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Eats in Cebu: Orange Brutus

From being the first hamburger joint in the city, Orange Brutus marks a milestone as it celebrates 35 years of a fast-food experience that is distinctly Cebuano.

Every Cebuano, it seems, has a story about Orange Brutus. In the case of photographer Mark Philip Dales, it was fond memories of the place he used to frequent during his childhood days, spurring on a rather nostalgic conversation with the fast food chain’s chief executive officer Jocelyn Quintos Kokseng, Kristian Kokseng and creative consultant Jaclyn Abregana. “My family would bring me to the Colon Fairmart branch, since it was the premiere destination for every Cebuano before.” he recalls over a glass of Mango Brutus as we wait for the Zee Lifestyle Directory cover photo shoot to begin. “I remember my mom always ordered the Mexicali, while I would get their burgers and shakes.”

Orange Brutus, Ayala Center Cebu (Photography by Mark Philip Dales of MadWorldPhotography/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, April 2015)

“When we opened our first store in Colon back in 1980, fast food hamburgers and hotdogs were not common snack fare as we know it today,” explains Jocelyn. “As the popularity of burgers and hotdogs grew, we started opening more stores at strategic locations to be more accessible to our customers.” Eventually, in the 1990s, the demand shifted from snack items to meals, which led Orange Brutus to add more products, including their now cult-favorite Sizzling Burger Steak.

Other Orange Brutus bestsellers: The Sizzling Burger Steak, the Fried Chicken, the Palabok and the Chori Burger, along with their shakes (Photography by Mark Philip Dales of MadWorldPhotography/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, April 2015)

Orange Brutus has come a long way since that small hamburger joint back then. After 35 years, it is currently one of the biggest fast food chains in Cebu—not to mention a homegrown one at that. Currently, they have 22 outlets all over Cebu and Mactan, with a 23rd branch in Danao set to open soon. Beyond the number of branches, however, is the food that keeps people coming back for more.

“We only serve food that we ourselves eat, and we try to make them as healthy as possible,” says Jocelyn, explaining that Orange Brutus does not use MSG in most of its products. Their raw ingredients are also ozonated to eliminate bacteria, harmful hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and insecticides. They also use healthy oils for frying, and burgers and burger steaks are charbroiled.

The menu itself has evolved over the years, with an offering of about 50 items. Besides sticking with the bestsellers, Orange Brutus introduces and reintroduces their own takes on different comfort food such as humba, sisig, and pork steak on a quarterly basis. “You can say that Orange Brutus changes with the times and tries to cater to the wants and likes of its customers,” adds Jocelyn. “We have beef, pork, fish, chicken and vegetables. It’s a one-stop food stop for the whole family.”

The Choco Monster: An Orange Brutus favorite (Photography by Mark Philip Dales of MadWorldPhotography/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, April 2015)

Despite the competition in the form of international fast food chains, Orange Brutus has held up impressively on its own. The delicious food, the reasonable price points, as well as offering a distinctly Cebuano fast food dining experience has made Orange Brutus a favorite among the locals. Even with more than three decades under its belt, the fast food chain shows no signs of stopping, and it’s only going to bring more stories for people to tell as the years go by.

ORANGE BRUTUS
Delivery Hotline: 6332. 422 8000
Official Website | Facebook | Instagram

by Patty Taboada photography Mark Philip Dales of MadWorldPhotography

Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, April 2015. Like Zee Lifestyle Directory on Facebook

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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

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

By Joanna Cuenco

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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

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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.