PROST!

For the second year in a row Marco Polo Plaza Hotel hosted a fun-filled Oktoberfest by bringing together a very special extended family entertained by an authentic brass band, the Bavarian Sound Express, flown in all the way from Munich.  Performing lively, beer-drinking music, the band had the guests swaying back-and-forth, to and fro!

The three-day celebration held at the third floor open air balcony started with the traditional tapping of the keg of beer by guest of honor Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama eagerly assisted by hands-on General Manager Hans Hauri.

The sumptuous buffet , nothing chi chi, only  good real German  food as some Cebuano gourmands claimed, from the Bayrische Zwiebel soup to the  grilled smoked sausages, turkey with cranberry sauce, pork knuckles, an array of ham,  roasted beef with three varieties of sauce, veal prepared and cooked in every imaginable way,  an assortment of salads, baked potatoes and French fries, and the sinfully calorific desserts that included  a nice selection of ice creams, and apple strudel were simply excellent.

Side by side was a large assortment of fine condiments that included relishes, pickles, cheeses and several mustards, from Dijon to stone ground varieties.

Beer naturally played a central role in the fair. With beer mugs in hand, the guests gathered at the massive tent ready to enjoy the evening’s much-anticipated festivities. San Miguel Beer  just flowed and flowed as efficient waiters delivered pitcher after pitcher of the much desired refreshing cold draft.  

There were  lots of parlor games such as beer drinking contest for men, and  not to be outdone, the ladies had a beer drinking contest, as well. Mark Bretherton topped  the men’s category while Jennina Villamo won hands down for the ladies.

Enjoying their pitchers of cold beer were fun couples councilor Jack Jakosalem and his wife Sharon,  Raul and Maricris Encarnacion, Alegre Resort’s Fritz and Cynthia Kahler, Jurgen and Sandra Pesch, Bochay and David Lava, Beth and Gabby Sanoria.

Opting to go solo but having just as much fun and perhaps even more were DOT Regional Director Dawnie Roa, art collector Lydia Alfonso, travel specialist Jenny Franco, photographer Daniel Carpentier, The Freeman lifestyle executive editor Mayen Angbetic Tan,  her colleagues Cookie Newman and Joe Recio, socialite Margie Lhuillier, up and coming architect Maya Franco, consultant Bolly Bolton, and Cebu International School superintendent Mark Bretherton.

Director of Sales and Marketing Lynn Romero, Executive Assistant Michelle Maranga—the  emcee who superbly guided the  flow of activities, PR Manager Carlo Borromeo, and HRD Manager Julie Najar together with the rest of the team simply outdid themselves on the festive preparations that truly delighted the guests and surpassed  everyone’s expectations.

Executive Chef Luke Gagnon who makes it a point to be present at every official club function made sure the food  stations  never ran out.

Our congratulations to the entire Marco Polo Plaza team for a delightfully dressed-down and fun filled evening.  Mr. Hauri, you have earned another feather in your cap.