Arts & Culture

The Most Picturesque French Cafe in Cebu

La Vie Parisienne continues to appropriate wine culture in Cebu—hey, not that we mind!—with a brand new look that’s going to keep us coming back for more drinks (and Instagram photos).

Drinking wine in Cebu has never really been that big of a thing, at least not until the opening of La Vie Parisienne in 2011.

Back in those days, the place was a charming little thing consisting of a repurposed container van with counters of freshly-baked bread, cold cuts, and cheese; and a cellar boasting of quite the impressive selection of wine. Tables scattered outside in the garden shared with Alliance Française de Cebu’s French restaurant La Maison Rose, at night only lit by a few warm lighting fixtures here and there, along with flickering tea candles in charming holders serving as the table’s centerpiece and bolstering the intimate atmosphere.

It’s a long way from the La Vie Parisienne that exploded in popularity. In response to the rapidly growing clientele, floor boards were added for convenience, as well as to make room for more tables. This also saw the addition of the now-iconic bright pink cherry blossom lighting fixtures, which intrigued both locals and visitors alike (you’d be lying if you said you didn’t have a guest in town who wanted to check out La Vie Parisienne). Of course, this only opened the doors further for more people to appreciate wine at such an accessible, unintimidating venue.

You’d think that now they found something that works for them, La Vie Parisienne would keep it at that. As it turns out, this wine cellar, deli and bakery is a stylish space of a gift that keeps on giving. Imagine our surprise when, sometime in December, images of a stunning cathedral-like wine cellar started popping up on the #lavieparisiennecebu Instagram hashtag. We just had to see this for ourselves.

Long gone were the cherry blossom installations—well, some of them anyway (there were still quite a few at the back). In their place was an enclosed industrial structure that seemed to come across as minute yet massive all at once. Inside was a completely different story: Louis Thevenin, Alliance Française’s director, has recreated a European wine cellar cum old hotel in France that narrowly treads the fine line between classic and gothic with his clever use of elements.

New wood panels on the floor were distressed to give them an older look, creating stark contrast with the clear crystals dripping on the chandeliers and the lamps. Chairs—a whimsical selection of loungers, ottomans and everything in between—were made of either brushed steel, leather, or faux fur. The tables were repurposed vintage trunks that Louis divulges were from various antique dealers and furniture shows abroad. Putting everything together was an entire wall of lush greenery—soon to be outfitted with a chimney and a taxidermy of a doe’s head. And that’s only just part of the new expansion. It seems like there’s so much going on, and yet with one glance across the entire thing, everything feels organic.

“It’s a premium look, but everything is affordable,” Louis says before turning to a waitress and rattling off a list of dishes—some old, some new—for us to sample that afternoon. For starters, we had Escargots a la Bourgignonne, a bestseller over at La Maison Rose, what with its ridiculously addicting garlic herb butter. The Oozing Puglia Burata in Arbequina Oil with Mango is a must for cheese lovers, while the Rillettes de Porc with Green Salad and Cournichons was satisfyingly filling. Our main protein source that afternoon was the Honey Tandoori French Duck Breast, with a hefty serving of roasted potatoes—the meat deliciously chewy and flavorful.

We washed everything down with a bottle of the raspberry Fruits and Wine by Moncigale—because honestly, who goes to La Vie Parisienne without getting wine? Certainly not us.

371 Gorordo Avenue, Lahug

Facebook: La Vie Parisienne

Instagram: @lavieparisiennecebu

Photography by Oliver Echavarria

Arts & Culture

Kundiman After Dark: Traditional 19th Century Filipino Musical Genre Continues to Inspire

by Kingsley Medalla

The Kundiman is a traditional 19th-century Tagalog musical genre that served as a profound source of inspiration for many sophisticated, classically trained artists. The name is derived from the Tagalog phrase “kung hindi man,” literally translating to “if it were not so.” These musical pieces were often performed as poignant love songs characterized by smooth, flowing melodies containing emotional depth. Originating as a serenade in poetic Tagalog lyrics, it features a minor-to-major key progression expressing longing, devotion, patriotism, and a yearning for freedom.

Sine Pop, a boutique theater in a 1948 post-war heritage house located in Cubao, Quezon City, serves as a charming venue for cultural events and intimate performances with a small ensemble. Recently hosting Kundiman After Dark, a recital honoring the legacy of Nicanor Abelardo (1893–1934), a highly esteemed Filipino composer and pianist hailed as the “father of the sonata form in the Philippines” and a master of the art of the Kundiman. Carlson Chan, founder of Sine Pop, clarifies their unique model: the performances are open to the public and are, as such, complimentary, as its primary focus is to promote the performing artists per se.

The performances featured beloved Kundiman classics including Mutya ng Pasig (1926), Naku… Kenkoy (1930), and a personal favorite, Bituing Marikit (1926). These musical pieces were brought to life through the solo acts and live vocals of tenor Erwin Lumauag, Japanese violinist Shiho Takashima (who has since made the Philippines her permanent residence), and the renowned composer, pedagogue, and pianist Augusto Espino.

“Nasaan Ka Irog,” written in 1923, drew inspiration from a romantic tale shared by Nicanor Abelardo’s friend, who went overseas leaving behind his beloved in the Philippines. Years after, this man eventually became a doctor and, upon his return, discovered that the love of his life had been married to someone else. He also learned that the letters he had sent were never delivered to her, as they were kept by the doctor’s family, secretly away from her. A classic case of unrequited love. Kundiman serves as the heart and soul and the pinnacle of Filipino musical artistry.

Violinist Shiho Takashima and pianist Augusto Espino

Tenor Erwin Lumauag

Art patrons; Pacita Agoncillo Sode, Marilou Khan Magsaysay, Patricia Cepeda-Sison and this writer Kingsley Medalle

Arts & Culture

Art Beat: Scenes From the Manila Art Fair 2026

photography by Doro Barandino

“Art is unpredictable and goes in different directions. I have no idea. I would rather live the present moment.” —Bencab, National artist of the Philippines.

Vinta by Protegeri, collaboration art piece by Leeroy New, Solenn Heuseff and Vito Selma

Q&A with interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino

Which of the participating art galleries had the most unified and exciting theme?
Leon Gallery had the most amazingly put-together collection. Though the gallery engaged various artists, the overall visual effect felt like one unified theme. Leon Gallery used a sack-like cloth (most likely raw linen) as the background for the booth, and it brought the collection together. It had an old-world feel in a chaotic setting.

Who were the artists that were the most visually engaging?
The works of Carlo Tanseco were definitely my favorite. The artist used an eye chart (Snellen chart) as the background for the image of Dr. Jose Rizal giving us the middle finger—such an “in your face” message. The concept of our national hero as a modern-day provocateur was a wake-up call to everyone. Very subversive and underground material. I was also attracted to the works of Japanese artist Tadashi Kogure; they’re very architectural.

Was the choice of venue and its layout helpful in engaging the whole art vibe?
What I noticed was that the masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zóbel still attracted the most viewers at the art fair. People are naturally drawn to their masterful strokes and historical significance, or perhaps these artworks are not readily accessible for public viewing. Or maybe those booths that carried the masters’ works were strategically positioned right after the registrar.

The choice of venue at Center One was a good move—it created a total art vibe. Manila Art Fair remains the premier art fair in the country today, showcasing the finest modern and contemporary art while offering curated projects and immersive installations.

The Standard by Thai artist Pitchapa at the Triangular durational, performance art.

Bato Bato sa Langit by Filipino artist Carlo Tanseco

Stocking Proportions Menumpuk Proporsi by Indonesian artist Labadiou Piko

Untitled by Indonesian artist Yunizar

Filipiny, wool tapestry by national artist of the Philippines,Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

Untitled by German artist Valentin Elias Renner

Interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino is also a regular contributor for zee.ph

Arts & Culture

Visayas Art Fair Year 5: Infinite Perspectives, Unbound Creativity

by Jing Ramos

This year’s Visayas Art Fair marks its 5th anniversary, celebrating the theme “Infinite Perspectives: Unbound Creativity.” The fair continues its mission of bridging creativity, culture, and community in the country. This milestone edition strengthens its partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and expands collaborations with regional art organizations and collectives—reinforcing its role as a unifying platform for Philippine art.

VAF5 features the works of Gil Francis Maningo, honoring the mastery of his gold leaf technique on opulent portraits of the Visayan muse Carmela, reflecting spiritual awareness.

Gil Francis Maningo is celebrated for his gold leaf technique.

Gil Francis Maningo’s recurring theme of his Visayan muse “Carmela”.

Another featured artist is Danny Rayos del Sol, whose religious iconography of Marian-inspired portraits offers a profound meditation on the sacred and the sublime. This collaboration between two visual artists sparks a dialogue on the Visayan spirit of creativity and resilience. Titled “Pasinaya,” this dual showcase explores gold leaf as a medium of light and transcendence.

Artist Danny Reyes del Sol

Danny Reyes del Sol’s religious iconography.

Now in its fifth year, the Visayas Art Fair has influenced a community of artists, gallerists, brokers, collectors, museum curators, and art critics—constructing a narrative that shapes how we approach and understand the artist and his work. This combination of factors, destined for popular consumption, illustrates the ways in which art and current culture have found common ground in a milieu enriched by the promise of increased revenue and the growing value of artworks.

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair, elaborates on the theme, expressing a vision that celebrates the boundless imagination of unique artistic voices:

“Infinite Perspectives speaks of the countless ways artists see, interpret, and transform the world around them—reminding us that creativity knows no single point of view. Unbound Creativity embodies freedom from convention and controlled expression, allowing every artist to explore and experiment without borders.”