Events

Hablon de Cebu in Full Bloom

With the advocacy to revive the weaving industry in Cebu known as Hablon de Cebu, Dexter Alazas of Alazas Atelier, made a marriage out of his work and art. In collaboration with Junior Chamber of Industry’s (JCI) Zugbuana, the Fete de la Fleur fashion show brought not only elegance but also the pride of culture to the catwalk.

“The collection is called Hablonuevo, ‘cause it’s a new weave now. We’ve ventured on new colors and textures, as well as a whole new fabric and fiber blend,” Dexter muses.

JCI Zugbuana, an all-female leadership training organization dedicated to the development of business and civic leaders, take pride in their 2018 socio-civic development projects such as back to school outreach activities, health care, and this time, forwarding awareness for local fashion.

Gracing Ayala Center Cebu last May 19, 2018, the JCI “Zugs” as they would likely call themselves, showed the audience quite a great show with their own designs produced by Alazas and the “weaving warriors” of Argao, Cebu. The event was not all sashays and glamour, as it took part in raising awareness to revive the hablon de Cebu weaving industry and the essence of social entrepreneurship.

To bring back the livelihood of dozens of women weavers, the fashion show paves way for the reinvestment of profits to the hablon industry, which benefits not only the weavers, but also society and the rich Cebuano culture.

With some of them with their mini-me’s in tow, the JCI Zugbuanas strutted the runway with Alazas’ products complemented by also fellow Zugbuana, Jarra Angbetic’s jewelry collection. A melange of silk and satins suited the hablon collection which mirrored each of the Zugbuana’s character and style.

Inspired by views of feminism and women empowerment, the florals and pastel hues paved way for the contemporary image of the hablon weave. “The idea is to make the Hablon de Cebu a fabric of choice for gala nights”, adds Dexter. The runway bloomed like the garden was placed indoors with over a hundred flower displays by no less than Jaime Chua.

The fashion show was also a prelude to the ongoing campaign of promoting the local silk to be launched in Cebu in the coming years, shares the fashion designer. He adds that it is his 2020 mission-vision to cultivate this local material into a force to be reckoned with.

Dexter also expresses the need to get into fashion’s sustainable side, strutting the developments of slow and sustainable fashion using renewable and eco-friendly raw materials found in nature in his fashion lines.

Available for design stints, Alazas shares that the hablon design industry offers designing services if one wishes to take home a hablon piece themselves. Hoping that the event be developed annually, still showcasing Cebu’s local resources, weavers and design, Dexter shares the vision to take the hablon fashion to full bloom.

Related Topics:Hablon de Cebu Hablonuevo JCI Zugbuana

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Events

Can Art Spark Awakening? Inside Oj Hofer’s Tribute to His Zen Master

by Emmanuel Hamoy

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Margie Lhuillier, artist Oj Hofer and Mariquita Yeung

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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

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by Emmanuel Hamoy

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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

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

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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

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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.