Rocking beauties
I was a latecomer to loving Cebu, as it was only in the early ‘90s that I started visiting and enjoying what it offered in abundance — wonderful resorts, creative talents, delicious food and hospitable people who were very service oriented. So many positives that made this province tops in tourism, exports, business, design and fashion. The Cebuano “can do” attitude is amazing and I wish all Filipinos could emulate them to help us go forward in the current global market.
It was a double treat as there was a fun show produced by DMC International’s Rajan Guidwani to watch the famous classic rock ‘n’ roll band Gerry and the Pacemakers in Cebu and Manila. I loved the ‘60s songs that included Ferry, Cross the Mersey and the ever-popular You’ll Never Walk Alone. During their peak, Brian Epstein managed both Gerry and the Beatles, so these two formidable British bands dominated the international record charts in the 1960s. An added bonus was the performance of Chip Hawkes of the Tremoloes, who made the song Silence is Golden reverberate in that same era.
The Philippines was ably represented by the youthful and energetic Bloomfields, my music icon and husband, RJ Jacinto, and The Rockin’ 60s. They were able to make the crowd dance, sing along and head down memory lane with wild abandon. As the evening ended, one could see the audience leaving both venues smiling and singing their favorite songs that brought happy memories of their youth.
Staying at the 2.3-hectare resort in Plantation Bay located in Mactan, Cebu was pleasurable with the smiling staff and relaxed ambience. Consistently rated by the prestigious magazine Conde Nast as one of the “Top 20 Resorts in Asia,” I loved my room by the saltwater lagoon as we could swim there any time of the day or night. This place even offers the best burgers and chili con carne that made me gladly break my usual non-carnivorous diet.
Another plus is a visit to their Mogambo Spa as the foot reflexology and hilot massages were most outstanding. Judith, my therapist, was able to take out all the kinks and aches in my back and neck that had given me problems for months. Just for that, I was tempted to stay another day to savor another hilot session.
It was an evening of high fashion and unrelenting passion for saving the environment when the Miss Earth Foundation recently staged Fashion Forest at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center with the beautiful Miss Earth 2010 titleholders and the past and present winners of Miss Philippines-Earth. The show capped the multifarious activities lined up for the Philippine visit of the 2010 winners — India’s Nicole Faria, Miss Earth 2010, Thailand’s Watsaporn Wattanakoon and Russia’s Victoria Shchukina Miss Earth Air 2010.
The show shifted to high gear when four of the country’s sought-after couturiers showcased their collections: Eric Pineda, Noel Crisostomo, Ronaldo Arnaldo and Frederick Policarpio. The clothes were beautifully modeled by Miss Philippines Earth 2011 Athena Mae Imperial and her court as well as past beauty queens who are still head turners. This Philippine tour paves the way for the much-awaited Miss Earth 2011 pageant which will be held on Nov. 12 in Pattaya, Thailand.
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