By Ian Ray Garcia
ABREEZA LIGHTS UP MATIGSALUG-INSPIRED CHRISTMAS TREE
Ayala Malls Abreeza kicks off an early Christmas celebration with the lighting of their Christmas tree earlier today, October 19, at the mall's ground floor hallway.
The 24-foot Christmas tree, made from "bagtok" bamboo poles and woven bamboo, is a collaborative endeavor of Ayala Malls Abreeza and the Matigsalug community of Davao City's Marilog District.
"We have gone through a trying period over the past two years with the pandemic bearing heavily upon us," said mall manager Janice Perreno, who led the tree lighting along with Department of Tourism XI regional director Tanya Rabat Tan.
She likened the Dabawenyos' unwavering spirit to the bamboo's resilience, the mall's theme for the season, which exemplifies strength, flexibility and optimism of the community.
Bamboo is also the chosen material for the mall's central Christmas ornaments, employing the expertise of the members of the Matigsalug community and the support of the Department of Trade and Industry, Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc, and T’nalak Home.
Led by master weaver, Bae Antonina, the Matigsalug community of weavers were involved in all phases of the basket making — from harvesting to the actual weaving, and up to the turnover to the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation. All in all, it took 20 members of the tribe to create 1,500 baskets.
Apart from this effort, Ayala Malls Abreeza is also running a fundraising Christmas promo starting November 5, encouraging shoppers to make a donation. For a minimum of PhP250, a shopper is entitled to a dainty multifunctional, bamboo-accented shopping basket. Proceeds will go to the Matigsalug community for the renovation of their IP Women Building and purchase of furniture for the said building.
#AbreezaChristmasTogether
Abreeza Ayala Mall
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