The Lobby of La Carmela de Boracay Resort and Convention Center Premiere Wing
“Take the time to do what you love to do this weekend.” – Catherine Pulsifer
To say that JOEL “GL” CATONG’s three-day birthday bash in Boracay was a success is certainly an understatement. Six friends, namely NACY HECHANOVA, ORSON ORLEANS, JOEL UY, DADO TAN, JIMMY UY and yours truly joined him for a weekend of fun, laughter, bloopers, camaraderie and surprises!
Après a leisurely road trip from Iloilo City to Caticlan, a quick processing at La Carmela de Boracay Resort and Convention Center Welcome Center (courtesy of Trip Coordinators RUFO and AL), a smooth speedboat ride to Cagban Port in Boracay (made possible by experienced crew), a short van ride to our home away from home in the island (thanks to Trip Coordinators MARLON and BOYET), and a no-fuss check-in (through the kindness of charming owner BOY SO, General Manager MARY LOVE APELADO, Reservations Officer KATHLEEN JUNE JASPE and Trip Coordinator MILKIE), we were all ready to start the celebration.
A sunset view from my Ocean View Room
Welcome dinner at La Carmela de Boracay: Joel Uy, yours truly, Nacy Hechanova, Orson Orleans and Joel Catong
Food galore at La Plaza Restaurant of Feliz Hotel
Partying at Club Summer Place
Our first stop was at Jasper’s for a sumptuous lunch followed by a stroll through the D’Mall and on the beachfront all the way back to La Carmela de Boracay Resort and Convention Center. Coffee and quick dip on blue waters of Boracay were our next agenda.
By sunset we were ready for the sips and spills of our fave cocktails and for the welcome dinner at the Poolside of the Hotel. Satiated and flushed, we enjoyed Boracay’s famed nightlife – from Rainbow Café and Lounge to Club Summer Place to Exit.
Birthday lunch at Henann Regency: yours truly Nacy Hechanova, Joel Uy, Dado Tan, Jimmy Uy, Orson Orleans and Joel Catong
Posing with our giveaway bags from Joel Catong
Surprised merienda cena at So Beach Café with La Carmela de Boracay General Manager Mary Love Apelado
The next day’s schedule was tight. Kicking off with a hearty breakfast by the Poolside, it included abirthday lunch buffet at Henann Regency, a surprised merienda cena at So Beach Café of La Carmela, birthday dinner buffet at Cha Cha’s Beach Café of Coast Boracay, drag show at Rainbow Café and Lounge (where GL was surprised with a Happy Birthday song, a cake and greetings from the management and customers), and an all-night partying at Club Summer Place and Boom Boom Bar.
Posing in our earth colored outfits before the dining at Cha Cha Beach Café of Coast Boracay
Another hosted dinner at La Carmela de Boracay
International drag queen Manila Luzon with the queens of Rainbow Café and Lounge –Miss Dimple, Amazing Alma, Tata Retita and Divina Diva
There was no let up on our third day. Our walk and window shopping led us to La Plaza Restaurant of Feliz Hotel for lunch. Then we proceed back to So Beachy Café for our caffeine fix. A dip in waters and a bit of rest whetted our appetite for another hosted dinner at the Poolside of La Carmela de Boracay.
Not yet done with our night, we watched a firedance show at the al fresco side of La Plaza Restaurant of Feliz Hotel over rounds of our poison of the night, with a fountain cooling us. We capped the night with partying at Club Summer Place.
Before our trip back home, we did a quick last minute shopping for pasalubong. Needless to say, it was a fun trip.
Markki Stroem and Joel Catong
Rainbow Café and Lounge owner Keith Pareja and Manila Luzon
Feliz Hotel Boracay façade and fountain
Lunch at La Plaza of Feliz Hotel Boracay: Nacy Hechanova, Orson Orleans, yours truly and Joel Catong
The Japanese-inspired Ocean View Suite at La Carmela de Boracay Resort and Convention Center
Orson Orleans, yours truly, Joel Catong and Nacy Hechnaova with La Carmela de Boracay Resort and Convention Center GM Mary Love Apelado and Reservations Officer Kathleen June Jaspe.
First trip to Bora for 2023. What about this Holy Week? See you there.
See you in Boracay on Holy Week.
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