Oceania Cruises' New Ship Owner's Suites And Top-Of-Ship Library To Be Styled Exclusively In Ralph Lauren Home

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, unveiled the palatial Owner’s Suites and top-of-ship Library aboard Vista, which will be exclusively styled in Ralph Lauren Home. In a first for the line and the industry, Vista will be the first and only ship afloat with a Library exclusively styled in furnishings and artwork from the iconic designer.

“The Owner’s Suites and Library are signature elements of our brand and having them styled exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home elevates them into truly iconic spaces. Everything from the furnishings to the accessories and artwork is meant to envelop our guests in style and comfort, creating the ultimate feeling of home,” stated Bob Binder, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises.

 

Library

Atop the ship on Deck 14, the Library, exclusively styled in Ralph Lauren Home, offers an inspired sanctuary for every guest on board to enjoy. Bordered by glass walls offering extraordinary seascapes, the Library invites sybaritic relaxation, the ultimate quietude of a few hours with a bestselling novel, or perhaps the unrivalled indulgence of simply watching the world float by. Polished nickel sconces and chandeliers provide the perfect ambient lighting while classic sepia equestrian prints adorn the walls.

Adjacent to the Library is Baristas, the ship’s complimentary gourmet coffee bar, along with the Bakery where guests may indulge in a frothy cappuccino or rich latte and fresh-baked French and Italian pastries.

Owner’s Suites

Vista will feature three supremely spacious Owner’s Suites, each of which spans the full beam of the ship. Measuring 2,400 square feet and styled exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home, these seagoing estate homes are the ultimate expression of timeless American elegance.

This new generation of Owner’s Suites was designed and furnished to feel like ultimate seagoing estates. Embracing their lofty height and commanding views, the spaces feature walls of glass in every room to amplify the open and airy nature while allowing for commanding panoramas wherever in the suite one might be. Thoughtfully layered design elements like traditional millwork on the walls, iconic Ralph Lauren Home furnishings, and signature decorative elements result in an opulent yet soothingly comfortable aesthetic.

The dramatic double-doored entry opens into the foyer and the beautiful dining room that is dominated by a floor-to-ceiling bow-shaped wall of glass that overhangs overlooks the sea. The centrepiece of the room is the elegant Brook Street Salon dining table that is surrounded by a fleet of Holbrook Director’s Chairs from Ralph Lauren Home with a polished nickel Chatham pendant chandelier overhead.

The living room borders on decadent with its lustrous wenge walnut flooring, quartered rosewood cocktail bar with hammered nickel countertop, and sumptuous lounging area filled with modern furnishings that showcase a nautical flair. At the end of the living room, a wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling glass wall provides for unequalled vistas while adjacent to the bar, a wall of glass opens onto the expansive teak veranda that is furnished for lounging, entertaining and dining.

The master bedroom is an entire retreat unto itself, featuring a luxurious Cote d'Azur king-size Ralph Lauren bed, capacious walk-in closets, and an opulent master bath with a large soaking tub and an ocean-view shower. A second teak veranda off the master bedroom promises peaceful solitude amidst the refined elegance.

 

Vista’s Inaugural Season

Vista’s Inaugural Season itineraries will be available for previewing on 9 September, 2021, and will open for sale on 15 September, 2021. Her 18 Inaugural Season voyages begin in April 2023 and will span more than 24 countries across four continents, from the ancient sands of Asia in the east to the glittering hills of Hollywood in the west.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call +852 2165 6010 (Hong Kong), +65 31 651 677 (Singapore), or speak with a professional travel advisor.

Inauguration of Catarman Airport development projects happening on September 2

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a bid to accommodate the increasing air transport demand in Northern Samar, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have completed, amid the pandemic, development projects in the Catarman Airport which will be inaugurated on Thursday, 02 September 2021.

DOTr Secretary Art Tugade will lead the inaugural ceremony along with CAAP Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco and several local government officials.

The completed development projects include the construction of a Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), the expansion of the airport's apron, the construction of additional taxiway, construction of perimeter fence, re-blocking of the dilapidated apron pavement, asphalt overlay, and shoulder grade correction at the runway.

Aside from providing comfort and convenience to air travelers, Catarman Airport also serves as an alternate gateway in cases of emergencies and calamities. In 2013, Supertyphoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas and damaged the Tacloban Airport, forcing Catarman Airport to augment and facilitate the transport of relief goods, medicines, and other commodities.

In 2015, the airport also sustained damages due to Typhoon Nona. Because of this, emergency rehabilitation projects had to be carried out and were recently finished. The airport’s PTB is also ensured to be sustainable and structurally stable following another strong storm that hit the province in 2019.

Moreover, the improvement of the Catarman Airport aims to help serve the growing local and foreign tourist arrivals in the region. Considering the tourism development potential of the province, the DOTr had recommended the upgrading of the existing Catarman Airport facilities.

From the previous 50, the airport's Passenger Terminal Building now has the capacity to accommodate 150 at any given time and 50,000 passengers annually.

With its completed rehabilitation works, Catarman Airport can now accommodate two (2) turboprop Q-400 aircraft and is expected to improve the handling of commercial flights in both Catarman and in the whole of Northern Samar.

Filipino Cuisine Gems: Top 5 Dishes You Must Try On Your Philippines Trip

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippines is a melting pot of multiple cultures that left their mark on its cuisine. The country located in the South China Sea has influences of Chinese, Spanish, and American cuisines.

While the Chinese introduced soy sauce, noodles, and tofu, Spanish influence includes cooking techniques like sauteing and braising. Moreover, Americans introduced the concept of convenient cooking along with hot dogs, fried chicken, and hamburgers.

The best time to visit the Philippines is in the late fall, which is November, all the way to April. During these months, The weather in the Philippines experiences a cold and dry season with temperatures ranging from 24°C-31°C.

All the beautiful islands and remote areas are open during this time, which makes it ideal to get a complete experience. Moreover, being able to access more areas means you can try more regional dishes while traveling in the Philippines.

Filipino cuisine is the ultimate fusion food that has some unique dishes. What's more interesting is that the cuisine has maintained a unique identity different from its neighboring Asian countries. If you're planning to visit the Philippines this fall, here are the top 5 Filipino dishes you must try on the trip.


Chicken Adobo

Adobo is the national dish of the Philippines and probably the most famous of all Filipino dishes. The dish is chicken braised in vinegar and then cooked with other herbs and spices. Natives also make Adobo with pork or fish, but chicken adobo is the most popular of them all.

Notably, the dish was named by Spanish, and the term comes from the Spanish word Adobar, which means to marinate. Spanish saw natives using salt and vinegar to marinate a protein, to which they added garlic and onions. Over time, the recipe evolved and is now prepared using many ingredients like vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, onion, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Adobo is traditionally cooked in a heavy-bottomed clay pot, which gives it an authentic flavor.

When on a trip to the Philippines, make sure to try the Chicken Adobo from an authentic place. You can also try other variations like Shrimp Adobo, Squid Adobo, and Yellow Adobo (pork).


Balut

Balut is probably the most polarising dish in Filipino cuisine and also a food icon. This is one dish that always raises eyebrows when you mention it to anyone. And there's a good reason behind it. This popular Filipino delicacy is prepared by incubating duck eggs for around 19 days and then served with a dash of vinegar. The street food which originated in the Philippines is also found in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

The dish is quite popular with children in the Philippines, and natives swear by it. According to locals, this nourishing dish is just 188 calories per Balut with nutrients like niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, protein, calcium, iron, and phosphorus. The egg is eaten at 18-19 days of age because, at this stage, the embryo is not fully developed to show feathers, claws, beaks, and bones.

While it may sound disgusting and yucky at first, it's worth giving it a shot to experience Filipino cuisine to its full potential.


Kare Kare

Kare Kare is another iconic Filipino dish that everyone must partake in when traveling to the Philippines. The dish is famous throughout the country and gets its name from the word curry, which is a nod to its Indian community living in the Cainta Area of Manila. It's believed that the dish comes from Indian soldiers who settled in the country during the British invasion.

In the Philippines, Kare Kare is considered comfort food eaten while growing up. The dish is super heavy and usually had for dinner. Kare Kare is a stew made from oxtail, ox tripe, vegetables, ground roasted peanuts, onion, and garlic. It's served with Bagoong (shrimp paste), Calamansi (Filipino lime), and chili.


Kinilaw

If you're a foodie, the chances are high that you may have tried ceviche or heard of it. Kinilaw is a Filipino dish, which is quite similar to the Peruvian ceviche. The name comes from the Tagalog dialect, which means to ‘eat fresh’. Kinilaw is a raw fish salad that's usually served with Filipino lime and vinegar.

Just like ceviche, the acid from the lime and vinegar cooks the protein, making it digestible. Kinilaw also contains chili, pepper, onion, ginger, and garlic, which gives it a distinct flavor. More interestingly, the vinegar in the Philippines is made by fermenting coconut water, which gives it a sour-sweet taste, adding another dimension to the salad.


Sinigang

Sinigang is yet another much-loved stew enjoyed all over the country. As is expected, this is a meaty stew but more savory and sour than Kare Kare. The stew is usually made with tamarind as the souring agent. However, natives use varied ingredients like calamansi, guavas, and tomatoes.

Sinigang is typically served as a soup with many vegetables, including aubergine, daikon, water spinach, okra, and onions. The stew is mainly prepared with pork, but locals also prepare beef, fish, and chicken-based sinigang.



These were the top five dishes that one must try when in the Philippines. However, Filipino cuisine is not limited to just these, and there is a lot more to it. Therefore, it's suggested to eat only Filipino dishes while here to get the whole experience. Some other popular dishes include turon, kamaru, lumpia, and pancit palabok, to name a few.