Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Araneta Center’s Gateway Mall 2

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Areneta Group officials and executives from partner Megawide Construction Corporation led the ceremonial groundbreaking and time capsule laying at the site of the new mall on Tuesday, July 31.
Araneta Group officials and executives from partner Megawide Construction Corporation led the ceremonial groundbreaking and time capsule laying at the site of the new mall on Tuesday, July 31.

The activity was led by senior officials from Araneta Center, Inc., namely SVP-Operations Mr. Antonio T. Mardo, SVP-Business Development Mr. John B. Castelo, VP-Leasing Ms. Lorna D. Fabian, VP-Materials Management Mr. Noel B. Leonor, Head of Architecture & Engineering Ms. Bernadette M. Tan, Senior Management Consultant Mr. Rowell Recinto, and Management Consultant-Architecture & Engineering Ms. Julie I. Castro; among others.

Officials from partner Megawide Construction Corporation, AVP Mr. Romeo Furigay, and EVP Mr. Ronald Paulo, were also on hand for the event.

In an interview with media reps, Araneta Center Inc. SVP-Operations Mr. Antonio Mardo noted that the new mall complements its award-winning predecessor. “We needed more space to accommodate more of the retail operators and F&B (food and beverage) operators in the country,” he said.

In his opening speech, Senior Management Consultant Mr. Rowell Recinto pointed out that Gateway Mall 2 is the latest project in the Araneta Center’s redevelopments, and with it, “The Center continues to build on its pioneering heritage in shopping and entertainment developments.”

Recinto added, “We are still committed to continue to enhance Araneta Center to become a more vibrant community” and that Gateway Mall 2 enhances the Center’s position as a leading edge lifestyle hub with its welcoming design, extensive shopping and dining offerings, and pampering public spaces.

Aside from offering vast spaces for retail and F&B operators, the Gateway Mall 2 will also have a state-of-the-art Cineplex, an organic vegetable garden where shoppers can have the farm-to-table experience, a spacious activity area, a unique food hall, and a 500-seater, fully air-conditioned iconic chapel.

The mall, which will be connected to the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Farmers Plaza, is expected to open in the third quarter of 2020.

Adjacent to the new mall will be the first Ibis Styles hotel in the country. It will be operated by AccorHotels, the same team behind the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, and is expected to attract guests with its charming design and topnotch service.

The groundbreaking and capsule laying event was also attended by Binibining Pilipinas winners Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray, Binibining Pilipinas International Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao, first runner-up Vickie Rushton and second runner-up Samantha Bernardo.


For more updates, visit www.aranetacenter.net or follow us on our social media pages: @aranetacenter on Twitter and Facebook, and @thearanetacenter on Instagram.

CAPTIONS:

Groundbreaking1: The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by (from left): Binibining Pilipinas 2018 2nd Runner-up Samantha Bernardo, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Mr. Earl Jason R. Vistro (VP-Procurement, Megawide Construction Corp.), Mr. Antonio T. Mardo (ACI SVP-Operations), Mr. Romeo Furigay (AVP, Megawide Construction Corp.), Mr. Rowell Recinto (ACI Senior Management Consultant), Mr. Ronald Paulo (EVP, Megawide Construction Corp.), Mr. John B. Castelo (ACI SVP-Business Development), Noel B. Leonor (ACI VP-Materials Management) Mr. J.D. Rex Ocampo (Director, Aidea Philippines design company), Mr. Arturo D. Racelis (Owner/Principal, AMCON, project and construction managers), Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2018 Eva Patalinjug, and Binibining Pilipinas 2018 1st Runner-up Vicky Rushton.

Groundbreaking2: The laying of the time capsule at the Gateway Mall 2 site, participated in by Araneta Center, Inc senior executives, and officials of Megawide Construction Corp.

Pinoy Actors Xian Lim and Diego Loyzaga Take on HCON 2018 for Celebrity Car Wars This August

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Past contenders return to the tracks to heat up the upcoming season

Before they go bumper to bumper in an all-new season of HISTORY’s Celebrity Car Wars, Xian Lim and Diego Loyzaga get up close and personal with fans in HISTORY CON 2018 from August 10 to 12 at World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Celebrity Car Wars is an automotive reality entertainment series in which six new popular, socially connected, outspoken, pampered, and coiffured celebrities embark on an eight-week road to automotive discovery. Expect faster and fiercer encounters as HISTORY and Caltex join forces in bringing viewers an all-new turbocharged season on September 2018.

“As Celebrity Car Wars shifts into full gear, Caltex is once again pleased to be part of a journey that showcases how Techron’s high-performance fuel can help vehicles deliver under more challenging scenarios,” says General Manager of Sales & Marketing Support for Caltex, Carlos Rey C. Castaños.

HISTORY’s partnership with Caltex stems from the two companies’ shared values and commitment on the promotion and advancement of the automotive world.

“We are delighted to launch Celebrity Car Wars as the key driver of HISTORY’s global multimedia event, ‘Car Week’ to bring the best of automotive series and special features to our target audience in Asia,” said Leena Singarajah, Managing Director of A+E Networks Asia.

In this new season, six new celebrity contestants from widely different backgrounds go head-to-head in a series of exhilarating four-wheeled feats. Watch how the free-spirted young actor Diego Loyzaga proves that when it comes to wheels, the new is always the better. From modeling and acting to hosting stints, Xian Lim shows viewers a never-before-seen side to him as he uncovers his hidden passion for cars in this series.

As one of her country’s key health and fitness influencers, Thai R&B idol Lydia Sarunrat faces different challenges with a strong and independent personality that goes beyond her goddess-like beauty and angelic voice. Known for co-producing and directing top-caliber films since 1995, Malaysian actor, producer, and director Hans Isaac still has a lot to offer.

Can Thai-Australian actor and martial arts practitioner Matthew Deane kickstart a new career in automotive? Singapore's Munah Bagharib, from the famous YouTube comedy duo Munah & Hirzi, definitely makes a fun and strong addition in the competition!

“Viewers can expect celebrity antics as well as professional tips and tricks to help drivers improve their drive to gain better fuel economy, including how the right fuel can maximize power and increase engine reliability,” says Castaños.

Adding to Filipino pride are car racing experts Gaby dela Merced and Michele Bumgarner who will guide the contestants in every obstacle as their mentors.

Hosted by Bobby Tonelli, Celebrity Car Wars’ third season also features challenges from previous seasons including jeepney race, reverse racing, and insanely tough off-road 4X4 ride along Pampanga’s Sacobia River. Celebrities will also face the dreaded brick wall, which returns to test their personalities yet again.

To amp things up, the new season also sees past contenders Marc Nelson and Phoemela Baranda return to the tracks for the series’ famous drag race, and Dominic Lau makes a special appearance as guest referee for the car-football challenge. This season also introduces a live leaderboard to allow contenders to track each other’s scores.

Find out who will join previous champions KC Montero and Dominic Lau and be enshrined in the Celebrity Car Wars’ Hall of Fame in its brand-new season this September!

HISTORY CON is a world-class entertainment convention which garnered a record-breaking attendance of 68,800 people in 2017 and 50,000 people in 2016.  Buy your tickets now to the exciting three-day event at the World Trade Center before they run out!

Interested HISTORY CON fans may choose from three different ticketing categories, each with exclusive privileges: the HISTORY MAKER VIP Pass (P10,000) has only 100 limited tickets available; the HISTORY MAKER Pass (P2,500) is good for a three-day admission; and GENERAL ADMISSION Pass (P350) entitles bearers to a one-day access to the star-studded convention. Tickets are available for sale exclusively on SM Tickets. Visitwww.historyasia.com/historycon for more information.

Nainital: Explore the Charm of this Lake Town in India

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Nainital, also known as the “Lake District of India” is one of the most picturesque hill stations of the country. Surrounded by the misty mountains from three sides, Nainital is located around the beautiful lake Naini.

Situated at a height of 1,938 meters, Nainital has a pleasant climate all year round. This beautiful hill station is surrounded by seven hills, popularly known as 'Sapta-Shring' - Ayarpata, Deopata, Handi-Bandi, Naina, Alma, Lariya-Kanta and Sher-Ka-Danda.

The majestic mountains and the sparkling waters of the lake make it a must visit destination for those who love nature in its true form. Whether you're going for the weather, the lakes, the adventure, the food, or even the shopping, Nainital has something for every tourist.

Naini Lake has facilities for boating and yachting. You can also enjoy activities like horse riding, skating, golf and rock climbing.

A visit to the Jim Corbett National Park is an absolute must. The oldest national park in India, it is home to the endangered Bengal Tiger.

Famous for its inter connected rocky caves, hanging gardens and the musical fountain, the Eco Garden is quickly becoming a popular destination.

Naina Peak is known for its splendid Bird's eye view of the town, the Himalayas and also the vast expanses of the Terai regions of Kumaon. Horse riding is one of the most popular activities here and many tourists opt for horse rides to explore the beauty of the picturesque hill station.

The Mall Road of Nainital, which runs parallel to the Naini Lake, connecting the two ends of the hill town, is the prime shopping, food and cultural centre of Nainital. Whether it is digging into some mouth-watering dishes or shopping for the snuggly woollens that are to be found, Mall Road is your go-to place.

The Observatory or The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is the center for astronomical studies and optical tracking of artificial satellites.

Finding a nice accommodation is not an issue here as there are plenty of good hotels in Nainital, spread across all categories- from luxury to mid-range, guest houses, cottages and nice budget options. With choices like adventure camps, heritage villas, lodges, colonial style wooden cottages and many more, there is no dearth of places to stay in Nainital. You can choose from options like Manu Maharani, Vikram Vintage Inn, Shervani Hilltop, The Crosswinds, and The Naini Retreat if you are in a mood to splurge on your accommodation as these Nainital hotels are a perfect blend of opulence and comfort while you enjoy their signature hospitality.

Talking about the mid-range hotels, names like Hotel Himalaya, Dolmaar Resort, Hotel Evelyn and Welcome park would be ideal choices as these properties promise a relaxed stay experience without being too expensive on your pocket.
Kurmanchal Hotel, Hotel Moon, Vikrant Hotel, HK Legacy, Kurmanchal Hotel are some of the recommended budget accommodation options and all these hotels are good value for money. The above list includes some of the best hotels in Nainital and hope it helps you in finding the right kind of accommodation option, based on your requirement and budget.