Conrad Manila officially welcomed the Christmas season on Nov. 25 with the annual lighting of its Christmas tree art installation. The hotel had commissioned Filipino sculptor Impy Pilapil to create a unique Yuletide tree.
The Christmas tree, dubbed “Celeste Yule,” bears many of Pilapil’s design hallmarks. The art piece is constructed of stainless steel rods bent into fantastic (and seemingly impossible) angles. It has sheets of wave-shaped metal, and dotted with orbs. Pilapil said the tree signifies life and represents the living energy of the universe.
The “Celeste Yule” is a testament to Conrad Manila’s devotion to the arts, particularly to the work of Filipino artists.
Thanksgiving
The tree lighting was complemented by heartwarming Christmas songs rendered by the Philippine Youth Symphony Board and the Hail Mary the Queen Parish Chorale.
“Christmas season at Conrad Manila is thanksgiving,” said Conrad Manila general manager Harald Feurstein. “It is an opportunity to connect with people, and a purposeful journey to inspire our guests.”
Notable guests at the ceremony included SM Hotels and Conventions president Elizabeth Sy, EVP Peggy Angeles, Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines Bita Rasoulian, United States Ambassador Sung Kim, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Alma Jimenez and Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto.
Conrad Manila also unveiled its “Carey Cares” program, an advocacy for charity based on the hotel’s plush doll, Carey the Carabao.
For Christmas, the stuffed toy is dressed in a Santa hat, and will be available for sale the entire holiday season.
Guests can purchase the plush doll at any of Conrad Manila’s dining outlets for P500. Proceeds will be given to the hotel’s partner charities and organizations. —CONTRIBUTED
