‘Protocol snub’

Dubai, UAE – At the 60th anniversary of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI) held at the Solaire Resort and Casino last Saturday, President Aquino, who was the guest of honor, challenged the businessmen present to make the Philippines a significant player in the global market. During the event, President Noy did not acknowledge Chinese Ambassador-designate Zhaq Jinhua who is taking the place of outgoing Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing who made her farewell call on President Aquino last December.

People who are not familiar with diplomatic protocol, however, are sowing intrigue saying the President deliberately “snubbed” the Chinese diplomat because of our current maritime dispute with China.  On the contrary, the President could not acknowledge ambassador-designate Zhaq Jinhua because the latter has not presented his credentials to President Aquino, so technically he has not been recognized as the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, explained a source from the DFA.

We Filipinos are a polite people and well versed when it comes to showing good manners. Those who read malice to the “incident” and are bent on sowing intrigue should take their case before the UN “arbitration on protocol.”

German efficiency combined with Filipino hard work

Germans are known for their efficiency and are the epitome of meticulousness with nothing left to chance to ensure success. Definitely, such Teutonic traits are serving a popular friend to Filipinos, Bernd Schneider, in good stead. Barely eight months after his appointment as general manager of Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach, the luxury hotel has become one of the most preferred with an average occupancy rate of 95 percent. The 32-story hotel’s luxurious accommodations and elegant facilities offer everything leisure and business travelers would wish for. 

Before his appointment to Dubai, Bernd was in India to oversee the successful opening of Magnifique Sofitel Mumbai – the first Sofitel hotel in the said country. With over three decades in the industry, Bernd has been to countries across Europe and Asia, including the Philippines where he supervised the $10-million renovation work for the grand launch of Sofitel Philippine Plaza in 2007. The hotel has raised the bar not only in terms of accommodation, but also in dining as well with Spiral restaurant now a byword among Manila’s epicures.

In January 2011, we held the People of the Year Awards at the Sofitel with President Aquino as guest of honor – which was a coming home of sorts because PeopleAsia was launched in November 1999 at the Sofitel – then known as Westin Philippine Plaza with President Joseph Estrada as guest of honor. The Philippines holds a special place in the heart of Bernd because it was in Manila where his Singaporean wife Pipin gave birth to their now four-year-old son Benedict. The Schneiders have two older daughters, Eirine and Laura.

Dubai is undoubtedly a global city comparable to Paris, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore especially where shopping is concerned. It’s dubbed as the “shopping capital of the Middle East” because of numerous malls, plus it has the world’s biggest shopping complex called the Dubai Mall that carries international luxury brands. Dubai attracts shopaholics from Europe, Africa and India – no doubt a place where wealthy people in the Arab world prefer to spend their money. 

As expected, there are many OFWs in Dubai estimated at 500,000 – easily the largest population of Pinoys in the United Arab Emirates. In fact, Bernd’s secretary Mary Grace Barbon (in photo) is from Cavite. Filipino hard work with the legendary German efficiency – a perfect combination.

Okada’s recurring ‘deal breakers’

It seems Japanese casino magnate Kazuo Okada is a magnet for controversy judging from the latest fallout with the Century Properties Group (CPG) of Ambassador Joey Antonio over the casino project at the Entertainment City Complex along the Manila Bay area. According to sources, the Okada group was the one that invited CPG to invest in the 30-hectare, $2-billion casino development in October last year, with the property group also agreeing to develop a 5-hectare luxury residential-commercial project within the casino complex.

For some reason, the Okada group served a notice of termination which the Century Group has described as “premature,” “unfounded” and lacking in contractual basis. Despite Century’s “good faith” efforts to bring the investment transaction to a close, the Okada group reportedly frustrated the efforts by being uncooperative, a source privy to the issue disclosed. CPG allocated $12 million from its existing cash balances for the casino project and while the property developer has not handed over the money to the Okada group, a significant amount of time – not to mention resources – has been expended for the project.

Several businessmen, however, told us they are no longer surprised at the latest development involving Okada and a prospective partner, describing the Japanese casino boss as a “habitual deal breaker” having reportedly tried to partner with several groups – first with the Lopez Group’s Rockwell Land, then the Gokongweis’ Robinsons Land and later shifting to Andrew Tan’s Empire East before zeroing in on the Century Properties Group. Of course, many know about the legal case involving Okada and Las Vegas casino boss Steve Wynn which has gone on for over two years now.

In any case, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Bong Naguiat has warned that Okada’s target opening next year could be deferred if bribery allegations and land ownership issues are not settled. Meantime, Century Properties Group is doing very well with or without Okada with the newly opened Century City Mall – a major feature in the 3.4-hectare upscale project Century City with high-rise residential and office structures – expected to contribute P100 million in company revenues. 

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