Manila Pavilion Hotel celebrated in grand gesture in the majestic year of the Water Dragon in 2012.

The hotel became a home to good luck and prosperity as it welcomed the New Lunar Year of the Chinese calendar in a festivity like no other. The night marveled in the thrilling dragon and lion dance as it chased away negative energies and bring in auspiciousness. The evening was grabbed with vibrant colors in a fireworks display.

Celebrated in a feast fit for an emperor at Seasons located at the ground floor, carefully prepared Chinese delicacies were served for everyone’s gastronomic satisfaction. All the good luck and prosperity were ushered in only in Manila Pavilion Hotel last January 23, 2012.

Manila Pavilion Hotel is located at United Nations Avenue corner Maria Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila. For inquiries and reservations, dial 1-800-10-WFRONT8 (9376688) or visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/waterfront/manila-pavilion-hotel-casino.

Manila Pavilion Hotel is part of the Waterfront Group of Hotels and Casinos in the Philippines, considered as the largest, 100-percent Filipino-owned and operated hotel chain in the country. Visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph for details.

Waterfront Hotels and Casinos Assistant to the President Mr. Weslie Gatchalian, in cooperation with Ensogo, Inc. represented by Account Manager Mr. Michael Madridejos, donates 230, 827.23 pesos to Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Inc. represented by its Chairman Anton Sayo and Executive Director Crisanto Sabino on December 23, 2011 during the Christmas party of the foundation.

Mr. Gatchalian and his company believes in sharing what they can with the less fortunate, especially if it helps people become productive citizens who are able to contribute to the betterment of the Philippines society and the national economy as a whole. Perfectly partnering with Ensogo, Inc. that was founded around a moral vision of making profit, while making a difference, the company meets its objective of promoting social responsibility.

After months of running a discount promotion of Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel outlets with Ensogo, Inc., the company was able to raise an amount of money that can be donated to a charity and Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Inc. was chosen by Mr. Gatchalian.

The foundation, as part of its programs and services, harbors an Educational Assistance Program that encompasses the spiritual development of children and their parents through character and values formation. It also initiates a Community Empowerment Program that serves and contributes to the empowerment of both rural and urban communities. Celebrating Christmas, the awarding of donation is a very timely gesture.

Waterfront Manila Pavilion donates to Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Inc. through Ensogo, Inc. From left to right: Alay Buhay Chairman Anton Sayo and Executive Director Crisanto Sabino, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos Assistant to the President Mr. Weslie Gatchalian, Ensogo, Inc. Account Manager Michael Madridejos, and Waterfront Manila Pavilion Sales Manager Lizette Harder.

An Austrian national, Mr. Portenschlager brings with him vast international hotel experience from across four major continents, namely: North America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Prior to the 1990’s, he was part of the Mandarin Group for eight years with assignments in Mandarin Oriental Hongkong, Mandarin Oriental Manila and Oriental Singapore. He also spent years of experience in Indonesia and the Bahamas. His stint in the USA also brought him to assignments in Ritz Carlton, Remington Hotel, Pier 66, Hilton in Texas and Opryland Hotel in Tennessee. He spent the earliest years of his career in Europe with hotels in Switzerland and Austria.

In the 1990’s, Mr. Portenschlager moved to South Africa to join Sun City Resorts. His major feats in the hotel included having carried out a strategic master plan of outlet diversification and its marketing plan for 34 restaurants, 38 bars and convention facilities, as well as recreational and themed parks. Having such experience, his expertise in establishing targets and goals pertaining to the guest satisfaction and the financial aspect of operations is clearly embedded in him. He proudly speaks of having staged three Ms. World pageants, as well as a series of major world golf tournaments. He also helped in executing a major event for the South African President’s inauguration.

The remaining stints with Hotel Equatorial in Jakarta, Equatorial Hotel in Ho Chi Minh has honed him even further in management. He also had stints with two different properties of Moevenpick in Egypt for a total span of five years.

“Mr. Alfred”, as he is fondly called, comes directly from the Lexington Group in Shanghai, China, where he held the position of Corporate Technical Assistant Director before finally becoming General Manager of The Lexington Plaza.

With his exposure to a multi-cultural environment, wealth of experience, and people-oriented nature, we look forward to great things from him as the new General Manager of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Waterfront Hotels and Casinos Group led by assistant to the president Weslie Gatchalian recently hosted an Appreciation Party aptly themed ‘Masquerade’, at the Promenade ballroom of G Hotel Manila, to honor and fete its Top Producers for 2010 from the Corporate, Travel Agencies, Airlines, and Conventions and Meetings.

Seen at the appreciation party were key executives from various corporations, organizations, and travel agencies which included among others: Nemoto Travel and Tours general manager Alvin Gaurano and operations manager Tomokazu Matsui; Philippine Straits Travel president Johnson Cheng; Philippine Star columnist and businessman Wilson Lee Flores; Blue Horizons Travel and Tours inbound manager Jamie Lim and operations manager Jingle Mendoza; Image Travel’s vice president Frederick Fang; Manila Chuanlien International Travel and Tours president Esther Tiongco together with husband Nico Tiongco; Direction Travel’s president Felix Chung Encela; Happy Travel’s sales director Stephen Tan.

The sales and marketing team of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos Group also came in full force led by group sales manager Myla Mohammad together with sales manager Janett Reyes and assistant sales manager Joseph Tam, Manila Pavilion Hotel’s officer-in-charge/sales manager Lizette Harder and sales account managers Fernalyn Gonzales, Jonathan Fulgar, Dacelle Foronda, Jane Villa, and Pamela Alban, and G Hotel Manila’s hotel manager Benhur Caballes and sales account manager Janice Guadayo, to name a few.

The evening’s resplendent dinner menu consisted of some of G Hotel’s most enticing specialities: Waldorf chicken salad, tuna Nicoise salad, miso soup with tofu, seared sesame steak, pasta carbonara, grilled chicken in tomato paprika, glazed carrots and beans, Vietnamese fried rice, blueberry cheesecake, and cocoa Madeira cake. To enhance the evening’s festive mood, guests were treated to a live musical performance courtesy of Playback Band.

Waterfront Hotels and Casinos is considered as the largest Filipino-owned and operated hotel chain in the country today. It has five (5) first class hotel-casino properties located in the major cities of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Davao. Hotel properties include: Manila Pavilion Hotel in United Nations Avenue, Manila and G Hotel Manila by Waterfront — its latest venture in the boutique hotel category in Roxas Boulevard, Manila; Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City and Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino in Mactan, Cebu City; and, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao in Lanang, Davao City. For more details on the Waterfront Hotels and Casinos Group, visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph.

Seasons, Manila Pavilion Hotel’s interactive lifestyle restaurant presents this July its latest addition of delectable hors d’oeuvres accompanied with organic edible flowers to its sumptuous International buffet spread. These unique assortment of bite-size specialities feature specially handpicked organic flowers of primrose, St John’s wort blossom, viola tricolor (heartsease), and pink rose — each variant serves as a gastronomic teaser preparing diners for an impressive meal.

Exclusively created by executive chef Roger Perez Gonzalez and his award-winning creative culinary team, these bite-size wonders from pâte de foie gras avec la réduction balsamic et coulis de fraises, milk-cumin poached sea bass with red and green bell pepper, bavette grille avec chili Thaïlandaise et ratatouille, papitas cambray con cobertura de mascarpone y coulis de fresa, pastèque grille avec ikura et la réduction balsamic a la menthe, to gazpacho de zanahoria y almendra, will surely impress discriminating palates.

‘These creations are specially made for those gastronomic adventurers who want to try something new. The use of organic flowers provides a new dimension to our selection of appetizers, something our diners can look forward to,’ suggests Chef Roger.

New Culinary Attractions At Seasons

For its main entrees, Seasons buffet proffers a variety of flavors and tastes from around the globe. Diners can choose from Japanese all-time favorites, Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean, Arabic, to American specialities. Filipino specialities are also highlighted in the buffet spread for the whole month of July in conjunction with the Department of Tourism’s ‘Kulinarya Festival 2011.’

Four live culinary stations from appetizers, noodles, grill items, down to desserts, give diners more gustatory options for a splendid repast. Taking from the world’s richest cuisines, a la carte choices and must-try signature dishes include Hainanese chicken rice, Pavilion Angus beef burger, Waterfront club sandwich, and Waterfront cheesecake tiramisu.

Seasons all-you-can-eat revelry is offered daily for only Php1,200 nett. To celebrate American Independence, a barbecue fest for the month of July is offered every Thursdays and Fridays at Php1,300 nett.

Seasons is located at the lobby of Manila Pavilion Hotel and is open from 6am to 12mn daily. For inquiries and reservations, call Manila Pavilion Hotel at 526 1212 extension 2318, or visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph.

Manila Pavilion Hotel is part of the Waterfront Group of Hotels and Casinos in the Philippines, considered as the largest, 100-percent Filipino-owned and operated hotel chain in the country

Many Cebuanos may be doing the country proud in various fields, but in the culinary world, it is Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino Chef Benjie Lañas who is in the limelight.

A Banquet Chef de Partie, Chef Benjie was awarded the Gold Medal in the Pastry Showpiece category in this year’s Hong Kong Food Expo (HOFEX) held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center last May 11 to 14. His intricate winning piece, The Joker, was the crowd favorite, and only 2 points away from garnering the perfect score. A chocolate masterpiece, The Joker was painstakingly carved from separate pieces of chocolate and carefully put together, section by section, taking close to two months to complete.

What wowed the crowd about his showpiece weren’t so much its fine details, including bulging veins and muscles of The Joker, but the artist’s labor of love – they could see the heart and soul he had put into it.

Although Chef Benjie never had formal culinary training, he credits his artistic abilities to his innate desire for the arts. Born and raised in Cebu and extremely proud of his Cebuano heritage, he remembers drawing and sketching ever since he was a kid. He took a short vocational course in Commercial Arts from Sacred Heart School then joined Waterfront Hotel in 2002 as an assistant to the Kitchen Artist in the banquet kitchen. In 2005, Executive Pastry Chef Gabriel Garcia – who he considers his mentor – took him under his wing, and he was promoted to Banquet Demi-Chef before he moved up to his current position of Banquet Chef de Partie in 2007.

Chef Benjie is honored not only to bring pride to Waterfront Hotel but most especially to his country. He had entered the competition not expecting to win, but simply to learn new ideas and to get exposed to the work of international chefs. Yet, through his hard work and commitment to excellence, he was the one who bagged the gold.

Waterfront Philippines, Inc. (WPI), through its Waterfront Hotels and Casinos brand name, is currently the largest Filipino-owned hotel chain in the country today. It operates five first class hotel-casino properties located in the major cities of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao. In Manila, it operates the Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino and G-Hotel by Waterfront, its latest venture in the boutique hotel category. In Cebu, it runs the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and the Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan. In Davao, it operates the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. Cumulatively, the group runs close to 1,600 guest rooms, employ 1,670 employees, and have over 13,500 square meters of convention and gaming space. Last year un-audited financial statements of the company shows the company registering Php1.8 billion in gross revenues, with a gross operating profit of Php656 million and a net operating profit of close to Php100 million . The flagship Cebu hotel contributed 41% percent of gross revenues.

Once again, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino welcomes the Chinese New Year with the biggest celebration ever in Cebu! A night of Chinese culture, good food and spectacular fireworks, the hotel brings a visual and gastronomic feast with “Fire in the Sky” on the eve of the Chinese New Year, February 2, 2011.

The festivities start at 6:00 PM at the lobby, where an exhilarating lion dance takes place. Chinese tradition has it that this dance drives away evil spirits and brings good fortune to all in the community. To ceremonially awaken the lions’ spirits and symbolize their coming into the world, the lions’ eyes are dotted by 4 guests of honor – the ever dashing and dynamic Mayor of Cebu City, Michael Rama, Republic of China’s Consul General to Cebu, He Shijing, the stylishly elegant Elvira Luym, Cathay Pacific’s young and energetic Manager Camilla Taylor and Waterfront’s very own General Manager Marco Protacio.

The Gourmet Walk, the hotel’s restaurant row, offers a wonderful complement to this graceful display of movement with a gastronomic treat that is deserving of such a momentous occasion. UNO offers a beautiful spread of Chinese flavors at its Asian food station, alongside buffet favorites, for only PHP 850.00 net per person. Chef Low Yuen Kong of Tin Gow, the city’s premier Chinese restaurant, once again works his magic as he prepares special set menus beginning at PHP 9,830.00+ for a group of 3-4 persons.

Finally, guests witness an 8-minute computer-synchronized fireworks display at the hotel’s Lagoon Garden at 9:00 PM – a tradition that has become a spectacle here in the hotel.

Surrounded by good food, great company, beautiful dances and a dramatic
display of fire in the sky, welcoming the Year of the Rabbit could not be a more enjoyable or festive experience at the Waterfront!

The country’s largest first-class hotel operator Waterfront Philippines Inc. (WPI) announced that it will be embarking on a multi-million renovation program geared towards improving further its flagship property located in Cebu City, the 560 rooms Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. The project will be segmented into three phases, the renovation of the grand and lower lobbies of the hotel; the renovation of the function rooms; and eventually the renovation of the larger convention facilities of the hotel. Each phase is expected to cost around Php100 million, of which all the funds allocated for the said project will be sourced from internally generated funds. The renovation period of the first two phases will take place within the next 10 months of the current year, while the last phase will take place during the first quarter of 2012. “We are extremely excited to embark on this multi-million renovation project because this will further enhance our product and service offerings that will eventually yield to better guest experience and revenues” elates Weslie Gatchalian, Vice President for Special Projects of WPI.

Designed by no less than Steven J. Leach, Jr. + Associates [Consultants] Incorporated (SL+A Manila), which is a part of the world-renowned Steven Leach Group, the inspiration for the lobby’s new look is based on two main objectives first, to transform the existing single dimension grand lobby into a multi-dimensional lifestyle-concept space that will enhance the guests’ experience when dinning and lounging in the lobby; and second, to improve traffic patterns, through the construction of larger check-in areas and maximizing the Lobby’s three entrances. Composed of a young, dynamic team of creative individuals, SL+A Manila has worked with an extensive and reputable list of major Philippine corporations and multinational firms over the span of 30 years. Waterfront has worked very closely with the SL+A team to achieve the luxurious yet highly efficient design that it has aimed to create a world class lobby experience for its clients.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s massive, high-ceilinged lobby has always been its principal attraction in fact it is touted as the largest hotel lobby in Visyas-Mindanao area. Spanning 22 meters wide, 96 meters in long and 35 meters high and crisscrossed by hundreds of people each day, the hotel’s grand lobby sets the whizzing pulse for the hotel and dictates its overall ambiance. Based on a play of rich imagery, sumptuous colors and amplification to a grand scale, the lobby makes an immediate statement about how one can expect things to be bigger and more luxurious at Waterfront according to Gatchalian. To further describe the project “our lobby will be grander and more luxurious than it is now”, says Area General Manager Marco Protacio. “It will be the first time Waterfront will be renovating its lobby in 10 years; a feature of the hotel that repeat guests have grown to appreciate and identify with. It is both a challenging and exciting prospect.” adds Protacio

Waterfront Philippines, Inc. (WPI), through its Waterfront Hotels and Casinos brand name, is currently the largest Filipino-owned hotel chain in the country today. It operates five first class hotel-casino properties located in the major cities of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao. In Manila, it operates the Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino and G-Hotel by Waterfront, its latest venture in the boutique hotel category. In Cebu, it runs the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and the Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan. In Davao, it operates the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. Cumulatively, the group runs close to 1,600 guest rooms, employ 1,670 employees, and have over 13,500 square meters of convention and gaming space. Last year un-audited financial statements of the company shows the company registering Php1.8 billion in gross revenues, with a gross operating profit of Php656 million and a net operating profit of close to Php100 million . The flagship Cebu hotel contributed 41% percent of gross revenues.

Experience comfort and serenity during this time of the year as you veer away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, by indulging in Manila Pavilion’s accommodation choices for this summer and Lenten season.

Delight your loved ones with an extended family vacation with ‘Lenten Respite’ offered on April 17 to 24. Book two nights and get a complimentary stay on the third night inclusive of Easter eggs starting at Php8,500 nett. Alternatively, watch the breathtaking Vegas meets Broadway musicale Kaos at Resorts World Manila when you choose to book a room package with ‘A Room With A View’ until May 29, with rates starting at Php4,400 nett. Both room packages are replete with welcome drinks, international breakfast for two (2), and Gourmet Elite card.

Manila Pavilion makes your dream a reality with ‘Seascape Fantasy’ room packages. Experience a world of ocean wonders with blissful room accommodations starting at Php4,200 nett, inclusive of breakfast and tickets for two (2) to Manila Ocean Park’s oceanarium and fountain show. ‘Pavilion Essence’ room-only packages start at Php2,800 nett. Both room packages are valid until June 30.

Manila Pavilion’s accommodation choices proffer among others cable TV, pay-per-view channels, NDD/IDD telephone access, wi-fi internet connection, personal safe, and coffee & tea-making facilities and amenities, and are valid for local residents and expats with ACR

For booking details and reservations, call Manila Pavilion at 526 1212 extension 2335 to 2337 or toll free # 1-800-10-WFRONT8 (9376688); or, visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph.

Manila Pavilion Hotel is part of the Waterfront Group of Hotels and Casinos in the Philippines, considered as the largest, 100-percent Filipino-owned and operated hotel chain in the country

Make the most of your Lenten retreat with a delightful gustatory escapade at Manila Pavilion Hotel featuring an extensive array of seafood specialities throughout the month of April.

Seasons interactive lifestyle restaurant lays out a bountiful spread of delectable seafood creations for lunch and dinner every Thursdays and Fridays, from appetizer to salad, soup, and main course. Whether steamed, deep-fried, or grilled, discerning gourmands can take pleasure in the sumptuous flavors of freshly prepared fish, shrimps, squid, and shellfish at Php1,300 nett inclusive of free-flowing soda, iced tea, or local beers. International cuisine also beckons at Php1,200 nett daily.

On the Oriental side, partake of Peony Garden’s authentic Malaysian-Cantonese live seafood fare offered in an a la carte menu starting at Php350 nett which include: deep-fried seafood roll with Portugal sauce; stir-fried elephant clam with fresh mango; braised crab with taro and Chinese sausage; stir-fried mussels with chicken egg; stir-fried minced seafood in taro box; steamed lapu-lapu with ginger, shredded shallots, and soya sauce; stir-fried lobster with prawns sauce; and, fried rice with dace fish, crab stick, and vegetables.

For inquiries and reservations, call Manila Pavilion at 526 1212 extension 2408 or visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph.

Manila Pavilion Hotel is part of the Waterfront Group of Hotels and Casinos in the Philippines, considered as the largest, 100-percent Filipino-owned and operated hotel chain in the country