Giant Christmas Tree at Fuente Circle

With Christmas just around the corner, the iconic Fuente Osmeña Circle has once again illuminated the heart of the city by switching on the annual M. Lhuillier Tree of Hope.

For 17 straight years, the M. Lhuillier, the nation’s premiere non-bank financial services institution has given the Queen City of the South a perfect reminder of the jolliest time of the year. According to Mr. Michel Lhuillier it was the year 2000 that gave birth to what is now a legacy when he volunteered and pursued his fancy of putting up a giant Christmas tree to brighten Fuente Circle and perk up the holiday spirit. He added that his extension of beneficence to the city is but righteous as he said through his words.

I will give back to Cebu after all this was where we started and became successful. It is one way of giving back to what we have enjoyed all these years

 In the past years, the M Lhuillier Tree of Hope has seen merciless lashing from the killer earthquake in November 2013 and typhoons like Yolanda, Sendong, and Pablo. It stood quite confident through most of these disasters, but was toppled by the 200-kilometer-strength winds of Yolanda in 2013, a few weeks short of the lighting-up ceremony.

Without missing a beat, the construction team headed by artisan Bernardino Adiong reconstructed the tree, using a more typhoon-resilient design, reassuring the Cebuanos of the same Christmas spirit they have grown so used to.

Truly, M Lhuillier’s Tree of Hope has become the Cebuano’s symbol of the hope, unity, peace and charity that accompany Christmas every year.

So when you take the road this season, don’t forget to stop by the historic Fuente Osmeña Circle and get awe-inspired by the bright beautiful giant Christmas tree.