Espina: ‘Speechcomized’

“Be Speechcomized” is the brand essence of Speechcom, transforming shy to more confident and competent speakers and performers.

This happened again in summer 2013! Here are some photos to show what fun it is to be “speechcomized.”

Smart celebrates Living More with the Smart Move Party

SMART Communications Inc. (Smart) recently held the Smart Move party at the Opus Restaurant and Lounge in Resorts World, Manila. The event was an exclusive gathering of loyal clients and new subscribers that have moved up from their former mobile service providers and have embraced the telco's mantra of “Living More.”

Hosts Marc Nelson and Sarah Meier welcomed guests to the evening's festivities, and asked some of Smart's charismatic celebrity ambassadors, such as the lovely Anne Curtis and the hilarious Ramon Bautista, to share what they love about being with the nation's top network.

‘How I captured Col. Velez’

THE American officer who captured Col. Apolinar Velez in Opol on January 4, 1901 was Capt. Sidney A. Cloman, who then became the military governor of Jolo Province.

Twenty-two years later, he wrote an account on how he captured Velez, the head of the Western Mindanao Battalion of the Liber Troop on the June 1923 issue of the World's Work, an American publication.

Woman on the go

THERE are dynamic women who wear many hats and succeed in creating a good career out of the many titles they carry.

Playing it back, way back

Michelle Varron Top drawer

LAST April 27, Havaianas held a one-of-a-kind sports fest that brought back many childhood memories. A throwback to the days when kids used to play games like piko, sack race, tug o’ war, Chinese garter, patintero (tubig-tubig in Cebuano) or batolata, Havaianas Playback was a fun-filled day of nostalgia and competition.

Jo: a book launch

Nelia G. Neri, Chinggay Utzurrum and Cookie Newman

IT WAS a proud and happy day for the Magsaysay siblings, Myra, Maureen, Mia and Glen and their families when the book Jo was launched at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center.

Costanilla: A party like no other

PARTY. It was a birthday party like no other, with a number of Cebuano entertainers “invading” Tacloban City, specifically the sprawling Hacienda Verde poolside. It was where Dr. Anita Salazar was treated to a surprise golden birthday bash by her husband Raffy, one of Tacloban City’s well-respected businessmen, and their four wonderful children. Those that entertained the crowd of the city’s who’s who were singing Rotarian Bong Deiparine (who should now cut an album) and the University of Cebu Dance Troupe headed by Victor Cuenco. This writer was the program emcee. Our trip to Tacloban City was made possible by Rotarian Mila Demecillo, charter president of the Rotary Club of Cebu Fort San Pedro. Engr. Junjet Primor directed the entire party.

More tourists visit Biri

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – More tourists are now visiting the icon tourist destination of this province, its governor said.

Governor Paul Daza told reporters in an interview at his office here that more local and foreign tourists are now visiting Biri this summer to enjoy the beauty of the island.

Shrine for a worker saint

MAY has long been associated with not just the Flores de Mayo celebration but also with fiestas. Fiestas are just among the myriad of vibrant influences that Pinoys have whole-heartedly absorbed from the Spanish conquistadors. Pat on the back to the Spaniards who used such tactic, among others, to successfully convert the natives to Christianity.

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,

Star of Davao eliminations start today

TWO months into the search for Davao Region's best singers, competitors for Star of Davao six are narrowed to 30.

Today, Nica Dorothea Tupas, Benjamin Bautista Jr., Jocel Mariveles, Kirk Jude Sargado, Helen Grace Fruylan, Ibrahim Onggo will compete for two spots leading to the semi-final round.

Are you pre-hypertensive?

IT IS often said that "what you don’t know, won’t hurt you." Probably, in some instances, this is true. However, in matters pertaining to health, not knowing what your body may be suffering from may yield disastrous and even serious results. By then, regrets, no matter how great and sincere would be too late! Like, let's take the case of pre-hypertension.

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.

Sharing a little time to help

A CHARITABLE group spared a little of their time helping those children who have less in life by distributing simple yet useful school materials last April 28.

Such a gesture disproved that good samaritans are a find nowadays as the group gathered a hundred of helping hands from here and abroad who poured out support in helping a town school in Compostela Valley province.

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.

Catching the cold breeze inside Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave

I SHUN away from most guided tours because I find some of them too expensive, pretentious, and provide little opportunity for self-exploration.

I usually depend on my personal research and self-exploration in finding the best attraction that an unfamiliar territory can offer. It was through this that I found myself in the exhilarating search for Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave in Camalig town in Albay.

Vicki Belo: 23 years of mastering beauty

WITH the news and papers all talking about politics and lunch/dinner invitations for senatoriables and political candidates to introduce themselves and their programs, it was a welcome treat to receive an invite to a Vicki Belo lunch.

We know how popular Vicki Belo is. All the more celebrated stars never fail to express their gratitude to her during their shows or guestings. But Vicki Belo has also been known for some notoriety. That is not what prompted my decision to go.

Davao Team wins Mt. Apo challenge

WITH a total clock time of 12 hours, 22 minutes, and 58 seconds, Mario Ecalner and Ronald Dagaang emerged the winners in the Third International Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge. They also shattered the record of the previous winners, who finished the challenge within 15 hours, 38 minutes, and 33 seconds.

“They are now the record holders,” announced Engr. Albert C. Gabriel, the race director, during a press conference held in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

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.