Tuesday, April 01, 2008 Espina: Cebu welcomes the new Shangri-La GM By Mila C. Espina in my diary
SHARON Beigel and Lesley Tan, Shangri-La’s director of communications and assistant communications manager, respectively, prepared a series of media gatherings to introduce their new general manager, Raymond Bragg, who takes over Timothy Wright, who will head the Shangri-La Bangkok.
Bragg has 10 years of experience in the industry in many Shangri-La and Traders chains of hotel in Dalian, China, Penang, Fiji Islands and Myanmar, among others, where he had the singular opportunity to interact with heads of state, diplomats, multi-national industrialists.
He was commended for bringing Shangri-La into the realm of social responsibility, education and environment, which reaped awards for the Shangri-La in Dalian. He is married to a Singaporean and has an 11-year-old daughter who is enrolled in Cebu International School.
Over at lunch recently, Bragg talked about the expansion projects of Shangri-La Mactan. There would be additional rooms for high-end clientele, perhaps a bigger ballroom or convention site, more sports and swimming facilities and, of course, more soothing spa for fastidious, wellness enthusiasts.
There are many challenges to meet after being voted as Asia’s Best Hotel Brand for business and vacation in the 16th annual travel poll of Asiamoney magazine. The CHI, the Spa, was a first-runner up, along so many other trophies in services and facilities for seminars and conventions.
So, Mr. Bragg, there is much work to do!
TOUR GUIDING SEMINARS
The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 was busy conducting two simultaneous tour-guiding seminars to prepare for an increase of tourism arrivals in Cebu. DOT 7 Director Patria Aurora Roa said the People’s Republic of China requested for someone to train tour guides who speak Mandarin to learn English as well, and learn about our cultural landmarks, and city and countryside tourist attractions.
Meantime, the Korean nationals took a similar tour guiding session in Philippine history and geography; accreditation; tourism thrusts and travel/tour related topics; arts, music, folklore; immigration, airport, customs policies and procedures; and festivals, among others. Resource speakers for the Korean seminar came from the academe and the industry managed by the Speechcom International.
LANGUAGE TRAINING CENTERS
Cebu is getting a windfall of language centers specifically designed to teach English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Nippongo and Korean. We attended the launching of the Filipinas Ahora Mismo, the Radio Manila Project. It is an undertaking of the Asociacion de la Prenza de Cadiz and the Bureau of Broadcast Services of the Philippines. This cultural magazine covers an upbeat radio hour featuring updates on literature, history, education and current issues.
In Cebu, it is heard over Radyo ng Bayan, dyMR 576 Khz. This project brings us to the regular Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation, which undertakes research and cross-cultural studies.
The press had a pleasant time brushing up on some French words, cum the proper articulation and voicing. This was during lunch at Pino (and hosted by Michel and Amparito Lhuillier), where the Les Amis de la France French Cultural and Language Institute was introduced to us. It provides easy lessons in learning French for all age levels, from the graders to the professionals, and even housewives. The Center is located at Q Pavilion, and is open whole day and early evening.
