Night with the icons

The much-awaited grand opening of Raffles and Fairmont Hotels Makati was celebrated on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. More than 600 guests were in attendance when the two new icons of uncompromising luxury were unveiled.

The property is a striking 30-floor tower at the Central Business District of Makati City. It is home to the 32 all-suite Raffles Makati, 280-room Fairmont Makati and 237 Raffles Residences.

Guests were welcomed into the two new hotels by fire breathers as well as Raffles and Fairmont Makati managing director Tom Meyer, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts president Jennifer Fox and Raffles Hotels and Resorts president Peter French. A circus ringmaster then guided guests throughout the evening to a foggy ballroom with waiters on stilts and trapeze artists performing.

A speech by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. formalized the grand opening as guests made their way around the hotel with some “live” icons awaiting them. A Marilyn Monroe look-alike met guests at the Fairmont lobby while an actor impersonating Charlie Chaplin joked around at the Raffles lobby — all these were taking place as “The Queen” of England look-alike was having high tea at the Writers Bar. Monroe was a regular guest of Fairmont hotels including the Savoy in London while both Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth II had stayed at the Raffles in Singapore. The Long Bar had lounge music and cocktails while all-day dining restaurant Spectrum laid out a sumptuous buffet.

The party was capped by a “bed” nightclub as the ballroom was transformed into a cool nightspot with actual beds. John Lennon and Yoko Ono look-alikes were present as they recreated the Bed-in for Peace that was held at The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal in 1969.  The Zombettes rocked the evening with their music as guests posed with John and Yoko.

An endless array of food was served throughout the night such as oysters from France, foie gras, lobsters, decadent macarons, homemade chocolates, among many other exquisite offerings. Champagne flowed as well as signature cocktails including the famous Singapore Sling of the Raffles Hotel.

The party eventually ended with the Raffles and Fairmont Hotels Makati definitely making a  mark in the local scene.

(Raffles and Fairmont Makati is at 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, call 555-9888 or 555-9777.)

Passion for excellence

Since food is always part of any event or party, it’s best to know that we’re eating the right meat.

With public safety in mind, San Miguel Pure Foods Co. Inc., spearheaded by its president Francisco “Butch” Alejo III, recently unrolled Monterey’s “Know Your Meat Caravan” at the WackWack Golf & Country Club. The ‘60s-themed launch, according to San Miguel Foods Inc. vice president and general manager Dr. Leo Obviar, was done to promote further Monterey’s passion for excellence.

The “Know Your Meat Caravan” is part of the company’s multi-disciplinary and multi-platform campaign to help educate the public about proper meat selection and handling. “It signifies Monterey’s commitment to deliver superior quality meats to consumers,” shared San Miguel Foods Inc. president Rita Imelda “Tatish” Palabyab.

Each caravan starts with a mini musical, which definitely sets the mood for the day. Monterey meat masters, chefs, nutritionists, veterinarians and animal experts talk about how the hogs and cattle are raised according to the highest global standards and how the butcher in the meat shop is the homemaker’s best friend when it comes to choosing the proper cuts meat. (Monterey can be found everywhere, including Boracay.)

Monterey’s long-standing commitment to serve and deliver quality meats is the by-product of its partnership with the Department of Agriculture. Last year, the “Chilled meat is fresh…chilled meat is safe” campaign was launched under the “Know Your Meat Caravan.”

To honor this partnership, Alejo handed a certificate of recognition to Agriculture Assistant Secretary Davinio Catbagan for the government agency’s unwavering support to Monterey’s widely successful advocacy campaign.

“Our advocacy would like to ensure that no homemaker, mother, cook or anyone is deprived of knowing how to choose and serve meat right. As today’s market leader, Monterey has a responsibility to disseminate awareness on issues concerning not only on the scrumptiousness of the food we eat but also the role it plays when we speak of public safety,” Palabyab added.