A glimpse of Bohol’s beauty

Envoys & Expats

by BusinessMirror - October 25, 2014

In Photo: Nonoy Anson, Crossover 105.1 Manila owner Elaine Rojas Villar, former Embassy of Argentina chargée d’Affaires madam Monica Deregibus, Tarsier Botanika owner and founder Patricia Moussempes, Polanco and Herrera Baez

IT isn’t surprising that many diplomats find the Philippines to be one of the most agreeable postings in the world.

Embassy of Venezuela charge d’ affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco and husband Axel Herrera Baez enjoying the view from their room at The Bellevue Resort

The warm smile of the friendly people are a bonus to the charming vistas of natural wonder the country is known for.

One of the more popular destinations that have attracted foreigners is Panglao Island in Bohol. It is undoubtedly one of the famous vacation spots in the country.

Embassy of Argentina charge d’ affaires Monica Deregibus, The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts (BH&R) marketing and communications corporate director Ryan Chan, Embassy of Venezuela charge d’ affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco and husband Axel Herrera Baez

(Seated) Madam Yelitza Ventura Polanco and Nini Layug (standing) Axel Herrera Baez, Joe Rebano and Palmy Layug

Leaders from the diplomatic, business and social circles, including Embassy of Venezuela Chargée d’Affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco and husband Axel Herrera Baez, Villa Medica Philippines Country Director Suzette Lopez and husband Manny, and former Embassy of Argentina Chargée d’Affaires Monica Deregibus had the pleasure of enjoying Boholano hospitality at the five-star The Bellevue Resort. The property, owned and managed by The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts under the leadership of Chairman Johnny Chan, with the assistance of his sons Patrick, Ryan and Dustin.

(seated from left) Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corporation regional business compliance practices and compliance officer Maru Quindimil and Embassy of Argentina charge d’ affaires Monica Deregibus with Elaine Rojas Villar and Nonoy Anson

Villa Medica Philippines country director Suzette Lopez, madam Yelitza Ventura Polanco and Maru Quindimil

(standing from left) The Bellevue Resort Bohol’s executive chef Martin Przewodnik and The Bellevue Resort resident manager Rommel Gonzales with Embassy of Venezuela charge d’ affaires Yelitza Ventura Polanco and husband Axel Herrera Baez

The guests were treated to a delicious dinner at Cena, the resort’s popular restaurant that serves Western-inspired and Filipino fusion cuisine. During the dinner, the award-winning Loboc Children’s Choir, under the leadership of choir director Alma Fernando-Taldo, treated them to a performance.

The internationally-acclaimed Loboc Children’s Choir and choir director Alma Fernando-Taldo (second row, 4^th from left) with (front row, from left) Roselle Rebano, Elaine Rojas Villar, Maru Quindimil, madam Monica Deregibus, Ryan Chan and Nonoy Anson

One of the trip’s highlights was a special tour of Tarsier Botanika, a man-made nature park, organized by Nicolas and Patricia Moussempes.

Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corporation regional business compliance practices and compliance officer Maru Quindimil, Villa Medica Philippines country director Suzette Lopez, Embassy of Argentina charge d’ affaires Monica Deregibus and Jayelles’ Roselle Rebano at Tarsier Botanika

The vast property is a botanical garden that has an animal sanctuary, an equestrian center, an aviary, a museum and a restaurant, among others. Patricia served as guide and docent during the tour of the equestrian center and museum. The museum also gave them a glimpse of the Moussempes’ huge art collection.

A sumptuous dinner at Tarsier Paprika, Tarsier Botanika’s restaurant, treated the guests to the park’s signature dishes partnered with exquisite wines from the restaurant’s own wine cellar.

Suzette Jessica

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.

PRISM

Thursday, November 6, 2014