A Gem of a GM!

For four years that Jul B. Dizon Jewellery has been in Peninsula, I being the manager for the last three, I have gained another family that I have come to love.

Steffie, as you all might know is my sister. She knows all my deepest, darkest and frightening secrets, just like a sister should. Although I am older than her, I feel as if she always has to take care of me. She gives me great advice about my life and I give her advice about trying to find a boyfriend. I always fail. She is so darn picky. But I have to tell you that If it hadn't been for Fernando de la Vega, I don't think I would be as close to her as I am now. So FDV, I have you to thank for that.

In all families, there is a leader. A father that reminds the kids to be obedient. To behave, sit properly and to do your homework. In my Pen family, that would be David Batchelor, General Manager of The Peninsula Hotel, Manila.

He is the one person in the hotel that will make me sit in Church for 3 hours silently if I have to. And if you know me, that is a hard thing to do.

DB, this one is for you....



David Batchelor, 50, leads a life that most people would love to have. A prestigious position, great perks, luxurious atmosphere, a gorgeous wife and wonderful children, of course and an endless buffet table. This is the life of the General Manager of The Peninsula Hotel and and yes, you have every reason to envy him.

I often see him walking briskly from one end of the hotel to the other. He is generous with his smile and wave despite having the pressure and headache of running 500 rooms, 5 restaurant outlets, numerous function rooms and 900 staff members. But DB never fails to look calm and relaxed. It is a talent, a skill to be able to do this and I believe that he has done it perfectly.

Along with his passion for keeping the hotel studded with 5 stars, he also enjoys swinging the club occasionally and for taking in the sun at the beach with his family. His favorite spots? David says, "I have only been to 6 tourist spots in the country. It is a shame since I have been here for 6 years but whenever I have a long break, I always prefer to go back to Australia to visit my parents."

Formula One racing and tennis is also something he finds much pleasure in.

I must tell you that DB reminds me a lot of Pierce Brosnan. His dashing smile, handsome features and the confidence he exudes with each stride will surely make any lady weak in the knees.


The Peninsula Manila has been lucky enough to have David as GM for 7 years. I am fortunate to have been part of it the last four years but sadly, I will only have DB as my "dad" till August as he will be moving to Hong Kong. I know that HK is just a stone throw away, (actually faster to go to HK than from QC to Alabang) but to not see him dining in Neilsen's or sitting on the edge of his desk when he is having a friendly chat and for a few occasions, me having to force him to dance and get jiggy with it will surely be missed.

Mr. Batchelor, on August, prepare for a great flood as tears will surely flow like a river when you leave for your new assignment. Although I am saddened by this, I do wish nothing but the best for you, Marilu and the boys. I also want to thank you for your kindness and all the accommodation you have given Jul B. Dizon Jewellery and most importantly for honoring me with your friendship. It is a great thing to have and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

Old Manila with a New Chef and Menu!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I have a friend named Markus Tauwald who is somewhat new to the country. Only been here for 6 months and is still in the middle of furnishing his apartment. But being new here is something you might hard to believe when you get to know him. He is considered one of the VVIP's in a few establishments and has about a million friends in the Philippines already. He sometimes knows the streets of Makati better than me. Shame on me, I know.

When Steffie told me that the hotel has a new chef and that he is cute, I didn't think "Chris O'Donnel" look-a-like would become one of my best friends. But I am glad that he did because this guy is all about fun, laughter and stories about interesting experiences in Switzerland, Maldives, Bangkok, and everywhere around Europe where he worked at an early age. 

Chef Markus Tauwald is from Bavaria, Germany. At 25, it amazes me that he holds the title of Chef de Cuisine of one of the most prestigious and expensive restaurants in the country. Old Manila at The Peninsula is now serving modern European cuisine that Markus had created.

Last week, my cousin from the US visited. Janina and I decided to treat him to Old Manila because we were quite excited to taste the new menu the restaurant has to offer. 

First, I say, if and when you want to eat in OM, make sure you are prepared to spend but believe me, it is worth every centavo. Bon Appetite!

Black and white truffle soup with parmesan shortbread is P680.00


Seared tuna loin snow pea sprouts, cauliflower and truffle dressing is P640.00


Trio of foie gras of ginger-honey parfait, cognac-balsamic reduction and pineapple-pear relish is P1,350

Roasted rack of Lamb with baby artichokes Rubik potato and Madeira reduction is P1,800


The Rubik potato looks too artistic to eat.


The best sorbet I have ever had, Cinnamon and Apple flavor. YUM!



Truffle-crusted milk-fed Dutch veal rib eye with couscous, roasted parsnips and red chard leaves is P1,900



The Chef and the gang.



The Peninsula Manila
Old Manila
(632) 8123456
www.peninsula.com.ph

You Are What You Eat!

This makes Toby a gigantic cup filled with 12 scoops of assorted flavored ice cream namely mango, cheese, ube, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, cookies and cream, mocha, coffee, rasberry, caramel and chocolate marble with a can of whipped cream, blob of chocolate syrup, wafer sticks and a cup of fresh fruits.

That is what you get when you order Pen Pals at the Peninsula Lobby. It is a P790++ worth of calories, carb and eventually inches and pounds on the waistline. I say, good thing Peter, Joanne, Jenny, Evan and I were there to help you out with this but even with us digging in, we were only able to finish a quarter of the dessert.

What They Did to My Peninsula.

As promised, here are the photos of what the soldiers and rebels did to Peninsula Manila. Your bloggerina has no words for this post. My heart aches. But soon, I will post photos of how magnificent the hotel looks after the clean up. You will be amazed how David Batchelor, GM of the hotel, and all his staff worked together to WOW us all with the reopening of my 2nd home. Please watch out for it.

The Peninsula Manila, the aftermath of the seige.

I was so ready to show you so many photos but I was told by Pen management that I cannot release any and because I am loyal to my Pen family, I must abide. Sigh....but really, we all have seen the worst, will showing it to my 20 readers really matter? Herald Tribune has a huge photo of the tank by the entrance. Anyway, I will try to describe it as colorful as I can and in time, when all has died down, will still try to post the pics.

As I walk towards the entrance the morning after the Magdalo group took over my Peninsula, an overwhelming sadness filled my heart as I saw where the tank destroyed the doors I walk through almost every day of my life. Broken glasses and bullet holes all over. The mirrors broken with bullet holes, the chairs and tables were overturned and burnt. The marble cracked and shattered. Plants were stepped on and crushed.

The staff were all there, fixing, cleaning and arranging what was left of the furniture that was not destroyed. It is an eerie feeling because I am so used to seeing the lobby with people having meetings, dining and tourists checking in. This morning, it was just a mess.

Thank goodness that none of the staff were hurt. All the concessionaires were also spared from gun shots and looting attempts.

The saddest story I have heard so far comes from a friend of mine who lives at the Pen. When the soldiers came in and took all they needed to arrest, they searched her home and took her personal belongings including her jewellery (engagement and wedding rings, watches and more). Now, tell me, are these soldiers here to protect and serve OR to harm and steal from us civilians? Whoever holds these stolen items now, may he have the nastiest rash with puss and infection in his groin for 20 years. Why 20? Because that is how much the engagement ring costs. US$20,000. A 1 carat, E color, Flawless diamond solitaire set in platinum from Tiffany. I have strong ties with the evil side so he has been cursed.

Anyway, we all have lessons to learn from this event, my top 5 being the ff:

1. Neilsen's entrance should be permanently closed.
2. Female journalists should forever put make up just incase something like this happens and they are on tv the whole day.
3. Always wear your engagement and wedding rings.
4. If it doesn't fit once, the 4th time will do the trick (tank and main door).
5. When you have a planned sale on Friday but the hotel gets under attack by 500 soldiers, a tank and mulitple gun shots fired on Thursday, most likely, the sale is postponed. So to all the people who asked if the sale was pushing thru today....think again. :)

Photos and Peninsula!

For those who have heard about the chaos in The Peninsula Manila and are worried about your bloggerina, SHE IS ALIVE. I will put on lipstick and wear a low cut top and storm the hotel tomorrow despite being blocked off by the army to check out my store and take photos of the mess the stupid soldiers made.

Seriously, did they really need to ram a TANK inside the lobby? There were less than 20 men with guns and there were 500 or more cops and army dudes outside. I am sure they could have kicked ass without having to destroy private property! They rammed the doors not once, not twice but FOUR times to get through. Crushed tables and chairs and tore apart the Christmas decor that was put up the night before.

This is my HOME dudes!! Who do you think you are messing with? This is a blogger with 20 readers (6 of them my family). I HAVE CLOUT and a following. You do not do this kind of thing to the CANDIFIER! Geez...the nerve!

Anyway, for ALL my 20 readers, stick to me and you'll be safe. Girls, make sure you ALWAYS wear your red lipstick and low cut tops. For the guys, just say you are friends with me and you'll be fine.

Tomorrow, the photos. Promise. For Senator Trillanes, Gen. Lim, Pres. GMA, I have one message for you all....

"YOU BETTER BUY SOMETHING EXPENSIVE IN MY STORE THIS CHRISTMAS!!!"

Chef Massimo livens up Mi Piace!

It is my fault. I blogged about this too late. Whoever reads this and decide to try it out, it is impossible because the promo has ended. I apologize and admit that you truly missed out on this one.

Mi Piace, the Italian restaurant here in The Peninsula Manila had a month long Anti Pasti Buffet that will surely make you food lovers go nuts. I often dine in MP and always find it a bit sad and lonely but because of the promo, I have never seen it as busy and alive with happy eaters.

It was a good call for Chef Massimo Veronesi to celebrate Italian cuisine this way even if it hurt my pocket. I must have had lunch here 5 times in one month. I am what you call a customer that just keeps coming back for more.

Now, it is time to rest and await for the new and upcoming promo Chef Massimo is preparing. This time, I will make sure to let you know on the first day it starts.

In the meantime, go ahead and drool.

Mi Piace, The Peninsula Manila
(632) 8123456
www.peninsula.com