Arts & Culture

The Pyramid’s Contemporary Design is Perfect For Your Next OOTD Spot

As one of the newest and most distinguishable spots in the city, The Pyramid is a culmination of international influences, both in the design and on the menu.

The construction of The Pyramid was one that was met with a lot of buzz—after all, it was hard to miss the white and glass structure going up at the Garden Bloc of Cebu IT Park.

“We wanted to come up with a one-of-a-kind structure in the middle of the city, says owner Kobi Choi, a Korean businessman who also owns the cafe Coffee Prince. The idea for The Pyramid had come when Kobi noticed Cebaunos’ had developed a liking for wine, which prompted him to do research on the subject. His probing had led him to wine-drinking in ancient Egypt, and as they say, the rest is history.

“This discovery created a mental image of Egypt’s colossal pyramids,” says Kobi, who had conceptualized and designed the building himself. But rather than taking inspiration from just the stone structures along the Nile, he also paid homage to the more contemporary version in the Louvre in Paris. A triangular shaped glass window runs across one side of the building, while the rest of the walls feature a spiral pattern that lights up at night. These, according to Kobi, are reminiscent of the romantic glow from Paris’ street lamps.

Inside, the focal point is the wine cellar, which is located strategically in the middle of the space. The wall-to-wall shelving is lined with a fine selection of French, Chilean and California wines, among others. The restaurant also offers a variety of local craft beers.

To complement the architecture, the interiors are decorated with furniture pieces custom-made by Kathrynn Dawn Sy and Buddy Ong of PLAY Furniture Studio—modern minimalist seats with tufted leather upholstery and copper chairs that played on linear patterns serve to punctuate more utilitarian dining tables.

Although the aesthetic seems a bit grandiose, The Pyramid’s menu is reasonably priced and features a fusion of international and local cuisine. There are a selection of pizzas, pastas and salads that emulate a gastronomic experience in Europe. There’s a Korean version of the Crispy Pata that offers an incredible range of flavor. The Sizzling Sisig, Chicken Wings, Bakes Salmon and Baby Back Ribs are other notable items on the menu.

Dinner, of course, should be capped off with a glass of wine. The Pyramid’s selection is available by the glass or the bottle, and can be paired with the restaurant’s very own cheese and cold cuts platter. The French macarons are also a great way to end the meal.

With restaurants popping up around the metro, the challenge is finding something that’ll set your space apart. For The Pyramid though, it seems standing apart comes naturally.

Garden Bloc, Cebu IT Park, Lahug

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.