About and around town

Antoine Greg Flores and Maritess Lim; and yours truly and Zedrick Señeres

The long weekend kicked off with the birthday lunch hosted my ever-charming MARITESS LIM for the vivacious blogger ANTOINE GREG FLORES at Siam Authentic Thai Cuisine Iloilo in Greenfields, Mandurriao, Iloilo City!

Amid hot topics on like fashion, social weather and beauty contests, we enjoyed on sumptuous Thai favorites!

Yumminess at Siam Authentic Thai Cuisine Iloilo

The birthday celebration was followed by an after-lunch coffee at the nearby Monkey Grounds. There we partook of various concoctions of coffee and continued our exchanges of tidbits and what-have-yous!

It’s coffee time at Monkey Grounds; and coffee made in various ways

The next night, it was Iloilo’s Bad Boy of Fashion BO PARCON to be fêted by best dressed SHEILLA MARIE GOLEZ-TIONGCO at The Lobby of The Mansion. We feasted on onion soup, Greek salad, lamb steak, pasta and chocolate cake! These were complemented with fine wine and good conversation!

Bo Parcon and Sheilla Marie Golez-Tiongco; and The Mansion’s PR Officer Nonoi Ybiernas with yours truly, Sheilla Marie Golez-Tiongco and Bo Parcon

New York-based LOUIE MALACA gathered closest friends for a night of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at Freddie’s at The Mansion. Indeed, it was a fun get-together. As if not, the 70s, 80s and 90s music continued at popular JLK Music Bar. We enjoyed each other’s company so much that the next we knew it was dawn and time to head home!

Oh, well, without a doubt, my whirlwind weekend ended on a high note!

Bo Parcon and Orson Orleans; Nonoi Ybiernas and Antoine Greg Flores; and yours truly and Louie Malaca

 

Fun in Sugarlandia

(Seated) Norma Rosales and Imay’s Gemma Que are joined by Zedrick Señeres, Baby Rosales, Mayor Mac de la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Beverly Rosales and Joji Rosales; and former Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto and Norma Rosales

Who can say no to an invite from Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) Mayor, tres charmante MAC de la CRUZ, to judge at the Zootah Sang Kali Beauty Pageant? Definitely, not me! So, yours truly joined muy simpatica NORMA ROSALES, her vivacious daughters BABY, BEVERLY and JOJI ROSALES, and society writer ZEDRICK SEÑERES for the trip to Negros Occidental.

Our first pitstop before DSB was Imay’s in Bacolod City. With the owner GEMMA QUE, we enjoyed on sumptuous native fare!

Yours truly with Mayor Mac and Vice Mayor Nehemiah Joe de la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto; and winners of Zootah Sang Kali 2019 Beauty Pageant

It was almost sunset when we reached DSB, dubbed the Summer Capital of Negros Occidental for its cool and breezy climate. At the De la CRUZ hilltop retreat, former Mayor CYNTHIA de la CRUZ, the workasonic mom of Mayor MAC and Vice Mayor NEHEMIAH JOE de la CRUZ, laid out a welcome dinner for us!

One of the highlights of the week-long Kali-Kali Festival 2019 was the Zootah Sang Kali Beauty Pageant, a gay contest. Entertaining and insightful, the event is the municipality’s pursuit for its LGBTQ+ friendly advocacy.

Our de luxe room at Stonehill Suites

Back to Bacolod City, we spent the night at Stonehill Suites, the city’s latest lifestyle destination, amid 5-star comfort! Aprés a hearty breakfast at Skydeck, we played tourists at The Ruins in Talisay. Owned by Don MARIANO LACSON and wife MARIA BRAGANZA, the stately Italianate mansion was razed during WWII. The Ruins, a popular tourist destination, now boasts of a restaurant and landscaped gardens.

The Ruins in Talisay City; and at the Iloilo Terminal, Beverly Rosales and yours truly chanced upon US-based couple Butch and Erlyn Zaragosa.

Stonehill Suites owner and construction magnate JERRY SY hosted a lunch party for us at his well-appointed residence before our trip back to Iloilo City!

Indeed, it was a fun trip, thanks to Mayor MAC and JSY!

Norma Rosales and construction magnate Jerry Sy; and Baby Rosales, Blue Boy and Ernest Baker

 

To his surprise!

The celebrator Derick Lim and his basketball-inspired birthday cake

Rightfully so, goodlooking DERICK LIM, Room Division Manager of The Mansion, was surprised with a birthday bash by the hotel’s management and staff at the Corporate Right Wing Second Floor. In cahoots with some staffers, PR Manager NONOI YBIERNAS spearheaded the celebration! In attendance were the celebrator’s colleagues and basketball teammates.

PR Manager Nonoi Ybiernas, yours truly and celebrator Derick Lim; and the party venue

Everyone’s appetites were more than satisfied as the Hotel’s chefs prepared an array of delectables especially for the celebrator and his well-wishers.

Later, guests enjoyed slices from a basketball-inspired birthday cake and other goodies. The night ended on a high note with a Face Time message (beamed on a wide screen) for the celebrator from the President of The Mansion NENA SY-LIM!

The celebrator’s well-wishers included his Hotel colleagues and basketball teammates.

The yummy dishes prepared by the chefs of The Mansion for the celebrator Derick Lim.

Grilling at Seda

Seda Atria’s Director for Sales Neljun Guion, General Manager Joseph del Rosario and Sales Executive Bernard Ivan Trespeces

One fine evening, Seda Atria launched its Summer Barbecue Nights with a cocktail party at Straight Up Bar. Sativa Reggae Band set an all-night mood of partying for everyone!

The bar, which offers a panoramic view of Metro-Iloilo’s nightscape, was filled with guests, from its VIP Room to the alfresco roof deck!

Sativa Reggae Band; and  F&B Manager Jansen Suropia, Communications Officer Ida Flores, Reservations Associate Ken Elinon and Sales Executive Princess Grecia 

While the grill was roasting barbecued favorites, the buffet table groaned with Cheese Sticks, Pork Rind and Oyster, Shrimp and Chorizo Appetizers, Mixed Grill, Oven Roasted Chicken Tandoori, Pasta Alfredo, Barbecue Baby Back Ribs, Midway Fresh Garden Salad, Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail, Chocolate Brownies and Red Velvet Minibars! The invitees can’t help taking seconds and even thirds!

Cheese sticks, Pork Rind and Oyster, Shrimp and Chorizo Appetizers, Mixed Grill, Oven Roasted Chicken Tandoori and Pasta Alfredo

Happening every Friday and Saturday (8pm to 12am) at the Roof Deck Bar, the summer promo runs until May 20.
At Summer Barbecue Nights, one can savor a barbecue buffet of meats and seafoods for Php 550 per person.

Barbecue Baby Back Ribs, Midway Fresh Garden Salad, Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail, Chocolate Brownies, Red Velvet Minibars and meat ready for roasting

 

Megaworld’s net income soared to record high in 2018

The good news is that Megaworld’s net income grew by 17%. From P13.6 billion in 2017 to P15.8-billion in 2018; that is excluding P113-million non-recurring gain. Net income attributable to parent company ended at P15.2-billion by end-December 2018, a 17% jump from P13.0-billion in 2017, excluding P113-million non-recurring gain.

Its consolidated revenues jumped by about 15% to P57.4-billion in 2018 from the previous year’s P50-billion (excluding P113-million non-recurring gain).

After all, Megaworld is the country’s largest developer of integrated urban townships!

Needless to say, the company’s rental businesses, comprising of office and lifestyle mall leasing, was a major factor to the topline. It soared 21% to P14.3-billion in 2018 from the previous year’s P11.8-billion. This contributed 25% of the total consolidated revenues during the year.

According to reports, in 2018 alone, Megaworld has already achieved over 70% of its rental income target of P20-billion by end of next year. It also sees that its offices, malls, residentials, and hotel businesses will get double-digit growth during the year.

Last year, Megaworld opened its biggest mall development outside of Metro Manila, the Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo Business Park, offering around 90,000 square meters in gross floor area. It also opened two new community malls – the San Lorenzo Place in Makati City, and The Village Alabang in Las Piñas City.

In 2018, the company closed a historic deal in Philippine real estate when it bagged the long-term lease contract to build the 25-storey Philippine Global Service Center of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. It was regarded as the country’s biggest single lease transaction to date, with around 70,000 square meters of ‘build-to-suit’ office spaces for a single company alone.

“We have already secured multiple pre-lease deals for our office buildings as well that are in the pipeline until next year. Same goes to our mall and commercial spaces that are set to open in our various townships. For our residential properties, we continue to see strong take-up especially in our mature townships, and there is already a consistently growing interest in our newly-launched townships,” says KEVIN L. TAN, chief strategy officer of Megaworld.

The report also stated that Megaworld’s residential business, on the other hand, saw a double-digit growth of11.5% in 2018 to P38.0-billion from P34.1-billion during the same period the previous year. This contributed to 66% of the total consolidated revenues during the year.

The Megaworld Group launched 25 residential projects in 2018, with a total sales value of around P106-billion. The company also achieved P135-billion worth of sales reservation during the year.

Megaworld’s hotel business, likewise, grew its revenues by about 14% to P1.5-billion compared to P1.3-billion in 2017. The company launched two new hotels last year: the 684-room Savoy Hotel Manila in Newport City, and the 126-room Twin Lakes Hotel in Twin Lakes, Laurel, Batangas. This brought the number of Megaworld Hotels to seven (7) by end-2018.

“We have gained the fruits of our expansion in the regions as we saw continuing growth in the demand for residential units as well as office and commercial spaces in our various townships across the country. Perhaps, as we build these townships, people saw the advantage of living where they work, and living where everything is just within reach. This model makes every aspect of our business viable and expandable, and we continue to spot for opportunities where we can further grow and innovate our offerings,” explains TAN.

Just several weeks ago, together with its subsidiary Empire East Land Holdings, Inc., Megaworld introduced its 24th township, the 24-hectare Highland City along F. Felix Avenue in Cainta, Rizal. It allocated P20-billion to develop the township within a 10-year period.

Over the last 30 years, the Megaworld Group has expanded its township developments across the Philippines that include: Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City, (18.5 hectares); Newport City in Pasay City (25 hectares); McKinley Hill (50 hectares), McKinley West (34.5 hectares), Uptown Bonifacio (15.4 hectares) and Forbes Town (5 hectares), all in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (30 hectares); Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City (72 hectares); Sta. Barbara Heights in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo (173 hectares); BoracayNewcoast in Boracay Island (150 hectares); Twin Lakes in Batangas near Tagaytay (1,300 hectares); ArcoVia City in Pasig City (12.3 hectares); Southwoods City in the boundaries of Cavite and Laguna (561 hectares);Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City (11 hectares); Alabang West in Las Piñas City (62 hectares); Eastland Heights in Antipolo, Rizal (640 hectares);SuntrustEcotown in Tanza, Cavite (350 hectares); Maple Grove in General Trias, Cavite (140 hectares);The Hamptons Caliraya in Lumban-Cavinti, Laguna (300 hectares); The Upper East (34 hectares) andNorthill Gateway (50 hectares) both in Negros Occidental; Capital Town Pampanga beside the Pampanga Provincial Capitol in the City of San Fernando (35.6-hectares); and Westside City in the Entertainment City in Paranaque City (31 hectares.)

 

Engaging the Mutya ng Guimaras 2019 candidates

The reigning Mutya ng Guimaras Kate Maureen Sunga with the Mutya ng Guimaras 2019 candidates

Recently, the seven (7) of the eight (8) lovely candidates vying for the Mutya ng Guimaras 2019 title were presented to the press at the Velvet Room of Seda Atria. They represent the five municipalities of the island province of Guimaras.
The candidates are KRISTA MARIE VINAS of Buenavista, JOGIE KAYE PABILLO of Sibunag, DENSIE GALVAN of Sibunag, ELISHA LORRAINE ABELLA of Jordan, JANNAH GLYCEL GERALDINE PONCY of Nueva Valencia, RYDA MAE TUTONG of Buenavista and LORENZ JANE AMATORIO of Jordan. IRYNNE JO VILCHEZ of San Lorenzo was unable to attend because of prior commitment.

Elisha Lorraine Abella of Jordan and Jogie Kaye Pabillo of Sibunag

Mutya ng Guimaras 2018 KATE MAUREEN SUNGA was also there. Mutya by Guimaras 2015 MADELLE ESTAYA hosted the presentation.
After a series of pre-pageant activities that kicked off on April 6 in different municipalities of Guimaras, the Mutya ng Guimaras 2019 Pageant will have its coronation night on May 19, 2019 at the Capitol Gym in the Municipality of Jordan!
The Mutya ng Guimaras 2019 Pageant is one of the highlights of the Manggahan Festival 2019. This year’s festival will also celebrate the 26th Provincehood Anniversary of Guimaras, the home of the sweetest mangoes in the world!

Krista Marie Vinas of Buenavista and Irynne Jo Vilchez of San Lorenzo

Mutya ng Guimaras is presented by the Office of Provincial Tourism, Provincial Government of Guimaras, and organised by Travel and Marketing Experts Corp. (TMX).

Ryda Mae Tutong of Buenavista and Jannah Glycel Geraldine Poncy of Nueva Valencia

Lorenz Jane Amatorio of Jordan and Densie Galvan of Sibunag

 

Dining under the stars at Casa Emperador

The beautifully set up al fresco dinner by Courtyard by Marriot Iloilo

Led by its hardworking General Manager CLEOFE ALBISO, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo unveiled its Outside Catering with an alfresco dinner at the piazza of Casa Emperador of Megaworld Iloilo Business Park!

Under the famed bronze statue of Gen. MARTIN DELGADO, two long tables were beautifully set up. Chef CHACPOL SUAISOM whipped up a stellar five-course dinner that drew oohs and aahs from fifty invited guests who included socialites, bloggers, professionals and civic leaders.

The beautifully set up al fresco dinner by Courtyard by Marriot Iloilo

Courtyard by Marriot Iloilo will provide outside catering for special events in the comfort of one’s home, product launchings in offices, and celebration of milestones in a selected venue. Thus, taking one’s dining experience to a new level with international standards.

“With the minimum of at least 50 guests, you can now book courtyard by Marriott Iloilo’s services that includes food, servers, tables and chairs, and inclusion of basic decors depending on arrangement,” enthused GM CLEOFE ALBISO. “You can go from most intimate to the grandest of set-ups with the help from our preferred suppliers.”

Chef Chacpol Suaisom; and Amuse Bouche: Marinated salmon, Spicy cucumber Orange Salad and Curry Cracker

For appointments, please call (033) 330-7600 for Courtyard by Marriot Iloilo to start planning you event. You can also connect with its Facebook page and/or visit its website www.courtyarsiloilo.com for more information.

Salad: Seared U.S. Scallops with Wasabi Cream, Sweet Mango Salsa and Green Pickle and Soup: Seafood Bisque, Cajun Shrimp Tempura and Lemon Parsley Cream Cheese

Main Course: Roaste Beef Tenderloin with Cheese Basil Potato, Truffle Mushroom Sauce and Calamansi Bearnaise and Dessert: Saffron Pana Cotta with Apricot Puree, Pistachio Praline and Meringues

Barbecue at The Mansion

The sunset at Pool of The Mansion

If summer had one defining scent, it’d definitely be the smell of barbecue. At The Mansion, the beautiful sunset lent a wonderful ambience to the already beautiful set up – grill warriors Chef IREEKSONARD NANTIN and Chef MARK ANTHONY RAMONES were roasting seafood, meats and corn cobs to perfection, and preparing salads and salsa while the guests were splashing in the pool as others were lounging by Pool Bar. This scene was for the Grill by the Pool.

Grill warriors Chef Ireeksonard Nantin and Chef Mark Anthony Ramones prepare and grill the freshest and juiciest seafood.

For Php 600++, one choose between two platters of sensational seafood barbecue – Platter One: Fresh from the garden salads, Prawns, Squid, Green Mussels, Jack fish, Chicken leg and thigh, Sweet corn, Mango salsa and BBQ sauce, and Platter Two: Fresh from the garden salad, Prawns, Squid, Green Mussels, Jack fish, Pork belly, Mango Salsa and BBQ sauce.

Tonight is its second night. The grilling starts at 6pm to 8pm. For reservations and inquiries, please call +63 33 3351021, +632 584 4113 or +63 921 687 3025, or visit www.themansion.ph.

Platter One: Fresh from the garden salads, Prawns, Squid, Green Mussels, Jack fish, Chicken leg and thigh, Sweet corn, Mango salsa and BBQ sauce; and pork belly from Platter Two

The Mansion PR Manager Nonoi Ybiernas, yours truly and blogger Nonoy Taclino; and the seafood and meat barbecue platters were complemented by a bottle of red wine.

Grill by the Pool poster

OMG, it’s MG!

Groundbreaking: Rose Dimalanta, Alex Liu, Atty. Albert Arcilla, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Councilor Love-Love Baronda, Peter Po, Caroline T. Po and Jan Andrew Po

The long day kicked off with the groundbreaking of the soon-to-rise MG Cars Iloilo Showroom in Tabuc Suba. Seen on the scene were Grand Cars, Inc. top honchos, Chair PETER PO, President JAN ANDREW PO, Comptroller CAROLINE T. PO and VP for Operations LORENZO F. AGUILAR II, who hobnobbed with The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) bigwigs, President and CEO Atty. ALBERT ARCILLA and SVP/Director of National After Sales ROSE DIMALANTA, and Chief Representative of Business and Development of SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. ALEX LIU.

Also there were Iloilo City’s Vice Mayor JEFFREY GANZON and Councilor LOVE-LOVE BARONDA.

Councilor Love-Love Baronda, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Jan Andrew Po, Peter Po, Caroline T. Po, Atty. Albert Arcilla, Rose Dimalanta and Ale Liu

The groundbreaking was followed by a presscon and lunch at the Chevrolet Showroom in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. It was attended by lifestyle bloggers and media practitioners.

MG or Morris Garage was founded in 1924 by WILLIAM MORRIS, an English motor manufacturer and philanthropist. It was established to be a company specializing in sports cars.

According to IRA VALTE, the Field Sales Manager for MG Motors Philippines, the brand will introduce three models – MG RX5, a smart, stylish and sophisticated compact SUV that comes in Ruby Red, Pearl Black and Elegant White; MG 6, a sporty luxurious sedan in two variants, Alpha and Trophy; and MGZS, a true heavyweight in the crossover segment that brings the comfort and style of a sedan and the functionality of an SUV and comes in Extreme Speed Red, Moon White, Meteorite Black, Electro Optic Orange and Laser Blue.

The MG Cars Iloilo Showroom at SM City Iloilo; and Ribbon cutting ceremony: Alex Liu, Jan Andrew Po, Jam-Jam Baronda, Peter Po, Mayor Alex Centina and Atty. Albert Arcilla

Later in the afternoon, MG Cars Iloilo hosted a cocktail party to open its showroom at SM City Iloilo. Among the attendees were Assistant to the Mayor of Iloilo City DOMINADOR CO, former Iloilo City Councilor JAM-JAM BARONDA and Mayor ALEX CENTINA of Calinog, Iloilo. The guests enjoyed on hors d’oeuvres by Chef ANTHONY BULILAN of Tonino’s!

While TCCCI is the exclusive Philippine distributor of MG Cars, Grand Cars, Inc. is its sole dealer in Panay and soon in Mindanao.

The three models of MG cars: MG ZS, MG6 and MG RX5; and couple Peter and Caroline Po give the Dagoy dolls to Alex Liu, Rose Dimalanta and Atty. Albert Arcilla.

Hors d’oeuvres by Chef Anthony Bulilan of Tonino’s

 

 

More than a woman

Norma Padilla-Rosales with Susan Florete, Marilen Salazar and Baby del Rosario; and Marilen Salazar with the gorgeous Rosales sisters – Beverly and Joji

The ROSALES matriarch, the elegant and hardworking NORMA PADILLA-ROSALES, hosted a dinner party at the family’s Strawberry Mansion to celebrate her birthday! The guest list was an eclectic mix of closest relatives and dearest friends – the regulars in the soirées that family often hosts.

Moving around, in her fiery red blouse and pants designer ensemble, she beamed with a smile of pride because the party was a success! Well, why not? After all, her much-preferred caterer DING MONTELIBANO whipped up a delicious array of delectables, beveragic delights overflowed, conversations were interesting and a one-man band belted some of her favorite songs.

Nikko Cid, Ed Alfred Ferrer, Ross Ferrer, Baby Rosales, Sandra Ferrer and Joe Delina; Jack Matti, Gino Jimenez, Sunil Tanwani, Negros Occidental Vice Gubernatoriable Jeffrey Ferrer, Joji Rosales and Beverly Rosales; Irma Lim, Susan Uy Reyes, Charrie Lui, Fanny Uy and Maritess Lim; and Lolit Wong and Vicky Sian

The partying went into crescendo when the her daughters BABY and JOJI ROSALES, nephew Vice Gubernatoriable of Negros Occidental JEFFREY FERRER and grandson NIKKO CID turn took turns in jamming with the one-man band! Dancing-est BEVERLY ROSALES preferred to groove the night away.

Also seen on the scene were the celebrator’s unico hijo BOBBY ROSALES and granddaughter EENA ROSALES.

When not singing or singing along, the guests danced on the improvised dancefloor in the spacious living room of the mansion.

Oh, well, that’s what ROSALES parties are all about – having a good time with friends! Cheers and best wishes to Tita NORMA! Here’s to good health, happiness and long life!

Judgee Lopez Peña and Susie Facultad; Elena Javellana and Au Palomar; Negros Occidental Vice Gubernatoriable Jeffrey Ferrer belts a Freddie Mercury song; and yours truly and Jasmine Castelo

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