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Manila Intercon is alive and well. Very well!! For a while, we
thought it had retired to simply being there. But then suddenly our
favorite Prince Albert was back in business with its signature
dish—the US Prime Rib. It has always been one of the most
desirable places to have an excellent and “gustatacious” lunch or
dinner. Yes, it is back with a vengeance after a 8-year respite due
to a government ban on its importation. The Prince is at its prime
once more.
The Intercon, as everyone knows, was the only
5-star hotel in Makati. As a matter of fact, it was just one of the
4 buildings in Ayala Avenue. We remember George Markides who did
wonders to make it the place to stay, be seen or simply be—with
the beautiful, wealthy and famour or, sometimes, even the infamous.
Sharing the limelight with The Rib was the hotel
launch of the men in suits issue of the Metro Society magazine. A
photo exhibit was held at the lobby featuring pictures taken at the
Prince Albert of male achievers in suits by photographer, Jason Peñalosa.
The image models of achievement included: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Maynila and United opposition spokesperson, Adel Tamano; venture
capitalist and Philippine Star Group Director, Kevin Belmonte;
Pacific Hub Corporation CEO, Beaver Lopez; Marcelo Group of
Companies Director, John Marcelo; New Chapter Retailers, Inc.
CEO/Creative Director, Raul Francisco; ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.
Brand Manager, Ipe Cruz; lawyer Edmund Reyes; BWD Marketing and
Advertising Group CEO, Norma Luna; fashion editor J. Lee Cu-Unjieng;
entrepreneur Anton Barretto; painter Norman Crisologo, Columbia
University MBS student, Cary Lagdameo; and College of St. Benilde
student Miguel Vargas.
Aside from these “Men in Suits” a lot of
familiar faces abounded like: Ernie and Jeena Lopez, Monchet and
Marge Olives, Lia Bernardo, Leica Carpo, vince and Tina Carlos,
Josephine del Gallego, Margarita Delgado, Chito and Anna Sobrepeña,
Fern and Junie Peña, Bela Vasquez, Vanna Virata, Jackie Ejercito-Lopez
and Rajo Laurel to cite a few from the A-list crowd who came that
evening.
Metro Society Editor in Chief Raul Manzano and
PR Director Jenny Peña were, of course, everywhere seen making sure
guests were enjoying and happy. How else could they have been? What
with the RIB and lots of bubbly Veuve Clicquot champagne and the
potent Grey Goose (surely not of Walt Disney) vodka.
A few days later, in a glittering cocktail
reception, the hotel honored and thanked the TOP client and media
supporters at the Grand Ball Room. Awards and citations by prominent
organizations were given that night like one of the Best Business
Hotels in Manila from the Business Traveller Asia Pacific magazine,
2007 SKAL Club Hotel Personality of the Year for General Manager for
Hanoi InterContinental Westlake), perfect scores for food, wines and
service for the Prince Albert in the Philippine Tatler’s Best
Restaurant Guide 2007, Intercontinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific
Award for its late head Concierge Andy Pongco for his invaluable
contribution to the concierge profession not only in the Philippines
but also internationally, fire safety compliance awards in all
categories from the Makati Fire Safety Foundation, and Mabuhay Best
Manager Award for hotel Director of Rooms Vickie Silverio.
The Manila InterContinental is back on center
stage. Truly well-deserved. Congratulations to all concerned!
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