Threat Vector

Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tom Clancy is back and the stakes have never been higher.

Sowing the seeds

Fiona Patricia S. Escandor discovers how the seeds of friendship grow into something more fruitful and meaningful.

They’ve known each other their whole lives.

Pedrosa: Choosing the right DSLR

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

IN THE last couple of weeks, most of the questions I got were on what camera to buy.

Yap: The Parol

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

CHRISTMAS has always been my favorite holiday. My fondest memories included being allowed to stay up late (since there was no school) so I could join my dad for a delicious midnight snack of ham and toasted bread, looking out the window and watching our neighbors play with firecrackers, and going to many fun Christmas parties.

Batchmate

Lyn Ann F. Limoran

WE SING, we laugh, we play, we cry, we fight, we cheer, we survive. For the past two and a half years my whole world world (partly) revolved around my batchmates. They are my friends, best friends, frenemies and company.

Arquiza: Fabulous fabada

Jig's Arquiza Eat's my life

PLANTATION Bay Resort and Spa has long been acknowledged as one of the best resorts in the world, and if you’ve ever been there, you would see the reason for people saying so. Aside from the usual resort amenities such as nice rooms, swimming pools and health and beauty facilities, Plantation Bay also has some pretty good restaurants.

A reason for being

Fiona Patricia S. Escandor discovers how to make customers happy.

When Marco Amarone was invited by the Carlson Companies to be a chef in one of its hotel properties, he did not realize that the offer would arrive sooner than he had expected. In a week’s time, he was on board a flight to Cebu, to what he thought was going to be just a short visit.

Pedrosa: Location Scouting

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

WHEN shooting portraits or fashion, one of the most challenging parts is finding the right location. An experienced photographer can easily recite 20 locations tried and tested within the city. If you let him sit down and write down all the locations he has shot in professionally, he’d probably ask for an extra sheet. But even if he has a wide selection of locations under his belt, he’s still on the lookout for new and fresh spots.

Arquiza: Salpicao

Jigs Arquiza Eat's my life

I THINK anyone who drinks knows what salpicao is. Others may know it as salpicado, but they are more or less the same.

Quijano: Paintball Saturday Part 2: Let the Games Begin

Aileen Quijano Bottoms up

AS I crouched near the earth behind a distressed barrel, my gun pointed and ready to shoot, I realized that playing paintball is not for the fainthearted.

Poker club tourney

LAST Saturday, Nov. 24, the Japan Poker Club (JPC) tournament was held at the Metro Card Club in Mandaue City. The three-day tournament featured a P1,000,000 prize pool with P11,000 buy-in. There were 80 entrants including 25 players from Japan. The tough field included Tetsuya Tsuchikawa, the top tournament money earner in Japan for 2012.

The final table included: Adrian Jayme Alexis Lim Dirk Mondigo Michael Kim Enriquez Don Rafael Escano Amir Masoudnozari Mac Mantos Nobayuki Takeuchi

Shu Uemura launches Holiday Collection at Ginza

SHU EUMURA launched their limited Holiday Collection by Karl Lagerfeld at Ginza restaurant last Nov. 14 and 15. There were 2 beauty workshops on each day highlighting the Karl Lagerfeld collection, as well as the skin care favorites that Shu Uemura is known for. Guests enjoyed the delectable candy buffet as well as all-time Ginza food favorites. The event was organized by Jaja Chiongbian Rama and Vanessa Deen Araneta of Bigseed Public Relations & Events.

Sun.Star: Breaking dawn

THIRTY years ago, Sun.Star was born. It’s the dawn of a new era for the company, as the next generation takes the reins. Jigs Arquiza finds out how.

Pedrosa: Architectural shots using a 50mm lens

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

A CLIENT approached me about a problem with his building facade photo in his brochure.

First Look: Miss Cebu 2013

THE search for the city’s next ambassadress continues.

The 12 finalists for the upcoming Miss Cebu 2013 were formally presented to the public at a press conference held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel on Nov. 19.

Yap: A Feast for the Familia

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

THE humungous, fresh mussels at the cold seafood station were beckoning to me.

Death in the family

Joel Bontuyan

MANY, many thanks to those who felt and still feel our pain.

Pretty Helping Hands

PRETTY faces are always good to look at during parties and other social events, but pretty faces are amazing when they are not afraid to shed sweat and tears while working for a charitable cause.

Talk about that, and picture 21-year-old Sara Skjoldnes traveling halfway around the world to find ways to help the underprivileged. There is no catching her without a smile whenever she talks about her benevolent visions, which she has been acting on since she was crowned Miss Norway 2009.

Jenifer’s Journey

WEEKEND writer Fiona Patricia S. Escandor goes on a journey of discovery.

“It doesn’t mean that when you do yoga, you don’t eat,” she said.

A1 to hold charity concert in Cebu

A1, the British-Norwegian pop group, will arrive in Cebu on Nov. 21, once again at the invitation of the YoungLife Health Care & Education Foundation, for a charity benefit concert at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. The concert will be held on Friday Nov. 23. The show will be hosted by Jessica Connelly, Giu Comia and Eli Razo with support band, South Border’s Vince Alaras with ASPOG. All profits from the concert will go to help the children of Cebu.

Pedrosa: Light Modifiers

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

YOU'LL know a photographer by his gadgets. A landscape shooter would definitely have a tripod, a pouch full of lens filters, wide and long focal length lenses, more gadgets and of course, they don’t leave without their bush hats. Fashion photographers on the other hand would have a couple of prime lenses, sets of strobes, light stands, wireless flash triggers and a ton of light modifiers.

Quijano: Paintball Saturday

Aileen Quijano Bottoms up

THE thing about working with an all-boys team is that you often find yourself taking extreme shots and saying yes to risky, crazy ball games. In a word: paintball.

Arquiza: Bisnok

Jigs Arquiza Eat's my life

I’M SURE people have heard about Lechon Manok, but very few have heard of Bisnok. It’s Dumanjug’s version of Lechon Manok, or roast chicken, and while the basics of cooking it are the same, the overall taste is so different from what most of us are used to.

Life at the Palace

WEEKEND writer Fiona Patricia S. Escandor enjoys a day at Imperial Palace with a handsome and charming sales professional.

He doesn’t shed off his sales manager persona the moment he steps out of his workplace. Not to say that he’s a workaholic but as he parties the night away with the who’s who of Cebu, he is likewise establishing his network of potential clients and business contacts.

Best friends forever

Jean Tomassi Zubieta

IT ALL started with a wedding invitation in Lake Arrowhead, California that Ninette Neri Garcia could not attend.  So, Lucy Urgello Miller suggested that she come after the wedding so she could see San Diego and some of our classmates.  Hence the St. Theresa’s College high school ‘66 mini reunion was hatched.

Pedrosa: Still Moments

Albert Pedrosa Photo Mania

I WAS reading an article by Martin Evening in DP Review about fashion shoots, and I can’t help but be inspired about how he became a successful fashion and beauty photographer. I also find it amusing how he described a lot of photographers wanting to shoot attractive models but seem to lose the idea of the subject matter itself. To top it all, he explained how a typical shoot can turn into a disaster. I felt guilty already even without being accused.

Fresh Flavors at Crimson

FRESH flavors will redefine Crimson Resort & Spa as its new executive chef, Stuart Blair, works his talent in creating a menu that will surely offer an innovative gastronomic experience to guests.

The Aussie chef boasts of a 20-year experience in the food and beverage industry, most of which he had gained in renowned hotel properties all over the world.

Yap: Tea of Spring

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

WHEN think of Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, what really comes to mind is waking up on a comfortable bed, in a beautiful room, with a marvelous view of the calming sea. The decision to get up from bed and enjoy the not-to-be-missed breakfast at Tides or sleeping in for five more minutes at the risk of oversleeping ‘til noon has always been a battle for me whenever I’m at the “Shang.”

My name is Bond, James Bond

IT SEEMS like everyone in town is cueing up for the latest Bond film, “Skyfall.” If you watched the live telecast of the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, Daniel Craig as James Bond made a stunning appearance as the Queen ‘s escort. In the films by Sean Connery and Roger Moore, there would always be a promise at the end of the movie: “James Bond will return in…” stating the title of the next movie, which would come from one of Ian Fleming’s novels and short stories. There were about 25 films made for James Bond, and 14 of the movies were based on, or at least had their titles taken from, Ian Fleming’s novels.

An upcoming Young businesswoman

IT'S tea time for Weekend writer Fiona Patricia S. Escandor as she hangs out with another upcoming entrepreneur.

On the ground floor of Skyrise Building in Cebu I.T. Park is a quirky little hangout hub that serves a yummy selection of yogurt and milk tea. Aptly named ITea, the place is quite an inviting sight. It is accented with neon colors and pop art, and has an overall vibrant ambience that simply entices onlookers to go in.