The Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa celebrated its 15th anniversary with a triple treat celebration held at the different areas of the property.
The hotel’s expansive and breezy main lobby was the venue for the art exhibit featuring 15 well-known Cebuano painters.
The artists included Gabby Abellana, Cesar Castillo, Pronnie de la Cerna, John Dinglasan, Luther Galicano, Benji Goyha, Celso Pepito, Fe Madrid Pepito, Jose Mari Picornell,Ritchie Quijano, Lurline Rodriguez, Antonio Vidal, Jobril Villaver, Kimsoy Yap and Sonia Yrastorza.
The painters created their own interpretation of the Shangri-La experience by capturing it’s different facets such as the atrium landscape, the beach, the cabanas on the rock, the well- maintained gardens, the golf park, the fabulous pool and the Ocean Pavilion of which 50 percent of the sales’ proceeds would be donated to the hotel’s chosen charity.
Meanwhile at the Tides Restaurant, the first purely Cebuano Food Festival was launched. Executive sous chef Adolfo Lopez, chef de cuisine Marc Martinez and pastry chef Edgardo Butawan with the help of culinary consultant and restaurateur Jessica Avila, whipped up different dishes that highlighted the specialties of several towns of the island. Favorites were humba (stewed pork belly), escabeche, (fillet of grouper in sweet and sour sauce), adobo na nokos, (squid cooked in vinegar and bay leaf) and assorted native delicacies such as masareal (ground peanut cake) budbud kabog (sweet sticky rice) and tagaktak (triangular-shaped fried flour shavings sprinkled with brown sugar).
Surely the most anticipated and well attended was the affair held at the Marquee, the indoor air-conditioned tent. The usually all-white desired venue of many was magically transformed into a colorful, lively, carnival replete with a huge carousel decorated with flags and banners and hundreds upon hundreds of buntings. Making their rounds and greeting the ever loyal clients and customers were clowns, stiltwalkers, graceful mimes, acrobats, jugglers, and balloon twisters.
On one popular corner stood a magician who mesmerized the guests with never seen-before tricks while the curious had a peep into their seeming future courtesy of a fortune teller. Others opted to have their faces painted. The sports enthusiasts had a great time at the different game booths trying their luck at basketball, darts, lucky dice, ring toss, checkers and shoot- the-ball. Several went home with tokens and giveaways.
In his brief remarks, general manager Raymond Bragg said, “ We would like to thank our partners, clients, friends, and the whole Cebuano community for 15 years of support. Through this time you have made us feel that we are family. We thank you for embracing us. May you always be able to find your Shangri-La here in Cebu.”
Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, the officers and members of the executive committee offered a toast to “15 years of memories” capped by a gigantic balloon drop complimented by a spray of confetti.