Attended the Christmas Tree Lighting of Park Inn by Radisson Davao last November 25, 2022. Everyone was glad to see this unique and beautiful Christmas Tree made up of indigenous materials to be lighted once more.
The affair officially started with a heavenly harmony from the UP Mindanao Koro Kantahay through their rendition of Kumukutikutitap and Diwa ng Pasko.
Park Inn's GM Sven gave a very meaningful Christmas message with a toast to everyone. Ms Daph, Sir Russel Alaba, Ms. Apol Legario (SM officials) were there to give their full support. VM Atty Jay Quitain (had a short speech) , City Councilors Myrna Dalodo Ortiz, Al Ryan Alejandre New and Bernie Al-ag with lovely wife, Ms. Cherry Faye Al-ag, CTOO Jennifer Ricardo Romero, DOT XI Cla Rence and Ms. Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma were all delighted to be part of this special event and especially friends from the media who would not miss this momentous event of the year.
First to delight the guests upon entry is the hotel's 14-foot sustainable bamboo tree, accented with woven baskets made by the Matigsalog Tribe from Marilog District, Davao city while patterns inspired by Mandaya and Yakan weaves on the Christmas stars complemented the whole hotel interior.
"I am brimmed with excitement and happiness now that we are slowly going back to normal, restrictions are almost non-existent, we can finally travel anywhere in the world and most importantly, celebrate life with our loved ones. It's also good to see hotels in Davao being fully booked, conventions and exhibitions right here and there are finally taking place and more visitors are coming to the city." as delivered by General Manager Mr. Sven Toune.
Christmas is indeed the season of sharing and as part of Radisson Cares program, the hotel launched Cookie for a Cause where 20% of the total sales is pledged for the priority needs of SAKADAB or Samahan ng May Kapansanan sa Dabaw, a village for PWDs (Persons with Disability) in Davao City. Cookie for a Cause is available at the hotel's Christmas store and the project will run until January 6, 2023.
The awaited Christmas Tree lighting was then led by the executives and the hotel's department heads. The property's interior was filled with bright lights and gleeful smiles as the Christmas season is finally ushered.
The evening was extra momentous as the atmosphere transitioned to the official launch of the hotel's newly uplifted and refreshed restaurant, VANDA. The launch was opened by the mesmerizing interpretative dance by St. John Paul II College of Davao's Siningtala Dance Company to tell the story of Waling-waling. Along with the beat of the percussions, VANDA was exhilaratingly opened and presented to all of the guests.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed subsequently as led by Mr. Sven Toune, the hotel's General Manager, SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation's Executives, Ms. Peggy Angeles – Executive Vice President & Ms. Agnes Pacis – Vice President for Commercial and Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain, City Government of Davao.
Afterwards, the guests enjoyed the extensive menu that VANDA has to offer. The team behind VANDA aimed to have at least 70% of local dishes in the menu while the rest presented a take on international recipes. Advocating on sustainability, the ingredients of the dishes are mostly sourced locally from the Malagos Farmhouse to small-scale meat and produce providers.
VANDA was derived from Vanda sanderiana, a species of orchid. It is commonly called Waling-waling, "Queen of Philippine flowers", endemic to the island of Mindanao, where the Bagobo tribes worship it as a deity. The Vanda is one of Mindanao's pride and it is only fitting that Park Inn by Radisson Davao's newly uplifted and refreshed restaurant will be named after it. The restaurant works towards the goal to promote the wonderful gastronomic experience one can have when delighting in dishes that is incorporated with local ingredients found in the island.
Park Inn by Radisson Davao's all day dining restaurant, VANDA daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Along with VANDA's opening, the hotel also launched DASH – a 24/7 self-service counter for guests' needs even after the restaurant's operation hours. DASH is a feature in Park Inn by Radisson hotels across the world and it is finally here in Davao city. The counter offers salads, pasta, soup, healthy drinks to chips, cup noodles and beverages!
This is only the beginning of the hotel's refreshment and upkeep plan in the pipeline as Park Inn by Radisson Davao is gearing towards the momentous 10th anniversary next year.
Congratulations to GM Sir Sven, Ms Liza Gamo, Ms. Thea Ledesma, and Ms.Thea Dimaano and the rest of the team for the successful event.
Follow Park Inn by Radisson Davao on their socials, @parkinnbyradissondavao on Facebook and @parkinndavao on Instagram for their offers of the season.
#SeasonofLights #FeelTheLocale
ANTHEA MARCELA P. LEDESMA, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE
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