The who’s who of Urbanfolio

LEADING the team is Josefa Isabela “Aiai” Garcia, whose strengths are in organizational development and management. Aiai holds a degree in economics and sociology from the University of San Francisco, enabling her to have a deep understanding of the link between business and culture.

Dancing by the Lagoon

A WAVE of colors graced Plantation Bay Resort & Spa as its crew of talented employees entertained the guests with their breathtaking rendition of the pasadoble, the flamenco and other classical Spanish dances in the Viva España program of their open dinner buffet.

Held at the resort’s Orion Beach, Viva España is only one of the six themed dinner buffets staged every night. Other themes are Filipino Fiesta, Rockin’ USA, Sahara Night, Brazilian Fever and Hawaiian Luau.

Pedrosa: Do You Still Print Your Photos?

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

A FEW days ago, I saw the post of Dexter Maneja. In his Facebook status, he said “Pa-DO ko sa akong rolls”. I haven’t heard that term for so long. I wondered if digital photographers know what it means. In the thread, Jake Tadla also commented “even staff from photo centers raise a confused tone when asked the price for DO”.

Yap: Deserving

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

I REMEMBER my first time at the Loft when it first opened at I.T. Park. I, and many other partying Cebuanos, decided it was the place to be on weekends. There, one would expect to see the who’s who of Cebu, beautiful ladies dressed to the nines, and handsome young bachelors wearing their swag on their shoulders. I always enjoyed hanging out at the Loft because of its very “lofty” atmosphere that you could easily associate with New York City.

Walking the streets of Cebu

James Martinez

SOMETIME in 2003, I had a car accident in Mango Ave. (now Gen. Maxilom Ave.). My car got hit squarely on the driver’s side by an AUV trying to make a right turn from the left lane – and of course, I had to be on the right lane! Anyway, I love walking so that episode gave me an excuse to try walking to and from my office ( from JY Square area to Raintree Mall area). It was a good 45 minute walk and opened my eyes to the plight of the pedestrian – local or tourist – who tries to walk around the city.

Arquiza: Northern Exposure

Jigs Arquiza Eat's my life

WHEN you’re given the chance to feast on a meal prepared by one of the Philippines’ top chefs, you definitely can’t say no. Last July 27, I was at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort to partake of a fantastic lunch at the resort’s Allegro Restaurant.

An Artastic! Exhibit at Banilad Town Centre

THE spotlight was on 16 very young artists at the opening of the second student art exhibit of “Artastic!” at the first floor lobby of the Banilad Town Centre (BTC) recently.

“Artastic!” highlighted the imaginative and creative works of Artastic! Art Enrichment Program students Tia, Jazz, and Zoe Rosengrave, Hyun-Seo Lee, Mayella Selma, Skyler Cuenco, Sophie Chiongbian, Zuri Anzani, Ariana Gonzalez, Dior Gothong, Izzie and Kirsten Morissey, Ed and Eve Onglatco, Luke Sarmiento and Ieia Valenzuela.

Shopping with Clarisa

FEATURE writer Fiona Patricia S. Escandor learns the ins and outs of online shopping from the creator of Cebu’s pioneer online shopping site

Shop ‘til you drop? Not quite. Her passion for shopping is astounding, but she is certainly not the kind who spends and swipes for the mere sake of the high. A practical shopper would be a better description of her, as she is the type who is on the lookout for a good bargain. For instance, in one of her travels, she was able to snag a $200 room in Las Vegas for a discounted rate of only $40. Remarkable? You bet.

Exploring The World Of Food Photography

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

LAST week I had a chance to talk to an old friend, Food Photographer, Mike Perez. We were both working in the advertising industry back during the late 90’s. I asked him if he could share some of his techniques in shooting food which he gladly agreed.

Arquiza: Japanese food re-invented

I’VE never been fond of fusion, preferring my food unaltered as much as possible from the original, but when I heard about Sumo Sam, at the Ayala Terraces, I felt that I should have a taste of the food that a lot of people I know seem to be raving about.

Childhood tuberculosis in spotlight at AIDS 2012

CHILDHOOD tuberculosis (TB) has been neglected for a long time and in terms of the global policy the focus has been on adult tuberculosis. To add fuel to fire, presentation of the disease is less specific in children, and while diagnosis is difficult, treatment is also very child unfriendly.

An intern’s fears during OJT

Mary Grace M. Moldez

Hello, Hannah

WALKING around on a paved walkway in 4-inch heels had never looked so easy until then.

As she gave us a tour around the resort’s spacious grounds, she displayed utmost poise, confidence and wit - the very traits one would look for from a front-line representative of a luxury resort.

Rocky mountain ride

BACK in the nineties, when I still lived in Manila, I fell in love with the Chevrolet Silverado. Not really having the money to buy one, I would be content to just look at any Silverado that came into view. Then again, being of a (sometimes) practical mind, I thought (theoretically) of the pros and cons of owning such a vehicle.

Pedrosa: Creative Juices

Alber Pedrosa Photo mania

In a very rare workshop by Xander Angeles in Marco Polo which was organized by Paul Gotiong, I asked him if he ever spend time to prepare for a shoot. I’ve been dying to ask this question to a celebrity photographer like Xander and how a certain photo shoot is done. What actually happens and what are the things to consider during the shoot.

Brain freeze

Alexis Yap Lex in the city

I ALWAYS wondered what all the fuzz was about. A few weeks back, Cebu was surprised by the soft opening of one of the leading convenience store chains in the world, 7-Eleven.

All’s well that ends well

Jigs Arquiza Eats my life

MY SON, Marty is my parents’ only grandchild, and my mom, Glenda, who lives in Manila, does her best to visit Marty here in Cebu as often as she can. Journalists, for the most part, don’t really make that much, so one of the things that my family looks forward to is going grocery shopping with her, since we get to buy at least two week’s worth of groceries from Rustan’s.

They all talk to me

Ranulfo L. Visaya Jr.

Signs, symbols, sights, senses In diverse forms and shades From assorted fonts and directions They all convey relative meanings Leading to the world of higher dimensions.

They all talk to me

Ranulfo L. Visaya Jr.

Signs, symbols, sights, senses In diverse forms and shades From assorted fonts and directions They all convey relative meanings Leading to the world of higher dimensions.

Speak Your Own

Rejzl Anne Angchangco Awit

THE Filipino language has become foreign for most Filipinos. My parents raised me to be fluent in English. Growing up, I read novels written by American authors like Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew. I was also fond of watching television shows on channels like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, so as to widen my English vocabulary. I grew up believing that speaking in English fluently would put me to the honor’s list or would land me in a high paying job.

Zoom in

FEATURE writer and budding photographer Fiona Patricia S. Escandor focuses on a marketing professional who’s also a budding photographer himself.

Some people talk too much, and that can either be a good thing or a bad one. The trick here is having a clever sense in distinguishing those who talk with substance and wit from those who simply vomit verbal nonsense.

A nurse says “Aloha!”

TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR old Dominique Isabel Zuluaga, commonly known as “Nikki” by her friends, graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing, with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner, last May from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Preparing for a Concept Shoot

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

A FEW days ago I had a chance to shoot Ms. Cebu 2012, Anther Infante. I was planning to use the photo in my next article in IMAG magazine. It wasn’t the first time we had a photo session together, last year before she was crowned, we did a fun shoot and it’s always a privilege working with Anther, with or without her title.

Arquiza: Back to school

Jig's Arquiza Eat's my life

IT'S not very often I get to teach kids to cook, although my son Marty and I have had a few cooking sessions at home. He usually helps me prep the ingredients, like slice and season the meat, cut vegetables, or stir whatever’s in the pot.

Guarded by my curfew

Rejzl Anne Awit

“YOU may be a careful driver, but there are a million reckless drivers around.”

I am Lucky

Rey Michael Vergara

I was lucky, To have caught a glimpse of your stare half-shrouded by a creeping smokescreen. You were there; giggling, waving hello at life and everything in it. I invested a little time to watch you; Follow the mesmerizing scene that accompanies your every step. And behind the smokescreen, I hid my thoughts, making sure I would not get caught. Life would begreat if we travel in it hand in hand, bathe in its fortunes, and misfortunes together. All these I thought as I sat motionless behind the smokescreen that separated the dreamer

Marita Arambulo “dishes” on Cebu Goes Culinary 2012

IT IS a gastronomic tradition that has spanned over two decades. It started out as a small event participated by only a handful number of institutions; today it has become a highly-anticipated culinary convention with exhibits, trainings, and competitions that showcase the best of what Cebu’s kitchens have to offer.

Oh, Adrienne!

Fiona Patricia S. Escandor spends an afternoon with a woman of many roles.

THE sweetness of her voice and the seeming daintiness of her petite frame are enough to fool one in to believing that she is one tragedy away from becoming the proverbial damsel in distress. A very mistaken assumption I should say, because as she narrated bits and pieces of her life’s tale, I immediately realized she is anything but so.

Mutya visits the Queen City

I look at everything as a new adventure

KAYLEE CALAGUAS-

Pedrosa: Understanding Focal Length

Albert Pedrosa Photo mania

WHEN you buy your new camera, especially the semi pro down to entry-level, a bundled lens is normally attached. Typically these lenses are called kit lens. Often times, these lenses are belittled if not, it becomes an excuse for not getting a good photo.