Filipino-owned Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu Tops Hot New Destinations List in 2013, According to Google, CNN New Filipino-owned Swiss Hotel is Second Most Googled Destination in the Philippines

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Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu is the second most Googled destination in the Philippines, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review search list. As first reported on CNN, the Zeitgeist is Google's year-ender report and lists the hottest travel destinations by country.

The annual Google report captures the trends and interests of people all over the world, including new favorites among Filipinos.

Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Tubbataha Reef in Puerto Princesa were ranked the first and the third respectively. Pico de Loro, Tugawe Cove Resort, Potipot Island, Amana Waterpark, Misibis Bay, Nuvali and Laiya resorts rounded up the ten spots that Filipinos were most interested in learning more about.

Manny H. Osmena, owner of the two-year old Mӧvenpick was thrilled to hear about the results. 

“When my General Manager told me about the great news, I was so happy. It Is a gift from God to be recognized for the complete transformation of the property, as well as the transformation of the food and beverage service. We welcome visitors who are curious about the resort and aim to give them a great experience with the unique ambience of Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu."

Interesting amenities and offers at the resort include the Ibiza Beach Club reminiscence of the club atmosphere in the Spanish island. Guests could watch gorgeous views of the sunset as they enjoy the Balearic-stye churrasco capped by the world-famous Mӧvenpick Swiss Ice cream. Guests could also order the same premium coffee served in Mӧvenpick Hotels in Paris, Zurich and Berlin. The outdoor performance venue shoes exciting Latin dance numbers, fire exhibition dancers and Las Vegas style performances four to five nights a week produced by our in-house artists under the direction of the entertainment director hailing from Majorca, Spain Paco Beltran. Meanwhile special occasions culminate in a special fireworks display over the beach from the rooms, views of the aqua colored waters and the seamlessly constructed boardwalk made from ironwood look pristine and serene. Guests pamper themselves with the finest bath sets imported from the luxury brand Chopard. To begin and end the journey is a luxury hotel car service: a Porsche Cayenne, which provides visitors a full-circle experience of excellence and elegance they won’t forget. 

The above qualities of Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu make it a place for a great and luxurious stay. The traits of this place have fueled the Filipino traveler’s interest in making Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu his destination of choice in 2013 and beyond.

Nestled on the shores of Mactan Island, Mövenpick Hotel offers contemporary style with a fun and fresh appeal for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel evokes romance and tranquility with its elegant accommodation, lush tropical gardens and fabulous restaurants showcasing stunning ocean views.

Let's enjoy the wonderful world of Movenpick Resort Cebu.  Let's enjoy the facilities of the hotel and go to the city to explore the Island of Cebu. It's more fun in the Philippines!

A mystery psychological suspense thriller, " Wait Until Dark" set to open on January 17

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Repertory Philippines proudly announces the start of its 2014 season with its first challenging production entitled WAIT UNTIL DARK --- a thriller written by Frederick Knott.

The play that the New York Post deemed “a first rate shocker,” WAIT UNTIL DARK is a suspense about a blind housewife named Suzy who finds herself terrorized by three strange men. The men search for a doll that has been filled with heroin and little does Suzy know, her husband has mistakenly transported the doll across the Canadian border and into their apartment. Suzy must rely on her instincts, with the help of a neighbor girl and the cover of darkness to outwit the dangerous strangers and protect her life.

WAIT UNTIL DARK premiered on Broadway in 1966 with Lee Remick portraying the role of Suzie, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for best actress in a play. After 374 performances, a film version was released in 1967 which starred Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna. Hepburn garnered Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal in the film. The Bravo network ranked the film 10th on its list for 100 top scariest moments.

To be directed by theater veteran Miguel Faustmann, WAIT UNTIL DARK’s masterfully constructed thriller with plenty of intrigue and action promises to move the audiences from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene.

SYNOPSIS 

Susy Hendrix is a blind Greenwich Village housewife who becomes the target of three con-men searching for the heroin hidden in a doll, which her husband Sam innocently transported from Canada as a favor to a woman who has since been murdered. "Roat" leads his companions into thinking that they are going to be rich and will get the heroin soon enough, but in the end he murders all of his partners after they outlive their usefulness. 

The trio try to convince Susy that her husband has been accused of drug smuggling, and the only way to protect him is to give them the doll. Little do the men know that Susy gave the doll to Gloria, a little girl in the upstairs apartment. 

One of the men plays a man named Sergeant Carlino, a strange police sergeant/detective, while another plays Mike, a supposed old friend of her husband dropping by for a visit. Susy relies on "Mike", and he eventually begins to feel sympathetic for her. 

"Roat" plays both Mr. Roat and his "son" Roat Junior. Roat Junior ransacks her room and steals from her. He threatens Susy and her husband's well being, so she calls the police, or thinks she is getting the police. Of course, the con-men knew this would happen and send over "Sergeant Carlino". 

Susy is incredibly clever, and with the help of Gloria, she realizes the true identity of the men and plans to defeat them. 

The stage lights are turned off for the final scene, when Susy turns off all the lights so that "Roat" cannot see her. "Roat" threatens Susy and tries to kill her. She ultimately kills "Roat", while Gloria goes to the police. 

At the end of the play, Sam bursts in with the police to find that she has already taken care of Roat, and he sees Mike was also killed in her apartment. The police go to help Susy, but Gloria yells at them, saying she can do it on her own, and helps Susy get up. The final image of the play is Susy and Sam embracing by the stairs.

Co-presented by the City of Makati, WAIT UNTIL DARK is both exciting and at times, scary with just the right amount of intrigue and excitement for your thrilling experience. 

The show runs from January 17 to February 9, 2014. 

All performances are at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City. 

The artistic and creative team of WAIT UNTIL DARK is led by Baby Barredo (Artistic Director), Miguel Faustmann (Director), Teresa Barrozo (Sound and Music Design), Miguel Faustmann (Set Designer), and John Batalla (Lighting Designer).

The production staff is composed of Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Gold Soon (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist).

The marketing, sales and publicity team is led by David Bianco (Marketing Director), Toots Tolentino (PR Director), Oliver Usison (Marketing Assistant), Marie Talay (Cashier) and Rose Silva (Sales Supervisor), John Alaras (Design Director), Jojo Mamangun (Photographer), and Lightshapers/ Repertory Philippines (Video Production).

To accommodate all inquiries, Repertory Philippines is now accepting reservations for schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships.

For details of the show, you may contact us the following ways:

By phone: 571-6926 and 571-4941

By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com

By Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils

Repertory Philippines would like to thank its sponsors for their continuing support: Businessworld, Businessworld High Life, WhenInManila.com, Ticketworld, Ayala Center, Broadwayworld.com, Greenbelt, Herword.com, Lane Moving and Storage, ClickTheCity.com, Lally Eleazar’s Lightshapers, Radio Republic and the Raintree Restaurants: Kabila Filipino Bistro, Museum Café Modern Asian Cuisine, Momo Café, and Mr. Jones. 

WAIT UNTIL DARK is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

May not be suitable for children under the age of ten. Children under the age of four are not permitted.

Manila Bay Resorts to rise in 2015

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Anything in the spirit of fun,  Manila Bay Resorts to rise in 2015 is a place to change the face of entertainment in Asia.

The Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc., (a subsidiary of Universal Entertainment Corporation, led by Japanese tycoon Mr. Okada, Kazuo) developer of the ambitious Manila Bay Resorts project, proudly shared its lofty goals in line with the ongoing construction of the 44-hectare facility to rise within the Entertainment City complex in Paranaque City come 2015.

Top honchos president Masahiro Terada and vice president Kenji Sugiyama met with members of the press to share their ultimate vision for a huge and integrated resort with the three-hotel property (each a 15-storey-structure) bound to be home to the biggest casino in the country. The said Resort is touted as a natural, desirable addition to Manila Bay's cultural and commercial venues, with expectations of two plush hotels, a six-star and a five-star at that, and around 20 food and beverage destinations, retail and spa facilities, and residential properties.

"Our target is to really attract lots of people, local and foreigners, and in the process be of great help to the Philippine economy and employment," stated Sugiyama whose background includes being a world-class hotel asset protection chief.

With emphasis on providing high class, safe entertainment and recreational activities, Manila Bay Resorts promises to be a go-to destination among Filipino families, foreign tourists, and fun-loving individuals of exquisite taste. Its hiring initiative will more or less generate 15,000 employments for Filipino job-seekers.

The 30,000 sq.m-casino alone, to open 24/7 and expect 20,000 daily guests, will have more than 500 table games and 3,000 machines to offer, while its man-made beach resort will boast an impressively looking 100-meter diameter indoor Glass Dome.

Considering that the country is currently engulfed in earthquake scare brought by the 7.2 magnitude tremor that just shattered Bohol and neighboring provinces, the Japanese-standard construction being employed in Manila Bay Resorts obviously delivers great news to everyone. Japan is known as an earthquake hotspot, thus, the use of Japanese technology in strengthening the complex means more significant safety assurance.

Apart from hotel development, the Tiger, Inc. has also opened its doors to community involvement through the project, having helped the victims of recent typhoon Pablo by donating a rice supply worth Php 2.5 million. A new effort of similar nature is being spearheaded, this time to provide assistance to victims of the devastating earthquake in the Visayan region.

Sugiyama expressed in connection, "It is part of our mission to extend a helping hand to those in need."

The extent of wanting to make a positive impact to the country's economy is also embedded in Tiger's plan of giving tax contribution off its casino cash flow.

Believing that luxury signifies attention to detail, originality, exclusivity, and above all, quality, Manila Bay Resorts is seen as a state-of-the-art dream vision of producing more than a thousand spacious hotel suites, topnotch restaurants, world-class banqueting, 24-hour butler service, among others. There will also be a good blend of international luxury brands, jewelers, and specialty stores in three unique areas, including one called the "Jewel Square."

With ethos that echoes "anything in the spirit of fun," it is a place to change the face of entertainment in Asia.

Miss World Megan Young graces Mega cover

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'Ethereal' Miss World Megan Young, the first ever Filipino to win the title, opens the new year for fashion magazine Mega as she graces the cover of its January 2014 issue.

'Ethereal' Megan Young on the January 2014 cover of Mega magazine. 

The beauty queen is seen sitting, wearing a cream single-sleeve wrap dress that highlights her shoulder and smokey eyes.

Young was photographed by JC Cerilla. Her cover appearance was styled by Patrick Galang, with Albert Kurniawan and John Valle on hair and makeup, respectively.

The magazine describes Young as "ethereal" and "a beauty with a purpose," having supported several charity events and fundraisers abroad for the victims of typhoon "Yolanda."

She has also been busy promoting other charity works spearheaded by the Miss World foundation.

Young, for her "beauty and purpose" was also recently topped People Asia magazine's "People of the Year" list in its 14th anniversary issue.

Tips for a Dengue Free Holiday

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As soon as the air takes on a chilly nip, the radio plays Christmas songs and the streets explode with colorful lights, you know that the holiday season is just around the corner. By this time, we say goodbye to typhoons (although a couple might try to sneak through) and expect good, cool weather until January of next year. What doesn’t leave, however, is dengue which has now become a year-round issue. Falling ill with the infection amid the merriment of the season is not only a depressing thought but a real concern, since most of us will be exposed outdoors (doing our shopping, attending parties, hearing the early morning Mass) more than the usual. Fortunately, we can arm ourselves with a handful of precautions against dengue-lamok. Here’s a list of them:

Car clean: Remember that dengue-lamok can breed in a pool of water as small as a coin. As a rule, the cleaner the car, the less likely they can breed.

Click and know dengue status of the place you’re visiting. The Department of Science and Technology has put up a website called Dengue Vector Surveillance that helps you keep track of dengue incidence in a particular city. Visit http://oltrap.pchrd.dost.gov.ph and you will see a search panel where you can input the time frame, the region and the city you wish to visit. The site also lists the schools where cases of dengue have been reported. A red marker on the place signals an alert level, which means that you have to take extra precautions if you still intend to push through with your trip.

Keep your car spic-and-span clean. Holiday season means a lot of motoring around and it pays to have your car tuned-up and spic-and-span clean. Not too many people know that dengue-lamok can propagate in a pool of water as small as a coin so be sure your car doesn’t provide any breeding ground. Regularly empty water coolers and have your trash disposed. The cleaner the car, or any place for that matter, the less likely that mosquitoes are able to breed.

Website: Before heading to any destination, do check its dengue status by visiting the Dengue Vector Surveillance website of the Department of Science and Technology at http://oltrap.pchrd.dost.gov.ph.

Do a last-quarter check of your house. Have you been putting off making your house dengue-proof? Now is the best time to do a house check-up. Replace your window and door screen, your first line of defense not only against mosquitoes but other insects, if it already shows visible tear. Apply insect spray on damp, dark places if you suspect them be as breeding grounds. Of course, always empty vases and containers of water that are ideal places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. If your village already has a high incidence rate of dengue, perhaps it’s time to explore the idea of fumigating your house.

Apply: Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect helps keep the holiday merry by providing an effective barrier against insect bites up to 8 hours.

Wear the right clothes. When going out, be sure to dress in long-sleeved clothes. You may choose something made of cotton, linen or nylon for comfort. Dengue-lamok usually bites below the knee, so be sure to wear long pants and socks as well.

Know your dengue-lamok and apply protection accordingly. Aedes aegypti has been identified as the main dengue-carrying culprit, biting between 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Another dengue-lamok, Aedes albopictus, has been discovered to have peak biting hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. In tandem, these mosquito strains now make dengue a round-the-clock concern. 

An insect repellent offers the quickest, most effective protection so be sure you always have a bottle in handy—in your house and in your car. Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect offers barrier against dengue-lamok for up to 8 hours and is clinically formulated to be safe for the young ones. Apply it most especially on the skin that is not covered by clothing. With a fresh, clean scent, and a light, non-greasy consistency, Green Cross Insect Repellent Gentle Protect helps you keep the holidays merry.