An eventful year

"The road to success is not doing one thing 100 percent better, but doing 100 things one percent better." – H. Jackson Browne Jr.

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Helmut Gaisberger, the indefatigable general manager of the Mandarin Oriental Manila, has an enviable combination of vision and action. So it comes as a surprise that the Mandarin Oriental Manila continues to be a beehive of activities. Let’s look back at some of the more memorable ones.

A Spanish night

Iberian bravura as expressed in cuisine and music reigned at The Tivoli of Mandarin Oriental, Manila on the night that the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs gastronomes held court for its Grand Dinner Amical.

The Chaine members – top businessmen, entrepreneurs, artists, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and other food and wine connoisseurs – were treated to the innovative cuisine of Spanish chef Tomeu Caldentey Soler of the famed Es Moli den Bou restaurant in the idyllic island of Mallorca.

Chef Tomeu was at Mandarin for a 10-day promotion upon the invitation of Helmut Gaisberger who had met the young chef while vacationing with Paul and Lita Potassy in Mallorca.

The Chaine’s Philippine Chapter president Fred Franck Fricke and wife Baby Girl, with "confrere" Helmut and Vina welcomed their glamorous colleagues to The Tivoli, which for that event was transformed into a Hispanic mecca by the hotel’s F&B director David Thomas and The Tivoli manager Christoph Lachinger.

Soothing Latin music was played by the Mil Bombas trio of Paul Zialcita, Rick Sanchez and Rico Molina. The fire and passion of the flamenco as performed by Erlinda Gamboa, Marissa Aboitiz and the Grupo Baile Andaluz dancers added to the night’s Iberian mood.

Austrian National Day

The Austrian National Day celebration was hosted by Austria’s gracious Ambassador Dr. Christian Krepela. The event gathered luminaries from the diplomatic community, the government, and business and social circles.

Ambassador Krepela and Russian Ambassador Anatoli Khmelnitski, the acting dean of the diplomatic corps, and Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin led the ceremonial toast.

A sumptuous buffet of Austrian specialties and sweets such as Schertorte, Linzertorte, Mohr im Hemd, Erdbeerjalousie, Apfel and topfen strudel prepared by Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Austrian chef Norbert Gandler and his award-winning team delighted the guests. The distinguished guests included business mogul Don Jaime and Bea Zobel de Ayala; renowned artist Manuel Baldemor; DFA’s assistant secretary for European Affairs Lourdes Morales; Agnes Huibonhua; and Austrian Honorary Consulate General of Manila distinguished businessman Washington Sycip.

The pleasant evening enabled the guests to reacquaint themselves with Austria, known to many as the land of music and exquisite pastries.

The Oriental Spa opens

The opening of the Oriental Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel caused jubilation among health-conscious and well-traveled Filipinos. Purveyors of a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle are obviously delighted that another world-class spa is now available in the Philippines’ multi-awarded hotel, the Mandarin Oriental.

Thanks, Helmut for bringing style, sophistication and class to the Philippines!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today: World-class sculptor Ramon Orlina, super beauty Maritess Revilla, award-winning actress Dina Bonnevie, Ricardo de Leon and Louie Santamaria.

Advanced birthday greetings to former DOTC Undersecretary, the hardworking and efficient Josie Lichauco, Jan. 28; Angela Litton, Jan. 29; Mycah Angela Figueroa, Jan. 31; Asia’s ballroom queen Aida Posadas, Mundy Feliciano, Henry Cojuangco and Antonio Montinola, Feb. 2.

So, how was your week?