Cebu Events

I know, this blog won't be any good without pictures, so don't worry I'll post pictures in this blog soon. I just can't help but share with you the happenings that I've joined in here in the Queen City of the South - Cebu.

August is indeed an exciting month, well July was far more interesting as that's my special month. Nonetheless, excitement is relative, defined by how we can turn our somewhat boring daily life - which can sometimes be so routinary -  into something extraordinary.

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Ok, lets start with the Havaianas Party. For the first time I was able to get an invitation into this very very talk of the town party. Well not really party with food, booz and all... but party in the sense that you go berserk trying to figure out which combination of sole and whatever-you-call-these-things-that-go-between-your-toes, as well as the four free pins that will make your flipflop trully yours. An original so to speak. Now if that is not a party, then I don't want to go to the party as per your definition.

I chose a green sole and a gold glittery whatever-thing. I figured that if I'm gonna wear an expensive slipper then it should better catch the attention of people, right? Otherwise, if its just for comfort, I'd rather stick with my good ole' Islander.

The pins I chose were vinta, noypi, jeep and limited edition. Yes, its really very very Filipino and I'm proud of it. Oh, I should have gotten a red-yellow-blue combination.

Thanks, Bigseed, Ja and April for the great invit!

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Well, after the party, Jen (our editorial assistant for lifestyle) and I met up with her friends from Islands Group, the group responsible for the Islands Banca Cruises and the Islands souvenir items like shirts and all.

We had our fill at Casa Verde at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu. I had fish and chips, which, aside from its huge serving size, does poorly in the taste factor. And yes, the fish is all covered with flour and batter. I'd say is more of like *fish*, batter and chips. Mind you, since they have grown popular their prices have skyrocketed. A P90 (roughly around US$2) ribs now fetches for around P200!

But, its not the food that I should be talking about here. The thing is, Chai (Jen's BFF) brought along their boss, who is to resign in the company in, lets say, maybe several days from now? So, anyway, somehow he has this gift and he asked me to write things that comes first in my mind. He then gave some unsolicited advice after the little exercise.

I would say that I liked my advice and somewhat affirms my desire to go into a monastery and devote my life to solitude and prayer. I've always thought about this, and I have in fact given myself until the age of 40 to finally give up this sinful life (char!).

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So, be a priest or be a writter? Can't I have both?

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Yesterday, Anvil Publishing launched the book Finding God, a compilation of true inspiring stories about true people who found God in their own little ways. These are ordinary people of varied experiences.

One of the authors is our Lifestyle Executive Editor, Marlinda Angbetic Tan, and her essay was one of the firsts I read. Her story is so beautiful and inspiring, and now I could say that she is indeed a woman who is a testament to the healing power of prayer. My respect for my editor has strengthened, and it would indeed be an honor to work for her. 

Ok, don't say I'm saying this because she's my boss. Read her story, get a copy of Finding God and be inspired with the healing power of prayer.

Here's a part of the poem that she wrote, which came out as part of her story in the book:

On the cross hangs scorching
A crown of some woven kindling
Now ablaze after half a century
Spewing out sparks of a memor

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By the way, thanks to Mr. Allen Tan for the Swirl Card, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's loyalty card.

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Also, a columnist in our section, Archie Mondequillo, premiered his indie film dubbed Sangtuwaryo (Sanctuary). Its a story about how illegal fishers are having a hard time changing their ways, and how other fisherfolks are enticed into this illegal activity because of circumstance.

Despite the need, there are still however, a few who have come to realize the evils of dynamite fishing and using very fine fishnets.

I hope to get a copy of this movie so that I'd be able to show this to the kids of the schools that I'll be visiting in the coming days.

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Last night, after the Finding God book launching, Jen, Aldo (our photographer) and Ms. Divine (our community/corporate editor) went to celebrate with Formo, their fourth year anniversary. That time they had an open bar for the Orange Mojito. And I had more or less ten of it.

Who else were there? Joeberth (our copy editor) was there with his friends, Waterfront Hotel's Maebelle, and Marco Polo Hotel's Belle. Tessa, the bar manager was very very accommodating and we had a great time.

Formo is Cebu's top lounge bar that not only attracts beautiful people, but also serves great food and mixes the best cocktails I've ever tasted. Although, to be honest I'm more of a Red Horse kind of guy.

For their anniversary, they are introducing four new Mojito flavors and I tasted the orange-flavored one last night. Tonight, I plan to go back, but maybe after a nice sweaty time at the Queen of Stone Spa, which Ms. Divine and I plans to go to in a few hours from now.

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By the way, as a footnote, I would like to congratulate the Cebu Design Education Foundation for opening the Chiye Mori library at Rivergate Building. The library is open to everybody, and I was told that as of the moment, they don't charge a centavo. The collection if very extensive, and interesting at that. I found a book on editorial cartooning circa early 1980's.