Family Friday: Our Holiday Stay at Acacia Hotel

Second Friday of the month: Kids / Family / Parenting

The most wonderful time of the year is over, and now we're starting another year.  Time flies so fast and the next thing we know, we're counting the days 'til Christmas again!

My post on Instagram

The recent holiday season was festive, stressful, joyous, and tiring all the same time - at least for my family.  One awesome thing that came out of the break was a welcome respite at Acacia Hotel Manila, where my family of four was treated to an overnight accommodation after Christmas.

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Maliwanag ang Pasko for Island Schools

"Light up your homes and show the world that the nation is moving as one, towards a brighter tomorrow."

That line was part of the script I wrote for a TV ad over a decade ago.  It was a corporate holiday greeting to highlight the progress of the country during that period of economic growth.  When I was tapped to do this feature for Meralco's Maliwanag ang Pasko, I immediately remembered that specific line and thought it is still very relevant, no?

Image from Meralco website

To tell you the truth, I was not aware about the thrust of this lighting project until now.  Learning about their charitable cause gave me a better appreciation of Meralco's annual Christmas program which was launched in 2006.  This year, Meralco's Maliwanag ang Pasko campaign has a 3-pronged approach to make Christmas even brighter and more fun:

1. Liwanag Parks - Meralco has tied up with the Department of Tourism to help promote the Philippines as a Christmas destination (since our country has the longest Christmas celebration) by creating more Liwanag Parks in and around the Greater Manila Area.
2. Liwanag raffle - Meralco customers like me have a chance to win PhP 5,000 daily! Simply upload photos of your lighted homes or any of the Liwanag Parks to www.facebook.com/meralco until December 22.
3. School Electrification - By supporting this program, we will help energize island schools to benefit more children and communities around the country.

Have you ever experienced studying or reading in the dark?
I did a few times, during power outages when I was still a student, and also while I was tutoring my son.  It sucks.  I knew it was just temporary, but it was very difficult to accomplish anything.  The sad reality is there are still areas in the country that live in "darkness" in this day and age.  

We all need light. We need power.  Electricity is essential for us to keep up with the rest of the word, and thankfully, Meralco's Maliwanag ang Pasko initiative is energizing one school at a time, helping communities every year.

Gaudencio Abordo National High School - Palawan

Beneficiaries of the Maliwanag Ang Pasko program:

1. Cagbalete Island National High School (Mauban, Quezon)
2. Cagsi-ay III National High School (Mauban, Quezon)
3. San Fernando National High School (El Nido/Bacuit, Palawan)
4. Teneguiban National High School (El Nido, Palawan)
5. Gaudencio Abordo (Bulawit) National High School (Linapacan Island, Palawan)
6. Pandanon National High School (Jetafe, Bohol)
7. Cabul-An National High Shool (Buenavista, Bohol)
8. Rizal National High School (Basilisa, Dinagat Islands)
9. Cab-Ilan National High School (Dinagat Islands)
10. New Nazareth National High School (Dinagat Islands)

Image from Meralco Facebook Page

Let us all try to participate in the program and help light up these schools.
Join the Maliwanag ang Pasko 2012 raffle -- 2 winners daily!
Install the Facebook app and read mechanics here.

Look at my lighted trees at home -- I'll be posting these as my "Liwanag sa Tahanan" entries soon! =)

Visit the Meralco Liwanag Park (Ortigas Center) - Open daily
6 -11 p.m., until January 6, 2013 (Free entrance)


Learn more about the program:
Meralco - Maliwanag ang Pasko here
DOT, Meralco to make Christmas brighter and ‘more fun’

Program photos courtesy of Meralco.

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Images of Our Christmas

A beautiful Christmas day to everybody!
From my family to yours, we wish you peace, good health and prosperity!

We always spend the holidays with family, and this is only our second Christmas spent at home since we moved in here exactly a year and seven months ago.  Having our own home is truly one of the greatest blessings we could receive.  One would expect that with a fairly new house, it would be decked out to the roof...well, maybe next year  =) 

Green, red and gold.  Traditional Christmas colors and symbols are what you will find in our home, and very minimal at that. Gradually, I will collect more decor every year to achieve, as what designers call, a 'finished look' for our house.

The Christmas Tree has been our ultimate symbol of the season.  Just having a tree in our home is enough for us to feel the spirit of Christmas. This brand new 8-foot tree found a place in our living room this year.

Fresh evergreen trees have been used since the 16th century, and the first decorated tree originated from Germany.  The custom was then brought to England by Prince Albert in the 1800s, which eventually found it's way to America.  Now we can find so many ornaments in all shapes, colors, and sizes decorating Christmas trees all over the world.

I have always fancied poinsettias for the holidays. It is seasonal in nature, which makes it more 'desirable' as its leaves will only turn red starting October and may last up to February.  Afterwhich, the leaves will turn green, dry out and fall off, then wait until the next cycle begins.  I was only able to buy fresh pots this year and it truly adds a punch of color and life to our house.

This plant was named after the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett, who brought it to America over a century ago.

 

Santa Claus. Kris Kringle. Saint Nicholas. I just call him Santa, and he will greet you as you enter our home.

He is know in so many different names and with so many legends and stories about him.  But I grew up knowing he is the magical and mysterious old fella that puts candies and favors in my stockings, and brings us gifts the night before Christmas...IF we were good boys and girls! Ho-ho-ho-hoo...

This is our Holy Family.  Mary, Joseph and Jesus are the main characters in the Nativity Scene, where the birth of Jesus in a manger was witnessed by the shepherds and the Magi.  These three wise men brought gifts to the new-born king, which was believed to have started the tradition of gift-giving every Christmas. Some call this the Manger Scene or, locally, the Belen -- adapted from Spain which translates to Bethlehem.

 

The Advent wreath hangs on our door which is believed to bring hope and light in our home.

Traditionally, the wreath is made from evergreen branches with five candles, which are lighted every week leading to Christmas day to symbolize the birth of Jesus. And like the Christmas Tree, this tradition originated in Germany as part their Christian beliefs.

Our wreath is quite unique as it features gold branches and a whimsical butterfly fairy, maybe to bring us good luck!

 

More ornaments such as glittery balls, a centerpiece with pears and pine cones, and twinkling tivoli lights that add to the sparkle and cheer of Christmas.

For sure, I will have more to share with you next year. 
Have a wonderful and memorable holiday season!

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