The Pen is my pal



Filipino luxury at its finest: The Lobby at the Peninsula Manila represents class beyond compare

Passing by Ayala Avenue almost everyday of my life reveals that I have memorized all the buildings and landmarks in the area. Whenever people ask me, where is this? how do I get there? Can I take a walk from here to there? I can assure everyone that I can provide correct directions. Ayala Avenue is probably one of the busiest places in Metro Manila. It's the country's biggest business and leisure destination and it wouldn't be complete without grand hotels that defines the great Filipino hospitality. In the corner of Ayala and Makati avenues, I guess that nobody will ever miss this place that has become a national landmark for many years. Known as the home of the grandest waterfalls and fountain in the metropolis, The Peninsula Manila is a haven for the most discriminating traveller. Popularly called as "The Pen" and "Manila Pen", it was the first ever hotel built outside of its mother hotel in Hongkong, coinciding the International Monetary Fund Conference in Manila held almost 3 decades ago. Since then, The Pen is renowned for providing the best accomodations in town. It's main lobby is touted as the hub of who's who in Manila, serving all day dining with a great view of its dramatic sunburst sculpture seen on it's 4 story ceiling. They got the best tasting but expensive "halo-halo", clubhouse sandwiches and ice cream in a bowl. At night, The Lobby turns into a romantic music hall where an orchestra set the mood for everyone's enjoyment. Perfect dating place? you got it right! but make sure you bring bundles of cash or else your credit card will suffer :-)



The Pen's experience: Sleeping is the best thing to do at The Peninsula Manila



Recently, I surprised my parents to stay here in celebration of their 30th year of marriage. We were given nice rooms with great views. Aside from that, General Manager Sonja Vodusek even sent us fruits and personalized cake for my parents...that was so sweet. Accomodations at The Pen are way different from other hotels I've stayed in, most noticeable was the interior designs that showcase Filipino artistry. I can't believe that these locally made materials could look so elegant with proper placements and lighting. Sleeping is the best thing to experience at The Pen. I can choose whatever type of pillow I want plus their bed made me want not to wake up anymore, but kidding aside, I really had a relaxing sleep.



Perfect place to unwind: Salon De Ning at The Pen describes glamour and sophistication at its best



Glamour and great service makes The Peninsula, a stand out from other luxury chains. Their commitment to bestow the best of service to all of its patron has given them a distinction that no other Manila hotel could comes close. I still remember when the entire world welcomed the new millenium, The Pen was the chosen venue for the music video shoot, where Regine Velasquez sang on top of the fountain together with hundreds of children that was broadcast worldwide at the stroke of midnight. And of course who wouldn't forget the government army rebellion that took place at the hotel lobby where gun fires damaged the walls and entrance doors. Guests and staff were kept safe. Thanks to the entire hotel staff for becoming heroes. These situations has proven that either in the best times or worst times, expect that people at The Pen will always treat you special and safe. That makes The Pen as my pal.

Ohhlala Shangri-La

EDSA SHANGRI-LA MANILA : Stunning like a Miss Universe

Celebrating 20 years of  Execellence: Warm smiles upon entrance makes Edsa Shangri-La  distinctly amazing. 

The first time that I set my foot in Edsa Shangri-la was way back during my early grade school years. Manila was hosting then the 1994 Miss Universe and my dad hitched me in to check out the stunning ladies from all around the world where they were having a ball at the ballroom. My family was attending a wedding reception at that time in another room but since these gorgeous women were partying next to our function room; my dad grabbed me and my brother after having dinner to the Miss Universe ball leaving my mom and my grandmother clueless. During that night, we enjoyed partying with the girls from the Universe rather than dancing with the newly weds. It was a night to remember.

View from the room: The only luxury resort inspired hotel in the metropolis..Wanna a Boracay or Palawan  vacation? Think a again...Check out Edsa Shangri-La Manila instead.

Incomparable Beauty, Elegance and Sophistication best described Edsa Shangri-la like of those Miss Universe candidates. Majestic lobby, classy interiors and not to mention their well attentive staff makes every experience ultra memorable. My family regularly dines in at any of their dining outlets during special occasions. When I started earning money for a living, it was my turn to treat them back either for coffee with chocolates or pastries or an overnight stay. I just love the comfort of their rooms. Beds are soft and pillows are scented! For every Edsa Shangri-la stay, I cannot forget to chillax in their paradise inspired garden swimming pool. As far as I know they are the only luxury hotel in the metropolis who has a “beach” ambiance. Yeah, Edsa Shangri-la's garden is a mini-Boracay or Palawan. Beside it is the Chi spa where heaven pleasures can be felt. If your into tennis then no worries cause there's a court for you to play in but if your into cool music and cold drinks then E's Bar is the place to be where great Ortigas view awaits you. Heat, Paparrazi, Lobby Lounge among others must be never out of your list and after all the eating and drinking ends, Health Club is there to make your figure never be out of shape.

This year, as Edsa Shangri-la celebrates its 20 years of service, more and more fond memories will be remembered. And for sure I will keep on coming back to this so called “home” where the I have found great memories that is beyond compare even if I'd get to marry a Miss Universe.

Photo credits by www.shangri-la.com

THE MAKATI SHANGRI-LA MANILA: Feeling Royalty at High Tea

Coffee, High Tea or Me: Makati Shangri-la Manila's Lobby Lounge high tea never fails to impress me.

I usually spend my mid-afternoons taking out time to workout and do my regular fitness regimen but one time I decided to explore and hunt for something that is interesting. Instead of running around Ayala Triangle that afternoon, I walked inside Makati Shangri-la Manila and found a posh hang out place. Lobby Lounge is at the heart of the main hotel lobby and offers a spectacular view of the Shangri-la's garden. Open for 24 hours daily, they serve breakfast, lunch, cocktails, dinner, midnight snacks and even high tea. High Tea? yeah you heard it right, sounds new to you? yes for me! but after learning so much about this afternoon meal tradition, I just feel that I'm already a royalty.

Traditionally Filipino: Bibingka, beef kaldereta empanada, okoy, pandesal with chicken adobo spread, leche flan and rice pasta roll

High tea is a meal taken from 2-5pm originated in United Kingdom popularized by the upper classes and the royalties in 1840s. For us Filipinos, we call it "merienda" as inherited from the Spanish tradition of taking snacks. Traditionally tea is brewed in a tea pot served with milk or sugar. It is best paired with freshly baked goodies such as scones, cookies or cakes and sometimes added with sandwiches. For many years now, High tea tradition has evolved globally and you can actually try it being served in hotel cafes and coffee shops everywhere. Shangri-la makes high tea experience added with an orchestra background music that makes your afternoon hanging out so relaxing. I tasted their Classic and Filipino sets with Earl Grey tea that comes with milk. Absolutely, I enjoyed my high tea even got lost in time leaving the place late for my dinner appoinment. I just hope that in my next high tea, Queen Elizabeth of England would invite me to her Buckingham Palace so I could bring her our own Filipino snack favorites...empanada, bananaque and pancit! I'm sure after she tastes it, she'll gladly say.."Bloody good!"

Classic set: Cakes, pastries, muffins, scones and sandwiches

Pilots of the Runway: Robby and Jackie



Manila's high fashion: Jackie Aquino directs 20th anniversary show of Professional Models Association of the Philippines in 2008.

Fashion shows never fail to amuse its audience by its grandeur, sophistication and excitement. Better known as the entertainment of the discerning high society, glamour is always an adjective that connects to fashion whether you’re in Paris, Milan, New York or Tokyo. Manila as becoming a fast rising fashion hub in Asia, fashion events are now much anticipated by many. Dramatic lights, upbeat music and slick runways make every model’s walk as stylish as the clothes they wear. Now, do you think this just happens because of magic? Then think again.



Model to Director Experience: Robby Carmona seats as the king of fashion experience.
Photo courtesy of Remington Tiu and Mel Lavadia.



Fashion is like an air that he breathes, fashion show is not an experience if Robby Carmona did not create it. At an early age, fashion was already his world. Robby’s dad was once a top model who traveled places and as he became his dad’s travel buddy, seeing trendy clothes and meeting designers got him interested to try modeling too. Self confessed unsuccessful being on stage as a model, he ventured into another aspect of fashion by producing and directing. For many years of professional experience in this field, Robby has proven that his innovation and passion for excellence in his craft made him an as in demand events director today. He’s very much known working on the stages of Philippine Fashion Week and Bench. Aside from that, he squeezes in his time as the main man behind the success of Saga Events, Inc. which specializes in production of fashion shows, product launches, corporate milestones and other brand marketing activities for the past 10 years. Robby as a true believer of teamwork and artistry, continues the promise of amazing his audience with new concepts to watch out for.



Pilot of a different runway: Father was an airforce general while Jackie Aquino is the captain of
Manila's fashion runway.



Living a glamorous life was one of his dreams. Born in a huge family with 8 children, Jackie Aquino started his career being in loved with the performing arts and music before becoming a stalwart in fashion direction. His father was an air force general but Jackie has chosen to take off on a different kind of runway. As fashion shows being redeveloped in the mid-80’s, Jackie made a reinvention on stage direction when he started to conceptualize an interaction between the models and its audience. This allowed models to freely do whatever they want on stage being in character to further develop their own distinctive style for them to be recognized. The idea became a hit and Jackie has found success in directing shows everywhere. But just like in any other success story, struggles really come along the way and dealing with drugs for him was the most difficult. Leaving a glamorous lifestyle, he flew to the US and lived a new life away from drugs. But his true calling came back when his best bud, designer Randy Ortiz asked him to come home in Manila to start doing his passion again. Jackie’s career returned smoothly as if he had never been gone for 3 years. Unforgettable runway shows for Piaget, Gucci, Ferragamo, Bulgari, Cartier – you name a global brand, he has done it. A genuine example of a renewed person, Jackie always shares his story to all the people he works with and now that story serve as a lifelong inspiration.

Filipino ingenuity is one of the traits that we could all be proud of globally. Robby and Jackie personify that great talent; excellence and perseverance are the keys to success despite of many challenges that may arise. These pilots of the runways have gone a long way; I guess their next goal to pursue is to train me as a cabin crew so I could be the next zoolander-like supermodel or if it doesn’t work at all – I’ll be happy to be a passenger forever as long as I’ll have an all access entry to the ladies’ dressing room. Now, I think that’s better than to be a supermodel. J

Adapted stories from Nicole Reyes, RPA Style (Robby Carmona) and Myrza Sison ( Jackie Aquino)