Last night marked a very special celebration for Solaire Resort & Casino and The German Club Manila. They opened the 80th Annual Oktoberfest in the Philippines. German nationals and bier-loving Filipinos did not mind the heavy Thursday night traffic Southbound of Manila, just to be at the highly anticipated event. 25,000 liters of beer and 5,000 kilos of pork were prepared for the the massive party that runs till Saturday, October 6, 2018. Lifestyle Asia was present at the event, and documented everything! Scroll down to see the opening of Solaire’s Oktoberfest celebration in photos (all pictures by Hub Pacheco)…
Members of the German Club Manila welcomed guests to the 2,400 square meter Oktoberfest Tent (built specially for the event) with a toast. Enzo Razon joined in on the celebration by performing the traditional O’Zapft, or “the tapping of the first Oktoberfest barrel.” People who attend Oktoberfest each year often look forward to this special ritual. It signifies that the party has begun.
Famous Filipino singer Martin Neviera surprised the crowd with a performance of standard tunes by Michael Buble. He was joined on stage by The Bavarian Sound, a Germany-based band who flies into the Philippines each year for our local Oktoberfest celebration.
Dinner is served…and never ends. Tables topped with blue and white paper cloths are filled to the brim with German delicacies. The stars of the spread were the in-house made sausages by Solaire’s very own Chef Michael Dinges. The chef’s grandfather owned numerous butcher shops in Germany and taught him how to make sausages at a very young age. The crowd falls in love with Chef Michael’s family recipe. In addition, liters upon liters of Weihenstephan beer is served to guest. As soon as you finish a mug, a wait staff dressed in traditional dimdl dresses and lederhosens fill you up immediately.
The Bavarian Sound rocks the night away with both Germany folk songs and modern music. 99 Red Balloons and Back to the Future theme song The Power Love have guest taking breaks from their dinner to groove it out on the dance floor.
The drinking games officially begin. Lifestyle Asia’s very own Sara Siguion-Reyna wins the first game, finishing a liter of beer in under 11 seconds, the fastest amongst the girls. “I’m not a drunk, but I’m competitive,” she shares on her IG post. As more drinking happens, people get more excited and jumpy. Guests begin dancing on tables and singing along with the band. The night’s grand prize is eventually won through raffle draw. A young lady wins a first class ticket courtesy of Etihad Airlines to Germany!
The clock approached midnight, though the crowd is still alive and kicking. People continue to drink and eat. Members of the band walk off the stage and roam around while playing their instruments.
Dingdong Dantes and his group of friends are amongst the crowd who stayed at Oktoberfest till the wee hours of the morning.
It isn’t too late to join in on the Oktoberfest fun. The event runs until this Saturday, October 6 at Solaire. Click this click to find out how to get your tickets. See you all tonight and tomorrow! Prost!
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