SEDA AYALA CENTER CEBU AT ONE

PANLANTAW was the title for the first anniversary celebration of the hotel Seda Ayala Center Cebu. It means taking a view of the past and plotting what is ahead for more years to come.

That was a big bash at the hotel’s newly refurbished Sampaguita ballroom where seats were arrayed for a fashion parade of creations by Philip Rodriguez. There was much applause for this ethereal collection inspired by the “pañuelo,” a garment that was part of an attire worn by Filipinas during the 19th century.

Indeed, the requested attire for the significant occasion was Filipiniana. Stunning exponents of this were Seda Cebu’s glamorous general manager Gwen dela Cruz and Frances Alfafara, director of sales and marketing.

Just for this event had come from Manila the top brass from the Seda group on the national level: Al Legaspi, president and CEO of Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts; Efren Rodrigo, group director for engineering; Andres Mastellone, senior group general manager; and Bobot Codoy, director of human resources.

Program host for the evening was Phoebe Fernandez, while Sinulog Idol Jackie Chang was guest star. A video presentation traced Seda’s start in Cebu and projected what’s in store for the years to come. It was recalled that the building used to be the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

Very much in evidence were the sales and marketing team led by Frances Alfafara to make it all the big success that it was. Here they are: Atty. Regal Oliva, Gabe Llanto, Thrina dela Calzada, Gretel Polloso, Henry Seno, James Lota who is in charge of events, Gema Limot, Jackie Durana, Jaynard Solante, and Michelle Seno, the front office manager.

The party went on beyond the fashion show, with lots of Cebuano fare to feast on, like delicious lechon, and golden mangoes amid varied native desserts, pichi-pichi, anyone?

A ceremonial toast was part of the evening’s highlights, to which we add our best wishes, clink!

Now we look forward to the next event at Seda Ayala Center Cebu. It has a title – Feliz, as in Feliz Navidad. That is the hotel’s kick start for the holiday season, dubbed a Holiday Journey.

That will be on Thursday, October 24 at 6PM at the Sampaguita Ballroom. Attire requested is smart casual with red and gold for a color scheme.

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A grand wedding is forthcoming on Sunday, October 27 at 3 PM at the Sacred Heart Parish, when Ian Martin Joseph Borromeo takes the lovely Nina Angeli Tiongko for his bride. He is the son of Gerard Villacarlos Borromeo and Lisette Therese Aberasturi Garcia, while Nina is the daughter of Niñi Jose Ceniza Tiongko and Estrellita Suarez Tiongko.

Principal sponsors are Dennis and Petite Garcia, Eduardo Jarque Jr. and Yvonne Uy, Federico Alquiros and Honey Loop, Odysseus and Milene Suarez, Gabriel Neri and Dr. Ester Penserga, Simeon and Reynosa Marcelo, Jose Mari and Concepcion Suico, Roberto Velasco and Dr. Grace Marie Sorilla, Gil and Maria Cherique Garcia, Charles and Bernadette Garcia.

Alessandra Gavrielle Alvez will be matron of honor, while Evangeline Marice Limtin will be maid of honor, with three best men for Ian – Francis Alvez VI, Jhon Fuentes and Airrion Sanchez.

It is a long list of bridesmaids – Rica Tiongko, Ingrid Yu, Toni Tiongko, Rhea Villoria, Marguertte Chan, Ana Blanca Go, Susan Rafanan, Cherry Nay Alvarado, Marvilyn Yap, Mary Grace Jaca, Laizabelle Quisumbing and Alvi Paray.

It is just as long a list of groomsmen: Enrico Tiongko, Keffrey Lambo, Allen Andre Suarez, Raymund Palacio, Carl Anton Suarez, Toby Cueva, Hon. Jerome Librando, Jonathan Alvarado, Jan Allen Go, Felix Jaca, Denn Castillo and Manolo Alba.

Secondary sponsors are candle sponsors Enrique Tiongko and Niñi Jose Tiongko, Jr.; veil sponsors Dr. Jose Luis Tiongko and Kirsten Nakayama; and cord sponsors Vincent Garcia and Karkeyna Ho.

The flower girls are Olivia Alvez, Maria Romina Tiongko, and Mayumi Tiongko. The pages are ring and coin bearers Elano Tiongko and Niñi Jose Tiongko III, respectively; Roman Tiongko with the bible, and Tobias Tiongko with the rosary.

The celebration of so happy an occasion will be at the Radisson Blu Hotel’s Santa Maria ballroom. Cocktails start serving at 5:30 PM at the lobby bar, followed by dinner.

At the Seda: Efren Rodrigo, Andrea Mastellone, Al Legaspi, and GM Gwen dela Cruz.

Seda Cebu’s director for sales and marketing Frances Alfafara, designer Philip Rodriguez and Efren Rodrigo.

(L-R) Rosebud Sala, Teresin Mendezona

Chocolate Chamber’s Hannah Choa, Racquel Choa, Angelie Choa

(L-R) Team Seda: Jack Durana – Asst. Outlet Manager, Gemma Limot – Sous Chef, Kerrwin Sanchez – HR Manager, Elinor Prendol – Asst Purchasing Manager, Fe Pajaron – IT Manager, Thrina dela Calzada – Asst Director of Sales, Nick Juezan – Security Manager, Gwen dela Cruz – General Manager, Michelle Fuentes – Front Office Manager, Jaynard Solante – Asst Financial Controller, Harry Dale Seno – Exec Housekeeper, Frances Alfafara – Director of Sales and Marketing; Grethel Polloso – Senior Sales Manager, James Lota – Events Manager, Bobot Codoy – Director of HR, Gabe Llanto – Communications Officer

(L-R) James Lota – Seda Ayala Center Cebu’s Events Manager, Gwen dela Cruz – Seda Ayala Center Cebu’s General Manager, Harry Dale Seno – Seda Ayala Center Cebu’s Executive Housekeeper, Atty Regal Oliva

( L-R) Frances Siao, Iris Arcenas, Eva Gullas, Nelly Egle, June Alegrado

Mr. Michael Alexis Legaspi – President and Chief Executive Officer of AyalaLand and Hotels and Resorts Corporation

Jude Bacalso, June Rabin

A Filipiniana collection by Philip Rodriguez

Another Filipiniana collection by Philip Rodriguez