Marriott Cafe Manila introduces its new normal buffet set-up

I was invited to join Marriott Hotel's online Christmas tree lighting event and subsequently learned about Marriott Cafe's November 11, 2020 buffet offering that was the first time they introduced the new normal dining protocol.

Having previously written about the hotel for Appetite Magazine and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, it was a welcome idea to revisit an old haunt, somewhat like meeting an acquaintance after so many years.

The pastry shop at Marriott Café greeted us upon arrival and it didn't feel much different from what I remembered when the hotel first opened.

Gifts were readily available for purchase. Other food promotions were also offered especially for take out meals.

A jeepney made of gingerbread was displayed in the hotel lobby. The Christmas tree also had the same gingerbread theme.

Reservations were needed to join the Marriott Cafe buffet event and the guests were asked to bring their own pens. The first thing the receptionist required upon arrival was to scan the QR Code to facilitate the ordering process.

In our case, we tried several phones but could not load the website so in the end, we were given printed menus to check our orders. One of the changes implemented included having the food served at the table instead of the guest going to the buffet station.

Upon seating, the guest is given a contact tracing form to fill up and an envelope where the face mask can be stored. The utensils were also wrapped in plastic.  

We were seated at Cru Steakhouse that offered a more intimate and quiet dining experience. However, it was far away from the buffet station that may explain why we waited so long for some food items like the grilled prawns and steak. 

Of course, the event was also fully booked and the servers tried their best to attend to everyone.

One of the highlights of the buffet selection was the fresh seafood.

Crab cooked in garlic and ginger. The orders were served single portion. Drinks given were iced tea and water.

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The hotel sits right next to the Resorts World mall complex so I couldn't resist checking it out.

The mall was quiet and the casino closed. One of the personnel explained that the main casino was under renovation and never really opened after the big incident reported in the news. 

Estee Lauder Perfectionist, Crescent White, Nutritious Pomegranate reviews and more

My initial Estee Lauder review... 

Tried this trio for a week with good results. Skin felt smoother and brighter. However, don't expect any product to erase blemishes that are typically inborn. The moisturizer comes with a sweet scent that I liked. Some people, however, are sensitive to fragrance. Overall, it is a relaxing overnight ritual. 

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I received more Estee Lauder product samples of my choice: Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment with Acetyl, Perfectionist CP+R Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum, Crescent White Full Cycle Brightening Cream, Nutritious Super Pomegranate Cream, and Advanced Night Repair Serum.

I was only able to test the products for a short period and can only comment on my first impressions, not long term effects.

Part of skincare also includes  the food we eat and any topical solution may have limited benefits. Nevertheless, the Estee Lauder skincare brand is considered one of the leaders in the industry.

The Nutritious Pomegranate cream had less fragrance than the Resilience cream. There were some users who were sensitive to fragrance and perhaps this adjustment was made. Personally, I preferred the fragrance of the Resilience cream. The Nutritious cream was easily absorbed and skin felt smooth. It replenished moisture well which seems to be the main goal of this collection.

Crescent White had a mild scent and felt soft on the skin. One of its goals is spot correction that needs a longer period of observation. Among all products that I have tried, I did not particularly enjoy this scent.

Perfectionist Wrinkle serum had a smooth and milky texture that was rapidly absorbed by the skin. Compared to Advanced Night Repair, this concoction felt like a thin lotion that gives a dry finish. It's main task is wrinkle reduction. On the other hand, Advanced Night Repair is an old favorite that helps make skin smoother and more luminous.

Perfectionist Pro Lift gives the feeling of mild skin tightening. It is intended for more mature users. There are other variations in this collection that includes Retinol.

All told, Estee Lauder has different collections for varied skincare needs. You can start with their time-tested favorites before moving on to the newer collections or you may head straight to the product that addresses your concern. 

In the end, your skincare choice is a personal decision and each product will also affect a user uniquely. As long as you don't expect skin miracles, you may actually get pleasantly surprised with the results.

Coronavirus and the world of work

The Coronavirus crisis has practically forced the world to evaluate or alter its future outlook. 

Almost a decade ago, my book about life-work planning titled "Rich Life: Creating Meaningful Wealth" was published by Anvil Philippines. 

I revisited the book recently and discovered a few ideas that are relevant to the life-work issues we face today. When I wrote the story, Facebook was still relatively new. Sharing it here...


Conquering the digital world

Since computers and the Internet invaded the world, things have never been the same. It seems that the industrial age has now given way to the digital age. That being said, you can expect fundamental changes in the world of work. 

For example, don’t be surprised if social networking could be the ticket to your next job. Or perhaps, you may even find yourself a digital boss that you haven’t even met in person. Surreal as this may sound, it is already happening.

Computers are also performing tasks that used to be done by humans. You may discover that a talking machine just replaced the lady who used to give your mall parking ticket. So where does this leave humans?

In order to survive, there is a constant need to innovate not only products but yourself as well. If you are used to clocking in at work, you may need to re-adjust expectations according to the needs of the moment. You may also want to learn new things in order to become better. Life is a continuous improvement, they say.

If you managed to go along with the changing tide, perhaps you are not at all too fearful about the future. For some people, it is their faith that keeps things in perspective. People cope in different ways. Ultimately, you may be surprised to find that all the professional mayhem connects to a spiritual thread. Troubling times can bring out the best in people’s characters.

Understanding the digital life

The industrial age brought men and women away from their homes as big corporations set up their businesses. It was also the era of material inventions that led to radical changes in lifestyle. The introduction of telephone, radio and television connected people in ways that the previous generation may not have immediately foreseen or expected.

The digital era that erupted in the nineties has made geometrical leaps in connecting people and lives. Nowadays, a person need not be confined to an office and building in order to do his work. A laptop on hand can do wonders. It has never been easier to balance family and work. However, a person without a clear sense of priorities will always find himself struggling for peace.

Downsizing big corporations has been a phenomenon that may indicate the industrial era’s twilight years. Although some big companies are meant to remain, there may be other realities to consider. As people fight to keep their jobs, it also becomes imperative to assimilate and comprehend the times.

There are trends that point to a future lifestyle that is self-contained. Authors Alvin & Heidi Toffler coined the word “Prosumer Economy” to define a future non-monetary type of system where people produce and consume their own goods. This idea seems akin to the barter trade economy of ancient times but with more emphasis  on personal sustainability and satisfaction than trading goods per se.

While the above trend may be hard to grasp at the present moment, we can also look at barter arrangements that have been cropping up. In the United States where the recession is deeply felt, people have considered exchanging services with each other. For example, a TV news report once featured an interior designer who decided to trade services with a hairdresser. 

Backyard gardening is making a comeback. There has also been growth towards online, contractual and part-time work as a result of cost-cutting measures by big corporations, not to mention digital advancements over the past few years.

More flexible work structures have made it possible for many people to integrate their lives into their work. A stay home mother now has a better chance of finding extra work while taking care of her children. A father of a family accomplishes much from his laptop. Even a disabled person may now find employment with the use of his hands and the phone.

If you still don’t know where to begin, perhaps getting some computer knowledge and education would be a start. There are no age limits. Everyone is welcome to enter the digital world as long as they are willing to open their minds. However, computers have limitations. In the end, it is the person’s creative ability to navigate the digital life that will make a difference.


Evolving life-work structures

No one has a crystal ball to ascertain how the future will eventually turn out. However, there are a few developing trends in the Philippines:

= The proliferation of call centers in the country has developed a unique 24/7 culture where family lifestyles have been altered drastically. For example, a father of a family who works graveyard shifts may find it a challenge to stay in sync with the rest of his family when he is mostly asleep during the day.

= The Internet is fast replacing the television set and newspapers as free sources of public information. It has also allowed access to information from around the world, at a click of a button. This has made the global community within virtual reach and a place where many job (and other) opportunities can be discovered.

= Retrenchment has led many workers to reconsider other avenues for earning a living, not necessarily direct employment. For some people, the quest for multiple income streams has become the preferred path rather than receiving a single fixed income paycheck. Consulting, freelancing and entrepreneurial possibilities have grown over the years.

= While the global recession has affected many Western economies, the domestic economy in the Philippines has remained resilient. Entrepreneurs and aspiring businessmen alike can take advantage of the country’s substantially young working population to buoy the local market.

= Lower incomes or other personal reasons have forced parents to reconsider education options for their children. Home schooling is a continuing trend and will impact the way children will view their future world of work. Corporate career ambition may be replaced by an apprenticeship mentality among those who were taught at home. This could possibly bring us back full circle to the time when children learned certain skills and crafts from their parents and forefathers, that also served as their own source of livelihood.

= For those who have chosen to remain in scholastic institutions, there also appears a need to revolutionize many existing institutions in order to make them more relevant to digital times. Environmental awareness and stewardship also need to be incorporated in the curriculum. Future graduates also need to be equipped with life skills to help them cope with changing times. These gigantic requirements offer career opportunities for many innovative educators.

= There has been a growing exodus of mothers who pursue work opportunities abroad. This has greatly weakened the Filipino family structure and will translate to society issues later on. For example, many crimes on drugs or causes of teenage pregnancy can often be traced to the absence of a strong family support system. While technology has made great strides in connecting people and their families, physical presence and concern of both parents remain irreplaceable.

= Global warming and other threats to the environment have spawned a whole new industry in clean energy. This is one good moment to consider a career shift if you are keenly interested in the topic.

= Catastrophic calamities brought about by global warming and other factors have also opened fresh opportunity for architects, urban planning specialists and the like to plan cities that are coherent with green technology, flood management, earthquake/tsunami readiness, and other new environmental realities.

= Advancements in computer technology and other digital realities have given individuals greater freedom to structure their own life-work patterns. There has never been a greater time to create the life and work you have always dreamed of.

Uncertain or troubling times offer many opportunities for greatness. The present moment is one unique time in history where there is so much to lose and also so much to gain. 

Your perspective will spell the difference whether your life can finally make an impact. Each person has been innately equipped with talent and potential that has been entrusted to him. It is your role to discover them and to make your life and spirit grow.

You have one rich life to live. Let the adventure begin.

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Postscript: The Coronavirus crisis has kept mankind at home and on its knees. It is a perfect opportunity to re-evaluate our choices and life-work options. Hopefully, the above ideas that were written almost a decade ago can help jump start the process.

93-year old Filipina guerilla recalls torture during World War 2

93-year old Filipina guerilla recalls torture during World War 2

Last 21 February 2020, UP Los Baños commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Los Baños Internment Camp. The rescue was accomplished by the US 11th Airborne and a group of Filipino guerillas led by the Hunters. The mission was considered a complicated one as it involved six different guerilla forces, a parachute jump, artillery support, and an amphibious component. The official count of freed internees was 2,147. One of the freed internees was American writer and Jesuit priest Fr. James Reuter.

A guest speaker at the event was Filipina guerilla Sofia Tidon who shared her personal experiences during the war. The rescue date was 23 February 1945 and was almost moved to another time. However, the urgency was impressed upon them given the various massacres that were occurring in other parts of the country. 

Dr. Ricardo Jose, History Professor at UP Diliman, explained that in December 1944 the first massacre occurred in Palawan. The prisoners of war were doused with gasoline and burned alive. There were other ongoing massacres in other places like Calamba.

The planned attack was 7:00 am in the morning, to coincide with the Japanese exercises. However, a guerilla was spotted by 6:30 am and a firefight started. The Japanese were caught by surprise. Dr. Jose mentioned that the internees were also not expecting them and did not want to leave their belongings. So in order to expedite the escape, the Americans burned the barracks and led the internees to the amphibious tractors. Everyone was evacuated by 3:00 pm.

Going back to Tidon’s story. She narrated that they tried to help the internees by sending food. They would wrap boiled sweet potato (kamote) or banana (saging) with a banana leaf and throw it across the camp. One time, they were caught throwing food so they brought her to a room with other people. 

In order to reveal the names of other guerillas, Tidon was subjected to torture. She was hogtied, hanged in a tree, her face drowned in water, then her body hit with a rope. She did not give in to their demands. It occurred to her that even if she revealed names, she would die anyway. So it was better if she was the only one who died.

Tibon recalled other excruciating events and said that she is open to sharing her stories from beginning to end to anyone who is willing to document them. In the end, she said that she only wished the Americans stayed in Los Baños after the rescue. 

According to Dr. Jose, the price for the successful rescue was the massacre of 1,500 residents and the destruction of Los Baños. He said it is important to remember these facts together with the victories.

Other speakers also gave insights. Brig. Gen. Restituto Aguilar who heads the Veterans Memorial and Historical Division said that the total Filipino casualties were around one million. He said that textbooks don’t cover much about war history from the Filipino perspective and there is a need to make historical data more accessible.

Mr. Renato Claravall who is President and COO of Philippine Veterans Bank mentioned the relatively young age of the guerilla fighters (young twenties). He concluded, “It’s not the age that matters but it’s the purpose in your life.”

US embassy in Manila hosts 75th WW2 cocktail event

The documentary about Corregidor (produced by Spyron AV Manila) was shown in the Charles Parsons Ballroom that has historical significance. It was the very room where the Japanese General Yamashita was tried for war crimes. The ambiance was further enhanced when guests were led to the veranda overlooking Manila Bay. Cocktails were held with Corregidor in the background. 

The special guest was 98-year old paratrooper Richard Adams who was part of the 503rd Infantry Regiment that retook Corregidor. Out of seven in his team, Adams is the last man standing. 

“I’m here because I am lucky,” Adams said in his opening remarks. The present day 503rd Infantry Regiment flew in from Italy just to see him. The pilots that assisted the paratroopers came from the 317th Airlift Wing and they were also represented.

The documentary revealed a few interesting aspects about the war. 

Corregidor was called The Rock because it was a fortress. It was also known as the Gibraltar of the East. 

After MacArthur returned to the Philippines, he made it a priority to retake Corregidor from the Japanese. He did this by sending paratroopers who were flown in by the air force. 

Some of the paratroopers who were interviewed revealed that they signed up after being promised an additional USD50 a month salary. During the attack, they initially estimated around 300 Japanese soldiers in the island. The count ballooned overnight to 6,000. The initial number of American paratroopers that jumped into Corregidor was around 2,000 men.

For people who have never experienced war, remembering the past gives an opportunity to learn from it. Hopefully, it never happens again.