This coming Saturday , February 27, 2010, UPSTAGE will once again showcase Filipino culture as they give life to “Sa Ngalan sa Amahan”, a Cebuano play inspired from the Palanca Award Winning Play for One-Act Play “Sa Ngalan ng Ama” written by Roberto Jose de Guzman.

The play is tragic story of a family ruined by the autocratic ways of the father. It stresses the importance of family relations and how the country is shaped by the families composing it. Conflicts in the story do not only revolve around the family members but also involve the greater circles of the Philippine society. The lives and views of each of the family members carefully reflect the facets of our society.

Venue: SM Cinema 2

Schedule: February 27, 2010 10AM, 1PM, 4PM and 7PM (Gala)

Ticket prices are as follows:
Php100 – regular price
Php85 – student price (please show your Student ID)
Php150 – Gala Deluxe
Php200 – Gala Premiere

Tickets are available at the SM Cinema 2 entrance on the 27th.

Please contact 09224510944 or 09266597789 for inquiries.

February 10, 2010, the first concept store – shopToshiba at SM City Cebu was opened. This store is aimed to increased Toshiba’s market visibility in the retail of premium Toshiba Laptops in the Visayas. High quality and stylish laptops with the latest and emergent technology from Toshiba are showcased in the new shopToshiba Concept Store which brings together the complete notebook PC line into one.

During its opening, the hand gesture / hand motion user interface (HGUI) system was the head turner.

Imagine this, you are cooking and your hands are dirty, the hands-free enabled phone rang and it was your boss asking if you already read his email, you wanted to turn the volume down of the music playing in your laptop and check your boss’ email. Pretty messy right? Don’t worry, Toshiba Qosimo got it covered. You can now control your computer without dirtying your hands or the reverse. Toshiba has developed the HGUI system. Different hand gestures let you click, start, stop, pause, advance and rewind for example a video playing on a laptop.

We actually had some trouble getting the used of the controls but I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it. This awesome technology may still have a long way to go before they’re ready for primetime but surely its a milestone in laptop designs.

Me trying the latest Hand Gesture User Interface

Finally, this shop also comes with a service center. Customers may now have their notebooks checked while they stroll around the mall, or relax while they wait in the cool lounge area of iServ located within the shopToshiba Concept Store. This Service Center is a service location fully endorsed by Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd., where service personnel are fully certified by Toshiba and service parts used are originals supplied by Toshiba.

Photos by: Sinjin.ph

In keeping with the celebration, I am officially accepting ampaos (red money envelopes) for fortunes while taming my restless mind which anticipates for the great chinese food-fest especially for that tasty duck once again. I just love the strong Chinese emotions in the air on this day.

The first good news of the year is that SM City Cebu is organizing a Chinese New Year’s Eve Fire Lantern Ceremony at the Northwing this Saturday, February 13, 2010. Rekindle hope by making a wish or prayer and releasing fire lanterns into the sky. A symbolic activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Fire Lantern Releasing

To join just simply shop or dine at any SM City Cebu Main Mall or Northwing restaurants/food outlets on February 13. A single purchase receipt of at least P800 will get you a free pass to participate in the said event.

Meanwhile, here are other events to look forward to at SM City Cebu on this season of love and good fortune!

May the year leads you to the path of GOOD FORTUNE. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

It is a fact that bloggers feel greater belonging to a group of like-minded people with interests and ways of thinking similar to their own. Cebu Bloggers cemented this bond among its members. It has functioned as a safe space where members seek out other for mutual feedback and support – “sometimes even love”, fostering a sense of security and help. It relieved isolation and/or alienation. I for one had a dramatic numerical improvement in terms of social support and friendship networks.

Now, this emerging group is already will be celebrating its 2nd founding anniversary! Dubbed as CBS @ 2: The Cebu Bloggers Society 2nd Anniversary Celebration, the event is envisioned to further strengthen the bond of friendship and camaraderie within the blogging community.

The anniversary celebration will be held Sunday, February 14, 2010, 5-9PM, at the Celebration Hall of SM Storyland, Lower Ground Floor, SM City Cebu.

SPONSORS: Batang Yagit Jehzeel Laurente

2. Don’t ignore lose coins and bills. If you will be commuting, you badly need those coins and bills. If riding a taxi, the driver would only demand for the exact amount reflected on the meter. Nevertheless, a tip is always welcome though. Cebuanos love generous tourists.

The Famous Magellan's Cross at Cebu City, Philippines

FASHION
3. Cebu weather is almost the same all year round. It’s hot in here, literally. Cebu crowd would always wear comfortable clothes, almost like in a vacation mode everyday. Flashy attires are reserved for late evening parties on the hippest bars within the City. During day time, people at the malls are usually in their jeans or shorts paired with updated tops or vintage shirts. Trendy and sexy accessories is a must if you want to make a statement. Fashionable and shimmering bib necklaces is a sure head turner. If in doubt go for something simple and classy – two adjectives that best describe Cebuano fashion.

TIME MANAGEMENT
4. Except if you have an earlier appointment in your itinerary, waking up time should be 8 or 9 in the morning. Malls and tourist spots usually open at 10 in the morning. However, if you are staying in a hotel with a good beach, enjoying the 6 to 9 a.m. sun for a little bronze effect on the skin is a must.

PAMPERINGS
5. Vacation in Cebu is couldn’t be defined without self pamperings. Bestow upon your self an indulgence of a Cebuano touch. Get your self a relaxing massage in the comfort of your hotel room in SPA scattered in every nooks and corners of the City. Body Massage services ranges from P150 to P300. For a luxurious treat, you may try Chi Spa at the Shangrila Mactan Resort Hotel.

Happy Cebu Summer Vacation!

Sumilon Island, Cebu, Philippines

1. Get low-airfare tickets from promos of leading airlines. Cebu Pacific is known for giving promos including the P1.00 airfare tickets. Check out Cebu Pacific website for details. You may subscribe to receive airfare promo ads in your email.
2. Formulate a vacation theme. Your summer vacation theme in Cebu is endless, it may be by the beach, metropolitan living, heritage tour, religious pilgrimage or even extreme adventures. Adopting one theme will make vacation planning a breeze.
3. Reserve/Book hotels earlier. Plan where will you stay. Although in Cebu everything is within your reach it would still be advisable if you will plan your hotel/stay to go along with your itinerary and planned vaction theme. I wish there would be a site like that of Accommodation Melbourne where hotel booking is easy and simple. It lets you book your hotels in Melbourne, Australia while just surfing the internet. In addition to that, Accomodation Melbourne also offers discounts for its patron. I wish there would be a centralized Cebu Accommodation website that would replicate Accommodation Melbourne .
4. Plan your day activity but reserve at least 3 hours for some “mindless indulgence”.
5. Try to tap your Cebuano friends for a city tour. Locals are the best tourist guides.

The forum aims to provide the people of Cebu and the Visayas, especially the business community, a chance to meet and hear the presidential candidates and know their positions on issues related to the economy, education, social services, governance, and environment.

Around a thousand representatives from the business community, academe, youth, media and the labor sector are expected to attend. Select political analysts from the state and private universities in Cebu will also be part of the audience.

The forum will be covered live by Sky Cable and will be aired on block time by the ABS-CBN network in Visayas and Mindanao. ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol and radio station DYAB will also cover the event live and will run a text voting/survey and mock election during the forum.

This event is brought to us by the three major business Chambers in Cebu Province namely, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Cebu Business Club (CBC).

Event Details
What: Choices and Voices for 2010: An Encounter with the Presidentiables
Where: Cebu International Convention Center
When: January 22, 2010 (Friday) at 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Ticket Price: Php 250.00 (CCCI is giving it for free but limited seats only)
Contact Person: CCCI through Keishma Arreza / Mark
Contact Number: 2321422-24 local 105/104

Note: Please come on time. Doors will be closed by 4:00 PM

Source: http://www.cebubusinesswebportal.com

Concert Details:

Producers: Channel V Philippines with Metro
Venue: SM Cebu North Annex Parking
When: February 5, 2010 (Friday) at 7:30 in the evening

Ticket Prices:
VIP - Php 5,268.00
Gold - Php 3,160.80
Silver – Php 1,053.60
Bronze – Php 526. 80

Where to buy tickets?

1. SM Customer Service
2. Robinsons CEBU (inside Robinsons Department Store customer service section)

Buy tickets online at www.ticketworld.com.ph

Finally, the result for Ms. Cebu 2010 is already announced in a televised ceremony which concluded this prestigious beauty and brain contest. Ms. Cebu 2010 winners were crowned last January 12, 2010 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino which was also aired at Studio 23.

I am delighted that my two favorite candidates were among the top 5 contestants; Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon and Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan. These two lovely and beautiful ladies were my bets, the former being an effervescent and effective host of ABS-CBN Sunday show MagTV and the latter being a student of the University of San Jose-Recoletos where I am part time teaching.

Carole Monique "Blinky" A. De Leon

Rogelie "Rej" A. Catcutan

The following is the List of Ms. Cebu 2010 Winners

4th runner-up: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
3rd runner-up: Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan
2nd runner-up: Candidate #10: Maria Eliza “Liza” R. Zosa
1st runner-up: Candidate #1: Maria Gresa “Gresa” M. Lugo
Miss Cebu 2010 and Kapamilya Star of the Night: Candidate #4: Reena Elena “Reena” A. Malinao

Special Awards:

Miss Friendship: Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan
Miss Photogenic: Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan
Miss Belo Star White Skin: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
Miss Belo Body Beautiful: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
Best in Evening Gown: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
Best Evening Gown Designer: Cary Santiago (gown worn by Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon)
Lifetime Achievement Awardee: Felix Yu

With all due respect to the official result, this author wants to imagine indulgently that the result was supposedly in reversed order. Nonetheless, I convey my highest felicitations to the winners especially to the New Ms. Cebu! Congratulations to Ms. Reena Elena A. Malinao! The name says it all!

Miss Cebu 2010 - Ms. Reena Elena A. Malinao

Would this be another Ms. Cebu controversy or would this silenced Ms. Cebu detractors?

ASAP's Kanto Boys Live in Sinulog 2010

Kanto Boys Live in Sinulog

Watch Billy Crawford, Luis Manzano, Vhong Navarro and John Lloyd Cruz in their first concert ever as ASAP’s Kanto Boys at Cebu Intenational Convention Center at Mandaue City, Cebu. With their special guests Pooh, The Streetboys and Ms. Anne Curtis. This concert is brought to us by ASAP Live and MJM Productions.

Ticket Prices:
3,000
2,500
1,500
800
500 (SRO)

Ticket Outlets:
SM Cebu Customer Service
Ayala Center Cebu Customer Service
Parklane Hotel
96.3 WRock

Sam and Pokwang: One Night Only!0

Sam Milby and Pokwang: ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Be there at the Cebu Coliseum, Sanciangko St., Cebu City on January 16, 2009, 8:00 PM and jam with the undisputed Rockoustic heartthrob, Sam Milby, and the newly enthroned queen of live comedy, Pokwang! These two prime performers will entertain you with their songs and antics that will surely kick off the Sinulog 2010 fever in Cebu.

Ticket Prices:
Arena Tickets (reserved seats): Php 999.00
Lowerbox Tickets (reserved seats): Php 799.00
Upperbox Tickets (free seating): Php 499.00
General Admission (free seating): Php 120.00

For ticket inquiries and early reservations:
(032) 4127523 | (032) 3160694 | 0922.4501576 | 0917.7021579 and look for Chaty, Norman or Joey.

For more information and online reservations, you may visit http://onenightonlycebu.com.

Ai-ai, Ganda and Nanay Dionisia

Ai-ai, Ganda & Nanay Dionisia!

A one night performance with the riot tandem of Ai-ai delas Alas, Vice Ganda and Pacmom Nanay Dionesia at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino at Lahug, Cebu City. With Hot Guests to swoon the ladies and the lady-wannabes Derek Ramsey, Jon Avila, Hansen Nichols, Chivas Malunda and Mr. Gabby Concepcion.

Ticket Prizes
VIP: 2,400 (Reserved Seats)
Patron: 1,400 (Free Seating)
Balcony: 550

Surely, these concerts will make Cebuano baffled as to where to go! Viva Pit Senyor!

It seems that as I grow older, the more I realized that wandering is not bad after all. More so, that for this vice I was even recognized by some group of popular bloggers as Best Cebu Blogger for 2009. LaagCebu.com (wandering in Cebu) is proclaimed as 2009’s Best Cebu Blog. Maybe Mom will make a paradigm shift if she will know this.

Best Cebu Blog 2009 Badge

This blog was conceived because of my passion in roaming the whole province of Cebu. The journey started at the time I feel the need to step up my blogging habit which I discovered four years earlier. I bought my first domain and hosting last June through the help of an extraordinary kid. This blog aims to inform every traveler, locals and visitors alike of the latest happenings and events around Cebu. This site shall provide them with the necessary general to specific details of the events and must-trys within Cebu.

There were moments where I feel exhausted with these seemingly reiterated journeys. I was at the point of deciding to hang my sandals for good. But, I wish I know how to quit it. Indeed, it is like a bad habit so extremely difficult to break. It is even harder since I had been constantly surrounded with young and enthusiastic bloggers who never fail to inspire me to continue with this foray.

In accepting this award, I am thanking the Cebu Bloggers Society for its unceasing and continuous support to all its members, me included, to come up with quality blogs as we promote our beloved Cebu. It is from this organization that we draw our strength and courage to pursue our paths to online greatness as we lead the way and leave a trail for other bloggers. Let’s keep it up.

My gratitude and appreciation to the organizers of BCB (Best Cebu Blogs) Mark Monta of bugits.com and company. Thank you to the judges Jehzeel Laurente, Nancy Cudis and Ariel Lalisan for their time and indulgence in exploring our humble online abodes.

Winners are:

1. Laag Cebu
2. Hungit Cebu
3. SoloflightEd
4. Kevin Ray Chua
5. iBeejing
6. McBilly
7. PINOYWORLD Philippines
8. d’MusicBox
9. Cebu Festivals
10. Kiatan

What a good start for 2010. Happy New Year everyone. Have a good one!

Christmas is magical. Despite the hardships hurdled earlier this year, Christmas comes with a sense of hope and renewal coupled with a constant assurance of a good life ahead no matter what. Kraft’s Eden Cheese Keso de Gallo captures this message so well by bringing innovative native dish for churchgoers to feast after the dawn mass just like one big happy family. Good food will always bring together a family. No Filipino Christmas is celebrated without good food. It is on this aspect that Eden is able to help homemakers concoct sumptuous Noche Buena feast for the whole family.

Eden is known for its quality and wholesome taste. It has become a staple of every discerning foodie’s kitchen including mine. I only cook twice a year, and that is on Christmas and New Year and I never missed having Eden on my ingredients list for my dishes from the simplest nachos and salads to spaghettis and morcons. Eden has always been there to make my dish more sumptuous.

The yummy Mixed Vegetable Maja Con Keso

Mrs. Lorna Angcay

In Cebu, Keso de Gallo was held at Fatima Parish at Basak, Mandaue City. We were served with Mixed Vegetable Maja Con Keso with some hot tsokolate. The Veggie Maja with Cheese was sweet and creamy like an ice cream. I never thought that there was a squash in it. It tasted like an upgraded yemma. This winning recipe’s creator is student Hazel Estorba with teacher Mrs. Lorna Angcay of San Nicolas Elementary School, Cebu City.

Ms. Amor Maclang of GeiserMaclang and Ms. Janet Toral of Digital Filipino

Mr. Alex Tacderas, Category Marketing Manager for Cheese and Spoonables, Kraft Foods Philippines

For more cheesy recipes including those featured during the Keso de Gallo event, this author suggests that you become a member of SarapNgBuhay.com to access to a multitude of dishes you can prepare with your Kraft Eden Cheese. In fact, just very recently, on December 14, 2009 the Philippines broke the world record held by India in the most number of dish cooked using cheese in one venue. The Philippines was able to cook 5,845 dishes beating India’s 4,800 record. With this number of dishes, I will not be surprise when someday an Iron Chef of America episode will make Eden Cheese as the secret ingredient.

Sarap ng Buhay, sobrang cheesy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Balaanong Bahandi (Book Jacket/Front Page)

Balaanong Bahandi is your ultimate guide to the Archdiocese’s architectural heritage. It features more than 260 pages of full color photographs of various parish churches in the archdiocese Cebu from the earliest missions to contemporary parishes, including all of the outstanding artistry they contain, from bas-reliefs. Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu is published by the Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Inc. and the University of San Carlos Press.

I was one of the invited guests for the launching at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu on November 26, 2009 for this collector’s must-have. I was also honored to meet some of the photographers who painstakingly put on their efforts to realize this marvelous undertaking to document the magnificent churches of Cebu in a color and art extravaganza. Some of them were familiar online personalities from Skyscrapercity Cebu and known blogs that I followed, they are Estan Cabigas, Lorenz Gibb Lapinid, Mark Andrew Jorolan. Other contributors are Gil Maningo, Fr. Jun Rebayla, SVD, Carlos Apuhin, Rudy Alix. Various personalities in Cebu including the governor herself Gwendolyn Garcia and Cardinal Ricardo Vidal attended the event.

There are only 800 copies left. No planned for reprints yet.

Thanks to knightcarl for the invite.

For inquiries
Email: knightcarl[at]cebuheritage[dot]com.

On the second day from their opening last November 11, 2009 I immediately check out their menu to try something new. I was specifically interested with their pizza. I was curious of what is in it that “others” don’t have.

Checking the Menu:

Brasco Pizza & Pasta serves a variety of pizza flavors to choose from, which comes in 10″ (Big), 14″(Large) and 20″(Biggest) dimensions. The price range is from P119.00 for the 10″ Marga up to the most expensive 20″ Marinara Pizza which is valued at P812.00. There are some interesting pizzas in their fancy and very catchy names compelling me to plan for my next visits.

For now, we tried the 14″ Brasco Pizza which is good and perfect for a group of five at a P410.00 value. We also tried their pastas, we were served with Meaty Spaghetti and my favorite “the winner” Pasta with Tomatoes and Aligue (Crab roe).

The taste of the pizza was at par with the authentic, this is because according to the owner, they imported almost all of their ingredients just to perfect their recipe and please their diners. The owners aimed to introduced premium pizza at a lower cost. Pizza was so yummy especially if sprinkled with freshly ground pepper on top. Watch out for the pepper container, it is battery operated.

For the dessert, we had mango shake and four seasons. The four seasons was fresh and very refreshing. Four fruits in one drink was an instant hit. You have to try this. Forget about “other” four seasons this one is so much better.

But the take home winner is the Brasco Crazzy Bliss (P95.00) or in some other restaurant this is called “brownie ala mode”. At Brasco they used Butterbean brownie (incidentally, the owner of Butterbean is also the owner of Brasco) topped with their homemade sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream. Its another must try.

Picture 1: Facade of the store
Picture 2: Me with CBS
Picture 3: CBS Group with owners Ingrid and Bryan.

For BRASCO PIZZA DELIVERIES:

Telephone Number: 5057924 or 5114018

The Gallery is located at San Jose dela Montana / Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo
In front of San Carlos Seminary and IPI.

Philippine Stagers Foundation in cooperation with the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation (BSAF) through its I Am Ninoy Campaign presents a grand musicale in order to humanize our modern-day hero. Billed as “Ako si Ninoy”, this Filipino Musicale will give life to Ninoy as he co-relates his life to various ordinary Filipinos. The core message of the stage musical is the selfless giving of oneself for our countrymen and women and for the advancement of our country as a whole. Indeed, there is a Ninoy in all of us and heroism can also be accomplished through ordinary ways.

“AKO SI NINOY” is PSF’s biggest project to date. Aliw Awardee Vincent Tañada writes the libretto and directs the play. ABS-CBN’s Musical Director, Pipo Cifra composes and arranges the music accompanied by the UST Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Prof. Herminigildo Ranera. Production Management is by Jeffrey Ambrosio, Marketing Management by Christian Lim, Stage Management and Choreography by John San Antonio, Lights Design by Art Gabrentina, Costume Design by Emy Tañada and featuring more than forty homegrown cast members led by Kierwin Larena, Cindy Liper, Patrick Libao, Monique Azereda, Chin Ortega, Jordan Ladra, Cherry Bagtas, Allison Gonzales, Miel Reysantos, Tere Tajan, Aliw Awards Finalist Glory Anne Nacional, Alex Dorola, Jomar Bautista, Anne Gonzales and Gabby Bautista.

Tickets:
350.00
500.00
700.00
1,200.00

Contact Numbers:
Red Tag – 032-2388388