Events
SOCIAL CALENDAR: Your plans for the next week

Mark your iCalendars–these are the events you’ll want to be in for the week ahead.
MAY 2016
DINE N’ DIP
Celebrate with Café Marco’s daily stretch of international buffet all you want and swim in their fabulous hillside pool for free. Lunch starts at 12 nn to 2:30 pm while free swim is at 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City
632.253 1111
SONGS OF SUMMER
All Wednesdays of May, take delight and spend the rest of your summer with homegrown music with this weekly folk fest. Music session starts at 8:00 p.m.
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu Business Park
MAY 5-17
TRIAD
Qube Gallery welcomes another exhibition in the World-at-Large Series. Opened last May 5, the exhibit entitled “TRIAD” will present more than 25 unique works of three Korean artists. It features works of sculpture, mixed media art and painting; this group flaunts a diverse collection of internationally acclaimed contemporary art. Exhibition will be on display until May 17.
Qube Gallery
Crossroads Banilad, Cebu City
632. 261 0696
MAY 8
SEASIDE DREAMLAND AT SHANGRI-LA’S MACTAN RESORT & SPA
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Tides with a special Mother’s Day lunch and dinner buffet, featuring a lavish treat of international flavors. Wrap up the day with an Italian feast at Acqua, or a seafood celebration at Cowrie Cove with a glass of sparkling wine. Or if you want to go all out, gift mom with the Ultimate Dreamland Package, inclusive of a a pampering session at the Health Club, a full-body massage at CHI The Spa, and a four-course dinner in which she will receive a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
632. 231 0288
MAY 9
ELECTION DAY
Exercise your right of suffrage and choose wisely the leaders you want to see the Philippines should have.
MAY 13
BEAT D HEAT SUMMER TRAVEL EXPO 2016
See some of the fresh and non-traditional gathering of travel-related institions such as hotels, tour operators, associations, banks, insurances, airline companies, and the like which focuses on the promotion of top local and international deals at event-exclusive discounted rates.
Activity Center, Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu Business Park
MAY 14
MUGNA AT SHANGRI-LA’S MACTAN RESORT & SPA
Experience the finest in Cebuano creativity as you witness the stylish creations by members of the Fashion Council of Cebu while indulging goodies by Chef Frank Bohdan in partnership with The Chocolate Chamber.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
632. 231 0288
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
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Chaos and Clarity: Zen Aesthetic in Oj Hofer’s Art
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