Radisson Blu's grand opening

CEBU, Philippines - It was definitely “the Radisson Blu day” when the first hotel venture of the SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation of the prominent Sy family formally opened last November 10 with no less than His Excellency Noynoy Aquino doing the honors of the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at around 11:30 that sunny Wednesday morning.

TheSy family headed by their patriarch and SM founder, Henry Sy Sr.  came in full force and was lauded by PNoy for their great contribution to the country’s retail economy.  The 400-room Radisson Blu is operated by the Carlson Asia Pacific.

At 6pm that same day, all roads led to the brand new hotel for the grand opening cocktails which was graced by the metro’s “name droppables” who showed their full support for Cebu’s latest addition to the hotel industry. All smiles that night were Elizabeth T. Sy, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Marissa Fernan, VP SM Prime Holdings Incorporated; Grant Gaskin, Radisson Blu’s General Manager; Anna Fernandez, Director for Sales and Marketing; and Joan Danao, PR Manager as they welcomed the guests to celebrate with them.  They were all looking forward, too, for one of the night’s highlights, the raffling off of a P2.8 million 2010 Audi A4 which eventually went to Bluewater Resorts & Hotels’ heiress, the gorgeous June Alegrado, who was busy talking to friends when her name was called. When one of her lady friends told her that she won, June immediately went forward and thought that it was only one of those Radisson gift certificates. In fact, she only knew that she won the Audi when she was already onstage with the night’s emcee, Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Lucky lady!

Anyway, the well-heeled set of Cebu went on partying ‘til an hour before midnight, all enjoying the delectable food prepared and the overflowing cocktail drinks while having a little tete-a-tete here and there. The well-acclaimed The Company provided the party music that evening. 

To the Radisson Blu Hotel, welcome to Cebu! Cheers! (FREEMAN)