SM City Cebu formally opens the Christmas Village
of Hope at the Northwing Atrium on November 16, 2012. The
unveiling of the 1,024 square foot Christmas Village of Hope was led by
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Mr. Hans Sy. Joining him were SM Prime
vice president Marissa Fernan, and owners Clayton and Joji Tugonon, and
the children of Kythe Cebu.
The event started with performances from the
Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus and
the Cebu Symphony Orchestra. Guests were treated with
beautiful Christmas carols from the two talented and multi-awarded guest
performers.
Joji Tugonon started her
collection of miniature houses eighteen years ago. A miniature
Christmas village was set-up in her own home in Cebu. Year after year,
she added her collection little by little until her modest village set
grew to over 400 pieces with trains and dozens of miniature vignettes
now worth about P3 million. Joji’s husband, Clayton, a renowned
furniture designer and manufacturer, helped Joji design the Christmas
Village.
In 2008, the Tugonons recalled
that a foundation that supports children with autism asked them if they
are willing to receive the children in their house to view the
Christmas Village. To their surprise, a hotel in Cebu City read about
their collection and offered them the hotel as venue to showcase their
Christmas Village. The Tugonons agreed provided that the set-up should
have a charity component.
The Tugonons chose Kythe, a foundation
that takes care of children with cancer. Joji Tugonon, who is
childless, had a nanny whose child has cancer. Touched by the plight of
these children, Joji spoke to her husband Clayton about her plan to
help. Clayton then arranged a car caravan on New Year’s Day of
2008 to raise funds for the cancer patients. The Tugonons raised
P100,000 during the car caravan.
The Christmas Village of Hope
aims to raise funds for the indigent children with cancer under the
care of Kythe-Cebu. The funds are intended for the chemotherapy of the
children. The proceeds will also help fund the laboratory and imaging
procedures, medicines, the Kythe sponsored celebrate life parties and
events.
Interested donors may visit the Northwing Atrium
for their donations(house adoption) and pledges. One may also check the
Facebook account bearing the name "CHRISTMAS HOPE" to
choose the “Christmas Houses” they wish to adopt or sponsor. Each of the miniature houses cost P5,000,
while the train/carriage is for adoption at P20,000.
Aside from the Christmas Village
of Hope, SM City Cebu also held a ceremonial lighting of its
centrepiece – the giant Christmas Tree with a Belen. Mr. Hans Sy
together with six kids from Kythe – Cebu combined the seven jewelled
Christmas stars – Ruby, Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, Pearl, Amethyst, and
Diamond to light the Christmas Tree and the Belen.
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