Top Vis-Min travel agents feted

2006-10-22T02:33:00.000-07:00

NORTHWEST AIRLINES (NWA) AND ITS general sales agent, Interpacific Transit Inc. (ITI), recently awarded its top travel agents in Visayas and Mindanao.

A luncheon in their honor was given at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Later they were all given the full treatment at the Chi Spa of the Shangri-La in Mactan.

NWA country manager Todd Anderson and communications manager Patricia Celis flew in from Manila, as did ITI general manager Gina Campos, sales manager Jessica Pineda and marketing manager Mark Abastillas.

Visayas and Mindanao district manager Ella Mae Lim headed the NWA-ITI Cebu staff present: Anne Climaco, Lani Su, Tonet Cruz, Jiji Quilaton and Cora Ortiz.

Collecting the top award was Marget Villarica of Destinations Specialists. No. 2 was James Hannen, president and chair of Trans Air Travel in Davao.

Other awardees were Margaret Gaisano Ang and Marilou Pintor, Grand Holidays; Imelda Pasquil, Pan Asia World in Davao City; Rose Avila, Universal Travel; Alan Carvajal, Travelways; Sheila Colmenares, Leisure Travel; Maricor de la Peña, House of Travel in Cagayan de Oro City; Carlos Castelles, Amigo Travel in Iloilo City; and Cookie Chan, Southwind Cebu.

Another luncheon was given for NWA’s friends in media. Excellent health food was served at the exotic Mizu, the Japanese restaurant of the Waterfront Hotel. It may not have merited the presence of NWA or ITI bosses from Manila, but it was sheer fun with Ella Mae and the rest of the Cebu lovelies.

We were quite a merry bunch. After lunch, we were all put into a coaster and driven to The Spa at Cebu not too far away for whatever massage or treatment we wanted.

The owner, Johnny Siao, welcomed us with his characteristic affability, and showed us the entire facility. Located on the road leading to posh Maria Luisa Estate Park, The Spa at Cebu is a huge concern, with a big parking lot.

NWA’s Patricia and ITI’s Gina were back in no time for another, to them, grand occasion—the launch of BPI Worldperks, a comprehensive travel credit card in partnership with the Bank of the Philippine Islands. Use it and you earn travel miles. Neat!

Ma. Ysable Sylianteng, BPI senior vice president and head of the card banking group, arrived from Manila, with Ginbee Go, VP for marketing and sales; and suave Anton Corro, MasterCard’s VP for operations and member relations.

Fe Emlyn Boltron, who heads BPI Card Banking in Cebu, had her hands full that evening, as did Ace Villaraza, product manager of BPI Worldperks; Angie Florentino, Kay de la Paz, Mae Ann Barcena and Nadette Chua. A chic crowd turned up for the launch, a most chi-chi affair at the Arctic Hall of the Waterfront Hotel.

Its theme, “Bridging Borders in Style,” meant a fashion parade inspired by NWA’s top three destinations—Tokyo, Paris and New York. Ethereal models glided on the catwalk wearing designs by three of Cebu’s top designers (in order of appearance): Arcy Gayatin, Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez.

BPI and NWA gift items were raffled off, with George Boronat and Maris Araneta among the winners. The coveted NWA luggage set went to Gerry Richards, glamorous as ever. The crowd laughed when the master of ceremonies mistook her for a man because of her name.

Perlita Jacalan, managing director of Advertising Services and Promotions (ASAP), was congratulated for helping make the event a success. Collecting due praise for the impeccable service was the hotel’s general manager, Marco Protacio.

Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña graced the occasion. Also there were Amparito Lhuillier, Annie Aboitiz, Teresin Mendozona, Rosebud Sala, Den and Lolly Diez, Annabelle Luym, Nonie Uy, Zeny Deen with daughters Jackie (Ms Roy Lotsof) and Vanessa.

Discounteed travel

Top Vis-Min travel agents feted