Two distinct programs honor a decade of hospitality and introduce a new season of shared experiences, Okada Manila’s signature live entertainment, and holiday celebrations.
Okada Manila celebrated its 10th anniversary and welcomed the festive season with an evening of milestone tributes, live performances, and the Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The occasion also marked the opening of the Magical Holiday Village, inviting families and friends to come together for festive dining, shopping, entertainment, and holiday fun.
Okada Manila 10th Anniversary Celebration Ms . Takako Okada, Kris Aquino, and Catherine Agustin of DOT – NCR join Okada Manila executives Joe Sam, Shirley Tam, Nobuki Sato, David Anthony Baldwin, and Reddy Leong for a commemorative photograph during the resort’s 10th anniversary celebration on November 13, 2026, marking a decade of hospitality and memorable guest experiences.
Held at The Fountain Foyer, the evening unfolded in two distinct programs: an anniversary celebration reflecting on the resort’s first decade and its vision for the future, followed by a holiday launch introducing new experiences for guests to enjoy across the resort.
Celebrating 10 Years of Hospitality and Excellence
The evening opened with Okada Manila’s 10th anniversary program, honoring the guests, members, partners, media, and team members who have shaped its journey since opening in December 2016.
Catherine Agustin, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Tourism – National Capital Region, joined the anniversary celebration, highlighting the longstanding collaboration in promoting Manila as a destination for international tourism, entertainment, and hospitality. Nobuki Sato, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila, reflected on the resort’s distinctive service culture, its international recognition, and its ambition to contribute to Manila’s growth as a tourism destination.
“Our first decade has been shaped by Japanese excellence and Filipino warmth—a service culture brought to life by our people every day,” Sato said. “We thank the Department of Tourism for its continued partnership in sharing the best of Manila with the world. The recognition we have earned is a tribute to our team and an opportunity to inspire more travelers to discover the Philippines.”
Kris Aquino Graces Okada Manila’s 10th Anniversary Celebration The Philippines’ Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, graces Okada Manila’s 10th anniversary celebration on November 13, 2026, joining guests and resort executives to commemorate the milestone.
That commitment has earned Okada Manila seven consecutive years of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ratings and two consecutive years of MICHELIN Selected recognition for its Japanese restaurant, Ginza Nagaoka.
Its 2026 distinctions include Best Hotel–Manila at the TTG Travel Awards, Asia’s Leading Entertainment Resort at the World Travel Awards, and a place among Asia Pacific’s Top Three Best Integrated Resorts at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards.
The anniversary also highlighted investments that have enriched the guest experience, including new gaming zones, expanded meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) offerings at Crystal Pavilion, and renovated guest rooms. Enhanced VIP experiences at Maharlika Club will be unveiled soon.
“As we enter our next decade, our ambition is to give guests more reasons to choose Manila and return to Okada Manila,” Sato added. “We will build on these investments and develop partnerships that bring fresh resort experiences and activation programs to life, while continuing to invest in the people and service that earn our guests’ trust.”
The anniversary program concluded with a commemorative photograph of Okada Manila executives and special guests, marking the resort’s 10-year milestone.
Disney-themed Holiday Festivities Begin with Grand Christmas Tree Lighting
Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Okada Manila executives Reddy Leong, David Anthony Baldwin, Shirley Tam, Nobuki Sato, together with Disney representative Geraldine Naidu, and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in front of the illuminated Grand Christmas Tree during the holiday kickoff celebration on November 13, 2026.
The second program launched “Party With Magic” by Okada Manila, welcoming the festive season and officially introducing the resort’s collaboration with Disney Philippines.
Shirley Tam, Chief Marketing Officer for Integrated Sales and Marketing at Okada Manila, outlined how the collaboration will bring Disney-themed activities into different parts of the resort journey, from dining and merchandise to installations, and themed displays at The Garden.
“Our vision is to keep creating experiences that bring people together and give them a lasting connection to Okada Manila,” Tam said. “This collaboration with Disney allows us to build on that vision through familiar stories and characters that resonate across generations. Beginning with this festive season, we are creating more opportunities for families and friends to share meaningful moments and discover something new each time they return.”
The Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony brought the holiday launch to life with a synchronized display of lights, music, and special effects.
Okada Manila executives were joined by Geraldine Naidu, Director of Brand Commercialization and market lead for Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, Disney Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Company, for the ceremonial countdown and tree lighting.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse also made a special appearance, joining executives for commemorative photographs in front of the illuminated tree.
Jessica Sanchez and Jed Madela Performance
Jessica Sanchez and Jed Madela perform their renditions of Disney favorites and holiday songs during Okada Manila’s Grand Christmas Tree Lighting festivities, accompanied by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.
The festivities continued with performances by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated Filipino vocalist Jed Madela, and internationally acclaimed singer Jessica Sanchez, featuring Disney songs and holiday favorites.
Okada Manila Entertainment Group Performance
The Okada Manila Entertainment Group brings festive energy to the stage during the Grand Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, entertaining guests with a lively performance to welcome the holiday season.
A grand finale featuring Jed Madela, the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Okada Manila Entertainment Group led guests toward the Magical Holiday Village.
Magical Holiday Village Opens with Free Admission
The Magical Holiday Village at Crystal Pavilion opened its doors with free admission, bringing together festive attractions and a dedicated “Party with the Magic” zone inspired by beloved Disney stories.
Magical Holiday Village
Guests explore Okada Manila’s Magical Holiday Village at Crystal Pavilion, featuring “Party with the Magic”, a dedicated Disney-themed zone; alongside more than 100 dining and shopping stalls, rides, games, and other holiday attractions. Admission is free until January 3, 2027.
Open daily from 11 AM to 1 AM, from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027, the Village offers families and friends a place to dine, shop, play, and celebrate throughout the season.
Visitors can explore the “Party with the Magic” zone’s themed spaces, merchandise, activities, and photo opportunities.
Altogether there are more than 100 dining and shopping stalls across the Village offering festive treats, seasonal dishes, Christmas gifts, and merchandise. Families can visit Santa’s Post, ride the carousel, try carnival games, and capture memories at festive photo spots. As evening falls, illuminated displays and Christmas Village light shows add to the celebrations, with the first light show presented during the opening night.
Look Forward to More Disney-Themed Activities Across Okada Manila
Beyond the Village, the collaboration with Disney Philippines brings themed offerings to participating venues across Okada Manila, beginning with festive dining treats such as pastries and sweets, and selected merchandise.
Disney-Themed Pastry Display
Disney-themed pastry display are showcased at the Chairman’s Lounge, offering guests a preview of selected festive treats introduced as part of “Party With the Magic” by Okada Manila.
At The Garden, overlooking Manila Bay, guests can look forward to Winnie the Pooh-themed displays in the garden from mid-December. These are separate from the Magical Holiday Village, offering more places to explore and photograph across the resort.
The themed activities complement the resort’s wider offerings in dining, wellness, entertainment, shopping, and leisure, giving guests more ways to plan a day out or an extended stay.
A New Decade of Experiences at Okada Manila
As Okada Manila enters its second decade, it continues to build on the service culture and partnerships behind its first 10 years, while creating new experiences for guests to share.
From the illuminated Grand Christmas Tree to festive attractions across the resort, the season offers an invitation to stay, dine, unwind, play, shop, and celebrate at Okada Manila.
Visit the Magical Holiday Village at Crystal Pavilion from 11 AM to 1 AM daily, with free admission until January 3, 2027. Explore the holiday experiences and plan your visit at https://okdmnl.ph/PartyWithTheMagic.
For official announcements, press releases, media updates, and media photo downloads, visit the Okada Manila Pressroom at https://pressroom.okadamanila.com/.
