An uplifting sense of renewal marks the spirit of the holidays. When the lights start twinkling and the bells start jingling, all the darkness and difficulties of the year seem to pass, replaced by a spark of bright hope that kindles among us.
To celebrate the warmth and optimism this festive season brings, five-star serviced residences Joy~Nostalg Hotel & Suites Managed by Accor ushers in the Philippines’ favorite holiday with stories of hope and celebrations of time-honored Filipino family traditions.
“The parol has always been a symbol of hope, and the theme that we have chosen for this year’s festivity, ‘All Aglow,’ is anchored on this,” said Joy~Nostalg Hotel & Suites Managed by Accor General Manager Odette Huang. “In these challenging times, we see hope as a desire to make things better. We also want to celebrate the Filipinos’ resilience and belief in what is good and what is ahead of us.”
Ceremonial tree lighting
Launching Joy~Nostalg’s holiday festivities was a grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which featured locally-sourced design materials like banig, rattan, and capiz shells. It was a night of smiles and cheers as guests were serenaded by the Ateneo Chamber Singers and delighted with Filipino Noche Buena offerings.
This Christmas season, Joy~Nostalg has prepared an exciting line-up of events and promotions for the weeks ahead. Every effort is designed to celebrate the season and to create magical holiday moments for all.
Lending a helping hand
The holidays being the season of giving, Joy~Nostalg’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was made extra meaningful as the group incorporated into the celebrations crafty parols made by Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) of San Juan City Jail.
Proceeds from these hand-made parols benefit the families of PDLs, allowing them to somehow partake in the celebration of Christmas. At Joy~Nostalg, located at the heart of the Ortigas Central Business District, these special Christmas lanterns are showcased in the hotel’s lobby.
“Sometimes, I think, we’re less forgiving of people who have gone astray, but it’s part of our responsibility to help them get back on the right path,” said Ms. Huang. “If we continue to believe them, they will find it in their hearts to believe that they can do it and make a difference when they move on with their lives.”
Giving back to the community
What’s Christmas without gifts? Joy~Nostalg understands the importance of presents during this season, which is why heart-warming holiday gift baskets from local shops and artisans are now made available on the hotel’s recently-launched E-Shop website.
According to Ms. Huang, this is their way of giving back to the community and supporting small and medium enterprises.
“These people make beautiful, delicious products, but they don’t have the right distribution network to market themselves,” she said. “We take pride in sharing these discoveries with others so that they, too, can share it with the people closest to them.”
Among the products available for purchase are great finds from The Seven Pantry, a collection of homegrown food items made in humble kitchens. There are also gifts worth the look from JIM Weaver Designs, a retail brand that specializes in unique designs for modern men and women.