Radisson Collection launches in China, introducing its premium lifestyle concept to Asia Pacific’s gateway city

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

Radisson Collection, Radisson Hotel Group’s anthology of premium lifestyle hotels, has reached another major milestone with the official debut of Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai, this exceptional brand’s inaugural property in China and its first hotel in an Asia Pacific gateway city.

With iconic properties in inspiring locations all around the world, Radisson Collection gives guests immediate access to the authentic essence of their destination, in terms of art, design, culture and cuisine. No two hotels are the same and each reflects the rich character of its locale. With original design and insider encounters, Radisson Collection goes above and beyond to deliver extraordinary experiences.

Hotels are located in some of the world’s most exciting and eclectic destinations, including Brussels, London, Rome, Copenhagen and Moscow, with future locations set to include Paris, Milan, Cairo, Budapest, Venice, Sri Lanka and Queenstown in New Zealand. Wherever they choose, savvy travelers can discover personalized hospitality, intuitive service and thoughtful touches, in tune with the tempo of their neighborhood.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai is the perfect addition to this curated collection. Nestled within 17 acres of manicured gardens, surrounded by historical villas, 1930s Art Deco buildings and picturesque tree-lined avenues, this is an enchanting urban oasis amid the bustle of Xujiahui, Shanghai’s dynamic downtown business district.

A sense of serenity and sophistication pervades the entire 16-story hotel. The 185 rooms and suites (ranging from 30 to 54 m2) are designed to be spacious sanctuaries of comfort and wellness, with cutting-edge solutions such as air purification systems and smart room sensors, and even robots that deliver fresh fruit juice straight to the door! Unique to the hotel, the 12th floor is reserved for female guests; each room on this level is equipped with special amenities and a Dyson Supersonic™ blow-dryer, and the Madam Li Lounge is a haven of high-quality hospitality for discerning female travelers.

Innovative and locally inspired cuisine can be enjoyed at a choice of four restaurants and bars, including an award-winning Chinese restaurant that focuses on Cantonese cuisine and Shanghainese specialties, and a chic lounge for handcrafted cocktails and fine wines. The top floor Executive Lounge is an exclusive space with 270-degree city views. Engaging events can be hosted at a choice of eight venues, including a ballroom and pavilion, and the fitness center features state-of-the-art equipment.

“It gives us great pleasure to launch our inaugural Radisson Collection hotel Shanghai, China, a prime destination for business and leisure. This marks another milestone as we expand and project the brand’s robust growth in the region, further showcasing the Group’s strong commitment to China. Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai will be an outstanding addition to this expanding collection of iconic lifestyle hotels,” said Katerina Giannouka, President, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.

“Radisson Collection is the home of distinctive hotels and resorts that are united by their uniqueness, and their ability to bring out the exceptional of their community. This rapidly growing brand is suited to the world’s most storied cities, such as Shanghai, where a sense of history and romance enlivens every stay. We look forwarding to immersing guests in the sounds, sights, flavors and experiences of the hotel’s unique location. Radisson Hotel Group has worked with the hotel’s owners, Dong Hu Group, for more than 20 years and we are delighted to continue our journey together,” added Gary Ye, Vice President, Operations, China.

More than ever, Radisson Hotel Group’s highest priorities remain the health and safety of its guests and employees. The Group partnered with SGS, the world’s leading inspection and certification company, to implement the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, which ensures the highest hygiene standards and strengthens the Group’s existing rigorous sanitation and social distancing guidelines. Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai has already achieved its HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certification and premium certification from Safehotels.


Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai becomes the collection’s first member in China, and will be joined by a second in Q2, 2021 when the newly built Radisson Collection Resort, Nanjing opens its doors.

FDCP to Stage 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night Online in Support of National Arts Month

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine Cinema was still able to gain various accolades in the global arena in 2020.

 

The Filipino filmmakers, actors, and films that received international recognitions from established film festivals and award-giving bodies over the past year will be honored in the 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night (FAN).

 

In support of National Arts Month of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold this year’s FAN online on February 28. It is supported by the Cultural Center of the Philippines through the participation of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

The FAN is an annual gathering since 2017 organized by the FDCP that recognizes filmmakers whose international victories have brought honor to the country. Due to persisting restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, the FAN will be streamed live on the FDCP’s Facebook pages and YouTube Channel.

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño remarked, “We laud the honorees for their artistry and perseverance, and these were not hindered even when the global cinema industry suffered so much. Our filmmakers still managed to put the spotlight on Philippine Cinema amid the pandemic, and for that we are grateful.”

 

She continued, “We are also humbled and honored because of the FDCP’s collaborations with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Cultural Center of the Philippines for the first-ever virtual FAN. This shows how much the government values our filmmakers and the rest of the country’s artists.”

 

The FAN has recognized more than 266 filmmakers in four editions. In 2020, the A-List Winners roster, pertaining to those won in A-List international film festivals, included “Verdict” by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez which won the Special Jury Prize in the Horizons (Orizzonti) section of the Venice International Film Festival in Italy.

 

The other A-List Winners were “Mindanao” director Brillante Mendoza who won for Best Artistic Contribution at the Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt, “Mindanao” lead Judy Ann Santos who was the Cairo Best Actress, “Aswang” by Alyx Ayn Arumpac which won the FIPRESCI Prize in the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in the Netherlands, and Jun Robles Lana who won Best Director for “Kalel, 15” at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.

Apart from recognizing the country’s international award winners of the past year, the FDCP also bestows during the FAN its highest honor called the Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award for icons, trailblazers, and legends.

The Camera Obscura Award recipients in 2020 were Cathy Garcia-Molina for being the highest-grossing Filipino Film director, Nick Deocampo for being the vanguard of Filipino film history and education, and Ricky Lee for being an awarded scriptwriter and dedicated mentor to the next generation of scriptwriters.

 

On February 28, a new batch of Filipino film ambassadors will be duly recognized to be led by the Camera Obscura Awardees and A-Listers. Among the other FAN categories are Short Films, Documentaries, Technical Awards, Acting Awards, and Feature Films. 

Making Martial Arts a Part of Everyday Life: The Physical and Mental Benefits of Training According to Team Lakay

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over the past few years, people all across the globe have increasingly turned to martial arts as their primary fitness option. It’s no longer just a sport, but also a viable alternative to traditional gym.

In fact, some of the greatest martial artists in the world can attest to the very many benefits martial arts has on human life.

Reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, both members of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, Philippines, can say with confidence that martial arts has had a positive effect on their lives.

“Learning martial arts has molded me into a better person. I was a very different Joshua Pacio 15 years ago, before I took up martial arts. And this is because of the core values that martial arts taught me, and of course, because of the people who guided me on my journey,” said Pacio.

“Martial arts principles help us in our everyday lives with how we approach people and relationships. It teaches us to apply discipline in all aspects of our lives, and of course, self-control mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

Today, Pacio is one of the most talented martial artists in the industry. He’s reached the pinnacle of the sport through hard work and dedication to his craft. Because martial arts improved not just his professional career, but also his personal life, Pacio urges everyone to practice martial arts.

“Some people may have the misconception that MMA is a brutal sport. But believe me, it will change your life. When you take up martial arts, you learn it’s not just about punching and kicking. That’s just part of it. The lessons go deeper than that. Martial arts will make you a better version of yourself,” said Pacio.

“The main thing for me is developing self-discipline. When you have self-discipline, everything else follows. It will reflect in your attitude and work ethic. In the famous words of Kung Fu Panda, ‘there is no secret ingredient, it’s just you.’ This means everything is up to you. So just enjoy what you’re doing, and don’t quit. When you get tired, take a rest, and then go again. Just don’t quit.”

Eustaquio, on the other hand, notes how martial arts is a holistic fitness undertaking, one that unites the mind, body, and spirit. He shares the same sentiments as his younger teammate.

“Martial arts has played a very big role in my life. It has gotten me through some difficult times. There are times that I get frustrated with different things, but I just go to the gym, sweat it out and leave the gym free-spirited after,” said Eustaquio,

“You learn something new everyday. Last year, it helped me to become more mentally tough during the pandemic. I was constantly motivated and found different ways to stay active. When the mind is healthy, the body is healthy, and the spirit is healthy. Martial arts is my way of life.”

“Martial arts taught me that nothing is impossible,” Eustaquio concluded.


ONE Championship returns this Friday night, 5 February with ONE: UNBREAKABLE III, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. In the main event, former ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex continues on her quest for a historic third world title. She puts her unblemished professional MMA record on the line against Ukrainian grappler Alyona Rassohyna.