Events
Five reasons you should visit the Zee Lifestyle 20 Years Exhibit at Ayala
Zee Lifestyle continues to celebrate 20 years of being Cebu’s premier lifestyle bible with its anniversary exhibit ongoing at The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu.

Zee Lifestyle continues to celebrate 20 years of being Cebu’s premier lifestyle bible with its anniversary exhibit ongoing at The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu.
Zee Lifestyle's 20 Years Exhibit continues today at The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu. Drop by for some live entertainment by rising stars Juanita and Nico Romualdez, while you browse through our exhibit of magazine covers from the past two decades. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and get sweet treats on the spot. Pose for your own magazine cover as well at our photo booth.
Posted by Zee Lifestyle on Sunday, October 9, 2016
Here are five reasons you should drop by:
Reminisce with magazine covers from the past 20 years
Zee Lifestyle celebrates 20 years of being Cebu's Premier Lifestyle Bible with its anniversary exhibit happening this…
Posted by Zee Lifestyle on Thursday, October 6, 2016
Did you know that Zee Lifestyle started as Zee Quarterly in 1996? After four years of printing four issues per publication year, it added two copies in 2000, then another two in 2003. It was only as recent as 2012 when the company brought the magazine to its final ten issues per year.
The exhibit shows all these covers in one giant back-to-back wall for your viewing pleasure.
See a preview of the upcoming Postcards From Cebu 2016 Edition
Postcards From Cebu is a rich source of reference for the beautiful island of Cebu. Ten years after its second edition, the book makes a comeback, showcasing photos through the lens of Steffen Billhardt and words by Janet Alfafara.
The 20 Years Exhibit displays a select number of choice photographs from this upcoming book.
Check out our website redesign
Well, you’re reading this on the website, so you know what’s in store for you. Yet the Exhibit also explains—in a nutshell—what the new Zee Lifestyle Online has to offer.
Pose for your own magazine cover at the photo booth
Who doesn’t want to be on the cover of a magazine? You have your chance! Step into our unique photo booth and strike your best pose. Don’t forget to show us your photos by tagging @zeelifestyle on Instagram. And speaking of social media…
Get a sweet treat when you follow our social media pages on the spot
Here's a sweet treat for you this rainy Friday afternoon: Like us on Facebook at fb.com/zeelifestylecebu and follow us…
Posted by Zee Lifestyle on Friday, October 7, 2016
That’s right. Show us you’ve Liked our Facebook page and followed us on Instagram, and we’ll give you a bar of chocolate from Lamontagne. Choose from four delectable variants—pure, coconut, almond and caramel. Have we convinced you enough yet?
Zee Lifestyle‘s 20 Years Exhibit is presented by Arthaland, in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz, Rustan’s, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Be Grand Resort Bohol and Ayala Center Cebu. Special thanks to Viva, La Mer, Moët & Chandon, MAC Cosmetics and Jo Malone London.
Zee Lifestyle’s 20 Years Exhibit is located at The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu New Expansion Wing (in front of Zara and Aéropostale).
Events
Setting the Table for the World: How Cebu is Rewriting the Filipino Culinary Narrative

by Edge Javier
At NUSTAR Resort and Casino Cebu, under the soft glow of lighting and the quiet movement of guests, the atmosphere carried more than ceremony—it carried heritage, intent, and a shared focus on food as a cultural force. On June 25, the Department of Tourism, led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, convened a gathering of chefs, hoteliers, tourism officers, and advocates for a discussion that went beyond the plate.
The conversation centered on food not merely as nourishment, but as a thoughtful component of national development. It was positioned as a means of cultural expression, a tool for economic growth, and a way to shape how the Philippines is experienced by visitors. In her keynote, Secretary Frasco laid out the department’s approach to making gastronomy part of the country’s tourism framework. This includes initiatives such as the Philippine Experience, farm and market tours, the upcoming Terra Madre Asia Pacific in Bacolod, training programs for returning OFWs under Tourism Kulinarya, and the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence—each contributing to a more connected and intentional culinary narrative.
But while the rhetoric stirred, it was the food that sealed the moment.
Each course unfolded like a love letter to reinvention. Prawn kinilaw served in pani puri shells, brightened with okra salsa, humba recast as playful lollipop popsicles with molten quail egg centers, and saang—the often-overlooked spider shell—transformed into a fiery sisig taco. Local reef eel (bakasi) emerged in surprising bonbon form, while the showstopper, a squid ink risotto topped with larang-glazed barramundi, married coastal depth with culinary elegance.

Prawn kinilaw

Humba recast as playful lollipop popsicles with molten quail egg centers
Dessert was a mango trilogy—a pavlova kissed with citrus, a lush tiramisu, and a crisp sans rival—all woven together by the unmistakable sweetness of Cebu’s golden fruit.
The guest list read like a who’s who of culinary and tourism leadership, including Tadhana NYC’s Frances Tariga and Cebu Food and Wine Festival’s Kate Dychangco-Anzani, all of whom bore witness to a moment that felt less like a launch and more like a quiet turning point.
“Cebu has always held a distinct place in our culinary imagination. But it’s not just the lechon, or the puso, or the torta that define it. It is the craft behind these dishes, the pride with which they are served, and the people who have committed their lives to perfecting it. All of you have kept our traditions alive while embracing innovation. And because of your work, Cebu continues to shape the future of Filipino cuisine with clarity and conviction,” Secretary Frasco said, paying tribute to Cebu’s prominent role in shaping Philippine gastronomy.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco
With Manila, Cebu, and surrounding areas set to be spotlighted in a forthcoming global culinary guide, the Philippines is no longer simply hoping to be seen—it is building the platform from which it can finally be tasted, understood, and remembered. And on this day in Cebu, that future was plated with clarity, confidence, and creativity.
#LoveThePhilippines #BagongPilipinas #CebuGastronomy #CulturalFlavors
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.
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