When  Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel and Residences opened  on Friday, it also brought to the city the relaxing ambience of the Mediterranean combined with the elegance that the Negros culture  is widely known for.

“Planta has a touch of classical architecture,” said Ramiro Garcia, former Bacolod City vice mayor, who designed most of the big hotels in Bacolod City , including Business Inn, the sister hotel of the new establishment. Planta, located along Araneta and Roxas Streets, was named after the ice plant, one of the business establishments of the owner-family, the Tanpincos. The Bacolod Ice and Storage Plant stood in the area for about 50 years prior to its relocation in Santo Niño.

The interiors reflect that touch of Negros culture.  They're an expression of the elegance of yesteryears in Negros, said Quezon City-based  interior designer Leo Almeria, who stressed that the leisurely life of Negrenses, has been his inspiration in coming up with “a simplified showcase of elegance”. Thus, Planta is establishing itself more of a family and leisure-oriented hotel, the interior designer said, unlike Business Inn, which is for business-minded individuals and groups.

But despite its classical design inspired by the Mediterranean mood, the 6,700-sq.m.  hotel, which costs a little more than P114 million, has  modern and state-of-the-art facilities. All rooms are fitted with a state of the art, keyless door, wireless Internet access, cable television, electronic safe, international and national direct dial phones, among others, said Assistant General Manager Fati de la Rama.

Garcia, at the press conference held at the hotel coffees shop on Thursday, said the choice of the Mediterranean mood was suggested by the members of the Tanpinco family, especially the ladies,  who have been greatly impressed by the enduring and relaxing personality of  this type of architecture and design. The soothing ambience is reflected, too, in our base colors of rust, gray and khaki, De La Rama added.

 The ‘soft opening' of the hotel was done to accommodate part of the 2,000-plus golf players who are in town for the PAL Inter-Club, biggest inter-club tournament in the country. The hotel, which has already substantial bookings until May, will also host shortly a big group of American golfers. Its manager, Darrylin Sumalangcay also pointed out that function room reservations have already been reserved for December activities.

Among the attractions of the hotel is its food offerings, which are personally under the supervision of its president, John Benedict ‘BJ' T. Uy, who is also the corporate chef.  The Plata president is a son of Jose Vicente ‘JV' Tanpinco, hotel general manager, who said the appointment of the hotel president, is part of the thrust to turn  over the leadership in their business organizations to the younger generation.  BJ just earned a diploma form the International School of Culinary arts and Hotel Management.

Tanpinco said the hotel has 82 guest rooms, including six suites a loft, which provide guests with a view of the city and the sea. It has 27 standard and another 27 deluxe rooms, four family standard and a family de luxe rooms. 16 superior rooms, a bridal suite, two superior sites and three residence suites.

Garcia said the hotel is also rushing the completion of a swimming pool designed with a lush courtyard landscape that may serve as an extension of  one of  Planta's 10 function rooms which can has accommodations ranging from a small group to 350 persons.

Assisting the officers of the hotel are events specialists Analyn Gellecanao, July Annn  Jocson and Jade Medes.

The hotel also provides shuttle service to and from the New Bacolod Silay Airport , has a well-equipped fitness center and a 24-hour coffee shop serving local and international food.

Planta was designed for the comfort and convenience of every guest in mind, De La Rama stressed.  AVDelCarmen

New Dreams, New Challenge

The appointment of Benedict John Uy as president of Planta, the newest hotel in Bacolod City , signals the infusion of the leadership of more young blood in the management of the Tanpinco family-owned businesses in Bacolod City .

Recently completing a course from the Intertional School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, BJ, 29,  accepted the challenge with this resolve – “to keep the company running and sustain it”. He also serves as hotel corporate chef, a position that was paved by his experience in “cooking as a relaxing activity”.

 Running a big business was not really in his mind when he started and completed his Business Management course at St. La Salle.  I thought someday I'll have my own business but not one as big as this, especially in the business industry, he said, adding that when he was small, he dreamed of becoming a “good basketball player”.

BJ is the second of the four children of Jose Vicente Tanpinco, the Planta general manager,  and wife, the former Belindo Co Uy. The eldest son, Benjamin, is in auto supply business, while the third child, Bea, has a marketing degree, also from USLS, and assists in the ice plant business. The youngest, Barnard, is studying entrepreneurial management at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Assisting him in running the hotel is Manager Darrylin Patrimonio-Sumalangcay, also a Business Management graduate of St. La Salle, who worked for 10 years at Business Inn, starting from a cashier's position and moving up later as front office supervisor, account sales executive, association account and sales executive and eventually as assistant manager prior to her new position.

“This is not only an opportunity to advance my career,” she said, “ but most importantly the position provides me with a new challenge and responsibility toward my development as a person and a professional.

BJ, while assuming a modest  ‘let's-wait-and-see attitude,  said that with the young talents in the hotel, and their new dreams and new ways of thinking, he hopes that they can respond to the call  and prove that we can do things very well.”