The Christmas season officially begins at The Manila Hotel as the iconic property welcomes the holidays with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 4. This year’s celebration, themed “Pasko Natin,” transformed the hotel’s historic Grand Lobby into a festive showcase of Filipino artistry, native craftsmanship, and cherished Christmas traditions.

The Manila Hotel Chairman Basilio C. Yap, President Atty. Joey Lina, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, DTCAM Director Cristal Bagatsing, Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global PH 2026

Inspired by the warmth of Filipino celebrations, the holiday installation highlights the values that make Christmas in the Philippines special: family, generosity, love, and togetherness. Through traditional decorative elements and meaningful symbols, the hotel brings a distinctly Filipino touch to one of the country’s most anticipated holiday traditions.

At the center of this year’s festive design are two native elements that reflect the richness of Filipino culture. Vibrant red anahaw fans, locally known as pamaypay, add color and character to the Grand Lobby, celebrating the country’s traditional craftsmanship. Complementing these are golden cadena de amor garlands, whose intertwining blooms symbolize the connections that unite individuals, families, and communities.

At the heart of “Pasko Natin” are two elements that create a distinctly Filipino setting: native anahaw fans and golden cadena de amor garlands.

The Manila Hotel’s social director and design consultant, Mr. Rachy Cuna, developed the creative concept with his design team. The result is a holiday display that combines traditional Filipino elements with the grandeur of the historic hotel.

The afternoon’s highlight was the ceremonial lighting of the hotel’s native Christmas tree, decorated in festive shades of red and gold. Leading the countdown were The Manila Hotel Chairman Basilio C. Yap and President Atty. Joey Lina, alongside Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM) Director Cristal Bagatsing, and the winners and runners-up of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines 2026.

Their countdown officially lit up the Grand Lobby, marking the start of the hotel’s Christmas celebrations.

The occasion also welcomed distinguished guests from the government and diplomatic community, including Department of Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay; Mr. Pedro Laranjeira of the Embassy of Timor-Leste; Mr. Moon Joonsik of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea; and Mr. Andres Valdes of the U.S. Embassy.

City of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso shared their holiday messages, highlighting tourism’s importance and its contribution to the country.

Filipino Christmas Traditions Take Center Stage

Beyond the elaborate decorations, music and traditional Filipino holiday treats added to the festive atmosphere. The Office of the President Chorale entertained guests with a selection of beloved Christmas carols, bringing familiar melodies to the celebration.

The hotel’s culinary team also prepared seasonal Filipino favorites, including freshly served bibingka, puto bumbong, and classic Pinoy sorbetes. These familiar Christmas treats offered guests a taste of the traditions that Filipino families look forward to every holiday season.

Sharing the Spirit of Christmas Through Giving

While the Christmas tree lighting celebrated Filipino culture and holiday traditions, the event also highlighted the importance of giving back to the community.

Continuing its longstanding commitment to community support, The Manila Hotel extended assistance to House of Refuge, an organization dedicated to providing shelter, care, and essential support to children in need.

Children from the House of Refuge, an organization that provides shelter, care, and essential support to children in need.

The initiative reflects the deeper message behind this year’s celebration: Christmas becomes more meaningful when happiness, kindness, and generosity are shared with others.

“The annual Christmas Tree Lighting is one of our most cherished traditions at The Manila Hotel,” said Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing.

“We want to bring the beauty of a Filipino Christmas into our hotel through native symbols that carry meaningful stories. More importantly, we want to spread joy, love, and encourage togetherness, which make this season special to every Filipino.”

With its Filipino-inspired decorations, traditional holiday treats, festive performances, and charitable initiatives, The Manila Hotel’s Pasko Natin celebration offers guests a meaningful way to welcome the most wonderful time of the year.

The Manila Hotel transformed its iconic Grand Lobby into a showcase of Filipino-inspired holiday artistry.

For inquiries about The Manila Hotel’s Christmas celebrations and holiday offerings, guests may contact the hotel through the following channels:

Follow and subscribe to OutofTownBlog.com on Facebook ,  Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube  for more Travel-related updates.

Read:

• The Manila Hotel Marks 114 Years with a Nostalgic Celebration That Honors Every Guest’s Story
• The Manila Hotel Wins Philippines’ Leading Hotel Award for the Third Consecutive Year