BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Seda Capitol Central in Bacolod City marked its 5th anniversary with the theme “Cinco De Capitolio”, highlighted by a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the hotel lobby Thursday evening.
Leading the ceremonial switch on were AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corp. (AHRC) president and CEO Javier Hernandez and Seda hotel manager Kim Joseph Guimba as the De La Salle Chorale performed Christmas songs to set the mood.
Also gracing the event were Bacolod Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang, Bacolod Tourism Office Ma. Theresa Quebrar-Manalili, AHRC chief finance officer Phearl Villuaruel-Paz, Seda Hotels senior group director of sales and marketing Melissa Carlos, and Seda Western Visayas general manager Joseph Del Rosario.
Guimba, who also marked his birthday that same day, welcomed guests who came in Filipiniana and Barong Tagalong, as they celebrated another successful year of operation. He also thanked the people who continued to support them and have inspired them to be able to render better service to the community.
Meanwhile, Jun Grimares, program director of Smile Train Philippines, said they were able to help children with cleft lip and palate have better quality of lives through their partnership with Seda.
Grimares said they were able to perform about 1,800 cleft surgeries during height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which he considers very challenging, but this year they were able to bounce back and return to normal levels. So last year, they were able to perform about 4,000 surgeries within only four months.
He pointed out that there are more than 5,000 Filipinos born every year with a cleft lip.
“We have to keep on going with all these patients and their families relying on us,” Grimares, said, adding that they thank Seda for partnering with them in helping children with birth defects despite the pandemic.
Faith Dulla, Seda assistant communications manager, said Seda has been partnering with SmileTrain Philippines for several years already and that every Christmas they sell Christmas decors which have equivalent rate, which their guests will hang in the Smile Train Christmas tree and all the proceeds will go to the organization. Aside from this, the hotel also sets aside a certain budget for the project.
On the other hand, the La Carlota Drum Beaters and performers, as well as the Tinabuay Festival Dancers of Murcia Town entertained guests during dinner where hotel accommodations were given out as raffle prizes.*
