Xmas tree lighting, gift-giving mark start of Robinsons Manila’s holiday celebration

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A 40-foot giant Christmas tree with a ‘Winter in the West’ theme is this year’s holiday centerpiece at Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita. Photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.

Christmas songs, glittering decors, and sparkling lights filled Robinsons Manila in Ermita as it began its festive activities for the Christmas season.

On Friday evening (November 3), the mall held its yearly tradition of lighting its 40-foot Christmas tree to signal its “Sparkling Holidays” celebration.

Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) vice president for lease Ditas Taleon noted, “Robinsons Place Manila is celebrating a ‘Winter in the West’ themed Christmas. Look at how the atrium transformed into a snow-filled realm starting with the towering Christmas tree.”

The larger-than-life Christmas tree has lighted windows that delightfully change to festive colors. Big snowflakes, glittery Christmas balls, and elaborate embellishments in champagne gold and silver adorn the holiday tree.

Making it even more Insta-worthy are other adornments including large and colorful gift boxes, lighted lampposts, snow-covered pine trees, and a snow man. On the other hand, hanging at the atrium’s ceilings are large holiday decors in joyful colors of magenta, white, and silver

The 40-foot Christmas tree at Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita. Photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.

As Christmas is also the season of giving, about 70 children from the Philippine General Hospital’s cancer ward were the beneficiaries of special gifts through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of Robinsons Malls: The Gift of Change.

To make their visit to the mall even more memorable, the kids also enjoyed a storytelling session, an art-making session, and a merienda treat to energize them after a fun-filled day.

Children from the Philippine General Hospital’s cancer ward enjoy a day of fun activities at Robinsons Place Manila on Friday, November 3, 2017. Photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.

In the evening, Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Manila Vice Mayor Maria Shiela “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan led the tree-lighting ceremony along with RLC officers.

The Voice Kids finalist Noel Comia Jr., The Voice Kids Season 1 grand champion Lyka Gairanod, and actor Matteo Guidicelli sang to give even more cheer to the kids and mall goers.

On Friday, November 3 at Robinsons Place Manila’s Christmas lighting event, leading the ceremony are (from left) actor Matteo Guidicelli; Irving Wu, Robinsons Malls operations director for Luzon; Ditas Taleon, RLC vice president for lease; Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Manila Vice Mayor Maria Shiela “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan; and Mark Sta. Ana, regional operations manager for Robinsons Place Manila. Photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.

Robinsons Place Manila is among the first RLC malls to have its Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Watch for the other Robinsons Malls as they launch their holiday celebration as well with delightful themes and various mini-concerts and activities up ahead.

For more information, visit Robinsons Malls’ Facebook page.

The Voice Kids Season 1 grand champion Lyka Gairanod serenades kids from the Philippine General Hospital’s cancer ward during Robinsons Place Manila’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, November 3, 2017. Photo by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.