It was was a weekend in Cebu last month for California resident Armando “Ding” Bautista and new-found friends Rho Clemente and Ram Lopez Vito-Bucoy (both from Metro Manila) who had connected through the Facebook group called Living Life (LL), a lifestyle page created by Ding. Main purpose of LL according to Ding is “to inspire and be inspired, and to encourage members to live the best version of their life through home and garden, food and travel plus fashion.”

While here, Ding, Rho, and Ram met with the active Cebu members of LL: Louella Alix, Jackie Blanco, Chloe Osano, Lalay Lava, and me. It was a fun first meeting at Golden Prince Hotel over merienda hosted by Louella. It went on to a moonlit dinner at the mountain hideaway of Doc Wyben and Jackie B.

Their Saturday sked included a lunch get-together at Marina Seaview restaurant followed by a sunset cruise around the Mactan Channel onboard “Our Toy.” Sunday began with Holy Mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño after which they proceeded to the picturesque Lava Mountain River Farm of Lalay for lunch and some nature tripping. It was a full and enjoyable weekend for the Cebu visitors!

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Petite and pretty chief operating officer of DiaGold Jennifer Q.V. Ty welcomed jewelry-loving Cebuanas to the opening of the store’s newest branch at the lobby of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. On display were dazzling collections of diamond jewelry as well as other precious gems. Guests of honor for the ceremonial ribbon cutting were Mariquita Yeung, Elizabeth Go and Nora Muntuerto.

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Doctor Herbert Ryan Cruz is the dedicated medical doctor and aesthetic dermatologist behind the CruzSkin Medical and Aesthetic Center in Danao City. The center offers a variety of skin treatments to address dermatological problems as well as render modern procedures to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Other services include body massage, foot spa and nail care. Four chic and charming Cebuanas have been chosen as CruzSkin “ambassadors”—Charmaine Durano, Ann Momongan, Em-em Hann and Donna Dumon.

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The famed USC (University of San Carlos) Green and Gold Warriors of batches 1968 to 1975 came together for a grand reunion at Papa Kits Marina and Lagoon in Liloan. Frontliners were the basketball group’s officers led by president Vicente “Inting” Go, vice president Francisco “Jun” Pacheco Jr. and chairman Dennis Mendoza. Fully supportive of the activity were secretary Elmer Laguna; treasurer Arsenio Estenzo; and directors Ramon Fernandez and John Kiener.

Special awards were handed out during the gathering. Given recognition were the oldest and youngest Warriors—lawyer Danny Deen and 19-year-old Uri Avila, respectively. Julian Macoy was honored for his record of being the highest basketball pointer with 126 points. He also got a second award for owning the oldest memorabilia—a vintage USC Warrior’s uniform. It was a beautiful interlude with a lot of “remember whens” for the once-upon-a-time basketball heroes of USC.

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Enterprising couple Boris and Crystal (Aberasturi) Kang are the proud owners of Gangnam Unlimited, a Korean restaurant at Wilson St. in Lahug. The resto is a dream-come-true for the beauty queen/model and her husband who had always wanted to be in the food business. Gangnam offers unlimited samgyupsal and beef in different sets which come with various side dishes. Check it out.