WELCOME THE 2011 YEAR OF THE METAL RABBIT AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MANILA

             Mandarin Oriental, Manila ushers in the Year of the Metal Rabbit with pomp and pageantry in a celebration that includes: a grand Midnight Countdown on the eve of Chinese New Year on Wednesday, February 2; sumptuous Chinese New Year set menus at Tin Hau; homemade tikoy; a delightful room package for local residents, and the debut of renowned geomancer Master Joseph Chau’s much awaited 2011 Forecast.

 Master Jay Chau

Midnight Countdown to the 2011 Year of the Metal Rabbit

            With the support of BMW, Infinity Powered by Smart, Hennessy XO, Enchanted Kingdom, Hong Kong Express Airways; and Mandarin Oriental, Sanya, the festivities for the public kick off at 11 pm with a traditional paai shan ceremony and blessing headed by Master Chau; an eye-dotting ceremony; a dragon dance; and outdoor fireworks at the hotel mound at the corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

Ticket holders are invited to pre-event alfresco cocktails at the hotel’s Makati Avenue entrance, beginning at 10 pm and later partake of a sumptuous eight-course lauriat dinner in the Mandarin Ballroom, where dishes symbolic of good fortune and prosperity will be offered at midnight for the revelers’ first lucky meal of the year. At the dinner, theatrical entertainment numbers will be presented, and diners get a chance to win exciting prizes, including a trip for two persons to Sanya, China with a 3-day, 2-night stay in an Ocean Pavilion at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Sanya resort hotel.

To heighten the tantalizing experience, the Ballroom will be dressed up for the occasion in the customary elegant style of Mandarin Oriental. The tickets, which are priced at PHP2,988 nett for adults, and PHP1,588 nett for children ages 12 and below, offer access to all the festivities; a seat at the midnight lauriat; and a copy of Master Joseph Chau’s comprehensive 2011 Year of the Metal Rabbit forecast. The book will be available for sale at The Lobby Shop and Mandarin Deli beginning February 3 at PHP488  

“We are delighted to carry on this tradition that has become a landmark annual event in the city, as we recognize the continuing interest in our auspicious celebration” says General Manager Mark Bradford. “In keeping with our mission to delight our guests, we go to great lengths to offer a celebration that will live up to their expectations,” he adds. The hotel’s annual midnight festivity, which is considered the biggest outside Binondo, is on its 15^th year.

Room & Spa Package

For those who wish to celebrate the occasion with a stay at the hotel, the Chinese New Year Room package is available to local residents and expatriates with a valid resident’s certificate. Beginning at PHP6,888+++ for single or double occupancy overnight stay in a Superior or Deluxe Room, the package includes a breakfast buffet at Paseo Uno; PHP1,000 credit which can be used for dining or spa; 20% discount for all a la carte treatments at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental; late checkout at 4:00 pm subject to availability; and a copy of Master Joseph Chau’s 2011 Year of the Metal Rabbit Forecast. The package is valid from February 2 to February 7. Children ages 12 and below are free of charge when sharing a room with parents.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, meanwhile, offers the New Year Bliss package: a 60-minute relaxing, soothing massage that uses a specially-blended oil of May Chang and Lavender. Guests can take home their own bottle of this custom massage oil, as well as a PHP500 spa voucher for use on their next visit. The New Year Bliss package is priced at PHP1,880 nett.

Homemade Tikoy and Set Menus at Tin Hau

Homemade tikoy or nian gao, a sticky delicacy made from glutinous rice, is available at Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s Chinese New Year booth until 2 February. Different shapes are available, including lotus flowers, pineapples, fish and rabbits. These are priced from PHP288 for a small size to PHP1,088 for the large flower-shaped variety.

Set menus are also available at Tin Hau, from February 2 to 6. A total of six menus are available, with Chinese New Year dishes such as Stewed US beef with Nourishing Chinese herbs; Steamed white seabass fillet with ginger paste and superior soy sauce; Deep fried boneless chicken stuffed with shrimp mousse and sesame seed; Roasted US spring duck with “Xai Xi” sauce; and Braised abalone, sea cucumber and black moss with vegetables in oyster sauce, among others. One notable menu to try is Tin Hau’s Pen Cai set menu, which comes with the traditional Pen Cai, a rich, hearty stew usually served during Chinese New Year. Tin Hau’s version includes Australian abalone, sea cucumber, US beef shank, shrimps, dried scallops, dried oyster, Chinese mushrooms, black moss, seafood mousse stuffed on fish maw, quail eggs, soy sauce chicken and Chinese cabbage. The set menus range from PHP1,488+++ to PHP2,388+++ per person. Tin Hau’s Pen Cai set menu is priced at PHP1,688+++ per person, and serves 5 to 7 persons, and should be ordered at least four hours in advance. On February 2, there will be two seatings available for dinner: from 5:30 pm up to 7:30 pm, and from 8:00 pm up to 10:00 pm.

For inquiries and reservations, call 750 8888 or email momnl-reservations@mohg.com.