Mutya Pilipinas 2019/2020 Miss Tourism International Cyrille Payuno, and Mutya Pilipinas 2021 Miss Tourism International Keith Jensen Petrasanta strike a pose at the lobby of the historic Manila Hotel during its tree lighting ceremony. The towering Christmas symbol is adorned with this year’s star element, the “ibon-ibon” made of palm leaves to highlight our culture’s art of weaving.
Adorably displayed beside the tree is the giant Willy The Bear, representing The Manila Hotel’s mascot and symbol of strength and hope. Willy The Bear is the central figure in the iconic hotel’s “Heart of Gold” fundraising for the children of House of Refuge, a DWSD-accredited orphanage in Quezon City. Until Dec. 30, with every purchase of the Willy The Bear stuffed toy, the hotel will donate the proceeds to the beneficiary.
The tree lighting ceremony held last month was also attended by DOT Regional Director Joseph Francisco Ortega, Regional Director-Region 10 Marie Elaine Unchuan, DOT NCR Regional Director/concurrent OIC-Asec for Tourism Development Woordow ‘RR’ C. Maquiling Jr., DOT Undersecretary Myra Abubakar, and The Manila Hotel President Atty. Joey Lina.