. The dance group rendered two performances,
“The Snow Dance and “The Nutcracker”, both packed with finesse and ended with
the tree fully lighted. The Grand Lobby was bursting with colors and life, but
one just cannot disregard the wintery pavement of the Gourmet Walk.
Due
to last year’s lobby revamp, the hotel was not able to light a tree as grand as
this year’s. Nevertheless, they made a winter wonderland out of the Gourmet Walk,
which they still maintained this year. Lighted trees whose branches seem to
spread out made any passers-by shiver due to the makeshift snow piles along
with snowmen, polar bears, reindeers and Santa Clauses. Now, who would not wish
for snow in the Philippines this Christmas? I know some people would.
The
Gourmet Walk would never be complete without the restaurants that offered
sumptuous cuisines. A dinner followed at the Uno Buffet that took everyone to
different kitchens worldwide. Thanks to Executive Chef Simon Sperling’s
Japanese, Italian, Filipino and other international dishes that satisfied the
gastronomic cravings of the assembly.
Prominent and the
hotel’s loved patrons, Mesdames Elvira Luym, Teresin Mendezona, Mayen Angbetic
Tan, Amparito Lhuillier, Marissa Fernan, Carmen Campbell, and Ambassador
Francisco Benedicto graced the occasion. They have been very loyal and
supportive to all of the hotel’s events even since Sir Marco Protacio’s, the
former General Manager, time.
“We
don’t plan to stop at all. Hopefully, we make it even grander as the years go
by,” Ms. Lara answered when asked if Cebuanos will still be looking forward for
more lighting events. “It will definitely be very festive,” she added.
The lighting event
is only one of the many events in store for Cebuanos this December. Holiday serenades
are in line every Sunday of December until the 24th. Waterfront Cebu
City Hotel and Casino will also be one with you in spirit through the Misa de
Gallo, the Misa de Aguinaldo, and the New Year’s Eve Mass.
In
addition, satisfy your palate with native delicacies like Puto Bumbong,
Palitaw, Bibingka, and more along the Gourmet Walk until January 27, 2013. Also,
enjoy 50% off on freshly baked bread products for the whole month of December
from 7:00 in the evening onwards. Waterfront is not stopping there. They are
offering weekend packages you do not want to miss! They are giving the usual P3638 per night
rate for just P7,000 and that’s for two nights already with breakfast. You
gotta splurge into these offers this Holiday Season. For bookings and inquiries,
give them a call through these numbers: 032 – 232 – 6888, 032 – 232 -6880 or
email them at wcch@waterfronthotels.net
For the published article, click this:
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2012/11/30/877155/christmas-grandeur-waterfront
Grab a copy of the FREEMAN because nobody knows Cebu better than the FREEMAN.
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