Yuletide fete
CEBU, Philippines - Waterfront Cebu City Hotel veers from the quintessential Christmas tree.
Says general manager Alfred Portenschlager, they've given a new dimension, this time, to one of the symbols of Christmas. Aside from the shimmering modern materials that play up effects of light, the Waterfront Christmas tree allows guests to not just walk around it but also go underneath.
Other than the ubiquitous jingling bells and rubicund balls associated with the season, the Christmas tree at the Grand Lobby stimulates reflection on our humanity by skillfully using a swarm of butterflies as a metaphor for life and renewal. "This is because the spirit of Christmas is one with reflection. I call this the Tree of Life," he added.
Times may be difficult with the series of disasters that has disrupted the normal flow of life in many parts of the country. But hope springs eternal. The rabble of butterflies reminds us well of the cycle of life, our vulnerability, and our spirituality.
"We want to bring in a new dimension to the Christmas tree. The inspiration is to do something different from last year's. I'm not saying that it's never done in the world, but it's not tried here yet. I call it the inverted Christmas tree; instead of decorating it from the outside, you decorate it from the inside. The experience is always there, it's the presentation that we've changed," Portenschlager explained.
The Christmas tree lighting was set last November 15 featuring the performances of The Scarlet String Quartet under the huge tree. — (FREEMAN)
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