Two amazing years of sun and sea

I have been a visitor to the sandy shores of Boracay for over a decade — since way back when tiki torches lit the pathways between stations and establishments could be counted on the fingers of just two hands. I have seen many changes the island has undergone — some bad, some good — but what I want to celebrate is the fact that no matter what happens, Boracay is still beautiful, still fun, and still my favorite destination.

This October there was a lot to celebrate in Boracay — two years worth of a lot, to be specific, as my hotel of choice The Tides Hotel Boracay held its second anniversary to celebrate the milestones over the past two years since opening. I could barely believe it’s been that long already. I can still fondly recall the opening party and now two years have flown by. I guess the old adage is true — time flies when you’re having fun!

And that couldn’t be truer for The Tides. Easily becoming one of the premier hotel destinations of choice on the sunny shores of this paradise island, The Tides has received many awards and accolades in its first two years of operation. Among its many distinctions, The Tides Hotel Boracay was able to garner the 2009 Consumers Choice Award for Most Outstanding Luxury Destination Hotel — a testament to the world-class services the hotel offers. This chic boutique hotel was also cited in the prestigious New York Times as one of the “44 Places To Go in 2009,” an honor not many hotels around the world can claim. Held at Manor, Eastwood City, Libis last July 31, the Awards Gathering for Outstanding Sales (AGOS) 2009 was a way to give back and honor partner travel agencies whose efforts and continued patronage led to the success of the hotel.

With so much to be proud of, it’s no wonder The Tides celebrated its anniversary in style, holding two massive parties for friends and guests last Oct. 15 and 16 where notable personalities like Raymond Gutierrez, RJ Ledesma, Teresa Herrera, Alvin Pulga, and Bubbles Paraiso flew to Boracay via Seair’s 35-minute flights to party the night away with the fun-loving Tides crew and the amazing staff. It was two nights of parties to remember.

The first party had a nautical theme with most of the people wearing blues and whites. They danced the night away to the beat of DJ Santi, and partied along with the amazing mixes of Chivas and Absolut. During the second day, the guests had a special treat as Ms. Teresa Herrera, host of the fashion reality series Project Runway Philippines, led guests to a Trance Dance Yoga Class. This set off the sunset session party for the second night with the theme, “Going Green.” Nivat Chantarachoti, general manager of Thai Airways, awarded Herrera a roundtrip ticket to Phuket, Thailand for her outstanding efforts in helping the environment. For two nights, people raised their glasses and celebrated two years of continuous success. They all left with a gift pack from the amazing skin care DNAge products of Nivea — Nivea Body’s DNAge Cell Renewal Anti-Age Body Care and Nivea Visage DNAge Zone Action Facial Cell Renewal Cream.

Partners Erik Cua, Stephen Ku, Tim Yap, Fernando Aracama and GP Reyes held a toast to thank their affiliate companies like South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR), Nivea, Chivas and Absolut, and their media partners for their support in the hotel’s endeavors and their participation in the event, which made the event, surely, one for the books. And with everyone getting thrown in the pool to cap off the night (my new denim skirt was not spared the merriment) it surely was a celebration to remember!