A GIANT Christmas tree made from real poinsettias? A topiary spruced up with seaweeds, dried corals and polished seashells? Banig-clad angels beside a huge image of Santa Claus?

These are just some of the Yuletide symbols that adorn several hotels in Metro Manila. Indeed, the season's spirit is again mirrored in the lobbies and restaurants of these posh establishments.

Crisis or no crisis, hotels will always come up with their own interpretation of Christmas. And not even the Department of Tourism's apathy has dampened their spirits.

Christmas is a much-awaited event among hotels. Aside from doing brisk business, it's also a time for them to outshine each other literally.

For five years now, the DOT has awarded trophies and cash prizes to hotels with exceptional decorations. Past winners include Peninsula Manila, Mandarin Oriental and Manila Hotel.

''Not only do they foster friendly competition,'' says an industry insider. ''Such events generate business for hotels.''

Because of budget constraints, the DOT, through the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, has decided to scrap this year's contest.

But the sad thing was hotels weren't informed about it until the last minute. After spending several months preparing for this year's contest, for instance, one hotel executive cried when she learned about DOT's decision.

And why not? She and a top designer brainstormed as early as April for this year's holiday extravaganza. But even before their current display is consigned to the warehouse, the two have already agreed on a concept for next year.

''Does it cost that much to recognize good work?'' the designer asks. ''If that were the case, we could have helped government raise money.''

Still, this hasn't prevented several hotels from coming up with their best. No matter what theme they follow, these people will always find ways of adding to the tinsel and glitter of Christmas.

The grand dame of Philippine hotels went Filipiniana this year with mixed results.

Twelve angel figures dressed in sinamay, dried leaves grass and palay are mounted high above the hotel's pillars. Cascading underneath each figure are garlands of gold and colored sinamay stars accented with gold beads, tivoli lights and Christmas balls.

For some reason, management chucked off the same elements, and instead used huge metallic balls, string of pearls and yards of shiny ribbon to spruce up the 20-foot tall Christmas tree. A huge image of Santa Claus add to the eclectic touch.

Rating: three stars

The hotel commissioned Toni Parsons to breathe life to its environmental theme.

People might think they're artificial, but Parsons used 120 pots of real poinsettias to create an 18-foot Christmas tree at the Captain's Bar.

More lush arrangements adorn the lobby, while several smaller varieties brighten up tables. Even the grand piano is adorned with the ubiquitous Christmas flower.

The plants need constant misting to keep it fresh and deep red. Parsons will eventually have to change some pots even before the season is over.

Parsons used tivoli lights to decorate pillars and ceilings. That's why she settled for artificial plants to decorate these areas. Poinsettias are so sensitive that they wilt when exposed to heat.

Rating: five stars

The hotel is able to maximize its huge lobby with a display inspired from a Christmas carousel.

If anything, it's more traditional and less avant-garde than previous designs. But thanks to its towering 30-foot Christmas tree, this year's set up is no less impressive.

Designer Tony Rodriguez used wooden Christmas balls and lanterns made of papier mâché in gold, royal blue and dark green. In lieu of a shining star, he had a golden horse placed atop the tree.

In keeping with its theme, several wooden horses in pastel shades are found in strategic areas of the lobby. Smaller horses adorn wreaths. Others may find the set-up a little dim, but as some hotel executives insisted, the lobby is bright and elegant enough on its own.

Rating: four stars

If you go for a more colorful Christmas, then check out this hotel's lobby. Maphilindo's set-up sparkles with hues of red, green, gold, silver, violet, even rust.

Two oversized wreaths bedecked with multi-colored metallic balls and wooden stars adorn the entrance. Behind its glass panels are two replicas placed inside the lobby.

A giant Christmas tree festooned with pearl string, artificial poinsettias and huge metallic balls greets guests. The pearl garland is said to signify the abundance of pearls in the country.

A cornucopia laden with faux fruits such as apples, grapes, pears and oranges acts as an ideal centerpiece. Golden sinamay ribbons and plastic pine leaves enhance the arrangement.

Rating: four stars

The hotel's Christmas in Paradise may be Filipino, but it's still by far the most exciting, refreshing and avant-garde display this year.

Take, for example, its 35-foot tall Christmas tree. Instead of green, Tony Rodriguez had the leaves painted marine blue. He also chose blue and silver over red and gold trimmings. Real and artificial seashells, sea horses, crystal balls and dried starfish add color to the frosty creation.

Rodriguez also followed the same theme in decorating the lower lobby's five ledges. This time, though, he added peach, mint green and white to his palate of colors.

But what's amazing is the creativity and effort that went into several pieces. Rodriguez, for instance, combined such materials as corals, starfish, seashells and dried seaweeds to come up with a marine topiary.

Even tiny seashells were painstakingly put together to resemble flowers. In lieu of ribbons, Rodriguez let yards of silver net cascade down the hotel's stairs.

Rating: five stars

Since Christmas is a time for family gatherings, the hotel went traditional with several average-sized pieces in red, green and matte gold.

Its Christmas tree brims with round and elongated pieces said to be inspired from Barcelona. In keeping with the hard times, suppliers were able to fashion out angel figures made of dried grass, sinamay and multicolored ribbons.

Although far from opulent, the hotel's homey display blends well with its warm ambiance.

Rating: three stars

Not content with one Christmas tree, the hotel's designers have grouped together three trees of various sizes in the lobby.

Decked with gold, silver and burgundy ribbons, each tree is also spruced up with balls, pine cones and musical pieces and instruments.

The look is said to be lifted from the Victorian era. Tivoli lights wound around the Christmas trees and steel railings add opulence to the display.

Rating: Four stars

Makati's first hotel is still caught up in the Centennial frenzy with Christmas scenes that literally hark back to the past.

Old-fashioned frames containing various repros of vintage photos were combined with traditional Yuletide trimmings such as balls, ribbons and pine cones. The display's character is decidedly old Spanish.

As an added treat, the hotel has invited 14 designers to come up with their version of the Christmas tree. Thus, we see the works of such designers and artists as Rajo Laurel, Impy Pilapil, Gerry Sunga, Eun Il Lee and Claude Tayag featured in the lobby.

Rating: three stars

Like Peninsula Manila, Shangri-La Manila was able to put its huge and elegant lobby to good use.

In-house designers installed six Christmas trees of various sizes in the lobby. The tallest is 18 ft, while the shortest is seven ft.

Each tree was adorned with identical ornaments in gold, green and white. The Victorian-inspired ensemble comes with huge trimmings, artificial poinsettias and cotton fruits painted in white and gold.

Yes, the hotel's artists were able to transform the lowly kapok plant into a chic Yuletide symbol.

A so-called Christmas corner right in the middle of the tivoli-lighted Christmas trees sell various holiday goodies from wine, chocolate figures, gingerbread houses and miniature Santas.