Chicago, here we come! (Conclusion)

CEBU, Philippines - The Windy City is also an al fresco Art Museum with imposing sculptures exhibited in its numerous parks and sidewalks — works of internationally recognized masters, like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Henry Moore, Anish Kapoor (the elliptical “Cloud Gate” at Millenium Park), Jaume Plensa (the unique Crown Fountain), among others. Of course, Chicago has always been known as the place where the skyscraper started – the 10-story Home Insurance Building built in 1884 and demolished in 1931. Because of its pioneering spirit, Chicago lured iconic names in the world of architecture, giving the city its distinctive skyline long before the other American cities evolved theirs.

On our third day, we transferred to a historical landmark of a hotel, The French Baroque Palmer House Hotel by Hilton (17 East Monroe St.,www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com). Its lobby’s ceiling reminds you of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel because of its luminous concave panels filled with Louis Pierre Rigal’s original paintings done in the late 1800s. Conrad Hilton bought the hotel in 1942 and the most recent renovations (1981 – 1996) totaled $140 million!

Palmer House Director of Public Relations Ken Price took time out for a short chat with the media corps from Cebu, and impressed us with his passionate advocacy against violence. Music and the genteel way of life can be the salvation of today’s young people, vouches Ken, who are being bombarded by mass media with violent reportage. Palmer House, for one, provides a glimpse of that idyllic lifestyle.

Hilton Chicago (720 South Michigan Ave., hiltonchicagohotel.com), on the southern tip of the Magnificent Mile, right next to Millenium Park, was our last hotel hop. It’s another busy hotel despite its ongoing renovations. It is a favorite Hollywood shooting location. If you are a movie buff, you will find its nooks familiar, as the scenes from some Hollywood movies.

My only free day was a chance to meet up with my cousin Menchu Angbetic-Alfon of Galesburg, Illinois, who traveled several hours by train to see me. Her high school classmate (CIC) Angelica “Tata” Borromeo, a Chicagoan, was our driver/guide/host for the day! (Thanks, Ta!) We gorged on excellent dimsum in Chinatown and spent the better part of the afternoon at Adler Planetarium (1300 South Lake Shore Drive) watching their latest attraction: Deep Space Adventure at the senso-round 3-D Grainger Sky Theater, then “Journey to the Stars” with the voice of Whoopie Goldberg at their Definiti Space Theater. Downright awesome experiences for people of all ages. A must-visit place.

The last day had us picked up once more by the Grayline Coach that fetched us from O’Hare Airport upon arrival, as well as provided us with a guided city tour – thanks to the efforts of our very reliable land arranger Eugene Cheng of Unilink-Los Angeles. Our deep appreciation to Mr. Fran Ferrone, Manager of Grayline Chicago. We looked forward to personally thank him for the complimentary accommodation, but he was unable to meet us on our way back to the airport.

The top 5 producers of Cathay Pacific Cebu went their separate ways: Victor & Jill Carvajal of Travelways (Las Vegas), Marget Villarica of Destination Specialist (New York), Aida Uy of Cebu Fortune Travel (Cebu), Andrew Teh with dad Segundo (Los Angeles) and Sheila Colmenares of Leisure Travel & Tours (Las Vegas). While the rest of us from media, except for Nelia (New York), went straight home to Cebu.

We brought with us a vivid cultural memory of Chicago – jazz & soul music, classical ballet (Nutcracker went onstage for Christmas), art exhibitions and museums (Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest in America!), live theater, lovely parks , aquariums and zoos. Mostly found along Lake Shore Drive.

So that our tour guide humorously gave us a tip that you can claim: I went on LSD in Chicago, and met a dinosaur named Sue! And that would be true! (FREEMAN)