Eat, Breathe, Relax, Love at Crimson Alabang

 

OMG!  My weekend at Crimson, Alabang, the newly opened boutique hotel in Alabang, was fun filled, enriched by the presence of beautiful friends.   Director of Communications and Marketing, the dynamic and charismatic Francis de Leon surprised me with an intimate dinner with ladies of style and substance- Suzette Lopez, Linda Ley and Hera Gerienne.   The dinner was a riot, but in a refined kind of way.  We complimented the dinner with a lot of laughter, with entertainment provided by the lovely China doll, Linda Ley, who very few people know is a natural born comedienne.  We almost fell off our chairs listening to her funny stories, all at her expense.  A woman who can make fun of herself without fear of being judged is a woman who is very confident of her being and I am sure all of you will agree with me.    

All I can say is, Café 8 at Crimson Alabang will be on our lips as the best buffet spread in that area.  The selection is so varied that it can satisfy all your cravings. 

 

 A gathering of close friends- Mark Ley, myself, Hera Gerienne, Linda Ley, Francis de Leon, Suzette Lopez at the Café 8

Enjoying the breeze at the poolside deck.

I opted to stay for the weekend as I wanted to be punctual for the pictorials that I scheduled at Crimson the next day. 

Crimson's rooms are cozy, well appointed  and in colors that are relaxing to the senses.  The bed is firm, just right for back support.  The pillows are fluffy and the bed linens are soft to the skin.   I slept like a baby in this room.   Goodbye stress!

I loved lazy-ing around the pool-but only after sunset!  I did my meditation focusing on my breathing exercises and some mild yoga exercises here.

A pictorial could be long and tedious but the Crimson staff was so helpful, and Mr. Francis de Leon made sure that the pictorial would be made pleasurable.   The stylists, photographer, assistants and model did not get hungry. Neither were they short of “locations” in the hotel.  Kenner had to do a black tie shoot at my insistence.   The lounge with the grand piano was the perfect spot for this.

Say Cheese…. VP of SM Accessories Kenner Chua seems happy with his pictorial and Francis de Leon is happy about that.

Prince Charming, where is the ball?

A colorful area!  The painting, the 3 seater -sofa, the carpet, and Kenner Chua seemed to blend in!

This square oversized ottoman fascinates me.  Hmmm.. good for lounging with a partner... among other things

New pieces of art greet the guests on the ground floor entrance.
on both sides of the wall are these mural:

 

Fresh fruits and a platter of pastries greeted me when I entered my room on my 2^nd evening of my stay.   Yummy!

 

The bed beckons!  The luxury of sleep!

Work and a lot of relaxation! That was my weekend at Crimson, Alabang.
Was it a love-filled weekend? Absolutely! There was nothing not to love at Crimson Alabang! … I loved their buffet( breakfast, lunch, dinner), the gym is well equipped with good trainers, my room was haven-ly, the service was above par.  What else could one ask for? 

Tango Argentine Stars Set Manila on Fire!

Expect a lot of fireworks as 10 tango stars from Buenos Aires are set to regale the country’s burgeoning tango community in this year's  Manila leg of Tangoblitz 2013, the 5^th ManilaTango Festival & Championship. 

The brainchild of Asia’s tango impresario, Ogie Mendoza, TangoBlitz is a blazing trail of magic and seduction around the region – Singapore, Manila, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Brunei, Ho Chi Minh, Penang, Miri, and Koh Samui – for the last 8 years. He is responsible in bringing world-class tango to the doorsteps of these Asian hotspots.

Coming to Manila on May 13-19, 2013, these five couples have dominated the Asian Tango scene in the last 3 years with their excellent style of dancing and quality teaching. 

Top billed by award-winning Milena Plebs, director and choreographer of Milena Tango Company, also referred to as the Eternal Tango Diva. She has taken part in films and documentaries including Assassination Tango starring Robert Duvall. A versatile dancer and artist, she has been working extensively with partner David Alejandro Palo, a rising star in the world of Argentine tango, teaching, performing and travelling across Asia and Europe, in festivals, workshops and master classes. They will be joined by  3 tango couples Laila Rezk and Leandro Oliver whose dedication and pleasant disposition have endeared them to their countless students and followers all these years; masters of the stage  Analia Carreno and Luis Ramirez; and Noelia Colleti and Pablo Giorgini whose partnership dates back to when they were young lovers. Now married with twins, they have since metamorphosed into very fine and dedicated tango artists,. The last pair is considered the youngest partnership in the group, but Tamara Bisceglia & Federico Paleo have displayed immense prowess and ability, both in teaching and performing. They have managed to show what hard-work and dedication can do to survive in this highly competitive world of Argentine Tango.

Find out why Argentine tango is now the rage all over the world. The music alone is mesmerizing; the dance, passionate and enchanting. 

Don’t  miss the opportunity to watch these 5 couples as they showcase their innate talent and captivate the audience with their breathtaking performances during the Masters’ Gala Show on May 18 at the Makati Sports Club. Our local competitors  will have the distinct privilege of being adjudicated by these tango masters at the Competition Championship Night on May 17, at the same venue. Tango aficionados will be given the chance to improve their tango dancing knowledge, skills and discipline with daily workshops, and scheduled private lessons from May 13 -19, as well as have the very rare chance to hobnob and even dance with any of the masters during the nightly tango marathons in the best Milonga places in the metropolis.

Book your tickets to all these events now. For schedule and venue details on the different activities (workshops, competition, milonga-themed nights, and gala night) for the entire week of the Manila Tango Festival, please call Estudio Amapola at 8954576, 5199626 or 09164489868. You may also  email manilatangoclub@gmail.com for more information; or visit

www.manilatangofestival.com for a sneak preview of these couples’ performances. Enjoy considerable discounts when you avail of  packages offered.

Leandro and Laila

Milena and David

Milena and David

Pablo and Noelia

Tamara and Federico

Analia and Luis

Ocean's Harvest at Marriott Hotel Manila

There’s nothing more delightful to see than hauling a net and see it brimming with the freshest catch of seafood! This experience is mirrored in a seafood station and has become a perennial favorite in restaurant buffets at hotels.

Marriot Café, a fast-rising choice of metropolis diners because of its ingenuity in offering modern all-day dining that successfully marries the best of local and continental cuisine, magnifies this delightful experience through an engaging seafood buffet held every Friday and Saturday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Aptly named Ocean’s Harvest, diners can choose from its numerous fresh seafood, request the chefs to have it cooked the way they want it, and indulge in the glorious taste of the bounty of the sea for only P2,300

Perusing the Ocean Surf Market Style Buffet Menu, one discovers the “Catch of the Day” which includes fresh salmon, tuna loin, local tanigue, pompano, talakitok, lapu-lapu, maya-maya, shellfish, jumbo prawns, half shell local scallop, local clams, jumbo squid, suahe shrimps, blue marlin, and local gindara―all proudly displayed on ice. Likewise, the slippers lobster, local blue sea crab, curacha crab, prawns, mussels, and white shells are chilled seafood that are ready to be had.

Cooked seafood on ice

Fish selections

Chef preparing grilled lapu lapu

raising the glasses and huge fishes for the
ceremonial toast: Marriott Hotel Manager Anna Vergara, 
Sous Chef Bryan Salarzon, Executive Chef Meik Brammer<
Sous Chef Elmer Fabella, Banquet Chef Kiko Santiago,
F&B Director Brendan Mahoney

saute station

Of course, as vast as the seafood variety are the endless ways of cooking it.

One can have piping hot soups like the Shrimp Gumbo Soup or Local Clam Soup in Lemon Grass cooked Tinola-style. There’s also a Steaming Hot Pot of Sinigang either in local miso or tamarind fruits alongside talakitok, maya–maya, head prawn local clams, salmon fillet, or lapu–lapu cutlet. Each goes perfectly well with mustasa leaves, kangkong leaves, eggplant, okra, stringbeans, fresh tomatoes, and finger chili. Make it more Filipino by drizzling it with well-loved condiments like fish sauce, calamasi, soy sauce, and fresh chili. Another way of enjoying the steamed seafood is ordering the Wok-fried Shrimp with Cashew Nuts and Celery or the Steamed Maya-Maya with Spicy Garlic Sauce. On the other hand, those who want it fried can have the Fried Whole Lapu-Lapu with Black Beans Sauce or Sweet & Sour Sauce, or, the Crispy Fried Baby Shrimp marinated in rum. 

While a lavish seafood buffet is enthralling, a sweet experience in the dessert station is another must try especially when it’s paired with a tea or coffee. Featuring samba mousse, chocolate pistachio mousse, blueberry cheesecake, sugar free cheesecake, assorted homemade gelato ice cream and sorbet bar that are worth saving up the space for.

Ana Amigo, William Antonio, Kian Kazemi, Sean Anthony

Tina Jacinto and Rupert Jacinto

Marriot's Director of Engineering Mark Creencia,
Phoemola Barranda and 
Marriott's Director of Finance Rosanna Lee

Joy Fong and Donnie Ramirez

Phil Star health Columnist Mayenne Carmona,
Jamie Lao, Bulletin Columnist Tina Jacinto and
Air France/KLM Director for Marketing Tess Zulueta

Tedrick Yau, Michelle Garcia and Gma 7 Nelson Canlas 

Ruffa Guttierrez and 
Anna Vergara of Marriott Manila

Jessica Tan, 
Marriott's Director of Communications Michelle Garcia,
Wilson Llamas and Jaime Lao

Marriott's sales Mangaer TJ Tingson,
Charina Villaflores, 
Singapore Airlines Station Mangaer Kelvin Kwan
and Marriot Sales Manager Ferdie de Leon

resort's World VP for Casino Marketing Jeff Evora,
Marriott's Michelle Garcia,
Resorts World VP for Marketing Martin Paz

Get ready to be captivated by this five-star seafood buffet experience only at Marriott Hotel Manila’s Marriott Café. For inquiries or reservations, call (02) 988-9999.

Highlight : A Gourmet Experience with Manny O @ Movenpick Resorts & Spa

My enjoyable stay at world class Movenpick Resorts and Spa was an exciting 3- day- prequel to a quiet, solemn Holy week that I intended to spend with my parents in Manila.

Last year, I received a phone call from good friend Manny Osmena, a man I admire not only for his successful foray in the competitive world of high-end wines (among his other business endeavors ) but most notably for his deep Christian principles and spirituality. He walks his talk and one instantly gets this vibe during a first  time meeting with the man.  This call was all about his plans to renovate his hotel, formerly, the Hilton Resort and Spa in Mactan.  The planned renovation would turn his resort into a world class resort to reckon with.

Wine connoisseur and owner of Manny O Wines
and Movenpick Resorts and Spa, Manny Osmena
(always impeccably dressed in his trademark
crisp white linen and fashionista loafers ) showed us
his award winning wines in his private wine cellar. 

True to his word, Movenpick Resort and Spa in Mactan is out to outdo many other resorts in the world.  With his hardworking team of experts, (notably GM Knuth Kiefer & F&B Director, Daniel Trumpfheller, Fatima Catindig, Resident Manager,  ) Osmena stands at the helm of his empire and is steering Movenpick  to meet 5- Star expectations.

GM Knuth Kiefer
and F&B Director Daniel Trumpfkeller

The red carpet hospitality was felt the minute my companions  and I stepped out of the airport.  A Porsche Cayenne collected us to bring us to Movenpick which was only a fifteen minute ride away. 

VIP treatment from start to finish: A Porsche Cayenne was
sent to transport us to Movenpick Resort & Spa and back. 

The entrance to the Resort is marked by their gigantic logo .

The lobby took my breath away.   The pristine white interior was easy on the eyes.  It was along modern and minimalistic lines, without seeming sparse.   Dashes of turquoise and yellow colors on chairs and pillows brighten the place.

Resident Manager Fatima Catindig and her staff welcomed us with fresh cold towels and fruit juices.   We were escorted to our plush modern suite and after we settled in, we rushed down to the Ibiza Beach Club for a Mediterranean dinner and to catch the Earth Hour program.

Fire dancers entertained
the Earth Hour diners

The party place, Ibiza beach Club,
al fresco and  indoor dining 

Outdoor bar and deck of  Ibiza Beach Club,
with a view of the hotel and the Movenpick Residences.
Some units with sea views are still available.
Interested parties may call 63-32-5850037
or email-residences.cebu@moevenpick.com

The succeeding two days were spent in utmost relaxation.  We needed this break to de-stress from our exacting jobs and hectic schedule in Manila.

 I spent time lounging by the pool side,
breathing fresh air and just meditating on
God’s numerous blessings

A well deserved massage at the Spa del Mar was a real treat!

the magical hands of  Jessa, Evelyn and Tess
soothed our aching muscles after a tough workout in their
well equipped gym.

my private trainer Hargie Quillope made me do
effective moves to stretch my aching back.

Francis de Leon tries out the top of the line treadmill
with built-in TV screen

On Palm Sunday, these iconic Movenpick jeeps
brought us to the Sto. Nino Church in Mactan.

The highlight of our stay was the Churrascos dinner Manny O hosted for us and some of our mutual friends from Cebu at the Ibiza Beach Club.  The different dishes were paired off with his multi awarded Manny O Wines.

Francis de Leon, Cora  Arceo Schweimler,
Renee Heinen, Mariquita Yeung, myself,
Manny O, Ryan Jago

Meats and Seafoods
on skewers are part and
parcel of a Churrascos dinner.

The dishes were paired off with
Manny O award winning wines

We sighted  friendly and attractive movie
star/singer Vina Morales among the diners,
and asked to pose with her. 

DJ Tony who flew in from Ibiza, Spain,
provided us with House music

A million thanks to Manny Osmena for his over- the -top hospitality and showing us why Movenpick is at par with the world's best Resorts and Spas.

A big Thank you to Ryan Jago for his photographs!