Category Archives: Entertainment

Yesterday, I went to City of Dreams to check if it’s really the City of Dreams 🙂

And just from the outside, it’s shining gold! 🙂  They opened last December and even without any advertising, they have registered an average of 60,000 visitors a day!

City of Dreams Manila is a new integrated casino resort that is poised to become a premier leisure and entertainment destination in the Philippines’ capital and within the region. Located at the gateway to Entertainment City, the resort combines electrifying entertainment, an amazing array of accommodations, regional and international dining, together with designer brand shopping as well as a spacious and contemporary casino.

The destination resort is solely operated and managed by MCE Leisure (Philippines) Corporation, the subsidiary of Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation, (“MCP” or the “Company”) – a company with shared listed on the Philippines Stock Exchange (“PSE”) with trading symbol “MCP” and a subsidiary of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited, (SEHK: 6883) (NASDAQ: MPEL), which is a developer and owner of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia.

Located on a 6.2 hectare site, the integrated resort complex brings together a diverse collection of contemporary leisure and lifestyle brands including Crown, Nobu, Hyatt, DreamWorks and the Pangaea Group. As such, an exceptional entertainment experience awaits all types of travelers and visitors from around the region.

If there are rockstar chefs and artists, there are rockstar businessmen!  Lawrence Ho co-chairman and Chief Executive Officer Melco Crown Entertainment Limited and James Packer Co-Chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited.  Visionaries behind City of Dreams

Mr. Lawrence Yau Lung Ho was appointed as the Executive Director of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited on December 20, 2004 and has served as its Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since December 2004. Since November 2001, Mr. Ho has also served as the Managing Director and, since March 2006, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco. Mr. Ho has been appointed as the Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Summit Ascent Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of the HKSE, since July 10, 2013.

Mr. Ho is a Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He also serves on numerous boards and committees of privately held companies in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. In recognition of Mr. Ho’s excellent directorship and entrepreneurial spirit, Institutional Investor honored him as the “Best CEO” in 2005. He was also granted the “5th China Enterprise Award for Creative Businessmen” by the China Marketing Association and China Enterprise News, “Leader of Tomorrow” by Hong Kong Tatler and the “Directors of the Year Award” by the Hong Kong Institute of Directors in 2005.

As a socially responsible young entrepreneur in Hong Kong, Mr. Ho was elected as one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons Selection 2006”, organized by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong. In 2007, he was elected as a finalist in the “Best Chairman” category in the “Stevie International Business Awards” and one of the “100 Most Influential People across Asia Pacific” by Asiamoney magazine. In 2008, he was granted the “China Charity Award” by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. And in 2009, Mr. Ho was selected as one of the “China Top Ten Financial and Intelligent Persons” judged by a panel led by the Beijing Cultural Development Study Institute and Fortune Times, and was named “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” at Hong Kong’s first Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards.

Mr. Ho was selected by FinanceAsia as one of the “Best CEOs in Hong Kong” for the fifth time in 2014. He was also awarded “Asia’s Best CEO” at the Asian Excellence Awards by Corporate Governance Asia magazine for the third time, and was honored as one of the recipients of the Asian Corporate Director Recognition Awards for three consecutive years in 2014.

Mr. James Packer was appointed as the non-executive Director of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited in March 2005 and has served as its Co-Chairman since then. Mr Packer is the Chairman of Crown Resorts Limited. Crown is one of Australia’s largest luxury resort, tourism and entertainment groups. It has properties and investments in Melbourne, Perth and London with a market capitalisation of approximately $12 billion. Mr. Packer is also the Chairman of Consolidated Press Holdings Limited (the largest shareholder of Crown), having been appointed in January 2006. In December 2012, Mr Packer and producer-filmmaker Brett Ratner formed a joint venture, RatPac Entertainment. The firm produces independent films and co-produces studio-films, TV documentaries, online content and books for a global audience. RatPac and Dune Entertainment have formed a film investment vehicle, which in September 2013, entered a multi-year, 75-film co-financing partnership with Warner Bros. The first film financed by RatPac was a major success. Gravity, a space thriller directed by Alfonso Cuaron and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, generated the strongest ever October opening in the US and took box office receipts of more than US$100 million in its first five days. Mr Packer is also a major shareholder in Australia’s Network Ten and has a number of other successful investments including a shareholding in Chinese online employment company, Zhoapin Pty Ltd.

Mr. Clarence Chung Yuk Man, Chairman of Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation

Mr. Clarence Chung Yuk Man was appointed as Chairman and President of Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation on December 19, 2012. Mr. Chung was also appointed as Director of Melco Crown Entertainment in November 2006 and has been an Executive Director of Melco International since May 2006. Mr. Chung has also served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Entertainment Gaming Asia Inc., a NASDAQ listed company, since October 2008. He has been named one of the “Asian Gaming 50” for consecutive years by Inside Asian Gaming magazine.

Mr. Chung holds a master degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and is also a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

There are 3 hotels in the resort.  But when you stay in one and eat in a restaurant of another hotel, it can still be charged to your room bill.

Accommodations: Situated across six hotel towers, City of Dreams Manila will cater to the diverse needs of a wide spectrum of visitors that the resort will attract from the Philippines, Asia and around the world.

The accommodation offerings, with a combined a total of approximately 940 VIP and five-star luxury rooms, include:

• Crown Towers: an exclusive, six-star experience for those seeking refinement in every aspect of their stay, featuring 254 lavishly appointed contemporary rooms, suites and villas. Crown Towers also offers guest a completely personalized experience, delivered by 48 exclusive butlers.

• Nobu Hotel: inspired by the world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa and his dazzling array of hip, modern restaurants throughout the world, Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila is the first in Asia, which brings a trend-setting, boutique hotel experience. Championed by Academy award-winning actor Robert De Niro and Hollywood producer Meir Teper, the hotel’s 321 rooms will deliver a celebrity-inspired, “fun-luxury” experience to its guests.

• Hyatt City of Dreams Manila: the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Asia creates a modern, comfortable and approachable setting, with easy access to everything a guest may need. The 365-room hotel proffers modern, restful rooms with all the contemporary niceties and amenities.

Gaming: As an integrated casino resort, City of Dreams Manila is now anticipated to be able to operate up to approximately 380 gaming tables, 1,700 slot machines and 1,700 electronic table games upon opening, offering an exciting and dynamic gaming experience for both VIP and mass-market.

I am not a gambler, so I will come here for the entertainment and food!  The floral arrangements are beautiful all over the resort.  There will be 21 dining destinations around the complex so there’s definitely a big variety of places to go to

Dining: City of Dreams Manila offers an eclectic range of world-class restaurants and eateries including the very best in contemporary fine dining. Specialty restaurants include Nobu restaurant at the Nobu Hotel which will feature menus inspired by Chef Nobu’s unique style of fusion artistry, including his world-renowned signature dishes. Lavish European Haute cuisine and a stellar wine collection can be enjoyed at The Tasting Room. The Crystal Dragon, meanwhile, delivers a delectable menu of premium Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties in a modern Oriental setting. A wide array of café, lounge and casual eating offerings and a diverse selection of bars complete the F&B experience.

 CULINARY OFFERINGS AT CITY OF DREAMS MANILA

At City of Dreams Manila, a myriad of dining delights await guests, with a studied selection of contemporary Western and Asian cuisine matched with imported premium whiskies, wines and bespoke cocktails exclusively served within the venue.

Signature restaurants range from casual elegance to understated luxury, elevating the culinary experience for patrons at every price point. From the posh-designed café lounges to the extravagant restaurants, each visit is guaranteed to provide comprehensive and excellence service.

Signature Restaurants

Nobu Manila

Location: Pool Deck, Level 1, Nobu Hotel

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has been astounding the world with his masterful and artistic approach to Japanese cuisine since the early 90’s. His expertise in the art of sushi punctuated with Peruvian influences has redefined the Oriental dining experience for close to three decades, as seen in his vast culinary empire spanning a total of 32 restaurants in 28 cities and five continents.

Manila has long-awaited the arrival of this globally-renowned dining destination to its shores, which introduces the same masterful technique used in preparing Chef Nobu’s signature dishes to local and regional clientele — courtesy of Executive Chef Zachary Hillberry — such as Black Cod Den Miso, Whitefish Tiradito Style, King Crab Amazu Ponzu, Salmon Sashimi New Style, Toro Tartar with Caviar, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, Rock Shrimp Creamy Spicy, Squid Pasta, and Beef Tobanyaki, among other highly-favored classics.

A Nobu Manila exclusive on the menu is a specially-prepared dessert called Kanji, consisting of a layer of raspberry jelly, cream, green tea sponge cake, meringue and fresh strawberries, which delightfully caps off the entire experience.

A refreshing array of signature cocktails complement the menu and can even be enjoyed as guests relax by the Nobu Hotel poolside. Selections include the Matsuhisa Martini, Pins Martini, Mango Passion, Mia Margarita, Yamasaki Sidecar, Lychee Martini, and Champagne 95.

Nobu Manila houses 335 seats with two private dining rooms, a sushi bar, floating water cabanas; two Teppanyaki tables and a Chef’s Table.

Interested patrons can contact Nobu Manila’s Restaurant Manager Mr. Casper Khamphouy for additional information. Nobu Manila is open from 06:00 to 11:00 in the evening, daily.

The Tasting Room

Location: Ground Level, Crown Towers

Based on City of Dreams Macau’s Michelin star restaurant, The Tasting Room at Crown Towers is Manila’s faithful interpretation of fine dining excellence that caters to the most discerning of tastes.

Connoisseurs and casual diners alike will delight in The Tasting Room’s Modern European and epicurean dishes with a Haute cuisine approach, seamlessly paired with an assortment of imported wines and whiskies, most of which are exclusively found within City of Dreams Manila.

Headed by Chef de Cuisine William Mahi, The Tasting Room at Crown Towers serves ala carte and degustation signature dishes such as the “Beginnings” selection which offers Sea Bass Tartar – Mint – Watermelon – Coriander – Mango –Espuma; the “Aqua” menu which includes Wild John Dory – 30 Seconds – Eggplant – Sauce Yuzu – Clams – Red Basil – Oyster – Nori; and “Tierra” which has Barbarie Duck – Corn Polenta – Filo Pastry – Black French Olives – Sauce Grand Veneur – Popcorn.

With 136 seats and two private dining rooms, diners at The Tasting Room can look forward to topnotch culinary service within an elegantly-designed and private ambience.

The Tasting Room is open from noon to 5:00 in the afternoon for lunch, and 6:00 to 11:00 in the evening for dinner.

Restaurant Manager Damien Planchenault is available to respond to queries and reservations.

Crystal Dragon

Location: Upper Ground Floor, Crown Towers

Poised to serve diners looking for authentic premium Cantonese and classic Chinese cuisine, Crystal Dragon welcomes guests with interiors that evoke a contemporary Oriental ambience, replete with exquisite regional dishes prepared with a modern flair.

The restaurant can comfortably accommodate up to 92 patrons and features both a lunch and dinner a la carte menu; a gracious dim sum selection; as well as Chef’s Recommendation menus. A fine selection of Chinese teas is also offered to harmoniously match the wide-range of signature dishes such as Chilled Marinated Baby Abalone with Sauterne; Wok-Fried Kobe Beef Sirlion MS5 with Chef’s Special Sauce; Crispy Pan Cake filled with Lotus Paste and Hennessy XO Ice Cream.

Chef de Cuisine Bong Jun Choi heads operations at Crystal Dragon, ensuring unparalleled Oriental dining for all its guests.

For reservations and additional information, patrons can get in touch with Restaurant Manager Eric Lim.

Red Ginger

Location: Upper Ground Floor, accessible via the Upper Gaming Floor and Retail Avenue

All-day dining is available at Red Ginger, a Southeast Asian-inspired bistro, bar and café which features an extensive menu of regional dishes with two distinct zones: the Café Lounge and Bar Zone; and the A La Carte dining area, offering a breakfast and all-day dining a la carte menu.

Headed by Chef de Cuisine Audi Hayun Budiman, the Charred Beef Salad, Rendang-Spiced Freshwater King Prawns, and Nasi Goreng are some of the restaurant’s recommended dishes.

Inquiries can be made through Red Ginger’s Restaurant Manager Juvel Contreras.

Contemporary & Casual Restaurants

Noodl8

Location: Ground Floor, Gaming area

Noodl8 stirs the creativity of its patrons to create their own noodle soup through an interactive iPad menu, including ingredient selections from Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and the Philippines.

Serving savory fare 24 hours a day for up to 70 casual diners, guests can likewise choose a specific noodle dish from an a la carte menu inspired by Southeast Asian flavors.

DreamPlay by DreamWorks

Location: DreamPlay by DreamWorks, Upper Ground Floor

Fun, family dining awaits at the Café. The chefs and the food become the stars, with open show kitchens that feature wood-fired oven pizzas; hand-pulled noodles; ice cream, and dessert, among others.

Kids can also celebrate their birthday party here, with four private party rooms that seat up to 30 persons. DreamPlay is open from 11 am up to 9 pm daily.

The Hyatt Café

Location: Ground Floor, Hyatt City of Dreams Manila

Past a circular reception beneath a striking spiral chandelier, guests discover the Café, the main dining space at Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, open 24 hours. An interactive show-kitchen restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as delicious fare throughout the night, the bustling 315-seater dining venue offers a range of seating options, from cosy circular booths to private and semi-private rooms to standalone tables in the heart of all the action. This vibrant dining space combined with dynamic cookery gives food lovers a direct experience of pan-to-plate dining within a witty, charming and heartily inviting environment.

Poolside Spaces

For those who seek consummate rest and relaxation by the refreshing, clear waters of the hotel poolside, two pool bars offer an extensive array of beverages, brews and blends and complete the resort-inspired experience.

Location: Pool Deck, Level 1

Breezes

Location: Crown Towers Pool Deck

This tropical poolside bar caters to clients who require utmost exclusivity with its elegantly-appointed, 66 seating capacity. Guests can enjoy an extensive rum, whiskey and spirits selection, as well as Cuban and local cigars.

Breezes is open from 9:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon daily.

Wave

Location: Nobu and Hyatt Pool Deck

A laid-back poolside ambience awaits guests at Wave. This refreshing contemporary poolside deck, restaurant and bar plays chill out lounge music and provides guests with refreshing beverages, tropical cocktails, international cuisine, light snacks and healthy snack options.

Wave also serves as an ideal venue for barbeques with its open air and casual feel, conducive to intimate social gatherings.

Wave is easily accessible through Nobu Hotel and Hyatt City of Dreams Manila’s amenity areas and is operational from 9:00 in the morning to 11:00 in the evening.

Lobby Lounges

Crystal Lounge

Crystal Lounge is Crown Towers’ sophisticated lobby lounge welcoming hotel guests with its luxurious interiors. The lounge comfortably accommodates 64 dining seats and 18 bar seats and offers a boutique continental breakfast buffet. An all-day coffee and tea selection is further complemented by a light a la carte menu. In the evening, it transforms into an elegant lounge and cocktail bar, with an avant-garde mix of cocktails and brews.

Crystal Lounge uniquely offers premium French wines, as well as imported whiskies that are exclusive to City of Dreams Manila and are not found elsewhere in the country.

Crystal Lounge is open from 6:00 in the morning to 1:00 the following morning.

Nobu Tea House

Nobu Tea House translates Nobu Hotel Manila’s ultra-chic and modern Japanese interiors in a stylishly sophisticated and laid-back setting.

This 50-seater lounge boasts of a “taste and sense” adventure through its extensive variety of tea selections, premium coffees, and a patisserie of cakes, pastries, and chocolates.

Nobu Tea House is open from 7:00 in the morning to 12:00 midnight. High Tea is from 2:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon.

Gaming Restaurants

City of Dreams Manila provides its most valued patrons exclusive dining lounges to ensure utmost privacy and personalized dining services. Tailored menus offer regional Chinese, Asian and Western cuisine paired with a choice beverage selection.

Li Ying Club

This private dining lounge dedicated to VIP guests features regional Chinese, Asian and Western cuisine and a comprehensive beverage selection.

Located in the upper ground floor, this 76-seat lounge features a buffet counter, two private dining rooms, and five private and exclusive KTV rooms to the adjacent night club.

Food and beverage services are also offered in 15 private salons and six larger junket rooms.

Li Ying Hin

,Li Ying Hin players can be assured of comfort and privacy within a well-appointed room complemented by elegantly-served bespoke dining overlooking unparalleled views of the city.

Chinese, local and western comfort dishes, from light snacks to more premium Chinese delicacies, are some of the items available at Li Ying Hin.

This 150-seat VVIP Gaming Lounge is located in Level 8, Tower Suites of Crown Towers.

Signature Club

This 24-hour, exclusive, member-only dining room features Asian and International Cuisine.

The 180-seat lounge is located in the Ground Floor.

Franck Provost Salon

Chaos

 Shopping: City of Dreams Manila will also be home to some of the world’s most sought-after brands. With high-end fashion labels, premium beauty brands, exquisite jewelry and timepieces, City of Dreams Manila will provide exclusive shopping-therapy for the most discerning of cosmopolitan shoppers.

Entertainment: City of Dreams Manila continues Melco Crown Entertainment’s vision and enviable reputation in delivering spectacular Asia-inspired entertainment. The integrated resort features three distinctive entertainment venues including:

• DreamPlay by DreamWorks, the world’s first DreamWorks-inspired education-based interactive playspace

City of Dreams Manila has collaborated with DreamWorks Animation to create “DreamPlay,” an interactive and technology-rich play space with an education-based entertainment concept inspired by the mantra of learning through play. Both children and adults can interact with their favorite characters from popular DreamWorks Animation’s franchises such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and Madagascar by engaging in exciting, interactive activities such as creative storytelling and educational play.

Guests can use their imagination as they enjoy DreamPlay attractions such as: How To Fly Your Dragon, DinoTrux Repair Game, Vertical Wall of Awesomeness, Whatever Floats Your Boat, Shifu’s Training Hall, and more. The whole family can create, play, and learn as they enjoy activities such as wall climbing, toy building, 4D theaters, cooking classes, and games.

Inside DreamPlay is DreamWorks Café, which serves noodles, dim sum, pizza, ice cream, and other family favorites. Themed private rooms good for approximately 70 persons are also available for children’s parties. Guests can also participate in various open show kitchens, and purchase Dreamworks memorabilia in the retail store also located inside the theme park.

Who:                                        Children from ages 6 to 12. Some activities are for all ages.

Location:                                 Level 2 Retail Arcade, Family Entertainment Center

Operating Hours:                      11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Themed Party Rooms: Madagascar, Dragons, Kung Fu Panda (Approximately 70 persons)

Telephone Numbers:               +63-2-8008080

• Centerplay, a contemporary entertainment bar on the gaming floor, with prime live performances from local and international artists.
• Pangaea, a luxury ultra-lounge, and Chaos, a unique night club offering, both situated in the ‘Fortune Egg – an architecturally-unique dome-like structure, accentuated with creative exterior lighting and set to become an iconic landmark in the Manila Bay area.

Click below to go to their website

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So many things to do in Boracay!!

We actually did the Banana Boat for the kids 🙂  I rode the speedboat pulling the banana boat so I could take the video and photos of the kids.  Best to have goggles so the salt water does not go into your eye – look at Javier covering his eyes while Mio with goggles was very okay 🙂 

The boatmen are so good they know – we got to the end of the island, positioned the banana boat and let me take photo haha!!

Jumpshot by the happy kids!

After we took a jeep to get to the Zorb park.  This was an interesting one.  First time for us to see this

You have to walk up the steps to get to the top

The Zorb as well has to get up

Enter the sorb and strap yourself to the Zorb

And roll down the hill inside the Zorb!

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RGGG0INxkU&list=UU0aZ5cXpE7Dfvy3hFLhRmLw[/embedyt]

Tell your kids not to get down in the water because it does not look too clean- the water is green.  Best to just get out on the side of the pool

Click below to go to their Facebook page

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