A Tree of Hope grows at the Marco Polo Plaza

CEBU City, Philippines — The beautifully refreshing sight that greets you as soon as you enter the lobby of the Marco Polo Plaza is a 15-foot Christmas tree topped by a golden star just several inches from the brightly-lit circular ceiling décor. It’s just like many other Christmas trees laden with Christmas balls and predominantly green and red trimmings.

But it’s not just any other Christmas tree, even if it must be familiar to guests since it has been there every Christmas season for the past 10 years, “growing” year after year. Look closely and you will see little white cards attached to the balls. Look closer and there are notes written on the cards.

Before showing Raoul Tidalgo and me to the Presidential Suite at the 23rd floor, the hotel’s charming Sales & Marketing director Lara Constantino-Scarrow told us the story behind the Christmas tree.

“We called it the Tree of Hope,” related Lara, “because it gives hope to many people. Those cards carry the names of donors and their wishes (for good health, etc.). You donate P200 and you attach your card to a ball and hang it on the tree.”

Designed by the hotel staff led by Lara, the Tree of Hope was first installed in 2008 in partnership with the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

The lobby (fire place, center, and wall-to-wall mirror) is all aglow with Christmas spirit. The large painting at the end of the awesome staircase is owned by the late George Ty of Metrobank which owns the Marco Polo Plaza. Similar paintings from Ty’s collection adorn strategic areas of the hotel.

“I takes one day to put up the foundation, another day to decorate it with the balls and other ornaments, another day to install the star and a few more days to do the finishing touches,” said Lara. “The tree is usually lighted on Nov. 17. Mel Tiangco (of the Kapuso Foundation) came here twice to grace the lighting event. The tree stays at the lobby until the Feast of Three Kings but is often extended up to first week of February. The total donation is turned over to the Kapuso Foundation and it’s up to them who to donate the money to. By the way, other Marco Polo hotels join the Tree of Hope effort.”

Thus far, the biggest donation amounted to P253,000 which went to the victims and survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda 2013.    

The Marco Polo Plaza is the eighth addition to the internationally-renowned Hong Kong Hotel Group. Elegantly situated in Nivel Hills, the classic structure grace the city’s skyline, only 45 minutes from the Mactan International Airport and 10 minutes from the city’s business and commercial centers. It has 329 luxurious guestrooms and suites in a classic yet contemporary style with a touch of local culture. Guests enjoy first-rate facilities, exceptional accommodations and exemplary service.

If you happen to be there before first week of February, check out the Tree of Hope and be generous enough to donate P200. It won’t hurt, and it will go a long way in giving hope to people in need.

A ‘quickie’ visit to the Temple of Leah

The Temple of Leah covers more than 5,000 square-meter lot in Barangay Busay on top of a mountain overlooking Cebu City.

After donating P200 each, Raoul and I took a “quickie” trip to the Temple of Leah, the newest tourist attraction in Cebu. Owned by the family of Ellen Adarna (John Lloyd Cruz’s wife), the Temple is located in a 5,000-plus square-meter area on top of a mountain in Barangay Busay, overlooking the city and surrounding places, so breathtaking a panoramic view especially as the sun sets.

The Temple was crawling with tourists, both local and foreign, that drizzly afternoon (reminder: bring an umbrella when you go there). It has also become a favorite set of shoots (the GMA rom-com soap Inday Will Always Love You was shot there and so was the pre-nup pictorial of Ai-Ai delas Alas and Gerald Sibayan). Several showbiz people have been there.

Here’s the story behind the Temple (said to be the Philippine counterpart of India’s Taj Mahal):

I built this temple in 2012 A.D. as a symbol of undying love for and ceaseless devotion to LEAH ALBINO ADARNA, my wife for 53 years.

In honour of her lifetime passion, Leah’s collection of antiques, books, special objects and memorabilia amassed from our foreign trips, are enshrined and well-preserved inside the 24 chambers of this temple.

The bronze statue of Leah Albino-Adarna that welcomes guests and tourists at the entrance of the chambers.

To erect this grand edifice, I cut the top of a mountain where it now gracefully rises.

The classic and striking architectural design of this temple took its inspiration from a world heritage site, the Parthenon of Greece – an important monument dedicated to the patron-goddess Athena and admired for more than 2,500 years.

Using advanced construction technology, this temple is built to withstand the test of time and is hoped to retain its grandeur and beauty in the next 3,000 years.

Teodorico S. Adarna Jr.

And here’s the tribute to the lady immortalized on a statue that welcomes tourists at the entrance to the chambers:

BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER

LEAH V. ALBINO-ADARNA was chosen Matron Queen of her Alma Mater, the University of Southern Philippines. This nine-foot bronze statue portrays her composure and regal bearing when she was crowned. May the beholder discern her innate beauty, poise and genteelness.

Teodorico Soriano Adarna

Born December 13, 1938

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