By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The holiday season began with festive cheer at Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, marked by the annual “Pasko ng Pasasalamat” tree lighting ceremony.
The event opened with a symbolic dance performance representing the Negrense “Arima” tradition, which traditionally signals the start of the sugarcane harvest and the festive season.
Leading the ceremonial tree lighting were Cathy Nepomuceno, senior vice president for operations at SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Deborah Haines, senior director of operations for Radisson Hotel Group Southeast Asia and the Pacific; and Agnes Pacis, vice president for commercial at SM Hotels.
Nepomuceno emphasized resilience, hope, and gratitude in her speech.
“As we light up this tree, let’s also illuminate our hearts with gratitude for kindness, remembering that even amidst challenges, we can always find reasons to be thankful,” she said.
The festivities continued with the “Salamat Guid!” event at SMX Convention Center Bacolod, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over 350 guests, including government officials, loyal clients, and regional media, joined the milestone celebration.
A collaboration between SMX Bacolod and Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, the event officially launched Park Inn as SMX’s premier catering partner. The venue’s versatility was on display with themed setups for children’s parties, debuts, weddings, and MICE events, accompanied by lively performances.
Guests enjoyed a diverse culinary spread curated by Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, featuring grazing tables, buffet stations, and themed food carts. The evening concluded with a toast celebrating a decade of success and the strong partnership between SMX Convention Center Bacolod and Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod.
This festive evening of gratitude and celebration ushered in the holiday season, showcasing the spirit of collaboration, community, and hope for the future. (Photos courtesy of Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod)
