Fashion

Starmobile shows Cebu how to be happy

Starmobile, local maker of quality dual SIM mobile phones, brought to Cebu its brand of quality and craftsmanship. In an exclusive media event, guests were treated to a special sneak preview of Starmobile’s game-changing mobile marvels.

On the image above, Starmobile President Michael Chen and Starmobile Sales Director Jasper Yeng.

Starmobile Consumer Marketing Head Katrina Tioesco / Product display and set-up showcasing Starmobile’s range of mobile phones

By Detail‘s Gillian Uang

Thinline’s Frank Briones with InStyleCebu‘s Kristine Roa

Starmobile Assistant Brand Manager Paula Rivera, Consumer Marketing Head Katrina Tioseco with Thinline’s Louie Magbanua, Bryan Tayko, and Frank Briones

Christine Cueto with Zee Lifestyle’s Editors Mikey Sanchez, Katsy Borromeo and David Cua

Starmobile President Michael Chen shared: “Starmobile is more than just a maker of mobile phones. It is our vision to be the Filipinos’ partner in jumpstarting dreams and aspirations. We owe it to them to constantly push boundaries in telecommunications and content development to create a new, happy, and hopeful mobile lifestyle.”

Proof of the brand’s early success is seen as there are currently more than 100 Starmobile partner resellers located in Cebu’s main shopping locations. “We’ve set our eyes on Cebu from the very start. This city has long been known for harnessing local talent and brands that successfully compete internationally—the same objective that Starmobile sincerely shares,” says Michael.

Meet the Game Changers

Thanks to its clever combination of innovation and style, Starmobile lives up to its promise of top-of-the-line craftsmanship with its full range of dual SIM mobile phones that also offer 12 months warranty on parts and services.

Leading the pack is the new FeatureSmart™ T601i—the first of a series of mobile phones that utilizes the best features of a smartphone at an unbeatable value that has never been seen before. With dual SIM capabilities, ultra responsive 3.5” capacitive touchscreen, WIFI connectivity, and Mobile TV, the FeatureSmart T601i provides a dynamic and immersive user experience. Boasting of the look and feel of mainstream smartphones, a 3.2MP camera, plus built-in access to Facebook, Twitter, and Internet browsing via Opera Mobile, the T601i is designed to delight at only P3,290.

Also found in the T601i is exclusive mobile content only for Starmobile users: Inquirer.net and Job Market Online. This first of its kind partnership pioneered by Starmobile and Inquirer Digital provides Filipinos with built-in and real time access to news and job alerts.

Starmobile also brings to the Philippines the first and only mobile phone with built-in Bluetooth headset as it introduces the Jupiter B305. The wireless headset is cleverly designed to slip onto the back of the Jupiter B305, which also boasts of dual SIM and triband capabilities, 3MP camera, and comes in popular automobile colors of blue and orange.

“Our team noticed how Bluetooth headsets are, on one hand, very convenient for hands-free chatting on your phone but on the other hand, also very inconvenient because it tends to be lost or forgotten,” shares Michael. The clever design of the Jupiter B305 eliminates this problem and also automatically charges the headset while attached onto the back of the phone.

Perfect for multi-tasking professionals, the Jupiter B305 also has the built-in access to Facebook and use Opera Mini for Internet browsing. Multimedia and entertainment features such as FM radio, music and video player, expandable memory up to 8GB, and extended talk time up to 4 hours make the Jupiter B305 truly feature-packed at only P2,990.

Trending: #ViceGandaForStarmobile

But the surprises do not end there. More good news was revealed as the Unkabogable Vice Ganda officially pledges support and endorsement for Starmobile. “Vice Ganda represents the Pinoy Dreamer who is at the heart of Starmobile’s promising success story. He is a fitting representation of what it takes to be happy, hopeful, successful, and always in good vibes,” Consumer Marketing Head Katrina Tioseco said.

The ultimate ‘How to Be Happy’ tip? “Know that the good life is within your reach,” Katrina added. “We hope to share with you the joy in using Starmobile—a strong and credible brand that delivers a full range of intelligent but friendly, and very affordable mobile technologies for Filipinos.”

Quality dual SIM phones by Starmobile are now available in stores nationwide. For more information, check out www.starmobile.com.ph, Happy Man by Starmobile on Facebook, and @happymanPH on Twitter for bright, bold, better news from Starmobile.

Fashion

Cloud Dancer: The Resonant Reset of 2026

by OJ HOFER

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer, signals a deliberate shift toward clarity and restraint. This off-white hue—balanced, soft, and lightly luminous—emerges in response to visual saturation and constant acceleration. Rather than competing for attention, Cloud Dancer provides a neutral foundation, allowing design and intention to take precedence over excess.

Its relevance is underscored by the Year of the Fire Horse, which officially begins on February 17. Traditionally associated with momentum, decisiveness, and forward motion, the Fire Horse introduces an energetic rhythm that benefits from focus. Cloud Dancer offers that counterbalance. It tempers intensity without diminishing drive, creating space for action guided by intention. In this context, color operates not as decoration, but as a framework for decision-making.

RESTORATIVE SPACE. Natural tones set the calm, while subtle touches of black, deep brown, navy, or olive add quiet contrast—bringing depth and character to Wabi-Sabi spaces without disturbing their sense of balance.

In interiors, Cloud Dancer supports environments shaped by longevity and ease. Applied to walls, ceilings, and architectural surfaces, it reflects light with subtlety, enhancing spatial clarity without austerity. The hue pairs naturally with wood, stone, linen, and ceramic, reinforcing a preference for tactile materials and functional design. Homes become spaces for restoration and daily living, rather than display.

EFFORTLESS POISE. Louise Trotter’s Spring 2026 ready-to-wear for Bottega Veneta pairs a billowing jupe-culotte cotton trouser, anchored low on the hip, with an ultra-stretch silk tank for quiet, modern ease.

Fashion adopts Cloud Dancer as a study in form and construction. The color allows silhouette, proportion, and movement to take the lead. Tailored separates, fluid dresses, and layered essentials in this off-white tone read as considered and adaptable. It aligns with a continued shift toward wardrobe longevity and thoughtful repetition, where garments are designed to endure.

MODERN EASE. The white Chanel 19 brings relaxed refinement to your wardrobe with its soft, slouchy shape, oversized quilting, and mixed-metal chain hardware for a quietly chic finish.

CELESTIAL RADIANCE.White jade and selenite glow in warm, milky restraint, punctuated by a sculptural gold lotus and a serene Buddha face—an intimate expression of harmony, quietly attuned to the wearer’s birth rhythm. Available by appointment: 0910 418 2028

Accessories extend the narrative. Bags, footwear, and eyewear in Cloud Dancer offer continuity across seasons, while jewelry in pearl, brushed gold, and muted silver finds balance against the softness of the hue. The effect is understated, with design serving function rather than statement.

TIMELESS STRIDE. First unveiled in 2013, the Y-3 Qasa endures as a cult icon—its avant-garde silhouette carrying a vintage pedigree while remaining rooted in present-day wearability and select global availability.

Beyond aesthetics, Cloud Dancer reflects a broader lifestyle orientation toward simplicity and clarity. Its application across tableware, stationery, wellness spaces, and personal objects encourages mindful selection over accumulation. As 2026 unfolds, Cloud Dancer frames the year as one of refinement—supporting forward momentum with focus and restraint. Cloud Dancer is the resonant reset for 2026.

Fashion

To See and Be Seen: Philippine Terno Gala, A Celebration of Heritage and Couture

by Kingsley Medalla | photography Emmanuele Sawit

The Philippine Terno Gala 2025, curated by Cary Santiago, has evolved into a key feature in the Filipino fashion agenda, highlighting the iconic Terno—a traditional Filipiniana garment that represents a significant part of our cultural legacy. The prestigious fashion event was supported by the Cebu City Government, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Cebu Tourism Commission.

Now on its third edition, the gala fashion show was marked by the creative forces of six highly acclaimed designers: Jun Escario, Edwin Ao, Protacio Empacis, Cary Santiago, Jojie Lloren, and Joey Samson. Their body of work produced a collection that showcased intricate craftsmanship and delicate hand embroidery, enhancing traditional aesthetics.

Maybelle Padillo

Bernie Aboitiz, Jaja Chiongbian-Rama, Pacita Agoncillo Sode, Oj Hofer, and Rose Cayetano-Henessy

Michael Waechter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, Simon Piggot, Margie Moran-Floirendo, and Cary Santiago

Javi Martinez and Daryl Chang

The evening was complemented by a live orchestra, creating an ambiance to match the designers’ reimagining of the Terno. The experience offered sensory stimulation that reflected the harmony between fashion and live music, punctuated by the presence of prominent personalities in the fashion and social circles.

No other fashion garment embodies the richness of Filipino heritage and culture quite like the Terno. The Philippine Terno Gala serves as both a celebration and a tribute to the Filipino identity, reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage in a contemporary context.

Jennifer Helen Weigel Sarmiento, and Mags Cue

Kaye Tinga, Mia Borromeo and Bernie Montinola-Aboitiz

Jennifer Ty and Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Councilors Edu Rama and Joy Pesquera

Mariquita Yeung and Protacio Empacis

Fashion

Behind the Scenes: Backstage at The Philippine Terno Fashion Show 2025 in the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

By Doro Barandino

What most people attending fashion events don’t realize is that the actual battleground happens backstage. Here’s a peek at the real magic that transpires among fashion designers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, dressers, and ramp models hours before showtime. In the recent Philippine Terno fashion show, a whole team of creatives in the fashion industry produced the most extravagant and whimsical recreation of the celebrated garment in the country’s cultural landscape.