Every year on June 5th, people find different ways to celebrate World Environment Day, the United Nations Environment Programme’s platform for positive environmental action. This year in Cebu, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa chose to celebrate the day by expanding its commitment to biodiversity conservation through its launching of the Eco-Trail.

A botanical sanctuary more than just a local attraction, the Eco-Trail features over 65 plants that form a route of lush greenery around the resort. Included in this collection is the recently discovered Cynometra Cebuensis, a flowering plant classified as critically endangered due to the rapid deterioration of its natural habitat. The plant’s adoption in the Shangri-La Mactan Eco-Trail is a move to save it from extinction, a move for earth.

A ranger begins the trail at the Ranger Base.

The trail begins at the Ranger Base and takes approximately an hour. Foreign guests need not worry about language barriers as each plant overview comes in multiple languages. Specialized resort rangers conduct the tours. These rangers are local experts who all share one thing: a passion for Cebu’s flora and fauna, and a desire to share it with resort guests. Rangers received training from the University of San Carlos – Biology Department and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Orchids are flora part of the resort’s trail.

To make the most of the experience, guests have the option to partake in a chocolate journey with the resort’s chocolate sommelier at La Tierra del Chocolate After all, there is something so soothing about drinking a mug of hot (or cold) sikwate, a Cebuano chocolate drink, while basking in nature’s glorious creations. (Some of Cebu’s most stylish personalities enjoyed the Cacao Garden here!)

The Eco-Trail is initiated by General Manager René D. Egle and serves as the resort’s testament to making taking care of Cebu’s natural heritage an everyday advocacy.  

For more details, get in touch with the resort rangers at (63 32) 231 0288 or send an email to mac@shangri-la.com.

For its final performances, the M. BUTTERFLY National Tour 2019 will spread its wings at SM SEASIDE CEBU from March 14 – 17. Presented by Tony and Grammy award winning producer Jhett Tolentino and FRONTROW Entertainment (producer of highly-acclaimed independent films Bhoy Intsik and Bwaya), this world-class masterpiece is brought closer to those who did not have the opportunity to catch its 2018 Manila run. After all, location should not limit one’s exposure to the arts and culture.

Due to many challenges and technical details that come with productions, most theatre companies in the Philippines are often hindered from bringing their projects to other key cities. Because of this, Jhett Tolentino and FRONTROW Entertainment are taking this bolder step to carry on their mission and advocacy in the performing arts and to further enhance audience development throughout the Philippine archipelago.

A revival production of David Henry Hwang’s M. BUTTERFLY, this is the winner of the 2018 ALIW AWARDS for Best Play, Best Actor and Best Director and nominations for The Best Featured Actress in a Play.

Targeting audiences between ages 18 and beyond, the producers are
hoping that this classic drama, inspired by Giaccomo Puccini’s opera ‘Madame Butterfly’, will likewise resonate to theater audiences from Luzon, Vizayas and
Mindanao that “ love, power and deception holds no boundaries – whether this be
in a rural or urban setting.”

The M. BUTTERFLY NATIONAL TOUR 2019 will benefit the following charitable institutions namely: Iloilo Prima Galaw, Philippine National Red Cross Iloilo Chapter, The Children of Cebu Foundation, Silliman University Culture and Arts Council and the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation.

The schedule of performances of M. BUTTERFLY in Cebu are as follows:

Mar. 14 – Thursday – Opening Night – 7pm
Mar. 15 – Friday – 7pm
Mar. 16 – Saturday – 2pm / 7pm
Mar. 17 – Sunday – 2pm / 7pm
VENUE : SM Seaside City Centerstage

For tickets, you can get them at SM Tickets through any SM Mall or SMTickets.com.

This year, join the Vagina Warriors as they celebrate V-Day yet again with a benefit performance of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues on March 7 & 8, 2019 at 8PM at Asmara Urban Resort & Lifestyle Village.

V-Day Cebu and its current campaign ONE BILLION RISING: REVOLUTION is just one of the thousands of benefits held around the globe to raise funds and awareness toward the empowerment of women. Through the performances of The Vagina Monologues , these events help spread the message of equality, dignity, and freedom for all.

Marking the seventeenth year of V-Day Cebu, this special benefit of The Vagina Monologues will be performed by influential and affluent ladies. Featuring Alem Garcia, Andrea Pateña-Matheu, Anya Lim, Bea Algar Evardone, Brazzy Valdez, Charlene Virlouvet, Christine Tan, Gembelyne Icamen, Jo-ann Abesames Zalumbide, Kim Covert, Liana San Diego, Lourdes May Maglinte, Shiella Pestaño-Gemperoa, Shifrah Bouchikhi-Enclona, Stephanie Sitoy, and Tiffany Neri, and directed by Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, this two-night performance will surely touch the hearts of those privileged to see them on stage.

The Vagina Monologues will be performed at the Asmara Urban Resort & Lifestyle Village on March 7 & 8, 2019. Tickets are at priced at ₱500, which also offers all ticket buyers 50% off on all hair-related services at Mira Beauty by Design, located at Basement 1, Robinson’s Galleria Cebu. For tickets and reservations, please call 2TinCans at +63 917 896 2181. You can also email plays@2tincans.ph or visit V-Day Cebu and 2TinCans Philippines Inc. on Facebook.

This event is produced by 2TinCans Philippines Inc. and co-presented by Asmara Urban Resort and Lifestyle Village, Atelier-a, Mira Beauty by Design, and Your House Doctors.