Metrobank’s annual Gathering of Friends was held at the Grand Hyatt Manila for the very first time. A few days before the soft launch of the Grand Hyatt Manila, Metrobank hosted valued clients and friends at the Grand Ballroom of the landmark hotel on 8th Avenue corner 35th Street in Bonifacio Global City within Veritown Fort. The glass facade of the 66-story building, now listed as the tallest in the Philippines, was lighted from the outside, a tower of light in the nightscape.
Order of the Rising Sun
Guests walked into a grand lobby with columns clad in art glass that stood from the ground to the three level high ceiling. Both sides of the lobby had elevated mezzanines that are accessed by glass stairs that the hotel staff privately refers to as the Cinderella stairs. Glass and light are prominent elements of the hotel design.
Many of the guests paused to admire and take photos of the lobby before proceeding to the third floor where the reception was held at the Grand Ballroom. There were Japanese elements that were set up as part of a special tribute to Dr. George S. k. Ty, the group chairman and founder of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Dr. Ty was recently conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star in Japan with Emperor Akihito presiding over the conferment ceremonies. The recognition of the Japanese government was given for Dr. George S. K. Ty’s contribution in strengthening the economic relations between Japan and the Philippines.
Cherry Blossoms and Swimming Koi in the Grand Ballroom
A cherry blossom tree bloomed near the middle of the 2,000 capacity ballroom. On the other side, a koi pond with koi fish swam under a traditional Japanese teahouse. The swimming fish in a pond were created on the carpeted floor by a cleverly concealed projector. The foyer of the Grand Ballroom was festooned with red Japanese lanterns, while the main ballroom had large, white Japanese lanterns suspended beneath the high ceilings with contemporary crystal chandeliers.
Beside a red Japanese bridge under the cherry blossoms was a glass display with the medals given by the Japanese government to Dr. George S. K. Ty. A few feet away, another teahouse had paper tags that guests were invited to tie on the posts. Each tag carried a wish for good fortune.
Show Kitchen Attraction
There was a performance of traditional Japanese dance before the brief welcome remarks, followed by an invitation to partake of the food prepared by the Grand Hyatt chefs. Besides the Japanese favorites of sushi, sashimi, tempura and katsudon, there were food stations for roast beef carvings, pasta and Chinese specialties. The dishes were a sampling of the food that will be served in the different hotel restaurants when it opens quietly next week.
Despite an attendance of about two thousand people, there was no crowding around the food stations strategically situated in different areas of the ballroom and in the foyer. Guests also converged at the Show Kitchen on the far side of the ballroom, where the chefs were busy preparing the food in full view. The Show Kitchen was a crowd draw and a centerpiece of the Grand Ballroom. Wait staff passed around finger food and drinks while beverages were also available at a bar station.
When Christian Tiu began to spin his music on the Japanese tea house stage, several of the guests were seen singing or dancing. The music added to the festive atmosphere and guests stayed to enjoy the sounds and the food.
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by Simone Gabriel
