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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Taal Vista lights up and a Christmas concert at Liwasang Bonifacio

Taal Vista lights up and a Christmas concert at Liwasang Bonifacio

Published Dec 12, 2021 09:00 am

ANGEL THOUGHTS

The holiday lights at Taal Vista Hotel offer a symbol of hope during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: (from left ) Ramon Makilan, Taal Vista Hotel GM; Peggy Angeles, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. EVP; Marites Castro, Regional OIC of Department of Tourism; and Aniela Tolentino, an international entrepreneur, environment advocate, and the eldest daughter of Congressman Bambol and Mayor Agnes Tolentino

Our favorite hotel overlooking the Taal Lake has welcomed the Christmas season and it was indeed a spectacular sight to see the gigantic tree lighted up. The iconic Taal Vista Hotel has also kicked off its holiday festivities, such as the exhibition “A Walk through Time” and “In the Mood” wine dinner.

For the past 82 years, Taal Vista Hotel has remained the landmark hotel of Tagaytay City. Rich in history, “A Walk through Time” shares the heritage of the hotel, Taal Lake and Volcano, and Tagaytay.

“A Walk through Time” was opened by distinguished guests Aniela Tolentino, an international entrepreneur, environment advocate, and the eldest daughter of Congressman Bambol and Mayor Agnes Tolentino; Marites Castro, Regional OIC of Department of Tourism; Peggy Angeles, executive vice president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.; Ramon Makilan, general manager of Taal Vista Hotel; and Nestor Jardin, consultant of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., who spearheaded the exhibit along with Dennis Maristany of Mabuhay Guides. After months of training, 16 team members are now officially Taal Vista Hotel tour guides. Open to all hotel guests, the exhibit is located on the ground floor of the Lake Wing.

The colorful holiday lights at Taal Vista Hotel offer a symbol of hope as seen from afar, and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony was led by Marites Castro, Peggy Angeles, and GM Ramon Makilan. There was also a gift-giving for the children of Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary, the beneficiaries of the celebration.

Guests were then treated to a seven-course dinner inspired by the 1930s and 1940s and paired with wines from Happy Living Philippines Corporation. The culinary team headed by executive chef Jayme Natividad. Cheers!

The covered terrace overlooking the lake was elaborately designed by Julius Villamante of Amante Fleurs using fresh, local flowers with touches of black accent pieces. Classic pieces from the 1930s and 1940s, including some Christmas songs, were performed by Innah Chico and pianist Lloyd Nicolas. It was a memorable evening!

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Post Office Building

Another memorable, nostalgic evening was when the Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) unveiled the “Paskong Pilipino” 2021 (Filipino Christmas 2021) stamps for the first time. This was done at a concert under the stars featuring the world-famous Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra held in front of the majestic and historic Manila Central Post Office at the Liwasang Bonfacio.

The 2021 Christmas stamp illustrates the Filipino way of celebrating Christmas here and abroad. It is anchored on hope, togetherness, love, and faith. These virtues are being depicted in the traditional Filipino Christmas lantern or parol, a star-shaped bamboo-made material that is hung in every house and on streets like the star of Bethlehem.

Each design is accompanied with such declarations “Narito na, Paskong Pag-asa (Here it is, the Christmas of Hope),” “Sama-sama pa rin tayo ngayong Pasko (We are still together this Christmas),” “Taus-pusong Pananalig sa Paskong Puno ng Pag-ibig (Whole-hearted faith in Christmas full of Love),” and “Maniwala, Magtiwala, Pasko ng Himala (Trust, Believe, Christmas of Miracles).”

Pasko 2021 stamps

“This is our own way of bringing joy, hope, and inspiration to the public. That in spite of the pandemic, Filipinos should not forget to keep our faith, and celebrate the birth of Jesus,” said the postmaster general, Norman Fulgencio.

The musical event, dubbed PPO @ PPO (Philippine Post Office), was part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) outreach program whose objective is to bring music and arts closer to the people. Cheers CCP’s Nick Lizaso and post master Fulgencio! 

The Nightingales (Bianca Lopez-Aguila and Bernadette Mamauag) and young soprano Alexa Isobel Kaufman sang their operatic renditions of various Christmas carols. The orchestra played classics such as the William Tell Overture, the 1970s Manila Sound, under the baton of maestro Herminigildo Ranera. Thank you, PPO, you were fantastic! It was a beautiful concert! The concert host was  Issa Litton who was flawless.

The Post Office has printed 60,000 pieces of the four stamp designs at P12 each. The stamps were designed by in-house graphic artist Ryman Dominic Albuladora. The Christmas stamps and first day cover envelopes are now on sale at the Postshop at Manila Central Post Office.

And yes, more good tidings, there will be another outdoor concert at the Liwasang Bonifacio on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. This time it will be the brass band of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines!

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