By: Mila C. Espina
In my diary

TIME to celebrate! Mabuhay Miles Mastercard gathered a happy crowd of corporate giants, business luminaries, media and government bigwigs to launch a new promo and take pride of its recent prestigious international award, the APMEA award for best co-brand program in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. But, there is more to this achievement because the exclusive and most prestigious Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard offers the privilege of an access to Allied World Assist giving assistance from booking flights, lodging, events, with special deals from products all over the globe, not to mention the automatic round-the-clock emergency medical and and travel support via the International SOS.

Prominent among the guests were Mr.Jaime Bautista, president and COO, Philippine Airlines; Mr.Felix Cruz, VP-Marketing support,PAL; Bob Salazar,AVP Visayas Sales, PAL; Jose Rene Villa-real, VP-Country manager, MasterCard Worldwide and Barbara Aragon, VP-Product Loyalty Marketing who did the presentation for Philippine Airlines. To complete the consortium , the Allied Bank was represented by First Vice-president and Card Center head, Fol C. Rana . Foremost Allied officer Cora Lee was also there.

LEMON GRASS

Yes, the ambiance at Ayala center is completely transformed into a colorful and refreshing food chain. The Lemon Grass and The Terraces had their well- attended soft opening. The Gustavian also occupies a good place out there and its exclusive members had a weeklong of dee-licious meals.

CEBU NEVER RESTS

Indeed, the tireless Cebuanos continue to create entrepreneurial events to keep trade and tourism going.The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu had the unveiling of the two- week festivities, Voyage en France in cooperation with Le Club Chamber of Commerce, which will showcase the finest French cuisine at Café Marco (Nov. 22 to Dec. 5); and the most awaited French wine event, Vive La France in cooperation with Qatar Airways, which will give away round trip tickets to Paris! This night of wondrous entertainment happens on Nov. 29, with Janet Basco as the guest entertainer. More on these in my next article.

The Inquirer Lifestyle Series had a cutting-edge fashion in a show called Fitness Fashion Goes to Cebu held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. It featured collections of Philip Rodriguez, Arcy Gayatin, Oj Hofer, Cary Santiago, Jun Escario, Edwin Ao, Lord Maturan, Louis Claparols, Rhett Eala, Lulu Gan, Anthony Nocom, Randy Ortiz, James Reyes and Joey Samson.

The Deputy Chief Mission of the United States of America and Mrs. Paul Jones celebrated democracy in Cebu with Consul John Domingo organizing the “2008 US Presidential pre-Election” gathering on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Marco Polo Plaza.
Next day , Nov. 5, the election-watch continued at the SM North Wing Atrium.

An intimate luncheon was set for the media by the Aboitiz Land at the magnificent Clubhouse of Kishanta, Talisay. It was
meant to update us of the recent developments in the Kishanta Project Site. Meanwhile, we got invited to a friendly get-together at Kaona Grill by our friends from Globe.

Wow! What a busy month November is turning out to be, and with Christmas just a few weeks away.

For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here.(November 11, 2008 issue)Write letter to the editor.Click here.