Living it up at Mansion
Nope I am not promoting my former lifestyle show on QTV, which was shown every Saturday for almost two years. These days I find myself in Angeles, Pampanga on weekends where I raise the roof and howl at the moon at Pampanga’s best spot, the Mansion. The past few weeks have seen the marriage of Manila and Pampanga as music meisters and scene lovers converge in this enclave of style and music.
“Pampanga? But it’s so far!” That’s the common misconception of geographically challenged people, including myself. I’ve spent longer hours in Manila traffic than in my drive to get to Pampanga. But after my first trek during last month’s Ad Congress, I realized that it only takes an hour and a half drive getting to Enclave in the City of Angels, Pampanga, where the hot, hot nightspot is located. Home to the Tayags, Nepomucenos, Lazatins, Ocampos, Angeleses and many more. And that’s not counting the prominent families that live within the proud province that doesn’t feel like a province. It’s so happening — and that’s an understatement. Is it because the people there are hot? Check. Is it because they are stylish? Check. Is it because the people there are so much fun? Check, check, check!
It wasn’t long ago when scene master and DJ Kiko Nepomuceno, along with his cousin Avs, gave me a night life tour of their happening city. Actually, happening is an understatement. Almost a year after, I find myself back home, dancing with their homies — what can I say? I feel right at home here. Pampanga is first with style, first with cuisine and now, first with clubbing! I said that in my speech at the Mansion housewarming.
Escape from Manila
I love people watching as much as I do being at the center of the action, so my nights at the Mansion are double duty. Let me give you a tour. Entering the “living room” of Mansion, you’ll see a gold-gilded framed photo of yours truly, as well as Divine Lee and Apl.de.Ap, the other masters behind Mansion. It was a year ago when Delfin Lee, real estate visionary, promised on local television that he will bring nightlife in Pampanga, his second home away from home. This year, Mansion was born, and each week, the fun escalates to higher proportions. Who said nightlife should be limited to just Metro Manila?
Instead of butlers, Manila DJs are there to serve your musical whims. Week one had the double whammy of DJs Manolet Dario and Jon Herrera while the second week had Apl.de.Ap himself flying in to celebrate his own birthday in his hometown. Apl was right on deck when he played, “I Got a Feeling” and on cue, his kababayans went crazy. On the mic and behind the nights, Ivan Zalameda steps up to oversee operations with Mansion main man Donny Elvina. Upstairs at the master’s dedroom, people are chilling and enjoying the view of the pumping action at the dancefloor. Designed by architect Tracy “Eboy” Cruz with interior decor by Nix Alanon, Mansion looks like, well, “like you just stepped in a mansion.” DJ Buddha and DJ Gandhi have also alternated playing home to Mansion.
It’s kinda funny seeing Manila denizens escape to Mansion for their nightlife cure. Designers, celebrities and hipsters have been hopping over to Pampanga for their nightlife fix. But then again, why not? The weather is great, the air fresh, and the food is, goes without saying (Kapampangans are known for their food, aside from their looks), yummy! For guests who choose not to drive back to Manila in the morning, they would stay at the Enclave villas, just like what the multi-awarded dance troupe Philippine All Stars did last weekend when they paid Mansion a visit during Mansion’s Lady Gaga-thon with DJ Mars Miranda.
What’s the vision behind Mansion? Well, to spread the gospel of fun, one city at a time. At its flagship site at the City of Angels is where you’ll first get to experience living, and partying, Mansion style. Welcome home.
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When I’m not at Mansion on weekends, I’m on Tweetbiz—weekdays Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. on QTV, and Events Incorporated, Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. Live it up, be my guest at twitter.com/aimtimyap
