Lighting the second century

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) recently launched Lighting the Second Century, a coffee table book that provides an insight into the world of the new Meralco as an innovative, responsible and customer-centric company.

Meralco chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said, “The book Lighting the Second Century shares the story of the new Meralco — its journey in achieving its business goals, its aspirations for the country and Filipinos, and the trails it blazes anticipating the demands of the future.”  The book was authored by Butch Dalisay, Exie Abola and Felice Sta. Maria.

From its long-time role as distributor of electricity, the company today has expanded its services as an energy solutions provider and has revved up its commitment to the communities within and outside the franchise through the various projects of the One Meralco Foundation.

Also during on the same occasion, the Meralco Lopez Building was declared an architectural legacy of a Philippine National Artist by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This is in recognition of the genius of the building’s architect, Jose Maria V. Zaragoza, who was posthumously proclaimed National Artist for Architecture in 2015.

Pangilinan remarked, “It is our source of great pride to have the Meralco Lopez Building conferred the architectural marker, being one of the distinguished masterpieces of the late National Artist for Architecture Jose Maria Zaragoza. We will continue to take care of our home that has been a part of our company’s history and the country’s progress as well.”

In keeping with its annual “Maliwanag ang Pasko” tradition, Meralco opened the Liwanag Park to the public with a lighting ceremony. Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro received on behalf of DepEd a donation of 2,000 solar lamps from Meralco employees, partners and customers. The donation is the result of One Meralco Foundation’s “One Child, One Lamp” campaign launched recently, which aims to raise funds to donate solar lamps to public schools in mountain and island villages without electricity. 

The Liwanag Park houses a night bazaar where visitors can go shopping for clothes, gift items, food products, among others. Proceeds of the bazaar will go to One Meralco Foundation’s “One Child, One Lamp” campaign.

‘Sugar Man’ meets ‘Speak Low’

Bacardi Martini Philippines kicked off its series of rum-dedicated events called True Rum Nights. This global campaign features top international bartenders showcasing their skills — then serving their award-winning signature cocktails — in some of Manila’s best bars. Peter Chua and Shingo Gokan began the first two of four separate events.

A bartender-in-residence of renowned 28 Hong Kong Street in Singapore (No. 7 in the 2015 World’s 50 Best Bars), Chua served his specially concocted cocktails, including “Sugar Man.” This champion cocktail made him the winner of the Singapore Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition, and landed him the Top 8 spot at Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition (BLCC) this year.

Gokan showcased his skills at the second leg held at Hooch in Makati City. Nominated by Tales of the Cocktail as one of the Top 10 Best International Bartenders in the World, Gokan prepared a few of his creative cocktails made with Bacardi Rum. “Speak Low,” his winning creation at BLCC 2012 and the namesake of his posh bar in Shanghai, had Bacardi Superior and Bacardi 8 — smooth  and warm to the palate, with an unexpected flavor brought by matcha.

Luca Cinalli of Nightjar, London and Kamil Foltan of Tipping Club, Singapore will also arrive on Jan. 26 and Feb. 26 next year for the second half of True Rum Nights.

Welcome 2016 at Vu’s Sky Bar

Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge, located at the 45th level of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, boasts an unobstructed 180-degree view of Manila.

Diners can indulge in the bar’s vast selection of cocktails, wines and other spirits together with a well-curated line up of  dishes like Filipino, Spanish and other Mediterranean favorites. “We wanted Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge to revive the soul of Ortigas and regain its identity as a distinct area where you can celebrate the night away,” said Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s F&B director Mirko de Giorgi.

The hotel is set to welcome the New Year from its Vu’s Sky Bar with dancing and music of Mulatto band. Celebrate 2016 at the bar for a certain price inclusive of one standard drink.

(For more information, visit www.marcopolohotels.com.)

Raising the bar in customer service

A new standard has been set for rewarding cardholders with the national launch of Citi Prestige, Citi’s first global credit card designed to offer uniform global benefits to affluent clients.

In a gala held at the ballroom of Makati Diamond Residences, guests were treated to a preview of this innovative plastic currency. Citi Prestige is currently available in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Korea, Thailand, the US and Mexico.

CEO for Citi Philippines Aftab Ahmed said, “We are delighted to bring our global product that will set the bar high in providing exclusive benefits and best-in-class treatment to our clients in the Philippines.”

One of the unique attractions of the Citi Prestige is access to a team of experts “who will provide exceptional customer service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world.”

Travel benefits include complimentary four-night stay at any hotel in the world, airport meet-and-greet and immigration fast track services, along with complimentary membership and unlimited access to over 800 VIP airport lounges through Priority Pass. 

(For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph/citiprestige, call the 24-hour Prestige Hotline 995-9111 or visit any Citibank branch.)

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