Singlestalk: The mommy

M: Gretchen is 28, employed and in a relationship with a 21-year-old guy. She is pregnant. Should they get married?

She’s worried that her BF is too young to settle down as he might miss out on his youth. What’s she to do? Simple. Talk to your boyfriend, Gretchen, and ask him if he’s ready to have a family, and this includes asking whether or not he wants to marry and if he is not yet ready to marry, if he is willing to give support to their child.

Luab: The need to belong

I once saw a movie whose title I’ve forgotten but I remember that Donald Sutherland had the lead role. He was one of the psychiatrists of a juvenile correctional institution. To make a long story short, Donald had to take care of a teenager who came from a broken home, whose mother had married someone else, and whose father did not love him. The boy’s only link to family was an older brother who was such a bad influence on the young boy that things grew from bad to worse.

Women’s world: Sleep problem

Dr. Dana Ruiz-Sesante Cindy Ruiz Garaña, R.N.

Dear Cindy,

Davao's famous grill is here

IF CHICKEN barbecue is your thing, then you must try Penong’s version of it. The newly opened Penong’s in Cebu is the 16th outlet of this barbecue place, very popular in Davao City where it began and where there are eight outlets. The others are in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Tagum, Dipolog and Kidapawan.

This ‘city’ has new choices

CHOI CITY City Seafood Restaurant joins in the summer revelry as they present their newest food products, promos and services for the season.

To quench the inescapable summer thirst, the restaurant introduces its new summer coolers—made only from the freshest fruits—the watermelon berries (watermelon and strawberry) and bananapple shakes (banana and pineapple). It is the drink of choice for Choi City’s Shabu-shabu and dimsum all you can eat promo, which is ongoing on Mondays to Saturdays only until June 1.

Sira-sira store: Political seasoning

LOOKING at the number of political sorties that suddenly take place in god-forsaken sitios in Cebu and elsewhere in the Philippines, you would know it’s the Political Season of the country. Since this is a food column, I would rather call it the political seasoning of the country, which momentarily adds flavor to a Filipino’s dreary life.

‘Red’ this Sunday

LITTLE Boy Productions presents Red, the 2010 Tony Award winner for best play written by American writer John Logan about the famous abstract expressionist artist Mark Rothko. The show will be on Sunday, May 5, 1 p.m. at the Cap Art Center.

Red won almost every major award in London when it premiered in 2009 and went on to do the same on Broadway the following year. This brilliant play by Logan (The Last Samurai, Gladiator, Any Given Sunday) speculates about one of the most enigmatic incidents in the 20th Century art world.

Punk goes fun

A TIMELESS style may be said of punk while summer seems to fan an eternal flame all over the country. To throw in together these two concepts makes for a fascinating blend that conceives perpetual fashion sense.

The beauty enthusiast

Beauty kit essentials

I KNOW some women like to keep five lip products in their purse, not to mention an eye shadow palette, foundation, mascara, eyelash curler, and pretty much everything but the kitchen sink – or makeup vanity, I should say. Fine, if you have a large makeup kit and an even larger purse to tote everything in. But on a busy day when you’re not sitting at an office desk, the added weight in your bag does make a difference while you’re running around. Here’s a guide to paring down your makeup kit to just the essentials. Your shoulder will thank you for it.

Help for arthritis

HOW does a person go about a daily routine with he or she has pain from arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disorder characterized by the swelling of the muscles, ligaments and joints resulting in pain. There are different causes of arthritis: from injury, obesity, metabolic abnormality, hereditary factors, infections, autoimmune system disorders, unhealthy eating habits, lack of proper exercise and the biggest cause of all, the natural aging process of the human body.

Serna: Viado’s version of ‘Love Somebody’ gets mixed reactions from fans

IT'S the third day of the month of fiestas and flowers. For devotees of the Blessed Mother Mary, it’s the time of the year when those beautiful blooms are brought in front of her icon as offering in the presence of cute and lovable angels. It’s a beautiful sight and a touching experience.

Ayala Center Cebu expansion tops off

AYALA Center Cebu’s east expansion tops off on May 7 anticipating it’s near completion by end of 2013.

Adding a total of 36,000 square meters of gross leasable area, the new four-level retail complex will be seamlessly connected to the existing mall and The Terraces.

Join Marriott’s Moments with Mom photo contest

SEARCHING for the perfect Mother’s Day gift without having to spend? Join the Moments with Mom photo contest.

Cebu City Marriott Hotel (CCMH) is giving one the chance to win a free brunch date with Mom this Mother’s Day by simply sending a photo of the most cherished moment with Mom and a short description of the photo.

Utzurrum: Moments to remember

LUCKY Alvin Tan, incumbent president of the Rotary Club of Cebu West, for having two gorgeous daughters. Last year, it was Alyssa Jane celebrating her 18th birthday, and very recently, her sister, Aerika Jane, made her bow to society, with a debut at the Casino Español de Cebu.

Fetalvero: Ranking race

THE Philippines has been named as one of the “Tiger Cub Economics” together with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. According to a 2012 International Monetary Fund report as presented on the Wikipedia website, the economy of the Philippines is the 40th largest in the world. “It is also one of the emerging markets in the world. The Philippines, considered as a newly industrialized country, is transitioning from being an agricultural to one based on services and manufacturing,” the report added.

Rediscovering Manila

After a hectic work week, the last thing on one’s mind would be to get on board the first flight to Manila—a bigger metropolis that’s twice as busy to get that much needed dose of relaxation. But one weekend, Charles Lim, director of Selrahco Management, whisked us away to the big city for that particular purpose, proving to us that despite the mazelike highways and towering buildings, it’s all about knowing where to go.

Are dream jobs for real?

TODAY is exactly the 110th anniversary of celebrating Labor Day here in the Philippines.

Well for the record though, the holiday was conceived first in the country in form of a public demonstration then.

Literatus: Passion in the flower

SCIENTISTS named it Passiflora, a genus of flower vines that contains 400 species; mostly vines, some shrubs and a few herbs. And some of these species have known medicinal properties.

The history in the naming of Passiflora is part of the Christian missionary history.

Metro Mandaue and Pacific Mall to hold Mandaue Fiesta Sale

IT'S Fiesta Time! Metro Mandaue and Pacific Mall will have their much awaited annual Fietsa Sale on May 3-5, 2013.

Get big discounts up to 50 percent on great selections storewide. Shop ‘till you drop during the Midnight Sale on Saturday, May 4.

You + Havaianas: The Search for the Next Big Havaianas Collaboration

AS A world-renowned brand distinguished for being an advocate of fun-fashion and self-expression, Havaianas has always been open to collaborations when it comes to its designs. The brand continues to coincide with the individual charm and personality of several noted icons the world over, hence, parallel ideals and imageries were ceaselessly developed—bringing the energy of the worlds of fashion, sports and art into one melting point.

Shangri-La launches Inside 5-Star radio show

SHANGRI-LA Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines launches a radio show on Radio High 105.9 FM, the very first radio show of its kind where luxury hoteliers share their stories and experiences on air on primetime.

Islands Souvenirs opens in Dumaguete

ISLANDS Souvenirs has expanded its presence with the opening of its newest franchise outlet in Robinsons Place Dumaguete last April 18.

Islands Souvenirs, a subsidiary of The Islands Group, unveiled the new look of their kiosks showcasing the vibrant and fun appeal of the brand and at the same time initiating, through its design, the company’s advocacy for love of place.

Painting discourses on social discord

“LIFE is filters of reality. An artist’s goal is to have his own interpretation of a particular filter.” For painter Marvin Chito Natural, he considers himself a social realist, an artist who records his mindset in a particular reality. If there is figurative language in poetry, Marvin says it is the same in painting.

Espina: April showers

IN THE midst of the hot, hot summer were April showers of refreshing events.

Ring of fire

A RING of Fire is known to be an area where considerable count of quakes and eruptions occur. So when someone has a lot of thrill going on around her, she may as well be called the female Ring of Fire.

Without going all theatrical, Nicole Ring is a girl who is all fired up about playing a couple of tough roles, day in and day out.

Bite-sized pleasures of summer

Michelle Varron Top drawer

IT WAS just about the perfect time on a perfect Thursday to hold a degustation dinner.

Costanilla: Open forum on Cebuano film

CONCERT. The Blessed Sacrament Parish on Gaisano St. at the North Reclamation area this city is so lucky to have an assistant parish priest who has earned the monicker “The Singing Priest from New Zealand.” Fr. Nilo Resco MSP is out to prove to one and all that he has the ability to entertain the general public with his impressive vocal prowess. But that is only the secondary reason why Fr. Resco is staging a concert next month here. The major reason is that he wants to raise funds for the construction of the new parish pastoral center, which the parishioners have long been dreaming of.

SM City Consolacion holds 3-day mallwide sale

SHOP ‘till you drop as SM City Consolacion once again brings to the biggest sale to hit the province.

Marco Polo Plaza F&B director inducted as new La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member

FOOD and Beverage Director of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Stephan Wieprich was among the select new members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs at the recent induction during its Grand Chapitre this year.

It is with pride and honor that Wieprich accepted the exclusive membership to the international gastronomic society. His expertise on the field of food and beverage contributes to the organization’s aim to promote fine dining.

Canon Business Imaging Solutions Group strengthens partnership with Visayas resellers

THE Canon Visayas Regional Office recently conducted a highly successful Value Added Reseller’s Conference held at Sarrosa International Hotel last April 19, 2013.