Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Manila Bulletin Arabian Nights Thanksgiving Party 2014

 

Without any bias, I say that Manila Bulletin throws the best thanksgiving parties!

Last year, it was a gathering of superheroes. Think Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman... See post here.

 

 

DSC1159

This year, we went a little exotic and did Arabian Nights

 

 

DSC1130

So many Aladdins greeted guests at the door

 

 

DSC1125

Our receptionists in Arabian garb. Check out the MB newspaper print! 

 

 

DSC1521

I think some men were not comfortable wearing dresses! Lol! 

 

 

DSC1139

Kathy, our AVP of Advertising, looking like a queen

 

  

DSC1140

GENIE!!!

 

 

DSC1135

Everyone had fun with the magic carpet photo booth

 

 

DSC1523

My cousin Jordan

 

 

DSC1136

And, of course, me!!! :D

 

  

DSC1144

Le Pavillon was transformed to create an ambiance of Arabic decadence

 

 

DSC1147

How beautiful are these Manila Bulletin lanterns

 

 

DSC1157

To dine on magic carpets!

 

 

DSC1217

Belly dancers pranced around the ballroom

 

 

DSC1223

They were so sexy it made me feel just a little bit insecure

 

 

DSC1204

But that didn't stop me from checking out the buffet spread! Hahaha!
I was excited because food was catered by Manila Hotel.

 

 

DSC1318

The folks at Manila Hotel prepared a Middle Eastern feast. This was the appetizer
station with baba ganoush, seafood salad with lemon dressing, an assortment
of olives, tomatoes, and greens 

 

 

DSC1319

Hummus and pita

 

 

DSC1312

More appetizers

 

 

DSC1207

Warak Enab

 

 

DSC1198

Taboulleh

 

 

DSC1200

Mixed Seafood Salad

 

 

DSC1182

Kofta Kebab

 

 

DSC1185

Grilled Lapu Lapu with Tomato Salsa

 

 

DSC1188

Chicken Sashlik 

 

 

DSC1195

Mussels stuffed with rice

 

  

DSC1189

Seafood Paella

 

 

DSC1209

 Samosas and Lebanese Style Chicken Wings

 

 

For the not-so-adventurous eaters, there was... 

 

DSC1173

Beef Stew

 

 

DSC1171

And Baked Mac

  

 

DSC1228

 Desserts were baklava, savarin ring, pineapple upside down cake,
green tea chiffon, and ube roll 

 

 

If you are already impressed with the indoor set up, wait till you see the outdoor area!

 

 

DSC1236

It was converted into a souq or an open-air marketplace

 

 

DSC1255

The MB Graphics team did such an excellent job!

 

 

DSC1277

With people walking around in costumes, it really felt like I was transported to a Middle Eastern city!

 

 

DSC1240

Fruits and vegetables stand

 

 

DSC1244

Henna tattoo station

 

 

DSC1310

Where guests got themselves inked

 

 

DSC1247

 

 

DSC1249

 

 

DSC1251

 

 

There were also games to keep everybody entertained.

 

DSC1280

Puzzle Quest

 

 

DSC1283

Plinko

 

 

DSC1259

Memory Game

 

 

DSC1290

And a mini golf area called "A Hole New World!"  LOL!

 

 

DSC1264

Shisha Station

 

 

DSC1291

Ladies having their hair and make up done at Empire Salon

 

 

DSC1288

The biggest hit at the market was the Shawarma Shed

 

 

DSC1293

Look at that meat!

 

 

DSC1275

Ice cream because it is hot in the Middle East  :P

 

 

DSC1294

These people must be dying from the heat!!! Lol! :D

 

 

DSC1303

There was also an Animal Encouter booth where you could get up close and personal 
with this python. Some people were afraid to go near and used their GoPros.

 

 

DSC1305

Guess who was brave enough?
FYI, I ALSO EAT SNAKES!!!

 

 

DSC1273

Because weather had been quite unpredictable lately, there were
umbrellas for guests. Manila Bulletin really thought of everything!

 

 

DSC1334

I loved the costumes of our media partners

 

 

DSC1336

The program started with a spectacular performance by Folies de Mwah

 

 

DSC1349

Event hosts Sam YG and Giselle Sanchez were a riot and
had me laughing all night. 

 

 

DSC1354

Manila Bulletin Chairman Basilio Yap welcomed all media partners and thanked them
for their support through the years. "114 years of business, 114 years of meaningful 
changing time. Without you, we will not be here today."

 

 

DSC1358

And then, DINNER TIME!!!

 

 

What I ate:

 

DSC1329

 

 

DSC1361

 

 

DSC1367

 

 

DSC1372

 

 

DSC1411

 

 

It was really impressive how much preparation and effort our media partners put into their dance numbers for the competition. It was hard to choose a winning team!

 

 

DSC1383

 

 

DSC1392

 

 

DSC1407

 

 

DSC1412

 

 

DSC1414

 

 

DSC1418

 

 

DSC1427

 

 

DSC1442

 

 

DSC1443

 

  

DSC1478

The dance competition judges: Jill Ngo of Goddesses of Bellydance,
Pocholo Malilin of Club Mwah, and Liza Ilarde, Fashion Editor of MB

 

 

DSC1473

Last but not the least, a special number by MB's very own Advertising Team

 

 

DSC1466

And more glitz and glamour by Folies de Mwah

 

 

DSC1475

 It felt like I was in Vegas… or Bangkok! Haha!

 

 

 DSC1482

What a performance!!!

 

  

DSC1452

MB's Emilio Yap III presented special awards to outstanding clients and partners including
 Pilipinas Shell, Megaworld Corporation, Zenith Optimedia, Starcom MediaVest, and
Ominicom Media Group. They were the most beautiful trophies I have ever seen! 

 

 

Manila Bulletin also gave away raffle prizes to the lucky ones. There were power banks, portable speakers, GoPros, Instax, Tiffany & Co. jewelries, iPhones, Apple Packages (iPad + iPhone), complimentary room and spa packages at Manila Hotel, and many more!

 

DSC1498

And then, the most-awaited part of the evening - the announcement of the Grand Prize
and its two winners - one from advertising agencies and one from direct clients.

 

 

DSC1491

 The Grand Prize was a vacation trip for 2 couples at Anantara Resort in Dubai, complete with 
luxurious accommodations, meals, plane tickets, and even visa assistance!!!

 

 

DSC1500

The lucky winners Allen Catindig of Federal Land and Cris Zepeda of Maxus

 

 

But before the night ended, the Genie, in his strong, booming voice, announced that there will be one more grand wish!

 

 

DSC1502

The Chairman picked out one very lucky person

 

 

DSC1512

And that person was Aida Valido.
Aida, along with everyone else in the audience, was clueless about the grand wish
when she went up on stage.

 

Of course, I knew what it was and I was dying of excitement for her! Hahahaha!

 

 

And the Grand Wish was...

OH MY GOD!!!

 

DSC1511

One million pesos worth of wishes in whatever form Aida wanted - house and lot, car, 
appliances, dining coupons (lol!)… Of course, she chose cash!!!

 

 

DSC1514

 What an unforgettable evening for Aida and for all of us who were there to experience
the most lavish Arabian Night!

 

 

DSC1519

 MB Lifestyle Team

 

 

DSC1138

The glowing Kathy So-Chua, AVP for Advertising

 

 

DSC1215

Congratulations, Ahia Emil!!!! You've outdone yourself again this year!
Can't wait for 2015!!! 

 

 

Manila Bulletin Superheroes Night Thanksgiving Party 2013

Manila Bulletin Website

Manila Bulletin Facebook Page

Instagram: @manilabulletin

 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...