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.

Rediscovering Manila

After a hectic work week, the last thing on one’s mind would be to get on board the first flight to Manila—a bigger metropolis that’s twice as busy to get that much needed dose of relaxation. But one weekend, Charles Lim, director of Selrahco Management, whisked us away to the big city for that particular purpose, proving to us that despite the mazelike highways and towering buildings, it’s all about knowing where to go.

Treasures, “trashures” and snakes

This is a continuation of last week’s column in which I wrote about my yearly top-to-bottom housecleaning, and finding treasures and “trashures” in the mess.

One of the intentions of the general cleaning was to get rid of everything that was no longer of use or value. As we all know, one is supposed to sell, donate or toss out “collections” that merely collect dust. We are told by housekeeping experts, and spiritual directors too, that hording things and hanging on to emotional baggage that have outlived their reason for being eat up space and impede one’s emotional growth.

You + Havaianas: The Search for the Next Best Design

CALLING all creative and artistic Havaianaticos in Davao City!

Havaianas, the world's favorite flip-flops brand, brings to us the "You + Havaianas: The Search for the Next Best Design Collaboration," a simultaneous nationwide event which gives the public a chance to express their creativity in designing flip-flop soles. The design must answer the question: How Do I Live Out Summer Every Day?

Are dream jobs for real?

TODAY is exactly the 110th anniversary of celebrating Labor Day here in the Philippines.

Well for the record though, the holiday was conceived first in the country in form of a public demonstration then.

Literatus: Passion in the flower

SCIENTISTS named it Passiflora, a genus of flower vines that contains 400 species; mostly vines, some shrubs and a few herbs. And some of these species have known medicinal properties.

The history in the naming of Passiflora is part of the Christian missionary history.

Metro Mandaue and Pacific Mall to hold Mandaue Fiesta Sale

IT'S Fiesta Time! Metro Mandaue and Pacific Mall will have their much awaited annual Fietsa Sale on May 3-5, 2013.

Get big discounts up to 50 percent on great selections storewide. Shop ‘till you drop during the Midnight Sale on Saturday, May 4.

You + Havaianas: The Search for the Next Big Havaianas Collaboration

AS A world-renowned brand distinguished for being an advocate of fun-fashion and self-expression, Havaianas has always been open to collaborations when it comes to its designs. The brand continues to coincide with the individual charm and personality of several noted icons the world over, hence, parallel ideals and imageries were ceaselessly developed—bringing the energy of the worlds of fashion, sports and art into one melting point.

Shangri-La launches Inside 5-Star radio show

SHANGRI-LA Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines launches a radio show on Radio High 105.9 FM, the very first radio show of its kind where luxury hoteliers share their stories and experiences on air on primetime.

Islands Souvenirs opens in Dumaguete

ISLANDS Souvenirs has expanded its presence with the opening of its newest franchise outlet in Robinsons Place Dumaguete last April 18.

Islands Souvenirs, a subsidiary of The Islands Group, unveiled the new look of their kiosks showcasing the vibrant and fun appeal of the brand and at the same time initiating, through its design, the company’s advocacy for love of place.

Solaz relaxes mind, body

THERE are several spas around the metropolis, and more seem to open in each quarter of the year, especially so in areas that seldom attract businesses before.

The opening of these spas truly reflects the rising need of Dabawenyos for places where to self-rejuvenate and pamper the tired body and soul.

Painting discourses on social discord

“LIFE is filters of reality. An artist’s goal is to have his own interpretation of a particular filter.” For painter Marvin Chito Natural, he considers himself a social realist, an artist who records his mindset in a particular reality. If there is figurative language in poetry, Marvin says it is the same in painting.

Espina: April showers

IN THE midst of the hot, hot summer were April showers of refreshing events.

Ring of fire

A RING of Fire is known to be an area where considerable count of quakes and eruptions occur. So when someone has a lot of thrill going on around her, she may as well be called the female Ring of Fire.

Without going all theatrical, Nicole Ring is a girl who is all fired up about playing a couple of tough roles, day in and day out.

Bite-sized pleasures of summer

Michelle Varron Top drawer

IT WAS just about the perfect time on a perfect Thursday to hold a degustation dinner.

Costanilla: Open forum on Cebuano film

CONCERT. The Blessed Sacrament Parish on Gaisano St. at the North Reclamation area this city is so lucky to have an assistant parish priest who has earned the monicker “The Singing Priest from New Zealand.” Fr. Nilo Resco MSP is out to prove to one and all that he has the ability to entertain the general public with his impressive vocal prowess. But that is only the secondary reason why Fr. Resco is staging a concert next month here. The major reason is that he wants to raise funds for the construction of the new parish pastoral center, which the parishioners have long been dreaming of.

SM City Consolacion holds 3-day mallwide sale

SHOP ‘till you drop as SM City Consolacion once again brings to the biggest sale to hit the province.

Marco Polo Plaza F&B director inducted as new La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member

FOOD and Beverage Director of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Stephan Wieprich was among the select new members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs at the recent induction during its Grand Chapitre this year.

It is with pride and honor that Wieprich accepted the exclusive membership to the international gastronomic society. His expertise on the field of food and beverage contributes to the organization’s aim to promote fine dining.

Canon Business Imaging Solutions Group strengthens partnership with Visayas resellers

THE Canon Visayas Regional Office recently conducted a highly successful Value Added Reseller’s Conference held at Sarrosa International Hotel last April 19, 2013.

SunDroid Rush: MyPhone Edition

SUN Cellular continues its busy streak in providing the best deals in town with its Sundroid Rush series. Launched October last year, the Sundroid Rush gives you at least two amazing gadgets – a tablet and a phone – in one plan!

Sun Cellular is coming up with one more Sundroid Rush edition– this time from local the local mobile phone giant, MyPhone.

Cartoon fest at SM City Davao this May

THIS summer, expect a lot of meeting and greeting your favorite cartoon characters at SM City Davao as SM Malls roll out its Cartoon Fest!

Tom & Jerry (May 9)

Angono treat

ANGONO in Rizal is a town that is definitely not in the itinerary of a regular business traveler to Metro Manila. First, because it’s not in Metro Manila and second, because there’s not much business going on there.

But it should be if you’re into the arts because it does have more than the usual art gallery, aside from the big gallery privately owned by the Blanco family, there is also Nemi Miranda’s, and of course, the murals of national artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco.

Haven in the metropolis

“COME, visit us at Resort World Manila,” invited Teddy Pojol Jr. “It’s just across the Manila International Airport” and it’s a “haven of luxurious proportion.” And so we went, Nelia Neri, Chinggay Utzurrum and I. And there it really was, right across the Manila International Airport Terminal 3.

Singlestalk: One more chance?

Michelle: A woman in a stable four-year relationship is engaged to be married to a good, successful guy. Recently, though, she discovered that he went for a one night stand with a college classmate whom he met at a club. He admitted it when she confronted him about it. He was sorry and he assured her that it was just a one night thing. But she cannot forgive him.