Events

The Must-Watch Movies at Binisaya Film Festival 2017

Show some love for local cinema.

Since 2007, Cinemaone Originals has helped boost Cebuano Cinema by producing films by cebuano filmmakers and bringing the films to a wider audience. This year, BINISAYA honors this contribution in a retrospective of these cinemaone originals-produced Cebuano films during the BINISAYA film festival to be held from September 22-30 in selected malls. Here’s what to expect:

Confessional (2007)

A documentary filmmaker from Manila sets out to cover the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, but gets in over his head when he meets a retired, corrupt politician who is ready to tell all. Starring Jerrold Tarog, Publio Briones III (1 hour and 30 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2007: Won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound

Damgo ni Eleuteria (2010)

While employing the one long shot technique, the film tells the story of a young woman named Terya who lives in a poor Philippine fishing village. She is about to board a plane to marry an old German man she has never met, to settle her family’s debts. Starring Donna Gimeno (1 hour and 30 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2010: Won Best Music, Special Jury Prize

My Paranormal Romance (2011)

A young girl who dreams of getting into the toughest university in the country finds herself the unwilling recipient of supernatural powers, that make her question her scientific approach to everything in her life. Starring Phoebe Kaye Fernandez and Van Roxas and Paul Jake Castillo. (1 hour and 50 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2011: Won Best Production Design, Best Editing, Special Mention

Di Ingon Nato (2011)

Life in a remote village in the Visayas turns upside down when villagers are stricken by an unknown disease. As the village chief and doctor try to control the situation, they discover that the dead are rising from their graves. Starring Franco Reyes, Mercedes Cabral, and Rez Cortes (1 hour and 39 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2011: Nominated for Best Picture

Aberya (2012)

The film revolves around 4 individuals, each with an agenda of their own: An egomaniac Fil-Am boxer (Devaughn) on a pleasure trip, a prostitute from Luzon (Cabral) out to accomplish a mission, a local drug dealer (Varela) experimenting with time travel and a social climber from Mindanao (Moto) caught up in a scandal. Starring Will Devaughn, Mercedes Cabral, Nicholas Varela, and Iwa Moto (1 hour and 49 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2012: Won Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound

Iskalawags (2013)

One day, in the small peaceful town of Barrio Malinawon, seven young punks, who call themselves the Iskalawags because of their shared love for Filipino action movies (particularly those starred by their idol Jeric Raval), decide to set out on a mini quest to find the tree that according to Palot—the gang’s de facto leader—bears the lone papaya fruit as large as the belly of Intoy’s father (1 hour and 17 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2013: Nominated Best Screenplay – Cinema One Currents, Nominated Best Editing – Cinema One Currents, Nominated Best Picture – Cinema One Currents, Nominated Best Director – Cinema One Currents, Nominated Best Actor – Cinema One Currents

Soap Opera (2014)

Desperately finding ways to support their sickly child, Noel and Liza welcomes a new addition to their family, the unwitting Ben, a rich foreigner who is hoping to build a family of his own. Together, they play the game of deceit and make believe but the truth is far from being hidden as the daily soap operas vividly mirror what they have been hiding all along. Starring Natileigh Sitoy and Matt Daclan (1 hour and 43 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2014: Won Best Actor

Miss Bulalacao (2015)

The film narrates how a formerly quiet barrio, Punta de Bulalacao, Isla de Panamao is sent into a frenzy by the news of a gay boy’s pregnancy. Starring: Russ Ligtas, Chai Fonacier, Tessie Tomas, Mon Confiado, Nanette Inventor (1 hour and 31 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2015: Won Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress

Lily (2016)

Stories abound in Cebu about Lily— a woman rumored to be an “aswang”. But behind the myths is a story of a mother who, hurt and abandoned by her own husband, is now seeking revenge. Starring Shaina Magdayao, Rocky Salumbides and Natileigh Sitoy (1 hour and 33 minutes)

Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2016: Won Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing

Also showing are some of Cinema One’s offerings from other regions: 2cool 2 be 4gotten (2016) from Pampanga, Salvage(2015), and a documentary, Forbidden Memory(2016)

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.

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