DEPENDING on who is asked, 13 is either an auspicious number or one that is best avoided. Whatever one’s views, Cebu Parklane International Hotel is certainly very lucky as it celebrates 13 years of sharing warm Cebuano hospitality and its cosmopolitan charm.
Hotel general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan and public relations manager Jaybee Aquino have been with the hotel for nearly as long as it has been open, but these two vibrant ladies seem to be aging backward the longer they stay! Together with other officers and staff, the hotel threw a party for their friends from the travel industry, media partners, corporate clients and VIP guests for an evening that was “Distinctly Local: Celebrating Arts and Culture, featuring Cebu’s authentic food and fashion.”
Hotel executive chef June Rhoses Fernandez and the culinary team designed an impressive seven-course menu that was paraded by the banquet staff from the kitchen to each diner’s seat in the Victoria Hall. Each dish featured creative ways to enjoy the produce and ingredients from various municipalities around Cebu. Guests were entertained by a lively program that included a fashion show of the Amano Hablon de Cebu collection, and festival dances from Sinulog, Aloguinsan, Catmon and Liloan.
The hotel also took the anniversary party as the opportunity to present its nine new lifestyle ambassadors, who have strong advocacies to create an impact in Cebu. These included the designer behind the Amano collection, Dexter Alazas, for fashion; chef Richard Hao for food; Nelia Navarro for cancer awareness; Gavin Bagares for heritage; Ruel Rosello for the arts; Jacky Chang for music; Anthony Galon for the environment; Joselito “Boboi” Costas for tourism; and Ethel Diane Ting for sports and fitness.