Hop! Hop! Hooray in the metro!

In its signature elegant style and grandeur, Mandarin Oriental, Manila welcomed the Year of the Metal Rabbit with a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration. Brilliant GM Mark Bradford, together with his excellent team and resident feng shui master Joseph Chau, led well-heeled guests through an unforgettable evening of traditional auspicious rituals, spectacular fireworks and a colorful program hosted by the dynamic duo of Tim Yap and Tessa Valdes. Revelers gathered at the corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, which the hotel beautifully dressed up for the occasion, to witness master Chau’s paai shan ceremony as well as the eye-dotting ceremony, and the magnificent dragon and lion dances. Mandarin’s outstanding executive Chinese chef Hann Furn Chen prepared a delectable eight-course midnight lauriat menu, which served as the first lucky meal of the year for some 450 diners. The event capped off with a grand raffling of fabulous prizes such as a China holiday for two inclusive of a two-night stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Sanya and a Hong Kong Express Airways roundtrip ticket to the popular resort destination.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, the Edsa Shangri-La Manila led by affable GM Sinan Yilmaz and The Heritage Hotel Manila spearheaded by GM Eddie Yeo also had their own unique and captivating Chinese New Year celebrations. Guests truly had a great time, taking part in the festivities filled with good vibes, merrymaking and other special treats.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Wishing everyone luck, prosperity, abundance to last them through the year!

SCEI’s got talent!

The esteemed Society for Cultural Enrichment Inc. (SCEI) recently held its Talentadong SCEI and Putungan at the plush residence of Qatari Ambassador Abdulla Ahmed Yousif Al-Mutawaa in Dasmariñas Village, Makati. It was a double-feature program where SCEI members showcased their talents in the performing arts and also paid tribute to the legendary practice of Putungan to SCEI trustee and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) president Raul Sunico who closed the event with a piano rendition of No Other Love. It truly is a delight to see the performances of the SCEI members.

Congratulations for a successful event!