Rustan’s at 65; Marriott at 20 and saying farewell
In celebration of Marriott International’s Global Customer Appreciation Week and to officially welcome the yuletide season with its tree-lighting ceremony, Cebu City Marriott Hotel (CCMH) hosted its business partners, in-house guests, Club Marriott members and media friends to the occasion at the hotel lobby.
With CCMH’s executive committee headed by general manager Patrick Carroll, the 15-foot glittering Christmas tree brightened up alongside a lifesized gingerbread house complete with crunchy cookies and white frosting. Simultaneously, yuletide carols filled the air as singers and a chorale serenaded the happy crowd!
After the ceremony, guests trooped to the Sampaguita Ballroom to witness the prestigious partners in Excellence Awards given by CCMH in recognition of the Top Special Corporate Accounts, Top Wholesale Accounts, Top Accounts for Banquet Sales, Top Online Travel Partners and Top Wedding Suppliers.
If the awards were impressive, so was the entertainment with FA Flow Circle, Cebuano LED and Neon Lights dancers, who bested thousands in the recent “Pinoy Got Talent” Season 5.
Last but not least, in a poignant farewell message, CCMH director of sales and events Frances Alfafara shared that while the CCMH will be closing its doors for the first time in 20 years, after a long and fruitful partnership with Ayala Hotels, this memorable celebration is a validation of the legacy Cebu Marriott intends to leave behind—the Marriott brand of service excellence and impeccable hosting. It found a home in Cebu for a great 20 years!
We will miss you, Marriott!
SSI Group Inc. (Rustan’s) president Anton Huang said it quite simply, “...In the past 65 years, Rustan’s has come a long way... changing, evolving and expanding, yet remaining true to its mission: bringing the best brands from all over the world to the Filipinos, and showcasing the best of the Filipinos to the world.”
He addressed these endearing words to the huge assemblage of Cebu’s sophisticates during the luxury store’s “65 Facets of Extraordinary-Sapphire Collection,” featuring its exclusive brands: Ricardo Preto, U by Ricardo Preto, Criselda Lontok, Jill by Jojie Lloren, Lady Rustan, Oleg Cassini, Rustanette, Kiddos and Rustan’s Jr.
When Rustan’s opened its first store in Cebu in 1981, it had the vision the city represented. Indeed, Rustan’s is proud to be one of the pioneering retailers in our Queen City, seeing how it has metamorphosed into a bustling metropolis, major tourism hub and one of the country’s most progressive cities!
More years, Rustan’s!