Weddings at the Peninsula, 2014.

Every year The Peninsula Manila holds a bridal fair spearheaded by my BFF, Stephanie Chong. This year was special. Not only is my daughter, Caitlin. in the Events Department of the hotel,  I am officially part of TPM's family under the E-commerce Department. 

I was able to book a bride and last but definitely not the least, THE Francis Libiran showcased 40 beautiful gowns and suits as the finale, directed of course by my dear Robby Carmona. 

I knew I had taken a whole lot of photos during the whole day event, posting some on Instagram but I didn't realize that I had taken 1,100 photos until the day after. 

Even if the whole hotel was filled with amazing table set ups, flower arrangements, food and dessert spread that's to die for and live music from a 10 man orchestra, there are a few photos that stands out and I want to share them with you.

The wonderful team of Chef Richard Green for preparing the food tasting corner!

The dessert spread of Chef Aaron Maree was sinfully good. I am drooling as I type this. 

H is for Happiness.

The Tower of Moet and Chandon!

The table set up of Anna Fae for The Peninsula Manila.

Robert Blancaflor does drama with a capital D. 

Cindy Beltran of Moss Manila killed it with this beautiful white French courtyard. 

Lucky guests were able to take home these amazing gifts from Happy Skin, L'Occitane and Hermes. 

I was able to capture the GM, Sonja Vodusek being interviewed by ABS-CBN.

Team Sigh.....

Team Wow......

These models taking a selfie!

This photo tells me that I should catch up on local showbiz as I only know two of the guys 

(Sam and Christian). Here they are during rehearsals. 

Help?

The lovely Kim Jones.

Christian Bautista and Francis Libiran. 

This shot of the brides waiting......

...and the Grooms on stand by. 

When beauty queens, Mary Ann Umali, Shamcey Supsup and Venus Raj were on the stage together. 

I absolutely adored the way Karylle strutted down the ramp and posed oh so sweetly at the end. 

Hottest male celebrities.

The look on Ben's face when Iza came out....

The General Manager, Ms. Sonja Vodusek giving flowers to the designer, Francis Libiran. 

Arsi Baltazar blowing his birthday candle after the crowd sang him the birthday song. 

It was a surprise!! 

This group shot by Gwen Ruais on Instagram. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Can't wait for an even bigger show next year!

Mandarin Oriental Celebrates the Year of the Horse!

Mandarin Oriental, Manila ushers in the opportune Year of the Wooden Horse with festivities that herald bounty and harmony, with its iconic Chinese New Year countdown on January 30, Thursday at 9:30pm as the highlight. The Lunar New Year celebration includes a festive room package to allow enjoyment for the late night revelry, sumptuous Prosperity menus and homemade tikoy at Tin Hau.

In true Oriental style, Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s Grand Midnight Countdown on the eve of Chinese New Year, has become an annual tradition followed by many. The event, which is held with the support of UnionPay International, Hennessy, Enchanted Kingdom, Dragonair, and Mandarin Oriental, Macau, is touted as the country’s most festive lunar New Year celebration outside of Binondo.

Now on its 18th year, the festivities will begin at the MO Lounge, with cocktails and energising rituals by international geomancer Master Joseph Chau to augur luck and bring good chi. Unlike in recent years, the celebration this year will be exclusive to ticket holders, and the rituals will all be held inside the hotel for a more intimate affair. A majestic dragon and lion dance follows at the hotel’s main driveway, leading up to a thrilling countdown to midnight and a dazzling fireworks display.

Capping off the evening is “the first lucky meal of the year”, an eight-course midnight Lauriat dinner at the Mandarin Ballroom with elegant entertainment and an enjoyable interaction with Master Chau in a Q and A segment on his 2014 forecast.

Ticketholders will receive a complimentary copy of the much sought-after “2014 Year of the Wooden Horse Forecast” authored by Joseph Chau, which will make its debut that night. 

 Ticketholders also get a chance to win an exciting holiday trip for two to Macau via Hong Kong with a three-day/two-night stay at Mandarin Oriental, Macau, inclusive of roundtrip tickets from Dragonair. 

Other prizes from the hotel are also up for grabs during the evening’s raffle draw. Tickets are priced at Php3,288 net for adults and Php1,688 net for children, and are now available for sale at the Chinese New Year booth in Tin Hau.

Tikoy prepared by Tin Hau’s master chefs make for ideal gifts this festive season. The prices of the homemade delicacies start at PHP688net, and are available in Small, Medium and Large sizes. Executive Chinese Chef Hann Furn Chen also lays out three Prosperity set menus to choose from, available for dinner on 30 January and lunch and dinner on 31 January.

To complete the experience, guests can relax in comfort and ring in the Year of the Wooden Horse with a festive room package designed to bring good luck and happiness. The “Feasts and Fortunes” package starts at PHP 7,888 per night for single occupancy or PHP 11,888 per night for double occupancy in a Deluxe Room and includes: International buffet breakfast, entrance to the Grand Midnight Countdown on 30 January 2014 along with the exclusive feng shui forecast book, and a box of three pieces homemade tikoy. The Feasts and Fortunes package.

Call Mandarin Oriental for more information: 7508888

Welcoming 2014 with Style.

I was extremely lucky to have been invited to join the dinner celebration of The Peninsula Manila's New Year's Eve countdown. 

The theme was Great Gatsby and there's really no better establishment to throw a party like this than TPM. 

The whole lobby was transformed and we were taken back to 1922.

Looking up at the ceiling, there were thousands and thousands of gold and white balloons waiting to be dropped as soon as midnight strikes.

Before the party, we were treated to a scrumptious dinner. A buffet with nothing but the best kinds of food. Lobsters, caviar, oysters, prawns, steak and a lot more. 

Delightful desserts for everyone! 

Most importantly, New Year is best celebrated with great company and that's exactly what my girls and I had. 

Thank you so much to General Manager, Sonja V. Vecchio and her dashing husband, Anthony for treating me and my daughters like family.

I love this photo. 

My seatmates, Felix and Grace Ang. 

Cindy Yang, Tim Yap, Grace Ang and yours truly. 

My gorgeous daughter, Jacqueline. 

My breathtaking baby girl, Jody. 

Steffie and Christine.

My sister Christine and Mom, Emma. 

Sweetest girl ever, Cindy Yang. 

Cindy, Sonja and Anthony. 

But prior to the exciting evening, I checked in a one-bedroom suite that my kids and I truly enjoyed.

A box of chocolates were sent up along with the usual goodies one gets when staying here in Pen. 

Because it is a Great Gatsby themed party, I decided to load my girls up with jewels. Afraid that they might lose real ones, I got them faux pieces which up to now, they enjoy wearing. 

(Chanel bag is real though.)

Because I still had the afternoon free, we decided to hit the gym. But when I got to the pool area, I saw a couple of friends and what was supposed to be a healthy afternoon, became exactly the opposite. 

Rosette and Dennis made me drink and if you know me, one drink gets me DONE. But they insisted I have two so there I was, at 4 pm decked out in my gym clothes, drunk as a master. At least Dennis and Ito were able to get some exercise done. 

But I tell you, whoever makes the drinks at the poolside should get a bonus because they are damn good!!!! 

Such a great addition to my memory bank. 

Thank you again to my Peninsula family for always being there for me.