Best kept secrets

Don’t look now, but Mandaluyong’s best kept secret is secret no more.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover Club Mwah. I wondered why they did not sound the bugles when they opened its doors to the public, why the drum beaters were home when they raised the curtains on their grand stage. So now I know. They were certain that, as in anyone with a good product line to show, they could rely on word-of-mouth to spread the good news.

The entertainment scene is all the richer for this latest addition to the scene. Club Mwah is in Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong. An unlikely place indeed to put up such a place as this, and one would wonder if it would attract sufficient business in this district. But insiders in the entertainment world know of the place, and it has been gaining grounds as a fave place for hosting birthdays and the likes, and even corporate affairs.

Friends Pocholo Malilin and Cris Nicolas came up with the idea of a grand theater and club in Manila. These veterans of entertainment wanted something that would be in the class of Studio 54 of New York, Lido De Paris, and the best of Las Vegas. Or if you want something nearer, have you seen the extravaganzas they put up for tourists in Bangkok? Spectacular! From the concept, the costumes, the lighting – the tourists just love the shows.

For starters, they did a very neat job on the interiors. As you enter its grand doors, the total atmosphere strikes you as grand. The strategic lighting lends a lot of drama to the interiors. Even the seating arrangements (they have cozy groupings), the color scheme that includes aubergine and choice of rich, sensuous fabric contribute to the drama they have planned for the evening.

When the lights dim and the curtain rises, you are transported into another realm. They have not spared the details. If the motif for the night was Egyptian, they live and breath Egyptian for the night. There are belly dancers and docile snakes to complete the picture. Everyone is in costume, and the shows that unfold onstage are world-class. The dancers are lively, the signers are professional and it is clear they spend quite a fortune on props to come up with spectacular shows. And these shows are decent and very entertaining, not the type that you wouldn’t want the daughter to see.

What got my interest is really the tourist potential that places, and shows, such as this can spell for us. I have seen how they packed the crowds abroad, so why shouldn’t we cash in on them? According to Pocholo who ably manages the place, Club Mwah is in fact the "most viewed website in recent history, counting 11,000 from the US, Europe, and all over Asia in a record two months." And you guessed it, in Asia, Japanese web visitors contributed heavily to this number.

The two friends desire to have the Philippines figure heavily in the tourism map as far as entertainment is concerned fueled their enthusiasm to come up with a place like Club Mwah. This, plus their dream of doing their share in uplifting the Filipino entertainers’ lives, gave rise to this grand theater.

Backstage, we were privy to the back-breaking rehearsals of the performers. Perfectionists that they are, no talent can be marginal, no performance can be run-of-the-mill, and they cannot take tepid reception from the audience either. Their talent pool is professionally trained, and they have quite a big base. According to them, if a performer graduates from their ranks, he or she can take Japan or any other place by storm. Big words from these two who have dared to act on their dream.

They import foreign magicians for their family-oriented shows that go beyond the rabbit-in-a-hat routine, and they have elaborate props that are a visual feast.

According to their marketing whiz Mari Hilario, they have captured the imagination of the corporate world as well, judging from the recent bookings. Manny says that, in keeping with the value for money scheme, they have kept their food and beverage prices competitive and affordable. Which isn’t to say they are scrimping on this either. They even imported a chef from Japan to handle their culinary needs.

I’m always happy to see local ventures striving to meet and surpass international standards. Go for it, Club Mwah.

Speaking of international standards, I remember bringing the kids every year to Ocean Park in Hong Kong, and one of their stellar attractions then was the giant pool that had simulated ocean waves. Sure, that was years and years ago but I remember how the kids got a kick out of that one. Well, they finally brought in the waves, albeit very very late.

Ciudad Christhia Resort, or better known in the area as 9 Waves has it as one their inexpensive thrills in their resort located at San Mateo, Rizal. They claim it’s the only one in the area that boasts of this, where one can walk into the waves just like walking into the ocean, but with more controlled surroundings.

The resort is huge, all of three hectares of family-owned land fully developed as a recreational center and resort. They opened in 1990 with just a few amenities — one pool, a duckpin bowling alley, and a few cabanas. Today, this family business boasts of first-class accommodations, complete seminar and conference facilities, more pools, a KTV, plus basketball and billiards. All the kids work with Mom and Dad to keep abreast of competition. Way to go folks.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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