Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) ushered in the festive Yuletide season with a dazzling Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel lobby. Graced by officials of the two hotels’ owning company, JG Summit Holdings, Inc. and the hotels’ executives, the event with the theme “Bring Love, Give Love” highlighted a donation to the same beneficiary from the previous year, Children’s Joy Foundation, coming from proceeds of the charity fashion show and auction that followed.
The tree lighting ceremony was led by JG Summit Holdings, Inc. and Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria executives Lance Gokongwei, President & CEO of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; James Go, Chairman of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; Robina
Gokongwei-Pe, President and CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.; Nic Lim, Senior Vice President, JG Summit Holdings, Inc. and Corporate Resources Group; Arthur Gindap, Owners’ Representative for Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria; Atty. Elaine Araneta, Corporate Secretary of Robinsons Land Corporation; Jean Yap, Vice President, Business Center Head, and Cluster Head of Robinsons Bank; Gaurav Rai, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria with Franck Merot, Executive Assistant Manager; Sachin Chauhan, Director of Sales and Marketing; and Gibeth Gloria, Executive Assistant Manager for Food and Beverage.
“There is no better way to spread joy and cheer throughout the season than by putting smiles in the faces of our children. We all know that Christmas is truly for them and for the gift of family. So through our beneficiary for the second year running and since we began our traditional tree lighting ceremony last year – the Children’s Joy Foundation – we are delighted to contribute in our own small way to their noble programs that care for their needs and pave
their way to a better and brighter future,” Gaurav said in a speech to welcome the guests that evening.
The 20-foot whimsical red and silver-adorned tree at the Crowne Plaza hotel lobby is flanked by a children’s-sized holiday train where kids can hop on and take photos with friends and family all throughout December.
Following the ceremony, guests were ushered to the Grand Ballroom where a pop-up boutique displayed couture suits and gowns on sale donated by renowned Filipino designers. Guests had the privilege to purchase these gowns, as the proceeds would benefit the Children’s Joy Foundation. By the end of the event, the clothes were close to sold out.
Before the start of the fashion show, a train made of real gingerbread boarding the kids from Children’s Joy Foundation made its way from Crowne Plaza’s atrium to the foyer and was a unique and awe-inspiring surprise for the guests. Children can take a ride on the gingerbread train which will be going around the same area until the end of December as a special treat for Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria’s guests.
The evening’s festivities culminated into the “Bring Love, Give Love” charity fashion show, where a line-up of stunning couture gowns by industry icons Ben “Mang Ben” Farrales, Barge Ramos, and Albert Andrada, as well as creations by Mikee Andrei, Adam Balasa, Paolo Blanco, Danika Damo, Marlo Ramos Javier, Marianne Martin, Rowel Panlilio, Vince Sityar, and Patty Valle showcased Filipino fashion design artistry.
The show was concluded by auctioning off two experiences: a one-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Presidential Suite with breakfast for two, and two roundtrip tickets to Bali, Indonesia for two courtesy of Cebu Pacific with a three-day and two-night accommodation at Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali. The auction’s proceeds were likewise donated to the Children’s Joy Foundation.
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria’s “Bring Love, Give Love” Christmas tree lighting event was launched last year to warmly welcome guests with the festive holiday décor throughout the two hotels and raise donations for their beneficiary both for this and the previous year’s — the Children’s Joy Foundation. The ceremony likewise served to announce the array of enticing Christmas and New Year-themed staycation and dining experiences, as well as special party packages for corporate or intimate gatherings.
For more information or room reservations, guests can call Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria or Holiday Inn Manila Galleria at 633-7222 or email mnlcp@ihg.com and 633-7111 or email higm.reservations@ihg.com, respectively. For Christmas party packages, call 634-9965 or 633-7222 local 7280. For Seven Corners restaurant, call 633-7222 local 7384/7385. For Xin Tian Di restaurant, call 633-7222 local 7296/7298. For Fab Restaurant, call 633-7111 local 7049/7094.
