The girl from Argentina

HER looks and her name—Maria Fernanda Lopez—would make one think she’s a Filipina-Spanish mestiza, but she’s not: she’s Argentinian. She is currently the food and beverage manager of the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

Fernanda says she “moved out” of Argentina when she was 22 and for more than a decade, she has been to various places, starting with Ecuador, then in the US (Arlington, Virginia), in Mexico, Andorra and Spain.

Art in full bloom

IF YOU'RE looking for engaging art, the old part of town is usually the last place to look, right? Wrong.

Café Elysa de Parian is going through an artistic spring of sorts, as it is walls play the backdrop to the bold (and mostly) life-size personal art collection of Maris Aznar Holopainen-Hadaway.

Foto op with Iron Man in SM

WATCH the most-awaited film Iron Man 3 at SM Cinemas beginning April 24. Early ticket buyers will have a chance to have their photos taken at the Iron Man 3 photo booth on April 27 and 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cinema lobby in SM City Consolacion. Just simply buy two movie tickets between April 2 to 23, or buy P200 worth of Snacktime items between April 24 to 28 at SM Cinema in SM City Consolacion.

Costanilla: Manila stars to do benefit show for Allef

DECLINE. In my one-on-one interview with movie director William Mayo, he talked about the sharp decline in the number of movies in the Philippines due to several factors.

Things are looking up

WELL, it’s actually the ceiling of their classroom that they would plaster their momentary stares (maybe hoping for some divine intervention) but then again, the eyes are geared towards the upper part of the room, like looking at the heavens.

Singlestalk: Mixed emotions

Michelle: Proverbs 19:21 says “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Luab: Done for good

I’VE been very open about my great respect for the Redemptorist community here in Cebu. I love the church and what it stands for.

While I have been living in Talamban for six months now, I still am one of thousands who seek comfort within the walls where such Disciples of Christ in the great Order of Melchizedik walk.

Women’s world: Going overboard with love

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

I WAS in my third year high school when I had a big crush on my neighbor who was kind, simple and a gentleman. I fell in love and I felt comfortable being with him.

Oriented chow by the '2nd sister-in-law'

WHEN her husband’s work brought her to the Philippines 23 years ago, Joy Yao had to bid farewell to her thriving diner in Taiwan. Though she happily found a second home and was quite content in Metro Manila, Joy’s passion for preparing good food could not be contained.

Anyone can cook—or at least try

THE recent World Food Expo at the Cebu International Convention Center may have been primarily targeted towards hotels, restaurants and caterers with the latest and most durable food and beverage industry requirements, such as kitchen appliances and packaging options. But since the expo was open to the public, even non-professional visitors were treated to a learning experience from the experts.

Sira-sira store: Butter up

WOULD you eat fermented cream or milk? It could be the ultimate yuck in your books, but don’t dismiss the item just yet. When fresh or fermented cream or milk is churned, the light yellow result is butter.

Butter is divine and makes even stale bread smile. No doubt this famous spread and condiment has gained ill reputation lately due to its high fat content. However, you would agree that there should be a law allowing butter a little space on the dinner plate.

Prism shot

ONE of the most commonly used dictum, yet one that has never become stale, is that the only thing constant in the world is change. The philosopher Heraclitus set this concept to fame, though it may be the fact of the matter that appeals stronger to its believers.

Fun to follow on instagram

THE adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” has been around perhaps as long as photography has, and today, Instagram has become the social media app that’s got everyone hooked. This photo sharing app is fun, easy to use and simple, without the burden of annoying game requests. (For the hundredth time, no, I don’t want to play Restaurant City with you!)

The Great Media Cookout at Marco Polo Plaza

WE READ them on the papers or online. We see their thoughts on the different food served around the metro and bump into them during different social events and launchings. We also love having them as guests! But what if this time around, we put them in the kitchen and ask them to whip up an exciting dish and serve them in Café Marco - Miele Guide’s 5th best restaurant in the Philippines?

Experience the Yellow Submarine at The Palace

IT'S all systems go for the first tourist submarine in the country

The Cebu Yellow Submarine is officially open to the public, after having received a Special Permit to Operate by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on March 26, 2013.

BTC and Nikon’s photography workshops

BANILAD Town Centre, one of Cebu’s premier shopping places that offers a variety of shops and restaurants, and Nikon, a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics, and photo imaging technology, will hold two photography weekend workshops on April 13 to 14 and on May 18 to 19 with renowned and multi-awarded professional photographer, and Nikon Pro, Ted Madamba as lecturer.

It's more fun in Bohol

WHEN I think of Bohol, I immediately tell myself: “Hmmmm… Been there, done that.”

I’ve seen the Chocolate Hills, I’ve been to the Loboc River, seen a tarsier… What else could I possibly do in Bohol? Well lucky for me, my family decided to spend Holy Week there. We took a roll on, roll off (RoRo) ship from Cebu to Tubigon. The trip lasted for three hours, and the best thing about this mode of transport is that you can bring a car or sports utility vehicle to roam Bohol island.

Utzurrum: A time for wine

“NUNC est bibendum—now is the time to drink!

The most fun time about wine is the journey, so much to taste, but so little time to do it!

That bookshop charm

MUSIC often classical and jazz—gently plays over the speakers. Whether the pages from all 8,000 books serve as good acoustic walls, no one really knows. But the tunes are enough to convince people that for a place downtown, where traffic is usually bad and the summer heat can get pretty scorching, a sanctuary exists where lovers of literature can get lost.

Literatus: Breakfast or no breakfast

LEWIS Carroll (1832-1898) reflected in his poem Through the Looking Glass the common presumption on how obesity develops in a person over eating. The concept is as simple as basic mathematics: the more you eat, the more you get fat.

Thus, meal skipping becomes a logical way to go. Since those in active work cannot afford a full day skip, workers often skip breakfast more commonly than lunch or supper.

Neri: Here and there

THE Magsaysay sisters, Myra M. Sun and Dr. Maureen M. Santos proudly announce that their family will be launching a book entitled "Jo" to honor their late mom, Josefina "Jo" Gaboya Magsaysay who was a highly esteemed columnist of Sun.Star Cebu. The book (edited by Cookie Newman) is a compilation of Jo's column entitled Whatever. Launching date is April 24; venue is the Marcelo Fernan Press Center in Lahug.

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Wilcon opens outlet in Mandaue City

WILCON Depot, the country’s most trusted name in the construction supply industry, reached another milestone as it opened the doors of its newest outlet in Mandaue City, Cebu on March 8, 2013.

Abbey Park Academy opens doors to public

Ana Melissa D. Ortiz

“EDUCATION contributes to the country,” Catherine Salimbangon said as she discussed her interest in education.

Kids’ Summer Workshop at Ayala

SCHOOL is over and summer has officially kicked off! Ayala Center Cebu makes summer long learning and fun for kids with a myriad of summer workshops available for children this April.

Introduce kids to the masters and their craft and maximize the summer break to bring out their artistic talents, work out their excess energy or just try something they’ve never tried before.

Eggciting Easter Egg Hunt at J Centre Mall

HAVE you ever wondered what Easter would be if there were no Easter bunnies, colorful eggs, vibrant face paints, and joyful shouts from little kids?

Don’t fret, J Centre Mall just had a playful and eggciting egg hunt activity complete with games and surprises for the kids last Sunday, March 31, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atrium hosted by Blinky De Leon, Miss Cebu 2010 4th Runner-up.

Use E-Plus Card to watch Oblivion and triple your points

HERE'S one great reason to use your SM E-Plus Card when you watch movies at SM Cinemas.

SM Cinema’s e-Plus Prepaid Card is a simple and convenient way to enjoy the movies. With e-Plus prepaid cards, you no longer have to endure lining up at the ticket booth to watch a movie. Go straight to the cinema, insert your prepaid cards and enjoy the movie. Use your SM e-Plus Card when you watch the blockbuster movie “Oblivion” and triple your points.

Pixel shells

THINKING about home, regardless of what kind of environment is at play, provides much inspiration for someone who seeks a little creative push.

Born and raised in Olango Island, young creative mind Lhee Taneo recently had an exhibit to showcase her art; a final requirement for her thesis before earning her fine arts degree.

Espina: Snow White, the remake

SNOW WHITE, The Wicked Queen and the Seven Dwarfs—the glorious remake of the classic fairy tale was the first musicale of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) high school (1964), which was staged at the fully air-conditioned Recoletos Coliseum on March 11-12.

The new adaptation synergized the original fairy tale interspersed with classical and contemporary dialogues and music. The photos tell the story.

Tattoos: The changing times and a timeless truth

THE world is in a state of constant evolution. Maybe someone as brilliant as Einstein would have flipped at the existence of the Internet. Or maybe Van Gogh would have been less depressed if he displayed his works in a culture that’s post-Warhol and people would be delighted at the sight, posting random hipster quotes with it on the web.

Taking liberties

Michelle Varron

"If you like wine, you’d better consider. If you enjoy mischief, then you’d better confirm."