‘The best weekend’

A weekend designed for relaxation was recently set at one of the country’s top destinations.

Discovery Shores Boracay once again pulled all the stops for a truly relaxing, refreshing and much- deserved three- day getaway to honor its industry supporters, travel agents, partners and friends in media. The hotel has been rewarding its top producers since 2009 to express its appreciation with the unmistakable Discovery Shores’ service mantra: “Service that’s all heart.”

Day One was all about ushering the guests into their rooms where welcome gifts awaited them, including a “Life’s a Beach” tote, and a delicious personalized cake. Guests had their dinner at Pau Patri, a quaint and charming Boracay-style restaurant that serves Filipino dishes.

The following day was welcomed with a breakfast buffet at Sands Restaurant and a relaxing day in the island that included complimentary spa sessions at Terra Wellness Spa. Cocktails were served at the beachfront with the setting sun as the backdrop. At night, Discovery Shores was transformed into an enchanting haven with “Under the Sea” theme.

Guests were seated for the “Weekend with the Best” dinner in honor of the hotel’s top producers for the year. Corporate chef

Anthony Raymond and his team served an Alaskan gindara medley of brûléed citrus, cherry tomatoes and crispy basil with a calamansi vinaigrette, followed by grilled Palawan lobster with a sweet corn and chive risotto, mushrooms in a bacon dashi broth. For dessert, a warm citrus-honey pudding explosion of almond ice cream, brown butter-roasted tropical fruit, topped with salted brandy snap crisp was served.

Gracious hosts of the festive event were The Discovery Leisure Company Inc. COO Jun Parreño Jr. with Discovery Shores Boracay’s resident manager Leeds Trompeta and director of sales and marketing Joy Denoga. The top travel agent producers and partners for the year 2012 were awarded with trophies by sculptor Ferdinand Cacnio, who has designed the trophies for the past five years.

A fireworks display lit up the Boracay skies before guests

headed to their suites.

( Discovery Suites, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, and Discovery Shores Boracay are owned and managed by The Discovery Leisure Company.)

(Front row, from left) Discovery Shores Boracay (DSB) sales executives Soleil Tropicales and Pamela Gascon and resident manager Leeds Trompeta, Faithfully Travel & Tour’s Maggie Kao, Pelagos Tours & Travel’s Nadezda Vorontsova, Hafti Tours’ Sandra Dy, Annset Holidays Inc.’s Alma Rivera, Resort 4 U’s Nami Son and DSB sales and marketing director Joy Denoga; (standing, from left) Resort 4 U’s Jerry Kim, Faithfully Travel & Tours’ Roger Kao, Jeon Seung Wook, Lee Won Hee, NJK Travel’s Jongkoo Noh and Blue Horizons Travel & Tours Inc.’s Nico Estrella.

! " " with (from left) DSB assistant guest relations manager Charlene Halaba, Joy Denoga, Leeds Trompeta, Pamela Gascon, Angela Sunga, Soleil Tropicales and Mitel Bustamante.

(From left) Mitel Bustamante, Pamela Gascon, Rene Lapid, Joy Denoga, Meryll Yan, Sheena Marie Galvez, Angela Sunga, Soleil Tropicales and Mabeth Quirante.

Hana Tour & Travel Inc.’s Lee Won Hee and Jeon Seung Wook.

DSB executive housekeeper’s Rene Zuño and Seair sales and distribution manager Rene Lapid.

Mabeth Quirante and reservations supervisor Laqui de los Santos.

Globanix’s Sheena Marie and Giancarlo Galvez with Mitel Bustamante.

(From left) Hafti Tours’ Segundo Teh Jr., Roger and Maggie Kao and Mabeth Quirante.

Frances Maniquis and Pocholo Concepcion.

Ron Jayson Carta and Diamond Global Travel & Tours Inc.’s Vans Louie Padulle.

The Discove r y Lei sure Company Inc.’s corporate chef Anthony Raymond.