A tradition of hospitality

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa recently launched its new global brand campaign at the Ocean Pavilion.

Dubbed as “It’s in Our Nature,” the campaign was created by Ogilvy and Mather, and directed by internationally renowned commercial director Bruno Aveillan. The campaign expresses the group’s distinctive philosophy of hospitality, which has been a trademark of Shangri-La Mactan over the last four decades.

 During cocktails, the culinary traditions of different regions of the world were served. The creations featured specialties from China, Europe, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia where there is a continuing growth of the brand presence of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

The gourmet pickings began with China, and to represent the promise and potential of the country, a cocktail version of the roast duck was prepared.

To symbolize the opulent character of the properties in Europe, a cocktail of beef roulade with mushrooms, grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes was served. The roulade, from the French word rouler meaning “to roll,” is an intricate dish that requires precision and care from preparing the filling, to rolling, to slicing.

Middle Eastern gourmands were delighted with the baba ghanouj, an Arab dish of eggplant that is mashed and mixed with a selection of seasonings from the region. This region is an increasingly important market for Shangri-La both for its inbound and outbound potentials.

To represent the colorful cuisine of India, cucumber raita, a cooling dip perfectly complemented with papads, a thin and crispy type of bread, was served.

In Southeast Asia, Shangri-La continues to expand with projects in Macau, and yet another property at the Fort in Manila. Naturally and as expected, the famous Cebu lechon, one of the world’s best versions of suckling pig took center stage.  

 A selection of rich, home-style desserts such as chocolate brownies, pumpkin pie squares, Key West lime pie tartlets and apple crumble from the North American region represented the essence of being welcomed into one’s home and receiving genuine hospitality from the heart, hospitality that is truly Shangri La.

The evening’s menu was especially prepared by the hotel’s executive chef Joris Rycken. When asked about the inspiration behind the gourmet picks, chef Joris said,“the idea is to showcase the brand presence of Shangri-La throughout the world through cuisine. We wanted to prepared something simple yet symbolic, elegant and full of character as is fitting for this momentous occasion.”

 The new brand campaign dramatically conveys Shangri-La’s genuine kindness and hospitality. It is simply their nature.