Apple Tree Resort and Hotel- The First Hotel to Inagurate a Christmas Tree Lighting Event in Metro Cagayan de Oro

The spirit of the Yuletide Season kicked off last December 01, 2014 at Opol, Misamis Oriental as the Apple Tree Resort and Hotel launches the First Christmas Tree Lighting Event in Metro Cagayan de Oro with their special recipient- The kids from the Children's Joy Foundation, Inc.

Photo courtesy: Shaun Alejandrae Uy

It has been a tradition to everyone especially the Christians to light up their Christmas Trees with different decors as to signify the start of the yuletide celebration in the country. Filipinos are even proud to have the longest and merriest Christmas season in the world starting from the BER month, that is September and ends on January, after the 3 Kings Celebration.

The history of the Christmas Tree Lighting specifically the custom of putting strings of lights on trees can be traced back in 1882 when the Associate of Thomas Edison, Mr Edward Johnson wired red, white and blue bulbs together and placed them on an evergreen tree. The tradition started then when President Grover Cleveland followed suit and decorated a Christmas Tree in the White House with stringed lights in 1895.

Christmas tree lighting is an industry tradition where a hotel introduces the year's Yuletide promotions and beneficiaries to the press and high society. The Christmas tree lighting event initiated by the Apple Tree Resort and Hotel is considered to be the first of its kind in the Hotel Industry in Metro Cagayan de Oro as stated by the COHARA President Ms Nelia Lee (Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Associations) and confirmed by Ms Nollie, the Executive Secretary of the Organization.

The event started with a thanksgiving mass held at the Pavilion of the hotel at 3 in the afternoon and followed by the program proper which was commenced with a live song performance of Mr Steve Norman Ebonia, Head Waiter of the Hotel (Right image attached).

Ms Maria Joslyn D. Alvaro and Mr Alfonso Antonio Rodano being the Emcees introduced the next presenters from the Housekeeping Department, followed by the kids from the Children's Joy Foundation and a dance number from the Foods and Beverages Service Department as they graced the audience including the Department of Tourism Region 10 Tourism Officer Ms Cha Ladera, Hotel guests and valued customers, the Media Team, TESDA 10, and COHARA Officers.

Meanwhile, Filipino delicacies were also served on hand during the socialization part. These foods includes Queso de Bola and Ham Combo, Chicken Finger with Teriyaki sauce, Tuna Canape, Sweetened Sticky Rice with Coconut Milk Reduction and Mango Puree most commonly known as the Biko, Cassava Rolls with Sweetened Coconut or the famous Suman, Cheesy Torta, Chocolate Brownies, Watermelon Lemonade and the Sikwate. Ham with Pineapple sauce were on the action station while Bam-i, Chicken Adobo, and Vegetable Lumpia were included on the Chafing Dish.

Queso de bola and Ham Combo

Chicken Finger with Teriyaki Sauce

THE RECIPIENT:

Apple Tree Resort and Hotel Management chose the Children's Joy Foundation, Inc. as the sole beneficiary of the event as they have been with the hotel for the past years caroling and singing their medley yuletide songs during the Christmas seasons. The Children's Joy Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, nonprofit organization to help the abandoned, neglected and surrendered children in some urban areas. It was established in Davao City and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 1998. It provides temporary care for children and youth needing rehabilitative and developmental services.

The foundation seeks to assist the neglected, abandoned and surrendered children and youth in achieving their dreams through better education, physical and spiritual nourishment, above all God-loving and God centered individuals.

As what its name stands for, the Children's Joy Foundation Inc., seeks to assist marginalized children to enjoy life to the full in a protective and caring environment, with a Godly fear oriented heart.

The official lighting of the Christmas Tree was commenced as Ms Greanne Trisha Mendoza, a Regional Star Patroller of ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao brought the television audience live to the actual event countdown in 3-2-1 together with the kids of the Children's Joy Foundation and the Apple Tree Resort and Hotel Team being the forefront of the scene singing the Kapamilya's "Thank you, ang babait ninyo" 2014 Official Christmas station ID song. The local edition of TV Patrol also covered the event live during the 5:00pm-5:45pm newscast while local newspaper Media Team such as the Mindanao Daily News, Goldstar Daily News, CDO Times, Businessweek Mindanao joined the event.

The Christmas Tree stands at 13 feet with approximately 8 feet in circumference. The Christmas Tree alone have 2,000 pieces of golden-colored series of light which is made up of modern and colorful decors like Christmas balls, and flowers located at the grand lobby of the hotel.

The event officially ended after Santa Claus gave his bundles of joy to the kids of the Children's Joy Foundation.

Ms Bjanesha M. Emphasis, the new General Manager of the Apple Tree Resort and Hotel said that this is the beginning of the Christmas Tree lighting event of the hotel and will surely be an annual traditional event to celebrate with love, peacefulness and forgiveness, joy and and aims to put the Christmas season to the everyone's heart as the true meaning of the festivity- to give and to share your blessings.

The Apple Tree Resort and Hotel Team

P.S.: Photos during the Christmas Tree Lighting Event. All photos are owned by Clement Dampal II (unless otherwise stated) and is under Copyright law. The use of the photos without the consent of the owner is prohibited and will charge accordingly.

The Christmas Tree Lighting Event started with a Thanksgiving Mass.

The Housekeeping Department showcasing their Talents to the audience.

The Foods and Beverages Department with their energetic moves.

Hamonada

Chicken Adobo

Hamonada

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Behind the Scene shot before the official countdown

From Left to Right: Ms Maristela Maape (Admin & HR Supervisor),
Mr Ed Ayunting (Councilor- El Salvador City), Ms Bjanesha M. Emphasis (General Manager)
and Ms Lorna Nacua (Operations Manager)