THE CEBU City Marriott Hotel, in cooperation with the Arts Council, presented the first-ever photography exhibit in Cebu by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala.
Titled ?Nature Interpreted,? the exhibit comprised 19 artworks, for sale at P42,500 each. Proceeds went to the Filipinas Heritage Library, a project of the Ayala Foundation.
Don Jaime was there before the appointed time as he wanted to welcome the guests. They were led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Ayala?s top man in Cebu, Francis Monera, president of Cebu Holdings, the company that turned a tract of 44 hectares into today?s Cebu Business Park, where the Marriott and Ayala Center are located.
A brief program hosted by Ann Olalo, the Marriott?s director for sales and marketing, preceded the formal opening. The hotel?s general manager Roy Abraham welcomed everyone and said that the exhibit was a tribute to Don Jaime, whose photographic artworks adorn each of the hotel?s 301 plush rooms and suites.
Arts Council president Petite Garcia also thanked Don Jaime and mentioned a partnership that dated back to more than a decade. The Arts Council helped Ayala Center Cebu retrofit one of the cinemas into a venue for the performing arts. There will be much activity in it during the ensuing months as the Arts Council embarks on its golden jubilee soon.
Artistic expression
Don Jaime spoke about his early life and his love for artistic expression. He obeyed his parents and worked in the family firm. As a result, the company became the country?s foremost urban real estate developer. When he retired, he gave rein to his passion for photography. He does it all himself ? shooting, developing, printing.
?No computers,? he said, adding that the technicians take over to store his output. It comes in handy when he prepares for an exhibit. During his talk, he often glanced at a group of ladies in front of the podium where his wife, Doa Bea Zobel, stood.
He rendered a tribute to her for all the inspiration and support. ?I let him be,? Doa Bea whispered to Annie Aboitiz Osmea. Don Jaime further stated, ?We are both in love [with each other, of course] with Cebu, and would like to come more often.?
He didn?t say it, but Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala has done a lot for the Philippines, having been president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and ambassador to the Court of Saint James (London) and to Madrid.
A number who attended were students and camera bugs.
Petite Garcia snapped up two for herself, and one for the Arts Council. Amparito Lhuillier said she wanted one but got two. Other buyers were Honorary Consul of Romania Grand Benedicto, Alice Plaza, and Hartwig and Maria Scholz, owner of the dreamy Badian Island Resort in southwest Cebu.
Present from the Arts Council were founder Fe Sala Villarica; VPs Vivina Yrastorza and Maxwell Espina; trustees Marissa Fernan, Elvira Lu Ym and Teresin Mendezona, who were involved in the preparations; and office staff Mariz Rallos and Gerra Cabatingan.
Marriott general manager Roy Abraham was with lovely wife Carol. Ann Olalo and communications manager Joan Danao were hands-on with Ayala Musuem curator Roland Cruz and project coordinator Mau Barreiro, Don Jaime?s right-hand person for these events.
Discussions
It was Dottie Viajar Wurgler, the Marriott?s director for operations, who started the ball rolling via preliminary discussions with Don Jaime?s daughter, Bea Zobel Jr. She frequently stays at the Marriott on her way to and from Bohol, where she has a number of projects. One is Dauis, which has revived the intricate art of Tambourine jewelry.
Also involved in this event were the hotel?s engineering director, Dodo Enriquez, who built the display panels according to Don Jaime?s specifications, finance director Roy Marcelo, events manager Boboy Codoy, and the pretty ladies from the sales team ?
Rowena Sainz, Arabella Barz, Trinia Alvizo, Jo Ann Burreros, Valerie Frias, Ross Maglasang, and Cathy Santiago.
The Marriott, Mr. Abraham said, was more than willing to further cultural life in Cebu.
The hotel has been refurbished, and was relaunched three months ago. The lobby has undergone an amazing transformation. The Garden Cafe, too, now has an alfresco deck. The Place serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
?We are working on a special a la carte menu,? said Roy Abraham. ?We will raise it to an excellent gourmet level.?
