One Saturday afternoon, I was introduced to a most relaxing and nurturing spa rejuvenating experience at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. I went to Sofitel's Le Spa for an hour of Sérénité, a Filipino Pride Massage, hoping to be relieved of the stresses of work and of life in general.
Bold branding behind the spa reception counter
Relaxing sweet ginger tea
Upon arrival at Le Spa, I was asked to fill out a guest card with my personal and health details as I waited to be assigned my treatment suite. I was served sweet ginger tea that immediately relaxed me, while bedroom slippers were given for me to wear and they took care of storing my shoes.
Modern vibrant lounge welcomes guests at Le Spa
I took the opportunity to snap some photos of the Le Spa lounge and of the treatment suite, which was a good sized room with two massage beds, two foot spa lounges, a sink and wardrobe. The music I chose was of the Nature kind, with the sounds of gushing water and chirping birds.
A touch of France
What came next was a glorious hour of deep full body massage done by able trained hands. With the rhythmic strokes and the calming music, I felt myself slowly slipping into sleep.
To cap off the massage was a special facial treatment -- I was told it has anti-aging benefits and was asked to refrain from washing my face for the rest of the day.
Foot bath stations
Comfy massage bed
At Le Spa, they are now offering facial treatments with Thémaé -- an exclusive range of treatments based on the properties of tea, long considered as one of nature's most effective elixirs. It has the potent powers of four tea extracts, namely: the regenerating white tea, stimulating black tea, soothing red tea and the anti-oxidant green tea. Why tea? Tea actively contributes to slowing the skin's signs of aging by neutralizing the free radicals that break down collagen and elastin.
I say, with this magic Le Spa has cast on me, I felt like a million bucks and ready to face the world once again.
For those who want to try Le Spa, call (632) 551-5555 or email lespa@sofitelmanila.com for inquiries and reservations on Sofitel's beauty and wellness services. Visit www.sofitelmanila.com.
In a progressing country such as ours, education is the one thing that parents can give their children to ensure a bright future because unlike material things, the knowledge and values we derive from school can't be taken from us. "With education, we can be anything!" is the echoing message that Apl.de.ap, the Filipino-American member of the world-famous Black Eyed Peas, wants to impart to the Filipino youth through his education advocacy campaign.
The "We Can Be Anything" education advocacy had a soft launch yesterday at the Grand Sunset Pavilion of Sofitel Philippine Plaza and provided selected media and guests a glimpse of the joint advocacy project of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Apl.de.ap Foundation. The grand launch will be done at the Black Eyed Peas' Manila concert at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds on October 25.
We have seen how apl.de.ap has always been proud of being a Filipino as heard in his music and interviews. This education advocacy gives him a greater chance to help the Filipino youth and he uses his music and influence to enjoin others support the project. "I was born here and I'd like to give back to the Philippines by making it possible for more kids to go to school," Apl.de.ap said. "I would not have gotten this far were it not for education, and I'd like to be able to help the youth to achieve their dreams."
Black Eyed Peas' Apl.de.ap
The press conference was opened by Rafael Lopa, president of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), by giving an overview of what the education advocacy campaign is all about and how it came to be.
NCAF president Rafael Lopa
"We Can Be Anything" will support private sector efforts to build public school classrooms and other learning centers nationwide. As the NCAF's iamninoy-iamcory movement special ambassador for education, Apl.de.ap is lending his magic to boost programs like the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program of the 57-75 Education Reform Alliance which seeks to build 10,000 new classrooms within two years.
Mario Deriquito, one of the convenors of the 57-75 alliance
To get more people involved in raising the funds, the Ten Moves campaign was born. Spearheaded by the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Ten Moves espouses the "10 pesos per day for 10 months" donation -- or P3,000 donation from each Filipino -- that would help finance the construction of the classrooms. According to Mr. Lopa, "It costs about P600,000 to P650,000 to build one classroom. So far, out of the 726 classrooms pledged, 428 have been constructed."
DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera
Department of Education Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera shared," DepEd's Key Mandates are: ensuring that all school-age children are in school; keeping the children in school; and providing the children quality education." The shortage in classrooms makes it difficult for DepEd to meet their key mandates since it reduces government's ability to accommodate all school-age children. The lack of education infrastructure also affects the children's interest in staying in school, thus affecting learning.
"We Can Be Anything" Video
The upbeat song "We Can Be Anything" was composed by Apl to make the youth relate to the advocacy campaign. An accompanying music video that Apl.de.ap co-produced with his best friend and B.E.P. colleague Will.i.am is currently being shown on TV and online. Share the video to spread the word.
Apl.de.ap telling his life story and why he is campaining for education
As the NCAF's iamninoy-iamcory movement special ambassador for education, Apl.de.ap was asked how he was as a student and he quipped, "I did pretty well!" Although he had trouble back then as a student because of his eyesight problem which gave him a hard time seeing the blackboard, he told us that , "I just copy notes from my classmates or I move my seat closer to the blackboard to see better. My adoptive father was very proud of my grades."
When asked about his favorite subject in school, he answered, "English," and shared this anecdote, "I knew I was going to be adopted so I asked my mom how I can improve my English and she advised me to read the dictionary."
As a student Apl "did pretty well."
It was no secret that Apl.de.ap was given good education (and a better eyesight via an operation) by the family who adopted him and brought him to the United States of America. "I still cherish my Pinoy roots and I would like to give back whatever I can to the Philippines. The best way to do that, I feel, is by creating opportunities for young Filipinos, " thus, the birth of the Apl Foundation in 2008 to help various communities and children within the Philippines and through out Asia.
(l-r) Mario Deriquito, Rafael Lopa, Apl.de.ap, Lino Rivera and Audie Vergara
Noticing how the education campaign seems to focus on resources for public school school classrooms, I asked them, "Do you have plans to come up with a campaign to help the Filipino teachers as well? Mr. Lopa said that plans to help teachers get proper incentives and proper training as definitely in the pipeline.
Advocacy materials: t-shirt, button pin and celphone charm
Roll out the barrels! October signals the staging of many Oktoberfest celebrations across the country but the much awaited event is the 73rd Oktoberfest Manila. Presented by Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and the German Club Manila, Oktoberfest Manila is happening on October 20 - 23, 2011 and it is the second time for Sofitel Manila to host this very famous event held annually in Germany.
The event will showcase the "Munich" style beer festival that will definitely bring on the beers, bratwursts and Bavarian spirit. The Oktoberfest in Manila is considered as the only authentic Bavarian festival in the Philippines, featuring a celebration of traditions, entertainment, and Bavarian food and beverage that displays classic German folk festivals.
To mark the 201st year of the Oktoberfest, Sofitel Manila houses the event in its spectacular Harbor Garden Tent with a breathtaking natural resort setting to take the Oktoberfest 2011 to greater heights. For a more wonderful celebration, The Bavarian Sound Express, well-known from previous Oktoberfests in Manila, will keep guests singing and dancing all night long.
The Oktoberfest Manila launch held previously let us experience the sights and flavors of the German celebration -- authentic Oktoberfest tables and benches that were especially made to provide a festive beer garden setting; ladies in dirndls and gents in lederhosen went around to add to the "Munich" inspired Oktoberfest celebration; Bavarian delights such as fresh roasted pork knuckles, roasted calf, laugen rolls, grilled sausages and mouth-watering pastries were also be served, paired with refreshing, ice cold beer free flowing for everyone.
At the Sofitel lobby, the Oktoberfest house offers souvenirs and premium items to commemorate the festivities. Shirts, mugs, stuff toys and giant heart cookies are for sale for kids and adults alike.
Oktoberfest 2011 will start from 6pm until midnight on October 20 to 22, and from 10:30am to 2pm on October 23, which is Family Day, where inflatable bouncing castles, magicians, face painters and other fun games will delight the young and old alike during Sunday Brunch. For guests celebrating the Oktoberfest, there are special overnight accommodation rates offered on these dates.
For ticket inquiries, please call the German Club Manila at (632) 817.3552 and 818.3552 or email at germanclub@germanclub.ph. For room reservations, please call (632) 551.5555 extensions1991 to 1994 or email at room.reservations@sofitelmanila.com. Moreover, Oktoberfest 2011 merchandise and goodies will be on sale at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila's grand lobby on October 10 to 23, 2011.
For more information about Oktoberfest 2011 at Sofitel Manila, please visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100989193344083.
Life is wherever it takes me. I am a marketing and events professional who
blogs because I LOVE to write and share things I see and experience; NOT because I want to earn or get special favors. :)
