Swinging 60s at Marriot

CEBU, Philippines - There is no doubt that the 1960s have become synonymous with all the exciting events and trends of the period which continued to develop in the 70s 80s and 90s. It is fondly remembered as the hippy, groovy, disco era.

It was a time of Camelot at the White House with the Kennedys, Jack and Jacqueline. It was also Martin Luther King Jr's. "I Have a Dream" speech that brought about the civil rights movement. It was about psychedelic music, platform shoes and bellbottom pants made popular by the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley and Cher. It was the time of the Fab-four Beatles with their mop-top hair.   It was the time of the mini skirt revolution that signified freedom and rebellion.

We had the chance to relive this swinging era at the recent Chaine des Rotisseurs get-together which was held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel. 

Affable General Manager, Bruce Winton was dressed as Austin Powers, the international mystery man, and his wife Christina, was clad in white go-go boots and mini shift dress. The couple good naturedly welcomed guests with perfectly chilled champagne, wine and sodas.

Bailli Delegue Philippines Michel Lhuillier came as Elvis, dressed in white with silver studs, complete with   wide side burns, a guitar on hand, dark shades, and white boots. His wife Amparito, Bailli de Cebu, had on a fitted lace top and a breathtaking full skirt in gorgeous matte gold cinched at the waist with a wide matching belt.

Prior to the formal dinner at the Grand Ballroom, two dedicated members of the club were elevated to Officiers de la Chaine. They were Marco Polo Plaza Hotel General Manager Hans Hauri and retiree Michael Hennessey.

The eight-course menu worthy of any Chaine event was masterfully created by Executive Chef and Director of F & B Brendan Mahoney. The dinner got off to a wonderful start with excellent farmed shrimp gazpacho in chorizo dressing, sea grapes and calamari pasta. The succeeding courses had Lapu-Lapu Poisson Cru, hearts of palm with avocado ice cream followed by Philippine rock lobster, mascarpone cream, pomelo sabayan, and slow roast Bicol vine ripe tomato.

The main course of natural root beer braised Black Angus U.S. Short Ribs, was served with glazed fennel, vanilla potato sauce, sweet potato croquette and toasted barley. Dessert was a twisted chocolate ganache, sauvignon braised sugar pineapple, and Cebu rice sherbet.

The wonderful evening culminated with the performances of the University of Cebu and Dj War of the Penthouse who did several dances reminiscent of the 60s.

It was past midnight when this successful, well-organized event, definitely one not to have been missed, came to an end. (FREEMAN)