MANILA, Philippines - In an interesting lunch over at the Makati Shang for the launch of the hotel?s tie-up with Asia Miles, I learned about the plethora of international hotel chains that are set to open in Manila.

In Makati, specifically in the Glorietta area, soon to rise are Fairmont Hotel and a boutique hotel of Discovery Suites. At The Fort area, a six-star Shangri-La Hotel will be the first one to open. There are rumors that Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt and The Ritz Carlton will follow in the next three years.

In Manila, specifically SM Mall of Asia, The Regent (an all-suite hotel) and the Radisson group are set to open. TNT heard the Manila Peninsula and New World Renaissance are also going through major renovations this year.

The Dusit Thani and Sofitel Philippine Plaza hotels, meanwhile, have gone through a major revamp, and both look absolutely stunning.

All this hubbub in the hotel industry is good news for our economy, as it translates to billions of dollars being invested in the country and jobs for the people.

In my travels around the region, the flight back to Manila is always filled with foreign businessmen and tourists, a sign that we should banish our crab mentality and doom-and-gloom thinking.

At the end of the day, the country benefits from all these investments. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano is doing such a great job and should be commended for it.

Here?s TNT wishlist. The airport is the first and last impression visitors see of a country, and the current one is not a good image of ours anymore. Open the new airport or fix whatever needs to be fixed!

Only for the chosen few. Set to open this week is ?Embassy?s Members Only,? from the same successful group behind Embassy Club. What makes this different? It is a strictly by-invitation-only club that has as its golden rule selectivity, exclusivity and privilege.

Is Manila ready for club that has a country-club rule? The owners of Embassy surely know something that we don?t. The group (Eric Cua, Fernando Aracama, John Herrera and Tim Yap) has been around even when it wasn?t cool to party (think economic slump). They have gone through controversies and competitions and have even soared higher. So the answer is a definite ?yes.?

Fun in the city. To mark the opening of the movie ?Sex and the City? this week, here are some suggestions on how we can also enjoy our wonderful and beautiful city.

The Manila Bay Ocean Park (MOP), which opened just about three months ago, is a perfect weekend bonding destination for the family. There are over 20,000 different types of marine life featured in the oceanarium. The MOP is open every day, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Over in Intramuros (the original Fort), Bambi Harper has taken the reins of the Intramuros Administration and has several plans to make this last bastion of Spanish colonial rule in the country more conducive for metro citizens to visit.

Her first priority is taking care of the Intramuros Collection consisting of wooden statues, furniture and other ornamental antiques purchased by Dr. Jaime Laya during his tenure, and placing them in two museums. Aside from this, Harper is developing activities for both tourists and locals, such as a 19th-Century Evening where you can dress up in costumes and have your photo taken.

Furthermore, she wants the fort ?pedestrianized,? with only trolley cars running through it for transportation. With Bambi there, we have no doubt that her efforts and passion will result in a better Intramuros.

The Ayala Museum has an exhibit on ?Gold of Ancestors,? consisting of more than a thousand gold objects dating as far back as the 13th century. As much as the exhibit is absolutely world-class, it?s also a source of pride as it ?hammers the truth? that we were a civilized culture prior to Spanish rule.

TNT?s picks. On the concert stage, coming soon are Alicia Keys and Chris Daughtry. For those who love ?80s music, Rick Astley and Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) are also set to perform in Manila.

Now, if you want to channel your inner ?Pinoy Idol,? we found a karaoke place that goes a notch higher by offering an actual band, backup singers and instant audience while you perform. This is in Mag.net Café on Bonifacio High Street. The place has Rock-a-oke, Broadway-oke and Disney-oke nights.

To a great woman. There are countless individuals in this country who inspire us and are worthy of emulation. One such individual I look up to is Anita Magsaysay Ho, who is celebrating her birthday today. Not only is she a legendary painter, she is also a woman who has a beautiful heart and a gentle soul.

To Tita Anita, we are grateful for your continued inspiration and life, your kindness and spirit. Wishing you only the best!