Events

Local Bread Baking Competition “Tinapay Natin” Bags Two New Awards From Quill And Anvil

From L-R: Representatives from SOHO Square Philippines, Charlene Sapina – Corporate Communications, Digital Solutions, and Sustainability Head for Max’s Group Inc. and Pamela Liwag – Brand & Quality Manager for Pilmico Foods Corp. receive the Gold Anvil Award from PRSP Executives at the 53rd Anvil Awards

Max’s Corner Bakery (MCB) in partnership with Pilmico Foods Corporation won new recognitions from two of the most prestigious communications-focused award giving bodies for its Tinapay Natin Pinoy Bread Baking Competition.

Tinapay Natin is an annual bread baking competition that champions local bread culture by showcasing the innovation and creativity of small-scale bakers. The campaign from Max’s Corner Bakery and Pilmico received the coveted Gold Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) under the category PR Programs Directed at Specific Stakeholders for a campaign with focused strategy and communications directed towards its target consumers and communities.

Likewise, in the most recent Quill Awards, MCB’s Tinapay Natin received an Award of Merit for Communication Management under Customer Relations, which is given to outstanding programs aimed at educating, engaging or connecting the organization or its employees to the consumer.

Tinapay Natin started in 2016 as a collaboration between MCB and food and agribusiness firm Pilmico Foods Corporation. The program was founded to inspire small-scale, promising bakers to pursue their goals and highlight Filipinos as guardians of local food culture and heritage.

Over 3,000 student and non-professional bakers participated in Tinapay Natin’s 2017 run and were judged based on their technical expertise, originality and their delicious rendition of different Pinoy bread classics. Winners received P30,000 in cash and had their creations sold in Max’s Corner Bakeries nationwide. With the campaign’s unprecedented success, Max’s Corner Bakery saw a 56% growth in bread category and a 10.9% overall increase in year-end sales in 2017.

Ariel P. Fermin, Group COO for Max’s Group Inc., said that the awards signify that Max’s Corner Bakery is taking the right path towards strengthening Filipino bread culture and utilizing the right platforms to connect and inspire more people.

“We’ve always believed that Filipino history and culture is greatly represented and shaped by the food that we create. Baking is one avenue that Max’s Group sees as a means to preserve our heritage, and MCB’s Tinapay Natin is one way to promote this,” Fermin said. “Our partnership with Pilmico Foods Corporation, which also started their own campaign called “Mahalin Pagkaing Atin”, enabled this advocacy and spread our message even further.”

In line with Max’s Group Inc.’s commitment to building loved brands, Max’s Corner Bakery’s award-winning campaign brings the bakers’ hard work and unique stories to the fore, with the hopes of creating a renewed sense of pride and appreciation for local food.

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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

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

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.