Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Marriott Manila Appoints New General Manager

"Great leaders are those who value teamwork and worth of his people while he takes time to hone his expertise." - Mr. Scott Sibley. 

From Marriott USA, Canada, UAE, South Korea, and to the Philippines, Marriott Manila is proud to announce the appointment of a seasoned general manager, Mr. Scott Sibley. 

With his almost six years of stay at Marriott Guam Resort and Spa, American native Scott is now ready to assume leadership to one of the most progressive Marriott properties in the world, "I am deeply honored and excited to be working with Filipinos where the best of the industry can be found. Marriott Manila has taken leadership in the market by storm and we aim to be at the same spot for the many years to come", announces Scott.

An industry veteran, Scott takes pride that he started his career in the kitchen.  Boasting a strong background in food & beverage, Scott won an executive chef of the year award in 1990. He also published a cooking tour book with his stellar recipes, entitled "Tour Southeast Asia with Scott".

Born and raised in the USA, Scott graduated Hotel Apprenticeship at The Culinary Garden & Inn and took up a special course in accounting in 2009 at Universal Class Accounting 101. His passion in the kitchen and unique culinary talent gave Scott a passport to Marriott and paved way in jumpstarting a dynamic hospitality career.  For fourteen years, he was the hotel operations manager and executive chef before the opportunity came in to become a general manager at the Renaissance Dubai Hotel, his first property to hold the highest position. After more than two years, he was assigned at Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Center where he received his first most coveted Mustang award. Came 2004, he was transferred to Renaissance Seoul Hotel Korea where it houses fourteen famous F&B outlets.  During his term, the hotel amazingly garnered $51 million total of sales, commended as the 4th highest rated guest satisfaction for the Renaissance brand.

A man of talent, creativity, and hospitality, Scott is most admired for his ability to develop same skills to his staff. He is also gaining applause for his knack in executive team building, exceptional customer service, and opening hotels and restaurants. His sociable and yet strategic in thinking gave Scott  several achievements under his belt which include working for Marriott's thirteen different properties around the world—Florida, California, Hawaii, Dubai, Canada and was also task force and opened hotels in Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, UAE, USA, including Philippines (Marriott Cebu). His strong experience in working for three of the Marriott brands from Marriott Hotels Downtown, Renaissance Hotels, and Marriott Resorts and Spa makes Scott a trained and steady general manager.

Happily married to a Filipina and has been a father to almost 96% Filipino associates (staff) at Marriott Guam Resort and Spa, it’s no wonder why Philippines has a special spot in his heart. "I've found love here (Philippines)—from people, culture, to the feel of a beautiful tropical country", he muses.

Now that he is officially manning Marriott Manila, Scott adds "I realized that great leaders are those who value teamwork and worth of his people while he takes time to hone his expertise. I'm glad that this company instills this kind of culture so I am confident that Marriott Manila associates are not just anyone else. Staff are service-oriented, food and beverage offerings continue to become more exciting, and guests simply realize that there’s more to experience at Marriott Manila. I am confident that our property will soar higher and better this year."

About Marriott Hotel Manila:
An inviting beacon set in the world-class casino entertainment complex of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila is the place to work and play. Ideally located in Newport City across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, it is a convenient 15 minute drive from Makati Business District and Bonifacio Global City. Affording a splendid view of the adjoining 18-hole Villamor Golf Course, it boasts 342 exquisite guest accommodations that offers luxurious bedding, in-room safe, mini-bar, high-speed Internet, air conditioning, 40" full high definition LCDs with IPTV, videos on demand and jack pack plug-and-play system. The hotel features excellent dining options such as Marriott Cafe, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. Leisure facilities include Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and Newport Mall. With a Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms, Marriott Hotel Manila is also the ultimate destination for meetings and events, from weddings to gala dinner celebrations.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

03 March 2012: Room/Apartment/Unit hunting!

Yesterday after shift, I went to Noelle's place to meet up with her because I haven't seen her for a month! Jay was also there (aka the birthday girl). They helped me look for a place around Makati. It was scorching hot and we weren't really that lucky looking for a room for rent that has its own CR, more like a studio unit. We'll just continue next weekend and I hope I find one already! I tried searching via the internet but everything I find is so expensive and the affordable ones wouldn't allow my cat :(

All the walking made us hungry so we had lunch at BonChon in Ayala Triangle. I'm sorry if I'm too late on this but it was really good! We had Combo A half/half (Garlic and Spicy) and Fish & Chips box. And I just have to say that Mogu-Mogu in Lychee is so yummy!


That night, Jay celebrated her birthday at No.38 in Jupiter St. Sadly, I overslept and didn't wake up on time.

P.S. Help me find a place near Makati. Studio unit or a room that has its own CR. Or if you know someone who's up for share-a-condo (as long as we have separate rooms). OR someone who has an extra room in his/her apartment. I'm bringing my cat so the place must be okay with pets. Budget is 5-6k. Thank you!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Review: Tea Farm

Tea Farm is a Taiwan-inspired milk tea shop located at G/F Garden Area KPMG Bldg. in Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Its just right beside the building where I'm currently working at and they are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 am- 9:30 pm. Whenever I'm early for work (with early I mean before 9pm) I make sure that I drop by to grab my favorite milk tea! Although this rarely happens because my shift starts really late, around 10pm or past, so when I get to there shop, its closed already. I hope they'll extend their business hours for us call center agents who are milk tea lovers. *Fingers crossed*

My favorite is Tea Farm Milk Tea (P85.00) with Pearls (P15.00). They only have one size and its pretty decent for the prize. I also tried the Wintermelon Milk Tea (P85.00) with Pudding Jelly (P15.00) but found it too sweet for my taste and the Classic Black Milk Tea (P80.00) is too bitter for me.  I like mine a little bittersweet that's why I'm sticking with just the one original one. I also make it a point to ask for the sugar to be kept at 50% (or lesser) and less/no ice.

The crew is really friendly too. There was this one time, I was running late for work but was craving so bad for a milk tea. I went first to the shop (thankful that they were still open), placed my order, when up to the 23rd floor to login, then went back to get my order. They were really nice to keep mine in the fridge.

You see, I'm a Tea > Coffee kind of person but I read somewhere that milk teas aren't really healthy. I'm ignoring that because I don't think I'm ready to stop with this new addiction of mine.

Tea Farm Menu*




They also have a PrioriTEA card wherein you collect stamps for every P100 worth of purchase and you'll get your 10th drink with your choice of add-on FOR FREE!

PrioriTEA card



For more information about Tea Farm, click here.
*from Tea Farm's Facebook page

Missing the beach


Last time I went to the beach was in November of 2011. I didn't enjoy that much because it was a rainy season and the sun was really shy. It was a team building with my officemates at Munting Buhangin in Nasugbu, Batangas City. All in all we were three teams.

It was really gloomy that weekend but come noon, the sun came by to say hi.
Swimming is the only sport that I have never forgotten. Sucks that we don't have a clubhouse here in our Subdivision. So, I only get to swim when I'm staying at my brother's condo. If I get my own place (hopefully, soon!) I have to make sure they have a pool!

Back to Munting Buhangin, the main thing we did there was island hopping. The beach in front of our rooms were not so clean anymore that's why we had to go somewhere else. We were able to see some gorgeous rest houses owned by celebrities and politicians.

The accommodation was pretty okay. We had a 2 bedroom place that got a kitchen, veranda, living room, and one common toilet and bath.

The main obstacle to get to our room.



We rented three "houses". Each house had the same features.


Ready for a quick dip


While walking along the shores, we saw this sign.


The following are the amazing rest houses I was talking about earlier.


We stopped for a while here to check what's under the cave, then a security guard shooed us away :(







Summer is fast approaching, I cant wait to have another beach getaway!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Rant 01

I don't really mean to rant here because I save those for my occasional random rant tweets. I have moments when I feel like I'm an absolute failure. Exactly what I'm feeling right now. I'm sorry if I'm not making any sense, its just that people around me seem to move on so fast and I'm still here. With no plans. Well, of course I have, a lot. And that is what making it so hard, I want to do so much I don't know where to start.

I need to fix myself, my life. I hate this.

Being an adult is so hard. Yeah, there may be some "perks" but everything comes with a price. I know I'm responsible (in a way). I just have to figure out how to be fully independent now.

This too shall pass.


This photo (where I look so awkward) is totally unrelated to this post. I just don't want my readers to feel sad for me. See, I can still smile despite everything.



Sunday, February 19, 2012

Law Students: What I do


Found this on Facebook and I couldn't agree more. Hopefully, I'll get to enroll this school year. I miss school.

Review: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

When it comes to lipsticks I'm more on the safe side, I always use the nude, brown shades. So when I got this lipstick I was really reluctant to use it. I'm morena and I used to have this notion that wearing pink or red lipstick would do me no-good. I guess that perception has been changed thanks to Revlon Super Lustrous line.


Infused with mega-moisturizers to seal in color and softness.



Verdict: My current favorite lipstick! Its so moisturizing that I dont have to worry about my lips being dried up. Although I still put on my EOS lipbalm prior to this just to be safe. The color really pops up so I keep my eye make up minimal.


Review: Garnier Age Lift Night Cream

Last week, I received a mini package from my brother and sister-in-law. Garnier Age Lift Anti-wrinkles + firming night cream was in it. It was my first time to try a night cream because what I've been using is just a normal day cream. Then I read somewhere that its really important for your skin to have a separate creams for day and night. 
Fight the signs of aging round the clock with this cream specially designed for nightly use. It helps jumpstart the skin’s energy metabolism with its unique blend of natural ingredients that include dermo-soothing ginger and other powerful nutrients to smooth, rejuvenate, and restore firmness.



Verdict: I tried it and after a few days, my skin started breaking out. I stopped because it gave me nasty zits on my chin and cheek. It's very moisturizing and I noticed it made my face really oily. This is not for me.

Updates; Food

Forgive me for my unannounced hiatus. My internet connection was so awful these past few weeks thus the lack of updates. I couldn't really blog as well when I was staying at Millenia Suites because wifi is just available in the lobby.

Anyway, I'm back and I don't really have much to tell. I've been eating a lot so to make up, I'll post bunch of food photos. Now, just a warning I'm not really a food blogger and my photos might be bad so, you've been warned!


Tinapa Roll Wrapped in Lettuce
River Shrimp (Suwahe) on the rocks
Crispy Boneless Tilapia Served with Four Sauces
Kare-kare
Crispy pata
Laing Two Ways
Fresh buko juice
I wasn't able to take a photo of the Pinatayong Manok, Tinapa Rice, etc. I was so hungry I couldn't help myself.

Dining at Mesa in Megamall was really nice. I love how they present their food. Filipino cuisine is so ready to go out there! The ambiance was perfect, when we went there we didn't have any reservation because we didn't expect the place to be jampacked. We got lucky when one of the "function room" was vacated. So we had a very intimate lunch with the family.



Yummy bibingkinitan


Kesong Puti

Went to Tagaytay to buy these!






Played with the camera and I love how these turned out.

Shakey's Pepperoni Pizza

Phone photos:



Lemon Chicken









Can you tell how much I love milk teas?