City of Dreams opens its doors

Last December, the doors of the City of Dreams Manila swung open to the eager public. The opening marked the formal entry of Melco Crown Entertainment (MCE) into the tourism industry in the Philippines. The complex, located on a 6.2-hectare site at the gateway to Entertainment City, includes the ultimate in entertainment, hotel, retail and dining and lifestyle experiences with aggregated gaming space, including VIP and mass-market gaming facilities with up to 380 gaming tables, 1,700 slot machines and 1,700 electronic table games.

Early this month, a spectacularly successful grand launch event at the City of Dreams Manila saw over 30,000 visitors.

The landmark event was officiated by Melco Crown Entertainment’s co-chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho, co-chairman James Packer, government dignitaries and guests to officially launch the over $1-billion resort.

Ho and Packer were joined by chairman and CEO of PAGCOR Cristino “Bong” Naguiat Jr., chairman and  president of Melco Crown Philippines Clarence Chung and chairman of SM Prime Holdings Henry Sy Jr. in turning the ceremonial keys, opening the “Fortune Egg” of the City of Dreams Manila and cascading a “Dream Cloud” of mechanical butterflies to officially mark the launch of the integrated resort.

Ho said, “Our successful official launch marks the start of our exciting mission to deliver the ultimate in sophisticated and compelling entertainment experiences at the City of Dreams Manila, as we continue to work to support the Philippine government in growing and further developing the tourism sector of Manila and the Philippines.”

Packer added, “The Philippines is a truly exciting and dynamic market. Foreign visitations have risen at a double-digit rate in the past couple of years. We see immense potential for the country. As such, we had high expectations for City of Dreams Manila, and it has exceeded these expectations. We are confident that it will be a major catalyst in helping Manila further diversify its economy.”

For his part, Naguiat said, “The magnificence of the City of Dreams Manila grand launch was testimony to how Melco Crown Entertainment has opened up a new chapter of entertainment experience in the Philippines. I am confident that the new benchmark set by this entertainment-inspired resort will help Entertainment City and Manila to being one of the leading premier leisure destinations in Asia.”

The crowd partied the night away in the “Concert of Dreams,” which featured international and local stars, headlined by Ne-Yo and Kelly Rowland. 

Rowland said, “It’s been awesome to be here in Manila and to perform at this launch, such an international entertainment resort brand, along with my friend Ne-Yo as well as all these incredible performing stars from the Philippines — such amazing talent. What a spectacular evening.”

Ne-Yo added, “City of Dreams Manila…wow, what a sensational place! As an entertainer, it’s fantastic to see young up- and-coming local musicians in the property now mixing it up on the concert stage with us. I’ve had a ball performing here at this grand launch. I’ll be back.”

Guests then attended a prestigious celebratory black-tie dinner and enjoyed the special “Journey of Dreams” entertainment, with special dinner-cabaret performances by Jed Madela, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kelly Rowland and Ne-Yo.  

The new resort complex brings together a diverse collection of contemporary leisure and lifestyle brands including Crown, Nobu, Hyatt, DreamWorks and the Ault Group. Celebrations for the grand launch was further heightened by the news that the City of Dreams Manila won the Integrated Resort of the Year at the annual International Gaming Awards held at the Savoy Hotel London.

Go and check out this new place!

Let’s get it on!

In the age of social media when anything and everything can be turned into a digital image or a video clip on YouTube, the Internet is a universe crawling with creators with ideas bursting at the seams.

Iconic American brand Pony Footwear, which espouses individuality, uniqueness and a rebellious streak, puts forth a concept and a challenge to find some of the brightest young creative minds. Using its own slogan, “Let’s get it on,” the test is to best illustrate it in an original artwork and a short digital film.

Already on its fourth year, Pony has been giving amateur artists and digital whiz kids a platform of self-expression that would reward them with cash and other prizes, and hopefully the inspiration to keep coming up with novel ideas.

At a rousing awards night held at Craft Rock & Grill in Bonifacio Global City, the creators of the best entries were hailed as this year’s special awardees and grand winners.  

In the Poster Art category, the special winners were Dream On by John Robert Rareza for Best in Illustration; Feel It by Louise Gabrielle Angela Mansilla for Best in Photography; and Wash Day by Howard Ryan Lacabe for Most Number of Facebook Likes.

The major winners for Poster Art category were Peace Off by Chester Emil Vibar, second runner-up; Get Lost by Rudolf Gonzales, first runner-up; and Moshfeet by Paul Andrew Vito, grand winner.

For the Digital Film category, the special winners were Snatcher by Ryan Macasaquit for Best in Cinematography; No Boring Day by Anthony Louis Tangue for Most Astig Performance in a Film; and For the New Age by Jovelyn Ann Quijano for Most Number of Facebook Likes.

The major winners for the Digital Film category were Masterpiece by Ralph Ignacio and Marvin Joseph Patiño, second runner-up; Selfie Queen by Jeffrey Ramir Mateo, first runner-up; and Strong by Anthony Louis Tangue, grand winner.

Entries were judged based on originality of the concept/story (60 percent), and creativity and visual impact (40 percent).  The second runner-up and first runner-up awardees in each category took home P10,000 and P20,000 cash, respectively, and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes. The grand winners were awarded P40,000 cash and P10,000 worth of Pony shoes.

Pony cultivates the creative streak among the youth, nudged with a bit of a rebellious nature that urges them to think outside the box.  It hopes to encourage more artists to express themselves, show off their individuality in the coming years. (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)