Thousands flock to the paradise island of Boracay to celebrate the New Year’s eve revelry. Literally, the whole stretch of the island was filled with people of all shapes, sizes, color and guts. A sea of people lined up the famous white sand beaches to watch the fireworks display that lasted for an hour. People waited with bated breath as the countdown to 12 midnight started. At the strike of 12, fireworks began. Boracay skies were covered with fireworks of different hues, designs, and contours. And if it were your first time to spend New Year’s eve in Boracay, you might think that there was an international fireworks competition happening. It was a splendid way to start the year and an effective ritual to drive away the bad, nasty, and ugly of the year that passed.
La Carmela de Boracay, renowned as the resort of the stars, prepared big for the New Year. Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner buffet that consisted of roasted turkey, lechon, chicken, pork, fish, salads, and lots of dessert. La Carmela de Boracay was fully booked for the holidays. Tourists came in droves and occupied most of the rooms in its Executive Wing (the newly opened building adjacent to La Carmela main). The executive wing also houses Sir Boy Barbecue which is one of the best sellers of La Carmela. At its main hotel, local families packed most of the rooms.
“Since the start of the holiday season we were never without guests both local and foreign. Halos araw-araw fully booked kami,” said Yong Amudian, F and B Manager of La Carmela de Boracay. Yong saw to it that everyone who stayed at the hotel was attended properly. “Importante sa amin na maganda ang experience nila sa La Carmela at sa Boracay. Everyone who is a guest of La Carmela, kailangan asikasuhin.” True enough, Yong was on his toes, sashaying from one floor to the next, morning till night to see to it that guests of the hotel were happy.
During the season, local stars were said to have come and left the island — Anne Curtis and boyfriend Erwann Heusaff, Solenn Heussaff, Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon, Richard Gutierrez and family, Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo, Joey Reyes, Willie Revillame, Shalani Soledad. Willie and Shalani were seen at the Discovery Shores party after the fireworks display. Willie reportedly stayed at his yacht which was anchored off the beaches of Boracay. Also according to reports, Willie and Shalani did not arrive the island together. They just happened to be there at the same time.
Mark Salling who plays Puck in Glee, where Charice was cast also spent the holidays in Boracay. Some say he was staying at Nigi Nigi resort in Station 3 where there were always people trying to get a glimpse of the star. Entertainment writer Allan Diones was luckier. He met Puck at Juice Bar and had his photo taken. Allan who was with Gorgy Rula, and some friends stayed at the La Carmela de Boracay. Puck is said to be a huge fan of Manny Pacquiao and a dinner with the world’s greatest pugilist was more than a Christmas gift. Puck’s arrival in Boracay Island was expected by many. Twitter tweeted his coming to the island resort. The Glee star met up with the group of Anne and Solenn. They now follow each other on Twitter. Mark must have enjoyed his stay in Boracay that he tweeted Solenn, @mark_salling nice meeting you guys, mango rhums next year!
The Great American Circus goes to Cebu
If you have not been to the Great American Circus, you can still catch it in Cebu at the Waterfront Hotel and at Cebu Coliseum. Bambi Verzo says …“The Great American Circus will also perform in Cebu on Jan. 8 to 10 at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug and Jan. 11 to 12, Cebu Coliseum.
The Great American Circus is a two-hour breathtaking, high-energy entertainment for adults and children that showcases internationally-acclaimed daredevils, aerialists, dancers and acrobatic artists. The jaw-dropping acts and side-splitting comedic antics is something to marvel at. Cornell “Tuffy” Nicholas, producer and show maker of the Great American Circus explains, “This is a huge, modern day circus, with everything from the best clowns in the business to trapeze artists.” Some of the acts featured in this circus are the Valencia Brothers who show off their synchronized acrobatic skill on a 30-foot human-powered “Wheel of Death.” The circus also pays homage to the late, great American Pop icon Michael Jackson with a performance by entertainer Michael Kiss whose uncanny resemblance and powerful vocals are nothing short of a Thriller.
For details, call 032-232-1991 or 0917-5497380