D' Durian Daily: April 2019

4.27.2019

April 2019 musings: Take flight

Travel when you can because it can broaden your perspective in more ways than one. Expectations from a new place may be good, but it can also make or break a journey. It’s always best to keep an open mind. I did that when I flew to Bangladesh on an invitation by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Manila. I arrived at a most opportune time with the nation celebrating the Pahela Baishakh, the Bangla New Year. Bangladesh can grow on you, there is much to love about the place. Perhaps this was my signal to visit more of the South Asian nations—and I will soon.

Happy New Year! Arriving in Bangladesh on their New Year. What a great way to start a visit

The Bangladesh trip allowed me to see Manila Terminal 1 again. It was in the mid-90s since I’ve seen the place. Old the structure may be, I still find the architectural design beautiful. I reentered the place after its facelift (thank God). The place is cleaner, cooler and organized. Impressive, actually. All it needs now is to mobilize the immigrations officers according to the number of travelers. The line was spilling over to the lobby and not all windows are manned.

Back in Terminal 1. Seeing this airport terminal again after 22 yearsDavao events and traveling to Bangladesh in April 2019

Soaring higher is the Philippine Eagle. The feature film created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and shot by the award-winning cinematographer, Neil Rettig. It tells about the plight of our National Bird, the Philippine Eagle, and how the concerned people are trying to save the species form extinction. This film is an eye-opener and delivers a message of hope. All we have to do is care enough. I hope the film gets more screening time across the country.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation team at the screening of the Bird of Prey movie at SM Lanang Cinema

Speaking of movies, Seda Abreeza treated its “family” for a special screening of the latest Avengers movie. The hotel is on its sixth year in the hospitality business and the movie event was one way to thank their partners and friends they have made through the years. Like the perfect host that they were, they made sure everyone had popcorn and other treats. Cheers, Seda Abreeza!

As part of their 6th year celebration, Seda Abreeza team said thanks to their family with a special screening of Avengers

In the city center, Marco Polo Summer festival just ended a two-day sale event offering great deals on rooms accommodations and F&B. What’s still on-going is their promotion at the newly-opened events center, a one-stop spot for those planning to hold their important events in the hotel. Their extending 15% discount on their services and 50% off the rate of the Presidential Suite for a selected period. Join their pool party on May 4^th.

Marco Polo Davao launched its Events Center to address their clients’ event needs

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For travel stories, visit www.jeepneyjinggoy.com

Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper

4.20.2019

Easter eggs, High tea and new man of the house

Easter, like Spring, promises something new. At Marco Polo Davao, the tradition to celebrate the season brought out the Paskris Tree, where colored and specially-designed eggs were hung to raise funds for charity. It’s also the fitting time for the hotel to the introduce the “new chicks out of the eggs”—the new general manager and the season’s High tea menu.

Was it by chance or was it skillfully planned that the new man of the house—an Englishman—was to be introduced to the media during a traditional English ceremony of High Tea? Whatever it was, it was a brilliant move.

The new general manager of Marco Polo Davao is Colin Healy, a soft-spoken Englishman from St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

The new Marco Polo Davao general manager, Colin Healy, leading the launching of the Paskris Tree Easter tradition

The fundraising egg design contest brought out the most-timely of designs

Over sconces with cream and jam, the season’s harvest of avocado whipped into guacamole spread over toast, and no-meat finger savories ideal for the Lenten season prepared by Executive Chef Alex Destriza, we got to know the Englishman who will take charge of the first Marco Polo hotel in the country.

Healy shared that he was born into the hospitality industry. His parents owned and run a pub in a small island (but the biggest of the Channel Islands) of Jersey. “It’s where the famous jersey potatoes come from,” he said, to start the getting-to-know-you chat on a not-too-formal manner. At a young age he was helping the family business in his own capacity.

Perhaps it came to no surprise that Healy would stay on the path he is very familiar with. He started his professional career in the hospitality business by way of the kitchen. He took up culinary arts in London and spent over a decade with Marriott International where he was the Executive Chef.

At his age he has in his hospitality industry portfolio an impressive 33 years of experience. He has worked with various reputable brands across Europe and Asia.

Before his Davao assignment, he was the General Manager of Double Tree Resort by Hilton Hainan-Xinglong Lakeside.

Rolling in the cart with the new High Tea menu

High tea savories

The sweet stuff

In between sips of the premium tea, we bit into the sweet dessert selections—Lemon Tart, chocolate cake, éclair, strawberry mousse and fruit cones. Colin Healy dishes his sweet stories.

He’s married to a Filipina whom he met during his stint in Manila, and yes, he has eaten durian, though that was the Thai variety, quite different from the native variety we locals prefer.

It may not be his first time in the country but it is his first time in Davao. Having Filipino colleagues in the past (and married to one), working with Davaoeños will not be different. Or perhaps warmer that the usual? The welcome he received was proof enough.

Under the former head of the hotel, Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, the first lady GM of Marco Polo Davao, kicked of the “The Heart of Davao” campaign. It won the hearts of all the hotel guests.

“I wish to continue the legacy of Marco Polo Davao as the Heart of Davao and I believe it’s all about people taking care of people,” said the new General Manager.

Follow ofapplesandlemons on Facebook

For more lifestyle features, visit www.ofapplesandlemons.com

For travel stories, visit www.jeepneyjinggoy.com

Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper

4.12.2019

Bird of Prey, the Davao premier

What: The premier screening of Bird of Prey in Davao
Where: SM Lanang Premier cinema
Who came: Philippine Eagle Foundation team and their partners

Davao showing of Bird of Prey at SM Lanang Premier cinema

“Bird of Prey, The Story of the Rarest Bird on Earth” is a movie everyone should see. It’s a film by Neil Rettig, an award-winning cinematographer, who returns to the Philippines to find and film the Philippine Eagle in its natural habitat. The filmmaker successfully documented the fragile existence of the Philippine Eagle.

Also highlighted in the film produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are the people who are unceasing in their efforts to save the largest forest eagle in the world from extinction. The Philippine Eagle Foundation is driven in its desire to protect and preserve the rarest eagle on the planet.

Philippine Eagle Foundation trustees Miggy Gonzales and Francis Ledesma, DOT-XI Director Tanya Tan & PEF Executive Director Dennis Salavador at the Davao premier of Bird of Prey at SM Lanang cinema

The Conservation Breeding Team- Adreano Oxales, Lohwana Haloq, Domingo Tadena and Dominic Tadena

The hardworking PEF team

Ultimately, the message is that there is hope. There is time to save the Philippine Eagle but everyone has to do their share. Saving the Philippine Eagle means saving the forest and securing the future of generations to come.

Attending the premier in Davao were the partners and friends of the PEF from the private and government sectors. The trustees and members of the PEF extended their gratitude to everyone present, including the tribal leaders and their community engaged in the Culture-based Conservation, and the companies and volunteers who gave their share in the eagle preservation of the imperiled bird, a Philippine icon.

The panel from PEF during the Q&A session. Dr. Jason Ibañez, Director for Research & Conservation; Andi Baldonado, Development Program Manager; & Exec. Dir. Dennis Salvador

How to help: Log in to the PEF website www.philippineeaglefoundation.organd see how can get involved.

The screening in Davao was presented by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, USAID and SM Lanang Premier.

Partners in PEF’s Culture-Based Conservation. Madanam Hernan Ambe of Bagobo Tagabawa, Bae Nilda Landim and Datu Paulino Landim of Obu Manuvu, and Datu Rosalino Anog of Bagobo Klata

Partners in protecting the PH Eagle’s habitat in Arakan- Tourism Officer Michael Labao, Phil. Information Officer Leonardo Reoboca, PEF’s Dr. Jason Ibañez & MENRO’s Jimmy Montero and Jessie Castor