Keeping up with industry trends

To stay abreast of the latest in travel and hospitality trends, Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa participated at the recent World Travel Market held at ExCel London in the United Kingdom.  Plantation Bay acting general manager Nenette Castillon led her capable resort sales and marketing staff on opening day.  Only 30 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the otherwise serene premier resort transforms itself into an entertainment palace starring exceptionally talented Plantation Bay staff in Las Vegas Strip-style song-and-dance revues.  Mouth-watering, exquisitely prepared buffet fare is paired with nightly themed shows like Rockin’ USA, Sahara Nights, Brazilian Nights, Viva España, Hawaiian Luau, and Filipino Fiesta held at the resort’s outdoor venues.  Plan your summer vacations early! 

Wine pairings and ‘Rhone-mance’

Southern France’s Rhone Valley, or Côte du Rhône in French, is known nowadays for its excellent wines that date back to the early 13th century. One of its leading wineries is the over 200-year-old Maison M. Chapoutier, owned by world-famous wine maker Michel Chapoutier, that boasts of a portfolio of over 200 wine brands with Robert Parker ratings higher than 90 points.  We were fortunate to savor the taste of a fine selection at the “Rhone-mance at Titania Wine Cellar” event—that also celebrated the birthday of its chairman Tita Trillo—held at Spiral’s La Veranda of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.   It was a privilege to watch M. Chapoutier’s wine master Nicolas Schoutteten (who flew in just for the occasion) busily opening and tasting each bottle of wine that was to be served later that evening.  We absolutely had a field day with pairings so divine it could only have been made in heaven!

Mission accomplished

The Society for Cultural Enrichment Inc. (SCEI), led by its chairman and president Helen Ong and vice-chairman Jaime Laya, hosted a fellowship party at the Gazebo of the Johnson Park of North Greenhills. The thanksgiving affair was held to celebrate the organization  having accomplished its objective of enhancing art and culture appreciation among its members and other intended beneficiaries. To ensure the success of the party, the Fellowship Committee co-chairs Baby Ortiz and Nonie Basilio sponsored the dance, band and the event venue, respectively. The attendees enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by Letty Calma and the rest of the evening was spent with warm camaraderie and lots of dancing. Here’s to more good times!

Of stories, friendship and banking

Long-time friends and former office colleagues (seated, from left) Caring Viri Reyes, Cecile Tuzon de Vega, Xenia Estevez Belmonte, (standing, from left) Corazon Manese Perez, Minerva Manuel Tanseco and Macaria Castañeda Llamas decided to have a mini-reunion and do some catching-up with each other. These endearing ladies discussed as well the recent developments in the country’s banking sector like they usually did during their working days at the Philippine National Bank. Until the next luncheon ladies!