The occasion? A get-together of top executives of the country’s most luxurious hotel chain, the Shangri-La, with Cebu’s tri-media personalities.
Upon our arrival, attendants immediately surrendered the other pair of footwear, which we gamely slipped on as we made our way to the beautifully landscaped garden surrounding the Ocean Pavilion, the newly-built facility of the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa.
Cordially welcoming guests was well-mannered general manager Timothy Wright. He was assisted by PR manager Sharon Samarista and her assistant Odessa Briones, sales and marketing director Jopy Lopez, and food and beverage executive assistant manager Stephan Kapek.
Over bubbly champagne, wines and spirits with lots of picas, we mingled with representatives of the different Shangri-La properties. From Makati Shangri-La came the personable and live-wire GM Jarlath Lynch and his team made up of sales and marketing VP Peggy Angeles, sales and marketing director Lourdes Juco, communications director Joy Wassmer, and communications assistant Bianca Donato.
Longtime Cebuano resident and dear friend Edsa Shangri-La communications director Neil Rumbaoa came down with sales and marketing director Benedict Peter Lim.
Completing the list were Traders Hotel’s communications manager Lourdes Arrieta and sales director Samuel Gacos.
A well-organized menu meant to appeal to a broad range of tastes and sensibilities was served, consisting of king prawn with micro salad, light lobster bisque with truffle essence in coconut shell, and pancetta-wrapped beef tenderloin medallions with seared goose liver with fresh berry confit and risotto croquette. Corporate executive trainee Maggie Garcia proudly executed her skill in serving the delectable dishes. To cap the fabulous meal with a flourish, served was a green apple sour cream dome with butterscotch vodka chantilly.
Towards the end of the night, everyone took to the dance floor including the Freeman’s Bobit Avila, Cebu Daily News’ Jaime Picornell, and Sun Star’s Pura Kintanar. Neil Rumbaoa and Jude Bacalso serenaded the guests, followed by a generous raffling of prizes that included overnight stays, candlelit dinners, and indulgence at the fantastic Chi spa.