The color blue is associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. History has it that in the medieval times, blue dye or blue paint was more expensive than gold. As such, it’s the color reserved for wealthy people or royal families. Mother Mary is often depicted wearing blue to show her importance. It is also noted that the color blue represents the sky, the waters of creation, and even heaven.
For Park Inn by Radisson Davao, the color blue for Christmas this year that it has adopted is all about embracing the vibe of creating a “Feel Good Christmas.” Park Inn by Radisson Davao had its Christmas Tree Lighting on November 15, 2019, as it normally does annually. Sadly, the stellar presence of SM Hotels and Convention Corporation President Elizabeth Sy was not felt this time. No Manila showbiz performer attended as well to entertain the guests who came to enjoy the start of the Christmas holiday festivities at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.
The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony was attended by no less distinguished guests from the City Government of Davao, government agencies, the local media representatives, the Hotel’s corporate clients, and associates of the SM Group. With the ever gorgeous Joey Sy-Domingo hosting the event, the night started with Christmas carols so well rendered by the UP Mindanao Koro Kantahanay, the official university choir of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao. The choir was founded in 2001 by the current artistic director of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Joey Vargas. Well, I didn’t mind not having an entertainer from Manila that night. The Koro Kantahanay was truly a pleasant surprise for me having heard the choir sing for the first time. These bright, young singers are passionate about promoting choral singing as an avenue for exploring culture, heritage, and nationalism. They sing for the people of Mindanao.
“We are a month away from the happiest time of the year in the Philippines—Christmas. It’s the time of the year when we look forward to happy reunions and family bonding that the season begets. This year, Park Inn by Radisson Davao celebrates a ‘Feel Good Christmas.’ We want you to feel at home and feel good being with your family, friends and the other important persons in your life. We hope you find a home right here in Park Inn by Radisson Davao all throughout the holiday season,” was Park Inn’s GM Em Mauhay-Rosales’ message. The Department of Tourism Regional Director (XI) Tanya Rabat-Tan also welcomed everybody to the happy event; and invited the guests to join as well in the City’s various Christmas festivities for this merry month of December.
A truly touching part of the merry event was the presence of active children from the SOS Children’s Village-Davao who came accompanied by the village director Lenilo N. Rivera. “SOS Children’s Village-Davao is a place for orphaned, abandoned, and neglected children. In SOS, these children could truly find a home and a family to care for them and look after their needs and welfare. Best of all, in the SOS Children’s Village, these children are provided unconditional love and support for them to take their place in society as productive members later on in life,” informed Joey Sy-Domingo.
Naturally, the most awaited part of the evening was the lighting of Park Inn’s beautifully decorated blue-and-white Christmas tree with GM Emelyn Mauhay-Rosales, RD Tanya Rabat-Tan, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation’s VP for Quality & Sustainability Chef Leah Magallanes turning on the switch.
Oh, you should have seen the happiness reflected on the faces of the SOS children when the lights on the Christmas tree were turned on.
The guests were then ushered into the well-decorated interior of the RBG where they feasted on what seemed like a delightful Christmas feast prepared the Pinoy way. The opening of the Hotel’s Christmas Store was done that evening as well. The Christmas Store will be offering such Merry Christmas Treats that are ideal gifts to give to people special to you.
“At Park Inn by Radisson Davao, you and your loved ones will surely find a home throughout the holiday season of loving and giving,” so said GM Em Mauhay-Rosales in closing while I had to rush to join the selfie queen Cherry Faye B. Al-ag for a photo shoot.
Merry Christmas, Park Inn by Radisson Davao. Thank you, Marketing & Comm. Manager Lish Babela and Thea Puyod Ledesma, for the pictures.
