Among the most populated centres in the Philippine archipelago is Cebu City, which can be found in an island of the same name. Geographically located to the south of the capital—and somewhere in the middle of the country, it is often called the Queen City of the South.

Aside from Manila, Cebu is the second most important city in the country when it comes to trade and commerce. With some characteristics of a metropolis and the laid-back qualities of a resort town, it has many attractions that have certainly drawn both tourists and businessmen to its shores. In fact, many local and foreign investors have put up businesses in this gem of a city. However, not all entrepreneurs that have tried their luck here have actually succeeded. Why? Because it has quite a fickle crowd, especially in the food and beverage industry. The locals are known for their very discerning palate, after all. Fortunately, here are some helpful pointers that may help an enterprise, such as a restaurant, succeed in Cebu.

1. Brainstorm

Of course, you can’t start any serious task without planning for it first. Make sure to get all the basics of your restaurant business down pat—i.e. niche, target market, location, and capital. You especially need to determine where the best commercial space for rent is, because any service-oriented business needs to be accessible to customers, after all.

2. KnowtheMarket

Conduct a survey or study on what might appeal to people in the area. This aspect is one of the most important things you have to determine in order to ascertain your business venture’s feasibility and probability of success.

3. GetNecessaryPermits

Businesses need all kinds of permits and government documents. In this case, since you will be putting it up in Cebu City, acquaint yourself with the city’s business laws and processes—at least with the basics. And to make sure, you don’t overlook anything, find some trustworthy legal aid to help you out.

4. FindFunding

Getting enough capital for the project is among the most difficult things to manage in a business venture, especially when you’re just starting out. However, with the help of silent partners, investors, or a bank loan maybe; you may very well be able to pull it off.

5. PicktheRightPeople

In the restaurant business, the place’s ambience and staff’s hospitality are as important as the food. So, make sure to hire amiable and accommodating people who know how to make diners feel comfortable.

6. BrewaKillerCampaign

Lastly, make sure that you get the word out. Devise clever but inexpensive ad campaign strategy. For instance, use the internet—particularly the blogosphere. Cebu has quite a thriving blog community that you can utilise. Invite bloggers to an event in your restaurant in exchange for a review post in their sites. Be sure to make their experience worthy of their time though, so they can truthfully write nice things about your establishment. That way, you would get a glowing endorsement and they would not have to compromise the integrity of their site.

Another thing that might help out is “consistency”. Make sure to offer all diners the same excellent service all the time, no matter the time of day or the type of customers. Word of mouth, after all, is also a powerful marketing tool.

Contributed by: Gina Ballesteros of Regus

Regus is an international company that offers a wide range of commercial spaces to clients from the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and more. You can get details about their products and services by visiting http://www.regus.com.ph/.

Underscoring the brand’s commitment to deliver world-class yet affordable beauty solutions to Filipinos, Flawless recently launched a summer campaign that highlights services that are meant to help everyone live the adventurous spirit of the summer season. Heralded by actress, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the new campaign is meant to encourage beauty and wellness aficionados to go out of their comfort zones to try new things and go more places.

“All of our efforts—including our marketing initiatives—have always been centered on idea of giving Filipinos the confidence to go after what they want,” shares Flawless’ CEO, Rubby Sy. “We believe that beauty has its purpose and that purpose is to empower us to live life to the fullest, free from reservations or hesitations.”

Stubborn bacne (back acne) stopping you from wearing that yellow backless dress to a luau? Avail of Flawless’ back cleaning services. Want to get rid of unwanted hair so you can flaunt those long legs at the beach? Flawless’ Laser Hair Removal has you covered. The brand uses nothing but the industry gold standard Light Sheer Diode Laser to give you a pain-free hair removal treatment.

For those who have ‘sweaty issues,’ Flawless also offers Sweatox, an FDA-approved treatment that uses small amounts of Botox to stop excessive perspiration by temporarily blocking signals that stimulate the sweat glands. Considered as ‘medical treatments,’ the company’s management mandates that only duly-licensed doctors are allowed to perform both Laser Hair Removal and Sweatox to ensure every patient’s safety and value for money.

Finally, for those who wish to make sure they stay camera-ready all season long by getting radiantly smooth skin, the Flawless Nano Power Peel is for you.  Easily one of the brand’s more popular services, Nano Power Peel is the country’s most advanced micro-dermabrassion treatment. Using genuine laser-cut diamond-tip applicators, Flawless’ Power Peel effectively exfoliates the skin surface, removing dead skin cells and promoting the growth of healthier cells for a smoother, more radiant and flawless complexion.

Known for continuously raising the bar for beauty excellence in the country, Flawless prides itself for introducing the country’s first ever affordable stem cell product line and facial treatment. Powered by Skin Professionals, at the very heart of the company’s operation is an esteemed line of well-trained aestheticians and medical doctors, stationed at each of the brand’s 35 strategically-placed clinics nationwide, who are all well-qualified to diagnose and prescribe solutions for a myriad of skin and body concerns.

For more information, you may log on to flawless.com.ph or visit any of their 35 clinics nationwide. You may also like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/FlawlessFaceandBody and follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/MyFlawless.

Source: PR from Flawless

Anyhow, in case you still don’t know, our favorite Ayala A Card, the access card for that ultimate Ayala Malls experience, just got an upgrade with the new BPI-Ayala Malls Amore Visa Card, the country’s first ever lifestyle card.

Amore Visa Card will replace Ayala’s A Card but this time with an embedded credit card functionality powered by BPI and Visa. A Card will be discontinued beginning February 2013. Aside from the credit card capability, cardholders will enjoy shopping rebates from 1% to 4% for every P1,000.00 spent in BPI-affiliated Ayala Mall establishments.

• 1% rebate for drugstores, supermarkets, schools, bookstores, school and office supplies, department and specialty retail stores, home furnishings and improvements, health and personal care, leisure and sports, electornics and household appliances, and services and utilites.
• 3% rebate for accessories, shoes, leather goods and clothing stores
• 4% rebate for restaurants

L – R: Ad Macatangay, Elaine Guzman, Jenny Musni, Rose Jose, Lucille Malazarte, Janet Lim, Fe Emlyn Boltron-Aleonar, Ma. Cristina Go, Kaye dela Paz, Ma. Angelica Florentino & Ezer Escolar

Opera Belles entertained the audience during the Amore Launch at The Terraces

Opera Belles

Amore Visa Card comes with the same privileges as the A Card, which includes:

1. Discounts and freebies in participating merchant stores across the Ayala Malls
2. Unlimited use of the Customer Lounges
3. Unlimited use of the Family Lounges
4. Exclusive invitations to movie block screenings, sale events, workshops and promotional activities
5. Seats to movie block screenings and workshops
6. Expresslane for Cinema ticket purchases
7. 5% discount on cinema ticket purchases
8. Exclusive freebies on special occasions

You can’t go wrong with BPI, soon to be the largest bank in the country after it shall seal the deal with PNB, and Ayala the authority on lifestyle shopping.

Shopping is fun and Amore Card made it even sexier. Anyhow, it’s about time to make that Christmas list so that I can use my Amore and show it some lovin!

The BPI Ayala Amore Team

BPI-Ayala Amore Visa card applications are accepted at the Ayala Malls concierge, All BPI Bank Branches and Express Banking centers or online at www.bpicards.com.

Aha, so why not a coffee party where Convenience meets Sophistication (winks). Coincidentally, Starbucks just launched in Cebu their “Starbucks Frappuccino Booth”. Bring the Starbucks experience on your next party to keep the guests awake and the banters alive. For employers, this one is perfect for perks too.

Starbucks Frappuccino Booth

Starbucks Frappuccino Booth is consists of two modular carts for on-site preparation and serving of Frappuccino blended beverages and Brewed Coffee. Customers may choose from two (2) available packages – Solo and Doppio package. The Solo package includes 100 Tall Frappucino blended beverages while the Doppio package includes 80 Tall Frappuccino blended beverages and 40 Short Brewed Coffee. Each package costs Php 14,00.00. It’s a Starbucks party for six hours.

As some kind of gratitude for reading this blog, I am giving away my 10% discount coupon for the Starbucks Frappuccino Booth to the first one who’ll ask for it. Surely, you know how to contact me.

My new French Press

Anyhow I’m so into coffee that I now have two coffee makers at home. First, the automatic drip-brew type which has been loyaly brewing fresh coffee for me every morning for almost a year already, and very recently, and thanks to Jezs Escario for this wonderful birthday “surprise”, the French Press which is perfect for those days when I need quick fix of a more potent brew to tame a banging head.

Yes, probably I’m an addict and that explains why I’m now “4/17 ” on my 2nd Starbucks 2013 planner stickers and, “10/12″  on the other coffeeshop. At least, I’m an addict with a well planned year ahead. The more planner means a more planned year, I guess. (Logic by Deduction) The most fashionable way to help  too. Alternatively, it could be used as a Christmas gift as well.

Oh, that’s my name  called at the counter (Starbucks Terraces, Ayala). Bye for now while I’m grabbing my Hotness!  Enjoy life and have it Venti!

Major Starbucks Outlet in Cebu are:

Starbucks Coffee
Address: 1A Garden Row, Ayala Center Mall, , , Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone No: (6332) 231-8456 / 8460

Starbucks Coffee
Address: SM City Cebu, , , Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone No: (6332) 231-6455

I wasn’t realy able to realize the importance on why our boarding school had to make this ridiculous number of basketball courts within our campus until it unfolded the moment I stepped out of school and learned to miss my friends, brothers.

SOM is my highschool alma mater

It occurred to me late that we actually forged friendship on those courts. Teamwork was played there. Unity was a must to win. More than the banters and jostling, it is actually a life play. Oh, I miss the good old days!

Anyways….

What about those communities which don’t have atleast one decent basketball court?

Alaxan FR is harnessing the power of the community through the Galing Mo! Campaign. This is a collaborative effort between small-town locals to construct these symbols of community and turn them into something that moves people to aim for greatness.

Court of Inspiration Volunteers from Casuntingan, Mandaue City

Last Sunday, I witnessed the locals from Casuntingan, Mandaue City coming together and united in desire to provide their community with its first real basketball court – “Court of Inspiration” under the campaign of Alaxan FR. The court will be completed after 21 days (approximately sometime early November 2012)

Upon completion the place will be filled with Legend Markers marking areas with powerful messages conveying accomplishments and legacies of basketball legends- inspiring the community to strive hard to accomplish the same and teach the locals to embody the values that make champions.

Casuntingan Barangay Officials with Alaxan’s Brand Manager Justing Tung and Court of Inspiration Volunteers

However, this is not something new for Alaxan FR, aside from Cebu, courts were already unveiled in Iloilo, Dumaguete, Butuan, Bacolod, Sarangani, Cagayan de Oro and Davao and will soon to break ground in Tacloban.

No pain no gain. A little sacrifice for a big change. This court will not just hone the skills but builds character as well.

I am particually anticipating for the unveiling of the court as PBA basketball legends already confirmed their attendance to play with local teams. This one just made it to my “I shouldn’t dare miss” list.

The movie is set in a remote mountain village in Cebu (this alone is already a come on) where an entire community discovers themselves solving brutal and mysterious deaths of their loved ones while fighting against the rising deads. You might say, this is so “Walking Dead” but hey, forget about the plot, you don’t want to use your brain, reserve it for the zombies. Watch this to be entertained like a boss, this movie delivers from its trailer alone. Here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGAEtKwyJyo.

The film has been proclaimed the Best Picture during the Macabre International Film Festival 2012 in Mexico City, Official Selection of the Fantaspoa International Film Festival in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and Official Selection of the Rojo Sangre Film Festival 2012 in Buenos Ares. It is directed by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga. Starring Rez Cortez, Mercedes Cabral, Donna Gimeno (from Damgo ni Eleuteria) and Franco Reyes (from the band FRANCO).

Brandon Relucio majored in Literature and Film Theory at Rutgers University. Majoring in Literature and Film Theory. Before moving to Manila in 2009, he lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn, freelancing for film projects, as well as other odd jobs. He has directed, shot, and edited films such as “Duo”, a documentary about an immigrant couple living in Brooklyn, and short films like “The Elephant Walk” and “The Unwanted Here”. He has also collaborated with street various artists and musicians as well as many non-profit projects. Ivan Zaldarriaga studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines in Cebu. He won the Best in Production Design Award for the movie, “The Leaving”, at the Cinemalaya New Breed Full Length Competition in 2010Di Ingon Nato is their first collaborative effort.

The film is currently on its regular run for commercial release exclusively in SM City Cebu and SM City Consolacion since October 31, 2012 up to November 6, 2012. You know how to contact me in case you wanna watch this with me but I reserved my right to call a trick or a treat!

I had the chance to try both Baka sa Gata and Beef Caldereta with Max’s chicken, I have to admit that the new pairings are quite eccentric but were surprisingly good. My personal favorite is Max’s Adobong Baka sa Gata. It’s like Bicol Express but with beef as the primary ingredient instead of the usual vegetables and pork. The heat and the creaminess of the coconut milk on the sauce is always a sure hit.

The Max’s bundle comes with one whole Max’s Fried Chicken, four serving of rice, four glassess of iced tea/soda and a choice of Max’s Adobong Baka sa Gata or Max’s Beef Caldereta for only P899.00, with P118.00 saving if they are ordered separately. This means P225.00 bill per person.

During the Max’s bloggers conference, Bobby Simborio, Corporate Media and PR Manager for Max’s Group of Companies also informed us of the other exciting good news from Max’s.

Cebu Bloggers at Max’s Restaurant

Chicken Take Out is now available for only P299.00 with free orignal Max’s Banana Ketchup and a bounce back coupon which shall entitle the holder to a P50.00 discount on the next whole Max’s chicken bought.

They also offer Max’s Christmas Party packages which are light on the pocket but heavy on the tummy.

Maxs Kiddie Party Packages Junior Master Chef

Max’s also partnered with ABS-CBN’s Junior Masterchef for children’s party concepts and packages. Cooking could also be a party!

Max’s caters delivery. Call 4158400 for your orders.

photo by: Jeemah Villaverde

I raided my closet for some rainbow costumes. Anything red would be Koreanish. I wore my colors (striped blue ¾ shirt from Loalde, red short pants from Oxygen and a black high cut shoes from Aldo with a coat/blazer from Maldita for that gangnam look), put down my bangs and sing out my lungs to some saranghae songs. It was a night when cameras outnumbered the microphones in its own territory and the flash was more important than echo and reverb. Here are some of our photos:

photo by: Jeemah Villaverde

photo grabbed from www.iluvcebu.com

photo grabbed from www.iluvcebu.com

Thank you Redbox for inviting us to celebrate your 1 year anniversary here in Cebu. Happy Birthday Redbox, more great and happy years ahead!

By the way, you can actually PARTY FOR FREE at REDBOX. Ayala Cinema ticket comes with a free redbox session from 7:00pm to 12:00 midnight. It’s gonna be Redbox after the movies. Brilliant, isn’t it? Call me when you are going to Redbox, I still have atleast 4 Ayala Cinema Tickets in my wallet.

FREE Redbox after the movies at Ayala Center Cinema

Meanwhile, I was with my cherished friends from print media (my second visit to Redbox on that week) to greet Northern Group Works Holding Corporation on their 9th year of doing good business here in Cebu.

NGWH is a holding company based in Cebu City serving over 1,000 customers globally for its transcription services through its Nothernworx KPO, a specialized busines process outsourcing company with expertise in call center operations, documentation and other back office solutions in the information technology and healthcare affiliate businesses.

NGWH diversified into other industries such as Holister Inc. for food service solutions to institutional customers, Kit Properties Inc., for real estate, Luminance Lighting Solutions Inc., for energy and lighting in commercial and public stakeholders, Northern Aquatech for industrial and municipal water treatment and coastal remediation solutions. Their expertise and solid reputation of 100% account retention in terms of quality and delivery is a sure formula to 99 more years of business success. Way to go! Now sing….

This post is in celebration of the opening of Bonchon Chicken in Ayala Center Cebu on October 1, 2012. While waiting for the lines to clear why not make your own bonchon chicken? Bonchon is actually a Korean word meaning “original village” apparently this chicken is from the Land of the Morning Calm. Double fried, sauced-up and always worth the 25-minute wait.

Chapchae is also an instant favorite. Korean glass noodle (a little bigger than our sotanghon) in sesame oil with sesame seeds, chicken and spinach. It’s comfort in a bowl. Recipe to follow on my next posts.

This is my rookie attempt to reenginer the fabled Bonchon Chicken. I hope they’ll take it as a compliment. Mimicry is the highest form of flattery.

BONCHON CHICKEN (FOOD HACK)

Ingredients:

• 1 kg Chicken wings (separate the drumette from the wing)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 chicken bouillon
• canola oil

Sauce:

• 8 tablespoons of Honey
• 4 tablespoons of mild soy sauce (Kikkoman)
• 2 teaspoons of Tabasco pepper sauce (optional)
• 1 glove of garlic , minced (maybe substituted with ginger)

Preparation:

1. Clean the chicken. Soak in cold water with ice for 10 minutes.
2. Mix flour, corn starch, pepper and chicken bouillon. You may use platic wrap for better coating.
3. Put the chicken inside the plastic wrap and coat lightly.
4. Heat up the fying pan then put canola oil.
5. Wait for the oil to heat up before frying the chicken.
6. Fry chicken 5 minutes per side.
7. Remove chicken from oil let it cool for 5 minutes.
8. Heat the oil again, toss the chicken. 2-3 minutes per side.
9. Drain the chicken with paper towels. Place chicken in a serving dish.

Honey Garlic Sauce

1. Heat pan combine honey, soy sauce and tabasco sauce together with the minced garlic.
2. Simmer and stir occasionally until it thickens to the desired consistency.
3. Drain the sauce using strainer to separte the garlic.
4. Drizzle sauce to the fried chicken.

It’s the sauce. Yum!

Next Recipe Chapchae

My version of Bonchon’s Chapchae with makeshift noodles. Still looking for that perfect korean glass noodles.

Best served with soju!