The Mandarin Oriental, Manila ushered in the lunar new year of the Fire Dog with a grand and colorful celebration under the direction of Hong Kong-based geomancy expert Master Joseph Chau. The annual festivity, designed to augur good fortune and bring good chi, was witnessed by prominent personalities from the diplomatic, social, business and media circles as well as the Filipino-Chinese community.
The event kicked off with a prosperity parade led by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and hardworking Mandarin Oriental GM Helmut Gaisberger on board a Dog float. Guests of honor for the evening’s ceremonies included Sen. Jamby Madrigal and husband Eric Valade, Department of Tourism’s Edu Jarque, Manila Mandarin Hotel, Inc. chairman Nonoy Colayco with wife Tina, Mandarin Oriental’s first lady Vina Gaisberger, Viking Cars’ president and CEO Albert Arcilla and EVP Roselyn Dimalanta, philanthropist Rose Marie Arenas, Citibank’s Ces Florendo-Lazaro, Lifestyle Network’s Zachi de Leon and Ron Arguelles, and Cathay Pacific’s Jan Te-Agoncillo.
Congratulations to the excellent Mandarin Oriental management team led by GM Helmut Gaisberger for such a grand and successful celebration!
Advance birthday greetings to business mogul Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, March 6; Nonong Pedero, March 9; world renowned violinist and IP Coalition chairman John Lesaca, March 10; multi-awarded singer and businessman Jose Mari Chan, Vera Isberto and Makati Medical Hospital’s Dr. Remedios Suntay, March 11.
Happy wedding anniversary to lovely couple Raffy and Pia Abello, March 7. May you have many, many more cherished years together.
Belated birthday greetings to Louie Locsin and German Club past president Gunter Matschuck, Feb 26; and Bea Zobel, Feb 28.
So how was your week?
(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)