It was legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 250th birth year, and two of the country’s finest hotels held grand events in his honor. The world-class Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, the best business hotel in the Queen City of the South, is also rapidly becoming the destination of choice for art and music connoisseurs. Mozart’s 250th birth year was commemorated with two musical evenings as the A-list crowd of Cebu flocked to the Marco Polo to watch the outstanding performance of the Salzburg Opera Ensemble Andante Furioso.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu General Manager Hans Hauri, Katrin Lehismets-Vasar, Josef Nemeth, Christa Hemetsberger, Fernando Araujo, Franz Alexander Langer Franz Langer

Hardworking Marco Polo Plaza Cebu General Manager Hans Hauri was present along with his lovely wife Bo to welcome distinguished guests such as Arts Council of Cebu President Petite Garcia to the elegant Grand Ballroom of the hotel. Afterwards, sumptuous dinner cocktails courtesy of the hotel’s master chefs were served, to the gustatory satisfaction of everyone present. Congratulations on a successful event!

Josef Nemeth (right) leads a young audience member in a march

Arts Council President Petite Garcia, Teresin Mendezona,
Atty Vicki Hermosisima, Alicia Tan-Plaza, Bo Hauri and Arch. Omar Maxwell Espina

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu PR Manager Carlo Borromeo, General Manager Hans Hauri, Arts Council of Cebu President Petite Garcia, Teresin Mendezona and Bo Hauri

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An Evening with Amadeus

Meanwhile, in Metro Manila, Multi-Kalakbay awardee Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s stylish and roomy Captain’s Bar was the venue for the magic of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Elegant ladies resplendent in long gowns and dapper gentlemen in formal tuxedos were enraptured by the performance of the Salzburg Opera Ensemble Andante Furioso.

Olga Martel, Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz and wife Aurora

Organized by the Johann Strauss Society for the benefit of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the event was also a tribute to National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Hardworking Mandarin Oriental GM Helmut Gaisberger and his efficient Director of Communications Charisse Chuidian, along with co-chairs Olga Martel and Fortune Ledesma, made sure the event was a huge success. Once again, my congratulations for a successful event!

Jorge Hizon, Fortune Ledesma, Tessie Kabigting, Alice Briones and Mandarin Oriental Manila’s GM Helmut Gaisberger

Vicky Zubiri standing with former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Ado Escudero

Julie Yap-Daza, Lucille Villanueva and Susan Reyes

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Cheers to new business

Weber Shandwick Worldwide was recently launched in Manila to meet the growing demand from multinational clients for public relations services in the region. Held at the exclusive Tower Club in Makati, the event was attended by the who’s who from politics, media and business.

Greggy Araneta, Fausto Preysler, President & CEO of Weber Shandwick Philippines Atty. Mike Toledo, Maureen
Santiago, Noel Onate, Amb. Peter Sutherland and Jun Tambunting

Jess Estanislao, President & CEO of Weber Shandwick Philippines Atty. Mike Toledo, Jose Pepe Rodriguez, Nelly Sindayen, Sen. Edgardo Angara and Andrew Pirie

The firm has appointed Atty.Michael Toledo as president and chief executive officer and E. Norbert Garrett as non-executive chairman, joined by other senior management Luigi Avancena as director of operations, Yvonne Policarpio as director for business development and Jojo Feliciano as director for strategic services. Congratulations for your successful launch!

President & CEO of Weber Shandwick Philippines Atty. Mike Toledo, CJH chairman Bob Sobrepeña, Amb. Tony Villamayor, Peng de Tagle, Babe Romualdez and Bill Velasco

Amb. Mario Schuff, your columnist and Japanese Amb. Ryuichiro Yamazaki

Honesto Isla, Ochie Quito, Ricki Arches and Arnold Liong

Atty. Mike Toledo, president & CEO of Weber Shandwick Philippines

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