A pub for all

WHETHER you’re out looking for a place to enjoy an ice-cold drink, or just wandering around with your friends wanting to spend some down time, this pub should just be worth the check.

The Urban Cellar is what people would probably see right off the bat as some pub plucked out of England and tucked right in the middle of Cebu. This place is located within the Piazza Elesia Mall in Talamban.

Literatus: Much of cancer caused by infection

SINCE the late 20th century, investigators in medical science increasingly built up evidence that much of cancer came from infections, be it bacterial or viral (rarely, fungal though).

In fact, in 2007, the American Cancer Society estimated that around 30 percent of all cancers worldwide had been results of infection.

Neri: The grand opening of Bluewater Panglao

METICULOUSLY planned and perfectly executed—yes, the formal opening of Bluewater Panglao in Bohol was one lovely affair that had guests coming from as far as Manila as well as those from nearby Cebu. Bluewater Panglao is the newest member of the expanding Bluewater Resorts, which include Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort in Mactan and Sumilon Bluewater in a little island off Oslob at the southeastern tip of Cebu.

Sayaw Mindanao 2011

AFTER months of preparation and rehearsals by participating dance and theatre ensembles for the two-day eliminations at SM City Davao, this year's Sayaw Mindanaw was concluded last August 19 with Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School (junior category) and Madayaw Cultural Ensemble (open category) on top.

Till death do us part

LAST August 10, my first ever nephew, Jims Vincent T. Capuno, tied the nuptial knot at Dasureco Hilltop in Cogon, Digos City. He is the eldest son of my sister Evangeline and her husband Emerson Capuno.

His bride: Cherrylyn Joy A. Cejas. She is the daughter of Bonifacio and Annabel Cejas.

Pcom-Southern Mindanao inducts new officers

THE Philippine College of Occupational Medicine-Southern Mindanao chapter (Pcom SMC) formally inducted its new set of officers for 2011 to 2012 at the Sultan Hall of the Royal Mandaya Hotel recently.

The new set of officers of Pcom SMC is lead by doctors Susan Go, president; Elenore Blanco, vice president; Luningning Cubero, secretary; Mary Joselle Villafuerte, assistant secretary; Joey Villanueva, treasurer; Hanida Godoy, assistant treasurer; and Analiza Moscoso, auditor.

Celebrating Kagay-an Festival 2011

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro, in partnership with Promote CDO Foundation Inc., promised to make this year's Kagay-an Festival more lively in celebration of the city's annual fiesta on August 28.

Who will be the next Ms. Kagay-an?

THIS year's Ms. Kagay-an beauty search promises to be a grand gathering of 12 equally talented and beautiful young ladies from Cagayan de Oro who will show off what they got in Wednesday's coronation slated at 7 p.m. at the Atrium of Limketkai Center.

There is an interesting mix of candidates this year with students, working young professionals and travel enthusiasts who have gone through the usual tough selection process.

Knowing St. Augustine

THIS coming Sunday, August 28, we will be celebrating our fiesta in Cagayan de Oro City. May I take the privilege and honor to write about St. Augustine of Hippo, our Patron Saint.

Upholding team spirit, camaraderie

ANFLOCOR successfully launched its yearly team building activity, this time, for its managers, superintendents and supervisors at Loleng’s Mountain Spring Resort last August 5-6.

St. Francis goes to Sagay

THE St. Francis of Assisi School at Tinihaban, Silay City sent its faculty members off to an educational tour of Sagay City - that clean, progressive city in the North. With Joy Laudato of the City Tourism Office as volunteer guide, the nineteen excited teachers led by Vice-principal JR Abello visited for the first time on August 19 the pretty, light, and airy Vito Church; the JICA-Material Recovery Facility; the very impressive School of the Future; Museo sang Bata; Veloria’s Squid Rings; and the Sagay City Garden and Living Tree Museum. Lunch, of course, was held at the famed Himoga-an River Cruise.

Subtle visions

WHAT does it take to convey a message without having to shake the world?

For visual artist Patricia Mendoza, “subtle choice of colors” would best answer this question. “Subtle” is also the name of her second solo painting exhibit, which was held at the Chiye Mori Library at the 856 G Gallery, AS Fortuna St. in June this year.

Espina: Of ‘Mice’ and men

NO, IT has nothing to do with John Steinbeck’s popular novel.

The talk of the town for so many days now was the recently concluded Mice (Meetings Incentive Travel Convention and Events/Exposition) Philippine conference, which drew a rousing 540 delegates, buyers and speakers from all over the world.

From rags to riches

THE story of Chester Cokaliong’s rise to where he is today is best described by himself as something like the proverbial ”from rags to riches.” It’s a story he makes sure his children—Chase, Chesna, Chanel, Chaz—raised in affluence, never forget.

Chester recounts he had to go to school riding jeepneys; going home for lunch or dinner; seeing only one kind of food on the table, usually fried fish (today he does not eat fish, except as kinilaw). Not only that, in school people did not know how to pronounce his family name: now, of course, most everyone knows it.

Costanilla: A show for a friend

IT IS heartwarming to know that when one of their own is trying to hurdle a physical crisis, they come together to stage a reunion fund-raising concert. This is even if doing so means temporarily leaving their respective places of work outside Cebu and spending their time preparing for the much-awaited show. I am referring to the original Zee band composed of Chad Borja, Eva Santos, Archie Marcial and Bernie Uy.

Mang Inasal opens 397th branch in Pacific Mall

THE Philippine’s fastest growing barbeque fast food chain has opened its 397th branch nationwide in Pacific Mall in Mandaue City.

Mang Inasal’s new branch was opened and blessed last June 30, 2011.

Creativity, new byword in My Home My Style by Camella

CREATIVITY is the new byword in My Home My Style by Camella, a line of residential units that provide home owners with greater freedom to create their own interior designs after turn-over. 

The My Home My Style by Camella units are available in most Camella residential developments such as Camella Talamban, Lessandra Talamban and soon to open Camella Carcar.

Trajes de Boda los Hijos de Davao

TO ALMOST any culture, weddings are one of the most celebrated occasions. It is said that women are most beautiful on her wedding day.

Unifying deaths

WHEN some deaths are brought about by a gun, a number of these demises in themselves become a trigger for something more magnanimous.

The Philippines remember today the assassination of fromer senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a national figure and statesman then who the country considers a hero. The entire nation grieved when news came by of the killing of Aquino in broad daylight when he had just arrived from the United States. But what evil planned to end that day, came around with a massive backlash. This was the last straw for the Filipinos, and soon after the shooting incident, followed one of the most unique and inspiring revolutions the world has ever seen.

Singlestalk: Healing the day after tomorrow

Michelle (M): As with all things broken, including hearts, they temporarily shut down to get fixed. The day right after a break-up is like a scene from The Day After Tomorrow. Remember that movie? People have a dazed look on their faces and with break ups, inevitably you have puffy red eyes and nose from all the crying. Women sometimes have it worse. The crying jag goes on for days, weeks, sometimes months! It ruins the appetite (which is good if you’re on diet) and takes away the zest for living. I think men have it easier. You just drown yourselves with San Mig and then forget about it.

Luab: Exchange of love

IN the past three weeks I’ve been given so much tender loving care by my children that lately I’ve been saying: “Please, don’t treat me like a child.” My son-in-law, who is always on my side, said, “You know, you girls, the only thing you haven’t said to your mom is ‘Now go to your room and stay there! You’ve been a bad girl’!”

“Well she’s really been so stubborn! She has not been watching her sugar [intake or reading] nor has she been resting and she flits almost everywhere just to make us happy!” answered his wife.

Beabi

At first I thought Beabi was an imported brand brought in by enterprising sisters Willin Chan and Winnie Go but surprised to find out that is a local brand! It started out when the two sisters could not buy anything here that was versatile enough to bring to travels, so they thought of putting a brand that catered essentially to their traveling needs.

The signs of the times (Oh, my gash!)

THE Philippines is supposed to be the third largest English-speaking country in the world but, after going around our city, something tells us that we Pinoys need improvement in matters involving grammar. Despite being the BPO hub of

Western Visayas with call centers providing thousands of jobs to the Negrenses, our English communication skills leave much to be desired.

Fairbanks: Saving the best for last

OUR last stop in this almost two-week adventure in Alaska was Fairbanks and, as they say, you always save the best for last.

From Denali, we hopped on to our bus which took us to Fairbanks, the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage.

Crunchy, Nutritious Pinipig

THE flakes are quite thin, sometimes green, or brownish. If you bring the flakes closer to your nostrils (which is a typical mark of one discriminating and picky buyer, the fragrance is quite heavenly, freshly roasted and quite rustic. And once brought to the mouth for a taste-test, the flakes come in crunchy, delectable and tasty.

Moreover, for coach potatoes who love to be glued in front of the television, or just to lazily idle around the house, the flakes make a good , healthy and nutritious substitutes for commercially–made chips.

Mystery of the ‘Amomongo’

IF YOU’RE planning on go hiking near Mount Kanlaon anytime soon, and you don’t already know about the Amomongo, allow me to inform you.

Choral Festival slated in Oro today

SEVEN choral groups in Cagayan de Oro will meet Saturday night for a momentous one night choral festival concert dubbed "Iisang Bangka" to be held at the Xavier University Immaculate Conception Chapel.

CSC essay writing contest still open

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has launched this year a new set of profile activities in a bid to increase awareness of public servants of their roles in providing effective, efficient and excellent service.

One of these activities is the essay writing contest, which aims to drum up the Philippine Civil Service (PCS) 111th Anniversary and encourage active involvement of the whole bureaucracy.

Cais wins gold at international math tilt

TWELVE-year-old Azriel Cais Tan Baluyut made Dabawenyos proud when he recently grabbed a gold medal at the Seventh International Mathematics Contest (SIMC) held in Singapore recently.

Incredibly Italian

OVER the years, chefs from different parts of the world have created their own varations of traditional Italian dishes. With pizza, for instance there's Chicago style deep pan pizza, there's New York's thin crust, and even our local pizza joints have created recipes to please the Filipino tastes buds. It has reached the point that many people often forget pizza's origin.

With Pizzeria Michelangelo, however Cebuanos will be able to taste for themselves authentic Italian cuisine. It is not necessarily better than its "spin-offs," but it is definitely something different to the kind of pizza and pasta that many Cebuanos ara used to.