Faster Wi-Fi on flights leads to battle in the sky

NEW YORK/HAMBURG — Wi-Fi in the sky is taking off, promising much better connections for travelers and a bonanza for the companies that sell the systems.

With satellite-based Wi-Fi, Internet speeds on jetliners are getting lightning fast. And airlines are finding that travelers expect connections in the air to rival those on the ground – and at lower cost.

But the fast evolution of rival systems and standards, such as Ku band and Ka band, pose a big question for airlines: which one to choose?

Equipping fleets can cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and airlines don’t want to see their investment quickly become outdated due to newer technology. That’s made some cautious about signing up.

“We don’t want to end up with a Betamax,” said Peter Ingram, chief financial officer of Hawaiian Airlines, referring to the Sony video format that eventually lost out to the VHS standard, leaving many consumers with obsolete systems.

Hawaiian is still considering which system to use.

The drive for in-flight connectivity also has intensified after the disappearance on March 8 of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 with 239 people aboard. Search teams are scouring parts of the Indian Ocean for the missing aircraft, and it might have been better tracked if a satellite system capable of streaming cockpit data had been on board.

Global Market
The U.S. market for airborne Internet got a big boost last November after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration allowed passengers to use smartphones, tablets and e-readers throughout a flight, ending a long-standing ban on their use during takeoff and landing.

While the change hasn’t been adopted worldwide, the FAA’s move is expected to lead to greater use of devices, and bandwidth, on planes.

About 40 percent of U.S. jetliners already have some Wi-Fi, but the race is on to wire the rest of a growing global fleet, and to make the existing connections better.

The number of commercial planes worldwide with Wi-Fi, cell service or both is expected to more than triple over the next 10 years, to 14,000 from about 4,000 currently, with much of that growth in Asia, according to research firm IHS.

Even with a tripling, only half of the worldwide fleet will be wired in 2022, suggesting demand for new systems will last longer.

Much of the U.S. fleet will need upgrades to access satellites, since many planes currently are equipped for ground-based transmission, which is typically slower than satellite.

“Passengers of the future want to be connected when they want,” Chris Emerson, senior vice president of marketing at Airbus, told Reuters during the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

“Everyone wants Internet the way they have it on the ground, so it has to be cheap or free.”

Greater speed
Satellite technology will speed up onboard connections sevenfold, to about 70 megabits per second next year, fast enough to download a two-hour high-definition movie in about four minutes. Of course, that bandwidth will be shared among all of the users on the flight, which could number 200 or more.

Satellites also will allow service to reach developing markets in Asia and Latin America, and to offer expanded service in the U.S. and European markets.

Investors expect the global expansion and faster speeds will fuel greater use of services, with revenue split between the providers and the airlines.

It also will drive hardware sales, as airlines outfit aircraft with antennas, radios and routers. Honeywell, for example, makes fuselage-top antennas that link to the Global Xpress network provided by Inmarsat PLC, which operates on the Ka band.

In demonstrating the GX system at the Hamburg show, Honeywell said the system can deliver up to 50 megabits per second consistently around most of the globe, and it plans to test it on its own plane this summer, while Air China is expected to start trials with it in late 2014 or early 2015.

“GX is going to be a real game changer for airlines and their passengers from 2015 when the service comes online,” John Broughton, director of product marketing for GX at Honeywell, said in an interview.

A rival standard, Ku band, operates in a lower frequency band. While it may be able to achieve higher bandwidth than Ka band in certain areas, its overall connectivity is not as consistent, especially on long-haul flights over oceans, experts said.

Gogo used the Hamburg show to announce its 2Ku system, that will use a special dual antenna made by ThinKom Solutions Inc to raise the capacity of the Ku band system to 70 mbps, a leap from its current systems that operated at 3 to 10 mbps. Gogo also offers Ka band satellite connectivity and built its business on ground-based cell-tower technology in the United States.

“Betamax” risk

The improving systems mean customers will demand better connections. Some frequent fliers with status on several airlines say they choose flights based on Wi-Fi availability.

“It becomes an ante at the table,” said Jonathan Schildkraut, an analyst at Evercore Partners, which co-managed Gogo’s IPO last June.

But the variety of systems poses tough decisions for airlines, which risk choosing a technology that could become outdated.

Ingram, the CFO of Hawaiian Airlines, said the choice and cost of a system is especially important for his fleet since it mostly carries people on vacation – people who don’t want to be tethered to the office.

“The technology in the Wi-Fi space for trans-Pacific flying is still evolving,” he said, “so we haven’t made any final decisions yet.”

German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG knows the perils. It originally worked with Connexion, a Boeing unit developing in-flight Wi-Fi that operated a decade ago but failed to attract enough customers.

“We were a little bit unfortunate,” CEO Christoph Franz said in an interview. “We had spent millions to equip our aircraft.”

Lufthansa has since outfitted more than 90 percent of its long-haul planes with satellite connectivity.

But it is taking a step-by-step approach for other planes, outfitting about 30 Airbus A321 aircraft with a system that can stream content from an onboard server to handheld devices, but doesn’t connect to the internet.

“We need a decent provider for that, but we didn’t want our customers to wait,” Franz said. He expects a “triple-digit-million” euro investment to outfit the full fleet.

“We are ready to do this,” he said. “But we have to look at the bill. We will see which system at the end of the day turns out to be the most affordable and the fastest.”

source: interaksyon.com

Snowstorm sweeps across US Northeast, trapping Super Bowl fans

NEW YORK - A fast-moving winter storm swept into the Northeast on Monday, yet again forcing flight cancellations, slowing traffic and proving weather-forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil right.

Travelers leaving the New York City area after Sunday night's Super Bowl championship football game faced long delays at the region's airports and risky driving on snow-covered roads.

Hardest hit by the storm-related flight delays and cancellations was Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, the closest to the stadium where the Denver Broncos fell to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 in the National Football League's matchup.

"Only thing worse than sitting through awful game last night is now sitting at airport on weather delay, probable cancellation," tweeted Nick Griffith, sports director at TV station Fox 31 in Denver, adding the hashtag "#longtrip."

The storm was expected to drop 4 to 8 inches of snow on an area stretching from eastern Kentucky to eastern New York state, the National Weather Service said.

"Snow is coming down faster than we can plow it," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference.

He said efforts to plow city streets were aimed at an improved performance over the cleanup of a big storm in late January.

In that storm, some residents of Manhattan's tony Upper East Side neighborhood claimed their streets were ignored as part of the mayor's key campaign theme of addressing income inequality.

"The response to the last storm obviously left something to be desired," de Blasio said at the news conference.

He said New York City has adjusted how it responds to storms by coordinating agency efforts, changing snow removal routes and scouting conditions in various neighborhoods.

"It's good we got the Super Bowl done so well" before the storm hit, added de Blasio, whose city shared in the Super Bowl hosting honors with New Jersey.

At Newark Airport across the Hudson River in New Jersey, 204 flights were canceled as of mid-afternoon on Monday, according to Flightaware.com, an online site that tracks air traffic.

Plenty of football fans were stewing after getting stuck for hours on Sunday trying to board trains to and from the game at the New Jersey Transit hub station of Secaucus Junction.

"So, folks spent $1500+ for the honor of 3 hours to get in their seats, 6 hours to leave, & now 3 hour snow delay at the airport," noted one observer on Twitter.

Declaring it the first-ever "Transit Bowl," New Jersey Transit tweeted that it transported more than 33,000 fans, which it said was four times as many people as the National Football League had predicted.

Thanks to the wet snowstorm, delays and cancellations also plagued New York's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, as well as Philadelphia International Airport.

The small Teterboro Airport near the football stadium in New Jersey, which handles the private jets that would whisk away celebrities and other moneyed Super Bowl attendees, also reported delays, Flightaware.com said.

"All the people came here for the Super Bowl thinking "Jersey ain't bad" are probably now stuck in the airport for the rest of the day," tweeted Jonathan Chung.

Across the United States, 1,669 flights were canceled, Flightaware.com said.

Driving was hazardous along the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington north to Boston, according to meteorologists.

The storm blew in after dumping several inches of snow in the Ohio Valley on Sunday, the day famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, saw his shadow and - as the legend goes - predicted six more weeks of winter.

Still more wintry weather lay ahead, the New York mayor said.

"The fact is that we are facing not one, not two, but three storms potentially this week," he said.

A second storm was likely to arrive in the region on Tuesday night and a third on the weekend, he said.

The National Weather Service on Monday issued winter storm warnings for sections of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as New Jersey, Delaware and New York City and its surrounding areas.

source: interaksyon.com

Four days in Yangon

Yangon today reminds me of China in the early ’90s when the latter had just decided to open up to capitalism and the West.  Just 20 years ago the main form of transport for the average Beijing resident was a bicycle and the tallest buildings in Shanghai were the colonial structures along the Bund.  Then, one could look up and see a great deal of clear sky, walk around and peek into centuries-old streets and homes still populated by their original communities.  One could still immerse oneself in a type of living that was not frantic as we like it now in more developed places in Asia, but unhurried and far more in tune with a human being’s real needs-food, shelter, light company. Similarly, the urban landscape of Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar (once Burma) and still its largest city, is one I had never thought to see again, harking back, as it does, to an era I associate with the East India Company and the author of The Jungle Book.

Development is coming to Yangon — you can tell by the rising levels of dust — but so far, newer and less interesting block buildings are still outnumbered by British colonial buildings, government, religious or residential, alternating between the refurbished and crumbling.  Driving around the city, one passes brick villas succumbing to the small forests that have overrun abandoned estates, towering bright red and white cathedrals, confections of perfectly turned out colonial era government buildings and squat, sturdy and still useful early twentieth century hospitals and schools.  Walking back to my hotel from a meeting by the river, I meandered through streets lined with colorful four-, even five-story high pre-war residential structures, their upper floors accessible only by narrow steep stairs, their pocked balustrades covered with drying clothes, ropes and potted plants.

One evening I had dinner at a small restaurant, run by a street children foundation, located on the second floor of one of these buildings. I was the only one there and the young men in charge thoughtfully set my table on the small terrace overlooking the street.  As I chewed on my traditional Burmese tea leaf salad and wondered whether I would go into anaphylactic shock from the peanuts I was sure were in it, I gazed on the pretty toddler in a white dress trying to clamber onto or through the green stone balustrade bordering the terrace just opposite mine and the groups of people squatted down in low stools and tables at the yoghurt restaurant which had taken up much of the street below.

The streets of downtown Yangon are arranged in a grid and seemed each to be devoted to one or other good or trade; one was dominated by graphic design shops, another to metal tools, still another was home to a wet market and another to a large structure filled with every kind of cloth — cloths for blankets, towels, or traditional longyis. The streets to the north of the city are more winding, taking one around cool, leafy suburbs of sprawling hotels, golf courses and palatial mansions which would not look out of place in Singapore.  The latter, bordered by high walls covered by rows of lethal-looking razor wire, reminded me that, as is true for most beautiful things, Yangon, for all its grace and charm, has much darker stories to tell.

It is in this area, close to the smaller of the city’s two lakes, that the Bogyoke Aung San Museum is located.  Once open only for three hours a year on Martyr’s Day, the white and black colonial-era villa was the last home of General Aung San, founder of the country’s modern army, author of its freedom from British colonial rule and father of its most famous dissident, Aung San Suu Kyi.  Built on top of a terraced hill, one which the general apparently farmed himself, the museum houses old photographs of the family, of the General himself, a strikingly handsome man with a resolute gaze in his 30s, and, idiosyncratically, a replica of the kind of simple meal he liked to eat and a small collection of his books, including a full list of them posted on a piece of paper tacked to the wall above the locked glass book shelf.  It made sense that the list was made up mostly by books on strategy and war.  At the bottom of the hill is a small green pond where, not long after the General’s assassination, his second son drowned.



 I have saved a description of the most awe-inspiring sight in Yangon for last, seeing as the sight of what Rudyard Kipling called “Burma’s greatest pagoda” blazing in the night was the thing I saw of Myanmar before my plane wheeled away for home.  The Shwedagon Pagoda is built on top of a hill and dominates the skyline of Yangon.  Guarded at one of its four gates by two colossal lions from which issued the longest murmuration I had ever seen, it can only be reached by a waterfall of of steep stairs (there are also now escalators).  At the end of the climb one finds oneself on a platform of white stone surrounded on all sides by hundreds of Buddhas, stupas and lesser pagodas, ranging from the dazzling and filigreed to the simple and elegant, throwing in a few garish ones for good measure.   And towering above everything, gilded in actual gold, its top encrusted with thousands of diamonds, including a 70-carat one, is that, as Kipling described it, “beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun,” that “golden dome (which) said ‘This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.’”

source: philstar.com

Motive still unclear behind LAX shooting

LOS ANGELES - Police were hunting for a motive Saturday after a gunman opened fire at the Los Angeles International Airport, killing an unarmed security agent, terrifying hundreds, and sowing chaos at the busy transport hub.

Panicked travelers scrambled to escape after the shooter - identified as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia - armed with an assault rifle, blasted through a security checkpoint at the airport shortly after 9:00 am (1600 GMT) Friday.

Ciancia then walked calmly through the terminal seeking further victims. He was eventually stopped when police shot and wounded him.

TV footage showed people diving to the floor at the sound of gunfire and scrambling to escape the terminal.

The dead agent was the first Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee killed in the line of duty since the group was set up following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The lone gunman, who reportedly had a grudge against the TSA, also wounded seven people in the rampage.

But he was still carrying plenty of ammunition when he was arrested, said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

"There were more than 100 more rounds that could have literally killed everybody in that terminal today," he said, praising airport police. "If it were not for their actions, there could have been a lot more damage," he said.

While reports suggested Ciancia -- who was shot several times before he went down -- was a disgruntled loner, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it could not rule out terrorism.

The shooter opened fire in a crowded terminal of the country's third-busiest airport.

He "came into Terminal Three, pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and began to open fire," said Patrick Gannon, head of the airport police.

"He proceeded up into the screening area ... and continued shooting," he said.

Police chased the gunman, "engaged him in gunfire... and were able to successfully take him into custody."

'Disappointment in the government'

The TSA, which employs screeners at airports, confirmed that one of its employees had died. "Multiple Transportation Security Officers were shot, one fatally," said a TSA statement.

The FBI later named the shooter, and said that he was a Los Angeles resident originally from the eastern state of New Jersey.

Police found a note on the gunman voicing "disappointment in the government" but that he did not want to harm "innocent people," a law enforcement official told the Los Angeles Times newspaper.

It appeared that Ciancia was hunting for TSA agents. During the shooting spree, which lasted less than 10 minutes, he approached a number of people cowering in the terminal and pointed his gun at them, asking if there "were TSA."

If they answered "no," then he moved on, the Times reported, citing witnesses who said he cursed the TSA repeatedly.

Late Friday, the TSA identified the dead officer as Gerardo Hernandez, 39, US media reported.

Before the shooting, Ciancia texted his younger brother that he might harm himself, the Washington Post reported Saturday. This led the shooter's father to contact local New Jersey police, who in turn contacted their counterparts in Los Angeles.

LAPD officers visited Ciancia's home on Friday but could not find him, according to the Post.

Brian Adamick, 43, said he saw a wounded TSA worker, with a bloodied ankle, board a shuttle bus helping passengers escape.

"It looked like it was straight out of the movies," he said.

Some 750 flights were disrupted after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a national ground-stop.

Although there was no indication that other people were involved in the attack, the FBI said it could not rule out terrorism.

"It would be premature to comment on a motivation at this time and joint investigators have neither ruled out terrorism, nor ruled it in," said an FBI statement.

This being Los Angeles, a number of celebrities were caught up in the action.

Filming of an episode of the hit TV show "Mad Men" underway in nearby Terminal Four was halted, a crew member wrote on Twitter.

Actor James Franco posted a "selfie" picture of himself on a plane stopped on the tarmac by the incident.

"Some s**tbag shot up the place," he wrote in the first of a series of tweets, ending some five hours later with a more relieved message: "WE'RE OUT! - everyone was calm."

The shooting comes just weeks ahead of the stressful end-of-year travel period that includes Thanksgiving - traditionally the busiest travel time of the year - and Christmas.

source: interaksyon.com

One dead as gunman opens fire at Los Angeles international airport

A gunman opened fire with an assault rifle at Los Angeles' international (LAX) airport Friday, killing a security agent and wounding seven people, officials said.

Panicked travelers scrambled to escape after the lone suspect, named as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia, pulled out the gun and shot his way through a security checkpoint before being stopped in an exchange of fire with police.

The motive for the shooting was unclear, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it could not rule out terrorism. The gunman was reported to be in critical condition in hospital.



The shooter "came into Terminal Three, pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and began to open fire ... he proceeded up into the screening area ... and continued shooting," said LAX police chief Patrick Gannon.

He then doubled back into the main terminal area, as travelers rushed to get out, and reached a Burger King restaurant before officers "engaged him in gunfire ... and were able to successfully take him into custody."

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which employs screeners and guards at airports, confirmed one of its employees had died.

"Multiple Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) were shot, one fatally," said a TSA statement emailed to AFP.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper cited sources saying the shooter, who opened fire shortly after 9:00 a.m. in the crowded terminal was also believed to be a TSA employee at the airport, which is the country's third-biggest hub.

Gannon would not comment on that report, but said: "We believe at this point that there was a lone shooter," and that he "was the only person who was armed in this incident."

Of the seven people injured, six were taken to hospital, said the head of the LA Fire Department James Featherstone, briefing reporters for the first time a couple of hours after the incident.

One eyewitness recounted the shooter dressed in grayish-green clothing with an assault rifle opening fire as he went up an escalator and through the security area.

Live television footage showed armed police on the top of parking structures, apparently still looking for a possible gunman, while multiple ambulances were parked outside a terminal building.

Flights were disrupted and a "ground stop" was put in place, but about an hour after the incident erupted aircraft could be seen resuming landings at the airport, which is west of downtown Los Angeles.

Eyewitness Brian Adamick, 43, said he was preparing to board a flight when he saw people running through the terminal, away from a security area. He and others responded by going through an emergency exit onto the tarmac.

"While I was on the tarmac, I heard two gunshots from the same area where the people had been running and screaming," he told the LA Times.

A short time later shuttle buses began helping passengers to leave and he saw a wounded airport worker, from the TSA, board one bus, with a bloodied ankle.

"It looked like it was straight out of the movies," said Adamick.

Another non-US passenger, named only as Alex, said he was waiting in line on an upper terminal level when the shooter opened fire on the floor below.

"He shot one guy downstairs," he told KTLA 5, adding that the gunman then went up some escalators toward a security area.

"He fired several shots when he went through the security check," he said, adding: "He just went straight through the security check."

Eyewitness Eric Williams described the gunman to ABC7 television.

"We were standing in the TSA line to get checked through and all of a sudden we heard a shotgun. I saw the shooter and he was a Caucasian probably 18 to 25 years old," he said.

TV footage showed one person on a gurney, being loaded into an ambulance. Another victim was seen being rushed away on a wheelchair.

Hundreds of passengers could be seen streaming away from at least one terminal building, while multiple ambulances and emergency vehicles rushed to the scene.

The White House said President Barack Obama was kept up to date on the shooting.

source: interaksyon.com

Ayala Land Hotels & Resorts: Explore the joy of travel

There is a ubiquitous joy that is synonymous with travel. When we explore different places and synergize with various cultures, we acquire life-changing lessons that incite inspiration, creativity and productivity. If there is one trusted company that understands this more than anyone else, it is Ayala Land. Since 2010, the company has been keeping up with the growth of the hospitality industry via its subsidiary, Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. Starting with its very first five star hotel, InterContinental Manila, AHRC has grown its portfolio to impressive proportions in just two years. AHRC now offers a variety of hotels and resorts that cater to different types of travelers. AHRC spells the difference between living and living well. Affable AHRC group head Junie Jalandoni proudly announced that in addition to the cornerstone hotel whose location is pivotal to the business and commerce industry, InterContinental Manila today has several sister hotels under the AHRC portfolio — global hotel brands like the Fairmont Raffles Makati, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first AHRC hotel line Seda Hotels in BGC in Taguig, Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro and Seda Abreeza in Davao and the pristine eco-luxury resorts El Nido Resorts that include Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort in El Nido, Apulit Island Resort in Taytay and the newest portal to paradise, Pangalusian Island Resort.

The best of Filipino hospitality and excellent customer service is embodied in all their properties for both global and local branded hotels and resorts. Worthy to note, Ayala Land’s core value is its customer orientation and this value is reinforced in all its hotels and resorts.

Way back in 1969, there was the InterContinental Manila and everything revolved around it. I remember my siblings and I would tag along with our grandfather Patrocinio Dayrit who was a member of the enduring 365 Club that would regularly converge at the Jeepney Coffee Shop. Like many other families, our family has celebrated several milestones in this hotel. Ayala Land indeed sees beyond generations. Forty-four years later, InterContinental Manila continues to offer the same familiar Filipino hospitality. Manny Rofel, who is in the concierge team of the hotel, shared that he and around 20 colleagues have been with the hotel for almost three decades. He vouches that the InterContinental Manila continues to be a legacy in the hotel industry with an established clientele of loyal patrons from here and abroad through the years.

A goal is a dream with a deadline. To prove this, Jalandoni added: “From 2009 when AHRC decided to focus on aggressively expanding our hotels and resorts in a variety of market segments, we now have 2,000 rooms and envision to have 4,000 more by 2016 or earlier. It was a leap of faith for us to venture into this direction for our hotels and resorts in 2009, but the results are definitely worth the pursuit.”

I was blessed with the opportunity to experience all these unique hotel offerings and declare that to appreciate each hotel and resort’s brand promise, you must try them for yourself.

Walking into the ultra-luxurious Raffles Makati (as one is warmly welcomed by its charming director of communications Monique Toda) is akin to being transported back to the time of regal opulence and elegance reminiscent of the famed Raffles hotel in Singapore named after the illustrious explorer Sir Stamford Raffles. The Long Bar patterned after the original Long Bar in Singapore and The Writers Bar in Raffles Makati surrounded by leather-bound books remain my favorite oases. The hotel is a living museum with 1,800 commissioned artworks by Filipino artists.



Traipsing down nearby Fairmont Makati sweeps one to the iconic enclave of old-world class with modern touches. Embark on an intimate retreat of relaxation and rejuvenation at its luxurious Willow Stream Spa. Fairmont Makati offers an exclusive lifestyle experience called “Fairmont Gold.” Designed for the most discerning business and leisure traveller, guests are known by their name and room preferences are honored.

My recollection of past visits to the Fairmont Vancouver located conveniently near the cruise terminal, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, which is a stunning UNESCO heritage castle and the Fairmont Hotels in Ghirardelli and Knob Hill in ritzy San Francisco made my heart skip a beat in excitement knowing that this privileged chain has a property in our shores that is known for stellar world-class amenities and service.

From The Fairmont Raffles, I walked a few blocks to the Holiday Inn & Suites and tried the Citron Lobby bar, which features a unique menu based on flavors and your specific blood type. The contemporary themed bar by the relaxing pool at the roof deck is an impressive nook of eclectic colors. The hotel’s lobby and public areas are tastefully styled by the country’s only floral architect Rachy Cuna, whose first job was as a museum volunteer at Ayala Museum before becoming its curator in the ‘80s. Even the floral installations at the lobby of InterContinental Manila are ingeniously done by Rachy.



To cater to the local market, AHRC has introduced Seda hotels at the heart of the country’s most dynamic destinations. AHRC Chief Operating Officer Al Legaspi announced that the company is planning six more hotels under its four-star Seda brand and will diversify its portfolio with the addition of Seda suites, Seda resorts, and larger properties with 400-500 rooms. At the moment, Seda hotels offer between150 to 200 keys. “That’s the model for Seda. We want to be in Ayala Land’s mixed-use developments where we maximize synergies with our malls, office buildings and residential properties.” Legaspi added.

Truly, AHRC values moments that perpetuate through time. My niece Christel Boncan and her fiancé Mike Constantino are exchanging vows on Nov. 15 this year. Their wedding celebration will unfold at Seda Bonifacio Global City. Mike proposed to Christel at Straight Up, Seda’s breathtaking roofdeck bar. Since then, this charming, cozy, Filipino inspired hotel with complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and inspiring interiors by Ann Pamintuan and Kenneth Cobonpue has been their preferred hotel. Seda’s rooms are fitted with ports for gadgets and electronics that ensure guests stay connected.

Jetting down to the south, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel is ready to let its guests experience the AHRC welcome. It is nestled next to Ayala Center Cebu, a sprawling shopping complex that has since been the lifestyle center of the South. Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first international hotel brand in Cebu City, had recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in February. It has a newly renovated grand ballroom and meeting spaces, making it the newest event space in the city. The hotel also refreshed its menus and banquet service. Through the years, Cebu City Marriott Hotel has continued to offer genuine hospitality and care – always going the extra mile, finding brilliant ways to serve guests.

Travel + Leisure magazine recently proclaimed Palawan as the best island for international travelers, besting even the Maldives. AHRC has four properties in El Nido, Palawan that include Miniloc, Lagen, Apulit and Pangalusian. All these properties are designed to bring out the natural beauty of the location and are a testament to AHRC’s commitment to sustainable practices. In this paradise, one can surely feel God’s omnipresence as the divine designer of all creation. Once you step into these tropical sanctuaries, you will be graciously greeted: “Welcome to the most beautiful place in the world.”

El Nido Resorts president Laurent Lamasuta shared, “Miniloc and Lagen resorts are globally recognized for embracing nature-based guest activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and island hopping. The Apulit Island resort is a retreat back to the essentials as the place commands a sense of serenity and reverence. Pangulasian Island is the most luxurious among the eco-island resorts of El Nido Resorts. All the years of sustainable operations and best practices from the other resorts are put in place here. Having an 800 meter stretch of white sand, it’s an all villa resort that has views of both sunrise and sunset,” Lamasuta adds.

With the expansion of hotels and resorts in the country comes a serious commitment for sustainability. Legaspi shared that even the orientation of the buildings, the kind of materials used and the way they built their properties were taken into consideration right from the project planning stage.

As we continue to pursue the joy of travel, AHRC provides the choice venues where these memories and milestones will unfold. It seeks to send guests home with the intangibles like emotional and blissful memories, not just tangible souvenirs. More significantly, it doesn’t just build edifices — it builds priceless dreams and memories.

Every choice you make creates a statement about who you are. Though AHRC properties are profoundly different from each other, they all possess an aesthetic sense of place. Ayala Land goes beyond amenities by providing Filipino hospitality and service that match the unparalleled beauty of the destination.

AHRC holds true to its promise, “We see beyond hotels and resorts, we see the joy of travel.”

source: philstar.com

5 things to do in Phuket

MANILA, Philippines - Phuket has gained its popularity over the years as one of the most affordable and friendliest vacation spots in Southeast Asia. Located south of Thailand and with tourism as its main source of income, Phuket welcomes millions of tourists annually.

One never runs out of things to do in Phuket. Aside from its world-famous beaches in Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay, it is also considered a haven for culture and art-lovers, shoppers, and adventure-seekers.

Apart from beach bumming, here’s a quick rundown of the top five things to do in Phuket:

• Visit old Phuket town. Take a trip down memory lane and get a glimpse of Phuket’s rich Sino-Portuguese history. Join organized street tours for first-hand insights on Phuket’s glorious past, traditions and culture. Be sure to include in your itinerary a guided road trip of Phang Nga, Thalang, Soi Rommanee, Dibuk, Crabee and Ranong. Don’t forget to drop by the Amulet Market where charms are blessed by Buddhist monks that are said to bring good luck.

• Try scuba-diving. Some of the world’s best dive sites can be found in Phuket. The rich and diverse marine life is a diver’s dream come true. Plan day trips to local dive sites in various points in Phuket such as Racha Noi, Phi Phi Islands, Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and Similan Islands. Expert dive guides are well-versed in English and a number of other Asian and European languages.

• Experience world-class spa and massage. A trip to Phuket is never complete without a relaxing, signature Thai massage. With the island’s natural serene beauty as backdrop, enjoy a totally rejuvenating spa experience in award-winning therapeutic centers, resorts and hotels. Needless to say, Phuket is a spa connoisseur’s heaven on earth.

• Catch a Muay Thai fight. For adrenaline-pumping action, try watching a live fight of Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand. Stadiums are located across Phuket and demonstrations are held especially for tourists. Training camps accept beginners who want to experience actual kick-boxing in the ring.

• Enjoy Phuket’s pulsating nightlife. Phuket is also the place to be for night owls and party people. Festivities abound in Patong Beach, the most popular beach town in Phuket. Hundreds of restaurants, bars, discos and shops light up the town from sundown to sunset.

Tigerair Philippines now flies to Phuket twice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday, with return flights every Wednesday and Sunday. Base fare costs as low as P999 per way.

“Tigerair continues to push boundaries in low-cost travel with its high performance standards and innovative services that connect Filipinos to the rest of the world. Ultimately, we want our passengers to have that unforgettable, hassle-free travel experience with their families and friends,” says Olive Ramos, president and CEO of Tigerair Philippines.

Tigerair flies domestic via NAIA Terminal 4 with Manila-Cebu, Manila-Bacolod, Manila-Iloilo, Manila-Kalibo, Manila-Puerto Princesa, and Manila-Tacloban flights.

Aside from Manila-Phuket, its other international flights include Clark-Hong Kong, Clark-Bangkok, Clark-Singapore, Clark-Kalibo, and Kalibo-Singapore.

For more information on Tiger Airways Philippines, visit www.tigerair.com or call the hotline +632 798-4488.

source: philstar.com

Handmade meets high-tech

Today’s most prized items are those where “handmade meets high-tech,” whether it’s a couture dress, a designer bag or an artisanal piece of jewelry.

It’s no different in the world of travel, where the human touch, coupled with space-age technology, can elevate something as mundane as a suitcase into an object so perfect you feel it’s almost a shame to use it.

I thought I’d reached luggage nirvana with Rimowa’s polycarbonate range, but it turns out I’d only scratched the surface (pun not intended). While Rimowa’s Salsa Air series has become the jetsetter’s “it” bag in the Philippines, in countries abroad it’s the brand’s aluminum collections that actually dominate the market.

Rimowa’s long-time customers are aware that Aluminum  (or Al, for you Breaking Bad fans out there) is actually the DNA and core material of the German brand, which has been around for over 100 years.

Groovy history 


In 1898, when wooden suitcases were the norm, Rimowa founder Paul Morszeck resolved to produce the lightest possible luggage and started making travel trunks out of leather, which soon caught on with the fashionable, high-society set.



It was his son Richard, after whom the company is named — Richard Morszeck Warenzeichen (Trademark) — who capitalized on more high-tech aluminum, inspired by the material and design of Junkers aircraft. The silver metal was so durable it was used to construct airplanes, and yet so light it facilitated liftoff. Thus, Rimowa was the first to manufacture aluminum trunks in 1937, followed by aluminum suitcases in 1950.

Always intent on creating the next innovation, Rimowa found that pressing grooves into the metal allowed for the greatest possible stability with the least amount of weight. Consequently this literal wrinkle was added, and Rimowa’s grooved design quickly became emblematic of the brand. When you talk about Rimowa, you’re basically talking about groovy aluminum luggage, or, as their latest ad campaign puts it, “the original luggage with the grooves.”

First-class travel companions

According to Erica Ilacad, Adora’s communications manager, first-time customers who buy aluminum tend to prefer Rimowa’s Topas range, the brand’s signature, which was first introduced in the 1950s but still remains some of the lightest and sturdiest luggage available today.

The hardcases are made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy that protects your luggage contents from high humidity and extreme fluctuations of temperature, making it an ideal choice for tropical weather conditions.

Inside is a height-adustable system of packing dividers that lets you organize your belongings in the most efficient, neatest way possible. An extra garment bag is even provided for ultimate clothing care.

The telescoping handle features a new technology. While my Salsa Air handle stops at two heights, the aluminum range offers stageless adjustment, so you can set the handle to any height you wish, and the ergonomic shape lets you push and pull the luggage with ease.

Back in the day when I used to wrestle with tiny padlocks and keys, I would encounter every possible nightmare situation, from locking my suitcase with the key still inside to leaving my key case at the hotel or airport.

I no longer have to worry about such things with Rimowa’s TSA-approved combination locks, which are recessed right into the luggage frames so you can do away with padlocks and keys altogether. Now all I need to remember is my combination number.

The Multiwheel system, which lets you roll the case smoothly and effortlessly over uneven ground even if it’s packed to the gills, is now as hushed as the interiors of a luxury car as well, thanks to a new wheel housing with cushioned axles.

A new feature I’m particularly fond of is the Add a Bag holder, which gives you the option of attaching a handbag, attaché or beauty case to your luggage, thereby freeing up your other hand and performing a kindness to your shoulders and back.



Not heavy, but light metal

The Topas line encompasses a trio of collections. While the original Topas is a striking silver, Topas Titanium possesses all the above features plus distinctive style. Interiors are lined in high-quality poly-jacquard in brown, to match the smoky golden exterior. Topas Stealth boasts all of that plus a trendy new look in elegant black — as sleek as the Stealth Bomber in black anodized aluminum.

Each collection has multiple suitcase sizes that cater to your every travel need — from the two-week vacation to the three-day business trip to the overnight getaway. For businesspeople there’s the Business Trolley, which acts as a mobile office with its many practical, removable compartments. The Beauty Case, meanwhile, features packing options for all your fragile bottles and containers.

If you really want to go retro, the aluminum Classic Flight collection combines the vintage look of the early days of aviation (handcrafted leather handles, a decorative inner lining and packing straps) with the modern characteristics of 21st-century luggage (silver aluminum-magnesium shells, telescopic handle, smooth-rolling Multiwheel system and TSA combination locks).

Another interesting thing about aluminum: it gets better with use and age. Though I rue every scratch and dent on my polycarbonate suitcases, the normal wear and tear of travel actually enhances the look of aluminum. Like the laugh lines on a person’s face, the marks you leave on your aluminum luggage only add to its character and uniqueness, making it more beautiful.

Personally, I can’t think of a better way of immortalizing all the memories from my travels.

source: philstar.com

Palawan, Boracay top World’s Best Islands list

MANILA, Philippines - Palawan has dislodged Boracay as the best island for international travelers, based on a recent survey conducted by New York-based Travel+Leisure magazine.

This is the first time that Palawan became part of the international travel magazine’s list, even pushing Boracay, which previously ruled the rankings, to second place.

In the survey dubbed “2013 World’s Best” conducted from December 2012 to April 2013, Travel+Leisure magazine readers gave Palawan a score of 95.04 points as against Boracay’s 93.58.




The respondents selected for the survey rated the islands based on their natural attractions and beaches as well as their activities, food and people.

Palawan and Boracay beat other world-famous islands in the list, even those that are in Travel+Leisure’s hall of fame.

The island of Maui in Hawaii ranked third this year, followed by Santorini in Greece and Prince Edward Island in Canada.



Other islands in the top 10 list were Bali in Indonesia, Kauai in Hawaii, Sicily in Italy, Koh Samui in Thailand and the Galapagos in Ecuador.

Last year, Palawan hogged the limelight after its famous tourist attraction, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, was named one of the new seven wonders of nature.


source: philstar.com

Everything you need at Quest Hotel-Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - It’s an exciting time to be in Cebu City right now. The Queen City of the South lives up to its name, thanks to its robust economy and booming tourism industry. A major destination in the country for locals and foreigners alike, Cebu offers plenty of opportunities for businesspeople and vacationers all year-round. Answering the need for a perfect place to stay in the city is the Quest Hotel Conference Center-Cebu.

The first, and important, rule of running a business is having a good location. Quest Hotel has that and more. The hotel, located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, is just minutes away from the central business district. And right across the street is Ayala Center-Cebu, one of the premier shopping malls in the city. Less than half an hour away is the famous Magellan’s Cross as well as the seaport. Travel time from the Mactan International Airport to the hotel is about 45 minutes.

Quest Hotel is a three-star establishment that strives to give guests the best value for their money. From the location to the hotel’s clean and modern design aesthetic, many will be delighted at what they will see. “We call ourselves the ‘Great Value Hotel,’” says Karen Mendoza, executive assistant manager. “We have been doing so well in terms of occupancy, considering the competition surrounding us. Our rates are really very reasonable.”

Aimed at the corporate market, Quest Hotel offers a simple yet adequate kind of stay for people who place a premium on value. Ten state-of-the-art meeting rooms can accommodate anywhere from 10 people for small meetings to 150 people for large corporate events, celebrations, and other gatherings. Four different room types offer basic amenities, but all are outfitted with king-size beds and are covered with free Wi-Fi. Wide-screen TVs, a safe, and mini bar come standard for the deluxe, premier deluxe, junior and corporate suites — basically all that anyone needs for a comfortable stay. Mendoza says, “Room amenities are basic. There are some you need to request (if you need them) like dental kits, etc., but we don’t want our guests to worry about anything because everything is here. We have a pool on the seventh floor and one big restaurant at the lobby level.”


That would be the Pusô Bistro & Bar. Named after Cebu’s unique “hanging” rice, which is wrapped and cooked in young coconut leaves shaped like a human heart, the restaurant serves many local and international dishes with an all-you-can-eat buffet at P499 per person. The name serves a double purpose for Quest Hotel and, according to Mendoza, it is reflective of the “uncomplicated” type of service they offer.




For a three-star hotel to truly shine, the efficiency and quality of service of its staff has to be excellent. And that’s a level that Quest Hotel employees all strive for. “It’s service from the heart,” Mendoza continues. “It speaks for itself.” And according to her, they must be doing something right in that regard. Karen shares that on review site TripAdvisor.com, Quest Hotel ranks fourth in positive guest reviews among the 68 hotels in Cebu. “Most of the guest comments say they like staying at Quest because of the great location, value for money, great service and modern feel.” That’s the kind of feedback that every hotel dreams of.

“We want guests to enjoy their stay and to come back,” says Mendoza. “And we have been very successful in achieving that because we have a lot of returning guests.” That’s great news for a hotel that has been around for only a little over a year. It shows how a little quality service goes a long way. The journey has just begun for Quest Hotel, but already, the future looks bright.


 Quest Hotel and Conference Center-Cebu is located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Cebu City. For inquiries or reservations, call (+6332) 402-5999, fax at (+6332) 402-5998, e-mail at CebuInfo@Quest-Hotels.Com or log on to Cebu.QuestHotels.com.

source: philstar.com

The age of Discovery

MANILA, Philippines - How do you top paradise?

How do you make “the best” even better?

That’s the challenge for any beach resort on the Philippines’ most famous beach island of Boracay. But only Discovery Shores has a winning formula that’s been singled out by Travel + Leisure magazine, which named it the “Top Hotel Spa in Asia” in its 2012 survey, and included it on its World’s Best Hotels list for three years running.

We were there for a special media event during Earth Hour — Discovery Shores was awarding its annual “Top Producers,” those travel agencies that had generated the most bookings for the resort paradise. Awardees were flown in to the island (by sponsor Seair) and pampered with a two-night stay. As Discovery Shores sales and marketing director Joy Anne C. Denoga told us, it was a night to showcase “the best of the best.” Toward that end, we enjoyed an excellent beachside menu of Alaskan gindara and grilled Palawan lobster prepared by a two-Michelin star chef, Anthony Raymond. We watched, during the lights-out Earth Hour, as the Manila Boys and Girls Black Light Theater lit up the shoreline with a fluorescent spectacle (set to Katy Perry’s Fireworks, Black Eyed Peas’ Time of My Life, et al) that trumpeted the resort’s special place in the pantheon of Bora beach getaways.

Again, how does Discovery Shores excel at something that’s practically perfect already? Boracay is regarded as one of the top beach destinations in the world. Not to take anything away from the proud awardees (Hana Tours, which does a brisk business in selling Korean honeymoon and wedding packages to Discovery Shores, won the top honors), but how hard can it be to sell tickets to paradise? Well, it turns out it’s this extra effort that makes the resort such a memorable experience. While agreeing that write-ups in Travel + Leisure, The New York Times and even the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World guide are “a great help, a boost in our popularity,” Denoga said that maintaining Discovery Shore’s excellence becomes even more important: “We need to make sure that we do deliver, because people have high expectations. We want to deliver because, honestly, it’s good for the Philippines. It’s really about local pride.”

So how do they go the extra mile? Well, it’s worth noting that, in Discovery Shores, your enjoyment is meant to be seamless: from the moment you enter the wooden platform and check in until you check out. Your initial view of the beachfront is mesmerizing. “It’s like entering a dream,” Therese remarked, gazing at the serene blue waters, the perfect sky, the paddle boarders lazily drifting by, the trademark white globes and cocktail tables dotting the sand. And from the moment you arrive, your experience is meant to be effortless. Yet, as with most effortless things, it’s not surprising to learn that lots of people are working behind the scenes to make yours a memorable stay. We noticed first, upon entering our room, a banner welcoming us for our stay; then we spotted a dessert dish with chocolates and a cupcake topped by the Philippine STAR logo. Other little touches — the iPod dock, the wooden tic-tac-toe game, the bedside rack of classic Western novels (The Great Gatsby, Sense and Sensibility, etc.) — remind you this is a place that’s always seeking to win you over.


Well, they had us at the incredible junior suite (one of 88 available rooms), with its raised bed and personal foot-bathing area; the balcony that’s perfect for gazing out across the Boracay treeline and swimming  pool below; they continued to raise the bar as we sauntered past the lobby desk (with its glass jar of Easter cookies for guests to nibble), its billiards table and children’s recreation room and library with computers for Internet use; then it was a stroll down to the (still) perfect white-powder sand to a couple of sprawling beach chairs, where we were quickly attended to by Discovery Shores’ staff (beachfront butlers) who presented beach towels and a cool carafe of pandan water. Later, if you need a ride to D’Mall or other Bora locations, just ask: Discovery Shores provides free shuttle service.



 Then there was the jar of Choconut candies discreetly placed at our table as we waited for our al fresco lunch to arrive. Not a moment passed when our needs went unattended.



So: just imagine you’ve arrived at the Pearly Gates, and you see Saint Peter standing there. And you sheepishly ask, “Do you have anything up here that’s… just a little bit more special?”

That’s Discovery Shores.

Located at Station 1’s White Beach, set back comfortably from its commanding beachfront, this resort still offers the bluest waters, the nicest sand to squash between your toes, and that extra bit of seclusion that’s getting harder to come by in Station 2’s summer party zone. Yet you’re still a barefooted beach walk away from the action, if that’s what you crave.

Food is something else that sets Discovery Shores apart. With chef Raymond as the executive chef of Discovery properties (previously he was with Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills, preparing for a flurry of very particular Hollywood stars), the food at Indigo is awesome enough to earn it two features in Philippine Tatler’s Best Restaurants List, as well as being shortlisted in the 2010/2011 Miele Guide to Asia’s Best Restaurants.

Resident manager Leeds Trompeta pointed out that Discovery Shores has a loyal following of repeat guests, people who book their next three or four stays in advance, sometimes even the same rooms. And let’s not forget weddings: Discovery Shores arranges about 15-20 a year, from elaborate to simple, all of them memorable — like the American/Filipina couple who held a full-scale nuptial on the beachfront just a day before our arrival, complete with a seven-foot wedding cake. The staff works with wedding planners and guests to get every detail right. The wedding and honeymoon market is particularly strong among Korean guests, notes Trompeta.

Another highlight was a visit to Discovery Shore’s award-winning Terra Spa. The 90-minute Terra’s Touch signature treatment is thoroughly relaxing: choose from four oil blends — Alaga with rosemary and ginger (soothing), Sigla with lemongrass and peppermint (energizing), Gayuma with ylang ylang and palmarosa essential oils (for romance) or Hulay with ylang ylang and lavender oils (for relaxing). Let Scott describe his experience: “Being a Gemini, I’m attuned to a certain symmetry in most things: my left and right side should be equally balanced, especially during a massage. At Terra, I was pleased to find that the series of signature strokes was delivered with exactly the same pressure and in the same sequence to both my right and left sides.” (Yes, that’s a little OCD, but Geminis do notice such things.)

Therese, always on the lookout for the best ways to take the hurting from her flamenco-abused feet, also tried the one-hour Dagdagay, a native treatment in which two sticks are used to massage the feet to stimulate blood circulation. “Though the therapist scratching your feet with the sticks takes some getting used to (I was trying not to laugh, actually), the rolling motions were really soothing. I can’t wait to do this again in Manila!”

Discovery Shores is the kind of place where people like to nestle and feel at home. Seeing those colored globes and tables lighting up the beach at night, wandering its tranquil wooden walkways, curling up with a book or a drink on its shaded lounge chairs and sofas — surrounded by the pacifying sound of waves crashing into the shore — you feel something akin to being home. This is the experience that Discovery Shores has raised to a level as fine as the white sands.


 To book your stay at Discovery Shores this summer, contact 719-8888 in Manila, e-mail inquiry@discovery.com.ph  or dsbrsvn@discovery.com.ph, or visit their website (www.discoveryshoresboracay.com).

source: philstar.com

Trakdot luggage delivers peace of mind to travelers

Air travelers concerned about their valuables now have a simple, affordable luggage tracking solution from Trakdot.

The Trakdot Luggage tracker fits into a checked bag and reports city location in real time to any mobile, Apple, Android, or SMS capable devices. For the first time, Trakdot Luggage gives airline passengers unprecedented control at a wallet-friendly price, allowing them to keep track of checked-in luggage anywhere mobile phones work.

Trakdot Luggage is built for travel convenience, with a palm-sized tracker that is ultra-light and fits easily into any size bag. The luggage locator system delivers city-specific information on the whereabouts of checked baggage in real time. Even if the Trakdot protected bag does not reach the desired destination, passengers will still have the reassurance of knowing which city their luggage is in.

Once the device is registered on the Trakdot website and placed inside a checked bag, it will deliver location information directly to the user’s mobile phone or SMS device via text or email. Alternatively, travelers can track their luggage on Trakdot.com or use the free Trakdot Luggage app. An additional app alerts passengers as their baggage approaches on the carousel, making it easier than ever for them to find their bag.

The retail package includes the Trakdot Luggage device, luggage tag, and batteries. It works globally with any cell phone or SMS enabled device for a low annual price. Each device can be linked to multiple phones, and each phone can track multiple devices. For added convenience, Trakdot Luggage owners can track or locate bags on the web at www.Trakdot.com using a secure log-in.

source: interaksyon.com

Live and play at Marriott Hotel Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Combining the best in luxury hotel accommodations and a prime location, Marriott Hotel Manila is the ideal place to stay for either work or leisure.

This exquisitely appointed five-star hotel sits perfectly beside Manila’s most lavish entertainment complex, Resorts World Manila at Newport City, just across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Being a few steps away from a host of dining and entertainment options plus the convenient proximity to a bevy of transport options makes Marriott Hotel one of the must-stay destinations in Metro Manila.

According to Scott Sibley, general manager of Marriott Hotel Manila, people can expect a lot more from the hotel in the next couple of years. Ongoing is the construction of the Marriott Convention Center which is expected to open in January 2015. Located adjacent to the hotel property, the convention center will be linked to the main hotel via a walkway.

“It’s 6,900 square meters of meeting space and another 2,000 square meters of lobby space,” he says. “It’s three storys, an entire city block. You cannot miss it.”

Aside from this, Sibley says the Marriott will have an additional 200 rooms constructed on a separate building which will also be linked to the convention center. All three structures will be connected by the planned walkway.

Sibley adds: “This will make us the largest five-star convention center in the Philippines. This will be a one-stop shop — you come in, book your wedding, your event, your function, your car show, whatever it is, and then it will be dressed up like a five-star hotel and ballroom with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. You will be able to do whatever you want and we will service it.”

The addition of the convention center is expected to generate 600 new jobs for the hotel. As one of the largest hotel chains in the world, Marriott’s fastest growth has recently been in China, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sibley says Marriott Hotel Manila is poised to join the ranks of its sister hotels. He predicts: “In the next decade, the Philippines will be our next hottest spot, not just in Metro Manila, but in the whole nation.”





Stationed in Manila for almost a year now, Sibley had his start as an executive chef at Marriott 29 years ago. Last stationed at the Marriott in Guam, he reveals that 98 percent of his staffers back there were Filipinos. So, it was not as hard a transition as one would expect.

“Marriot’s known for its service,” Sibley enthuses. “The takeaway here is the Filipino hospitality — how great and fun it is to be in the Philippines, how friendly Filipinos are and how much (guests) enjoy the service here. The hospitality of the Filipinos is outstanding; it’s probably the best in the world. The natural resources here are amazing. Three of the beaches are probably some of the best beaches in the world. For people who like to dive there are some of the best diving spots in the world here.”

Although he heaps praise on the Philippines’ inherent wonders, Sibley is quick to add that Metro Manila is often taken for granted by many foreign tourists. “An hour away from here there’s so much to do,” he says. “I think it’s been overlooked for decades. In the future, I think you are going to see more and more people staying longer in Manila to see more of what it has to offer. This entertainment complex here itself is one of a kind in the Philippines. There’s nothing like Resorts World in the Philippines. You can stay here for three days and never leave the building.”

No truer words have been said. If you are not staying in one of Marriot Manila’s exquisitely appointed guest rooms, you will be spending time at the hotel’s many dining options and leisure facilities. There’s the Marriott Café, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. For relaxing there’s the Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and nearby, the Newport Mall and Cinema.

A Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms also make Marriott Hotel Manila the must-go destination for company meetings and group events from weddings to any kind of celebration.

As if being one of the world’s most successful hotel brands was not enough, Marriott Hotel Manila also engages in the “Spirit to Serve (STS)” campaign which the hotel’s founder started over 60 years ago. Sibley explains: “Mr. J.W. Marriott Jr., who is chairman of the board, has always said that we need to make places that we work in better places to live, work, and play. So we have always tried to give back to the community, in whatever country we are in.”

As it turns out, the STS efforts of Marriott Hotel Manila have impressed Sibley deeply.

“This hotel here does an outstanding job. I have been with Marriott about 29 years now, worked in 16 different countries. The job that the team does here is amazing.”

Marriott Hotel Manila’s STS partners include the Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Pasay City.

Sibley adds: “Last year we were able to raise P170,000 for Habitat for Humanity. We are doing that again this Christmas.” Chefs at the hotel have also fed about 4,000 kids this year in partnership with the Red Cross.

Marriott Hotel Manila has proven itself to be more than just one of the top luxury hotels in the city. It has shown its heart and spirit to serve, literally, that reflects deeply in the area it resides in. With the upcoming convention center, guests are given assurance of not just a luxury stay but also the experience of the best in Filipino hospitality.

source: philstar.com