Travel to the Philippines has become very popular lately, with more than 30,000 visitors jetting in through the flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), natch!
It helped that PAL held its annual Travel Fair and made traveling lighter for one’s wallet by giving as much as 50-percent discount on tickets for domestic and international flights, would you believe?
Sponsored by global payments giant MasterCard, the first day of the fair was exclusive to Philippine-issued MasterCard credit, debit and prepaid cardholders.
Beaming with pride were top PAL executives led by my palangga, president Jaime Bautista. MasterCard executives were led by Philippine country head Poch Villa-Real, no less.
The Philippine National Bank (PNB) Financial Center in Pasay City was turned into a little “Big Apple,” with eye-catching yellow cab displays and miniature skyscrapers, and performers
treating visitors to New York-theme entertainment. This was in keeping with the fabulous launch of PAL’s route to New York which will start March 2015, finally!
This travel fair, said the organizers, is PAL and MasterCard’s way of making the holiday season more special for cardholders, most of whom are now planning their next year’s travels.
By coming to the event, the cardholders get the chance to be among the first to visit the Big Apple via PAL, on top of the greatly discounted fares.
Cinderella at Glorietta
Cinderella Glorietta has reopened with a new head-turning design that remains faithful to the brand’s origins, dahlings. Its vision is to provide a world-class but affordable shopping experience.
Cinderella also has a new logo, inspired by Vogue’s typeface in a vibrant, red color. The shop also has LCD screens that also feature the brand’s fashion and lifestyle concepts.
Cinderella treated invitees to an exciting fashion showcase, highlighting the brand’s latest collaboration with Martin Bautista.
The Cinderella Holiday 2014 Collection featured the hottest looks from Esprit, British India, Clarks, Cinderella Teens, Cinderella Women, Seventeen, OshKosh B’Gosh and Zach & Ross. These brands are now all under one higher roof.
Hosted by Isabelle de Venecia, the reopening attracted VIPs such as United Kingdom Ambassador Asif Ahmad, Cinderella interior designer Terry Waterhouse, Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez, Henri Calayag and Makati Vice Mayor Francis Zamora and his wife Keri.
The celebration was made even more complete by Via Mare and DJ Kristel Lim on the decks, dishing out the best music of today.
Cinderella’s successful launch was made possible by Maria Clara Sangria by Destileria Limtuaco, AirAsia, Ace Water Spa, Oakley and Jericho.
Cinderella branches are in Alabang Town Center, G/F Town Plaza; 2/F Building A, SM Megamall; G/F Virra Mall; 2/F Filinvest; 2/F SM MOA; G/F Midtown Wing, Ermita, Robinsons Place; 3/F Lucky China Town Mall; Abreeza; and G/F Phase 3, Sta. Lucia.
Cinderella.ph on Facebook, @cinderella_ph on Twitter and @cinderellaphil on Instagram.
Christmas at Marriott
Marriott Hotel Manila officially opened its Christmas season with a ceremonial Christmas-light switching.
Celebrities included Richard Gutierrez; wife Sarah Lahbati and baby Zion Gutierrez were there, too.
Himig Roseña, the choral group from Colegio de Santa Rosa-Makati, sang Christmas
carols.
The grand entrance of Santa Claus made the kids excited.
Highlight of the gleaming decorations in the hotel is the life-size gingerbread train parked at the center of the lobby. This edible grandeur is 25 feet in length, made out of 150 kilos of gingerbread dough and 60 kilos of royal icing.
Marriott launched the One Hour Drive campaign in partnership with Children’s Hour.
People may sign up for Cookie Decorating Classes by Marriott’s award-winning culinary team.
Other classes include Zumba by Regine Tolentino and Wrap it up by Manila Workshops for as low as P500. Proceeds will go to the medical treatment of children with cerebral palsy.
Marriott Manila’s Christmas tree and gingerbread train will be displayed until Dec. 26.
Find out more details about the One Hour Drive classes and Christmas offerings, tel. 9889999; www.manilamarriott.com; Facebook.com/MarriottHotelManila; follow @marriottmanila on Twitter; and @manilamarriott on Instagram.