Nothing beats the traditional Filipino Christmas experience. Now that we’re slowly turning to more modernized ways of celebrating, I sometimes miss the feeling of going back to classic merriment – caroling, Noche Buena, Simbang Gabi and all – in the Paskong Pinoy that I grew to love.
This longing for the warmth of Filipino holidays are a few kilometers away from people like me who are looking for something nostalgic this season. Good thing Midas Hotel and Casino is now bringing Feel Pinas, a celebration of the rich and vibrant sights, smells, and sounds of Filipino Christmas, even if we are not in our physical homes.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, we were already able to feast our eyes on the 18-foot Feel Pinas Christmas Tree adorned with Capiz lanterns, abaca balls and sinamay; and the bahay kubo-inspired gingerbread Belen and houses. There are also old-fashioned karitelas and an iconic Philippine Jeepney in various areas of the hotel.
Midas Hotel and Casino General Manager Lily Santos-Adrid led the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony last Friday (November 8, 2019), together with Silungan ng Pag-asa Founder Pastor Junie Antinero, Enderun Colleges Founder Jack Tuason, Enderun Hotels Senior Vice President Chef Thomas Wenger, Midas Board of Director Mylene Co and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano. The Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, and The Kawit Singing Ambassadors also entertained guests with impressive performances during the night.
“Talaga namang wala nang hihigit pa sa Paskong Pinoy. Filipino Christmas is something that we are always happy to celebrate and go back to – friends and family coming over to a bountiful feast, the delicious bibingka or puto bumbong, the colorful, twinkling parols on your way home and the sounds of children singing Filipino Christmas carols in the village,” shared Santos-Adrid.
Paskong Pinoy is full of warm, rich and vibrant feelings, sights, and sounds, that’s why this year, the hotel traced back its roots, celebrating Christmas the Pinoy way. To keep everyone in a festive mood, Midas is also offering a room promo for balikbayans who may visit Lakbay Museo with their friends or family as they stay in a Deluxe Room for P5,488 nett and Executive Room for P6,488 nett under the Way Back Home room promo.
Since it’s also the season of gift-giving, a charity beneficiary was also invited to be part of their tree lighting ceremony. This year’s chosen beneficiary is the Silungan ng Pag-asa (Shelter of Hope), a home for cancer-afflicted children from far-away provinces. It’s a place where kids can stay here in the Metro while they do their treatments and follow-ups in hospitals. We all know how medical services can be limited in far-flung areas in the Philippines.
“We believe that this season is also for giving back, that’s why we will donate one hundred pesos from each of our hotel room bookings under our ‘Cause It’s Christmas room promo to Silungan ng Pag-asa to help the children patients,” explained Santos-Adrid.
A donation box will also be available at the hotel lobby to share this advocacy with guests staying in, dropping by, or dining in the hotel’s restaurant outlets. Donors can use the envelopes by the Feel Pinas Christmas Tree for donations.
This advocacy will also be part of the hotel’s Midas Cares program, an internal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project that promotes caring for others more than the tangible gifts or material things. Through this campaign, Midas employees are given opportunities to join this outreach program for different organizations and make giving more valuable and meaningful to other people it seeks to serve.
These are just some ways for us to give back this season while also treating ourselves to that well-deserved staycation. In fact, a friend of ours recommended Midas for having comfy beds and peaceful surroundings! Looks like we’ll be booking a room soon. 😉
For more Midas Hotel room and restaurant promo information, check out the hotel’s Facebook Page or visit midashotelandcasino.com for more details. You can also follow Manila Millennial on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for real-time updates about our latest finds within the Metro. See you around!