An Italian chef named Maurizio

Expect new and exciting dishes at Tosca, the Italian restaurant of Dusit Thani Manila, with the arrival of its new Italian chef Maurizio Gibillini.

Born in Milan, chef Maurizio exudes the aura of a passionate chef and businessman, stemming from his extensive experience in culinary arts and management of Italian restaurants worldwide. Dusit Thani Manila’s genial general manager Alex Willats, together with Philippine Hoteliers Inc. president and vice chairman Evelyn Singson, hosted a dinner party to introduce chef Maurizio to the guests that included Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Bong Bengzon, Ambassador Isabel Caro-Wilson, Thai Airways general manager Sern Chupikulchai and Hi-Definition Radio Inc. CEO Francis Lumen.

Everyone in attendance sampled the sumptuous new dishes created by chef Maurizio amid a background of classic opera songs. The event also launched the new look of the restaurant, which exudes a livelier ambiance with paintings from Hiraya Gallery and an exhibit of mother-of-pearl shells designed by Swiss national Hans Brumann.

Buon appetito!

A birthday full of hope

According to Voltaire, “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”

The gift of living well is what Teresita “Tessie” Fabian-Pamintuan enjoys every day after she battled and survived stage 3 cancer from 1994 to 2002.

Well-wishers at Tessie’s recent birthday party included Marikina City Mayor Del de Guzman, fashion designer Patis Tesoro and Philippine Red Cross treasurer Leonida “Baby” Ortiz.

Instead of grieving about her situation then, Tessie set out to find other things that would keep her occupied and fulfilled. Thus, she had Punta de Fabian Resort in Baras, Rizal built — her legacy as a cancer survivor and her inspiration to living well.

Tessie, in her own words, would like to “inspire all cancer-stricken patients as well as their families and loved ones during their time of struggle and for them not to lose hope.”

Wishing you more blessings, Tessie!