Hotel Okura Manila hosts ThePhilBizNews’ 2nd Embassy Night

By
Alithea De Jesus
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By Alithea De Jesus
Photos from The Philippine Business and News

Hotel Okura Manila, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, successfully hosted The Philippine Business and News’ (ThePhilBizNews) second Embassy Night with the Captains of Philippine Industries last April 26.

The high-profile event was attended by more than 10 ambassadors and 20 embassies, including business leaders from different foreign chambers and multinational corporations, making it the biggest and most prestigious event held at the luxury hotel in the Philippines since opening on April 19, 2022.

Ambassadors and other honored guests praised Hotel Okura Manila for its staging of an Embassy Night grander than the first one last year, impressing all 200 guests at its main dining hall.

Guests enjoyed sumptuous food and overflowing wine courtesy of Hotel Okura Manila, its partners, Newport City Philippine Wine Merchants, Lydia’s Lechon, and other sponsors.

Jan Marshall, General Manager of Hotel Okura Manila, expressed pride and gratitude in hosting the Embassy Night in partnership with ThePhilBizNews.

Mr. Jan Marshall, General Manager of Hotel Okura Manila welcomes guests from the diplomatic community, foreign chamber and business executives from Philippines companies during the 2nd THEPHILBIZNEWS Embassy Night Hoster by Hotel Okura Manila

“To honor this big event and its guests, we not only served a variety of authentic Japanese dishes from appetizer to the main course and curated desserts; we also prepared a special ‘Ambassador’s Cocktail’ exclusively served for the event,” Marshall said.

The special drink was highlighted during the ceremonial “Toast to the Diplomats and the Captains of Philippine Industries” that included at center stage, Hon. Juha Pyykkö, Ambassador of Finland; Hon. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, Ambassador of Poland; Hon. Ilan Fluss, Ambassador of Israel; Hon. Jana Šedivá, Ambassador of Czech Republic; Hon. Anke Reiffenstuel, Ambassador of Germany; Hon. Michel Parys, Ambassador of Belgium; Dr. Beatrice Jane L. Ang, Honorary Consul of the Consulate of Ukraine in Manila; Mr. Antonio Gallo, Head of the Consular Chancery Embassy of Italy; Mr. Jan Marshall, General Manager of Hotel Okura Manila; and Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano, founder of THEPHILBIZNEWS.

Exemplifying the warmth of care and service at Hotel Okura Manila, guests were also treated to buffet dining and an open bar that offered various wines, whiskeys, juices and other drinks.

“I am very happy with our partnership with Hotel Okura Manila. Our guests from the diplomatic and business community who graced the event were all surprised not just with the place but also the food and drinks,” said Serrano, who is also the lead organizer of Embassy Night.

Monsi Alfonso Serrano of THEPHILBIZNEWS gives his opening remarks

Top executives of prominent Japanese companies such as Honda Car Philippines, Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Toyota Motor Philippines, Yakult Philippines, and Sunny Bing Trading, among other attended the event.

From left, Ms. Misa Abe, Honda Car Philippines Assistant Vice President, German Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel, Czech Ambassador to the Philippines, Jana Šedivá, Monsi Alfonso Serrano, Founder of THEPHILBIZNEWS, Ms. Rie Miyake, President of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. Ms. Karrie Buenafe, Huawei Philippines Senior Public Relations Manager, and Atty. Louie Soriano, Vice President and General Manager
From left, Yakult Philippines Executive Vice President Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki President, Mr. Alberto R. Dy Sun, President of Yakult Philippines, Mr. Ryo Tateno, Managiing Director oi SunnyBing Trading a Japanese Trading company in the Philippines, and Ms. Yoshiko Tateno, Finance Manager of SunnyBing Trading.
Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano from THEPHILBIZNEWS, Ms. Addie Capindig Marketing Director of Hotel Okura Manila, Mr. Antonio Gallo, Head of the Consular Chancery Embassy of Italy, Mr. Buster Allertsen, President and CEO of PROACTIVE RESOURCES INC., Ms. Rayla Allertsen, Regional Director of Global Woman Club Manila, Ambassador Ilan Fluss and Madame Gila Fluss from Embassy of Israel
Mr. Buster Allertsen, President and CEO of PROACTIVE RESOURCES INC., Ms. Rayla Allertsen, Regional Director of Global Woman Club Manila, and Ms. Thelma Gecolea,  Ms. Thelma Gecolea – Public Affairs Officer of European Union Embassy

D. Edgard A. Cabangon, chairman of Isuzu GenCars, also lauded the event as an occasion for the different foreign chambers – like the American Chamber of Commerce, the British Chamber of Commerce, the European Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and THE Israel Chamber of Commerce, and Nordic Chamber of Commerce  – to be updated on developments happening the different industries in the country, through their prime movers.

Standing from left, Ms. Sofia Santelices Communications Officer of Swiss Embassy, Ms. Jermaine Bohol, Polish Embassy Political and Economic Section Expert, Ms. Sophia Ordoña, ECCP Associate Director for Government and International Affairs and SMs. hyle Juneza European Chamber of Commerce Communication Officer. Seated from left, Belgian Ambassador Michel Parys, Ms. Helen Grace Baisa, ECCP Treasurer and Chief Executive Officer at Charmant Ingredients Corp., and Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss
Mr. Ebb Hinchliffe Executive Director of American Chamber of Commerce Philippines, Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano from THEPHILBIZNEWS, and Mr. Jan Marshall, General Manager of Hotel Okura Manila
Ms. Jane Lopez Executive Director Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano of THEPHILBIZNEWS and Mr. Dexter Matilla of Inquirer
From left, Ms. Maan Yu of Nordic Chamber of Commerce, Mr. EJ Villafranca of Vivid House Neu Media, and Ms. Keenah Ticson of the British Chamber of Commerece Philippines
From left, Mr. D. Edgard Cabangon, Chairman of ALC Group, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, Madame Gila Fluss, spouse of Ambassador Fluss, Ms. Sharon Tan, Ms. Danica Mae Marollano Press and Cultural Officer of Israel Embassy, Mr. Dexter Matilla Inquiter, and Mr. Tristan Nodalo CNN Philippines.
From left, Mr. Elvin Luciano, Toyota Motor Philippines Assistant Vice President and Head of Marketing Services, Mr. Kris Lim, Cleanful Marketing Head, Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano Founder of THEPHILBIZNEWS, Mr. Paul Anthony Isla, Meralco Public Relations Head, Ms. Cristina “TINI” Arevalo, Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines president, and Mr. Jerome D. Ong, President of CDO Foodsphere, Inc.
From left, Ms. Jackie Junio Qatar Airways Senior Account Manager, Ms. Pam Villangca, Qatar Commercial Manager, Ms. Kirsten Gacula of Austrian Embassy Office of the Ambassador, and Ms. Madeleine Diolanda Head of Press and Cultural Affairs of Austrian Embassy
Italian Head Consul Mr. Antonio Gallo gamely joined in photo the Philippine media who attended the Embassy Night
From left, Mr. Crispin Go, Owner of La Scala, Mr. Nate Barretto, Co-Founder of THEPHILBIZNEWS, Mr. Luis Chavez, Owner of Luis Bakery, Pot Chavez, COO of Tinapayan, Vince Hermosura, CEO of Barkero Technology, Dr. Karen Macasiray of Macasiray Dental Clinic, Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano from THEPHILBIZNEWS and Mr. Jerome D. Ong, President of CDO Foddsphere

From the food manufacturing sector, there were officers from CDO Foodsphere, Meatworld & Mrs. Garcia, Atkins Import and Export, San Miguel Brewery, San Miguel Corp., and Tinapayan to name a few, a host of importers and exporters, and representatives from the Information Technology, airlines, banking and media sectors, as well.

Donald Morris, Cathay Pacific Country Manager and colleagues from Cathay Pacific

Adeline Capindig, Marketing Director of Hotel Okura Manila, said many of the guests were also given a tour of the hotel’s different facilities and unique rooms.

Hotel Okura Manila has three main restaurants, namely, Yamazato, Yawaragi, and The Pool Bar at the SORA Rooftop. Yamazato is Okura’s signature Japanese fine dining restaurant that serves only the freshest ingredients to ensure supreme taste and unmatched quality.

Yawaragi offers international gourmet dishes with Japanese specialties and Filipino favorites, while The Pool Bar at the SORA Rooftop offers a relaxing escape high above the bustling Metro Manila.

From left, THai Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat, British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufis, Mr. Monsi Alfonso Serrano from THEPHILBIZNEWS, Mr. Chris Nelson, British Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and Trustee, and Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss
Counsul Antonio Gallo, Head of the Consular Chancery Embassy of Italy, Colombian Ambassador Marcela Ordoñez and Mr. Monsi Alfonso from THEPHILBIZNEWS.
From left, Mr. Angelo V. Dyoco of Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., Ms. Carol Garcia-Dyoco of the Embassy of Spain, and Mionsi Alfonso Serrano from THEPHILBIZNEWS

“We really want to showcase what we have to offer, and their very own experience says a lot about who we are and what makes us set apart from other hotels,” said Capindig. 

Watch the highlights of the event:

Hotel Okura Manila is located at the Newport World Resorts, 2 Portwood Street in Pasay City and belongs to a luxury hotel chain with a long-standing reputation for providing excellent service, impeccable hospitality, and a deep appreciation for art, culture, and tradition.

The Okura Hotel brand is known all over the world, with locations in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Asia, mainly for its Japanese-inspired design and aesthetic, which is reflected in the architecture, interior design, and amenities of each property.

The brand prides itself on its attention to detail, and this is evident in the quality of the furnishings, linens, and amenities provided in each room, setting it apart from other luxury hotel chains.

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