Resorts World Manila launched

I just came back from a long weekend in Manila, courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air and Marriott Manila, under the official invitation of Resorts World Manila to attend its 4-day grand launch celebration entitled Grand Fiesta Manila 2010, November 25 - 28.

Resorts World Manila (RWM) sits right across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's (NAIA) Terminal 3, the first ever-integrated tourism complex in the country. It soft opened last August 2009. We were able to enjoy an overnight stay at the Marriott July 26 this year, after our fam trip to Kuala Lumpur (also organized by Cebu Pacific Air) but things were still in the mid-finishing stages at the other areas of Resorts World. Still we were quite astounded at the villa-type amenities of the suites in the 6-star Maxim's Tower next door.

My first brush with the Genting Group was through its mother company in Malaysia called Genting Highlands Resort when I visited it in the mid-80s. I believe it has since surpassed Cameron Highlands as a tourist destination in Kuala Lumpur. Genting Highlands was the dream of its founder Lim Goh Tong who "discovered" Gunung Ulu Kali peak, which towers 1,800 meters at just 58 km from Kuala Lumpur, as a convenient mountain respite from Malaysia's tropical climate.

Genting Hong Kong Ltd. (Star Cruises & Norwegian Cruise Line operator) joins local partner Alliance Global Group, Inc. ( a linkage of industry bigwigs like Emperador Distillers, Megaworld and Golden Arches Dev't. Corp. - Mc Donald's, among others) to form Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. that owns and manages RWM.

Resorts World Manila is a premium leisure complex composed of Marriott Manila - a 5-star hotel; Maxim's Tower - 6-star luxury suites with exclusive butlers; Newport Mall - multi-level gaming casino, high-end stores and boutiques, gourmet dining, Newport Cinemas w/butler service for viewers and the Newport Performing Arts Theatre; Remington Hotel - to open by the end of 2011, for the budget traveler.

Opened yesterday to the public, KAOS (pronounced as "chaos") attracts audiences of all ages with its Las Vegas/Broadway-style extravaganza of a show, which we caught last Saturday. It is a tale of a Prince Charming (Gian Magdangal), a lovely young woman (Martha Joy) and a scheming court adviser (Joel Trinidad), and their great adventure. They meet Enrique Polo (an illusionist from Spain) with his white lion called Kaos, the white tiger called Sito and the yellow tiger named Betty. Most of the performers are foreign acrobats, dancers and stuntmen. I will not go into any further details. Rest assured it is a truly entertaining show. Tickets start at P988.00, with front seats at P2,988.00

The Newport Performing Arts Theatre has 1,500 seats with state-of-the-art cinema projectors, lights and sounds technology. It has the largest LED wall in the country for comfortable viewing from all areas in the theater. The Newport Cinemas, on the other hand, has only 85 seats - featuring Lay-Z-boy armchair with a buzzer for the butler at the side. Bottomless drink and all-you-can-eat popcorn are inclusive of the ticket price. Buzz your butler for food and drinks anytime.

Now, we have Las Vegas/Broadway kind of topnotch entertainment in our shores. And right next to the airport! If the Remington Hotel opens next year, hotel stay will be more affordable. More cash for shopping, games at the casino, movies in luxe comfort and a ticket to what's onstage at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. 

Check out this newest tourism destination in Manila.