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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Travel devider Waterfront sparks hope this Christmas

Waterfront sparks hope this Christmas

Published Dec 20, 2020 02:06 pm

To officially kick off the Yuletide season, Waterfront Hotels & Casinos held its annual tree lighting ceremonies in all of its three properties: Waterfront Cebu, Waterfront Mactan, and Waterfront Davao. 

This year, the country’s largest Filipino-owned and managed hotel chain opted to go for short, yet solemn celebrations with the intention of lighting up not only the Christmas trees, but also the hope to the neighboring communities as it launched “Waterfront Light of Hope – The Season of Giving,” a CSR project to share hope and happiness by giving back this Christmas.

At the Waterfront Cebu’s tree lighting ceremony, from left: Department of Tourism-7 Regional Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano, Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Waterfront Cebu General Manager Anders Hallden, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and businessman Michel Lhuillier

The tree lighting ceremonies were attended and supported by guests, government leaders, and friends from the media. The hotels observed strict implementation of safety protocols all throughout the events and adhered to the LGU’s directives on social events to ensure everyone’s safety and health.

Despite the challenges and setbacks this year, Waterfront Hotels & Casinos remain to be beacons of hope, as the first-class hotel chain invites others to join them in making a difference through the various activities in their hotels. It aims to provide Noche Buena Christmas boxes for families greatly affected by the pandemic, as well as a special Christmas in a Box meal prepared by their chefs, dedicated to frontliners who have been working tirelessly.

At the Waterfront Mactan’s tree lighting ceremony, from left: PAGCOR Casino Filipino Mactan Branch Manager Nestor Legaspina, Department of Tourism-7 Regional Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano, Waterfront Mactan Hotel Operations OIC Ali Banting, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard ‘Ahong’ Chan, and First Lady and Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission Chair Cindi Chan

It aims to reach out to 3,000 frontliners and 3,500 families in need. They hope to raise a total of P3.75 million to fund this Christmas project. The hotel chain, which has been active in donating to the different communities of their properties this year, have already pledged P1 million for this cause and is hoping to put together another P2.75 million in order to bring smiles and warmth this Christmas.

At the Waterfront Davao’s virtual tree lighting ceremony, from left: Executive Housekeeper Harly Batuigas, Assistant F&B Service Manager Christine Garcia, I.T. Manager Christian Nellas, Security and Safety Manager Joseph Rondina, Waterfront Davao Hotel Operations OIC Jennifer Romero, Guest Services Manager Julius Val Vinuya, Chief Engineer Billy Boringa, F&B Service Manager Robert Cris Montecalvo, Finance Manager Almira Molina, and Executive Chef Anna Mae Briones

The following have already partnered with Waterfront in supporting this cause: Davao Penda Inc., SEC Co. Philippines Inc., Shine Gaz, Technoshine, Rotary Club of Downtown Davao, Seadove Maritime Services Inc., Full Support Manpower Services, Love & Styles, Black Pearl Security Agency, and more.

There are multiple activities that are available in all the Waterfront properties that others can participate and get involved in the cause: decorate trees with “Ornaments of Hope,” purchase a limited-edition “Waterfront Care Bears,” toss in donations in the “Christmas Wishing Well” or “Light of Hope Donation Boxes,, dine in at UNO on “Festive Fridays” and “Yuletide Weekends,” enjoy a stay with a cause with the “Simple Joys of Christmas,” and purchase artworks featured at “Stroke of Hope.”

All proceeds of the hotels’ CSR Christmas project activities will go toward the funding of the Christmas in a Box for frontliners and families in need, which will be distributed by hotel staff during the holiday season. The Christmas project will run until Dec. 24.

Related Tags

Davao waterfront hotel waterfront cebu CSR project light of hope
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