Tea o'clock in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines – History reminds us that the practice of serving afternoon tea was first introduced in England by the 7th Duchess of Bedford, named Anna. She was one of Queen Victoria ’s ladies-in-waiting.

As was customary, the English only ate two meals a day, a hearty breakfast and heavy dinner. To sustain her through the day, Anna instructed her servants to serve tea and little cakes in her boudouir. The experience was so delightful, she repeated the exercise every afternoon thereafter.

And as expected, others soon followed suit. Before long tea shops and tearooms began mushrooming for the enjoyment of the general public.

Adopting this time-honored English tradition, and knowing well that tea tastes better when shared among friends, the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel recently introduced the afternoon tea o’clock at the lobby lounge.

On hand to personally welcome the guests was personable general manager Hans Hauri. He was joined by PR specialist Belle Lumapas and media communications manager Aileen Quijano.

 Ina Pineda, marketing director, and Kay Gervacio, product manager of AB Food and Beverages Philippines, Inc., importers and distributors of Twinings Tea of London, were also present. As invitees seated themselves at the more than comfortable sofas, a history of tea and its many benefits were briefly presented.

The wide range of tea blends can easily be mixed and matched with other ingredients for a delightful and creative assortment of ice, tea-based concoctions. While these teas refresh and hydrate the body, you are also assured that you are drinking premium quality ice beverages that are expertly blended and freshly brewed.

Among the favorites are the raspberry and echinacea fruit and herbal infusion, the mouthwatering mix that combines the flavors of strawberry and mango, the Earl Grey black tea which is a classic blend of refreshing black tea, scented with Bergamot, the increasing popular blend of black tea complimented with the flavors of passion fruit, mango and orange and the selection of expertly blended black tea with the familiar combination of sweet apple, warming cinnamon and a hind of raisin.

Efficient and alert hotel attendants soon did the rounds showcasing the many different infusions guests could savor. With tea in hand, invitees enjoyed freshly baked typical Filipino merienda treats such as ensaimada, empanadas, suman and biko.