Being a journalist has its perks.
You can get up close and personal with your favorite celebrities, receive free concert and movie passes, go on several junkets, and enjoy expense-free stay at plush hotels.
At the close of 2011, I felt happier being a journalist. For the first time, I was invited to welcome and celebrate the New Year's Eve at the upscale Moevenpick Resort and Spa Cebu in Mactan together with my whole family!
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| Follies de Mwah |
Formerly known as Cebu Hilton, the hotel now carries a distinct Swiss hospitality brand under the Moevenpick Hotels and Resorts Management Group.
To boldly mark its first New Year in the Philippines under a new management, the hotel threw a night of Vegas-style musicale with the internationally-acclaimed theater performance group Follies de Mwah of the famous Club Mwah in Manila to entertain and delight guests, friends, families, and some members of the media who chose to welcome 2012 with them.
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| The Witty Host Jude Bacalso, Cebu's famous multi-media personality. |
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| Spotted Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and former city councilor Joy Pesquera are among the event's distinguished guests. |
Pompous and glittering props and costumes conquered the stage along with the funny musical acts of gay performers.
My family, however, was more amazed with the sumptuous dinner feast we had before the show.
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| Dinner Buffet |
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| Meat Lovers Station Cebu's Lechon, Ham, and Roasted Beef. |
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| Salad Station |
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| French Macaron Tower |
Concluding the show was a countdown to 2012, which was welcomed by a 30-minute fireworks display at the resort's beach front.
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| Chef Terry Styles The down-to-earth international chef who prepared the sumptuous dinner buffet. |
Lance, who fell asleep at the middle of the show, woke up at the stroke of midnight. He was still and quiet while watching the fireworks on my lap. Though not saying a word, my little boy kept on looking at the sky until the last shot of spectacle.
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| The Buenaviaje Brothers Flanking me are Pareng Edd and Andrew. |
It was a posh New Year celebration with dear friends and valued family. What else can I ask for.
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| Friends and Media Colleagues Me, Niza, Jude, Adrian, Norman, Richard, Orly, Joy, and Mike. |
Thanks to my editors Mimi and Niza for giving me the assignment and to Moevenpick for accommodating my whole family.
*Photos courtesy of Mike Acebedo Lopez, marketing communications director of Moevenpick Resort and Spa Cebu.
Happy Thought:
New Year. It's more fun in the Philippines! :p
