Peeps, if you’re one of those who secretly think that Chinese New Year celebrations can get pretty “tacky” (admit it, I’m sure there are those of you who secretly feel that way, because such celebrations can be a bit too… Chinese or “chekwa” for your taste– I’m just echoing some people’s sentiments with that word but it’s most certainly not how I feel– I’m a Chinese- Filipino *and proud 😀 woohoo*), you would have already changed your mind if you had attended Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Chinese New Year Celebrations last February 13.
It was my first time to attend the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Mandarin Oriental because 1. Chinese New Year (the actual date itself) is the birthday of both my DM and my FIL. 2. Usually our families have to work on the dates either close to or on Chinese New Year to have their respective birthday dinner parties. This year though, we were lucky enough to have been able to attend Mandarin’s bash because DM had her party the night before at Tower Club, and FIL had his party on Valentine’s Day (yesterday!) at Melo’s Burgos Circle.
At 10pm sharp on February 13, guests were already gathered at the main lobby entrance of Mandarin Oriental for the dragon and lion dances, as well as for the amazing fireworks display. The hotel was FULL. Like, jam- packed with guests! People wanted to celebrate this event to get the best New Year’s blessing from master geomancer Joseph Chau. Woo Hoo I was sooo luccckyyyy to be there 😀
Heading the celebrations were Mandarin Oriental Manila’s GM Mark Bradford
Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Director of Communications, Charisse Chuidian
Mandarin Oriental Manila’s PR manager, Erika Aquino
Resident Master Geomancer Joseph Chau Kam Shing
Also seen awaiting the blessings and partaking in the celebration were:
The emcees for the night, David Celdran (my tablemate! Oye! :D) and Sea Princess Tessa Prieto- Valdes
Baby Arenas
Marivic Vasquez
Editor Julie Yap – Daza
Leah Puyat with Angelette Calero
Chinoise ladies Amelia Ting and Salome Uy
My twitter mate “GoddessLora” 🙂
The beautiful dragon and the lions with Makati Mayor Jejomar and Elenita Binay and their granddaughters
Philippine Star’s Grace Glory Go (whom we all call “Auntie Gracie :D”)
Rajo Laurel and Nix Alanon
Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony’s Princess Lim Fernandez (in golden yellow) with her family 🙂
(Oh you peeps MUST get a copy of the Feng Shui/ Fortune book for 2010 by Joseph Chau, which can be purchased at the Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony *tel. 752-5882* I haven’t stopped reading the book since I got it the other night! It’s very, very entertaining and there are a lot of “predictions” and “precautions” for your animal sign to ensure a most prosperous year of the Tiger :D*
DH and I were assigned to sit on table 8– woohoo auspicious!!!
My table mates which included Air Philippines’ Patty Chiong with her publisher friends from Las Vegas, photographer Rupert Jacinto with his lovely wife Tina, and David Celdran, all enjoyed the wonderful Chinese dishes painstakingly prepared (with Joseph Chau’s approval too) by the chefs of the hotel.
The party at the ballroom began with the countdown, and then a prayer and blessings from Joseph Chau
The first dish was served with the waiters holding these sparklers
Woohooo I loved the night’s “drama”!!
I will have to apologize for the lack of food photos because I decided I was going to enjoy every single bite of this FIRST and “blessed” Chinese New Year lauriat for the year of the Golden Tiger. 🙂
Mandarin Oriental Manila really knows how to throw a Chinese New Year party! Just look at how they have transformed the ballroom. (P.S. Credit also goes to Tito Villanueva, tasked to take care of the design for the ballroom that night )It was very tasteful and unquestionably beautiful!!
The night ended with a parade of the hotel’s chefs who helped prepare the night’s dinner.
I enjoyed the night immensely and am glad to see that the hotel gave due credit to those who have worked extra hard behind the scenes to ensure a flawless Chinese New Year celebration! So to the Mandarin Oriental Manila team (Mark, Charisse, Erika, Oliver Kreuzer *F&B*, Tito, and the rest of the wonderful team), CONGRATULATIONS!
Now peeps, if you missed the celebrations this year, make sure to book seats or a table (or two tables :D) for your friends/ family for next year’s Chinese New Year Celebration. I guarantee the value of the whole experience far exceeds the price you paid! It was really worth it!!!
Now, let me go back to reading my “fortune” for this year 😉 It says and I quote “money luck will be bitter first bitter and sweet later”. Hmmm does that mean I should just not spend money on anything for the first half of the year, that way I’ll have some moolah towards the year end? 😀
P.S. So did any of you actually sleep with your wallets underneath your pillows, or wear new red underwear? 😀
x
Mrs. T
Sleeping with your wallet under your pillow? Should have done that two nights ago…
Let me first introduce myself to you. My name is Tito Villanueva, Interior Designer and design consultant the GM of Mandarin Oriental Hotel asked to style the Chinese New Year events for this year.
Guess my name has been misplaced in the acknowledgements though no ones fault really but mere misout. I believe you did comment on my dinner setting and party at Daphne Paez’s blog recently.
This is my first event since my parent’s Ruby wedding anniversary party I did at the Pen some 10 years ago. I don’t do this as a profession but the trust GM Bradford had with me to transform the place in the most elegant way
I know how paid off. I was just too tired to stay on that evening I slept the night away.
Thank you for the write up it confirms the doubts of some who wondered why hang the flowers!
happy new year!
im trying to work off all the weight i gained from chicken rice and tikoy
@DaphneOsena: Sigh, you look so much thinner already 🙁 I gained so much in just a few days. I will need that pilates session.
@TitoVillanueva: Congratulations! I have just re-edited the post to credit you! Beautiful job!!!
@PBB: I didn’t do it either LOL
I had just arrived home late again for an extension dinner with Chinese friends and read your blog. Immediately asked why I was not mentioned when they actually took an outsider to style their event. Well, I simply said someone inside must have forgotten to give my name. I appreciate the edit and really thanks for noticing the works. We should meet sometime.
@TitoVillanueva: I actually didn’t ask who styled the event, so that’s probably why. Besides, the Mandarin staff were Very busy that night, so I don’t think they would’ve been able to sit down with me to discuss every detail as well, since they had to make sure everyone at the dinner was comfortable and taken cared of. But I have given you credit for your work.