Vudu turns nine!

Four nights in Cebu and nine nightlife institutions in the Philippines converged into one big ninth anniversary for Vudu!

On Wednesday night, Manila’s premier fashion series, Fabric, presented an underground London-style fashion show in honor of the late Alexander McQueen. The Models Association of Cebu strutted in creations by Jun Escario, Oj Hofer, Protacio Empaes, Philip Rodriguez and Arcy Gayatin. The night continued on with DJ Arnel Genterone’s galloping ‘80s pop and disco representing Nuvo and Euphoria with Louie Ysmael hosting the party.

On Thursday night, Cebu’s pride, the Purple Helmets, opened the night and prepared everyone for the rockin’ sound of Capone’s very own Overtone. Of course, a Capone’s night is not complete without Jay Server taking over the mic and jamming his favorites with the band.

On Friday night, DJ Euric Lumanog gave everyone a little taste of RnB Fiamma style with Sleepless @ Encore’s DJ Ronian Poe joining him in serving the sexiness. Fiamma’s Carlo Trillo and Encore’s Erik Cua made sure the Cebuanos were having a blast.

Saturday night culminated the week’s festivities with a legendary line up: Encore’s resident DJ Bombi Balquiedra, 78Orange & NBK’s Manolet Dario together with Vudu’s resident DJ Marlon Orellano, The Abbey’s Maxie Perez and Kutlyfe, and Formo’s Hans Congmon with special guest performers Chico Cristobal on live guitars and Bea Tantoco on live vocals.

Nine years... nine clubs/bars... four nights... all for Vudu! Thank you to PLDT MyDSL Watchpad, Gilbey’s Premium Strength, Smirnoff, Coors Light, RCTV, San Miguel Beer and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.

10 cheers for Discovery Suites

Discovery Suites pulled out all the stops when it commemorated its 10th anniversary as guests came in their “Hollywood best” at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club Pavilion.

Welcoming each guest were HSAI Raintree president Annabella Wisniewski, HSAI-Raintree VP of hotel operations and Discovery Suites GM Bobby Horrigan, HSAI-Raintree VP of resort operations and Discovery Shores Boracay GM Jun Parreño, group directors Gemma Batoon of marketing communications, Carmela Bocanegra of sales and marketing, Mia Joaquin of finance, Alex Pamplona of engineering, Charmagne Adonis of human resources, director of operations Sherwin Lucas, director of style Ferdi Salvador, corporate chef David Pardo de Ayala and associate director of marketing communications Marc de la Cruz.

After dinner, vignettes of Discovery Suites’ milestones were shown, followed by video testimonies of the pioneers. Horrigan thanked all guests and clients for their support and he talked about the hotel’s vision for the future.

The story of Discovery Suites’ first 10 years reads as a fascinating narrative of “unrivalled success” as claimed by Wisniewski. Economic booms and busts, celebrities, business personalities and the corporate sector alongside never ending challenges and small triumphs, provided the backdrop to a young history, which made Discovery Suites one of the most recognized Filipino-owned hotels in the industry. The highlights of the evening were the awarding of Discovery Suites pioneers and the launch of the Discovery Suites theme song, Home Is Where the Heart Is, composed by songwriter and 2010 Gawad Urian nominee Ditoy Aguila in the event hosted by Jojo Alejar and Angel Aquino.

Entertainment was provided by Jabbawockeez and Martin Nievera. Party music was provided by The Spirit of 67 who got the crowd in the mood for dancing.

Discovery Suites, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay and Discovery Shores Boracay are developed and owned by the The Discovery Leisure Company. The Discovery Group is managed by HSAI Raintree Hospitality Management.

The Caveman returns

After its successful run during Valentine’s weekend at the Insular Life Theater in Alabang, Joel Trinidad will star again in Defending the Caveman, the longest-running one-man comedy show in Broadway history, which has sold over eight million tickets worldwide in 16 different languages.

An acting coach, voice-over talent, commercial model, English teacher and event host, Joel’s first love is the theater. A 20-year veteran of the stage, he has played lead roles in such highly acclaimed productions as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, Hamlet, Proof (with Lea Salonga), Amadeus and countless others. He is also a founding member of “SPIT,” or Silly People’s Improv Theater, the first Asian comedy troupe ever to perform at the prestigious Los Angeles Improv Festival. He received his first Aliw Award nomination for his role in the original Filipino musical Something To Crow About (which eventually enjoyed a successful run in New York and California) and his second for his multiple roles in Avenue Q. He is looking forward to producing and directing his first original musical, Breakups and Breakdowns, early next year.

Defending the Caveman returns on May 14, 15 and 16, this time at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, Podium 4, RCBC Plaza in Makati. The re-run is brought to you by CTE Productions and Theater Mogul in cooperation with San Miguel 632-BEER (2337) Home Delivery Service. The show is directed by Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy. The show starts at 8 p.m.

(Call Ticketworld for tickets at 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph. You may also text 0917-5378313, call 215-0788 or e-mail [email protected]ac.)