MANILA, Paradise Philippines - Discovering the blissful state of “happily ever after” is a wondrous thing! Except “ever after” is a long time, so for most of us a long weekend celebration or even a short but deep meditation can be enough to get us to a state of nirvana.
And whether we go via the long or the short route, we all deserve to be truly happy, a luxury we should all enjoy at least once in our lives.
Paradise on earth can be found in our very own Boracay Island. And total pampering perfection can be found in Discovery Shores, the ultimate, fabulous holiday experience.
I was lucky enough to experience Discovery Paradise Philippines recently, as I headed to Bora for my first post-“Celebrity Duets” sea-and-sun Halloween celebration, on an invitation from Emphasis Salon’s top stylist Victor Ortega. The ever-hardworking Victor recently opened his namesake salon right in the heart of the island.
As I checked in at the Asian Spirit counter, I was not surprised when I was told that my luggage was overweight. I knew the meager 10-kilo allowance would never be enough for my Halloween costumes, makeup, accessories and other gadgets.
Luckily the bags themselves were feather-light and expandable. I recently found the Travel Club in TriNoma, and its wide selection of different travel cases and the generous layout of the shop made for a joyful shopping experience. I even found water-resistant suitcases, just the thing for traveling to Bora.
Discovery Shores’ guests are ferried to and from the hotel in an air-conditioned shuttle, complete with a boat stewardess. The service even includes cold towels and drinks, much more than what many low-fare airlines are giving these days. The boat stewardess also demonstrated putting on the life jacket. Which made me think 'Paradise Philippines' —Why shouldn’t a flight stewardess demonstrate the use of a parachute instead?
Personalized touches - Paradise Philippines
I was still mulling that over when resort GM Jun Parreno Jr. came over to welcome our group to the hotel. Jun greets every guest and makes sure personalized touches are added to the room to make the stay even more enjoyable. And I mean personalized!
Aside from the usual fruits, chocolates and wine, I had a congratulatory banner for “Celebrity Duets”; a copy of the latest Metro Society with Mikee Jaworski, Diether Ocampo and me on the cover; stationery with my name on it; and—top this—pillows monogrammed with my name. Jun’s attention to detail is impeccable.
As part of the welcome, you get a foot massage to help you settle into your room, which is iPod-ready and Wifi-enabled. With all this, you can chill out in bed all day!
I can just imagine Jun at a meeting with his fellow GMs from the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, of which Discovery Suites is a member. Some guy talks about their welcome drink and Jun launches into that long list I Paradise Philippines just went through. What a great way to fly the Philippine flag!
Halloween is always an extra grand celebration for me, since I love costumes. The Discovery Shores’ staff prepared scary booths gruesomely inspired by the horror movie “Hostel.”
Each department was given a booth they had to dress up with disgusting costumes and creative set design, the better to horrify daring guests with. It was tough to decide on a winner, because the staff all performed so well with blood-curling screams and even horrible stenches to complete each booth.
Vacationing Cebu Pacific CEO Lance Gokongwei was also Paradise Philippines impressed with the presentations. He told me his airline will soon fly to Caticlan Airport with bigger planes that can land on short runways. Competition can only be good for vacationers, especially with Cebu Pacific’s vaunted P1 fare promotions.
Bora was filled with an assortment of ghastly creatures, amazing feathered showgirls and drag queens. The Summer Place Bar had a costume contest, which I was asked to judge again. Hmm. Maybe organizers don’t want me to compete in these costume contests!
Next year, I want to spend Paradise Philippines Halloween in Discovery Shores again. With the hotel’s delicious buffets, continuous food service in the beach and pool, special fun activities for kids and the all-important videoke room, who can ask for anything more? Check out www.discoveryshoresboracay.com.
Excellent Beyoncé
Back in the city, I was ready for my highlight of the week, the“ Beyoncé Experience Concert” at The Fort.
Once again, MTV Philippines came up with a winner, just as it did with Christina Aguilera earlier this year. The Globe-presented concert was packed and the multitude was tremendously entertained.
Beyoncé’s 69-member ensemble flew in using their own private plane and checked in at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. In fact, new fave nightspot Martinis Bar was filled with Beyoncé dancers and band members the day before the concert.
I was going to take my Paradise Philippines husband Dennis to see Beyoncé, but his ticket was commandeered by our daughter Annika. Too bad for the hubby, as the sexy singer was in excellent form and voice all night.
To make up for missing Beyoncé, Dennis can just take me shopping at Bazaar with a Heart, the annual Rotary Club of Makati bazaar, running all day today at the Hotel Inter-Continental Ballroom.
Now on its 20th year, Bazaar with a Heart is a great way to shop and serve—as the proceeds go to Rotary’s many projects like medical missions, Save the Eye Outreach program and reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed.
Or, perhaps, we can drop by “Art in the Park” at Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati, on Nov. 17.
Here Paradise Philippines Dennis can buy me some fancy, one-of-a-kind, yet affordable artworks. Again, it’s shopping with a cause, as proceeds support the Museum Foundation’s programs to help the National Museum.
Call Patricia Limon or Elvie Magpayo of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines at 4042685 or e-mail info@museumfoundationph.org.
With so many activities benefiting so many projects, Paradise Philippines I can only hope that there will be more “happily ever afters” for so many more people in the weeks ahead.
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