Fuente Osmena’s giant Christmas tree lights up for the giving season to spread the central message of hope especially under pandemic times and in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette that devastated the region.

The ML Christmas Tree of Hope is 120 feet high and continues a tradition started 22 years ago by the M. Lhuillier Group in collaboration with the Cebu City Government.

Marking the start of the advent season, the lighting of the tree decorated with around 700 bulbs was done during the launch of “Pasko sa Sugbo 2022” last December 1.

M. Lhuillier Group Founder and Chairman Michel Lhuillier said in his message that this year’s Christmas tree signifies hope and encouragement to keep going especially in the wake of the devastation left behind by Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021.

TREE OF HOPE. As part of its long-standing tradition, M. Lhuillier lit up its 120-foot Christmas tree, the tallest in the Visayas, at Fuente Osmeña. Present during the lighting ceremony were Michel Lhuillier, chairman of the board of M Lhuillier Financial Services Inc; his son Michael Lhuillier, president and chief executive officer of M Lhuillier Financial Services Inc; Michael’s son, Michael James; Michael’s wife, Joanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier, together with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his wife, Malou.
TREE OF HOPE. As part of its long-standing tradition, M. Lhuillier lit up its 120-foot Christmas tree, the tallest in the Visayas, at Fuente Osmeña. Present during the lighting ceremony were Michel Lhuillier, chairman of the board of M Lhuillier Financial Services Inc; his son Michael Lhuillier, president and chief executive officer of M Lhuillier Financial Services Inc; Michael’s son, Michael James; Michael’s wife, Joanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier, together with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his wife, Malou.

Christmas Tree of Hope

Tall and majestic, the ML Tree of Hope symbolizes what Cebuanos are – resilient and able to stand up amid a pandemic and after a super typhoon, according to Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

He described the tree lighting as historic because it followed a very dark time, literally and figuratively, in Cebu. Odette brought strong winds and rains that affected power, water, and telecommunications facilities and caused destruction to homes and businesses.

M Lhuillier President and CEO Michael L. Lhuillier and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama joined other guests in the highly anticipated, annual ceremony.

“The Filipino is very resilient. Challenges might temporarily delay us but they will never stop us from moving forward from hoping. The Tree of Hope is a reminder of this and M Lhuillier has been instrumental in spreading this message, not only through this tree but also through our financial services,” said M Lhuillier CEO Michael Lhuillier.

Creative masterpiece

This year, the ML Tree of Hope adopts a fresh feel of winter with the use of blue, white, and green accents. Orchestrating the construction since the third week of September was head artist Marvin Damaolao, with the help of 26 laborers.

This creative masterpiece was formed out of a variety of materials: garlands, 900 styro balls, silver dust, LED lights, charol cloth, Christmas lights, 500 parols, 310 Pampanga parols, styro sheet, acrylic paint, two snowmen, two big replicas of winter or Christmas socks, snowflakes, snowball, and gifts boxes.

M Lhuillier, known as the Tulay ng PaMLyang Pilipino, is the country’s largest non-bank financial institution with a nationwide network of more than 3,000 branches. Its financial services include Kwarta Padala, Quick Cash Loan, Bills Payment, Insurance Plan, Money Exchange, Jewelry, ML Wallet, ML Express, ML Moves, and Telco and online TV Loading.

Guests have their photos taken at the Tree of Hope with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his wife Malou.
Guests have their photos taken at the Tree of Hope with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his wife Malou.

Marlen is the editor of MyCebu.ph and co-founder of Cebu-based journalism startup InnoPub Media.