Hotel gets into the festive spirit with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony for Charity featuring a special performance by pop star Jessica Sanchez and a starring role for cuddly elephant mascot Malee.

Dusit Thani Manila marked the arrival of the festive season last week with a glamorous Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony attended by local business luminaries, media and celebs, and presided over by Makati Mayor Abby Binay.

Gathered around the 25-foot-tall tree that’s decorated from top-to-bottom with the hotel’s cuddly elephant mascot, Malee, the guests enjoyed a picture-perfect soirée featuring delicious food and drinks and a special performance by pop star Jessica Sanchez.

Alongside the merry-making and festivities, the hotel announced that its annual pledge of giving back to the community is this year focused on raising funds for ABS CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc’s Bantay Bata 163 Programme, which provides support to children in need.

Proceeds from sales of the cuddly Malee toys (priced at PHP 1,000 per pair – one for the buyer, one for the tree) will be donated to the foundation at the end of the campaign. To spread warm hugs, all Malee elephants from the tree will be also be given to children under the foundation’s care.