Arts & Culture

Say hola to your new favorite Spanish restaurant in Cebu

The Spanish colonization might have been a thing of Cebu’s history, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy their cuisine at present. Górliz Tapas y Vinos adds a burst of flavor to the Queen City’s delectable dining scene.

Finding a good restaurant takes time, effort and a handful of decision-making. With so many to choose from, it’s so easy to get carried away and settle on fast food or take-away. Driving around the city to find a great and authentic Spanish restaurant is a thing of the past. Situated in Streetscape at Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad, Górliz Tapas y Vinos delivers an impressive take on the loved Spanish cuisine.

Have your fill of hearty Spanish fare at Gorliz (Photo by Mark Philip Dales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, October 2016)

Since its opening in May last year, the restaurant has gained a popular audience for its prominent and vivid interiors. The hand-painted tile wall on one side reflects the Spanish vibe of the restaurant and has become a character for its distinct graphics.

While the interior is great, the food is even greater. Górliz makes sure the food satisfies not only the belly but the taste buds as well. Among the customers’ favorites is the Conchinillo, a roasted suckling pig that delivers the melt in your mouth experience. When cut, loud cracks of its crispy skin echo in the restaurant. Its tender meat slides through the blades of the knife, cutting its flesh smoothly and easily while the juices of the meat flows throughout the plate. The tasty dish has garnered an overwhelming popularity from its customers that keeps them coming back.

Gorliz’s Paella ala Cubana is a hit among patrons (Photo by Mark Philip Dales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, October 2016)

The Conchinillo will give Cebu lechon a run for its money. (Photo by Mark Philip Dales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, October 2016)

Undoubtedly, Spanish cuisine can be a little too overwhelming for first timers. Górliz recommends their Paellas, a rice-based dish cooked in a large shallow pan, topped with various meats and a vegetables. This is a great introduction to the cuisine especially for the rice-lovers because it not only is tasty but filling as well. Paella ala Cubana is a big hit at the restaurant for its wide variety of seafood, including rock-lobsters, clams, shrimp and mussels.

As for the meat lovers, Górliz boasts of its USDA Prime Beef, served in different cuts of either tenderloin, striploin, rib-eye, bone-in, boneless—being only one of the few that offers a quality grade of meat in Cebu.

Changing the menu from time to time is key to the restaurant’s success. Introducing new dishes helps the customers to explore more of the cuisine and pick out their favorites. Look out for their oven-roasted baby lamb called Cordero Asado,one of their latest additions to the menu.

No visit to a Spanish restaurant is complete without Jamon Serrano. At Gorliz, it’s served with sourdough bread and tomatoes. (Photo by Mark Philip Dales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, October 2016)

Interesting and colorful details like these make dining at Gorliz a homey yet stylish experience. (Photo by Mark Philip Dales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, October 2016)

Górliz aims to deliver a gastronomical experience for its customers and food that speaks for itself, while also maintaining a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Wine and tapas have become a staple on after work unwindings, especially as Górliz introduces Happy Hour with Buy 1 Take 1 on all beers and sangrias from 5:00pm to 7:00pm starting November 1, 2016.

Finding a great restaurant doesn’t have to be an hour-long decision anymore. A short trip to Ma. Luisa Road in Banilad, Górliz houses exquisite atmosphere, top-notch service and a taste of Spain for both young and the old.

2/F Streetscape, Paseo Saturnino, Banilad, Cebu City
6332. 564 9825 | Facebook

sittings editor Patty Taboada photography Mark Philip Dales production assistant Carlo Rivera

Arts & Culture

What is Sappia? The Rice Myth Goddess of Bohol Who Helped Feed the People During a Great Famine

by Emma Gomez

The story began when the people of Bohol started to experience hunger and famine. All the livestocks were inedible and the fields were dried out leaving only weeds planted on the ground. The people prayed to the goddess of mercy, Sappia, to ask for food.

Sappia, the rice myth goddess of Bohol

Sappia, from the heavens, heard the cries of the people. She saw the dense population of weeds and offered to help them. Sappia thought of nourishing the weeds to be edible and healthy for the people of Bohol. Straightaway, she sprinkled the weed with milk from her bossom. She emptied each breast until blood came out. Before she left, she whispered to the weeds that they may be nourished and be able to feed the people.

When harvest season came, the people of Bohol quickly gathered the nourished weeds. They observed that the ones sprinkled with milk were white, while the other were red. They called the new plant rice and they replanted these in honor of Sappia, and for the people to devour.

Arts & Culture

Kimsoy’s Canvas of a Lifetime in Full Display

by Diana Gillo

There is nothing more fascinating than seeing an artist’s lifetime of work in one room. Such is the experience in Jose “Kimsoy” Yap’s third solo exhibit entitled “Kimsoy: Episodes of Mastery,” at Galerie Raphael Cebu. This serves as the truest form of homage to his enduring journey, showcasing works that span over decades.

The exhibit speaks greatly of Kimsoy’s evolution as an artist, with his shifting mediums and remarkable variety of subjects. His creations range from heartfelt portraits of individuals he encountered along his journey to detailed landscapes inspired by the different walks of his life. The room’s layout carries the weight of his years of craft with one wall lined with pastels, another with watercolors, and another with oil painting.

As the River Flows Onward by Kimsoy Yap 2020 | Oil on canvas | 82×48 inches

The exhibit transcends beyond just the commemoration of Kimsoy’s masterful periods. It wanders more into a sense of intimacy reflecting Kimsoy’s life’s journey—from his roots as a young boy in Negros Oriental, through his pursuit of greater artistic mastery in New York, to his prominence in Cebu’s art scene. All his work freehanded, created both with his left and right hand, depicts the ways in which we all leave traces of ourselves in our work and in the world.

A Friend of Mine 1979 | watercolor on paper | 24×18 inches

In a Relaxed Mood 1977 | water color on paper | 16×19.5 inches

The opening ceremony featured Ambassador Jose Mari Cariño, alongside special guests Ivy Ang Gabas, Paolo Li, Angbetic Tan, Laurie Bouquiren of the Visayas Art Fair, and Valerie Go of Galerie Raphael Cebu. The exhibit is open until March 21, 2025.

Arts & Culture

Art Fair Philippines 2025: A Celebration of Creativity

by Emcee Go

Art Fair Philippines 2025 transformed the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City into a dynamic showcase of contemporary and modern art. From February 21 to 23, art enthusiasts and collectors were treated to an eclectic mix of visual masterpieces, interactive installations, and thought-provoking exhibits.

This year’s fair features an impressive lineup of local and international galleries, including renowned names like Leon Gallery, Metro Gallery, Orange Project, J Studio and from Cebu, Qube Gallery.