Business class in Cebu

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, the premier business destination in the Queen City of the South, continues to draw top-of-the-line visitors from business and government, the movers and shakers of our nation. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro were spotted at the recent Philippine Development Forum held at the hotel. Dynamic Marco Polo Plaza Cebu president Rey Villar and hardworking GM Hans Hauri welcomed the two highest government officials in the land, as well as other notables such as Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favilla, World Bank Philippines country director Joachim von Amsberg, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. As usual, the super VIP guests were impressed with the hotel’s excellent amenities and exceptional service.

Congratulations to Marco Polo for another successful event! Keep up the good work, Rey and Hans!

Happy times at Sea Wind

Mention Sea Wind and immediately, happy moments and unforgettable memories come to mind. For many of Manila’s privileged, Boracay’s friendliest resort becomes home during the summer and holiday seasons, drawing them away from the hurried city life and into the arms of the welcoming sun, sea and sand. Each visit brings excitement and expectation, especially since Sea Wind’s Boy and Ruth Jarantilla, who have become family to the resort’s regular guests, are always there to ensure that each visitor has the best Sea Wind experience possible.

See you at Sea Wind soon!

Subic’s best kept secret

Subic’s best kept secret is a gem of a luxury boutique resort — the Lighthouse Marina Resort. In a recent "soft opening," several of Manila’s social A-listers came to dance and dine under the beautiful night sky as they sampled the exceptional service and excellent amenities of the Lighthouse. Under the gleaming white and red tower that stands out in the Subic skyline, visionary Lighthouse president Jun Avecilla and hardworking managing director Cyndy Tan-Jarabata welcomed guests to an evening of reggae music and sumptuous international cuisine courtesy of the hotel’s Sands Restaurant.

See you at the Lighthouse!

Being truly Filipino. Your columnist congratulates the arbiter of taste and social conduct, the elegant Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo, as she recently scored a major success with the launching of her latest book, Being Truly Filipino, Personal Expressions of An Identity. Held at the Manila Golf Club, the launch was a celebration of Philippine pride and creativity. Being Truly Filipino reveals the true identity of the Filipino in the facets of art, religion, customs and more in a light-hearted and easily readable tome. Many congratulations to Conchitina for infecting people with her nationalistic ideals.

You make us proud to be Filipino!

Flair for fine dining

People who have reached the heights of fulfillment are more distinctive and choosy when it comes to dining. One restaurant that has the nod of accomplished persons and food lovers such as Ronnie Concepcion, OV Espiritu and Ambassador Jesus Tambunting is Ilustrado, a cozy dining place that has enjoyed great success because of its time-honored recipes that have captured the palates of many gourmands. The newly opened Ilustrado in Serendra’s Bonifacio High Street brings more of these amazing dishes closer to the reach of individuals with a flair for fine dining.

To Bonnie and Rose Pimentel, proprietors of this famed restaurant, congratulations and more success to you!

(For reservations, call 856-0947.)

A fete for the envoys

The highly recognized Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo and his beautiful wife Lovely recently hosted a reception for the Manila Diplomatic Corps to cordially thank them for their services. Present were (in photo, from left) Ambassador Victor G. Garcia, the distinguished hosts Rosie Lovely Romulo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr. Alberto G. Romulo, the gorgeous Connie Guanzon Garcia and the Philippine Honorary Consul in St. Polten, Austria Frau Waltraud Steinbock.

A designing debut

Young and talented interior designer Alex Ortigas and her partner Debbie Balane recently showcased their talents at the graduation exhibit of College of the Holy Spirit Manila’s Interior Design Class 2007 at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan. The exhibit, entitled Espacio, featured limited space design solutions using luxurious modern furniture courtesy of CLC Marketing Ventures Inc. president Charlie Ching. Cutting the ceremonial ribbon to formally open the event were GSC GM Joey Santos, lawyer Ignacio Ortigas, CHS Dean Encarnita Sevilla, CHS president Sis. Ancille Elvena, Fernando Ortigas and Jaime Ortigas.

Congratulations on a successful designing debut!