Fashion

Here’s a gift guide to kick off your Christmas shopping

Christmas comes once a year, so why not make your gifts worth the wait?

Here’s a confession straight from this website’s editor: I do most – if not all – of my Christmas shopping at Rustan’s.

To most of those my age and income bracket, this is seen as a seemingly indulgent thing. Actually, it is – although not in the way people assume so. Seriously, if people actually just stop dismissing Rustan’s as a super high end department store (even though it is), they’d find that they can actually get some very interesting and good quality things with any budget.

But the real extravagance lies in the variety of the store’s offerings – from makeup to clothes to home furnishings – and the abundance of cashiers and gift wrapping counters. Shopping in Rustan’s, even at the peak of the holiday rush, remains a breeze. You’d find that even though you’re like me and prone to doing your shopping at the last minute, the experience is anything but a hassle.

Considering it’s a three-floor anchor store in Ayala Center Cebu, it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed. Zee Lifestyle is here to save the day, with recommendations personally handpicked by the family who runs the show – the Tantocos.

AMB. BIENVENIDO TANTOCO SR.

Chairman’s Choice by Amb. Bienvenido Tantoco Sr.

The father of Rustan’s and a man renowned for his exceptional taste, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. chooses an array of timeless pieces – from a handsome Piaget watch, to light casual shirts by Ascot Chang, which are sure to delight all men who appreciate clean, classic styles.

PAOLO TANTOCO AND ANTON HUANG

Classic Picks by Anton Huang

Paolo Tantoco and Anton Huang offer their own elegant selections that appeal to the younger male market with striking shoes from Harry’s of London, and wonderful fashion pieces from Adolfo Dominguez, Faconnable and more.

ZENAIDA TANTOCO

CEO’s Choice by Zenaida Tantoco

For the CEO’s Picks, Zenaida Tantoco chooses a promising selection of feminine yet stunning pieces such as the Damiani Icon Ring and Loewe Flamingo Bag in red for the glamorous, empowered executive. And for her home, nothing is as luxurious as the masterpieces from Lalique and Lladro.

MARILEN TANTOCO

Glam Picks by Marilen Tantoco

Marilen Tantoco, on the other hand, lends her keen sense of style in choosing dazzling pieces for the ladies in your life. She recommends luxurious Natori ensembles perfect for the everyday and exquisite tea sets by Bernardaud.

MARITESS TANTOCO ENRIQUEZ

Tokies Picks by Maritess Tantoco Enriquez

For the ladies with more eclectic tastes, Maritess Tantoco Enriquez recommends unique pieces that are statements in themselves – such as the ZIIO Bracelets, Fendi bag charms and an array of fashion-forward heels by Christian Louboutin.

CAMILLE AND NICOLE TANTOCO

Millenial Picks by Nicole Tantoco

Fashionable young ladies, on the other hand, will be inspired by the stylish picks of Camille and Nicole Tantoco, which reflect a more trendy and contemporary take to style. Nicole chooses clean, crisp looks from one of the newest brands Ricardo Preto and complementing accessories by Longchamp and Fendi. Camille goes for a more flirty touch with relaxed, feminine dresses by Darling London and Catwalk Junkie. She spruces this up with MAC beauty essentials and Shashi accessories.

Trendy Picks by Camille Tantoco

If you’re still can’t decide on what to pick for yourself or your fashionable friends and family, you can log visit your favorite Rustan’s store and allow the expert personal shoppers and sales associates help you discover the great selections of gifts available for all your loved ones and friends. Welcome this season dressed in your stylish best with picks from Rustan’s in-house designers and luxury retailers.

This Christmas, Rustan’s offers you more rewards as you thoughtfully shop for others. With every gift purchase, get the chance as well to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to some of the most wonderful destinations in the world.

For every P3,000 minimum single receipt purchase at any Rustan’s Department Store, receive a raffle ticket towards a chance at winning one of three wonderful trips to great destinations: New York City with a private tour around the official headquarters of Tiffany & Co; France, with a stay at the the exclusive hotel of Lalique, Hotel Hochber; or Malaysia, with a fun getaway at LEGOLAND Theme Park and Water Park.

Christmas comes but once a year but there are a million and one ways to celebrate it. Let Rustan’s be part of your memories and help you make the most of every moment. (with PR)

RUSTAN’S
Ayala Center Cebu
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Fashion

Cloud Dancer: The Resonant Reset of 2026

by OJ HOFER

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer, signals a deliberate shift toward clarity and restraint. This off-white hue—balanced, soft, and lightly luminous—emerges in response to visual saturation and constant acceleration. Rather than competing for attention, Cloud Dancer provides a neutral foundation, allowing design and intention to take precedence over excess.

Its relevance is underscored by the Year of the Fire Horse, which officially begins on February 17. Traditionally associated with momentum, decisiveness, and forward motion, the Fire Horse introduces an energetic rhythm that benefits from focus. Cloud Dancer offers that counterbalance. It tempers intensity without diminishing drive, creating space for action guided by intention. In this context, color operates not as decoration, but as a framework for decision-making.

RESTORATIVE SPACE. Natural tones set the calm, while subtle touches of black, deep brown, navy, or olive add quiet contrast—bringing depth and character to Wabi-Sabi spaces without disturbing their sense of balance.

In interiors, Cloud Dancer supports environments shaped by longevity and ease. Applied to walls, ceilings, and architectural surfaces, it reflects light with subtlety, enhancing spatial clarity without austerity. The hue pairs naturally with wood, stone, linen, and ceramic, reinforcing a preference for tactile materials and functional design. Homes become spaces for restoration and daily living, rather than display.

EFFORTLESS POISE. Louise Trotter’s Spring 2026 ready-to-wear for Bottega Veneta pairs a billowing jupe-culotte cotton trouser, anchored low on the hip, with an ultra-stretch silk tank for quiet, modern ease.

Fashion adopts Cloud Dancer as a study in form and construction. The color allows silhouette, proportion, and movement to take the lead. Tailored separates, fluid dresses, and layered essentials in this off-white tone read as considered and adaptable. It aligns with a continued shift toward wardrobe longevity and thoughtful repetition, where garments are designed to endure.

MODERN EASE. The white Chanel 19 brings relaxed refinement to your wardrobe with its soft, slouchy shape, oversized quilting, and mixed-metal chain hardware for a quietly chic finish.

CELESTIAL RADIANCE.White jade and selenite glow in warm, milky restraint, punctuated by a sculptural gold lotus and a serene Buddha face—an intimate expression of harmony, quietly attuned to the wearer’s birth rhythm. Available by appointment: 0910 418 2028

Accessories extend the narrative. Bags, footwear, and eyewear in Cloud Dancer offer continuity across seasons, while jewelry in pearl, brushed gold, and muted silver finds balance against the softness of the hue. The effect is understated, with design serving function rather than statement.

TIMELESS STRIDE. First unveiled in 2013, the Y-3 Qasa endures as a cult icon—its avant-garde silhouette carrying a vintage pedigree while remaining rooted in present-day wearability and select global availability.

Beyond aesthetics, Cloud Dancer reflects a broader lifestyle orientation toward simplicity and clarity. Its application across tableware, stationery, wellness spaces, and personal objects encourages mindful selection over accumulation. As 2026 unfolds, Cloud Dancer frames the year as one of refinement—supporting forward momentum with focus and restraint. Cloud Dancer is the resonant reset for 2026.

Fashion

To See and Be Seen: Philippine Terno Gala, A Celebration of Heritage and Couture

by Kingsley Medalla | photography Emmanuele Sawit

The Philippine Terno Gala 2025, curated by Cary Santiago, has evolved into a key feature in the Filipino fashion agenda, highlighting the iconic Terno—a traditional Filipiniana garment that represents a significant part of our cultural legacy. The prestigious fashion event was supported by the Cebu City Government, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Cebu Tourism Commission.

Now on its third edition, the gala fashion show was marked by the creative forces of six highly acclaimed designers: Jun Escario, Edwin Ao, Protacio Empacis, Cary Santiago, Jojie Lloren, and Joey Samson. Their body of work produced a collection that showcased intricate craftsmanship and delicate hand embroidery, enhancing traditional aesthetics.

Maybelle Padillo

Bernie Aboitiz, Jaja Chiongbian-Rama, Pacita Agoncillo Sode, Oj Hofer, and Rose Cayetano-Henessy

Michael Waechter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, Simon Piggot, Margie Moran-Floirendo, and Cary Santiago

Javi Martinez and Daryl Chang

The evening was complemented by a live orchestra, creating an ambiance to match the designers’ reimagining of the Terno. The experience offered sensory stimulation that reflected the harmony between fashion and live music, punctuated by the presence of prominent personalities in the fashion and social circles.

No other fashion garment embodies the richness of Filipino heritage and culture quite like the Terno. The Philippine Terno Gala serves as both a celebration and a tribute to the Filipino identity, reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage in a contemporary context.

Jennifer Helen Weigel Sarmiento, and Mags Cue

Kaye Tinga, Mia Borromeo and Bernie Montinola-Aboitiz

Jennifer Ty and Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Councilors Edu Rama and Joy Pesquera

Mariquita Yeung and Protacio Empacis

Fashion

Behind the Scenes: Backstage at The Philippine Terno Fashion Show 2025 in the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

By Doro Barandino

What most people attending fashion events don’t realize is that the actual battleground happens backstage. Here’s a peek at the real magic that transpires among fashion designers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, dressers, and ramp models hours before showtime. In the recent Philippine Terno fashion show, a whole team of creatives in the fashion industry produced the most extravagant and whimsical recreation of the celebrated garment in the country’s cultural landscape.