AT THE RADISSON AND MARCO POLO
- Jaime Picornell
- Mar 17, 2019
- 4 min read
For quite a while now, we, the society columnists, have become protagonists in our own columns. And for quite a longer while, we have appeared in each other's coverages for the most varied reasons, and excuses.
Be that as it may, we write in the first person, singular or plural, and in many ways it is fun. We've been to several such events lately.
First was an invitation for a pleasant afternoon, 3 to 5 PM, at the Radisson Blu Hotel on March 1. It was an opportunity to exchange impressions with the general manager Stephan Sieberg and his wife Stefanie. There to receive us at the lobby was Lara Agua, the hotel's communications director, with Christine Estrella.
Early birds perched on a velvet sofa were Flor Ynclino and Cookie Newman, soon joined by Aissa de la Cruz, and Nelia Neri. And Chinggay Utzurrum?
She had gotten her days mixed up and thought it would be the next day. "I'll catch up." she had told Nelia. "Just go ahead with whatever."
"Up we go," said Stephan and so we all headed to the elevator which brought us to the floor where we admired the newly refurbished bedroom. Stefanie joined us there.
We loved the spacious bed with the right hardness, for that is how you rate beds nowadays. Too soft may cause back problems. The view of the Cebu port was magnificent.
"Here's the bathroom," Stephan indicated. It had a rain shower which is more hygienic than a bathtub which can be problematic when you scramble in and out. The water was turned on, and I secretly wished I had the nerve to step into the glass enclosure.
Stephan and Stefanie led us to the business class lounge to appreciate its amenities. There is a bar and an area for breakfasts and snacks throughout the day. Best of all is the well equipped conference room. "Follow the leader," we said as we filed to the presidential suite.
We had visited it once at night, and now we were in summery daylight, but the view of the busy waterfront was as impressive, if not more, than ever. The suite is as plush as it should be. The main room has a corner window which makes it even more exciting to view the action below.
We sat down at the dining table where we listened to Stephan enthuse about the hotel. There were delicious scones, and although we did not have tea, we savored the mango nectar and the thick strawberry juice.
Conversation was a verbal ping-pong. Right into the topic of a politician who claims he has three balls, Chinggay arrived, causing a round of greetings. Then everyone settled for more stories. Off the record? Not necessarily.
The last time we had a similar gathering, Lara Agua had asked us if we'd share a paranormal experience. Everyone turned to me and so I recounted some. They may have been eerie but never scary.
The setting for these experiences was the Villa Margarita in Malitbog, Southern Leyte, where my sister lives. She is the widow of the late Ramon Escaño. Their daughter Ana Maria also lives there.
As a result of this story-telling, I obtained the book "Escaño" and gave it to Stephan. I told him to read it slowly and learn some of the intricacies of on e of Cebu's most prominent clans.
The book has been written by Resil Mojares, Cebu's very own National Artist for Literature. "Escaño" tells the saga of this family detailing the descendants of Don Fernando Escaño and his wife Doña Agustina Faelnar Escaño. Also included are the descendants of Don Fernando's children before he married Agustina.
Don Fernando and Doña Agustina made Malitbog the base of their business concerns. One such is the present Visayan Electric Company -VECO. The Lhuillier family belongs to this clan, like the Salas, the Corominas, and the Garcia - Aberasturi.
We could go on and on, and the best we can do is to recommend reading "Escaño." Copies may be available come July when the clan holds one of its epic reunions. In charged are the descendants of Doña Bernabela Escaño Sala and Don Juan Sala.
Stephan showed the book to the guests and said he has been fascinated by its contents. Time flew and soon it was time to go, as the watch indicated 5 PM. If we know how to obtain copies of "Escaño" we will indicate it in one of the future articles.
Our next foray was at, as you call it, a culinary journey at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel to launch the St. Patrick's Day food festival at Cafe Marco.
We were there for the opening on March 14 at 12 noon. General manager Brian Connelly, dapper in a blue suit, was there so was Lara Scarrow, the director of sales and marketing.
Resident manager Michaela Priesner held court at a round table with the magnificents - Flor Ynclino, Mila Espina, Cookie Newman, and Nelia Neri who wore emeralds to carry out the green color theme of Ireland. She has a forthcoming birthday and Cookie was plotting where to celebrate it. Honey Loop later joined the group.
The Marco Polo charmers were on hand - Febe Compañon, Barbie Burchards, and Yumny Mariot, seeing to everyone's ease and comfort. What Irish dishes could they suggest from the buffet spread? The beef stew was tempting, and there was ice cold Guinness beer to wash it down.
We are reminded that on March 17 is the festivity of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. The Irish food fest at the Marco Polo was up to March 18.
What comes next? What come (plural) next? Michaela mentioned Easter, Mother's Day in May, and Father's Day in June. Then comes the time for Sabores de España, the Spanish food fest for maybe July or August, and after that Christmas will just be around the corner. Insert the Indian food fest somewhere in between.
Casino Español de Cebu elected its board of directors on March 15. Officers are president Eduard Loop, vice president Eduardo Gonzalez, secretary Michael Veloso, treasurer Rene Kintanar, house chairman Javi Sala, sports director Mic-Mic Miranda, and director for cultural affairs Clementino Diez III.
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