I got to attend my first ever press conference just last week. With the job I have I’m usually the one who gets to do the inviting, so it was a different feeling to be on the other side of the fence and listening to a presentation. This time around, it was regarding Hilton Resort & Spa Cebu’s management switchover to Mövenpick, which is a hospitality brand I’ve never heard of before. I’m not much of a jetsetter, which explains my ignorance.

In Cebu, that set of pink buildings that shock the Mactan skyline is now turning Swiss. It’ll be the first Mövenpick property in the Philippines and the third in Asia. It doesn’t seem to be a bad move at all — in fact, it feels like an upgrade — after all, this nonjetsetter was told, Swiss hospitality is the best in the world. Besides, the only Hilton my generation is most familiar with (or am I speaking for myself?) is the Paris one, anyway. (The woman, not the hotel.)

(Mr. Helmut Gaisberger, Director for Business Development for Mövenpick-slash-former Mandarin Oriental Manila GM and owning company CEO, Mr. Manny Osmeña of Oikonomos International, sharing a laugh).

For Cebuanos who want to know: we still don’t know if the property is keeping its signature pink facade. What we do know is that Mr. O hired an architectural colorist all the way from Paris to help with refreshing the facade and picking out a color scheme ideal for the property’s tropical setting. This is all part and parcel of the Php100M budget to renovate the resort to fit Mövenpick’s exacting standards.

The assertion that Swiss hospitality is best in the world was proven that night (fortunately for me), with the bountiful spread that was presented to us during the cocktails. Of course, Manny O’s signature wines were served (his wines are also available in the wine cellar of Mövenpick in Switzerland, having won nine international awards in one year), and I finally got to sample the awesomeness that is Wagyu beef. I had several helpings of their Wagyu nigiri sushi, and enoki mushrooms wrapped in wagyu beef slivers, resting on a bed of miso paste. The multiple textures  and flavors held a party in my mouth. I’m a very happy Mövenpick camper.

(Off-topic: I downed all of this in sparkling wine. It’s a milestone for me since I hate the taste of alcohol, but I’m getting used to white wine and mojitos. I really feel like an adult now. It helps me sleep and socialize better, too. Definitely helps the high-strung type like me.)

According to Manny, Mövenpick ice cream is the best in the world, too. Hopefully he succeeds in bringing it to the Philippines so I can sample that. But to make up for the lack, they served us Häagen Dazs.