Our home is finally all decked out for the holidays, just in time for the lighting of the third Advent candle. In short, we’re very late!

Christmas cheer came late this year because of my very busy social and work schedule. Also, I couldn’t think of a theme for our Christmas décor. Other people might think that a good theme might be “Christmas,” but that’s just too easy. I always want to have a theme within a theme.

And, like an apparition, our Christmas theme flashed before my eyes. As I stood in front of the giant metallic blue Christmas tree of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu, it struck me—Russia would be the sub-theme this year, incorporating blue and white elements to create a winter wonderland, evoking feelings of the Bolshoi and Swan Lake.

Indeed, the Radisson Blu is a great Christmas destination. The hotel formally opened the holiday season with a ceremonial lighting of the 20-foot-tall tree. The occasion was livened up by a performance of the Radisson Choir.

It’s hard to believe the evening was also the first anniversary of the Radisson Blu already. To celebrate, the hotel threw a Cotton Club-inspired party, attended by the cream of Cebu’s business leaders, socialites and media personalities.

With an art deco motif, the ballroom was transformed into a Roaring ’20s era Cotton Club, with female guests gamely clad in flapper costumes, feather boas and stunning headdresses, and the men in fedoras and brogues.

Cebu fashion designer Ronald Enrico dolled me up in character, creating a bejeweled ensemble, while maverick stylist Jessie Glova whipped up my hair and makeup for the night. Jessie was also chosen as one of the best costumed guests that evening.

Top-ranked destination

The hotel has accomplished so much in just one year. It is consistently top-ranked on Tripadvisor.com and is truly one of the country’s leading hotels. Lyle Lewis, Radisson’s general manager and Carlson Hotels’ VP for Philippines and Japan, has much to be proud of. The hotel’s market share among Cebu hotels is steadily increasing and guest satisfaction scores among the highest in the Carlson Hotel portfolio of properties.

Elizabeth Sy, SM Hotels and Convention Corp.’s president, led a joint toast along with her brother, Hans Sy, SM Investments Corp.’s president, and Simon Barlow, Carlson Hotels Asia-Pacific’s president. The three presidents then awarded a three-night stay in the Radisson Blu’s Executive Suite to the best dressed guests, Bong Deiparine of Amazing Cebu and socialite Yvette Vass.

Lovely Yvette was one of our Cebu friends who supported the Red Charity Gala, together with Zee Magazine editor Eva Gullas.

Eva is hosting the Crystal Ball of Zee Magazine on Dec. 15, and I will be sure to head to Cebu for that! There’s lots of holiday merriment happening at the Radisson Blu.

(Call 4029900 www.radissonblu.com/hotel-cebu.)

Hundred-strong stars

One of the best parts of Radisson Blu is that it is adjacent to SM Cebu, the 11th largest mall in the world. Right after the Radisson party, my Cebu best friends Abigail Ngo, Pauline Hofer and Marcie Abesamis took me to SM to check out the Christmas Village that was to be unveiled the next day. The village homes are pledged for the benefit of chosen Cebuano kids afflicted with cancer.

After all the merriment in Cebu, I headed home for more parties and events. One of the better ones was the TV5’s party, celebrating with its hundred-strong stars, top-billed by the original superstar, Nora Aunor, and the megastar as well, Sharon Cuneta. Kaibigan president Ray Espinosa looked so happy to have his stable of talents all around, excitedly looking forward to the challenges of 2012.

Another fun event was HSBC’s delicious fiesta lunch at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, hosted by Tony Cripps, HSBC’s president. It was even more fun as I got to host the raffle with Johanna Garcia, HSBC’s head of communications and corporate sustainability. As always, HSBC’s raffles are something to look forward to—after all, they are the one of biggest banks in the world!

Product launches

In between holiday parties, there are still product launches going on, such as the recent book launch of “Face to Face: The Healing Power of Make-up” by Bianca Valerio, TV host, live presenter, product endorser, model, make-up artist, newspaper contributor, online columnist and personality development coach.

Bianca is a marvel at everything she does, and her new tome is a fantastic example, featuring a mix of everyday people and celebrities, and how make-up transforms them.

Xandra Ramos-Padilla, National Book Store’s merchandising director, told me that they were happy to be the publisher of Bianca’s inspirational coffee-table book, and that of another new author, Jenni Epperson.

Blogger, celebrity stylist and fashion writer Jenni offers a guide for women who want to plan and host fabulous affairs for every occasion—“Fashion + Food: Celebrating Special Occasions in Style.” The book also features photography by her hubby Tom Epperson, book design and layout by Dix Perez and illustrations by Soleil Ignacio and Kris Abrigo.

(Visit jenniepperson.com).

When I have time to catch my breath, I just love checking out YouTube videos. The current viral hit is Coca-Cola’s OFW Project. It’s always great to see examples of Pinoy creativity. The soda marketer is creating more holiday buzz by teaming up with another brilliant marketing powerhouse, Jollibee. Both are offering their popular Christmas Tumblers promotion once again.

The Coca-Cola Christmas Tumblers promo is just the sort of offer that goes viral in a very real way at Jollibee outlets. Check it out, as there are only three days left to make happiness strike next by getting these useful collectibles.

Gosh, the holidays have truly arrived in a flash! I hope the spirit of Advent comes into all our celebrations this year!

Follow Tessa on Twitter @tessavaldes or e-mail [email protected].