Billionaires Lawrence Ho and James Packer promised to bring a world-class integrated resort and casino to the Philippines that would rival any of its kind in the world. On Monday, February 2, 2015, the two men, together with their local partner the SM Group, finally brought that promise to life.
City of Dreams Manila ushers in a new era of gaming and entertainment in PAGCOR’s Entertainment City complex. City of Dreams Manila joins Bloomberry Resorts’ Solaire Hotel and Casino as the first two of the four IRs planned for the area.
As expected, Ho and Packer led the opening festivities, offering Filipinos a brief look at the two foreign casino titans sitting (and standing) side-by-side. During the press conference, Ho divulged to the gathered media that he has always had his eye on Manila as the next logical expansion for Melco Crown, which he and Packer co-own.
“Our vision was always to find greatest locations in Asia for integrated resorts. We’ve been very selective,” Ho said, almost sheepishly. “After Macau, Manila is really the first place we decided to go into.”
Meanwhile, Packer cut a far different aura to Filipinos, many of whom have only seen the man on the Internet. The imposing Packer stood proud and tall, befitting his almost 6’6” stature, but his intimidating aura was immediately stripped of when he offered his thoughts on the resort.
The Australian billionaire said that he hadn’t been as hands-on on the development process as Ho. So like most people, he was blown away by how the resort turned out, admitting that the “property has exceeded my highest expectations.”
“I can see tourism growing hugely in the Philippines. I think you do have more fun in the Philippines,” Packer added to the amusement of the media who couldn’t help but notice the billionaire’s reference to a recent ad campaign by the country’s Department of Tourism.
The resort’s grand opening also coincided with an extravagant “Concert of Dreams” headlined by world renowned artist Ne-Yo and former Grammy-award winner Kelly Rowland. The two acts delighted the thousands who attended the concert, which also featured standout local acts that included Gary Valenciano and ZsaZsa Padilla.
Ne-Yo, specifically, was excited to be part of the festivities and made it known that he has grand expectations for City of Dreams Manila and the Philippines itself as an up-and-coming global destination for gamblers. When asked about the possibility of Manila becoming the next Las Vegas, the American R&B singer explained his thoughts to CalvinAyre.com.
“It’s possible,” he said. “So far, so good. [City of Dreams Manila] is incredible. If they keep doing it like this, I guess they can be.”
