Events
The five events you shouldn’t miss on Sinulog weekend
Here’s the starter kit for one memorable Sinulog weekend.

With so many things going on Sinulog Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it can be a little overwhelming to keep up with all of them. But out of all of them, five stand out as the events you definitely shouldn’t miss! Celebrate the festivities at these parties for one memorable weekend.
Sugbo Mercado
DATES:
Thursday-Saturday, January 12-14, 2017 (Cebu I.T. Park)
Friday-Sunday, January 13-15, 2017 (Cebu Business Park)
Saturday-Sunday, January 14-15, 2017 (South Road Properties)
Well, for starters, you’re going to need to fuel up before you go party. Experience the best of the local culinary scene at Sugbo Mercado, Cebu’s favorite weekend food market. Located in very strategic locations, there’s no reason you can’t pass by for a hearty fill of delectable dishes from late afternoon to late evening.
LifeDance
DATE: Friday, January 13, 2017
LifeDance gets bigger and better each year. This year, the event gives partygoers the chance to experience music in all its forms, with three stages: EDEN, the underground music stage which will feature house music; SOLARIS, the indie bands stage; and UTOPIA, the main stage which fill feature international sensations and the country’s top acts.
Experience music by DJs Jan Areno, Maxie Perez, Hans, Deuce and Ace Ramos; as well as performances by Up Dharma Down, Missing Filemon, Wonggoys, Womb, Bethany, and Drop Decay.
City Di Mare, SRP | Facebook
Plus 63 Music and Arts Festival
DATES: Saturday and Sunday, January 14-15, 2017
Last year, there was Steve Angello, 1/3 of of the Swedish House Mafia. This year, Plus 63 Music and Arts Festival brings in DJ Mag‘s number seven DJ in the world and head honcho of DIM MAK records, Steve Aoki. In a two-day event, get thrown a birthday cake by Steve Aoki and party with the bright names in the music industry and the country’s top artists, DJ Carlo Atendido DJ Daiki, DJ Ashura, Martina San Diego, DJ Short, El’O and The Zoids.
Cebu Business Park | Facebook
Sinulog Invasion
DATE: Sunday, January 17, 2017
As Spectrum Philippines celebrates its seventh anniversary of the Invasion Tour, they return to Cebu to bring the ultimate music festival right at the heart of Sinulog. On January 15, experience the Sinulog Invasion and go wild as music and people celebrate the grandest festival of the year.
Sacred Heart School-Jesuit Gym, Mango Avenue | Facebook
Hyper Wonderland
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 2017
Kicking it back to the retro 80’s, Hyper Wonderland delves into the wonders of the era: colorful, vibrant and groovy music. With all the parties going on around the city, Hyper Cebu gives Cebuano and tourist ravers to experience the ultimate dance party decade.
Axis Entertainment Avenue at Vibo Place, Escario | Facebook

Sinulog 2017 is coming up soon, and Zee Lifestyle is feeling extremely generous! Grab a copy of our December-January 2017 issue ahead of time—you’ll need it if you want the chance to win tickets to LifeDance, Hyper Wonderland 2017 and Sinulog Invasion 2017. Mechanics to be posted on our Facebook and Instagram accounts soon.
MORE ON #ZEENULOG
- Here’s everything you need to know about Sinulog 2017 (via zeelifestylecebu.com)
- The ultimate Sinulog survival guide (via zeelifestylecebu.com)
Events
Some Enchanted Evening–Marguerite Lhuillier hosts a Despidida Dinner for Eva Gullas in her Fabulous Post-Modernist Maria Luisa Mansion

by Oj Hofer
The doyenne of everything bright and beautiful, Marguerite Lhuillier, hosted a dinner party in honor of her dear friend Eva Gullas at her effortlessly elegant home. She invited an intimate circle of guests for an evening of photo ops, fashion talk, positive vibes, and absolutely no politics—not even a whisper on the subject.

A 38-year-old Sapodilla tree with branches adorned with bird’s nest ferns and bromeliads that deepen its quiet, enduring beauty.
Upon entering the hostess’s expansive residence, guests were greeted by an open and welcoming space. A tall vase of fiery heliconias offered an instant boost of visual pleasure. Flanking this vibrant floral arrangement were two sacred sentinels: a Tibetan thangka of Compassion and Wisdom on the right console, and to the left, a serene image of Guanshiyin Pusa glowing with the aura of a Uruguayan amethyst geode. Completing this spiritual trio was a towering clear quartz cathedral geode. It felt as if each guest underwent a quiet cleansing and energizing upon stepping into a lush sanctuary framed by bougainvillea blossoms.

Marguerite Lhuillier, Mariquita Yeung, Frances Siao, and Christine Pelaez.
Cocktails were served at dusk. The usual spirits made their rounds—champagne, red and white wine—but this writer opted for a refreshing non-alcoholic cooler, which provided just the right kick. The extravagant tablescape featured a familiar array of cheeses and charcuterie, with my personal favorite, tortilla de patatas, delightfully arranged against the sparkling backdrop of Cebu City.

Standing Left to Right: Jun Pelaez, Dindo Arcenas , Lilet Heredia, Oj Hofer, Marguerite Lhuillier, Maris Holopeinen, Frances Siao, Christine Pelaez, Manolet Heredia, Erwin Siao Seated: Angelique Gradne Salve,Iris Fernan, Eva Gullas, Mariquita Yeung, and Jiji Gullas.
Dinner followed in a buffet-style spread catered by Café Laguna. There were no place cards on the table, allowing guests the freedom to choose their seats. Naturally, the dinner crowd gravitated between the gracious hostess, Marguerite, and the guest of honor, Eva. I was particularly fortunate to be seated beside Jun Pelaez, art connoisseur and collector. Our conversation flowed effortlessly into the realm of the arts, creativity, and life’s finer pursuits—pausing only with the arrival of desserts (my absolute weakness).

Jiji Gullas, Christopher Darza, Manolet Heredia, Dindo Fernan, and Erwin Siao
The final course of the evening featured the hostess’s famous leche flan and Christine Pelaez’s signature bibingka—sweet reminders that, like dessert, life is fleeting, but friendships, shared stories, and enchanting evenings like this one linger long after the last bite.
Eva Gullas, soon departing on a well-deserved hiatus, left us wrapped in laughter, elegance, and warmth. It’s a gift to have friends whose presence makes coming home to worth it.
Events
Can Art Spark Awakening? Inside Oj Hofer’s Tribute to His Zen Master

by Emmanuel Hamoy
On April 4, 2025, the much-anticipated exhibit One Flower, One World: Brushstrokes of Compassion and Wisdom opened at SM JMall, blending contemporary Buddhist art with interactive experiences. The event brought together art students, enthusiasts, collectors, social luminaries, community leaders, international Buddhist practitioners, and Dharma masters to celebrate Oj Hofer’s tribute to Venerable Master Hsing Yun through calligraphy, Zen ink painting, and Ikebana.

Erwin Choa (Adviser for Buddha’s Light International, Philippines), Marisa Fernan (Vice President of SM Prime Holdings Inc), Venerable Yung Guang (Head Abess of Fó Guāng Shān, Philippines), Marguerite Lhuillier (Social Luminary and Animal Rights Advocate), Sheila Go ( Adviser for Buddha’s Light International, Cebu)

Margie Lhuillier, artist Oj Hofer and Mariquita Yeung
Oj’s live calligraphy demonstrations captivated guests, offering them a unique chance to witness his creative process and receive personalised calligraphy pieces. The afternoon culminated in an exclusive cocktail reception featuring delicious vegetarian delicacies prepared by Nonki Japanese Restaurant.

Joy Uy, Francis Dravigny, Venerable Yung Guang, Marissa Fernan, Margette Sarmiento
Among the distinguished guests were Oj’s muse, society maven Marguerite Lhuillier, SM Holdings’ Marissa Fernan, Buddhist advisers Sheila Go and Erwin Choa, and, most importantly, Fo Guang Shan Philippines’ Head Abbess, Venerable Yung Guang, who shared reflections on Master Hsing Yun’s teachings and the role of art in spiritual practice.

Artist Oj Hofer and Paeng Batuigas (Senior Assistant Vice President, Visayas Marketing, SM Supermalls)
The exhibit was a resounding success, showcasing how art can foster reflection, connection, and understanding in a diverse, multicultural society. The event was made possible with the support of SM JMall, Buddha’s Light International Association, and Fo Guang Shan Philippines.
Events
Villa Mariquita: An Evening of Elegance, Laughter, and Fine Champagne

by Emmanuel Hamoy
Villa Mariquita opened its doors to a very select few. On cue, a server hands you a glass of Pol Roger as Mrs. Yeung warmly greets you, effortlessly chic in a perfect pair of Chanel jeans and a pullover. Conversations over food, between sips of wine and champagne, range from the mundane to the profound—each exchange punctuated with laughter, and then even more laughter.

Margie Lhuillier, Frances Siao, this writer and Mariquita Yeung

Mariquita Yeung sharing experiences with guests on art collection

Oj Hofer, Freemont Base, Eva Gullas, Frances Siao, Jun Escario, Margie Lhuillier, Cary Santiago, the host Mariquita Yeung, Phillip Rodriguez, this writer, Christine Pelaez, Tamsin Booth and Pearl Atienza
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