High PH mobile penetration rate ‘augurs well for mobile ads’

WITH nine out of 10 Filipinos owning a mobile phone, mobile advertising becomes a vital marketing medium that companies can take advantage of for their business to grow and succeed.

This was pointed out by Glenn Estrella, Globe Telecom head of digital media during the Mobile Advertising Roadshow organized by the Entertainment Gateway Group (EGG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe.

Testament of faith

DESIGNING an iconic, religious structure is a big challenge. Architect Ramon Vios, the head architect of the San Pedro Calungsod Templete at the South Roads Properties (SRP) in Cebu City, knew this when the project commission fell on his lap.

The templete (“small temple”), which is now a familiar and important landmark in Cebu, was the venue of the national thanksgiving mass after Pope Benedict XVI canonized Cebu’s first Catholic saint, San Pedro Calungsod.

Singlestalk: MU (misunderstanding)?

Michelle: A reader wrote to ask for insights if a guy really has feelings for her. They have a long distance texting relationship. She used to make fun of his text messages revealing his feelings for her and only came to realize that she had feelings for him after years of texting each other.

This happened when he texted her that he was going to marry his ex-girlfriend whom he got pregnant. Since she couldn’t bear her feelings and upon advice of her friends, our reader said she confessed to the guy (I think through text) that she had feelings for him too.

Luab: Focus on the essentials

WHEN you love someone, you give full disclosure of your heart and your mind. You bare your soul. You do not stop to think of how vulnerable you can get. To God baring one’s soul is no problem.

This season of Lent is the time for all of us to accept that we can never be perfect. Therefore we cannot expect others to be perfect too.

Women's world: How to help your aging parents

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

Dear Cindy,

Bangkok in bowl

BANGKOK stirs up an image of temples and fragrant spices that tickle the nostrils. A man can travel to that exotic land and taste its cuisine—or stay in Cebu where he can dine in a place that offers Bangkok in a bowl.

Comfort food at St. Mark’s Hotel

AS A foodie, I try to find places that offer good food. As a chef, for me good food is comfort food. I was once invited to have dinner at St. Mark’s hotel. I was instantly drawn to their seafood chowder. It was for me the ultimate comfort food.

Bluewater’s Easter package includes amazing race

YOUNG Lapu-Lapu was strong, smart and fast. But dolphin Dolpo, his best friend, always finished last. What if the entire community heckles Lapu-Lapu in a race? Will he stand up for Dolpo and risk becoming a disgrace?

Sira-sira store: Graduation grade

“SHE was a confection in peach organdy for her skirt and satin spaghetti strap top made of satin, accented with faux gold beads. Her face did not reflect her eight years on earth; she could pass for a mature-looking 18-year-old.

“Her almond-shape eyes were lined with black pencil, her lashes clumped with mascara, her lids sensuous with frosted eye shadow and her lips red like cherries. She looked tired for her age, and yet it was only 10 a.m.”

Meet and dine with the stars

JUST when you think meeting famous stars would mean getting on a plane to fly to Manila, you can actually do so right here in Cebu. Plus, you can even dine with them at Pino Restaurant.

Summer salute

SO YOU go out, only to find that the sun is seemingly upsetting your inner sense of cool and calm. When you mistake it for glaring heartlessly at you, the fact of the matter could be that it is only the spirit of summer waiting right at your doorstep.

Serna: Reluctant beauty queen

PROMO diva Josie Pereyra proudly announced that the third installment of the John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo series under Star Cinema is coming up on Black Saturday, March 30. Coming out after A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life, the movie It Takes A Man and A Woman is about the love story of Miggy Montenegro and Laida Magtalas, John Lloyd’s and Sarah’s characters in the film.

Camella Cebu career makers receive awards

AMONG the benefits Camella offers is the opportunity to build careers particularly for its partners - the many real estate sales professionals who have made it a commitment to find the best home for the deserving Filipino.

Cattleya Gardens and Memorial Park introduces pet memorial services

AS AN innovative solution provider, Cattleya Gardens and Memorial Park launched its Pet Memorial Services–a first and the only one in Cebu.

"We want to give man's best friend a place where they will be remember after they leave," said Lovena Urdanesa, sales and marketing manager.

Allison Tyler Designs opens first outlet

WITH its belief that every family should have quality and inspirational interior design ideas to maximize home enjoyment, Allison Tyler Designs recently launched its first retail outlet for luxury home furnishings in Cebu.

Allison Tyler (named after owner’s kids, Allison and Tyler) is a combination of direct selling furnishings showroom and custom design studio. They offer every design style and type of wood furnishings, cabinetry and other artistic accents.

Israel, its glorious past and majestic future

MY COLLEGE Sociology professor once wondered aloud in class why God has a “chosen people.”

Utzurrum: Great tributes, awards and artists

ANNUALLY, the Mandaue City Government and the Mandaue Chest Foundation Inc. (MCF), pay tribute to their favorite son, the late senator Manuel Cabahug Briones (MCB) during MCB Day at the Mandaue City Heritage Plaza. This special tribute is made to coincide with MCB’s birthday on Jan. 1.

Fetalvero: Beyond comfort

THE Roman Catholic faithful welcomes the new pope as the cleric community hopes for a renewal of the church.

His Holiness Pope Francis, the first Jesuit to be given the highest position as follower of St. Peter, is viewed by many as an avid fan of St. Francis of Assisi, a man who loved the poor and the destitute.

Pizza's, tattoos and music

A CHEF by profession and a tattoo enthusiast at heart, Alvin Chua Kwan has found a way to coolly merge his two passions together, with a little live music thrown in. In October of 2012, he opened Golden Dragon Tattoo and Café, a food kiosk and tattoo parlor rolled in one, and the first of its kind in Cebu.

Water around the house

SUMMER break means more time to go to the beach or enjoy a day at the pool. There are water hazards that can be found not just in beaches. Throughout just about any home waters hazards are just waiting to claim a victim. A baby can drown in a tub full of water.

Literatus: Coated caution

“T'S easy for Americans,” says former US Sen. Christopher Dodd, “to forget that the food they eat doesn’t magically appear on a supermarket shelf.” That may also be true for Filipinos.

While the use of shellac in pharmaceutical products may have ebbed in the last few decades, its use in food, particularly as a protective coating for fruits and vegetables, has not. Its use has the specific advantage of extending shelf life, which is critical in ensuring that they are sold before they start to get overripe.

Neri: People

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama was very much in his element as he welcomed honorees and guests at the testimonial dinner in celebration of the 76th Charter Day anniversary of Cebu City. Special honorees were the city's centenarians who came onstage (most of them in wheelchairs) to collect their awards. Seventy five Families of Distinction were also given recognition during the program and I am proud to say that my family, the Garcia clan, was one of them. Outstanding institutions and individuals were also awarded.

Toyota opens the biggest facility in the country in Mandaue

TOYOTA Cebu officials and Toyota Motor Philippines executives inaugurated the Toyota Mandaue South, the newest and biggest Toyota facility in the country.

Cebu Landmasters unveils Park Centrale

AFTER undertaking a number of residential condominium, housing and subdivision projects, Cebu Landmasters puts its best foot forward with its first take on commercial real estate—Park Centrale.

Primely located at Cebu's most prestigious business address, Cebu I.T. Park, Park Centrale is positioned as a smart business hub.

Playing to learn at St. Michael’s Play Group

Ana Melissa D. Ortiz Writer

"LET'S play!" this was how Maria Gracia Cabaero-Ferreros invited the children and parents in St. Michael's Play Garden to learn.

A folk artist green world

THE GREENS and yellows in his murals remind the viewer of Grandma Moses (real name: Anna Mary Robertson Moses), a renowned American folk artist. And the comparison ends there. This artist has his own rendition of the world around him.

Espina: Bruce, Cokaliong and Moya

CEBU will soon be saying goodbye to Bruce Winton, Cebu City Marriott Hotel general manager (GM), when he goes to a bigger job as GM at Resorts World. It was a fruitful term he had in Cebu as an active American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) director, and an active member of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu. Certainly, the Zonta 1 will remember our Superman in “Night at the Oscars.” I personally saw how he helped us handle two RP-US Friendship events in July, especially last year’s “Titanic at 100.”

Creating a manually made ‘automatic’

A STORY of “handmade world domination”—as the brand’s tagline would simply put it.

Louie Nicolo Nimor, an advertising major in his mid 20s, is turning a lot of young heads around the world towards Cebu. This time, it’s not mangoes, guitars or furniture the young man is brandishing in the face of the world market.

Unveiled

SOME things are better kept hidden under covers. Some things are best unveiled.

Just like how it perfectly figured for a mesmerizing collection of bridal outfits for all senses to admire. It all happened one cool night at the Marriott Hotel Cebu, on March 9.

Costanilla: Crispo Mojica to do Cinema Electrik workshop

WORKSHOP. Cebuano film enthusiasts should rejoice over this piece of goods news from a new-found friend based in Manila. He will conduct “Cinema Electrik: A Summer TV Directing and Cinematography Workshop” from April 22-25 here. I am referring to Crispo Mojica, founder and program director of the International Institute for Film & Broadcast Arts as well as its Talent Development Group. He rose from being the country’s youngest director in 1983 to being the oldest director in the advertising industry to date. “I’ve been in this industry for over 30 years now and I adore the idea of me growing old because it actually makes me feel so young, and the gray hairs on my head are like jewels of wisdom,” he stressed.