Two at the Tent

German Oktoberfest

The Mandarin Oriental marked the German Oktoberfest–the world’s biggest folk festival–with merrymakers toasting, cheering and swaying until midnight at the NBC Tent, while a dozen flags of various German regions and colorfully costumed guests deepened the ambiance.

The 11-piece Bavarian Sound Express, purposely flown from Germany, played the traditional, non-stop "oompapa" as "ecstatic revellers" helped themselves to Bavarian specialties prepared by Mandarin Oriental’s executive chef Norbert Gandler whose cuisine, incidentally, has won the top award in the Chefs on Parade Odyssey for the sixth consecutive year.

The ceremonial tapping of the beer-filled barrel was done by Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano for the first evening, and by German Ambassador Herbert Jess and German Club President Albert Robert for the second.

Getting into the spirit of Oktoberfest were Ambassador Christian and Irmgard Krepela, Paul and Caroline Dimond, Joao Caetano and Ulrike da Silva, Christian Tanghe, and Marie Tanguy and her husband Claude Castel.

Business executives included Arthur Lopez, Philippe Gauthier, Bobby Lim, Jeffrey Atwood, Dennis Decena, Lito Jimenez and their respective wives.

To Mandarin Oriental GM Helmut Gaisberger, the swaying, dancing and beer-drinking that lasted all night seemed a portent of another excitement-filled Oktoberfest 2003.

Night of Spanish Wines

As spirited as Oktoberfest was the "cocktail made perfect by the passion and grace of Torres Wines and Brandy"–as the invitation read–held likewise at the NBC Tent. Hosted by Food magazine which is edited by the petite, charming Norma "Omay" Chikiamco, the occasion was graciously attended by Spanish Ambassador Tomas Rodriguez Pantoja as guest of honor.

The milling crowd feasted on Spanish delicacies prepared by Gene R. Gonzalez, chef patron of Cafe Ysabel in San Juan. Gene’s culinary delights were naturally served with Torres Wines and Brandy which made the seventh anniversary of Food magazine being celebrated that night truly special. The Spanish background music, the huge containers of fresh grapes, the God of Bacchus, the flower girls standing against the street lamps–all these transformed the Tent into an irresistable inviting tourist attraction.