Nelia G. Neri
Columns
Party time at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao Island
IT IS not often that an invitation to a party outside Cebu come my way so it was a welcome break when Jessica Avila, events consultant of The Bellevue Resort in Panglao Island in Bohol, asked me to join her group at the launch of the Bellevue Pavilion.
What's up? What's new?
On the travel front...
Total entertainment at Resortz World Manila
RESORTS World Manila (across the NAIA 3) wasn't fully completed when I first set foot in the place more than two years ago. Even then it was totally impressive as an entertainment destination because it brings to mind the glitter of Las Vegas but with that distinct Asian flavor. The entire complex is called the Newport City.
Cokaliong's newest vessel
IT WAS a proud day for the Cokaliong family when M/V Filipinas Butuan, the newest addition to its shipping fleet, was blessed and inaugurated. Man of the hour was the dynamic top honcho of Cokaliong Lines, Chester Cokaliong [founder, chief executive officer (CEO)/chief operating officer (COO)] and lovely wife Anna Lynne (VP for marketing and branches) who were the perfect hosts along with the youthful matriarch of the clan Gregoria Cokaliong (chairperson and president).
Here and there
THE Magsaysay sisters, Myra M. Sun and Dr. Maureen M. Santos proudly announce that their family will be launching a book entitled "Jo" to honor their late mom, Josefina "Jo" Gaboya Magsaysay who was a highly esteemed columnist of Sun.Star Cebu. The book (edited by Cookie Newman) is a compilation of Jo's column entitled Whatever. Launching date is April 24; venue is the Marcelo Fernan Press Center in Lahug.
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Newsbits
HSBC Philippines hosted a "Client Appreciation" event at Tavolata La Trattoria de Abaca in A.S. Fortuna St. for its valued clients and friends. Playing host was Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso, the first Filipino chief executive officer (CEO) of the bank in its 137 years of operation in the Philippines. He has been with HSBC for 18 years but has 26 years of capital markets experience with several other banks.
People
CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama was very much in his element as he welcomed honorees and guests at the testimonial dinner in celebration of the 76th Charter Day anniversary of Cebu City. Special honorees were the city's centenarians who came onstage (most of them in wheelchairs) to collect their awards. Seventy five Families of Distinction were also given recognition during the program and I am proud to say that my family, the Garcia clan, was one of them. Outstanding institutions and individuals were also awarded.
Dojoe and Nana’s Wedding
WHEN Fernando Jose “Dojoe” Jakosalem and Rowena “Nana” Sainz planned their wedding, they decided on a no-frills ceremony at the Archbishop’s Palace with just the family in attendance. They had the blessings of their loving parents, Ferdinand and Corazon Jakosalem, and Manuel and Melba Sainz.
Newsbits
A GROUP of Cebuano golfers were in Manila for the 43rd Golden Tee Invitational Tournament of the Manila Golf & Country Club in Forbes Park upon the invitation of club member friends. Tournament rules required that a club member invite a non-member as tournament partner. Thus Manila Golf’s Richie Garcia had for his partner Cebu Country Club president Montito Garcia (they made it to the winners’ circle); former PNB chairman/Sun Savings Bank founder Francisco Dizon had lawyer Julius Neri; Manila business executive Choy Cojuangco partnered with businessman Eddie Alegrado; Dr.
Airline Updates
IN A SPAN of twenty years Cathay Pacific-Cebu has come a long, long way. From a modest presence in southern Philippines with just two flights a week to Hong Kong, it has become a favorite carrier of travelers from the Visayas and Mindanao, and now boasts of daily flights plus extra flights during peak periods.
