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Your Chocolate Fantasies Came True at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

Chocolate is not simply some piece of dessert you’re willing to gain weight for, but for most people, it’s probably a safe space, a calming therapy, or maybe just a tight warm hug. Food, especially desserts, always have a special place in our hearts, especially in our stomachs!

If you’re one with a sweet tooth, you’ve probably been in love with anything made out of chocolate. May it be bittersweet, tangy, nutty, or surprising you with an unusual filling, any chocolate is set to make your day. We’ve all dreamed of a day where you’d get a whole new dining experience that’s made entirely out of your favorite chocolate—wouldn’t that be a treat?

One whole day dedicated to all things cocoa-based which is loved by all, whether you’re the white chocolate type or the 85% dark chocolate type, it’s a time of gathering, all for the love of sweet tooth. If legends are believed to be true, World Chocolate Day is a celebration for when this succulent goodness was introduced to Europe in 1550. Chocolate then traveled the world and became a show stopper for all our desserts, shakes or smoothies (even in main dishes!), and then the rest is history.

When you’d get your mind running on about this sweet treat, you’d stop to think if it’s even worth the calories and fat you’re gonna gain from binge eating. However, contrary to popular belief, chocolate has health benefits! Losing all the guilt for eating chocolates is surely a way to go, as it is believed to be good for the heart, strengthens immunity, strengthens brain function, and soothes digestion, to name a few.

World Chocolate Day may probably be the best thing that’s ever happened to dessert enthusiasts, and what better way to celebrate this momentous occasion with unlimited chocolate! Last July 7, we made our way to Mövenpick Resort in Mactan Cebu and took part in their grandiose Chocolate Hour, where a parade of mouthwatering and melt-into-your-mouth chocolates were served to the guests for a whole hour.

The Chocolate Hour is one of the hotel’s brand signatures, open for guests daily in its hotel lobbies all around the world. It presents eating chocolate as a brand new experience. With live demonstrations by chefs from icing cakes to topping chocolate-inspired drinks, these complimentary chocolate treats echoes the Mövenpick brand vision, “we make moments”.

As it is a much over-the-top celebration with this Chocolate Hour coinciding with the international Chocolate Day, adults and kids alike feasted their eyes and their stomach on a buffet of chocolates. Topped with chocolate chips and caramel syrup, their chocolate pizza clearly stole the show from a number of chocolate drops and bars. It was a great concoction of a warm hearty pizza with a twist of chocolate’s sweet delight.

Staying true to its promise of extraordinary chocolate experience, chocolate ice cream on top of cotton candy, chocolate bars with curry filling, and french macaroons topped with any type of chocolate and caramel cream were also the key players in the game.

Mövenpick’s newest executive chef Jean Louis-Leon shared that the chocolate desserts served during the chocolate celebration were locally sourced from the country’s best tree-to-bar chocolates, the Malagos Chocolate. Choosing Malagos chocolate as the main ingredient apart from other locally available ones was because of how the chocolate can be made into different varieties of desserts and that one truly learns when working with chocolates like Malagos on treats as it makes these treats unique, shares Chef Jean Louis.

Apart from satisfying their taste buds with the chocolates, people were also crowding over the show area where the process of completing the chocolate dishes were presented to the awed audience.

“What the hotel used to do before was just putting cakes out for people, and people would help themselves, and that’s it. But what I want is action,” shares the executive chef on the changes to be expected from his onboarding.

What makes the Chocolate Hour experience more breathtaking is when chefs establish a connection with the audience and the audience actually sees how their food is made.

“Back then I would take time to explain to the people what I’m doing with the dish, explains Chef Jean. He adds, “It’s because once you explain the dish to the people, they will have a different vision.”

It’s relationships like these with food that truly needs commemorating, for chocolate is not simply some piece of dessert you’re willing to gain weight for, but for most people, it’s probably a safe space, a calming therapy, or maybe just a tight warm hug. Food, especially desserts, always have a special place in our hearts, especially in our stomachs!

Business

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino Celebrates 25 Years of Commitment to Service

Waterfront Hotels & Casinos’ flagship property in Cebu is proud to announce its 25th-year anniversary on July 25, 2023. Over the past quarter-century, the hotel has been home to local and international tourists traveling to Cebu City for business or leisure.

Since 1998, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has been recognized for maintaining its commitment to providing both patrons and guests with remarkable and notable services to create memorable experiences. From the hotel’s world-class amenities, luxurious accommodations, to exceptional dining experiences, and exciting offers, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino continues to be the venue of choice for special events, large conventions, concerts for local and international artists, trade exhibits, a relaxing staycation, and much more.

2013 – Top Producing Hotel by Room Nights from Expedia

2016 – Tin Gow as the Grand Slam Winner for Best Chinese Restaurant from SunStar’s Best of Cebu

Exemplary for its ability to provide for large groups and conventions, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has warmly welcomed nationwide governing positions and well acknowledged communities for events throughout the years such as the Governors’ Workshop on Social Welfare and Development: Partnership for Devolution in 1999, the 25th Annual Convention of the Philippine Neurological Association in 2003, the United Architects of the Philippine’s 16th National Conference in 2004, the Annual General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in 2007, the Sangguniang Kabataan National Congress in 2008, and Liga ng mga Barangay events are set to take place in the property this year .

Being one of the city’s well visited venues for getaways, special occasions, grand events, and an appreciative dining experience, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino to name a few has been recognized for major and key awards on the following years:

  • –  2012: Gold Circle Award from Agoda
  • –  2013: Top Producing Hotel by Room Nights from Expedia
  • –  2014: Most Engaged Hotel Partner from Expedia
  • –  2015: Powering Global Travel Award from the Global Tourism Awards
  • –  2016: Tin Gow as the Grand Slam Winner for Best Chinese Restaurant from

    SunStar’s Best of Cebu

  • –  2017: Chinese Preferred Hotel from Ctrip
  • –  2018: Venue Standard Award from MICE
  • –  2019: Top Taxpayers Award from the Cebu City Government
  • –  2020: Grand Slam Winner for Best Events Venue from SunStar’s Best of Cebu
  • –  2021: Traveler’s Choice from Tripadvisor

2020 – Grand Slam Winner for Best Events Venue from SunStar’s Best of Cebu

From Cebu’s humble beginnings, it’s safe to say that Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino was there in the midst of the city’s development into one of the Philippines’ most progressive areas. Since the beginning, the property and its peers have always prioritized the citizens’ convenience by strategically placing themselves at the center of it all. Right across the hotel, what used to be Cebu’s very first airport is now a well-known destination for business development and commercial establishments, commonly referred to as the I.T. Park. Although the area has drastically changed over the years, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino managed to adapt and develop just as the Queen City of the South developed.

CSR – Bureau of Fire Protection

Waterfront Cebu does not only provide a place to stay but is an avenue that evokes feelings and creates significant memories to be cherished for a lifetime. One memory that’s worth remembering was when Regine & Martin Nieverra had their concert at the Pacific Grand Ballroom in 2003. Not to mention, 2005 SEA Games held their Dancesport event at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino followed by the prestigious Mr. and Miss Cebu in 2008.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is not only an essential part of the hospitality industry. The property continues to play its role as a vital force when it comes to giving back and uplifting the community. The premier hotel has contributed significant developments to the city’s growth, economy, and even tourism, but the property did not stop there. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities were also organized for Cebu’s social welfare as well as for the preservation of the environment with the aid of local NGOs and barangays.

Through the years here are some sustainable and transformative activities that the peers at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino have participated in:

  • –  2013: Lapu-Lapu Tourism Council Coastal Clean-Up
  • –  2019: Refurbishment Initiatives at Barangay Kang-atis Elementary School
  • –  2020: Waterfront Cares for Brgy. Suba (Part II)
  • –  2020: Weekly Round-Up – Frontliners of Brgy. Lahug
  • –  2021: Waterfront Bakuna Center
  • –  2021: Waterfront Care Packages
  • –  2022: Packages of Love to Barangay Looc
  • –  2022: Christmas Party for the Children at Barangay Pardo
  • –  2023: Tree Planting at Barangay Pung-ol
  • –  2023: Tree Planting at the Nug-as Forest Reserve

 

As Waterfront continues to blossom in the hospitality industry, its service with a warm smile is a Filipino value that guests would always come back to. In the effort to embody and maintain excellent guest satisfaction, the property’s department heads boast high training to its peers that remain visible in every guest interaction.

Keeping its grounds strong, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino would like to acknowledge the 25 years of support from the local government of the city as well as from the province in Cebu. Celebrating 25 years of Commitment to Service will only continue and progress for the years to come as the property and its management is looking forward to 25 years and beyond of excellent service wearing the ‘Waterfront’ smile.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino would also like to thank their sponsors for this year’s 25th Anniversary celebration: Global Star Motors Corp., Cebu New Life Press, Premium Sole, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., DC Fresh Flower Shop & Supply, Kettle & Shaker, and The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

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Events

Careless’ WAVY BABY Takes Over Sinulog

Careless’ first ever music festival, Wavy Baby, is bound to make the return of Sinulog one for the books.

Wavy Baby is a two-day music festival happening on January 13-14, 2023 at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City, Cebu with a lineup of over 20 artists recognized both locally and internationally.

Wavy Baby will feature international performers Pink Sweat$, Bambam, Sunmi, The Rose, Bag Raiders, Manila Grey, and Yultron. All artists signed under Careless namely, James Reid, Massiah, Jolianne, Lesha, August Wahh, Issa, SOS, Destiny Rogers, and A-Team will also be performing. Other Filipino acts include Ben & Ben, December Avenue, Urbandub, Franco, Denise Julia, and more. The festival will also feature local Cebuano acts such as Cookie$, The Sundown, Mandaue Nights, Three Legged Men, and Wonggoys.

Careless’ CEO, Jeffrey Oh, says “We’re really excited to do Wavy Baby in Sinulog because it’s the biggest and most historic festival in the Philippines. We want to build a festival that brings the best of the Philippines and the world together to meet and celebrate life and culture, which is what Sinulog is all about. We call it Wavy Baby because we want a wavy lifestyle and a wavy mindset. It also pays homage to Sinulog because the Sinulog symbols are water and the baby Jesus so it’s also a nod to that as well. We’re excited to be part of the Cebu family and build something special that hopefully we can repeat year after year.”

The festival itself will be held at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City, Cebu. There will be an Artist Lounge, VVIP Lounge, a VIP Area in front of the stage, Cocktail Pods, Sponsor’s Hives, and Market Pod.

The Cocktail Pod serves as an area for anyone to purchase drinks at the venue while the Market Pod is designated for food and other merchandise that will be sold. The Sponsor’s Hive will be where Wavy Baby’s brand partners will have different booths that festival goers can visit.

Regular Tickets are priced at Php 8,510 for VIP and Php 4,260 for General Admission. One-day Passes are also now available at Php 5,540 for VIP and Php 2770 for General Admission.

Keep up to date on all things Careless.

Follow Careless and Wavy Baby on their respective Social Media Accounts.

Careless Instagram – @carelessph

Careless Twitter – @careless_ph

Careless Facebook – @CarelessMusicOfficial

Wavy Baby Instagram – @wavybabyfest

Wavy Baby Website – www.wavybabyfest.com 

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Events

CEBU KALEIDO: A Night of Fashion and Celebration at Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa

Miranda Konstatinidou’s beautiful beach wear and jewellery worn by her guests at an intimate beach party at Crimson Resort in Mactan. Konplott is Miranda’s luxury fashion accessory brand sold in Europe, worn by fashion icons and celebrities (no, it’s not sold locally) while her exclusive beach wear in silk are fabric designed by her, are also sold in high end resorts around the world. Meanwhile, Crimson Resort in Mactan will officially close temporarily for a makeover as most of their beachfront villas were damaged heavily by last December.s super typhoon Odette. Here’s to a great reopening of Crimson in a few months. (photography by Steffen Billhardt)

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