The Nustar Resort and Casino, Cebu's first premier integrated resort, recently hosted a grand sit-down gala evening at its newest landmark attraction, the Nustar Convention Center.

During his welcome remarks, Frederick Go, president and chief executive officer of Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc., proudly enumerated the center's impressive ultra-modern facilities, each essential to creating the ideal setting for memorable occasions.

Under Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation, it is the biggest convention center outside of Metro Manila. The 2,449-square meter interior area can accommodate 2,000 guests with a welcoming foyer, luxurious lobby, three spacious banquet halls, a
laid-back open area lounge and a dreamy bridal lounge. The space offers a broad venue with utmost flexibility for the requests and whims of organizers and attendees.

Attended by 700 guests, the event showcased the center's culinary expertise. The well-orchestrated five-course menu consisted of the island's best ingredients and delicacies such as greens from the hills of Busay, Guadalupe mangos and small blue fish commonly known as dilis, equivalent to anchovies from Tabo-An market, which is notably gaining popularity among tourists.

Guests delighted in the main course of braised bistek with caramelized onions, succulent prawns with calamansi citrus jus and mashed potatoes. For dessert, they feasted on yam layered with cream cheese mousse puree.

The raffle prizes put wide smiles on the winners who received overnight stays at the Nustar Resort and Casino, and round-trip tickets via Cebu Pacific Air to domestic and international destinations, which may include Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali. Finally, gaming credits worth P100,000 were likewise awarded.

The evening culminated with an hour of pure magical performances by Cebuano balladeer John Willace Tubalde. The main act was multi-talented international singer Lani Misalucha, whose ability to sing across several genres led to MTV Southeast Asia naming her "Asia's Nightingale."

Nustar was represented by its chief operating officer Alan Teo, senior vice president for Gaming and Integrated Resort Operations Trevor Hammond, senior vice president for Casino Marketing Ray Shih, assistant vice president for Resort Marketing Katrina Maede Jesus and director for Events and Promotions for Casino Marketing Jovia Ho.