Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 11 | Page 9

June 1 - 15, 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY  Kiko Pangilinan... tomatoes, lettuce, and other produce because he has more pictures of them in his phone than of her. Tagsibol is available at Na- tional Book Store branches and Fully Booked . * * * Conrad Manila recently announced the appointment of Laurent Boisdron as the property’s general manager. He will be responsi- ble for the manage- ment of the brand’s Philippine flagship property, oversee- ing the day-to-day NEW CAREER Senator-farmer Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan operations of the and wife Sharon with a copy of Tagsibol. iconic 347-guest- room luxury hotel ing lahat na ibahagi sa susunod na located within the bustling Mall of henerasyon ng mga Pilipino ang Asia complex. The hotel has be- kahalagahan ng mga magsasaka come very popular as a staycation at ng pagsasaka, sa buhay natin bi- destination among discriminating lang isang tao at bilang isang taum- locals who can’t have enough of the bayan. (It’s the job of us all to share beautiful bayfront view. to the succeeding generations of A French-American national, Filipinos the importance of farmers Boisdron’s experience in the interna- and farming in our lives, both as a tional hospitality industry spans over person and as a nation.) And as the 24 years, including stints in major next generation of Filipino tell their cities in Europe, the Middle East, the own farming stories today, we are US, and South East Asia. Boisdron’s helping make sure that happens,” collective understanding of both in- Pangilinan said. ternational and local markets prom- “In the end, until and unless we ise to further Conrad Manila’s posi- have a healthy respect for our farm- tioning in the Philippine luxury hotel ers, we will continue to be a hungry, industry and strengthen its commit- not fully productive country when ment to delivering intuitive service it comes to agriculture. And this and smart luxury in a world of style. [book] is a humble contribution in “We are really excited to have helping bring that message, that we Laurent on board. His experience must put more value to our farmers, in working in such diverse markets put more value and appreciation for and in the Philippines has him well agriculture, and have a healthy re- poised for what is an extremely im- spect for them,” he added. portant hotel under our luxury port- The senator-farmer started folio in Asia Pacific,” said Daniel building the family-owned farm, Welk, vice president for Operations, Sweet Spring Country Farm, in Al- Luxury, Asia Pacific at Hilton. fonso, Cavite with the help and guid- Conrad Manila, a recipient of ance of his friends Ernest Escaler of Gourmet Farms and the late Ronald Costales of Costales Farms. The senator’s wife, Sharon Cu- neta, shared the Pangilinan family’s appreciation of farming and farm- ers. “It’s really a very noble thing that Kiko has gotten himself into. It’s not so