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Shangri-La’s Mactan welcomes new Food & Beverage heads

Marco Vazzoler, general manager of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, announces key appointments in the resort’s Food and Beverage Division.

“I am pleased to welcome to the team two highly experienced gentlemen, Giuliano Callegaro as director of food and beverage and Frank Bohdan as executive chef for the resort,” said Vazzoler.

A first-timer in the Shangri-La group, the resort’s new food and beverage director is an Italian whose work experience is deeply rooted in Asia.

Giuliano Callegaro, Shangri-La’s Mactan’s Director of Food & Beverage

From Hong Kong, Shanghai, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam to now, the Philippines, Giuliano Callegaro has been in Asia for at least eight years, in between stints in the US and Seychelles. While his career started in the kitchen – starting out as commis, graduating to chef de partie, sous chef and, finally, to executive sous chef – the would- have-been executive chef set out to become part of the food and beverage service team instead. He has risen from the ranks to become food and beverage director in mostly resort settings.

Giuliano has led the opening teams at least three times in his career, once each in Vietnam, Cambodia and Seychelles. As pre-opening food and beverage director for these luxurious properties, he supervised a team of 150 to 200, managing at least five restaurants each time.

Major responsibilities in setting up the Food and Beverage Division included: preparation of food and beverage budgets, procurement of all equipment for operations, design of restaurants, training of incoming staff and setting the brand standards at each property. He was also responsible for setting up the in-room dining, banquet and catering teams for these properties.

Giuliano seems to have a liking for resorts, having been involved in three luxury resort brands in the past.

“The resort setting has always been challenging for me because people tend to stay longer at resorts, thus allowing them to be more engaged with the food and beverage offerings. I would say food and service is a key driver of overall stay experience more at resorts than city hotels. Meaning, we would need to deliver dining experience that exceeds guest expectations and drives positive business results,” said Giuliano.

Giuliano is excited to dive into the Shangri-La food and beverage culture, noting the brand’s dynamic culture.

Frank Bohdan, Shangri-La’s Mactan’s Executive Chef

Meanwhile, taking reign in the kitchen is newly appointed Executive Chef Frank Bohdan. No stranger to the Shangri-La brand, Chef Bohdan has run the kitchens of equally large properties Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok (801 rooms) and Shangri-La Hotel, Dalian (600 rooms) previously and completed the opening Shangri-La Nanjing, China.

Originally from Australia, Chef Frank has vast gastronomic experience gained at fine-dining restaurants, five-star hotels and resorts. His culinary career has taken him from his hometown Australia to the United Arab Emirates, China, Indonesia, USA, Malaysia and most recently, Thailand.

Throughout his culinary journey, he has served an A-list clientele, including Thai royalty, the Australian prime minister, Russian president, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) ministers, and officials and athletes of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, to name a few.

Chef Frank has been involved in massive food and beverage projects, including the renovations of Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok’s various restaurants and kitchens. He was also involved in the Bangkok flooding of 2014, when he not only had to wear his toque as executive chef and manage the operational and business aspects (including, but not limited to, the hotel’s sanitation, cost control and finding ways to achieve incremental revenue), but also display the Shangri-La philosophy of a caring family by getting involved in the rescue of affected colleagues and consequently looking after their welfare. Chef Frank was also part of several focus groups that conceptualized food and beverage concepts amongst the brands in the Shangri-La group, and led the food and beverage workshop in 2013 wherein he showcased different food concepts to the other 81 F&B executives within the group.

“Throughout my career, I have run both restaurants of high caliber and large catering establishments of 200 chefs. I believe in the drive and passion that burns in each of these chefs. I have succeeded in nurturing careers of many from under my wing by holding on to my philosophy – keep your knives sharp, your kitchen clean and always look after your team,” said Chef Frank.

Knowing that the resort is every Cebuano’s go-to dining destination, both Giuliano and Chef Frank are excited to elevate every guest’s dining experience, whether in-room, at a restaurant, at a banquet or catered event.

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Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.

Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong

Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof

Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez

Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar

Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung

PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago

Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan

Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas

Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado

It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.

Design

Filipino graphic designer makes history, joins Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde among genre’s greats

PJ Ong of Inodoro, an internationally renowned graphic designer, is the first Filipino whose work will be part of the permanent collection of Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde

CEBU CITY — In a groundbreaking achievement, Cebu-based graphic designer and art director PJ Ong of Inodoro Design Studio, is set to become the first Filipino artist permanently exhibited at Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g) in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Cebu-based graphic designer and art director of Inodoro Design Studio, PJ Ong

Ong’s recognition at MA-g places him among over 250 avant-garde artists, including iconic figures like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, signifying a profound milestone in museum history.

“Avant-garde,” is a term that refers to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

“I am extremely honored and humbled. It is a remarkable milestone in my creative journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prominent platform. The acknowledgment, especially considering Switzerland’s exacting standards in art and design, is truly fulfilling,” said Ong.

Part of a stellar contemporary collection

Under the museum’s Contemporary Collection, Ong will join global contemporary agencies such as M/M Paris (collaborator of Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer, Björk), WORK Pte Ltd (brainchild of the “Godfather of Singapore Graphic Design,” Theseus Chan), Bedow (Stockholm), BVD Stockholm AB (Stockholm), Socio Design (London) and Milkxhake (Hong Kong), among others.

Ong’s music packaging design for the Filipino harsh noise duo, White Widow, will be featured in the museum. The band’s album “The God Uterus Dissolves” — released under Melt Records — features an unconventional cassette tape packaging incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, elevating it into a unique and bespoke collector’s item.

The museum’s selection process for its Contemporary Collection involved three categories: Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration. Swiss-Canadian Fritz Gottschalk, a prominent figure in contemporary graphic design, led the Graphic Design category.

“This is profoundly validating for me as a graphic designer. Being part of a museum’s permanent contemporary collection is a lasting testament to my capabilities as an artist,” said Ong.

‘Poetry you can touch’

The graphic designer from Cebu City further defined the album as a “deliberate departure from the ordinary,” stating that it was a testament to the artist’s and band’s dedication to pushing boundaries and offering the audience a unique and immersive experience.

“Careful consideration was given to every detail, including choosing a premium supplier for the cassette tape. Opting for a screen-printed cassette, where design elements were applied directly to the surface, gave it a contemporary and visually striking result, helping us reinforce the design narrative,” said Ong.

“From the cohesive placement of elements to using symbols instead of track titles on the spine and customizing fonts, every aspect was carefully thought out. Rather than opting for the conventional wire mesh treatment on print, I took a bold step by incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, adding a unique and sensory dimension to the album — almost like poetry you can touch.”

Profound honor

Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio under Ong’s leadership has garnered global acclaim for its bold design philosophy, spanning music, fashion, architecture, culture and technology. In becoming the first Filipino whose work will be on display at the MA-g, Ong stated that it is “particularly humbling.”

“Traditionally, these privileges are given to individuals who have amassed decades of experience, attained mastery in their craft, or even as a posthumous acknowledgment. To be among those selected is a profound and unexpected honor,” he said.

“Museums typically focus on visual artists, and for a graphic designer, especially within the realm of commercial work, recognition can be more elusive. I appreciate the challenges of this less conventional route and I am committed to proving the significance of graphic design in the broader artistic landscape.”

Art enthusiasts can anticipate viewing Ong’s work with “The God Uterus Dissolves” at MA-g, scheduled to open to the general public in 2025.

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About The Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g)

The Museum of Avant-garde compiles an original body of work from private collections, providing a unique perspective on the cultural and artistic significance of avant-garde movements. These movements, synonymous with transformative ideologies and daring experimentations, played a pivotal role in challenging political and societal conventions. For more information, visit www.ma-g.org.

About Inodoro

Inodoro is the creative moniker of graphic designer and art director PJ Ong, a prominent figure in the Philippine design scene. Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio, based in Cebu, Philippines, has garnered international recognition for its bold and distinctive design, with a focus on thought-driven imagery and iconic visual language. The studio specializes in identities, custom typography, graphic design and art direction. For more information, visit www.inodoro-design.com.

People

Ladies Who Support Ladies

Women’s Circle is an organization composed of Cebuano ladies who are successful entrepreneurs and top executives. They recently held a fellowship event at the Sheraton Mactan Resort, with special guests from the Women’s Business Council Philippines. Chairperson, Rosemarie Rafael and Council Secretary Cynthia Mamon both flew in from Manila to discuss alliances between the Cebu and Manila groups.

Loot bag from Jo Malone, Sheraton, R&M Chocomanga, gift card from Maayo Clinic, sarong from Ferimar.

The half day event was organized by Perl Jacalan, Gina Atienza and Eva Gullas. Sheraton Resort through its GM Dottie Wugler Cronin supported the event as it is aligned with the hotel’s women initiatives. The successful event was made more fun with generous give-aways, notably Jo Malone perfumes, Sheraton bags, R&M Chocomanga and sarongs from Ferimar.