Under the theme “Whimsical Holidays,” Discovery Boracay and Discovery Coron brought to life a Polynesian-inspired celebration filled with vibrant performances and heartfelt community-driven initiatives. Infused with the spirit of the sea, the warmth of the islands, and the magic of the holidays, the Tree Lighting ceremony began with a captivating tale. The storytelling wove a narrative of how all things return to nature, celebrating the timeless cycle of life. This enchanting theme was reflected in the Christmas tree itself, adorned with delicate blooms and vibrant flowers that symbolized growth, renewal, and the beauty of nature’s resilience. It stood as a radiant centerpiece, blooming with the magic, wonder, and joy of the season.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at Discovery Boracay with Bogart and Bella, the resort mascots.

Discovery Boracay Christmas Tree.

As we lit the tree of Discovery Boracay, the air was filled with heartwarming performances from the employees and the Boracay Ati Choir. Established in 2005, the Boracay Ati Choir was born from a shared passion for music and faith. Encouraged to join the choir of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Balabag, young members of the Ati community—ranging from primary students to high schoolers—have carried on this heartfelt tradition ever since. The choir has become a symbol of cultural pride and youthful artistry showcasing their vibrant spirit.

Adding a personal touch to their performances, they even sing original songs composed by a talented member of their community, sharing stories and melodies unique to their heritage.

As we lit the tree of Discovery Boracay, the air was filled with heartwarming performances from the employees and the Boracay Ati Choir. Established in 2005, the Boracay Ati Choir was born from a shared passion for music and faith. Encouraged to join the choir of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Balabag, young members of the Ati community—ranging from primary students to high schoolers—have carried on this heartfelt tradition ever since. The choir has become a symbol of cultural pride and youthful artistry showcasing their vibrant spirit.

Adding a personal touch to their performances, they even sing original songs composed by a talented member of their community, sharing stories and melodies unique to their heritage.

A Festive Light Display at Balay Discovery, the staff house of Discovery Boracay.

The celebration continued at Discovery Balay, the staff house grounds of Discovery Boracay, adorned with festive lights and vibrant Christmas elements for the Boracay community to enjoy. Special guests during the activity included Malay Mayor Floribar Bautista, Rev. Fr. Francis Bolivar, and Re. Fr. Jogie Esmeralda.

Timmy + George with Discovery Coron staff.

Meanwhile, guests at Discovery Coron experienced a magical evening of festive tunes, Polynesian-inspired dances, and a sumptuous buffet dinner at Firefish Restaurant. Celebrity guest Sam Pinto and her daughter Mia joined the celebration, adding a special touch to the tree-lighting festivities. Live music by the Center Stage Band carried the evening into an atmosphere of joyful cheer.

Discovery Samal’s Whimsical Dreamland.

In Davao, Discovery Samal invites you to step into a Whimsical Dreamland—a breathtaking transformation that turns the resort into a spectacular holiday escape filled with enchantment and joy.

The event kicked off with a grand parade led by a Drum and Lyre ensemble, with performers in colorful costumes bringing the carnival to life. Guests were treated to stirring musical performances by multi-gold medalists JETZ Tacsanan and Alexis Ritz Labaya by Muzic’sKool. At the heart of this magical celebration is a life-sized gingerbread castle, surrounded by dazzling installations that serve as the perfect backdrop for creating unforgettable holiday memories.

The spirit of a carnival comes alive as Discovery Samal brings people together to share laughter, celebrate life, and bask in the joy of the holidays. With a sense of wonder and playfulness, Whimsical Dreamland is Discovery Samal’s way of embracing the festive season.

The lighting of the tree was accompanied with an array of delectable holiday treats and enchanting Christmas-inspired culinary delights, the evening unfolded like a dream. A spellbinding musical performance set the tone, culminating in a magical journey through Discovery Samal’s Whimsical Dreamland. At its heart stood a breathtaking life-sized gingerbread castle, surrounded by festive installations that created the perfect backdrop for capturing the wonder of the holiday season.

The ceremonies celebrated not just the joy of the season but also the values of kindness and giving back. Each property featured unique entertainment, local partnerships, and opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of Christmas.

Discovery Boracay, Discovery Coron, and Discovery Samal are offering a variety of holiday packages to make this season even more special for you and your family.

For more information, visit each property’s websites: discoveryboracay.com for Discovery Boracay, discoverycoron.com for Discovery Coron, and discoverysamal.com for Discovery Samal.

So beyond the best-polished marble floors, the rose-hinted scent of wooden panels and staircases, and the air of luxury breathed between sips of champagne and nibbles of caviar, plus the unparalleled sweet and sincere smiles and ministrations that cheered the heart, you can always count on the Filipinos being the face of Philippine culture and values, and the trait on which hotels of the five-star class are built in this country.

As one of the pioneers of providing world-class hospitality in the Philippines, Discovery Hospitality continues to develop and shape exceptional hoteliers. Thus, it prides itself on having many of the industry’s best and brightest to propel the proudly homegrown brand to where it is today. This is further proven by the many recognitions they received.

Just this year, Discovery Primea was hailed as the “Best Luxury Business Hotel” while Discovery Hospitality won the “Leading Hospitality Brand in the Philippines” and “Best Hospitality Services Provider” awards at the 2024 World Business Outlook Awards. Vice President and Head of Digital Marketing and Branding Blessy Townes was also named “Hospitality Digital Marketing Leader of the Year for Asia-Pacific” by the same award-giving body. Prior to that, Discovery Boracay and Discovery Coron were also at the 2024 World Travel Awards and the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024.

These accolades are proof that Discovery Hospitality is continuously setting the standard in the industry, making its respectable leaders the perfect models hospitality industry aspirants can look up to. Here’s how one succeeds in the hotel business:

Take it from someone like Mirriam Magpantay who has been with Discovery Hospitality for the last 25 years. She started as an Operations Supervisor and is now the Vice President and Head of Sales and Operations Administration.

Her advice to aspirants: “You have to have the passion and dedication in whatever it is that you do.” It’s also important to be agile and flexible in a constantly changing hotel landscape. Success, she notes, hinges on the ability to adapt to new challenges while maintaining a commitment to providing exceptional service.

Tenacity and continual self-improvement are highlighted by Blessy Townes, Vice President and Head of Digital Marketing and Branding. As the hospitality industry is in constant flux, resiliency and being on top of new trends and technologies are the keys to success. Townes also highlights the value of building a personal brand and nurturing relationships in the industry: “Don’t be mediocre. Be the best in your field… Networking can open doors to opportunities and insights you wouldn’t find otherwise.

Hospitality is about more than just service—it’s about making a lasting impact on both guests and staff according to Senior Vice President and Human Resources Head Didoy Fullon. Quoting Will Guidara, founder of hospitality agency, thank you, Fullon explains, “The moment you begin to pursue service from the lens of hospitality, you understand… you have the ability to make people’s lives better by creating a magical world they can escape to.” This philosophy is the driving force behind Discovery’s commitment to providing not only excellent service but also meaningful experiences.

A Partnership for Future Hospitality Leaders

Do you think you have what it takes to be a successful hotelier? Let Discovery Hospitality help pave the way to a bright future for you. In line with its mission to foster excellence in the industry, Discovery Hospitality has partnered with Enderun Colleges, the country’s top hospitality school with a wide range of collaborations with global hospitality brands, enabling its hospitality students to grab opportunities beyond the Philippine soil.

This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Chief Operating Officer of Enderun Colleges Daniel Perez and Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Hospitality Corporation Jun Parreño, will provide four (4) grants of up to ₱100,000 each for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Operations Management with a specialization in Hospitality.

Starting January 2025, selected students will benefit from these grants and gain priority access to internships at some of the most prestigious properties under Discovery’s portfolio, including Discovery Boracay, Discovery Coron (formerly known as Club Paradise Palawan), Discovery Primea, and Discovery Suites. This hands-on experience will allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings, preparing them to become future leaders in the hospitality industry.

This collaboration between Discovery Hospitality and Enderun Colleges underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence and the professional development of future hospitality leaders.

Adding to these recognitions, Blessy Townes, Vice President of Digital Marketing at Discovery Hospitality, was also named “Hospitality Digital Marketing Leader of the Year for Asia-Pacific” for the second consecutive year, showcasing the brand’s digital innovation and leadership.

These awards are a testament to Discovery Hospitality’s continued growth and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. “Our commitment to ‘Service That’s All Heart’ is more than just a philosophy; it’s a promise to deliver unparalleled hospitality,” says Chief Operating Officer Jose “Jun” C. Parreño, Jr. “Our service comes from a genuine place of care and dedication to personalized guest experiences.”

Since its launch in 2011 as The Discovery Leisure Company, Inc., Discovery Hospitality has been at the forefront of the Filipino hospitality industry, with a portfolio that includes some of the country’s most luxurious and award-winning properties such as Discovery Boracay, Discovery Coron, Discovery Primea, Discovery Suites, Discovery Samal, and Manami Resort. 

The significance of these accolades goes beyond prestige—they enhance customer trust and affirm Discovery’s status as a trusted name in hospitality, providing the brand with leverage for future growth in hotel management and expansion.

“Winning these awards reflects our relentless commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Blessy Townes. “We are proud to be a future-facing brand that continues to create remarkable experiences for modern travelers, underpinned by genuine Filipino warmth.”

This new accolade follows suit with Discovery Boracay bagging the recognition “Philippines’ Leading Beach Resort 2024” at the recently concluded 2024 World Travel Awards. 

Guided by its philosophy of “Service That’s All Heart,” Discovery Hospitality promises to continue elevating the standards of Filipino hospitality while leaving a positive impact on the communities and environments in which it operates.

Discovery Hospitality welcomes new partners who are eager to grow their brands and introduce high standards of service to more destinations. Leveraging on their award-winning property management, shared services, and expertise in boosting direct bookings, Discovery Hospitality is prepared to enhance ventures and support smooth, successful operations. For inquiries and future partnership opportunities, you may contact Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Operations, Lynette Ermac at lynette.ermac@discoveryhospitality.com