Utzurrum: A book launching, a Movenpick evening

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

LOOKING down at the SM Lower level, from the mall balconies, all we could see was a sea of yellow. It was indeed a yellow presidential event as First Sister Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz was in town to launch the book The Inaugural.

The mulit-faceted event was also an exhibit of the images and icons and some excerpts from the book, published by President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino’s campaign media bureau head, Maria V. Montelibano.

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The local Yellow Army headed by chairman emeritus lawyer Augusto Go, was ever-present, with members all clad in bright yellow or a combination, as they welcomed Manila guests headed by Ballsy Cruz, Joey Avellana, CEO of Avellana and Associates, assistant book publisher Millie Dizon—corporate communications director for SM Holdings and localities headed by Marissa Fernan, VP-SM Prime Holdings.

A brief but concise program followed with the National Anthem sung articulately by the Cebu Normal University Children’s Choir. Motivational messages were delivered by lawyer Democrito Barcenas, campaign volunteer for Cebu and Joey Avellana of the publishing house. A freedom Wall signing by Ballsy preceded the autographing of books, which judging from the kilometric queue, promises to be a best seller! Freedom cocktails, everyone!

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A Swiss hotel in Cebu? That’s right, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has luxuriously “invaded” the Philippines with the very first one, located at Mactan, Cebu. We are so proud!

Oikonomos International Resources Corp. group Chairman Manuel Osmeña, invited the national and local press to cover this momentous event in the industry, and said:“We are delighted to have joined hands with Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, a highly regarded international hotel management company.

“We look forward to a successful collaboration and to further position our resort as a preferred leisure destination within the Philippines and Asia.”

Focusing on the Swiss formula of reliability, punctuality and precision, this hotel chain employs 12,000 people worldwide in their city hotels as well as holiday resorts, so much so that the six million guests annually feel very well taken care of indeed!

These were the salient points we learned from Movenpick VIPs who jetted in for the event. Meet Roger MacFarlaine, VP-Technology; Alex Rawson, VP Talent Development; and from Manila we were pleasantly surprised to meet old friends—Helmut Gaisberger, a frequent Cebu visitor when he was still with another leading hotel chain, and Rose Libongco, one of the veteran marketing execs from Makati.

The Mediterranean-inspired beach enclave pampers the visitor with a private, sandy area with excellent diving and snorkeling facilities. Cebu City’s vibrant nightlife, unlimited shopping and historic, cultural pursuits are a mere 30 minutes away.

Guests can choose from five restaurants, and bars with open kitchens designed by Dan Kwan, and utilize a garden spa, professional gym and health club.

All guest rooms are impressive, with spa suites designed in Art Deco, offering sea views. That’s not all. A P100 million renovation scheme is in the drawing board, with a colorist consultant Solveig Tonning, having jetted in from Paris that day. Color scheme? Still a well-kept secret!

Jean Gabriel Peres, president and CEO of Movenpick, has this to say: "We are very excited about our arrival, and it is a significant milestone for our hotels as it marks our 15th signed hotel in Asia.” We say amen to that!