Events
In One Year and Out the Other: The NYE 2016 Party Guide

You know what they say: How you bring in the New Year is how you live the rest of it. Make sure you start off 2016 on a good note—preferably with a flute of bubbly in one hand—with an epic party that will set the tone for your epic year ahead. Zee Lifestyle lists down the hottest New Year’s Eve happenings in town.
HAVANA NIGHTS
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
Experience Cuba’s magic as Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa rings in 2016 with an exhilarating celebration of music and cocktails. Head over to The Marquee for the countdown party you will never forget! Countdown party is complimentary for in-house guests, and priced at Php 2,000 nett per person, inclusive of free-flowing drinks and canapes.
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu
6332. 231 8224 | website
WHITE MASQUERADE
Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
Indulge and feast on holiday delicacies and celebrate amid a colorful fireworks display, live music from the hotel’s show band and musical dance performances. Choose between two venues—the main lobby and the Ibiza Beach Club conservatory—each of which offers a different variety of epicurean specialties. Gala dinner is priced at Php 7,500 nett per person.
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu
6332. 492 7777 | website
NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN PARTY
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Welcome the New Year with dinner at any of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s dining outlets and gain access to one of the biggest countdown parties in the city where you can enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, party favors, and food and drinks. Café Marco, Lobby Lounge and El Viento Restaurant & Pool Bar dinner buffet is priced at Php 2,200 nett per person; Grand Ballroom dinner buffet and set dinner with wine pairing at the Blu Bar & Grill is priced at Php 3,500 nett per person; countdown party alone is priced at Php 900 nett per person.
Nivel Hills, Lahug
6332. 253 1111 | website
BLACK & GOLD
Radisson Blu Cebu
Revel in a night of elegance and luxury at the most lavish countdown party in the city. Toast to new beginnings with Metro Manila’s top show band, Soul Republiq. For Php 4,000 nett per person, enjoy a gastronomic fanfare at Feria and give cheer to the year that was with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
S. Osmeña Blvd. cor. Juan Luna Ave
6332. 402 9900 | website
FIERY RED
Cebu City Marriott Hotel
Enjoy a lavish international buffet, live entertainment and premium cocktails, then welcome a brand new year with loud cheers. Dinner only and party only at Php 1,900 nett per person, and dinner + party at Php 3,300 nett per person.
Cebu Business Park
6332. 411 5800 | website
Featured image: Fireworks by Morten Almqvist via Flickr.com
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
Events
A Feast for the Senses

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
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.
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