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24 Hours in Cebu: Design Destinations

One day is certainly too short to see everything Cebu has to offer, but if you know what you’re looking for, one day just might be enough. Zee Lifestyle comes up with an itinerary for the design-inclined—with stops that include some of the most well-designed spots in Cebu, this is definitely a day that’ll offer up some visual inspiration.

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Yolk

Start your day right with a hearty breakfast, and one at Yolk Coffee and Breakfast will definitely set the tone for a great day. The quirky, Instagram-worthy interiors will charm you once you walk in, but the selection of breakfast items (served all day) will have you falling in love. The Chorizo and Eggs in a Pan are a hearty selection, and the Eggs Benny gives the classic a twist a calamansi-infused hollandaise. Don’t forget a cup of joe—their coffee is some of the best in Cebu.
80 Tres Borces St., Mabolo, Cebu City
(032) 231 0411 | yolkcafeph.com

10:00 AM – Kenneth Cobonpue Showroom Tour

A designer who continuously gains recognition for his fluid and innovative designs, Kenneth Cobonpue’s showroom is definitely a stop to make in the city for design enthusiasts.
3A General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City
(032) 233 4045 | kennethcobonpue.com

12:00 NN – Lunch at House of Lechon

A good number of locals will vehemently pronounce Carcar lechon as the best version of the roasted pig on the island—trouble is, tourists would have to drive more than an hour south to try the juicy meat and flavorful dipping sauce. That, fortunately, is no longer the case, with House of Lechon serving up the Carcar delicacy in the heart of the city, as well as original and spicy versions of the famous pig. And served in a cozy space conceptualized by none other than Vito Selma, it’s a pretty, photo-op worthy stop to your tour.
Acacia Street, Cebu City
(032) 231 0958 | Facebook

2:00 PM – HoliCow

A portmanteau for Holistic Coalition, and a clever play on words, Holicow is a showroom that brings together local talent and celebrates creativity and innovation. The space hosts pieces from Debbie Palao, Detalia Aurora, Hacienda Crafts, Bunso, Neil Felipp, among others. The extensive collection ranges from furniture and home decor, to accessories and even fabric dolls.
Crossroads Mall, Gov. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
(032) 232 0465 | holicow.ph

4:00 PM – Coffee at UNOS

The team behind UNOS Design Cafe was actually in the business of restoring vintage motorcycles, but when it came time to find a new place for their workshop, they decided to put in a cafe as well. It turns out to be just our luck, with UNOS decorated with the same attention to detail put into their bikes. From the individually hand-painted stools, the color-washed wooden tables or the mural on the white walls, your eyes will have a great time taking it all in while enjoying a cup of coffee and one of their amazing chicken curry puffs.
A. Del Rosario Street, Guizo, Mandaue City
(032) 520 9225 | unosdesign.com

7:00 PM – Dinner at Kairos

After a meaty mid-day meal, try something a little bit lighter at the Kairos Culinary Loft. The Pinterest-esque rooftop restaurant is by reservations only and serves delicious plant-based cuisine, with The Lazy Chef Chip Lopez hoping to educate Cebuanos about healthy eating. The menu changes everyday, depending on what’s available in the market or what Chip harvests from her own rooftop garden. With a wide range of flavors using spices, sauces and fresh vegetables, you’re definitely not going to miss the meat.
Mandaue City | Facebook

8:30 PM – Nightcap at Qube Gallery

What better way to end a day than with a glass of cold beer, and Qube has whatever it is that you may fancy. The selection includes beers from all around the world, as well as locally brewed ones from Cebu Brewing Company. Besides the refreshing brewskies, take time to explore the gallery’s exhibition of the moment, which usually features local artists–both young and old. It’s an artistic answer to the nightcap, and one that’s perfect to wrap up a full day.
Crossroads Mall, Gov. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
0918 807 4175 | qubegallery.ph

by Shari Quimbo
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, December-January 2016. Like Zee Lifestyle Directory on Facebook.

^{Featured image from Travelieu.com.}

Related Topics:24 hours in cebu Holicow House of Lechon Kairos by The Lazy Chef Kenneth Cobonpue Qube Gallery Unos Design Yolk Café

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Business

bai Hotel Cebu named 2024 PH’s Leading Business Hotel at World Travel Awards

bai Hotel Cebu VP Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes with World Travel Awards Founder and President Graham Cooke.

bai Hotel Cebu has emerged victorious as the Philippines’ Leading Business Hotel at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards. Standing out among the nine other contenders from across the country, bai Hotel Cebu claimed the coveted title, solidifying its position as a premier business hospitality destination in Cebu.

The award was presented to VP Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Carlo Rivera in an awarding gala ceremony held last September 3, 2024 at City of Dreams Manila.

Held at the City of Dreams Manila, the award was handed over to VP-Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes and Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Carlo Rivera last September 3, 2024 at City of Dreams Manila.

This accolade, being the first of many this year, reaffirms bai Hotel Cebu’s steadfast commitment to providing world-class Filipino hospitality. “I would like to thank our guests for continuously supporting and for patronizing bai Hotel Cebu,” GM Alfred Reyes said. “This win is also yours as your loyalty inspires us to deliver the exceptional service bai Hotel Cebu is known for,” he continued.

bai Hotel Cebu’s department heads celebrating its accolade as PH’s Leading Business Hotel.

Operating since 2018 with 668 rooms, 8 restaurants, and over 13 function halls, bai Hotel Cebu has established its presence in the industry having just been awarded as Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Tourism Standard Awards – ASEAN MICE Venue (Meeting Room Category).

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to the country’s Department of Tourism headed by Secretary Hon. Christina Garcia Frasco for being recognized as Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign award for its “Love the Philippines” campaign and as Transformation Leadership in Tourism Governance.

Based in London and established in 1993, the World Travel Awards is dubbed the Oscars of the travel industry that acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. It is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Events

A Feast for the Senses

Crimson Chefs - Masahiro Kinoshita, Naoki Eguchi, Daniel Johnston, Javier Garcia, Allan Barios, Andrew Simpson

By Joanna Cuenco

June 8 – Mactan, Cebu | For one of its biggest dining events of the year as part of the highly anticipated Cebu Food and Wine Festival, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan curated an epicurean journey that brought guests on gastronomic flights of fancy, fine cuisine. A Feast for the Senses showcased the creativity and excellence of the resort’s culinary team through a dine-around event at its four dining destinations that invited guests to sample the best that each restaurant had to offer: international cuisine at Saffron, Spanish at Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Japanese at Aka by Naoki Eguchi, and desserts and more drinks at Azure Beach Club.

Maria Paz Perdices, Ambra Anzani, Ema Onda,Kate Anzani, Kumiko Onda, Daisy Barns

Tamsin Booth, Didier Belmonte, Frances Siao, Celeste Miranda, Bert Miranda, Bob Booth

Spirits were high and beverages flowed freely the whole evening, thanks to Philippine Wine Merchant, A Wine Company, The Wine Club, Don Revy, Sommelier Selection, Engkanto Brewery, M. Lhuillier Food Product Inc., Future Trade International, Happy Living Philippines, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, and Bauhinia Brewery.

Allan Barios at Saffron dessert station

Ulysse Jouanneaud

Margarette Lhuiller and Perl Jacalan

For the after-party and entertainment at Azure Beach Club, renowned mixologist Ulysse Jouanneaud took over the bar, crafting cocktails with Bacardi, Don Papa, Cointreau, and Sula Brands. Chef Allan Barrios presented a dessert spread that included key lime pralines, vanilla bourbon truffles, honey coconut cryos, and tiny flower-potted bamboo shoots that turned out to be made of pistachio. These little works of art were planted alongside vibrant green foliage, smooth stones, and a faux fog effect that created a tropical rainforest diorama out of the dessert table.

Lechon belly station at Saffron

Dessert display at Azure Beach Club

Yellowfin tuna tataki

Grilled mackerel with laksa boullabaise

The night sky and the distant lights of neighboring islands were the perfect backdrop for a high-energy LED dance performance and fantastic fireworks display that left guests in awe and applause.

Rose Hudson

Chele Gonzalez

Brava potato with chorizo at Enye

LED and Tron Dance

Aka Private Room

The Cebu Food and Wine Festival is supported by the Department of Tourism – Philippines, Visit Central Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Month, and Cebu Pacific Air.

Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.