The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel held its traditional festival of Spanish cuisine titled Sabores de España over the weekend of Sept. 14-16. So many people went to Cafe Marco for lunch or dinner that they had to extend the festival two more days.
The launch was a Tapas Night on Sept. 13 at the hotel’s lobby lounge. There was a brief program during which general manager Brian Connelly gave the welcome address.
Instead of a ribbon to cut, there was an entire leg of jamon serrano to slice up, led by Connelly. Doing their part were Honorary Consul of Spain Anton Perdices, Gema Luisa Pido who is the hotel’s consultant for Spanish cuisine, and Myra Gonzalez, president of Amigos de España en Cebu.
Marco Polo Cebu executives present included resident manager Michaela Priesner, communications manager Manna Alcaraz, Tess Catipay, Yumny Mariot, Febe Compañon and Jude Pangan.
Among those present were Maripaz Perdices, Teresin Mendezona, Nestor Alonso, Aissa de la Cruz, Chinggay Utzurrum, Flor Ynclino and Cookie Newman.
Perfect hostess
On Sept. 17 we were back at the Marco Polo, this time at the Blu Bar & Grill, up there at the penthouse for a seated dinner hosted by Marco Polo Hotels Hong Kong. Director of communications Samantha Poon was the perfect hostess, happy to be in Cebu for this her third visit.
She was happy to renew friendship with Cebu’s media, quite a number of them bloggers with a faithful following. Samantha raffled off stays in the Marco Polo’s most luxurious Hong Kong Hotel. They were won by three gentlemen who sat in a row—Luis Quibranza, Noel Villaflor and Doyzkie Buenaviaje.
Executive chef Juanito Abangan was congratulated for the fine menu served. As guests said their farewell they told Samantha, “Same time next year?” She smiled broadly as she assented, “Oh, yes, yes.”
Next evening, on Sept. 18, we were once more at the Marco Polo, this time at the grand ballroom for the 69th anniversary since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Hosting was Consul General Shi Yong, who in his speech said that he was soon leaving Cebu after completing his tour of duty here. He said the memories of Cebu will always be in his heart.
The program started with a dragon dance, hosted by Jiang Wen, the Chinese consulate’s pretty consular attaché. Coordinating the event was Ethel Natera, who is part of the Filipino staff at the consulate.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and his wife Jobel were present, as well as Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna, Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Enrique and Helena Benedicto with their son, Honorary Consul of Belgium Enrison Benedicto, and daughter, Honorary Consul of Hungary Joy B. Chua.
More: Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic Antonio Chiu, Honorary Consul of Germany Franz Seidenschwarz, Honorary Consul of the Netherlands Gordon Joseph, Benedict Que, Augusto Go, Kenneth Huang, Honorary Consul of Portugal Samuel Chioson, Mimi Lijauco and Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo from Cebu Daily News, PDI’s sister newspaper.
Correction: In our report of the wedding of Gabby Leyson to Tina Jordana, inadvertently left out from the list of sponsors was lawyer Julius Neri, Gabby’s dear childhood friend. Our apologies.