THE MARCO Polo Plaza Hotel celebrated the National Day of Switzerland with a special event held the evening of Aug. 5 at the grand ballroom. A wise move, as it always rains on such a day.
Hans Peter Fitze, first secretary and consul at the Swiss Embassy in Manila, was guest of honor. He said he was quite impressed with the décor — Swiss flags all over — and the enthusiasm of those who attended the event.
Consul Fitze also said he was greatly honored to preside the occasion. Founded in 1291, Switzerland this year marks its 725 years of existence.
There are 700,000 Swiss nationals outside Switzerland, and 3,600 of them are in the Philippines. That deserves a toast, initiated by the Marco Polo Cebu general manager Julie Najar, who cited the excellent relations between the Philippines and Switzerland.
Expected though unable to come was Hans Hauri, formerly the general manager of the Marco Polo in Cebu. He started the Swiss National Day celebration in 2007. Along with that, the Marco Polo offers a Swiss food festival at its Cafe Marco for lunch and dinner.
At the Aug. 5 event, the hotel’s executive chef Stefano Verrillo prepared a sumptuous buffet of Swiss specialties that had guests going for more.
Raquel Choa’s Chocolate Chamber set up a chocolate station at one end of the ballroom. There you could get a cup of piping hot chocolate drizzled with vanilla or just help yourself to a handful of silver-wrapped bonbons.