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Tuesday, October 07, 2003
A scintillating evening at Shangri-La
By Mila C. Espina & Chinggay V. Utzurrum
No other word could describe it! Scintillating! Neil Rumbaoa called the gathering a ‘production number’ to be able to have all of us in one affair. Julius and Nelia Neri, Jimmy and Cecilia Picornell, Glenn and Honey Loop, Mayen Tan, Joe and Chinggay Utzurrum, Jo Magsaysay and Sonny and I thought the cocktails cum wine and delectable ‘pika-pika’, then fabulous dinner were a ‘hard set to follow’.
But that was not all GM Desmond Hatton prepared for us. We had a tour of Shangri-La’s physical fitness facilities and viewed the perspectives of its mega spa village, soon they say, to be the best in Asia. When the one-hectare (more or less) area comes to life, Chi Spa Village will have four personal treatment areas for the stressed out or pooped out guest: Garden Suites, with inspiring waterscapes and footpaths; Garden Aqua-Therapy (watsu), warm-water massage pools with an appropriate gardenscape; Ocean-View Suites, private sun gardens with view, private steambath, Jacuzzi, among other details; and Ocean-View Grand Suites, which includes everything mentioned above plus spacious seating lounge, outdoor meditation pavilion, private splash pool and all the accoutrements of a spa paradise. Watch for it.
Shangri-La has been in the process of renovating and re-inventing its rooms, lobby and reception area. We had the joy of staying in one of their rooms at the lobby wing and noticed the splendid lay-out, newly designed carpets, classy fixtures, and, to top it all, a refreshing view of nature from the veranda. Truly a marriage of Western accents and touches with ethnic Filipino craftsmanship. The relaxed feel is never better than when you imbibe the modern touch that blends well with the resort ambience.Whoever said technology and natural resources couldn’t blend? But we guess, the management team of Shangri-La spelled a lot of difference. Their warmth and gaiety were incomparable! Indeed, s-chi-n-tillating Shangri-La is another world.
The tęte-ŕ-tęte at dinnertime was a good share of serious and light talk interspersed with humor and cross-cultural insights. I enjoyed conversing with Serine, wife of Daniele Vastolo, executive assistant manager.
Expect more interesting events at Shangri-La. We will keep you posted.
(October 7, 2003 issue)
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