ALREADY, the glow of silver was in the air at the start of the evening during cocktails at the Ocean Pavilion of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. Dress code, formal, was followed to the letter, with ladies in flowing, glittery gowns and gentlemen in suits or tuxedos!

Following warm-up appetizers and spirits, the guests, led by Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza, were ferried in silver/gray vans to the celebration venue of the resort hotel, The Marquee, for dinner, to mark the resort’s silver anniversary!

We were truthfully not prepared but absolutely in speechless awe at the dazzling interiors, where a flowing silver “waterfall” from ceiling to the floor was the focal point of attention and photo-shoots!

In this spectacular setting, hotel general manager Rene Egle, welcomed all and briefly chronicled the resort’s prestigious and colorful history through 25 years!

By now, an army of liveried waiters and waitresses were poised to serve still another awesome gastronomic feast!

Shangri-La, may you celebrate many more decades like this! Cheers!