Tuesday, December 14, 2021

A Holly, Jolly Christmas at Sheraton Manila December 13, 2021 at 11:05PM

Out of Town Blog
A Holly, Jolly Christmas at Sheraton Manila

Charity Hamper

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The Christmas season is just around the corner! Whether you’re dining quietly at home with the family or sending a box of delicious goodies to the people you love, good food is still a wonderful way to spread love and good cheer this season. This year, Sheraton Manila’s delightful yuletide offers perfect for gathering and gift-giving are waiting for you.

Sheraton Manila Hotel
Sheraton Manila Hotel

Hamper Holidays!

Take gift giving to the next level with specially curated holiday hamper from S Kitchen.
Take gift giving to the next level with specially curated holiday hamper from S Kitchen.

Take the gift-giving to the next level with hampers from Sheraton Manila. Choose from the stylish hampers in wooden crates with loads of treats for your liking. S Kitchen’s Festive Hamper is inclusive of the sumptuous buttery and flavorful Paletta De Bellota Iberica Ham, Cebolla Paella Rice, Sugo Al Tonno Con Capperi, Christmas sweets like the Chocolate Santa, Christmas Cookie Puzzle, Pastillas, three drip coffee packs, and a bottle of Canyon Road wine. All for Php 4,700. Special buy one, get one vouchers from S Kitchen and Shine Spa also add to the holiday surprise. Option to upgrade to Champagne Duval Leroy is also available for Php 7000.

Wish everyone the best of the holidays with a prime-grade beef set with superior marbling and Oori’s Korean side dishes.
Wish everyone the best of the holidays with a prime-grade beef set with superior marbling and Oori’s Korean side dishes.

Oori will also make the holidays savory with their Premium Beef Set for Php 6,600, inclusive of Wagyu Rib Eye 5+, LA Galbi Beef Short Ribs, Oori’s homemade Ssamjang (soybean sauce) and Yangpa Jjangachi (onion pickle), and a bottle of Bokbunja (Korean Raspberry Wine).

Yuletide Sets

Worry no more on your holiday feasts. Sheraton Manila’s festive sets will make your preparations easy and tasteful. S Kitchen offers sets for 10-12 persons inclusive of mixed green salad, sides, and dessert. Choose from Leg of Ham (Php 6,960), Roasted Turkey (Php 7,800), Cochnillo (Php10,800), and Slow Roast Ribeye (Php 12,000).

Gatherings are made more special with a sumptuous feast from S Kitchen created especially for you and those you loved the most.
Gatherings are made more special with a sumptuous feast from S Kitchen created especially for you and those you loved the most.
Make your Christmas celebration better than the last with an all-Korean feast.
Make your Christmas celebration better than the last with an all-Korean feast.

Have a Korean-inspired feast with Oori’s Festive Sets for 8 to 10 persons with Roasted Australian Beef Rump (Php 10,800) or Roasted Spanish Pork Belly (Php 8,400). All sets include Yachae Japchae, Yachae Jorim, Stir-Fried Fish Cake, Homemade Cabbage Kimchi, Homemade Onion Pickle, Homemade Soy bean sauce, and Sweet Bean White Chocolate Peppermint Cake.

Relax and Stay

Unlimited treats and fun are waiting for you with the Staycay Holiday package. Enjoy an unlimited meal in Oori or S Kitchen while kids can have unlimited popcorn, puzzle, and different Kids Club activities. Feel comfy with upcycled pajamas and unlimited massage service from Shine Spa. Bond while being creative with the holiday gingerbread man decoration kit. Snack till you drop with mini-bar treats for the whole family. All these for only Php 21,888++ (2 guests and 2 kids).

Oori, Sheraton Manila’s premier Korean restaurant
Oori, Sheraton Manila’s premier Korean restaurant
Enjoy the holidays with a staycation with the whole family in one of Sheraton Manila’s rooms.
Enjoy the holidays with a staycation with the whole family in one of Sheraton Manila’s rooms.

Intimate celebrations are also best when spent with your loved one. Make this holiday one of a kind with the Holiday Vubble room package – overnight stay in a deluxe room with breakfast and an exclusive 4-course Vubble dinner with sparkling mocktail or prosecco for two. Welcome 2022 at the balcony of your own room while enjoying a 4-course private balcony dinner, New Year’s Eve mini cake, sparkler, and an overnight stay in a deluxe room overlooking Vega Pool. Enjoy both for only Php 18,888+++ each.

Welcome 2022!

Another year, another time to gather and celebrate the year it has been. For just Php 4500+++ per person, guests can have a fantastic New Year’s Eve Countdown in COLLAB with a festive dinner, Hibiscus Iced Tea, wine and cocktails, live entertainment from Jo and the Holy Notes, and a chance to win a complimentary buffet for 2 in S Kitchen.

Sheraton Manila’s New Year’s Eve Gala Night will be happening at COLLAB.
Sheraton Manila’s New Year’s Eve Gala Night will be happening at COLLAB.
6-course intimate dining experience inside the Vubble.
6-course intimate dining experience inside the Vubble.
Sheraton Manila Hotel The Lounge
Sheraton Manila Hotel The Lounge

The Lounge will take you through a retro-themed party with a snacking menu for 2-4 persons, a choice of one bottle of sparkling wine or cocktail or mocktail pitcher, party hats and poppers. Price is at Php 2500 nett. Let S Kitchen take you to a sumptuous buffet spread and a glass of Valdivieso sparkling wine for only Php 3,888 nett. Oori will make you experience a traditional Korean way of welcoming 2022 with its New Year’s Spread for Php 5,000 nett good for 2 persons. Intimate celebrations are also on the go with Vubble. For Php 10,000+++ per person, you and your loved one can enjoy your own space with a fine dining meal, a bottle of champagne, and a complimentary pass to the New Year’s Eve Gala Night.

Give & Share

Holidays are most truly joyful when it is celebrated by giving. Sheraton Manila Hotel once again partners with Save the Children foundation through the Charity Hamper. This year’s Charity Hamper includes 1 set of pajamas from Sheraton Manila, 1 bath towel from Manila Marriott, 1 pair of slippers from Courtyard Iloilo, and 1 tote beach bag. Proceeds of Php 300 will go to Save the Children for every Charity Hamper purchased.

Charity Hamper
Charity Hamper

For inquiries and orders for Sheraton Manila Hotel’s offers, call (+632) 7902-1808. For more information on the latest offers and to join ongoing conversations, visit https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mnlsi-sheraton-manila-hotel/ and follow @sheratonmanila on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Join Make it Marriott Viber Community to be in the loop.

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Read: Gift Ideas: Safer Holidays Assured For Loved Ones With Mondial Direct’s Newest Gift Set Lineup

A Holly, Jolly Christmas at Sheraton Manila
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

PHOTOS: 2021 Anilao Underwater Shootout stages a successful comeback December 13, 2021 at 06:28PM

Out of Town Blog
PHOTOS: 2021 Anilao Underwater Shootout stages a successful comeback

Competition Judges Scott Gutsy Tuason (far left) and Mike Bartick (7th from left) and Competition Director Oliver Ang (far right) with AUS participants

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Amateur and professional underwater photographers, divers, and marine enthusiasts once again masterfully captured the beauty of Anilao in the entries to the 7th Anilao Underwater Shootout (AUS), recently mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

AUS competition judges Mike Bartick, William Tan (virtual) and Scott Gutsy Tuason (far right) and competition director Oliver Ang (third from left).
AUS competition judges Mike Bartick, William Tan (virtual) and Scott Gutsy Tuason (far right) and competition director Oliver Ang (third from left).
Competition Judges Scott Gutsy Tuason (far left) and Mike Bartick (7th from left) and Competition Director Oliver Ang (far right) with AUS participants
Competition Judges Scott Gutsy Tuason (far left) and Mike Bartick (7th from left) and Competition Director Oliver Ang (far right) with AUS participants

Dubbed as the “World Cup of Underwater Photo Competitions,” the four-day event highlighted the town’s teeming marine biodiversity, including its world-famous nudibranchs.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the event showcased the country’s readiness to welcome back tourists and reclaim its position as the world’s leading dive destination.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling, Jr.
Department of Tourism Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling, Jr.

“The Anilao Underwater Shootout is a platform to communicate the importance of safeguarding our delicate reefs and marine ecosystems for future generations. As we slowly rebuild and recover from the effects of the pandemic, this event is our way of announcing to the world that the Philippines’ diving industry is alive and well, and very much ready to welcome divers and underwater photographers,” Puyat said.

Supporting the department’s thrust to safely restart tourism in the country, Puyat also noted that more than 95 percent of the tourism workers in dive destinations are now fully vaccinated.

Gathering a total of 120 participants flying in from all over the country, the event also spurred domestic tourism activity in Anilao, trickling down to the community with engagement from the town’s resorts, dive guides, and spotters.

This year’s edition garnered a total of 348 entries across the competition’s 11 categories. Winners were awarded over two million pesos worth of prizes from its official airline partner Cebu Pacific, and underwater photography gear from event partners Nauticam, Scubalamp, and sponsors AOI, XDEEP, Crest, Fourth Element, Divers Point, Nautilus Dive, and Sports Center, Squires Bingham, and Ultralight Control Systems, Inc.

In the Open Class, Macro/Supermacro category, winners are Dennis Corpuz, 1st place; Marivic Verdadero Maramot, 2nd place; and Emil Ribaya Jaranilla, 3rd place.

In the Marine Behavior category, winners are Ariel Careño Locsin, 1st place; Glenn Ian Diaz Villanueva, 2nd place; and Adrian Dan, 3rd place.

In the Nudibranch category, winners are Dennis Corpuz, 1st place; Glenn Ian Villanueva, 2nd place; Armida Esteban, 3rd place.

In the Fish Portrait category, winners are Dennis Corpuz, 1st place; Louis Myse Fae Ronquillo, 2nd place; Angelyca Paras Nery, 3rd place.

For the Compact Class, Macro/Supermacro category, winners are: Rafael Francisco, 1st place; Jorge Ida, 2nd place; and Fr. Nemer de Castro Chua, 3rd place.

In the Marine Behavior category, winners are Regie Casia, 1st place; Lloyd Respicio, 2nd place; and Anjeanette Fuentebella, 3rd place.

In the Nudibranch category, winners are Penn De Los Santos, 1st place; Kim Morfe, 2nd place; Armando Panopio, 3rd place.

In the Fish Portrait category, winners are Teresa Sy Ortin, 1st place; Patricia Santos, 2nd place; and Ronald Amboy Dalawampo, 3rd place.

Special prizes were awarded to Dennis Corpuz in the Blackwater category and Paul Joseph Aristorenas in the Wide Angle category.

DOT Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling, Jr. with DOT Photographer of the Year (Open Class) Dennis Corpuz and PCSSD Executive Director Rowena Sorioso
DOT Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling, Jr. with DOT Photographer of the Year (Open Class) Dennis Corpuz and PCSSD Executive Director Rowena Sorioso

Teresa Sy Ortin and Dennis Corpuz were named DOT Photographers of the Year for the Compact and Open classes respectively.

The international event has been organized by the DOT since 2013, in line with the identification of diving as a priority tourism product in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). This year’s panel of judges includes renowned underwater photography aficionados David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Mike Bartick, Scott Gutsy Tuason, William Tan, and Underwater360 Group founder John Thet.

Following COVID-19 restrictions, the event followed a hybrid format with underwater photography workshops hosted via Zoom and the competition’s official Facebook page. Judging and deliberations were also done through the videoconferencing application.

The 7th Anilao Underwater Shootout was mounted in partnership with Mabini Tourism, DOT Region 4 A Calabarzon #DiscoverCalabarzon, Solitude Acacia Resort, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Crystal Blue Dive Resort, Nauticam, Scubalamp, AOI, and Scubastudio Philippines. The event is also supported by Wetpixel, Underwater Photography Magazine, Underwater 360, and GRID Magazine.

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Read: Underwater Photography: Anilao Underwater Shootout Is Back

PHOTOS: 2021 Anilao Underwater Shootout stages a successful comeback
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog