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New Casino Filipino-Tagaytay: Mountain city’s crowning glory
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: None
Date: 2002-03-20
 
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) moves close to achieving its goal of global competitiveness with the opening of Casino Filipino-Tagaytay’s new home at the SM Tourism Estate. Envisioned to be a one-stop, total entertainment hub, CF-Tagaytay provides a variety of world-class amenities and services for every member of the family.







Strategically located along the Emilio Aguinaldo national highway, the new CF-Tagaytay aims to show tourists another side to this mountain city – its fun side. Aside from featuring 400 slot machines, 32 gaming tables, VIP rooms and three restaurants, it also boasts of a state-ofthe-art entertainment center, a ballroom, a conference room, a play area for kids, and three levels of parking space. Under construction are hotel-style rooms for VIPs and a spa.





The casino’s grand opening last March 8 was attended by top PAGCOR executives led by chairman and CEO Efraim C. Genuino, president and COO Rafael “Butch” Francisco, Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi and Tagaytay City Mayor Francis Tolentino. Cultural presentations, ballroom dancing and a performance by concert queen Pops Fernandez highlighted the event.





Branch manager Roberto Reyes said that the original CF-Tagaytay opened 10 years ago as part of the Taal Vista Hotel. However, due to its limited space, “its full potential has not been realized.” In comparison, the new casino occupies a floor area of 9,102 square meters at the SM Tourism Estate, just across Taal Vista Hotel.





“We now have a world-class casino that can compete with the global gaming industry but is still very Filipino in architecture and interior design. It is a giant step in the realization of chairman Genuino’s vision of a “global cooperation with a Filipino heart,” Reyes noted.





CF-Tagaytay’s charm lies in its creative design. Its facade features stylish glass panels and a gigantic steel crown that can be seen from miles away especially at night. The interiors are reminiscent of 19th century Cavite. Lamp posts, grand balconies, sweeping staircases, capiz windows, elaborate lattice-work and a replica of Emilio Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit, Cavite are just some of the interesting details guests will find at the main gaming hall. During special occasions, casino employes also dress up in eye-catching period costumes.





CF-Tagaytay is a milestone in itself as it is “the first casino to be built with the concept of a total entertainment center in mind,” according to assistant branch manager Rick Faraon. The stage at the main gaming area will be used for performances by local bands and solo singers, cultural presentations and other events such as beauty pageants. The branch also has a Kid Center where the children of customers can play and have fun, changing the scope of casinos as places where only adults can enjoy.





Meanwhile, young professionals and executives can chill out at Stratosphere, a disco cum music lounge located on the mezzanine floor. “There is no night life in Tagaytay so we thought of creating one to entice people not only from Manila but also from neighboring provinces,” said Faraon. “If they go to places like Antipolo for the bars and night spots, why not Tagaytay where the new Casino Filipino may be found?”





Since its soft opening on Dec. 15, 2001, CF-Tagaytay continues to break records in revenues and customer attendance. Guests come from as far as Manila and the neighboring CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).





PAGCOR chairman Efraim Genuino expressed confidence that the new casino will be a tourism landmark in Tagaytay and add to the city’s prestige as a sought-after tourist destination. “Before we used to say ‘you haven’t been to Tagaytay if you haven’t been inside our worldclass, sparkling, and dream-like casino,” Genuino added.






[ Tagaytay City Wiki ]
 

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