A taste of Havana revelry at The Pen!

The Peninsula Manila welcomed 2018 with a lavish New Year’s Eve bash, dahlings.

And, as usual, the grand old lady of Makati hotels did not disappoint and lived up to its reputation for throwing the most beautiful and elegant year-end revelry — one that even the most discerning partygoers would find no fault with The Pen’s preparation for the celebration.

The scene was vintage Cuban, reminiscent of the luxurious haciendas of renowned rich tobacco and sugar plantation owners. It was all-out Latin elegance with endless champagne and twinkling stars, all over the hotel, palanggas. Señoras in flowing gowns and caballeros in tuxedos added to the event’s Latin flair.

An endless spread of sumptuous buffet items started with the likes of citrus poached tiger prawns, local lobster, crab claws and New Zealand mussels, pulpo (octopus),

poisson cru tuna tartare, Mexican-style shrimp tomato ceviche, assorted sushi, different types of to-die-for caviar and the yummy Day Boat Scallops. An imported cheese display and charcuterie were also a hit. The salads did not disappoint as well.

Latin flavors, of course, dominated the delectable buffet, palanggas, that included

Atun en Honduras (tuna, vine-ripened tomatoes, coconut and fresh ginger), Peruvian Causa Rellena (layered potato and chicken), Brazilian chicken salad called Kalamata olive aioli salpicao de

frango, cumin and garlic roasted prime rib of beef, steamed red snapper fillet wrapped in banana leaves, charred lamb rack, Puchero (Argentine beef vegetable soup), beef tenderloin lomo saltado, Brazilian-style lamb kibe, Camarones Al

Ajillo, linguini pasta, seared Chilean sea bass and seafood chorizo paella. Wow!

Dahlings, guests indulged in the selection of scrumptious desserts like deep-fried dulce de leche-stuffed banana, an ice cream station with a selection of toppings, trifles, bonbons, donuts, cakes, pies, pralines, macarons and so much more! Hey, palanggas, are you still there?

At the stroke of midnight, bright-colored balloons dropped from the ceiling, dahlings, making The Lobby a sea of balloons and shiny confetti. Guests tooted their noisemakers and horns and clinked their glasses with champagne. They danced the night away to the music of the hotel’s band with Shane and the Brown Union group and the renowned MPE Orchestra.

Once again, The Peninsula Manila’s legendary New Year’s Eve Ball proved that it was still the hottest colored party in town, with the sultry spirit of La Habana, the inspiration for 2017’s send-off party.

Let’s all welcome 2018 with joy, palanggas! *

Guests welcome the New Year at the grand lobby of The Peninsula Manila.

(From left) Carmen and Zach Macafee with children Zach Jr. and Sofia with Linda Ho and Luli Delgado.

Adam Forbes with parents Evelyn and John Forbes.

Michelle and Manolo Llamas with The Peninsula Manila director of F&B Jose Luis Jimenez (right).

(From left) Mikee, Nikki, Duday and Noel Tuason.

Grace Ramirez.

(From left) Celi Panelo, Tina Cuevas, Gina Mohnani, Philip Cruz, Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa and Ching Cruz.

(From left) Cecille Tam and Gabie Limcaco with Jacob and Jaye Tanco.

Dr. Jinky Lim, Jenny Ng and Amanda Marie Lim.

(From left) Dinesh and Ronnie Mohnani, The Peninsula Manila hotel manager Patrick Behrens and wife Pastra with Sharlene and Terrence Crandal.

(From left) Kenneth, Kay, Cindy, Keith and Kevin Yang.

(From left) Nealia and Nina Sayoc with Iñigo and Liza Natividad.

RJ Ledesma with Katz and Eddie Santos.

Anna Marie Iteda and Arnaud Vicaire.

Martina and Liana Romulo.

Lerma Cajurao, Hans Jenni and Elizabeth Cajurao.

R o n n i e a n d G i n a Mohnani.

Lorena and Helmut Gaisberger.