A groundbreaking collaboration

A groundbreaking collaboration

Details

 

Category: Envoys & Expats

26 Apr 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

HOW do you celebrate the storied heritage of the world’s favorite cognac? For the House of Hennessy, nothing less than a re-imagining of its classic carafe will do.

Moet Hennessy Asia-Pacific business development manager Randy Uson, Philippine representative of Moet Hennessy Olga Azarcon with vineyard owner and Hennessy Global Brand Ambassador Maurice Hennessy

Fans of this popular cognac in the Philippines were treated to a two-day exclusive event, where they witnessed the unveiling of the Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection VII at the Isla Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La, Manila. 

Maurice Hennessy (middle) flanked by Edsa Shangri-La, Manila general manager Patrick Schaub (left) and food and beverage executive assistant manager Simon Cote

For this important occasion, Hennessy Global Ambassador Maurice Hennessy personally led the tutored tasting session, which highlighted the cognac’s ability to complement the rich flavors of the menu prepared by Chef David of Maison Hennessy. He was accompanied by Moet Hennessy Asia-Pacific Business Development Manager Randy Uson, and Philippine representative of Moet Hennessy Olga Azarcon on both occasions.

Lawyer Raoul Angangco waits for his turn as Maurice Hennessy signs a bottle

 Alex Wang and Glen Chua

For the Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection VII, London Design Museum’s Designer of the Year Tom Dixon called on his fascination with crystals in creating a carafe that reflected light the way the many facets of a polished gem do. 

Akira Sakano, Transtec managing director Jerahmeel Fandrall Chen and Bobby Ramos

It pays tribute to the 144-year-old opus of Emile Fillioux for Maurice Hennessy, which blended together 100 different eaux de vie to create the signature amber color, roundness, boldness and complexity of this treasured drink.

In Photo: Rudy Tan, Philip Chan, Albert Co, Willie Uy, Ben Yam and David Ong

---

Getting ready for summer

Getting ready for summer

Details

 

Category: Envoys & Expats

19 Apr 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In photo: Madam Lovely Romulo, Embassy of Argentina charge d’ affaires Monica Derregibus and Dr Vicki Belo

KEEPING beautiful is hard work. That is the reason many lovely ladies often take time off to pamper themselves with a massage or treatments at the salon during their free time. And if you happen to be an envoy or a diplomat’s spouse, there is much pressure to always put your best foot forward.

Embassy of Venezuela charge d’ affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco (right) with Marlyn Natero and Hayden Kho

Celebrity beauty specialist Vicki Belo, founder of the Belo Medical Group, treated recently the love ladies of the diplomatic corps to an exclusive luncheon at her sumptuous home in Makati City. After a lavish feast that had the ladies oohing and aahing, they were introduced to the latest and innovative procedures and products now available at Belo clinics.

Mesdames Fehmina Safdar of Pakistan and Sylvia Tay-Van Remoortele of Belgium, Edward Mendez and madam Ira Petranto

Among those present that afternoon were a number of deputy heads of missions and ambassadors’ wives, including Kai Wang (Austria), Sylvia Tay-Van Remoortele (Belgium), Isabelle Garachon (France), Sameera Alkamaly (Iraq), Evelyn Farounbi (Nigeria), Fehmina Safdar (Pakistan), Gracita Sieber (Switzerland), Embassy of Argentina Chargé d’Affaires Monica Derregibus and Embassy of Venezuela Chargé d’Affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco, among others.

Mesdames Isabelle Garachon of France, Gracita Sieber of Switzerland, Hayden Kho with Iraqui attaché Rawya Ali Shanyar and madam Sameera Alkamaly of Iraq

Mesdames Gracita Sieber of Switzerland,  Evelyn Farounbi of Nigeria, with Edward Mendez and madam Kai Wang of Austria

Before the ladies went on their merry ways after the presentation, they were all gifted with a box of tempting Belo Beauty Chocolates that would soon be available in all clinics.

A new dining experience in Manila

A new dining experience in Manila

Details

 

Category: Envoys & Expats

12 Apr 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In Photo: Oliver English, Chef Todd English, Bea Soriano, and Eric and Kidd Dee

LET’S face it: If you’ve traveled around the world, food halls are quite the same from one country to another. What they offer you is a variety of cuisines and meals with the convenience of a restaurant. To put it simply, you no longer have to move from one restaurant to another just to satisfy the varying whims within a group.

What happens when you marry the food-hall concept with a talented celebrity chef? Then, you have a unique gastronomic experience that would surely keep diners wanting more.

This is what the country’s leisure set is discovering with the recent opening of Todd English Food Hall at SM Aura Premier Skypark.

The brainchild of multiawarded celebrity chef Todd English, Metro diners can now enjoy the feel of New York City and its authentic international flavors in just one venue. This collaboration between English and restaurateur Rikki Dee will definitely set the standard in the Metro culinary scene.

New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Sen. Loren Legarda, Rikki Dee and Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno

The Todd English Food Hall is a European-inspired specialty food hall that offers nine diverse culinary stations to satisfy the most discerning palettes. Offering the finest food with freshest ingredients matched with impeccable service, it definitely gives a delectable dining experience set in a stylish and convenient atmosphere.

Guests seen at the opening of this high-class food mecca included New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno, Gracita Tolentino-Sieber, wife of Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, Hans Sy and Carol Sy, among others.

---

Luxury defined

Luxury defined

Details

 

Category: Envoys & Expats

05 Apr 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

 Sharing a toast for a successful partnership of Anchor Land and Accor are (from left) Accor regional director for development Venessa Koo, Anchor Land chief executive officer Steve Li and president Elizabeth Ventura, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila general manager Adam Laker and famous fashion designer Patis Pamintuan Tesoro

IT was an intimate evening of wine and cheese as members of Manila’s crème de la crème gathered together at Le Bar of Sofitel Philippine Plaza for the formal launch of the partnership between Accor and Anchor Land Holdings. This partnership between the world’s leading hotel operator and Filipino luxury property developer comes to life with the five-star Admiral Boutique Hotel along scenic Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Madame Eti Bar-on and husband, Israel ambassador to the Philippines Menashe Bar-on

Former Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor Garcia and wife Connie with Accor’s Gerhard Zimmer

The Admiral Boutique Hotel will be the first MGallery Hotel in the Philippines. It celebrates the hotel’s storied history, rich heritage, premium location by the striking Manila Bay, and rare white glove service. It is set to open in 2016.

“We are delighted that the Admiral Boutique Hotel will join the MGallery Collection of unique hotels,” says Patrick Basset, chief operating officer for Accor Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and the Philippines. “Once complete, this enchanting, historical hotel situated in a marvelous location in Manila will be the perfect showcase accommodation of what the MGallery hotel brand has to offer. Upscale, sophisticated guests seeking unique and personalized experiences will be captivated by its history and elegance. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to a long and strong relationship with Anchor Land Holdings".

Among the different Accor brands, the MGallery Collection is a special, upscale assortment of hotels, each one boasting remarkable character, vision, design, history and exceptional location.

PR

Luxury property developer Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. sealed a partnership with European hotel operator Accor to manage its 5-star, ultra-luxurious Admiral Baysuites Boutique Hotel. The refurbished boutique hotel will feature a distinct European flair, offering the meticulous white glove service – the likes of which the Philippines has never seen before. The Admiral Baysuites, with its unique history and personality, will join Accor’s MGallery Collection of memorable hotels.

Admiral Baysuites Boutique Hotel

A 53-storey luxury residential condominium and a 5-star European-inspired luxury boutique hotel along the premium side of Roxas Boulevard, Manila’s scenic road by the Manila Bay. The residential building is laid out to feature two separate wings. The West Wing offers spacious residential suites of three to five bedrooms in flat or bi-level. Hailed as the perfect next acquisition after a house and lot in Forbes Park, these opulent units include the Premiere and Director Suites which come with their own private pools. The East Wing, on the other hand, offers more practical, one and two-bedroom residential suites. All of the units are laid out to maximize space and are fully furnished with carefully chosen fixtures. 

WHITE GLOVE SERVICES. Unit owners in the 53-storey luxury residential suites may avail of all the white glove services offered by the hotel, including concierge, security and housekeeping services.

HOTEL-LIKE AMENITIES: Conceptualized to become “an exclusive club in a condo,” the premiere club amenities of the property complete the grand experience. These include a function room, gallery, game rooms, KTV room, mini-theater, music room, gym, 25-meter lap pool, poker room, poolside lounge, spa, VIP lounge and piano bar, cigar and wine room, al fresco dining area, and English garden at the roof deck.

Envoys Enjoy Bohol's sun, surf and sand

Envoys enjoy Bohol’s sun, surf and sand

• 
• 

Details

 

Category: Envoys & Expats

29 Mar 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In Photo: Ambassador Mayorga takes a dip in the waters of Bohol

IF you think ambassadors are all work and no play, then you are greatly mistaken. All the envoys assigned to the Philippines take time out to visit and enjoy themselves in the country’s many tourism destinations.

Italian ambassador Massimo Roscigno, Chilean ambassador Roberto Mayorga, Johnny Litton, The Bellevue Resort's Ryan Chan and Tony Rufino

One such place is Bohol, the jewel of an island in Central Visayas. The Bellevue Resort Bohol, a five-star resort at the southern tip of Panglao Island, played host recently to a number of ambassadors who took time out from their busy schedules for a short break.

Italian ambassador Massimo Roscigno (right) with wife Agnes and daughter Ursula

The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts Chairman Johnny Chan, Managing Director Patrick Chan, Marketing and Communications Corporate Director Ryan Chan and The Bellevue Resort Managing Director Dustin Chan, with Johnny Litton as event organizer, arranged a worthwhile retreat exclusively for these high-profile guests. The Bellevue Resort Bohol is a tropical oasis that offers impeccable service, ultimate comfort and first-rate amenities.

Chilean Ambassador Roberto Mayorga and wife Paulina with The Bellevue Resort's Ryan Chan

The Bellevue Resort

Roselle Rebano, Tamila Chan with son Alejando

The diplomats were treated to an evening of revelry at the resort, enjoying delicious signature dishes made famous by Céna, one of the resort’s topnotch restaurants specializing in Western-inspired and Filipino fusion cuisine, and perfectly complemented by overflowing wines and premium champagnes, as well as the angelic voices of the talented Loboc Children’s Choir. Later in the evening, guests sang along with the Infinity Band, while affable Chilean Ambassador Roberto Mayorga gave an entertaining solo number with his astonishing renditions of Spanish songs. After all the singing, everybody then showed off their groovy dance moves as the band played hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

The Loboc Children's Choir

Consul Fortune Ledesma (right) with Elizabeth and Bernard Chiris

German Charge d'Affaires Michael Hasper with daughter Navina

Ursula Roscigno, Natalia Vodopic and Ignacio Rippes Silva

The Bellevue Resort

During their stay at the resort, the guests were also toured around Bohol, visiting its old churches and landmarks, such as the Chocolate Hills. They also indulged in a host of water activities, including snorkeling in Bohol’s crystal blue waters, among others.