GONE are the days when Valentine’s Day is celebrated only by couples around the globe as it has evolved to sharing precious time and love also for families and friends.
This in essence was what transpired during the Valentine’s Acoustic Night held February 14 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel where couples of different ages came along with their seniors, siblings, friends and children. With too many guests, tables were also set up at the hotel’s Mezzanine Floor aside from the premier venue – the Kamayo Café.
Music, soothing to the ears and from different genres and periods of time, filled the air. Thanks to Dillema Duo’s Toby, acoustic guitarist, and Shirlyn, vocalist, and veteran pianist Ephraim “ Bong” De Leon, Jr. who serenaded guests with classics, pop and soul music. Eternal love songs down memory lane brought smiles to the Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964) and the Generation Xers (born 1965 to1980) in the event, including me and my husband Alvin, as there were times we would sing along since the lyrics were already embedded in our minds, while the Millennials (born 1981 to 1996), too, were given a treat of recent pop and soul hits.
We had our fill of the wide variety of the delectable European cuisine buffet prepared by Chef Juddie Sepe, the hotel’s Executive Chef, paired with a glass of the Verdejo Sauvignon wine courtesy of FineLab Finissimo Food Group, Inc.
Selections for the main course included chicken vegetable egg fried rice, steamed rice, chicken alfredo baked zitti, baked red snapper with lime and coriander, garlic chili shrimp, stuffed chicken florentine and beef burgundy while sashimi and sushi were among the appetizers.
The Mixed green, Greek Feta, Chicken Caesar, Caprese, Russian, Niciose and Stuffed Egg salads were truly a delight for salad lovers like me while French Onion and Cream of Mushroom Soup were also served. Guests also enjoyed the to-die-for desserts such as the strawberry panna cotta, opera cake, cafe liegeois, croquembouche, tarte tatin, creme brulee, dacquoise, French macaroon and Petit Fours, lechon belly, classic paella, chicken croquettes and fish n’ chips complete the buffet menu.
Intricate decors by Events Library adorned Kamayo Café and the Mezzanine Floor as a special huge heart shape by the hotel’s entrance served as a photo wall. Red and white flowers dolled up the stage that was also dressed with dazzling lights.
Before the acoustic dinner wrapped up, Renty and Jesse Dellona were hailed as best dressed couple/couple of the night.
Meanwhile, the Club Cabana Valentine’s Party followed with live music entertainment from DJ Julian Rodriguez. We missed this one though as we have to rush back home to be with our boys. Next time, we would bring them along so we could have more time to have fun and celebrate the love-filled occasion.