A beer-y exciting Bavarian Oktoberfest at Mandarin

Hundreds of ecstatic revelers recently trooped to the NBC Tent at the Bonifacio Global City to experience the fun and excitement of Mandarin Oriental’s "Oktoberfest 2002." Staged for the second consecutive year, this year’s Bavarian celebration was hosted by your columnist and was once again highlighted by non-stop "oompapa" music from the 11-piece Bavarian Sound Express from Germany.

With the generous support of PLDT, Swiss International Airlines, Siemens, Smart, San Miguel Beer, NBC, Philippine STAR, GMA-7 and Foreign Post, two fun-filled evenings unfolded as merrymakers from both the expatriate and local communities partied, toasted, cheered and swayed till midnight to join the pageantry of the world’s biggest folk festival. Adding to the evening’s Bavarian ambience were 12 flags representing the various regions of Germany, colorful décor depicting lederhosens (traditional Bavarian outfits) and giant-sized, heart-shaped cookies, and two long buffet spreads proffering authentic Bavarian specialties such as Schweinshaxn mit Rotkohl, Wuerstel mit Sauerkraut, Sauerbraten, Schinken im Teig and Apfelstrudel.

Enthusiasm rose as the Bavarian band marched through the main entrance, sparking to the electrifying rhythm of traditional "oompapa" music. Mandarin Oriental GM Helmut Gaisberger assisted the event’s guests of honor, which included Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and municipal administrator Willy Villar (representing Mayor Sigfrido Tinga) on the first evening and German Ambassador Herbert Jess and German Club president Albert Robert on the second evening, as they performed the ceremonial tapping of the barrel.

Enjoying the unlimited refills of San Miguel beer and delightful spread of Bavarian specialties prepared by Mandarin Oriental’s executive chef Norbert Gandler and his award-winning culinary team (recently acclaimed as the overall champion for the sixth year in the Chefs on Parade Odyssey) were special guests from the diplomatic community including Austrian Ambassador Christian Krepela and his wife Irmgard, British Ambassador Paul Dimond and his wife Caroline, Portuguese Ambassador Joao Caetano da Silva and his wife Ulrike, Belgian Ambassador Christian Tanghe, Marie Tanguy of the French Embassy with husband Claude Castel.

Apart from the thumping, swaying and dancing that filled the dance floor, the audience raged with laughter and excitement as they cheered and rallied behind the courageous men and women who bravely joined the beer-drinking and the yodeling contests. Judging the contest turned out to be fun and challenging for the German Ambassador’s wife Micheline Jess, Portuguese Ambassador’s wife Ulrike da Silva, British Ambassador’s wife Caroline Dimond, Seimens president and CEO Hans Weckherlin and Swiss International Airlines’ Paul Schenk, Gunther Matschuck, to name a few.

As the evening drew to an end, it was evident from the smiling faces and high spirits of revelers and event sponsors that this year’s Oktoberfest was indeed a resounding success – at the same time already exuding promises of a more exciting Oktoberfest 2003.