Where at Cebu July 15-September 15

The FAShION ISSUe OF CeBU’S PReMIeRe LIFeSTYLe DeSTINATION MAGAZINe

Where AtCEBUJULY 15 - SEPTEMBER 15 2012

MADE in Cebu

Designer Spotlight - Cary Santiago

Bohol Beckons

10 Mystic Pizzas

Cebu at theCenter

where at | JaNUarY - MarCh 2011

WHERE AT | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

5 | SCENE

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.

U KitChen RevealedThe 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.

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

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

Hans Hauri

An unprecedented crowd enjoys the live entertainment.

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.

Edman and Grace Absin, Jan Urbina, Greta Canoy, Lita and Ricardo Urbina, Raki and Cecil Urbina, Jill and Kelly Viado

Carol Sy is flanked by VIP guests and Annie Garcia.

Melanie Ng, Lita Urbina and Wilson Ng

Teresin Mendezona, Philip Rodriguez and Albert Garbanzos

3 | INSIDE


Scene5 U Kitchen Revealed SM City Consolacion Opens

Diversions6 Events that matter in and around Cebu

Handpicked8 It’s Not Just About Fashion

Noshing10 Coming Home, U Kitchen Hip Hopping 16 The Road Well Traveled, A second look at Bohol

Where AtCEBUJULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

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

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

Dossier23 10 Mystic Pizzas, The best hot, crisp and gooey pizzas

Spotlight27 Cary Santiago, Haute Couture, Inside the designer’s creative process

Where32 Our directory of places to stay and dine around the metro

Big Help34 A few tips on visiting Cebu

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Editor MariCris B. Encarnacion

Art dirEctor Butchie D. Peña

StAFF PhotogrAPhErS Erwin Lim, Dan Douglas Ong

EditoriAl ASSiStAnt Fabienne Bucher

contributorS Chubby Atillo, Jude Bacalso

Print Production CGKformaprint, Inc.

Made in Cebu

Where AtCEBUJULY 15 - SEPTEMBER 15 2012

4 | listEn

C 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 ladies—a beauty queen plus a newly wed bride. Thanks to them, we did not take Bohol’s 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 Giuseppe’s Panglao, with not

one but two Giuseppe’s – 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 brother’s 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 aren’t working when you love what you do.

Where at Cebu is published bi-monthly by Where At Freezines, inc.901 Sage house, 110 V.A. rufino Street, legaspi Village, Makati city, Philippines

Please email us at [email protected] for your comments and advertising needs. We are now on : Where At cebu


6 | DIVERSIONS6 | DIVERSIONS

9BALL CHALLENGEJuly 19-22, 10:00am-8:00pmCebu Trade Hall

SM LITTLE STARS 2012ELIMINATIoNJuly 22, 3:00pmEvent CentreREGIoNAL FINALSAugust 12, 3:00pmEvent Centre

MAKE YoUR oWN HAVAIANASAugust 2-5, Mall HoursNorthwing Atrium

ACoUSTIC WEEKENDSWednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays6:00-8:00pmNorthwing Atrium

MYPHoNE DANCE TEENVASIoNJuly 28, 2:00pmEvent Centre

SM CITY CEBU

CEBU GOES CULINARYAugust 3-4One Cebu ExpoCebu’s 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 PHILIPPINESAugust 4-5One 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-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Mactan Island; and culminating in a 13.1-mile run through Punta Engaño, LapuLapu City.

NATIONAL HEROES DAYAugust 27A national holiday commemorating the country’s heroes throughout history.

where at | JaNUarY - MarCh 2011

8 | handpicked


Fashionable Grace

Ring Art

Learn from the Masters

Havaianas Grace is a sleek and great addition to your summer ensemble. Fashioned after the gladiator sandals, it’s 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.

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 [email protected]

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

The biko or sticky rice cake by Manang Lima is wickedly irresistible. It’s gooey, it’s rich, it’s like eating a toffee pudding only better.Available for dine-in or take-out at all Zubuchon restaurants: One Mango Place, Escario and Mactan.

8 | handpicked

It’s Not Just About Fashion

Rice to the Occasion

10 | noshing

where at | JULY - SePteMBer 2012

BY MARICRIS B. EnCARnACIon photogRAphS BY ERwIn t. LIM

10 | noshing

Clockwise from top left: the restaurant’s 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.

A gleaming modern 4-storey building stands where Lita Urbina’s 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

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 Kitchen’s 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.

Cominghome

11 | SM SHOPPING

where at | jULY - SePteMBer 2012

Keep the children entertained and happy. Places to visit, things to do at home

and a pet to love.

Child's Play

Follow us on Facebook: SM City Cebu (Official) • Free Zone.

North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, • Tel. Nos. (032) 231 3446 to 47 and Fax No. (032) 231 2079

BiBoLGF Main Mall

An activity area with fun games, rides and activities that will keep the children

occupied for hours.

LittLe 1’s ChiLdren’s PLayGround

3F Main MallA safe place for smaller kids to enjoy, play and interact with other children.

MasCot PetsLGF Main Mall

A puppy is a child’s best friend.

odysseyuGF Main Mall

Learning can be entertaining with Discovery Channel DVD

boxed sets.


12 | sm shopping

What woman doesn’t dress the part? Dress up and accessorize. The options are endless.

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 fashion-

able outfits.Tela Fabrica

LGF Main Mall

The latest in style, from dresses to bags and fashion

accessories.Maldita

2F Main Mall

Get fashion creative with your choice

of fabric and embellishments.

Chester EnterprisesLGF Main Mall

13 | sm shopping


Music is food for the soul and men take their music seriously. As for sports, it’s all part of the game.

MUSic, SPortS and Men

Choose your instrument and

learn how to play.A. Salonga

LGF Main Mall

The ultimate in equipment for the

audiophile that knows what quality is.

Soundroom3F Main Mall

Rock in style with guitars that look as good as they sound.

JB Music3F Main Mall

Badminton remains a popular sport. Outfit yourself with

rackets that help make your swing spring.

JB SportsLGF Main Mall


13 | sm shopping

14 | SM Shopping


A popular restaurant choice for Filipino food.

Golden CowrieLGF Main Mall

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

Cebu Favorites

Chinese dimsum that is uniquely Cebuano.

Harbour CityLGF Main Mall

Seafood Marinara pasta is just one of many menu

choices.The Old Spaghetti House

UGF Main Mall

Crispy Noodles with Seafood and Fried Bread,

definitely not to be missed.

Majestic Chinese Cuisine3F Main Mall

The Sun Classic, 3 pieces of juicy fried

chicken, cole slaw, rice and fries.Sunburst

UGF Main Mall

15 | SM Shopping


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

EvErything UndEr OnE rOOf

Books, pamphlets and religious paraphernalia for

prayer and inspiration.St. Paul’s

LGF Main Mall

Build a career by getting an IT education.Informatics

LGF Main Mall

Beauty services for everyone.Annie’s Beauty World

3F Main Mall


16 | HIPHOPPING16 | HIPHOPPING


17 | HIPHOPPING17 | HIPHOPPING

A Road Well TraveledBY mARicRis B. encARnAcion | phoTogRAphs BY eRWin T. Lim

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

Baclayon


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.

Bohol 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 there’s 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.I’ve been to Bohol many times and I avoid doing the expected. It’s 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.

The Hills are AliveOur 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 doesn’t matter how many times you see this natural wonder, it grips you every

single time. The Php100 entrance fee is a small price to pay to lay witness to nature’s majesty. Nocturnal Tarsiers The Philippine tarsier is usually referred to as the world’s 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


19 | HIPHOPPING

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.

that meander through the young man-made 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. 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 don’t take advantage of guests by selling at jacked up “tourist prices”.

Baclayon and HistoryAt the center of this destination is the 16th century Church of Our Lady

of the Immaculate Conception. But before making that stop, a quick visit to Osang’s 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 Osang’s 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 RestoredThe 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


Clocwise from top left: Osang’s broas get toasted on the ribs of coconut fronds over charcoal embers; The Philippine tarsier of Bohol, Yoda-like creatures whose wide eyes remain unblinking; Bohol Bee Farm’s 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 Bohol’s craftsmen. A charming coffee shop Café 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 LobocThe Loboc River Cruise has never been in my list of things to do while

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.

20 | HIPHOPPING


21 | HIPHOPPING

Clockwise from top: The honeymoon pool Villa’s 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 FarmWe 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 ResortOur 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

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.


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.

22 | HIPHOPPING


23 | DOSSIER

BY Maricris B. Encarnacionphotographs BY Dan Douglas ong

10Mystic Pizzas

Who doesn’t eat pizza? i don’t know anyone who doesn’t, 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 cebu’s 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.

24 | DOSSIER


1

3 contadinaIt 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-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City. Tel. (32) 231 0288

Flatbread pizzaThe 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 Engaño Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City. Tel. (32) 495 3461, 236 0311. www.theabacagroup.com

2 DiavolaTomato, mozzarella, onions and spicy salamino. Honestly though, it doesn’t really matter what you put on your pizza. They are all good, with Giuseppe’s crust perfectly crisp and chewy. Wood-fired oven built by Giuseppe Genco, but of course.

Giuseppe’s Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast, Maria Luisa Road, Banilad. Tel. (32) 343 9901


25 | DOSSIER

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

4 5

MargheritaChef 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

Osmeña Blvd., corner Juan Luna Ave.

Tel. (32) 402 9900 loc. 3400/3430

6

pizza sale sucreFrench style pizza that is surprisingly quite a treat. Crème white (sic), chicken, ham, apple, goat cheese, mozzarella, honey – a combination of salty and sweet that works.

Macaron Tango Café, #5 Centro Arcade, Capitol Site, Osmeña Blvd. Tel. (32) 412 5151

robertinoTomato, mozzarella, farmer’s 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

7WHERE AT | JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

26 | DOSSIER


pizza cebuanaAs its name suggests, it isn’t 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

all Meat pizzaIt 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. Osmeña 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

8

9

r. FratelliThis 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.

Ryan’s Pizzarelli House, 181-D Maria Christina Ext., Bgy. Camputhaw. Tel. (32) 354 9475. They deliver.

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27 | SPOTLIGHT

Haute Couture

Cary Santiago

By Jude A. BACAlSo | pHotogrApHS By dAn douglAS ong

17 | SPOTLIGHT27 | SPOTLIGHT


the work goes on at the designer’s atelier.

28 | SPOTLIGHT

Cary 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, don’t 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 Santiago’s plan to open an atelier in Manila. Believed by many to be a symptom and natural conse-quence of success, and in many cases, a presumption of both…the 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

in Cebu, and we don’t 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 name…a 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 collec-tions year round!” he says, with his signature flourish in the air, like drap-ing the empty space with invisible bolts of cloth. For 12 years, he was the creative—and 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 things…old 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 families—from the better-documented European to the Asian dynasties—as 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 back”—fingers twisting to knot the dainty signature, wrapping it up nicely. Like a gift of perfection.

At the client’s 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 client’s 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 that’s 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


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 Casino’s Pacific Grand Ballroom), has striven to elevate the image of homosexual men in the immediate community, and further their rights in society.

And perfection is never more true than in his every gown: a prototype for the new collection is another feat in construction. Suspended in mid-air, 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.”

Clockwise from top left: Cary drapes directly onto a client’s form, meticulously constructing a couture masterpiece; From the latest men’s 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.

30 | SPOTLIGHT


31 | SPOTLIGHT31 | SPOTLIGHT

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


32 | WHERE Our Guide

California-Mediterranean. A full service restaurant and bar featuring

the cuisine of Australian Chef Wade Watson. recognized as one of Cebu’s top restaurants, it is part of the Abacá 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.

www.theabacagroup.com Punta engaño road, Mactan island

Lapu-Lapu City Tel. (32) 495 3461/236 0311

Modern American 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

á cafeabacá

Casual restaurant and tequila lounge, serving authentic Mexican food and nothing but 100% agave tequila for

lunch and dinner. One of Cebu’s 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

FERIA – international radisson Blu Hotel Cebu’s 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 Osmeña Blvd., corner Juan Luna Ave., Cebu CityTel. (32) 402 9900 loc. 3400/3430

Dining

Luscious Adobo rice topped with crisp pork

belly, served in buho also known as bamboo.

Aplaya restaurantPanglao Bluewater Beach resort www.panglaobluewater.com.ph. danao, Panglao island, Bohol Tel. (38) 416 0695, 416 0696

Fax: (38) 416 0697

Filipino power

33 | WHERE


Cebu’s shopping and lifestyle destination. Hundreds of the city’s

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

Shopping Mall

ShoppIng

Worship(Roman Catholic Churches)

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.

ASiLO deLA MiLAGrOSA Gorordo Ave., Cebu City Tel. (32) 232 2443/231 5883

BASiLiCA MiNOre deL STO. NiÑO Pres. Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 6697 to 99

CAPiTOL PAriSHN. escario St., Cebu CityTel. (32) 255 8516

CArMeLiTe MONASTerY Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu CityTel. (32) 231 5931

redeMPTOriST CHurCHredemptorist, Cebu City Tel. (32) 253 6315/253 6341

SACred HeArT CHurCH 242 d. Jakosalem St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 253 6479/254 3950

ST. THereSe PAriSH CHurCHMabini St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 8823/412 1335/253 6422

CeBu MeTrOPOLiTAN CATHedrAL Mabini St., Cebu City Tel. (32) 255 8823/412 1335/253 6422

AdOrATiON CONVeNT & diViNe PeACeA.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City Tel. (32) 346 8798

ST. JOSePH THe PATriArCH PAriSHMabolo, Cebu City Tel. (32) 232 5979/412 8096

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.

www.radissonblu.com/hotel-cebuSerging Osmeña Blvd., corner Juan Luna Ave., Cebu CityTel. (32) 402 9900 Fax (32) 402 9999

ALPA CITY SUITES – european Studio Suites HotelBoutique hotel in the heart of the city.

www.alpacitysuites.com Corner F. Cabahug and H. Cortes Sts. Mandaue City Tel. (32) 422 7171, 238 1668email: [email protected]

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

www.palazzopensionne.net 49 Sepulveda Street, Cebu City, Tel. (32) 255 0105, 412 5551Fax (32) 412 5552email: [email protected]

Resorts

abacá

BLUEWATER pAngLAo BEACh

RESoRT

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 engaño road, Mactan island, Lapu-Lapu City

Tel. (32) 495 3461/236 0311

Luxurious Island ResortNestled in an island with white-sand beaches, pristine waters and marine

sanctuaries, the resort’s Filipino architecture and design complement

Bohol’s 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.phdanao, Panglao island, Bohol Tel. (38) 416 0695, 416 0696

Fax: (38) 416 0697

Monterrazas De Cebugenvi Development

[email protected]

5/F Skyrise Building 2, Asiatown iT Park, Cebu City

Tel. (32) 236 1515 FAX (32) 268 6279

Real Estate

7 | special advertising feature34 | big help

where at | JULY - september 2012

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 country’s top tourist destinations and is known for its popular beaches and exceptional scuba diving.

How’s the Weather. Cebu’s 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. It’s 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 city’s 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.

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 5-15% of the bill is appropriate if no service charge is included.

Must Not Miss. The Spanish discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan landed in 1521 and in 1575, it became the 1st Spanish settlement in the country. The historical landmarks of Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and the Pari-an district give you a glimpse of Cebu’s rich past. Cebu is also known for its beaches and islands. Most resorts in Mactan offer a day’s 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 Cebu’s lechon – a pit-roasted pig with golden brown crisp skin and sinewy meat that is juicy and tender to the bite.

34 | big help

WHEN iN BoHoL:1. Stay at Panglao Blue Water Beach Resort Danao, Panglao Island Tel. (38) 416 0695, 416 0696Fax: (38) 416 0697www.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: [email protected]

4. Take home Osang’s broas, Baclayon Tel. (38) 540 9072

5. Check fast ferry schedules between Cebu City and Tagbilaran City on http://www.bohol.ph/article107.html

We are on Where at Cebu

Where At Cebu is published bi-monthly by Where At Freezines, Inc.

Cebu’s premiere lifestyle destination magazine

For advertising and subscription inquiries, email us at [email protected] or send us a message through +63 (917) 328 5868

The ChRISTMAS ISSUe OF CeBU’S PReMIeRe LIFeSTYLe DeSTINATION MAGAZINe

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NOVEMBER 15 - JANUARY 15, 2012

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Where at Cebu July 15-September 15

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