Tree of Hope brightens Fuente Osmeña
Fireworks display added excitement of the crowd witnessing the lighting of MLhuillier Tree of Hope in Fuente Osmeña. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Switch-on of 125-foot tree, the tallest in Cebu, opens Pasko sa Sugbo
About 25,000 blinking lights brightened Fuente Osmeña circle last night with the lighting of the M Lhuillier Tree of Hope.
Over a hundred people who gathered in Cebu City’s iconic landmark cheered and applauded as they watched the tree-lighting activity and a fireworks display which followed.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and couple Michel and Amparito Lhuillier led the 7 p.m. switch-on ceremony. This also marked the start of City Hall’s annual Pasko sa Sugbu celebration.
The Christmas tree has been a symbol of hope, unity, peace and charity for Cebuanos. It also symbolizes the lasting partnership between the city government and the M Lhuillier Group of Companies, said company representatives.
The 125-foot Christmas tree is the tallest in Cebu. M Lhuillier has sponsored the setting up of giant Christmas tree since 2000.
A team from Bais City in Negros Oriental worked for two months on the tree that costs about P1 million.
Michel Lhuillier and his wife Amparito lead the Christmas tree switch-on ceremony at Fuente Osmena. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
To support the weight of out-sized decorations, the structure was fashioned from steel trusses and anchored on steel foundations.
Last year’s Christmas tree had 20,000 lights. This year, they added 5,000 more. It is also adorned with ornaments which include 500 star-shaped lanterns.
The Christmas tree has hundreds of poinsettias, and star and diamond ornaments. Its decorations are fitted with focus lights, pellet and ping-pong bulbs and hundreds of strings of series lights.
The image of the Sto. Niño stands on both sides of the tree’s foundations.
This year, a third image of the Sto. Niño was added as the tree’s topper.
The giant Christmas tree will remain lit at the Fuente Osmeña circle until the Sinulog festival in January.
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