december-2011

A gift fit
for a king
To celebrate King Rama IX’s 84th birthday,
a Thai hotel chain donates profi ts to charity
CALL IT A BIRTHDAY gift that keeps on giving
— for the 84th birthday of His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, all 10 Anantara hotels in
Thailand donated THB99 (PHP138) for every
guest that stayed in all of their resorts from
October to December 5th. The amount goes
to the Raks Thai Foundation’s 84 Schools
Project, which was established to help
Thai children who were not achieving their
educational potential.
Every year, nearly 600 schools do not
pass Thailand’s quality assessment, and
more than 100,000 students drop out
of school due to poverty. More than just
convincing students to stay in school, the
foundation implements a brand new learning
process based on the practical principles
of education, livelihood and sustainability,
alongside school improvements like clean
water, sports equipment, education materials,
computers, libraries and even agricultural
equipment. The project is also designed to
facilitate 6,720 disadvantaged children aged
seven to 14 in 84 poor rural schools, so that
they become independent lifelong learners
who possess important life and occupational
A business
oasis in Taipei
THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL in
Taipei recently unveiled its new
Executive Floor, which was styled
by famous Taiwanese interior
designer Celia Chu. Think of it as a
calm retreat from the hustle and
bustle of the city, with its 116 newly
designed guest rooms decorated
with earthy colors. Open from
6.30am–10pm, the Lounge is also
perfect for dining and meeting
guests. www.worldhotels.com
chikka buzz
skills. Supported by 168 teachers trained in
the new learning concept, children will study
their community and environment, and in
small groups will propose and implement
small projects on leadership, alternative
occupations, culture and environmental
conservation. Says Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of
Minor Hotel Group including Anantara, “By
empowering the country’s youth through
education and life skills, as well as teaching
them how to preserve nature and culture, the
long term benefi ts will be felt by each student
and their community.”
WATCH ENTHUSIASTS will want to head over to the ArtScience
Museum at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for Cartier artier Time Time
Art — an exhibition that will take visitors on a journey ney to
the heart of Cartier watchmaking through 158 iconic nic
timepieces. These icons have been selected from
the Cartier Collection, a unique array of vintage
Cartier objects that are often displayed in the
world’s most important museums. Some creations s
worth looking into include the Santos wristwatch
(designed in 1904 and released in 1911), the large
Portique mystery clock (1923) with the mysterious s
Billiken fi gure on it, and a rare jumping-hour pocket et
watch with a transparent case. From December 14; 4;
www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum
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The benefi ciary: The Raks
Thai Foundation’s 84
Schools Project, which aims
to improve Thailand’s state
of education and livelihood.
WATCH AND LEARN
TEXT MAYA MAYA O CALICA