CEBU, Philippines - Last November 30, 2013, all roads led to Marco Polo Plaza Cebu for their 8th Christmas tree lighting ceremonies at the hotel's spacious lobby. It was a formal, well-attended affair that started with a choir singing a medley of English and Tagalog Christmas carols on top of the stairs. This was followed with opening prayers led by Monsignor Roberto Alesna, and welcome remarks by the hotel's much-loved and well-known General Manager, Hans Hauri.
Mr. Hauri mentioned that the tree lighting ceremonies should serve as a beacon of hope, especially to remind us of those who were affected by the recent calamities. He presented a check worth PHP 166,000+++ to GMA 7's Managing Director Ann Marie Tan as the hotel's financial assistance to the typhoon victims. In response, one of the GMA 7 Kapuso talents gave a stirring song number.
The highlight of the evening was a stunning ballet presentation from the dancers of the the Cebu Centre for Dance (CCD). Their adaptation depicted the princesses Sophia and Amber asking for help from the Disney princesses to light the star on the Christmas tree. Princesses that came alive onstage were Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Cinderella, and Snow White.
After a half-hour ballet performance, to shouts of bravo, Mr. Hauri and Monsignor Alesna stepped back onstage to turn a gigantic key that switched on the lights to the Christmas Tree of Hope, basking it in gold and silver lighting. Cocktails were served after the event. Hotel personalities seen entertaining the hotel guests, and media and travel partners were Mr. Hauri, Julie Najar (Resident Manager), Lara Constantino (Director of Marketing), and Kyra Cabaero ( PR Manager).
Guest artist from Manila Kris-Belle Paclibar-Mamagun, was Cinderella that evening. She also portrayed Cinderella in CCD's ballet adaptation of James Lapine & Stephen Sondheim's Broadway Musical, Into The Woods last December 7, 2013 at SM Cinema One. – (FREEMAN)