‘Spring-ing a charm-ed’ lunch

The notion of jars or urns containing blessings and evils has been with us since the dawn of civilization, none more famous than the Greek myth of Pandora and her infamous “box.” What we tend to forget is how Pandora was the first human woman created by the gods, and how she, in fact, is known as “the one who sends up gifts.”

This becomes most apt when we recognize the Danish jewelry design firm, Pandora, and note just how precious and singular its extensive line of creations is, true blessings for any woman fortunate enough to receive them as gifts. Known for its fine, delicate work, the sterling silver and 14k gold pieces are laden with potential storytelling power, and customized relevance, for the ones lucky enough to receive them when the giver takes the time to truly select.

Recently, the Philippine Pandora team (from the Lucerne Group) transformed the pergola of the Spices restaurant at The Peninsula Manila into a lush, vibrant spring bower, all to celebrate the brand’s 2014 Spring Paradise Collection. One line within the collection highlights lush greenery and foliage, abounding with floral-inspired charms, pendants and pieces — from daisy chains, to roses, lavender and wild flowers. Another line takes that legendary “Messenger of Spring,” the butterfly as its inspiration, and the pieces here include Milgrain (a thousand grains) detailing as a way to mimic the texture of a butterfly’s wings. A third subset takes bows and lace as a theme, creating feminine motifs that similarly celebrate this season of renewal, courtship and charm.

It was wonderful to note the attention to detail the Pandora team had in spades while bringing about this lunch. Floral bouquets dotted the tablescape, all the dishes of the four-course meal had Spring or floral elements, and they even had a florist on hand with various Spring blooms to create individualized take-home arrangements. The event was hosted by Issa Litton.

Pandora has been in existence since 1982, and is publicly listed on the Danish NASDAQ. Available in over 70 countries dotted in over six continents, the brand can now boast of 900 stores worldwide; and the constant clamor for its products would suggest that this Pandora Box would be welcome in any home in the world — a box any woman would be happy to see arrayed in front of her, all tied up with a ribbon, with a card addressed to her! And I know of some mothers who have made the charm bracelets a jewelry starter set for their daughters. This is one Pandora that comes with blessings!

Making your ‘Discovery’ count

For a decade now, Discovery Shores Boracay has been a “home away from home” — a virtual beach haven where I know I’m more than welcome, blessed with personalized service, greeted like some Prodigal Son, and where no stone (or grain of sand) is left unturned in ensuring I have a relaxing, beneficial stay. Through the years, former Shores general manager Jun Parreno (now COO for the entire Discovery Leisure Company Inc.) and Gemma Batoon of the Manila office have ensured that the relationship has been more like family than business. It’s even extended to the handful of times I’ve stayed at the Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay.

The Discovery Leisure Company recently acquired Club Paradise in Palawan, and of course there’s the long established Discovery Suites on San Miguel Avenue, fronting the Podium. So it came as no surprise that Discovery chose the Podium Atrium as the site for its recent event, the “Visit Discovery Travel Mart.” Also had the chance to get the lowdown on when will the Discovery Primea open on Ayala Avenue in Makati City — sometime third quarter of the year, and that should be something to really look forward to. Quietly, the company has been raising its stakes in the leisure and hospitality industry; and if the service I’ve grown accustomed to at the Shores is any indication of the standards the people behind it hope to maintain, they’re well-primed to deliver a standard that would be envied by any homegrown outfit in the same business.

The Travel Mart highlighted the various properties of the Company and there were special offers being made during the night; and directions on how to participate in exciting promos.

(For more information, visit discoveryhotels-resorts.com.)