The eye-catching invitation requested that guests wear a touch of pink, and graciously, most of them obliged.
The occasion was the unveiling of Manny Osmeña’s Pink Icon, the Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa’s official land transportation system.
Three years ago, he had the novel idea of using Wagyu beef for hamburgers served at the signature restaurant Manny O’s, earning it the reputation as the most expensive burger in the country.
Once again, this dynamic, driven and God-fearing gentleman has come up with yet another great idea. This time, its distinctive transport service: the Art Nouveau-inspired pink more-than-just-a-jeepney-that-will-shuttle-guests-and-their-friends-from-the-airport-to-the-hotel-and-onwards-to-city transfers. “Creativity can only be limited by your power to dream, and the power of imagination and the fear to explore,” says the innovative creator.
Special guests of honor were government officials led by the number one tourism promoter Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Edu Jarque, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, and Tourism regional director Dawnie Roa.
Enthusiastically welcoming guests were the property’s general manager Peter Pedersen, director of operations Stefano Ruzza, revenue manager Ernie Tanquintic, senior sales manager Golly Talens, and PR specialist Miok Loyola.
Extending warm felicitations were Carmi Durano, the Tourism Secretary’s charming wife, who came with her children AJ and Cara, her twin sister Carmen with her own set of kids Miguel and Mikee, Mayor Samuel Go of Pagadian, Michael Gleissner, president of FTV Asia, Edward Carey, CEO of Maitland Smith, socialite Amparito Lhuillier, fashion designer Oj Hofer, art enthusiasts Joy and Francis Onglatco, and resort owners Cyrus and Baby Obsuna.
Lending support to the event were travel partners such as Eddie Kong, general manager of Cathay Pacific Cebu, Maris Araneta of Marist Travel and Tours, who we understand painted her fleet of cars in flamingo pink, and travel specialist Jenny Franco of Travel Vision.
Peter Pedersen, for his part, had this to say: “What better way to experience Filipino culture than to ride in a jeepney? A country’s public transportation service is often a reflection of its culture. Thailand, for example, is famous for its three-wheeled tuk-tuks, while everyone associates the green and white ferries with Hong Kong. So naturally, when we were looking for an authentically Filipino transport service for our resort, we chose the jeepney. And because the resort is now known as the Pink Towers, pink was the obvious color of choice.”
As some of us may recall or remember following the end of the Second World War, entrepreneurial Filipinos started turning US Army surplus jeeps into popular forms of public transportation. They painted the olive drab jeepneys into colorful depictions of everyday Filipino life. To this day, these flamboyant vehicles continue to be moving canvases of Filipino art.
The hotel’s pink jeepney, however, is an upgraded version that seats 22 passengers comfortably with plush upholstery and air-conditioning. It is equipped with stereo and video features.
When the Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa opened, Manny Osmeña did not like the idea of just having another shuttle bus for the resort. He wanted to offer something different and unique. He then started communicating his vision to Rod, the in-house graphic artist, and Ali, project architect, who knew and understood Osmeña’s design concept.
And then the Pink Icon was born, complete with design elements from old vintage cars, the Rolls Royce and Bentley, the pronounced and rounded fenders, pop-up headlights, round hubcaps, tall vertical front grills and the suspended logo.
Beaming with pride and joy all throughout the evening was Gina Osmeña, the ever supportive better half of the man we all know as Manny O.