Enjoy summer at BTC

SUMMER is here.

If, by some unfortunate circumstance (read: endless projects, daily overtimes), you haven’t decided on how to spend your summer yet, whether you’re a student, yuppie, parent, or just someone who would like to take advantage of the sunny weather, Banilad Town Centre (BTC) stores might give you some ideas on how best to enjoy the Philippines’ glorious summer days.

Get wise with Wilcon's April Tools promo

EVERY home needs a set of tools. House repairs, no matter how big or small, come at times we don't expect. Having the right tools ready will help you be prepared. You'll get the job done right quickly, and the preparation will save you the trouble of finding and hiring someone else to fix things.

Naturally, along with the right tools, you should also have the right hardware items.

Dreamco updates truck line

“PEDIGREE, affordability, dependability and reliability are the hallmarks of the Compadre and Partner light truck line-up,” explains Rico San Agustin, sales and marketing director for Dreamco.

“Pedigree stands for the collaboration JMC’s with Ford Motor & Isuzu motor in China which is the hallmark of this vehicle’s popularity. It is also one of the most affordable brand new, full-warranty trucks in the market and also boasts of reliability unheard of in its class.”

Leading with ‘bugsay’

THE bugsay principle is the principle of Roberto E. Aboitiz, president of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi), whose daughter Amaya translated it into a children’s book which, in reality, has lessons for adults as well.

Espina: Food trip

SATURDAY is our “dining out” after an anticipated mass at the Redemptorist Church, where the Eucharistic celebration is always a “redeeming and awesome” religious journey.

April Fool-proof?

ANY crazy prank pulled out on you so far today? Just in case you missed it, it’s April Fools’ Day.

Now contrary to popular belief (thoughts by perennial pessimists actually), “Fools’ Day” is not celebrated every single day in the Philippines. Sure, it can be a crazy nation at times—a circus fueled by the latest celebrity hoopla and all—but it is a fact that good citizens definitely know when to spot the difference between the words frank and prank.

A secret revealed

TO BREAK life’s monotony, don’t lay everything out in the open. Sometimes, it takes a hint of secrecy to turn even the most boring stuff into something intriguing. Why, the more a secret is kept, the deeper people tend to dig for understanding. Talk about irony.

Costanilla: ‘Minganilla’ movie looking for actors

FILM. As an advocate of the Cebuano movie industry’s eventual revival, I am happy to know that the Seattle, Washington-based Harana Productions is definitely coming up with a local feature film that will give our homegrown talents the chance to appear as actors and actresses.

My very good friend Albert Chan Paran, the guy behind Cebu Filmmakers’ Club, informed me that the upcoming flick will be set in the Cebu municipality of Minglanilla—and the town’s name itself will be the title of the movie. Paran is the project’s casting director.

A revitalized downtown

PLACES, like people, grow, flourish, become vibrant. Like people, places also age, go to seed, become neglected. And like people, places need sometimes to be revitalized, renewed.

Singlestalk: Dating a best friend’s ex

Michelle: Heart is a 25-year-old girl with a stable career in a stable company and has a “best friend forever” (BFF) who has been there for her in all her ups and downs. The BFF, whom I shall call Spade, is Heart’s confidante and strong support. Spade has a good life except for a past major, major, heartbreak that brought her to a series of depression. But she is ok now. There is a complication, though. Spade’s ex-boyfriend (BF) is courting Heart. Heart is falling for him and she says she is in a dilemma.

Luab: Jesus Christ is risen

TODAY is the greatest feast in our Catholic calendar. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross for us and His rising from the dead, we too will rise from the dead and as our belief goes, “live happily ever after.” However, I am not looking that far yet. I am living in the now and saying, “Jesus is in you and in me.”

Women’s world: Walking the talk about spirituality

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

Dear Cindy,

The Holy Land where Jesus lived and died

THE Holy Land was always on my bucket list of places to visit. Every year, I would put Israel as number one on that list as my next travel destination but somehow it wouldn’t push through because cautious hubby would always question, “Of all places, why go to a strife-torn area? The peace problem there is no joke.” The dutiful wife in me made him have the last say ... until last October when everything just fell into place.

Utzurrum: The air in Assisi is mystic

SOUVENIR-HUNTING was the name of the game after the historic and solemn canonization rites of St. Pedro Calungsod in Rome. A mad rush was made by most Pinoy pilgrims as the medals, rosaries, etc. were going fast! Who do we bump into at the Soprani Shop within the Vatican walls, but Theresian classmate, Aidol Cavan-Ugalde! She lost no time in clicking away, and here are the classic results!

Fetalvero: Listening to our conscience

“YOU only die once,” quipped Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo in reaction to a situation when he held the diplomatic position during former president Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorial regime.

This was revealed in a book entitled Inside the Palace - the Rise and Fall of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, written by Romulo’s second wife, Beth Day Romulo.

Symbols of holiness

AS MAN cannot clench his fists tight enough to conceal smoke—which is the reason why cigars are quickly flicked away or held behind the back, when he is about to be confronted for smoking—so is a person’s countenance: an indication of what kind of winds surround a man’s heart.

Literatus: A gift of celestial melody

BIBLICAL wisdom contends that any gift unused will cease to be. Clinical experience, however, observed that frequently used gifts, while they may not disappear, can be so strained that these will eventually become unusable. In fact, these can be plagued with disease of overuse, so that further use of it can be dangerous to the person’s health.

This observation has particular relevance among those who use their voice as their work instruments: singers, fitness club instructors, salespeople, telemarketing operators, receptionists, actors, teachers and more.

Easter celebrations at Radisson Blu

AS THE longest non-working holiday in the Philippine calendar, Easter has become a time for family gatherings, leisurely bonding and self-reflection, and Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu goes all-out this year bringing an Easter Bunny house of treats, a pool party, a grand Easter egg hunt, an irresistible rooms promotion and hefty buffets to make this special holiday more meaningful for the whole family.

Celebrate an Eggs’tra Special Easter at SM

CELEBRATE a fun-filled Easter celebration at SM City Cebu and SM City Consolacion.

Bring your family and friends and enjoy exciting events prepared just for you.

Parklane banks on its Cebuano identity

WITH the reported surge of tourist arrival in the country, the inter-island competition has also grown stiffer.

“Cebu is now competing with other destinations. It is now more of an inter-island competition rather than an inter-hotel,” said Cebu Parklane International Hotel general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan.

Dreamco introduces upgraded warranty

DREAMCO Automobile Co. exclusive manufacturer and distributor of JMC vehicles in the Philippines announced the release of its’ upgraded Compadre Light-Truck and Partner Medium-Truck Lines,as well as introducing an industry leading three-years or 80,000 kilometers warranty.

Fine cut

THE film was originally short-listed for the Cinemalaya Festival in 2010. Armed with a storyline that sews two plots together—one inspired by Gina Apostol’s short story Cunanan’s Wake and the other, a real life experience of screenwriter Rody Vera—Cebuano filmmaker Loy Arcenas was all set to make what he would later call REquieme!, a tragicomedy that reflects on death, sexuality, family and Filipino society.

Espina: Friendship and fellowship

BEYOND Lenten prayers and rituals is how we spend our lives with our families and friends. It is good to keep our friendship with our family and friends.

Wine to linger over

Joanna Cuenco

An Easter family brunch

CELEBRATE life with family and friends in the “Easter Brunch Buffet” of delights and egg-citing activities for all at Cebu City Marriott Hotel! The buffet at the Garden Café features selection of carvings from roasted prime rib with red wine sauce to crisp Cebuano roast lechon and an enticing array of appetizers, main dishes, a kids station, a chocolate bar and homemade desserts.

Attorney Artisan

FOR busy people whether in action or thought, reclusion may be a rare blessing. Such an opportunity does not present itself very often. In fact, it is a time that is likely made, rather than just being found.

Dolpo’s Easter Adventure at Bluewater Maribago

THIS Easter Sunday, March 31, let kids discover the inspiring story of friendship between a dolphin and young Lapu-Lapu at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, the home of the legendary seven dolphins. Celebrate Easter family fun and be part of an unforgettable experience with Dolpo’s Amazing Easter Adventure Race.

Autowelt: Official vehicle sponsor for March conferences

AUTOWELT, the official dealer of BMW vehicles in Cebu, had a busy month spent providing transportation for various conferences held this month.

On March 7-9, Autowelt was a sponsor at the 15th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons. They were the transportation partners for the 27th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) held on March 14 and 15.

Alberlyn Box Hill Residences to rise in Talisay

CONSIDEARING the success of Alberlyn South, there is a continuously rising demand for residential projects in the south area.

Real estate developer AE International Construction and Development Corporation is set to cater to this demand with their third project, the Alberlyn Box Hill Residences.

Ellen’s Aesthetic Center opens new branch

Ana Melissa D. Ortiz writer

Ellen’s Aesthetic Center opened their latest Cebu branch at F. Ramos Street, Cebu City last Monday, March 18.