Cosplay HD (Harajuku District)

THE Ayala Linear Park was transformed into a multicoloured hub in their Cosplay HD (Harajuku District) festivity last October 29. The entire venue was likened to the iconic Harajuku District in Japan (known for their vibrant street fashion), as cosplayers, fashionistas, hobbyists, and several interesting personalities gathered and celebrated their enthusiasm for their crafts.

Yap: Who to Bed With

Alexix Yap Lex in the city

TRAVELLING is one of my favorite hobbies and lucky for our generation, travelling has become more affordable in the dawn of budget airlines offering very affordable rates by taking the frills out of the usual package. And lucky for our generation, even budget hotels have sprung up like mushrooms all across the globe.

Oktoberfest at the Moevenpick

Jigs Arquiza Eat's my life

SUPRISINGLY, I didn’t attend any Halloween party last Saturday, October 29. Instead, I, together with my wife Chacha and son Marty packed our bags and went off to stay at the Moevenpick in Mactan, both for the Oktoberfest and for a much-needed respite from hustle and bustle of the city.

Queen Beauty Pageant Tonight

FOLLOWING the very high heels of a critically and commercially well-received first outing, the third edition of QUEEN: A Pageant for Alternatives is all set for tonight, November 5, 2011 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino’s Pacific Grand Ballroom.

A beauty like no other

Fiona Patricia S. Escandor asks the Ms. Universe third runner-up “wassup?”

All eyes were on her the moment she stepped inside the room. Exuding confidence and grace, she was everything one would expect from a world-class beauty queen. And when she began talking, everyone was rendered speechless, as her clever, smooth answers showed the intellect behind that gorgeous smile. Indeed, it was truly befitting that Shamcey Supsup landed in the top five in what is probably the most prestigious of all the international beauty competitions, the Ms. Universe beauty pageant. This twenty-five-year-old, undeniably, has it all.

Getting to know ‘Blake’

Award-winning British singing quartet, Blake, was in the country the past weekend for a series of shows at the Ayala Malls. Blake’s mall tour kicked off at the Greenbelt 5 Gallery in Manila last October 21 and culminated at the Ayala Terraces Cebu last Sunday, October 23.

Composed of four members, Ollie Blaines, Stephen Bowman, Jules Knight, and Humphrey Berney, Blake is a pop-classical group known for their harmonious renditions of modern pop hits such as Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ and U2’s ‘With or Without You.’

All aHallows’ Dreams

Pami Therese Estalilla Circus of fancies

I had a dream a few days back, and it was a bit like a dark fairy tale. At the centre of it was an insecure young girl who wanted, more than anything, to be a princess on Halloween night. But she looked nothing like a princess, and she did not want to risk being the laughingstock of her peers, so she decided to stay home the night of the Halloween Ball.

Crepe de la crepe

Jigs Arquiza Eat’s my life

I’ve always believed there is always something new to be learned, and last October 11, a Tuesday, I learned something new. As a food writer, I’m usually invited to food tasting events, and this time, I went to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino to meet their new pastry chef Daniel Lajoux. Little did I know that I was going to be asked to assist in making crepes that day.

Cebu believes in Ever After!

THE Step Inside the Circuit party here in the Philippines was launched last September 13 at Opus bar and lounge in Manila.

For its Cebu kick-off party, Johnnie Walker Step Inside the Circuit went to one of the chicest spot in the city, The Penthouse. These parties take place around the world to highlight Johnnie Walker’s partnership with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One team.

New Faces at the Marco Polo

FIONA PATRICIA S. ESCANDOR goes up the hill and meets the newest additions to Cebu’s hospitality industry.

As Franz Completo simply explained, the work of a hotel’s front office is basically all about “pleasing the guests.” The front office is the face, the voice, the emissary of the hotel. They also serve as the troubleshooters-- untangling distressed guests from any predicament, ensuring that they won’t step out with a baggage of bad experience. Sounds hard? Not for this duo.

Reel Peek: My Paranormal Romance

Fiona Patricia S. Escandor

A TALKING brassiere, a creepy landlady, and killer refrigerators— these are only a few of what you’ll be seeing in the proudly Cebuano indie film, My Paranormal Romance. A supernatural treat to the senses, My Paranormal Romance is one of this year’s entries to the highly-anticipated Cinema One Originals that will be held from November 9 to 15 in Manila.

Yap: Rest and Relaxation... and Partying!

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

BORACAY! I always love the sound of those letters put together. To me it paints a picture of tear-jerking sunsets, fresh breeze... and awesome nights of partying!

Transforming Lives with Havaianas Smile

IN THE Philippines, one in every 500 babies is born with facial deformities. With cleft lips and palates, these children cannot smile, and as a result of the mockery they encounter, they often lose the will to do so.

Biking for a Cause

PERHAPS one of the most popular sporting events utilized for charity are running marathons. Rarely do you hear about people biking for a cause. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t serve its purpose well though. In Bike4U organization, cyclists use their expeditions as one of their means in raising money so they can provide bikes to less fortunate children who can’t afford to have one.

The Italian Job

Cherry Claire Petiluna experiences a taste of Italy as she interviews Shangri-La’s new Director of Foods and Beverages.

No, this is not concerning the movie. But yes, we are still talking about an Italian and his job. So shall we change the title to The Italian’s Job then?

Yap: A worthy (or worthwhile?) indulgence

Alexix Yap Lex in the city

OVER three months after my visit to amazing Thailand, I got the chance to rekindle my passionate love affair with Thai cuisine at the Feria in Radisson Blu Hotel. Friends from the media and several Cebu notables were treated to a magical night complete with Thai cultural dancers and, of course, a gastronomic spread of savory Thai dishes.

Nothing like Edward Cullen’s love life

Jose Mari Ramone Holganza Borromeo

“TWILIGHT”? Where did that come from?

The Aldeguer touch

“I’M normally home before 5 p.m.,” he said. It was surprising hearing that from a man who manages a chain of hotels, retail shops, a water park, and a cruise service. You would expect that he will be busy going around, making sure that his ventures are operating excellently, but he then confidently attested, “I have a good team.”

Against the bright orange backdrop of his newly opened hotel, Jay Aldeguer shared how it’s like handling the prolific Islands Group. True to its name, the Islands Group has reached the shores of other islands in the Philippines. With souvenirs shops stationed in the country’s top tourist destinations, they have transformed themselves into a household name in the tourism industry.

On Stage With Raymond Ordoño

IT WAS an interview originally intended to be about Crystal Cavalier, but somehow we ended up having a vibrant conversation about his relationship with the stage. Just as well, because the tale of Crystal Cavalier closely revolves on founder Raymond Ordoño’s love for theater. It was his passion for the art that ignited him to establish the group, which is known for their modern style in stage performance.

You, me, multiplied

EVER feel like you’re living nine lives in parallel worlds? Sometimes, I do.

We get up in the morning, drink our breakfast, run to work, attend five or more meetings, watch a movie with friends, hang out with family, and maybe, read a book before going to bed.

Going wild over the Swans

NEW wave fans had a great time at the Diamond Suites last Thursday at the meet-and-greet event with the iconic eighties band The Wild Swans.

Formed by Paul Simpson in 1980, the band became popular during the post-punk era and garnered a cult following in the Philippines, their songs receiving airplay in the various radio stations with an “underground” music playlist. The Wild Swans produced hit songs such as “Revolutionary Spirit” (their first single, which received accolades from music critics), “Flowers of England”, and “Bringing Home the Ashes”.

Recipe for A Dream

Pami Therese Estalilla Circus of fancies

IT WOULD would be wonderful to know one good recipe to make Dreams compatible with Real Life. It’s not impossible- some people are living testaments to it. At the same time, I know plenty more who are proof of the opposite- proof of that tired adage “You cannot serve two masters...” and so on.

Best in Show

DREAMS do come true, as Clint Holton P. Potestas learns from a Cebuano who’s now an icon in the beauty industry.

“Hala, na wala gyud imong kilay, Mommy, (Your eyebrows have disappeared)” a surprised Rogelie Catacutan, 2011 Aliwan Festival Queen, beams. It sounds like she is not very familiar with the miracle of stage make-up, observing Jessie Glova (in sward speak, “Mommy Jessie”) concealing his natural eyebrows with liquid foundation to draw another set – Tina Turner-ish: sharp, thin, emphatic.

A Cebuano Taste

CHEFS are highly underrated in the Philippines. It’s ironic considering that our country has many scrumptious specialties to boast of, but very little appreciation is given to the people behind it.

“Ang trabaho sa kitchen dili lalim (Kitchen work is not easy),” admitted Chef Vance Borja. Don’t misinterpret such statements as a plea for admiration though, because he is someone who will certainly continue working in the kitchen regardless of one offering him praises or not.

Supermodel

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

WHEN I was a child I remember watching kids’ pageants on television. When they were asked what they wanted to be when they grow up, the common answers were being a doctor, a nurse, or a fireman because they wanted to help people. My answer was never any of those. Imagine me being a fireman? That’ll be the day. Even as a child I knew I wanted to be either an actor or a supermodel and one Saturday I got the chance to feel like a supermodel for one night.

The Unusual Guru

SMILING in her fashionable clothing and wearing her classy scarf just to complete her day; this is the best way to describe “ukay-ukay” enthusiast Charmen “Sarms” Pabas. 

Her love for secondhand goods gave her the opportunity to find her secret talent, and it’s no ordinary talent when people would anxiously cry out for her clothes and other accessories, then get crazy. Literally.

A Sweet Goodnight

Virgie Pondoc Reformnina, R.N.

MOMMY I need you to tuck me in tonight For you to kiss and hug me so tight With touch so soft, will put me to sleep As I dream and count as many white sheep   Mommy read me your favorite stories Of Knights, pretty damsels and kind Fairies Those wondrous tales of long, long ago Will linger in my mind wherever I go.   Mommy kiss me good night as you stroke my hair While I whisper I love you into the air Your lips on my face all I truly needed For a peaceful night as I lay on my bed.   Help me to dream only of things wonderful

Smelling Freedom

Cherie Ann O. Gozon

MY GRADUATE school professor once told our class that ‘freedom is imaginary’. Freedom, he explained, is just a state of mind because we are never truly free. We just think we are… but we’re not. Either I believe this or not is not the question. As of now, I think there’s such thing as freedom. I can smell it in the air. Cebu Press Freedom, that is.

The Eva T. Experience

CEBU experienced a new wave in clubbing sound as Malaysian DJ Eva T. took over the turntables at the second edition of Pearl Night held last September 17 at LUXX at Vudu. The crowd went wild as the young and talented DJ spiced up the dance floor with her own blend of today’s popular hits.

In an interview before the party, she said that it was her first time to visit the Queen city. “I love the design of the club, the interior,” she shared, “I love the music and the people.” She also complimented on how courteous Cebuanos are.

Lights on Construction

Cherry Claire Petiluna

THE trend was that every time a new business comes to life, the owner gets the spotlight. Well, they were probably just getting their due of. But this time, we try to learn how the developer handles the job backstage and hand him his share of the limelight.