Where At CEBU

JULY 15 - SEPTEMBER 15 2012

The FAShION ISSUe OF CeBUS PReMIeRe LIFeSTYLe DeSTINATION MAGAZINe

MADE in Cebu
Cebu at the Center
Designer Spotlight - Cary Santiago Bohol Beckons 10 Mystic Pizzas

where at | JaNUarY - MarCh 2011

5 | SCENE U KitChen Revealed

The Urbina family has come full circle with the opening of their newest restaurant, U Kitchen at Laguna Center, their gleaming modern 4-storey building located at the Veterans Drive property where they first started. Close friends of the family were on hand to join in the celebration.
Edman and Grace Absin, Jan Urbina, Greta Canoy, Lita and Ricardo Urbina, Raki and Cecil Urbina, Jill and Kelly Viado

Melanie Ng, Lita Urbina and Wilson Ng

Teresin Mendezona, Philip Rodriguez and Albert Garbanzos

Hans Hauri

Ambassador Frank Benedicto, Margot Osmea, Teresin Mendezona, Mayor Michael Rama and Annie Aboitiz

Ambassador Sam Tioson, Ambassador Frank Benedicto, Lita Urbina and Joy Polloso

SM City ConSolaCion openS

Thousands flocked to the opening of SM City Consolacion. Hans T. Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Herbert Sy,president of Supervalue, Inc. along with Annie Garcia, president of Shopping Center Management Corp., and Jorge Mendiola of SM Retail, Inc. led the ceremonial opening of the mall at exactly 10am.

Carol Sy is flanked by VIP guests and Annie Garcia.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is graced by prominent political officers of the province, led by Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Hans T. Sy at the center of the huge opening day crowd.

An unprecedented crowd enjoys the live entertainment.

WHERE AT | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

3 | INSIDE

Where At CEBU
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

27
In this photo, bridal details by Cary Santiago. Photo by Dan Douglas Ong

Our Cover

16
The Church of San Pedro in Loboc is the 2nd oldest Church in Bohol.

Scene
5 U Kitchen Revealed SM City Consolacion Opens

Dossier
23 10 Mystic Pizzas, The best hot, crisp and gooey pizzas

Diversions
6 Events that matter in and around Cebu

Spotlight
27 Cary Santiago, Haute Couture, Inside the designers creative process

Handpicked
8 Its Not Just About Fashion

23

Where
32 Our directory of places to stay and dine around the metro

Noshing
10 Coming Home, U Kitchen

Hip Hopping
16 The Road Well Traveled, A second look at Bohol

Big Help
34 A few tips on visiting Cebu

10
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4 | listEn

Where At CEBU
JULY 15 - SEPTEMBER 15 2012

ebu is a center for design, helping put the Philippines on the global design map. World class designers in furniture, fashion jewelry and fashion are in Cebu or at the very least, have roots in Cebu, design icons Kenneth Cobonpue and Monique Lhuillier to name a few. In our first fashion issue, we feature Cary Santiago, designer in demand for his haute couture work; a Cebuano who has made it to the top through talent, hard work, vision and a commitment to perfection. We traveled outside Cebu to revisit Bohol, our motley crew joined by two Japanese ladiesa beauty queen plus a newly wed bride. Thanks to them, we did not take Bohols natural beauty for granted. Our stay at Panglao Bluewater Beach Resort was the highlight of our trip. We ate well, had our relaxing massages, and enjoyed the resort and the gracious hospitality of the staff. I had the privilege of staying in the luxurious Honeymoon Pool Villa that had its own dipping pool, lounging area and deck, a bedroom suite with a cantilevered bed by wood artist Benji Reyes and a spa bathroom that came with its own television. The only thing missing was my husband who did not realize what he was missing. We capped our trip with lunch at Giuseppes Panglao, with not

Made in Cebu

one but two Giuseppes Genco and Sgroi, who plied us with delicious food from their wood-fired oven, enough to feed an army. We thank all our wonderful hosts who made us forget that we were working. I am reminded by a conversation with my brothers daughter Bea, when she was all of 11-years old. I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She said, You. I want your job. Smart girl. You arent working when you love what you do.

Editor Art dirEctor StAFF PhotogrAPhErS EditoriAl ASSiStAnt contributorS Print Production

MariCris B. Encarnacion Butchie D. Pea Erwin Lim, Dan Douglas Ong Fabienne Bucher Chubby Atillo, Jude Bacalso CGKformaprint, Inc.

Where at Cebu is published bi-monthly by Where At Freezines, inc. 901 Sage house, 1 V.A. rufino Street, legaspi Village, Makati city, Philippines 10 Please email us at whereatcebu@yahoo.com for your comments and advertising needs. We are now on

: Where At cebu

WHERE AT | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

6 | DIVERSIONS

SM CITY CEBU
MYPHoNE DANCE TEENVASIoN
July 28, 2:00pm Event Centre

ACoUSTIC WEEKENDS

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 6:00-8:00pm Northwing Atrium

CEBU GOES CULINARY

August 3-4 One Cebu Expo Cebus largest culinary competition, which includes the Visayas eliminations for the nationwide Chef Wars. Open to students and professionals. Organized by the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC).

IRONMAN 70.3 PHILIPPINES 9BALL CHALLENGE

July 19-22, 10:00am-8:00pm Cebu Trade Hall

SM LITTLE STARS 2012

ELIMINATIoN July 22, 3:00pm Event Centre REGIoNAL FINALS August 12, 3:00pm Event Centre

MAKE YoUR oWN HAVAIANAS

August 2-5, Mall Hours Northwing Atrium

August 4-5 One of the most-awaited international sporting events in the country. A triathlon involving a 56-mile bike ride through the cities of LapuLapu, Mandaue, Cebu City and Talisay; a 1.2-mile swim in the sea starting at the beach of the Shangri-Las Mactan Resort & Spa in Mactan Island; and culminating in a 13.1-mile run through Punta Engao, LapuLapu City.

NATIONAL HEROES DAY

August 27 A national holiday commemorating the countrys heroes throughout history.

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where at | JaNUarY - MarCh 2011

Not Justshion Its Fa

8 | handpicked

About

Fashionable Grace
Havaianas Grace is a sleek and great addition to your summer ensemble. Fashioned after the gladiator sandals, its all about its chic shape and contours. Available at All Flip Flops SM City Cebu and Ayala branches. Soon to open, All Flip Flops SM Consolacion.

Rice to the Occasion Ring Art

Long Live the Royal Queen Skull Ring is dedicated to the fashion visionary, Alexander Mcqueen. The skull is dipped in gold while the crown is dipped in silver to make it look grand and royal. To order, send an email to Neil San Pedro at neilsanpedro@yahoo.com The biko or sticky rice cake by Manang Lima is wickedly irresistible. Its gooey, its rich, its like eating a toffee pudding only better. Available for dine-in or take-out at all Zubuchon restaurants: One Mango Place, Escario and Mactan.

Learn from the Masters

The International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM), a world-class training center opens in Cebu, following the main campus in Quezon City and a second school in Makati. Headed by a team of professionals with over 30 years of experience in 4 and 5 star hotels, the faculty and facilities are world class. Currently offering courses in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts and Kitchen Management at the Cebu campus. Enrolment is now ongoing with a special introductory rate for July 2012. Ground Floor, Sykes Building, F. Cabahug St., Brgy. Kasambagan, Panagdait. Call them at (32) 520 6585 or (32) 231 8888. www.iscahm.com

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10 | noshing

Coming home
BY MARICRIS B. EnCARnACIon photogRAphS BY ERwIn t. LIM

Clockwise from top left: the restaurants interiors are sleek and modern. the table setting includes dried chilies that eventually end up in the kitchen. Baked seafood in sour gata; pako salad in a kalamansi vinaigrette; Chickpea stew with naan; Roast duck in red curry and lychee served with naan; and paella de Verdura.

gleaming modern 4-storey building stands where Lita Urbinas culinary empire began. In 1979, she opened a carenderia in a modest apartment with 10 tables, serving home-cooked Filipino dishes that she grew up with, digging deep into her culinary roots that included a long line of cooks. Good food and impeccable service guaranteed her success, allowing her to expand the carenderia and transform it into a restaurant. Hard work and an unrelenting passion for food brought continued success with the opening of more restaurants, in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Her family is an integral part of her success, with her children deeply involved in the running of her many outlets and catering. Her son, Raki Urbina is Executive Chef of the Laguna group. When plans for the building began, he envisioned having a wood fired oven to cook with. The thought
where at | JULY - SePteMBer 2012

of cooking in heat that could go to extremes in temperature, with highs of 800s F to lows of 200s F was exciting. He imagined flavors and textures that could not be achieved with conventional gas ovens. U Kitchens menu includes many dishes that are original recipes influenced by Asian, Indian, Filipino and even western flavors. What binds them together is the use of the wood fired oven, which Chef Raki creatively uses for baking, roasting and braising. The restaurant is only a few months old and the cooking techniques using the wood fired oven are constantly being developed and improved. The menu is evolving, adjusting to the availability of ingredients and the success of each dish. Some of them do stand out and deserve to be permanent offerings. The Laksa Berde is made with green curry instead of the red curry that we are more familiar with, resulting in a lighter tasting coconut broth that still packs on the flavor. The Garlic

Smoked Pork Chops is a big hunk of center cut chop that is thick, juicy and tender, and goes with chorizo rice and house-made pickled garlic. A U Kitchen original is the Grouper Chips, thin slices of grouper that are dried, seasoned and fried till crisp to the bite, served with green mango chutney. It also goes very well with spiced vinegar or pinakurat and a glass of ice-cold domestic beer. Skewered Pugo or quail and Pigeon Estofado, hard to find birds, make their way into the menu, bursting with flavor. High ceilings, clean interiors, neutral colors, a show kitchen and a function room that seats 30 comfortably, complete the total look of the restaurant. The Urbina family is back home, exactly where they started. U Kitchen is at the Laguna Culinary Center Bldg., Veterans Drive corner Torralba Sts., Lahug. Tel. (32) 268 3627. Ask about their rooftop space, available for special events.

11 | SM SHOPPING

Keep the children entertained and happy. Places to visit, things to do at home and a pet to love.
BiBo LGF Main Mall An activity area with fun games, rides and activities that will keep the children occupied for hours.

Child's Play

LittLe 1s ChiLdrens PLayGround 3F Main Mall A safe place for smaller kids to enjoy, play and interact with other children.

MasCot Pets LGF Main Mall A puppy is a childs best friend.

odyssey uGF Main Mall Learning can be entertaining with Discovery Channel DVD boxed sets.

North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Tel. Nos. (032) 231 3446 to 47 and Fax No. (032) 231 2079
Follow us on Facebook: SM City Cebu (Official) Free Zone. where at | jULY - SePteMBer 2012

12 | sm shopping

What woman doesnt dress the part? Dress up and accessorize. The options are endless.
Get fashion creative with your choice of fabric and embellishments. Chester Enterprises LGF Main Mall

Fashion Never Goes Out of Style

The eyes have it. Stylish eyewear that protect as well as make you look good. Executive Optical 2F Main Mall

Who said that denims had to be blue? Great colors of soft denim material make fashionable outfits. Tela Fabrica LGF Main Mall

The latest in style, from dresses to bags and fashion accessories. Maldita 2F Main Mall where at | jULY - SePteMBer 2012

13 | sm shopping 13 | sm shopping

MUSic, SPortS
Music is food for the soul and men take their music seriously. As for sports, its all part of the game.
Choose your instrument and learn how to play. A. Salonga LGF Main Mall

and

Men

Rock in style with guitars that look as good as they sound. JB Music 3F Main Mall

The ultimate in equipment for the audiophile that knows what quality is. Soundroom 3F Main Mall

Badminton remains a popular sport. Outfit yourself with rackets that help make your swing spring. JB Sports LGF Main Mall where at | jULY - SePteMBer 2012

14 | SM Shopping

Cebu Favorites
Comfort food that people keep coming back for. Never go hungry with local favorites that are big in flavor.

A popular restaurant choice for Filipino food. Golden Cowrie LGF Main Mall

Crispy Noodles with Seafood and Fried Bread, definitely not to be missed. Majestic Chinese Cuisine 3F Main Mall

The Sun Classic, 3 pieces of juicy fried chicken, cole slaw, rice and fries. Sunburst UGF Main Mall

Seafood Marinara pasta is just one of many menu choices. The Old Spaghetti House UGF Main Mall Chinese dimsum that is uniquely Cebuano. Harbour City LGF Main Mall

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15 | SM Shopping

EvErything UndEr OnE rOOf

Pamper, shop and get your business done conveniently. Only at SM City Cebu.

Books, pamphlets and religious paraphernalia for prayer and inspiration. St. Pauls LGF Main Mall

Beauty services for everyone. Annies Beauty World 3F Main Mall Build a career by getting an IT education. Informatics LGF Main Mall where at | jULY - SePteMBer 2012

16 ||HIPHOPPING 16 HIPHOPPING

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17 HIPHOPPING 17 | |HIPHOPPING

A Road Well Traveled

BY mARicRis B. encARnAcion | phoTogRAphs BY eRWin T. Lim

The main altar of the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon

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18 | HIPHOPPING

Clockwise from above left: The world renowned chocolate hills; Floating restaurants are docked at the concrete landing in Loboc; The placid jade green waters of Loboc River; and Bamboo hanging bridges over Loboc River have become tourist destinations, thrilling those that cross it for the first time.

ohol is one of the top destinations in the country and rightly so. For one, it has The Chocolate Hills, a consistent nominee for the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and then theres the Philippine tarsier. The real draw, however, are the people. Whole communities have gotten their acts together to create an environment that makes a visit to Bohol such a pleasant experience. Ive been to Bohol many times and I avoid doing the expected. Its the been there, done that attitude that has been keeping me from revisiting this road well traveled. This time though, we were traveling with fresh eyes, 2 Japanese women whose enthusiasm gave us all a renewed perspective. They were thrilled to see the countryside and were awed by the sight of carabaos

under coconut trees, scenes that we often dismiss as ordinary. To watch them enthused by the most simple reminded me that Bohol was not to be taken for granted.

single time. The Php100 entrance fee is a small price to pay to lay witness to natures majesty. The Philippine tarsier is usually referred to as the worlds smallest monkey, a primate. Scientists claim, however, that they belong to the more primitive order Prosimian or prosimil, like the lemur, tree shrew and loris. They can be found in the forests of Samar, Leyte, Mindanao and Bohol. They are not endangered but their numbers are dwindling. The illegal caged so-called sanctuaries in Bohol have finally been shut down and the captive tarsiers moved into The Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in the town of Corella, the 167-hectare forest park has been constructed with concrete paths

Nocturnal Tarsiers

The Hills are Alive

Our first stop was Chocolate Hills, an unusual geological formation said to consist of 1,260 hills close to uniform shape and height. As the sight of undulating hills loomed over the horizon, Noriko and Ai clapped their hands in delight. They could not wait to get out of the vehicle, jumping out as soon as we stopped then sprinting up the 214 steps to the viewing deck. As I gazed over the green grass-covered hills (they only turn chocolate brown in the summer), I could not help but be mesmerized all over again. It doesnt matter how many times you see this natural wonder, it grips you every

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19 | HIPHOPPING
that meander through the young manmade forest. Uniformed guides locate the tarsiers and station themselves near trees where tarsiers are perched. They are nocturnal creatures so you will find most of them curled into a furry ball with legs wrapped around branches, eyes closed and undisturbed, sleeping during the day, as they should. To find one that is awake, look around for excited tourists huddled into a tight gaggle, madly clicking away with their cameras. of the Immaculate Conception. But before making that stop, a quick visit to Osangs Pastries is called for. This tiny bakery has been around for over 40 years, producing the best broas I have ever laid my hands on. They still use the original recipe and bake in the same charcoal heated clay oven, toasting on top of ribs of the coconut frond over charcoal embers. To those unfamiliar, broas are akin to ladyfingers but instead of being cakey, they are crisp and delectable, perfect with a demitasse of thick sikwate. A big bag of the broas is still Php100 each, a price that has remained unchanged through many, many years. Directly across Osangs is the rear gate of the Church, through wooden doors into a garden that used to house the stables. To enter the main Church, you pass newly erected structures with tourist-friendly rest rooms. Volunteers manning the vestibule politely offer the complimentary use of sarongs for those that are inappropriately dressed. No shorts, mini skirts, sleeveless tops and spaghetti straps are allowed.

A Church museum is found on the 2nd floor and a gift shop is open at the ground floor of the convent. The Church closes at noon for an hour while the volunteers take their break.

Dauis Restored

The entrance fee is Php50 per person with special rates for students and children. Go ahead and shop at their souvenir stalls. It is refreshing to discover that they dont take advantage of guests by selling at jacked up tourist prices.

Baclayon and History

At the center of this destination is the 16th century Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis was another Church built in Gothic style by Jesuit missionaries in 1697. Legend has it that on one of many pirate attacks, the residents took refuge behind locked doors of the church. The pirates laid siege for days and the people were running out of food and water. A well miraculously appeared and from it sprang fresh water, saving everyone. It continues today to be a source of drinking water for the people

Clockwise from above left: The church at Baclayon is one of the philippines oldest, originally built by spanish Jesuits in 1595; The church of our Lady the Assumption in Dauis; The church in Dauis was built in a mixture of architectural styles; The main entrance of the church of san pedro in Loboc.

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20 | HIPHOPPING

Clocwise from top left: Osangs broas get toasted on the ribs of coconut fronds over charcoal embers; The Philippine tarsier of Bohol, Yodalike creatures whose wide eyes remain unblinking; Bohol Bee Farms dining areas are kept rustic; and busy worker bees producing honey.

nearby, with many attributing healing properties to the water. The drinking well stands at the foot of the main altar. Beside the main Church is the Convento that has been tastefully restored by Bea Zobel, Jr. through the Ayala Foundation. On the ground floor is Handumanan gift shop, selling well-designed products made by Bohols craftsmen. A charming coffee shop Caf Lawis serves a luscious Tsokolate Eh Souffle Cake that you can enjoy on the teak deck underneath a magnificent acacia tree at the back.

Cruising Loboc

The Loboc River Cruise has never been in my list of things to do while
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in Bohol. I did it once over a decade ago and had no desire to do it again. But, I needed to do the road well traveled and we went on an upgraded premium cruise by Travel Village that promised better food and service. The first thing that struck me was the organized manner in which guests were welcomed. The visitors center included restaurants, gift shops and clean air-conditioned rest rooms, a vast improvement over my last experience. A concrete dock with numbered gates made boarding simple and fuss-free. Lunch is served as you cruise through the placid jade-colored water, with live entertainment blaring in one corner. (I personally wish that the music be more

in keeping with the languid mood of the river but I most likely belong to the minority that should just put up and shut up.) There are 2 landings on separate sides of the river, hosted by different barangays, with costumed locals, including children, performing Filipino music and folk dance. All in all, it was an experience worth revisiting. The Church of San Pedro is the 2nd oldest Church in Bohol, originally built in 1602. Beside it is an unfinished bridge whose construction was stopped when it became apparent that the centuries old Church had to be demolished for it to be completed.

21 | HIPHOPPING

Clockwise from top: The honeymoon pool Villas bedroom suite is designed by wood artist Benji Reyes; The main swimming pool of panglao Blue Water Beach Resort; and the Aplaya Restaurant of the resort.

Bohol Bee Farm

We paid a visit to the bees and the ice cream. It started as an advocacy for Vicky Wallace to eat healthy, respect the environment and create livelihood for communities. Today, it is a thriving business that revolves around that same philosophy of natural, local and organic. You must try their malunggay ice cream in hand-rolled cones made of cassava.

Panglao Blue Water Beach Resort

swimming pool. Guest rooms flank both sides of the pool, with 2-storey family lofts found towards the end of the buildings. Luxurious villas are located closer to the dining area and beach where there are 2 more swimming pools to enjoy. Each villa has its own dipping pool for those that want to cool off with a little more privacy. The Aplaya restaurant serves live seafood and Filipino fare that they have every right to brag about. Our Japanese friends thanked us profusely for taking them with us on our Bohol sojourn, counting themselves lucky to have had the opportunity to

see so much. As I graciously accepted their warm gratitude, I could not help but think that we were the ones that were fortunate. We saw Bohol through them, with eager eyes that appreciated even the mundane. Take the road well traveled with an open mind and be a tourist. You will not be disappointed. Bohol travel tips can be found in Big Help, page 34.

Our home in Bohol was the Panglao Blue Water Beach Resort. The first thing that catches your attention as you drive up to the entrance is the

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22 | HIPHOPPING

Clockwise from above: The main swimming pool of panglao Blue Water Beach Resort at dusk; At the beach front of the resort; and the bar at Aplaya Restaurant.

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Mystic Pizzas
BY Maricris B. Encarnacion photographs BY Dan Douglas ong

10

23 | DOSSIER

Who doesnt eat pizza? i dont know anyone who doesnt, do you? What is it about the pizza that makes it so universally acceptable anywhere in the world? therein lies the mystery but we are not here to uncover that. all we want to do is spread the word about cebus best pizza. We are fortunate that wood-fired ovens abound in the city and i would think, as luck would have it, it is largely because of our very own sicilian oven builder giuseppe genco. cebu claims giuseppe who should be credited for single-handedly changing the pizza-scape in our town.

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24 | DOSSIER Flatbread pizza

The thinnest crust ever. Rectangular rather than the usual round shape. Can be devoured by one, easily. Parma ham with arugula or roasted seafood are suggested. Wood-fired oven built by Giuseppe Genco, check. Abaca, Punta Engao Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City. Tel. (32) 495 3461, 236 0311. www.theabacagroup.com

Diavola

Tomato, mozzarella, onions and spicy salamino. Honestly though, it doesnt really matter what you put on your pizza. They are all good, with Giuseppes crust perfectly crisp and chewy. Wood-fired oven built by Giuseppe Genco, but of course. Giuseppes Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast, Maria Luisa Road, Banilad. Tel. (32) 343 9901

contadina

It is off the menu but Chef Marco Ghezzi would be more than happy to create any pizza of your choice, except perhaps, those that cannot be called Italian. No roast duck pizzas here. Nice crisp crust. And if you are wondering if the egg turns it up a notch, the answer is, Yes it does. Definitely. The very first wood-fired oven built by Giuseppe Genco in Cebu. Acqua, Shangri-Las Mactan Resort & Spa, Punta Engao Road, Lapu-Lapu City. Tel. (32) 231 0288

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Quattro Formaggi

Four cheese pizza that includes a mild blue that gives it a distinct aroma and flavor. The thin crust is prepared right in front of you, topped and thrust quickly into a wood-fired oven. A kiosk with a few tables al fresco.

25 | DOSSIER

pizza sale sucre

French style pizza that is surprisingly quite a treat. Crme white (sic), chicken, ham, apple, goat cheese, mozzarella, honey a combination of salty and sweet that works. Macaron Tango Caf, #5 Centro Arcade, Capitol Site, Osmea Blvd. Tel. (32) 412 5151

La Bella Napoli, The Gallery, Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo. Tel. (32) 412 0200. They deliver.

Chef Marco Amarone creates a pizza of fresh cherry tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, anchovies and basil. There is no wood-fired oven but what is brought forth from pizza peel to table is still a delicious bite. Available with the lunch and dinner buffet, as well as on the ala carte menu. Feria, Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, Serging Osmea Blvd., corner Juan Luna Ave. Tel. (32) 402 9900 loc. 3400/3430

Margherita

robertino

Tomato, mozzarella, farmers ham, bacon strips, parmesan, egg and arugula on a thin crisp crust. Rich, satisfying, a little bit heavy on the olive oil, but delicious just the same. Pizzeria Michelangelo, 1 Maria Luisa Road, Banilad. Tel. (32) 236 4297

7
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26 | DOSSIER

8
all Meat pizza

pizza cebuana

As its name suggests, it isnt Italian at all. A nice crisp crust topped with a sweet Cebu longganisa, kesong puti and mozzarella. An interesting change. Handuraw, 460 Gorordo Ave. Tel. (32) 412 2230

It is pizza with a story. Its crust is more a biscuit than bread, toppings reminiscent of the 70s. Dong Juan now has 6 locations. The original by far is the most charming. (1 ) 999 E. Osmea St., Guadalupe; (2) Persimmon, MJ Cuenco Ave., Mabolo; (3) 2/F 2 Mango Building, Gen. Maxillom Ave.; (4) Crossroads Arcade, Banilad; (5) A.S. Fortuna, Banilad; (6) J Centre, A.S. Fortuna, Bakilid

10
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r. Fratelli

This is truly a hole-in-the-wall. Housed in an apartment, with a couple of tables indoors and another in the garage, their pizza has everything on it. From meat, cheese, vegetables and even shoestring potatoes. So Pinoy the Italians will shudder. Ryans Pizzarelli House, 181-D Maria Christina Ext., Bgy. Camputhaw. Tel. (32) 354 9475. They deliver.

27 17 SPOTLIGHT 27 || SPOTLIGHT

Cary Santiago
By Jude A. BACAlSo | pHotogrApHS By dAn douglAS ong

Haute Couture
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28 | SPOTLIGHT

the work goes on at the designers atelier.

ary Santiago now occupies the pinnacle of Philippine fashion, dressing up elegant women that belong in high society as well as celebrities that grace the big screen, tv and glossies. To own a Cary Santiago original, one must fly to Cebu. Ed. Please Cary, dont take that pleasure from me! The wail on the other side of the clear line is Bea Zobel, Jr.s, expressing quite strongly an opinion on designer Cary Santiagos plan to open an atelier in Manila. Believed by many to be a symptom and natural consequence of success, and in many cases, a presumption of boththe move is viewed differently by her. I want the luxury of flying in to Cebu for a fitting, to have a dress made. I want my friends to know that a Cebuano is making my clothes! she ends, emphatically. And that is the end of it. Cary is clearly Made
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in Cebu, and we dont mean just the stitching. So far, none of my customers have brought in bolts of cloth and a page torn from a magazine saying: Make this for me! Cary shares. Instead, they come to him referencing a recent or past collection, zero in on a look, and often sheepishly, ask for a longer hem, a shorter sleeve, a higher neckline. The variations on a theme he suggests quite directly through his runway shows, and not whispers from a ripped page. His design inspiration often springs from drives down the South of Cebu with his beloved shih-tzu Farrez, an Arabic namea nod to his years in Lebanon, the Paris of the Middle East. When I worked for a couture house there, we would do Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring collections year round! he says, with his signature flourish in the air, like draping the empty space with invisible bolts of cloth. For 12 years, he was the creativeand mostly unsung

mind behind this very demanding role. You could not repeat yourself, because everyone was watching. You can just imagine how much I have stored that I have not released yet. And now that he is back in the Philippines, the same bated breath comes with every single collection. By end of this year, two separate highly-anticipated events highlight this stored creativity in gala shows: in October for the iconic Red Cross Ball at Makati Shangri-La for which he was handpicked by project chair Tessa Prieto-Valdes; and in December for Stilo Sugbuanon, a 75-piece show to mark the 75 founding anniversary of Cebu City. I love looking at old thingsold churches, old cultures, the designer says. An entire collection for Metro Society magazine gala show of quilted, gilded, brocade made into Birds of Prey creations were inspired by the vestments of saints. Coffee table books also surround his atelier, well worn from reading. And in the age of the worldwide web, a modern click

29 | SPOTLIGHT
to visit the archaic. And it is by no means lip service. Cary can launch into a detailed account of several royal familiesfrom the betterdocumented European to the Asian dynastiesas easily as he drapes a client in muslin. A very few ask me to sketch the idea, mostly the brides, he explains. The designer prefers to put on a show, gesticulating in the air to illustrate his famous cutouts and origami-like folding, hands dancing around his own body to show neckline, cascading downwards for

silhouette and hemline, and ending nicely tied with a little ribbon at the backfingers twisting to knot the dainty signature, wrapping it up nicely. Like a gift of perfection. At the clients nod, assistants come out with the muslin, a humble fabric often used as a lining for the inside of dresses. We wrap it around her form and stitch it on her for a perfect fit, he describes, the process lasting

just a few minutes, cocooning one in an accurate facsimile of form. Without a tape measure in sight. This muslin form is used to build a clients mannequin at the workroom, padded to the right dimensions, where the dress is constructed meticulously on from the skin outwards, so to speak. At the first fitting, Cary always requests you to bring the actual pair of shoes you will be wearing with the dress. Length is important in made-

to-measure clothes, he whispers in a serious tone, before going down on his knees, scissors in hand, to cut the extra length for the remaining cloth to fall just right, barely skimming the floor. Now thats couture! he nods, satisfied. The unwavering, unrelenting devotion to perfection extends to every aspect of his life, even those that were previously viewed as trivial
where at | JULY - SePteMBer 2012

30 | SPOTLIGHT

Clockwise from top left: Cary drapes directly onto a clients form, meticulously constructing a couture masterpiece; From the latest mens collection featured at a show held at the Ayala Center Cebu; Cary sketches a design idea on paper, reading books for inspiration; and the iconic show window of his atelier.

pursuits. His baby project in his years as President for Clothes for Life Foundation, Inc., the smash success Queen: A Pageant for Alternatives is on its fourth year this November 9, 2012 (at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casinos Pacific Grand Ballroom), has striven to elevate the image of homosexual men in the immediate community, and further their rights in society.
where at | JULY - SePteMBer 2012

And perfection is never more true than in his every gown: a prototype for the new collection is another feat in construction. Suspended in midair, the embellished accouterments to this dress seem to defy gravity inexplicably. And then a very Cebuano afterthought that dawns when the awe sinks in: How does one sit in it? Very easily, Cary demonstrates. The intricately swathed

cloth folds in, smoothing into the receiving receptacle easily, but pops out into its intended form once the wearer is on those vertiginous heels again. This is what I do, he smiles, doubly satisfied. Wearable, contemporary couture.

31 | SPOTLIGHT

High style as interpreted by designer in the limelight, Cary Santiago.

where at | JULY - SePteMBer 2012

32 | WHERE

Our Guide
Filipino power
Luscious Adobo rice topped with crisp pork belly, served in buho also known as bamboo.
Aplaya restaurant Panglao Bluewater Beach resort www.panglaobluewater.com.ph. danao, Panglao island, Bohol Tel. (38) 416 0695, 416 0696 Fax: (38) 416 0697

Dining
Casual restaurant and tequila lounge, serving authentic Mexican food and nothing but 100% agave tequila for lunch and dinner. One of Cebus popular nightspots, a live dJ entertains on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. Cuarenta unplugged every Wednesday where local beer and tacos are only cuarenta (Php40) each. Melt-in-your-mouth Carnitas and tequila tasting are musts. www.theabacagroup.com Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City Tel. (32) 238 9552, 238 9618

abac
California-Mediterranean. A full service restaurant and bar featuring the cuisine of Australian Chef Wade Watson. recognized as one of Cebus top restaurants, it is part of the Abac group, a name that has built a reputation for good food and attentive service. it takes advantage of its seaside location with a veranda-like setting. its Original Flatbread Pizzas have the thinnest crust you can possibly get. Open daily. By reservations only.

cafe
A coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. All-day Skillet Breakfast, overstuffed sandwiches and generous salads are popular favorites. Beer and wine, no spirits. Be sure to check the board for daily specials. www.theabacagroup.com Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City Tel. (32) 505 5692

Modern American

FERIA international

www.theabacagroup.com Punta engao road, Mactan island Lapu-Lapu City Tel. (32) 495 3461/236 031 1

radisson Blu Hotel Cebus all day dining restaurant offers Cebu dining at its best with the renowned Super Breakfast Buffet. For lunch and dinner, there are five interactive stations: Asian, Japanese and cold seafood, international, Mediterranean, and desserts. diners can choose to enjoy the buffet or the variety of dishes from the ala carte menu. Open daily 6:30 a.m. 10:30 p.m. www.radissonblu.com/hotel-cebu Serging Osmea Blvd., corner Juan Luna Ave., Cebu City Tel. (32) 402 9900 loc. 3400/3430

WHERE AT | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

33 | WHERE

Resorts
One of the most exclusive boutique resorts in the Philippines. A tropical hideaway that offers the tranquility of very private deluxe suites set in a lush tropical oceanfront retreat. in addition to the spacious suites and villas, guests enjoy full luxury spa and restaurant experiences. www.theabacagroup.com Punta engao road, Mactan island, Lapu-Lapu City Tel. (32) 495 3461/236 031 1

abac

Real Estate Monterrazas De Cebu genvi Development Corporation

monterrazasdecebu@genvidev.com 5/F Skyrise Building 2, Asiatown iT Park, Cebu City Tel. (32) 236 15 15 FAX (32) 268 6279

hotels
RADISSON BLU HOTEL CEBU
Centered within minutes from the airport, business hub, seaport, commercial centers and cultural sites, the radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is the hotel of choice by business and leisure travelers. This upper-up scale deluxe hotel offers 400 guestrooms including Business Class rooms and Suites that are elegant, contemporary and functional.

BLUEWATER pAngLAo BEACh RESoRT

Luxurious Island Resort Nestled in an island with white-sand beaches, pristine waters and marine sanctuaries, the resorts Filipino architecture and design complement Bohols culture, inherent warm hospitality and eco-focused initiatives. The design concept matches well with the environment organic yet elegant, innovative and functional. www.panglaobluewater.com.ph danao, Panglao island, Bohol Tel. (38) 416 0695, 416 0696 Fax: (38) 416 0697

Worship (Roman Catholic Churches)

ASiLO deLA MiLAGrOSA Gorordo Ave., Cebu City Tel. (32) 232 2443/231 5883 BASiLiCA MiNOre deL STO. NiO Pres. Osmea Blvd., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 6697 to 99 CAPiTOL PAriSH N. escario St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 85 16 CArMeLiTe MONASTerY Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City Tel. (32) 231 5931 redeMPTOriST CHurCH redemptorist, Cebu City Tel. (32) 253 631 5/253 6341 SACred HeArT CHurCH 242 d. Jakosalem St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 253 6479/254 3950 ST. THereSe PAriSH CHurCH Mabini St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 8823/ 41 1 2 335/253 6422 CeBu MeTrOPOLiTAN CATHedrAL Mabini St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 8823/41 1 2 335/253 6422 AdOrATiON CONVeNT & diViNe PeACe A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City Tel. (32) 346 8798 ST. JOSePH THe PATriArCH PAriSH Mabolo, Cebu City Tel. (32) 232 5979/41 8096 2
WHERE AT | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

www.radissonblu.com/hotel-cebu Serging Osmea Blvd., corner Juan Luna Ave., Cebu City Tel. (32) 402 9900 Fax (32) 402 9999

ShoppIng
Shopping Mall

ALPA CITY SUITES

european Studio Suites Hotel Boutique hotel in the heart of the city.

www.alpacitysuites.com Corner F. Cabahug and H. Cortes Sts. Mandaue City Tel. (32) 422 71 238 1668 71, email: reservations@alpacitysuites.com

PALAZZO PENSIONNE

Your Bed & Breakfast Pension House in Cebu City Centrally located within uptown, downtown and Ayala Center. Preferred by travelers who are looking for a comfortable, safe, convenient, and affordable place to stay.

Cebus shopping and lifestyle destination. Hundreds of the citys best shops, restaurants and services under one roof. Located conveniently near the pier and within minutes from many parts of the city. Mall hours 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily. www. smsupermalls.com North reclamation Area, Cebu City Tel. (32) 231 3446 to 47

ALL FLIp FLopS

Havaianas Flip-Flops. This Brazilian rubber flip-flops brand enjoys cult-favorite status. All Flip Flops stores are located at the upper Level, Northwing, SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu.

www.palazzopensionne.net 49 Sepulveda Street, Cebu City, Tel. (32) 255 0105, 412 5551 Fax (32) 412 5552 email: palazzo_pensionne@hotmail.com

7 34 | big help | special advertising feature

WHEN iN BoHoL:

1. Stay at Panglao Blue Water Beach Resort Danao, Panglao Island Tel. (38) 416 0695, 416 0696 Fax: (38) 416 0697 www.panglaobluewater.com.ph 2. Dine at Giuseppe Pizzeria & Sicilian Roast Alona Beach, Panglao Island Tel. (38) 510 1217 Mobile: +63 (917) 625 5582 Open daily from 11am-11pm 3. For transportation, tours, travel needs and premium Loboc River Cruise, call Travel Village and Tours, Bohol Tropics Resort Club, Graham Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol Tel. (38) 411 4023, 411 5928 Fax: (38) 411 5928, email: tvillage@yahoo.com.ph 4. Take home Osangs broas, Baclayon Tel. (38) 540 9072 5. Check fast ferry schedules between Cebu City and Tagbilaran City on http://www.bohol.ph/article107.html

Snapshot. The province of Cebu is made up of the main island of Cebu and 167 smaller islands. Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines and forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area, which includes Mandaue City, Lapulapu City, Danao City and Talisay City. The entire province has a total population of over 3 million. Cebuano is the native language but English is widely spoken by most people. It is one of the countrys top tourist destinations and is known for its popular beaches and exceptional scuba diving. Hows the Weather. Cebus climate is tropical like the rest of the country. Most evenings and early mornings are cool from December to February and scorching from March to May. It is best to wear light clothing in natural fiber. Its a resort town so dress down but stay chic. Money, Money, Money. The local currency is the Philippine Peso that is divided into 100 centavos. Major foreign currency can be exchanged at authorized foreign exchange dealers at airports, hotels, shopping malls, major commercial establishments and banks. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and stores. Getting Around. Colorful jeepneys that are the citys main public transportation are only for the adventurous. Proceed with extreme caution and with plenty of help from your hotel concierge regarding routes. Air-conditioned metered taxis are inexpensive and the easiest way to get around the city. Limousine service describes the service, not the cars; flat rates on a per hour basis.
where at | JULY - september 2012

The Work Day. Most banks are open 9am to 3pm, Mondays to Fridays except for those located at the malls. They open at mall hours and stay open till 5pm or 6pm. Government agencies and offices open from 8am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays; private firms from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Most commercial establishments stay open on Sundays and holidays. A Little Extra. Bellhops expect a small tip, as do waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, beauticians, and porters. Most hotels and restaurants add 10% service charge on top of the government tax so tipping is not necessary but always welcome. An extra 5% on top of the service charge is generous. Generally, a tip of 5-1 5% of the bill is appropriate if no service charge is included. Must Not Miss. The Spanish discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan landed in 1 521 and in 1 575, it became the 1st Spanish settlement in the country. The historical landmarks of Magellans Cross, Fort San Pedro, the Basilica Minore del Santo Nio and the Pari-an district give you a glimpse of Cebus rich past. Cebu is also known for its beaches and islands. Most resorts in Mactan offer a days stay if you happen to be in the city. Island hopping is also a popular must-do for a picnic and a swim in nearby marine sanctuaries. And there is Cebus lechon a pit-roasted pig with golden brown crisp skin and sinewy meat that is juicy and tender to the bite.

lifestyle destination magazine

Cebus premiere

Where AtC
ER 15 - JANU ARY 15 , 2012

NOVE MB

The Ch RISTM AS ISS Ue OF

Joyous Celebr ation

CeBU S PR eMIeR e LIFeS TYLe DeST INATIO N MA GAZIN e

EBU

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ays Its Ch ristmas in Cebu Lost in at Sim prayer ala 10 Scru Yuletid mptious e Good ies

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