Boracay Beach Resort Deal Secures Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts a Piece of Philippines Paradise

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has secured its own piece of paradise in one of Asia’s most exclusive holiday destinations, having signed a deal to manage the Sol Marina Resort, which will soon be renamed Mövenpick Resort Boracay, in the Philippines.

Located in the north west of the island on idyllic Punta Bunga Beach, famed for its white powdery sand and aquamarine waters and considered one of Asia’s luxury resort hotspots, the upscale 333-key property will start welcoming guests in December 2015.

The property will not only shore up Mövenpick’s presence in the Philippines, where it already manages Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu, but also bolster the hospitality firm’s portfolio of resort properties in top Asian locations. In Thailand the company operates two resorts in Phuket and one on Koh Samui, while construction is underway on properties in leisure destinations such as Pattaya, Thailand, Quy Nhon, Vietnam and Bali, Indonesia.

“Signing a property in Boracay is a significant development for Mövenpick, as it cements our presence in one of Asia’s most established resort destinations,” explains Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Asia.

“Punta Bunga Beach, with its crystal-clear waters and soft white sand, is unspoiled and truly idyllic, attracting discerning travellers from all over the world from both the upscale leisure and corporate meetings segments.”

Foundation for a Sustainable Society Holds Several Activities to Celebrate 20th Anniversary

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We were recently invited last August 9, 2015 to attend a media briefing announcing the 20th anniversary of the Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI). The gathering was held at the Gloria Maris Banquet Hall located at the 4th level of Gateway Mall Araneta Center Cubao Quezon City.

The organizers were having a two-day activity-filled celebration which includes open forums on many topics ranging from the challenges to development of debt, tax and fiscal issues, good governance as electoral agenda for poverty reduction or for enabling environment, climate change effects and disaster preparation, enabling cooperatives, and empowering the rural poor through Social Entrepreneurship.

There was also a Social Entrepreneurship product and photo exhibit happening simultaneously at the ground level of the same mall while the talks were being held at the Gloria Maris Banquet Hall.

At the press conference, Mr. Jay Lacsamana, Executive Director of FSSI, showed the impact of FSSI's 20 years of work in helping poor communities get out of poverty through social enterprises.

Mr. Laurence Padilla, Executive Director, of the Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology (PCARRT) and Mr. Ernesto Lactao, General Manager of Malaya Development Cooperative, were also there to give testimonials of how FSSI has helped them.

Also present were Mr. Joel Saracho of PETA, Ms. Aurora Luz Villaviray, Ex Officio Member of Board of FSSI,  Ms. June Rodriguez, Corporate Secretary of the FSSI Board, Mr. Jerome Ignacio, Assistant Director of FSSI, and Ms. Kathleen Lungub, Advocacy and Communications Officer of FSSI.

AirAsia Celebrates 300 Millionth Guest Milestone

Wazzup Pilipinas!

AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline for seven consecutive years, today reached another milestone with 300 million guests flown. The milestone was commemorated with a string of celebrations starting from Terminal 3, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, to TheRitz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place.

Jodie Lazuardie, a 30-year-old Art Director based in Jakarta was the lucky guest who booked the 300 millionth AirAsia seat. Jodie's flight booking from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta earned him a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a hefty 3 million BIG Points from AirAsia’s loyalty programme, also known as AirAsia BIG.

Upon landing in Jakarta, Jodie was treated to a Red Carpet experience which included a private pick up from the plane, fast-track immigration clearance and priority baggage handling, all the while being escorted by a group of AirAsia cabin crew.

Jodie was also driven from the airport to TheRitz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place by a private chauffeur, where he was warmly welcomed by AirAsia Group’s management team. Among those present to welcome the 300 millionth guest were Co-Founder and Group CEO of AirAsia Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Group CEO of AirAsia X Datuk KamarudinMeranun, CEO of AirAsia Indonesia Sunu Widyatmoko, CEO of Indonesia AirAsia X Dendy Kurniawan, CEO of Malaysia AirAsia Aireen Omar, Acting CEO of AirAsia X Benyamin Ismail, CEO of Thai AirAsia TassaponBijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X NaddaBuranasiri, Chairman of Philippines AirAsia MaanHontiverosand Alice Goh, CEO of AirAsia BIG.