Are You Ready for OKADA?

Okada Manila is getting ready for another milestone as it prepares for the grand reveal of the world’s largest multicolor dancing water fountain set to join the ranks of the country’s top tourism landmarks. 

 Dubbed Manila’s biggest and most lavish integrated resort development, Okada Manila will also unveil many of its key amenities and facilities on March 31 such as luxurious hotel rooms, top-notch restaurants and retail shops. 

 An iconic centerpiece Beautifully situated at the heart of the 44-hectare resort, Okada Manila’s The Fountain, will officially debut a spectacular dancing water fountain show in sync with music and multicolor lights. The show will be enhanced with a highly immersive projection mapping onto the glass surface of the 800m-long crystal corridor surrounding The Fountain which will create a whimsical augmented and interactive reality. 

 The combination of digital technology, live acrobatic and circus performances and the grand water fountain display is expected to romance the senses of anyone who would come to see the first-of-its-kind and iconic show in Manila. 

 Extraordinary performances On top of the fountain show, Okada Manila is bringing multi-awarded singer, songwriter and record producer Robin Thicke to join the grand celebration and perform his hit songs on The Fountain stage. 

 Asia’s Got Talent finalist and Filipino classical singer Gerphil Flores along with the 40-piece Manila Philharmonic Orchestra are also expected to wow the audience with their extraordinary and world-class performances. 

 And to top it all off, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will get people even more thrilled as she hosts the grand unveiling event. 

 The biggest accommodations in town The lavishly furnished accommodations will provide luxurious comforts to locals and travelers alike. Guests can indulge in the Deluxe King or Twin that ranges from 55 to 74 sqm. These rooms also offer designer amenities, spectacular views of either Manila Bay or The Fountain and advanced in-room technologies such as DigiValet Service, an iPad that controls amenities in the guestroom and even communicates to people outside including the hotel’s restaurants and concierge. 

 Okada Manila is currently offering these rooms at an introductory rate of PHP 8,888 NET for stays from March 31 to April 30 except Easter holidays. Guests can take advantage of these amazing rates by booking via www.okadamanila.com from March 15 to 31. 

 Manila’s finest gastronomic and shopping destination Okada Manila is also home to more than 40 dining establishments outfitted with modern and elegant interiors. On the 31st, key restaurants will be introduced to guests in search of the finest flavors of the world. Okada Manila’s brigade of revered international chefs offers multicultural cuisines emphasizing a full spectrum of flavors for patrons and food aficionados with discerning palates. 

 Guests can embark on a gastronomic journey and sample the culinary masterpieces of Michelin-star chef Hirofumi Imamura at his eponymous Japanese Kappou Imamura restaurant; take a seat at the exclusive Ginza Nagaoka for a taste of masterfully prepared sushi and sashimi specialties; savor the rich Oriental flavors at Red Spice Chinese restaurant; and delight in a variety of cakes and treats at the Lobby Lounge and Pastry Shop. 

 To complete the guests’ experience, retail shops featuring other food and beverage outlets and specialty local and international brands can be enjoyed by every shopper. One-of-a-kind premium items can also be found in The Okada Manila gift shop so everyone can bring home a little trinket to remind them of their extraordinary visit. 

 These shops will be housed inside the arched-glass crystal corridor and will be strategically located between The Fountain and Okada Avenue, giving guests a delightful retail experience. 

To know more about the event and ticket details, please contact: 

Shariza Relova, Director of Public Relations 

E-mail: shariza.relova@okadamanila.com 

Telephone: +63 2 880 7555 

 Mark Gutierrez, Public Relations Manager 

E-mail: MarkAlfred.Gutierrez@okadamanila.com 

Telephone: +632 880 7555

Birth of City of Dreams.

Only the four of us will know the craziness that happened before we finally got to hit the red carpet of City of Dreams. All I can say is that it was an adventure that made me love these two female celebrities even more. 

Candifier, Iza Calzado, Lucy T. Gomez and Dennis Lustico

Once we got in, Ms. Marina Benipayo welcomed us. Her gown was made by Rajo Laurel and something that big deserves a photo op. 

Group photo with my three girlies! 

Iza, Grace Ang, Lucy and yours truly. 

Bumped into my old GM (EDSA Shangri-la Hotel days) Mr. Jarlath Lynch. 

The evening started with a few performances by Jed Madela and Zsa Zsa Padilla. 

Dinner soon began. 

Crack the chocolate egg and fruity surprise awaits. 

Between courses, we were entertained by super energetic Kelly Rowland. 

And of course, NEYO came to the stage and we all went wild. 

Congratulations City of Dreams and THANK YOU for all the love, Charisse and Erika! 

To my gang, thank you for coming with me!!! 

Moments with SJP and My Turn at SATC.

I will tell you this now, you may think that I am very lucky to have bumped in and have quite a number of photos of and with Sarah Jessica Parker but I am not as lucky as my other friends. Will tell you more about them in a while. 

Janina has got it worse than I do though. The SJP bug bit her hard. She was feverish, shaking, crying, not eating, not speaking and Steffie and I were a bit scared of what would become of her when we do get to bump into SJP. 

In the beginning, we were quite sure we didn't have a chance because she is one of the BIGGEST celebs in the world. We assumed she would go thru the secret entrance to the hotel but on the evening of her arrival, I was waiting in the lobby for my ride. I noticed too many hotel managers waiting around the entrance of the lobby. My Sex and The City radar went full blast and I knew who I was going to see in a matter of minutes. 

Then she arrived. She was wearing a sundress with a sweater over and black shoes (a bit of heels and closed toe). There was a photographer so she put on her shades. She proceeded to the elevator but stopped by the corridor when she heard the orchestra playing New York, New York. Afterwards, she and her gang applauded. I found that very humbling. It is one thing for a top Hollywood celebrity to give acknowledgment to something as simple as music being played in the background. But kudos to The Peninsula Manila for being so welcoming. Very smart move. 

That night, I heard that Bandila of ABS-CBN used my photo of SJP. My friend Ces Drilon saw it in my instagram. So many people called to tell me about it. 

I thought, THAT was IT. 

Nix Alanon, Malu Gamboa, Rajo Laurel and most specially, Pam Quinones. They had one on one with SJP. They shared a meal, laughs, stories and shopping moments. 

Photo by Rajo Laurel

Photo by Rajo Laurel

Photo by Rajo Laurel

Photo by Rajo Laurel

Photo by Rajo Laurel

The next day, my gang and I were having our usual lunch at the Lobby when SJP entered the hotel. This was after her lunch with Pam, Rajo, Nix, etc.

As she passed our table, I kindly asked her if it was alright if we presented her a few gifts. She was nice enough to say yes for as long as we hurry as she had to shower for the SM Aura opening. 

At SM Aura, Steffie, Janina and I were very very very lucky to have been given permission to go inside the Prestige Lounge for a photo op. Thank you so much for this gift, Debbie and Harley Sy. You guys are the best. More pandesal coming your way. haha. 

Here's DS with SJP. 

Here's our moment with her. We wanted to die. I hate her waistline, it's one of my thighs. 

Cropping everyone out. Hahaha. I truly need an iPhone 5 for better photo results. Paging SMART. I think it's about time. (hint hint)

While waiting for her to pass by, I spotted this and wanted so much to buy it. Moroccan argan creme shampoo. Sounds delightful. 

Anyway, watch this for that special moment when you see SJP walk the floor of SM Aura.

After her one on one with press people, she came out for the Q and A portion hosted by the goddess Joey Mead King. Here she is wearing a Rhett Eala piece.

We love you SJP!

When we had our photo, SJP secretly whispered to me asking if I would like to be part of the SATC gang. I said no but after much pushing, I finally agreed. Here's our poster for an upcoming movie. #choz

Photo(shop) by Maco Custodio.

Janina overheard us talking and even though she wasn't invited, she crashed the photoshoot. 

Photo by Maco Custodio. Photo bomb by Janina Dizon.

AEROSMITH in Manila.

The story is, I really don't know much of their songs. I know I Don't Want to Miss A Thing by heart because of Liv and Ben in the movie Armageddon where I cried buckets. 

So when I heard they were coming to Manila, I wasn't really interested to watch. Lucille and Anne truly wanted to watch it because they love Aerosmith. I got curious. 

So when Robert told me that he had a ticket for me, I was only too happy to watch one of the most popular bands in the world. 

When we arrived, the arena was not even half full. 

Thank goodness, Rob was given really awesome seats because I didn't want to stand the whole night.

Opening act was RiverMaya. They sang mostly Tagalog sings which is quite alright but I only know 3 songs of theirs which I really like. 

And then it starts. 

I loved it. Everything about it was awesome. Their energy was on full blast. I love the fact that none of the songs were lip synced or if it they did lip sync, I didn't notice, which makes it good.

Steven Tyler was very accommodating to his fans. He would reach out and grab their hands, make the girls hug and kiss him even! One time, he even went down to the crowd and hugged a whole bunch of people. The security/bouncers probably didn't like that. 

My favorite thing?? At the end, all this white confetti and white smoke came out and lasted for about 1 minute!! I loved it! I want it for my birthday. Please Rob, make it happen. :)

Thank you to my concert fairy godfather, Robert. Love ya!