What happens when a lifestyle “giant” marks an important occasion? It goes all out and does it in grand style! That’s what happened when City of Dreams (COD) Manila marked its 10th anniversary recently.
This popular lifestyle complex started its series of celebrations with a “by-invitation-only” deluxe dinner for its friends and key customers. On hand to welcome the guests were Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd. chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Ho and COD Manila Property president Geoff Andres.
During his speech, Ho acknowledged and thanked the support of the government, COD Manila’s staff complement of 4,500, and his business partners, the Sy family, represented during the dinner by Hans Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings and SM Investments Corp., and Henry Sy Jr., vice chairman. He also expressed gratitude for the leadership of Geoff Andres and Kevin Benning before him for consistently achieving the Forbes Travel Guide Stars and Standards, putting COD above the rest of its competitors.
City of Dreams Manila has almost 1,000 hotel rooms across three luxury hotels and a spa, all rated by Forbes Travel Guide. It also features over 20 restaurants, the first DreamWorks family entertainment center, and a vast gaming area favored by many leisure seekers.
Ho recalled that when COD Manila first opened, he presented a short film starring Hollywood giants Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, directed by multi-award winner Martin Scorsese. He confided that this part of COD Manila’s launch was the most fun he has ever had in his professional career.
That evening’s dinner was something for the books! It was a superb four-course meal fit for a king, which started with a Trio of Sustainable Seafood—Tiger Prawns, Scallops, and Yellow Fin Tuna, all served with Pickled Cucumber, Preserved Green Mango, Tomato Relish, and Honey Balsamic Glaze. This was followed by Pan-Seared Red Snapper in Creamy Cauliflower Velouté, Celery Confit, and Saffron Beurre Blanc.
I was already satisfied with those delicious items, but they were still followed by Sous Vide Carbon Neutral Angus Beef Tenderloin in Caldereta Sauce and Red Wine Reduction. It was the most tender meat my taste buds had ever had the pleasure of coming in contact with!
The dinner’s finale was just as impressive as the other items on the menu. It was Salted Caramel Popcorn in Caramel Jelly and Dulcey Sauce, placed inside an edible popcorn box made of Cream and Corn Sponge. I have to hand it to COD Manila’s culinary team for curating a unique and delectable dinner.
In fact, even before the meal started, all of us guests were already impressed with the centerpiece on each of the dining tables. It was a handcrafted Chocolate Fortune Egg surrounded by Petit Fours of assorted flavors, made from locally sourced and carefully curated ingredients. One set was made of dehydrated dried mango coated in silky white chocolate; another set featured caramelized pili nuts covered with smooth milk chocolate; and yet another had luscious coconut cream ganache blended with roasted and caramelized white sesame seeds.
Adding more pizazz to the evening were captivating musical performances by the APO Hiking Society (minus, of course, the late Danny Javier), singer-songwriter and television star Ogie Alcasid, and megastar Sharon Cuneta. It was such a great feeling to be able to sing along to my favorite tunes of yesteryears.
While this fit-for-royalty dinner was taking place at COD Manila’s Ballroom, Superfest Manila was also happening at the driveway of the main casino, where trendy sports cars and super trucks enthralled car enthusiasts, especially the Jaguar I-Pace. This electric SUV will be the first of the luxury cars up for grabs each month in COD Manila’s “10 Cars in 10 Months” raffle draw for Melco members, as part of its tribute to 10 years of existence.
Now, that’s how an anniversary should be celebrated! After all, it has been a decade of wonderful dreams for Melco and the approximately 50 million guests who have entered its portals throughout these years.
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YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE:
SIGN IN A NON-SMOKING AREA: If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and will take appropriate action.
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