Famous stars on board: Will you remember?
April 22, 2007 | 12:00am
It’s hot. Too hot! Summer’s in full swing and the heat in the metro is just scorching. For me, the best way to enjoy the season of the sun is to head to where it is hottest and soak up the sun until you’re burned to a crisp.
I welcomed the summer heat with open arms and organized yet another traveling party. The "Famous party"  now on its 15th trip  was bound for an island adventure to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand on board Star Cruises’ Superstar Gemini.
The experience of sailing to different countries changes your perspective about traveling. Instead of flying thousands of miles above land seated next to a crying baby (I simply can’t!) and sleeping on a reclined chair (even on business class), traveling on a cruise ship was like living in a floating hotel. Half the fun was doing all sorts of activities on the ship while at sea- including morning workouts of yoga, taichi, and even aerobics (such a ’70s term!) courtesy of Fitness First exercise guru Melvin Brillantes.
Our group had a merry mix of people. There is simply no opportunity to be bored when you’re on a cruise, especially when you have the greatest company with you. The 50 plus personalities (excursion talaga!) included the cast and crew of my favorite drama show Maalaala Mo Kaya (Palimos ng Pag-ibig is next on the list.) We also had artistas including the very stunning Bea Alonzo and my favorites  heartthrob Zanjoe Marudo and champion swimmer Enchong Dee. Models (including Marvin Wijangco who is going showbiz soon), business and society people and a lot of other great industry folks also joined Famous 15. My good friend Direk Bobot Mortiz and wife Millette joined the fun and celebrated their 30th anniversary on board. They also had their entire clan in tow!
The best thing about going on a cruise is that it’s already a vacation in itself. The ship, being your home away from, is equipped with the comforts I wanted and needed (emote!) and so much more. Apart from the luxurious life on the ship, there are the restaurants and bars, the spa and the gym and the jogging track, there’s a library and Internet café plus a salon and how can I forget the karaoke! No doubt everyone who joined Famous 15 had fun.
Getting off from Singapore, our first stop was Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia’s most happening city with bustling streets and high-rise buildings. After lunch, we paid a visit to the requisite tourist spots  the Blue Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, and the Thean Hou Temple, one of the largest Chinese temples. In keeping with the superlative theme, we decided to check out the Petronas Twin Towers  the tallest twin towers  and ended our tour shopping at Suria KLCC Shopping Centre which is located right in the middle of the Petronas Towers. Talk about prime location.
We had our fill of architectural wonder in KL so we decided to head the "natural" way in Langkawi, which was also in Malaysia. Crystal clear water, blue skies and lush green vegetation: that is Langkawi. The 99 isles of Langkawi (all pretty) is a tropical paradise perfect for my vacationing group.
Langkawi is not only a natural wonder. It is also as mysterious as it is beautiful. Most, if not all of the islands are surrounded by stories of fairies and phantoms. But that’s a different story altogether.
We were scheduled for Krabi the next day. This is my perfect place for rest and relaxation (my muscles needed a break from badminton). We headed for the botanical gardens of Bokkharani, which is unlike any other park I’ve been to. They had mangrove swamps set amongst the soaring limestone rock formations. It was beyond amazing.
The next stop, Phang Nga Bay was something else! It was a sight to behold. The bay is home to the James Bond Island where The Man With the Golden Gun was filmed. Christopher Lee and Roger Moore were in the exact spot some 25 years ago! How ancient! Ha!
Of course, everyone knows Phuket. Sun-worshippers like me adore this place, as it is nothing short of amazing. We hit Patong beach, the most famous beach in the island, where we were greeted with a long stretch of sand and a mile-long row of boutiques waiting to be conquered by my inner shopaholic.
Back in Malaysia, we docked at Penang this time. Penang has attractive beaches that stretch for miles from Tanjong Bungah to Bungah to Batu Ferringhi right up to Telok Bahang. What a mouthful!
With all those day tours, you think the group would be exhausted? We were bustling with energy and partying it up every night with different themes to match. Famous 15 people brought out their hats, some even making production numbers out of their headdress for the hat party, the first of a series of late-night revelries.
The 70’s party, with the groove master DJ Boyet Almazan spinning, had everyone reminiscing about the good vibes of the ‘70s. Meanwhile, the luau night was a hit especially with the ladies who showed off their flower power outfits! Bring in the leis! Whatever!
My favorite of all is the Captain’s Ball with the Superstar Gemini’s captain joining us for dinner. We shared good times with the best people and felt a bit emotional that the cruise was only for eight days. (Emote!)
On our last night, we enjoyed our last meal, last snapshots (professionally done thanks to top photographer Mark Nicdao) and shared stories that had happened on our seven-city, three-country, more-than-a-week-long cruise. On our last day, we docked in Singapore and I am beyond tanned and I’m sure my burnt skin will hurt in the following days. Either way, Famous 15 was a blast! I can’t wait for Famous 16!
>Experience the luxury of a Star Cruise ship. Call Andrea at 521-5660 or 526-8401. Or you can get in touch with Raymond of Horizon Travel & Tours Inc. at 526-4075, 521-2586 and 400-1501.
I welcomed the summer heat with open arms and organized yet another traveling party. The "Famous party"  now on its 15th trip  was bound for an island adventure to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand on board Star Cruises’ Superstar Gemini.
The experience of sailing to different countries changes your perspective about traveling. Instead of flying thousands of miles above land seated next to a crying baby (I simply can’t!) and sleeping on a reclined chair (even on business class), traveling on a cruise ship was like living in a floating hotel. Half the fun was doing all sorts of activities on the ship while at sea- including morning workouts of yoga, taichi, and even aerobics (such a ’70s term!) courtesy of Fitness First exercise guru Melvin Brillantes.
Our group had a merry mix of people. There is simply no opportunity to be bored when you’re on a cruise, especially when you have the greatest company with you. The 50 plus personalities (excursion talaga!) included the cast and crew of my favorite drama show Maalaala Mo Kaya (Palimos ng Pag-ibig is next on the list.) We also had artistas including the very stunning Bea Alonzo and my favorites  heartthrob Zanjoe Marudo and champion swimmer Enchong Dee. Models (including Marvin Wijangco who is going showbiz soon), business and society people and a lot of other great industry folks also joined Famous 15. My good friend Direk Bobot Mortiz and wife Millette joined the fun and celebrated their 30th anniversary on board. They also had their entire clan in tow!
The best thing about going on a cruise is that it’s already a vacation in itself. The ship, being your home away from, is equipped with the comforts I wanted and needed (emote!) and so much more. Apart from the luxurious life on the ship, there are the restaurants and bars, the spa and the gym and the jogging track, there’s a library and Internet café plus a salon and how can I forget the karaoke! No doubt everyone who joined Famous 15 had fun.
Getting off from Singapore, our first stop was Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia’s most happening city with bustling streets and high-rise buildings. After lunch, we paid a visit to the requisite tourist spots  the Blue Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, and the Thean Hou Temple, one of the largest Chinese temples. In keeping with the superlative theme, we decided to check out the Petronas Twin Towers  the tallest twin towers  and ended our tour shopping at Suria KLCC Shopping Centre which is located right in the middle of the Petronas Towers. Talk about prime location.
We had our fill of architectural wonder in KL so we decided to head the "natural" way in Langkawi, which was also in Malaysia. Crystal clear water, blue skies and lush green vegetation: that is Langkawi. The 99 isles of Langkawi (all pretty) is a tropical paradise perfect for my vacationing group.
Langkawi is not only a natural wonder. It is also as mysterious as it is beautiful. Most, if not all of the islands are surrounded by stories of fairies and phantoms. But that’s a different story altogether.
We were scheduled for Krabi the next day. This is my perfect place for rest and relaxation (my muscles needed a break from badminton). We headed for the botanical gardens of Bokkharani, which is unlike any other park I’ve been to. They had mangrove swamps set amongst the soaring limestone rock formations. It was beyond amazing.
The next stop, Phang Nga Bay was something else! It was a sight to behold. The bay is home to the James Bond Island where The Man With the Golden Gun was filmed. Christopher Lee and Roger Moore were in the exact spot some 25 years ago! How ancient! Ha!
Of course, everyone knows Phuket. Sun-worshippers like me adore this place, as it is nothing short of amazing. We hit Patong beach, the most famous beach in the island, where we were greeted with a long stretch of sand and a mile-long row of boutiques waiting to be conquered by my inner shopaholic.
Back in Malaysia, we docked at Penang this time. Penang has attractive beaches that stretch for miles from Tanjong Bungah to Bungah to Batu Ferringhi right up to Telok Bahang. What a mouthful!
With all those day tours, you think the group would be exhausted? We were bustling with energy and partying it up every night with different themes to match. Famous 15 people brought out their hats, some even making production numbers out of their headdress for the hat party, the first of a series of late-night revelries.
The 70’s party, with the groove master DJ Boyet Almazan spinning, had everyone reminiscing about the good vibes of the ‘70s. Meanwhile, the luau night was a hit especially with the ladies who showed off their flower power outfits! Bring in the leis! Whatever!
My favorite of all is the Captain’s Ball with the Superstar Gemini’s captain joining us for dinner. We shared good times with the best people and felt a bit emotional that the cruise was only for eight days. (Emote!)
On our last night, we enjoyed our last meal, last snapshots (professionally done thanks to top photographer Mark Nicdao) and shared stories that had happened on our seven-city, three-country, more-than-a-week-long cruise. On our last day, we docked in Singapore and I am beyond tanned and I’m sure my burnt skin will hurt in the following days. Either way, Famous 15 was a blast! I can’t wait for Famous 16!
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