SM malls light up giant Christmas trees

CEBU, Philippines - The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony of the different SM malls in Cebu officially ushered in the Christmas season.

To kick off the celebration, SM City Consolacion lighted up its Castle of Magic-inspired Christmas Tree at the mall’s atrium last November 6. With marching toy soldiers and ballerinas, the giant 15- foot Christmas Tree that dominates the atrium lit with colorful colors.

SM Seaside City Cebu also launched the Yuletide season with the lighting of the 60-foot carousel-themed Christmas Tree on November 9 at the Mountain Wing Atrium. Cebu’s very own SM Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Cebu Dance Troupe, and Cebu Normal University’s Children’s Choir delighted the audience with their spectacular performances.

“When it comes to Christmas, no one does it better than the Filipinos. We are known to celebrate the longest Yuletide season in the world. And we’ve started the festive countdown in our malls 100 days before Christmas to ensure that we capture the spirit of the holiday”, said Marylou Neri, regional operations manager of SM Seaside City Cebu.

The 3-storey wonder is enclosed in a dazzling carousel measuring 24 ft. in diameter and 20 ft. in height with exquisite elements such as horses, reindeers, and rabbits in a pearl white finish, sparkling Christmas balls, and luminescent snowflake lanterns. Giant snowflakes dangling from the ceiling also adorn the Mountain Wing Atrium, and the Cube Wing Atrium.

In SM City Cebu, the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas Tree, and unveiling of the grand Christmas Village of Hope at the Northwing Atrium happened on November 11. Hans Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. led the lighting of the Christmas Tree, and was joined by Marissa Fernan, vice president of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Clayton and Joji Tugonon who own the miniature items in the Christmas Village, and Kythe Foundation president Atty. Arnel Jose Bañas during the unveiling of the Christmas Village of Hope.

This year's Christmas Village of Hope is more attractive and interesting as Clayton and Joji Tugonon have added miniatures of the different churches of the world to their collection of  miniature houses, buildings, and trains, among others. (FREEMAN)