Novotel Manila Araneta Center and the Reason for this Season

Luke 2:7
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

The Philippines is known to be the country which celebrates Christmas season the longest. As soon as the calendar hits the “-Ber” months, Christmas songs start playing on the radio and households start cleaning and testing their Christmas lights and lanterns. The festive spirit stretches towards the 6th of January or the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany or Three King’s Day.

In Metro Manila, we look forward to visiting Christmas-oriented destinations such as the Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong, the Christmas on Display (COD) in Greenhills, the Ayala Triangle Lights Show in Makati or the Giant Christmas Tree Lighting at the Araneta Center in Quezon City. But all of the shopping, traffic jams and parties would often make us forget the true reason for this season. And that is the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

My December was kick started with such a memorable event that made me feel the warmth of the Christmas season. Last December 3, my husband and I were invited to take part and witness the first ever Christmas tree-lighting event of Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

We arrived just in time for the lighting and we were both surprised and amazed by what we saw. A Christmas tree far from what we expected. A tree that looks like it was built from stacked wood and decorated with white and silver trinkets. Plain and simple.

While waiting for the tree-lighting ceremony, we were entertained by these talented children with their gift of music

Just before the ceremonial tree-lighting, the host shared the symbolism and the hotel’s vision for their Christmas Tree this year. The simplicity of the tree symbolizes the humble beginning of the first Novotel in the Philippines. The materials used in the tree were actually materials from the recent construction. The tree was almost bare and with a more interesting reason. Novotel Manila Araneta Center wants us all to take part in the decoration and to fill the tree with love and hope!

The hotel opened the possibility of gift giving and sharing to its visitors by enabling them to “donate and decorate” their first Christmas Tree. For just Php300.00 you may choose a trinket – a ball, a snowflake or a bell to put on the tree and the proceeds will benefit the Virlanie Foundation, an organization which reaches out to the street children and street dwellers in the Philippines.

You too can experience the joy of giving at Novotel! Come and celebrate your holidays with them and avail of their exciting Christmas packages:

Your stay. Your way.
Book from December 7, 2015 to January 10, 2016 and have a the freedom to choose your freebie – complimentary breakfast for two adults and two kids, a Php1000.00 Food and Beverage credit in their restaurants or two Upper Box Tickets to Disney on Ice, for only Php5,000.00 nett.

New Year’s Eve Room Package
An overnight stay in a superior room, breakfast buffet at the Food Exchange Manila on December 31, breakfast for two adults and two children on January 1 and an access to the 6th Pool Bar and Lounge for the New Year’s Eve countdown, all for Php10,000 nett.

Feast at the Food Exchange Manila
For that sumptuous Noche Buena or Media Noche, choose from these packages:

Eat, drink and be merry, but let us not forget that the birth of our Savior and sharing what we have to others are the BIGGER reasons for this season!

Contact Novotel Manila Araneta Center:
Telephone: 990-7888
Email: H7090@accor.com
www.accorhotels.com
www.novotel.com