To mark the festive season, Ascott unveiled a series of holiday offers and events, commencing with the Christmas Tree Lighting at Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila on November 21.

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The ceremony, held at Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila on November 21 and hosted by Daniela Laurel, commenced with a warm welcome speech by the Director of Sales and Marketing Denise Olegario. Gwen Contreras, Assistant Residence Manager of Ascott, then shared insights into the decorations and CSR activities. The Nutcracker-Themed Celebration featured a magical Tree Lighting Ceremony, paying homage to the Nutcracker and Ballet tradition, symbolizing the joy of Christmas. The decorations and ambiance meticulously reflected scenes from the heartwarming story of Clara and the Nutcracker, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a world of magic and joy. The event featured a captivating performance by The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Ballet performances from Steps Dance Studio.

Ascott also launched its annual holiday CSR initiative, "Hopes and Wishes," in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK). The initiative encourages followers to share what they are grateful for this year, with inspiring messages being reposted by the brand, fostering a connection with the Christmas tradition. For every Php200 donation, guests can purchase a wish card, write their personal wishes, and hang the card on the property Christmas tree. Ascott will fulfill one wish per property, and the effort will contribute to the Gawad Kalinga community. Additionally, Ascott expresses gratitude to its recent partner, the Haribon Foundation, with whom a tree-planting activity was conducted on November 16, 2023, at Mt. Batulusong, Kaliwa Forest Reserve in San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. The planting of 1,250 seedlings contributes to ongoing reforestation efforts in the region.

Ascott Philippines Nominated for World’s Leading Serviced Apartment at World Travel Awards 2023

Ascott Makati and Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila are competing for the World’s Leading Serviced Apartment accolade at the Grand Final of the World Travel Awards 2023, recognizing excellence in the hospitality industry globally. This nomination follows the recent recognition of the property as the Philippines’ Leading Serviced Apartment, with Ascott Makati also earning the distinction of 'Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment.' This acknowledgment reinforces Ascott's commitment to providing quality and excellence to valued guests and partners.

High Street Holidays by Scott’s

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila invites guests to elevate their holiday season with the 'High Street Holidays' promotions, offering exclusive dining experiences like the Holiday Feast Platter at Scott’s restaurant, Chef’s Table Degustation, and unlimited beer and cocktails during Weekday Happy Hour. Scott’s Corner presents delightful Holiday Hampers. The Christmas Party Package and Midnight Masquerade on December 31 promise grand celebrations. For a seamless experience, book a staycation starting at Php 26,275 nett.

To book, email fbsupervisor.abgc@the-ascott.com or call +63 2 8860 9888. For room reservations, contact frontoffice.abgc@the-ascott.com or call +63 2 8866 8100.

Holiday by the Bay at Bay City Café

Celebrate the festive season at Citadines Bay City Manila with "Holiday by the Bay" offerings, featuring the family-friendly "Bay City Platters" and the Ultimate Holiday Feast with options like Pork Belly Ham and Porchetta. Enjoy "Simbang Gabi Treats" and delightful gifts, including Tin Can Shortcake and Grazing Box of Cold Cuts & Cheese. Welcome 2024 at the "Stars, Sparkles & New Beginnings" New Year Countdown Party on December 31, 2023, for Php 2,999 per person with a 25% early bird discount. For group celebrations, avail Christmas Celebration Packages at Php 2,000 nett per person (Minimum of 100 pax).

To book, call +63 2 8866 8100 or +63 916 261 1612 or email banquetcoordinator.cbcm@the-ascott.com.

There's nothing like the sound of carolers serenading the neighborhood with joyous tunes to set the holiday mood. However, there's a fine line between spreading cheer and causing a cacophony. Picture this: you and your enthusiastic friends decide to spread some festive joy by forming an impromptu caroling squad. Yet, your intentions are drowned out by off-key renditions of classic carols, causing neighbors to question if your festive spirit is actually a festive faux pas. Avoid this merry mishap by tuning up your vocal cords before embarking on a caroling escapade. A harmonious holiday is a happy holiday!

2. The Tinsel Tangle: A Decorative Dilemma Unraveled

Decorating for Christmas is an art form, but there's an art to it, and then there's overdoing it. Beware the tinsel tangle—a festive faux pas that involves drowning your living room in so much tinsel that it resembles a glittery winter wonderland gone wrong. Sure, the idea is to create a dazzling display, but too much tinsel can transform your home into a festive vortex, where even Santa might lose his way. Strike a balance between festivity and functionality, ensuring your decorations enhance the holiday spirit without turning your home into a tinsel-themed obstacle course.

Ah, the art of gift wrapping—an endeavor that can either showcase your artistic prowess or reveal your total lack of it. In the pursuit of perfection, many fall victim to the gift-wrapping wrath, a calamity that involves excessive tape, torn paper, and a general disregard for the laws of aesthetic appeal. Don't let your presents resemble a crime scene. Take a deep breath, measure twice, cut once, and for the love of Rudolph, invest in decent wrapping paper. Your gifts should exude elegance, not look like they've survived a tussle with a pack of festive reindeer.

4. The Mistletoe Mayhem: A Kiss or a Crisis?

Ah, mistletoe—the botanical wingman of the holiday season. While its presence can add a dash of romance to Christmas festivities, it's crucial to navigate the mistletoe tradition with tact. Mistletoe mayhem strikes when the line between innocent tradition and awkward encounter is blurred. Before you go hanging mistletoe in every doorway, consider the implications of creating a kissing hotspot. Ensure everyone is on the same page, and always prioritize consent. Remember, a stolen kiss might sound like a festive fantasy, but it can quickly turn into a mistletoe-induced maelstrom of misunderstandings.

Baking gingerbread cookies is a beloved Christmas tradition, but the path to gingerbread perfection is riddled with potential pitfalls. The gingerbread gaffe occurs when overzealous bakers attempt ambitious cookie designs that defy the laws of physics and taste buds. A gingerbread Eiffel Tower may seem like a festive feat, but in reality, it's a structural disaster waiting to happen. Stick to shapes and sizes that won't send your gingerbread dreams crumbling. And if disaster does strike, fear not! Embrace the chaos, and remember that even misshapen gingerbread can taste like a slice of holiday heaven.

In conclusion, as you waltz through the winter wonderland of Christmas festivities, keep these cautionary tales in mind. Whether you're caroling, decorating, gift-wrapping, stealing kisses under the mistletoe, or baking gingerbread delights, a dash of awareness can transform potential pitfalls into hilarious anecdotes. May your Christmas be free from merry mishaps, and may your holiday season be filled with laughter, love, and a touch of the unexpected—just not too much unexpected!

 

Christmas is a time for reunions and gatherings with loved ones. For Filipinos, this is especially meaningful as OFWs and those living abroad get to come home and enjoy the unique Pinoy festivities with their friends and family. Even if most OFWs may not be able to make it back this year, there are still so many ways they can send their love home and make meaningful moments even from miles away.

GCash, the number 1 e-wallet in the Philippines, has allowed Filipinos to send money, grow their wealth and more for several years, and now offers hassle-free, swift and safe monetary transactions for Pinoys based out of the country, perfect for sending pada-LOVE home for Christmas. With over 30 accredited remittance partners where OFWs can cash into their GCash accounts or send money directly to their family's GCash number, making Filipino Christmas traditions easy no matter where you are in the world.

With just a working Philippine sim, a valid ID and a Philippine address, OFWs can access a full suite of GCash features to level up their Pamasko during the yuletide season.

1.Get the perfect gift delivered straight to your loved ones
Picking out the right present for your friends and family back home is made easier thanks to GLife! With exclusive holiday deals across over 20 merchants and shops on the platform, simply select where you'd like to purchase from and what you'd like the holiday surprise to be, and it will be delivered straight from your GCash app to right under the Christmas tree!

2.Make Noche Buena sweeter
Virtual Noche Buena and reunions may still be the norm for OFWs, but you can make your presence felt by your loved ones in the Philippines. With partners like Taste & Tell, Auntie Anne's, Cafe Calypso, and more offering limited time deals for the holiday season through GLife, you can fill the hearts and tummies of your loved ones back home.

3.Extend the spirit of generosity to those who need it most
The holidays are a time of giving and giving back. Through GCash for Good, you can send donations to participating Philippine charities, such as ABS CBN, GMA, WWF, OFW Family Club and Save the Children, ensuring that everyone feels the spirit of Christmas.

4.Send love, send pamasko no matter where you are
For OFWs who simply want to send Aguinaldo home to their loved ones for Christmas, you can also send with a special holiday design made for the occasion! Send money with a clip through your own GCash account or if you don't have a Philippine sim card, you can still remit directly to your loved ones' GCash account through accredited partner outlets.

5.Light up GCash parols for daily discounts and prizes
GCash makes the holiday more special for OFWs with discounts and cash prizes given every day! GCash users may collect as many parols as they can and light them up to win up to Php1,000,000 in cash by sending money and transacting across the app. Here’s how:

You can earn one (1) parol for transactions done in Gcash alone for a minimum spend of 100 pesos with one (1) parol per use, per day. To get two (2) parols with just one (1) transaction, you can transact with the following GCash services like GCash Padala, GSave, GInvest, GInsure, GLife, and GCredit. Valid until December 1 2021 to January 7, 2022!

 
No matter how far you are, with GCash, you can enjoy and create meaningful holidays with your loved ones this year, as if you were right back home!

For more information about GCash and its products and services you may visit https://www.gcash.com
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Christ's date and time of coming to this world is unknown to men but there's only one thing that is certain about His coming, He came to save men. 

As we feast with our Noche Buena let us all find time to thank the Lord our God of the blessings He has brought us and for the coming years to come. 

To everyone a Blessed, Merry and Joyous Christmas!