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By Amiel Martin Cabanlig
For many, the summertime is seen
as a time to rest, relax and recharge. Island paradises become lugubriously
lazy locales for those who’d rather shy away from more radical
sabbaticals. While this serene disposition might suit the less
adventurous vacationer, this prowler views the beach in a whole
different kind of light! Action, adventure and fun in the sun are
what the sandy beaches like Boracay are made for!
Celebrated for its extraordinary
summer events, the beautiful island of Boracay still maintains its
crowning laurels as the Philippines’ official “summer gimmick
capital,” particularly since it once again played host to what is
undoubtedly summer’s biggest star-studded event—NESTEA Beach
2007.
The four-day event marks the 11th
year of NESTEA Beach, which gets hotter and tougher with each
staging. The event was graced by the country’s finest beach volley
athletes, the most beautiful faces and bodies and top honchos from
the corporate world.
One of the many highlights of
NESTEA Beach 2007 was the celebrity matches, which were played over
the course of two scorching yet utterly exciting days. It featured
stirring action from the country’s hottest personalities who
played their hearts out under Boracay’s sweltering yet splendid
sunshine.
The Celebrity Challenge
Exhibiting superior beach volley
skills were TV personalities Geoff Rodriguez and Tisha Silang, Nestlé’s
Andrew Neri and Publicis Manila’s Mondo Armedilla as they
outplayed TV personalities Sam Oh and Iya Villania, JR Isaac, Philip
Cu-Unjieng to clinch the NESTEA Beach 2007 Celebrity Match
Championship.
Other celebrities who took part
in the beach volley celebrity matches were TV personalities Brad
Turvey, Nancy Castiglione, Karel Marquez, Luis Manzano and Reema
Chanco as well as the team of models Bubbles Paraiso, Robby
Mananquil, Valerie de los Santos and your very own controversial
media-man Amiel Martin Cabanlig.
To welcome everyone to the summer
hotspot were Nestlé executives led by Nestlé SVP and business
executive manager Eugene David, Nestlé AVP and NESTEA consumer
marketing manager Tina Samaco, Nestlé AVP and head of group brand
activation Raymond Villaflor, NESTEA assistant brand activation
manager Gabby Posadas, NESTEA brand activation specialist Ronald
Chuacokiong and NESTEA category manager Pyrus de la Cruz.
Also on hand were Philippine
Volleyball Federation secretary general and beach volley commission
chairman Otie Camangian, Villa de Oro Boracay Beach Resort Hotel
VP for administration Pablo Siwa-Belardo, Boracay Mandarin Island
Hotel general manager Rick Lopez, Publicis Manila business unit
director Charmaine Campaner and executive vice president Ronald
Barreiro.
The Boracay event attracted
droves of holidaymakers and beach volley fans alike. From 48 teams
from 34 colleges and universities nationwide that competed in the
eliminations at La Salle Green Hills, 27 teams from 17 schools made
it to the semis and final rounds in sunny Boracay.
Nestea Party Rules
The final party was held at
Crystal Sand, where the Nestea’s victory party pounded its way
through the shores of Boracay until the wee hours of the morning.
Hosted by TV personalities Brad Turvey, Nancy Castiglione and Karel
Marquez, the event was deluged by throngs of people who arrived
earlier than scheduled, all of them eager to enjoy another lively
and wacky performance from Parokya ni Edgar. And yes, Edgar’s
music rocks!
Even though the Nestea Party went
head on alongside dozens of different revelries that evening (even
flanking the high-brow bash of Makati’s fabulous free-loaders, as
one columnist would put it), the events rocking performance ruled
over the shores of Bora! And of course the merriment became even
more delightful with the fabulous intoxicating nectars served every
night by the Sun Village Hotel courtesy of our generous host, Edd
Fuentes.
Clean-up drive in Bora
NESTEA also knows that parties
are more fun if it is done responsibly, which is why it also
embarked on a beach clean-up campaign in Boracay’s stations 1 and
2. Celebrities like Brad Turvey, Nancy Castiglione and Sam Oh were
generous with their time as they joined in the clean-up efforts that
was also participated in by divers, island residents, resort owners
and tourists, who enthusiastically picked up pieces of trash that,
if left uncollected, could ruin Boracay’s pristine coastline.
Without doubt, NESTEA again
proved that it knows how to throw a party that’s fun, exciting and
memorable as NESTEA consistently sets the benchmark for all summer
parties. Looking ahead, one can’t help but be excited at what the
official drink of summer has in store for everyone. Whatever it is,
it’s surely going to be one heady summer mix of excitement,
entertainment and fulfillment!
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