Every year for the past 15 years, Cebuanos celebrate women empowerment by uttering the word vagina on stage in front of hundreds of people, as a protest against violence towards women and girls.
This year, over 30 women will lend to their voices to the marginalized, abused, and exploited in a benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues, on Sunday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Cebu.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Elaine Bathan, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Candice Hintz, Regal Oliva, Anya Lim, Ching Pelayo-Dacua, and Laurie Boquiren (Photography: Candice Hintz)
With humor and grace that celebrates women’s sexuality and strength, the award-winning play is based on V-Day founder and playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 100 women.
Here are the reasons you should watch The Vagina Monologues at least once:
It’s for a good cause
Maxi Bolongaita, Charlene Virlouvet, Cheryl David-Ibay, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Jet Cantal-Bacaltos, Jo-Ann Zaldumbide, and Patty Taboada (Photography: Candice Hintz)
V-Day Cebu and its current campaign ONE BILLION RISING: REVOLUTION is just one of the thousands of benefits held around the globe to raise funds and awareness toward the empowerment of women. Through the performances of The Vagina Monologues, these events help spread the message of equality, dignity, and freedom for all.
V-Day Cebu’s beneficiary is Bidlisiw Foundation Inc., a Filipino-managed NGO focused on helping the urban poor families, particularly the informal settlers in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay. Proceeds of the show go a long way in providing access, opportunities, and hope for the marginalized women and children, families, and the communities in Cebu.
It stars people you know
Shifrah Enclona, Ivy Gallur, Margo Frasco, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Maki Gingoyon, and Chiqui Canete (Photography: Candice Hintz)
Produced in Cebu by 2TinCans Philippines, The Vagina Monologues doesn’t just feature theater actresses, although some of them are well-known in the industry. The performers are women coming from various industries such as law, government, media, medicine, dining, furniture, music, photography, fashion, and more.
This year’s show, directed by Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, stars Aleah Alerre Lim, Anya Lim, April Rama, Bea Alfar Evardone, Brazzy Valdez, Candice Hintz, Charlene Virlouvet, Cheryl David-Ibay, Ching Pelayo-Dacua, Chiqui Cañete, Christina Santos, Daryl Bihag, Dianne Rallon, Elaine Bathan, Eyre Hyamze, Gembelyne Icamen, Gingging Navarro-Laude, Ivy Gallur, Jean Altavas, Jessica Ouano, Jet Cantal-Bacaltos, Joan Saniel-Amit, Jo-Ann Abesamis Zaldumbide, Laurie Boquiren, Lourdes May Maglinte, Margo Frasco, Marini Esguerra, Maki Gingoyon, Maxi Bolongaita, Pami Estalilla, Regal Oliva, Shiella Pestano Gemperoa, Shifrah Bouchikhi-Enclona, and Stephanie Tiro-Sitoy.
Shifrah, the daughter of director Sarah, is the youngest ever vagina warrior at 11 years old, taking the title from theater actress Charlene, who first performed on the show years ago at the age of 13. Zee Lifestyle‘s features editor Patty Taboada and creative director Ehds Javier will also be performing on the one-night-only show.
It’s not just for women
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Christina Santos, Lourdes May Maglinte, Aleah Lim, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Shiella Gemperoa, and Gembelyne Icamen (Photography: Candice Hintz)
According to Enclona-Henderson, the audience for The Vagina Monologues has grown over the years, with the audiences for the shows in recent years showing that 40% of them are actually men.
For the first time in Cebu, V-Day is making a special feature on the men who have been supportive of the global campaign. Fathers, brothers, sons, boyfriends, and friends were brought in and were enthusiastic in showing solidarity with the ladies and the V-Day movement. This is set to be one of the highlights of the show on Sunday.
It will make you laugh and cry
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Marini Esguerra, Brazzy Valdez, Ehds Javier, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Pami Estalilla, Eyre Hyamze, Daryl Bihag, and Stephanie Sitoy (Photography: Candice Hintz)
Playwright Eve Ensler has gone around the world interviewing over 200 women about their experiences. You would be amazed at the answers, from a six-year-old girl to single women, married women, sex workers, corporate professionals, transgender women, lesbians, and old ladies. Some are hilarious, some are downright depressing… it’s a roller coaster of a show, one that you will enjoy while at the same time you can do your share to help end violence against women and girls.
Tickets are priced at Php 650, Php 1,000, and Php 1,500, and are available at YogaHub, ANTHILL, Isidra Comfort Cantina, and Handuraw Pizza in Gorordo and White Gold. For online purchases, email plays@2tincans.ph or click here. You may also call 2TinCans at +63 32 512 3134 and +63 933 188 0999, and check them out on Facebook
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Carlo Borromeo & Sheryl Osmeña-Borromeo
“Last year we watched Deadpool and ate at Chicken Deli in Robinsons Galleria. We’ll probably do the same this year: Movie and cheap dinner. Will check what’s showing this week.”
Jesse Jake Daan & Sophia Sanchez
Virgin Island, Bantayan
“We would probably go to Bantayan. It’s close to the city but far enough from the hustle and bustle. We just love to bike around the island, chill by the beach, and simply enjoy each other’s company. We guess that’s what Valentine’s is all about.”
Mark Deutsch & Johanna Velasco-Deutsch
“For Valentine’s we like going on road trips to the beach with our daughter or staying home, cooking lots and lots of bacon and watching old movies (like The Princess Bride)”
Jeremy Huang & Dianne Gandionco-Huang
“In the nine years we have known each other, I’d say we’ve sort of graduated from the passé Valentine’s date night outs. This year may be different as we are planning to spend that weekend by going out of town at our family’s beach house with our pet Finn, away from the hustle bustles of the city. And since my husband has started to love cooking steaks off the grill, he wants to venture into experimenting with another cooking feat for that weekend. Here’s looking forward to that celebration!”
Carlow Montecillo & Veronica Chiongbian
“We don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day, but we always make sure to take spontaneous trips throughout the year. Preferably in the waters since we’re quite fond of freediving. However, for this year’s Valentine’s Day we might spend it at a nearby island.”
Michael Karlo Lim & Vanessa East
The Henry Hotel
“We’d usually staycation and head out only to try Valentine set menus at different restaurants throughout the weekend. Plantation Bay‘s Romantic Rendezvous proved interesting. The Henry is our perennial favorite and offers a honeymoon/romantic weekend package. Anzani Mediterranean Restaurant is a good bet for a full-course dinner any given day. The Pig & Palm would be, too. We enjoyed their recent tasting dinners tremendously. I’d also suggest the upcoming pop-up Blind Date: Dinner in the Dark at District On 53rd. You don’t have to limit yourself to one. Trying a variety of places makes Valentine’s even more fun and meaningful.”
Insoy Niñal & Rei Sarmiento-Niñal
“We’re going to Argao Wharf on a pilgrimage of sort. There’s a spot there where we sealed our relationship. We realized we had already done all the crazy things imaginable together, and there was only one crazy thing left to do: get married.”
Edu Rama & Jaja Chiongbian-Rama
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
“Our love for Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa goes back to the time we first got together as a couple in high school over 20 years ago and so it has always held a special place in our hearts. From having the best beachfront in Mactan, its amenities and facilities, selection of delectable eats and excellent service that ensures we always feel at home, Shangri-La continues to be our happy place in Cebu. If we had the time, we would love to take a quick break there with our kids. Valentine’s has evolved for us through the years from romantic dates to group dates. We are celebrating Valentine’s at Café Sarree with colleagues and their other halves with a special menu created by Chef Sarree.”
Jan & Karen Rodriguez
“We used to eat out in the previous years, but the last 3 years, I cook for her at home. And the last three years, we would be working on the day itself. She would be at Ilaputi, and I would be at Irie—except for 2016 where we both just stayed home.”
Ichael Serneo & Hanz Coquilla
Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton of The Pig & Palm
“We’d love to spend Valentine’s in the beach down south. A quick getaway would be awesome, but Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year and we have work and appointments. A fancy dinner at The Pig & Palm would be lovely!”
Michael Sharpe & Kym Maitland-Smith
“Last year, we spent Valentine’s Day in Siargao and it was wonderful! This year, we’re planning to have a quiet and romantic dinner in the mountains, where we can look down at the city lights and see the stars. Mike loves to sing, so I hope to be serenaded!”
Lor Torres & April Rama
“We don’t over-plan for Valentine’s Day. We just make it a point to do something or go somewhere for the first time together as couple. This year, we’re planning to go to Vine Molave, a beautiful bed and breakfast at Pagadian, Zamboanga Del Sur. Other than being attracted to sleep and food (get it? Bed and breakfast?), we’re planning to go to Puting Balas sand bar and the Dao-Dao Islets there.”
Slater Young & Kryz Uy
Abaca Boutique Resort
“We both lead very busy lives so when we do get to spend QT together, we prefer more relaxed environments. This Valentine’s Day, we might head to a more private beach like Abaca. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter where we go as long as we’re together.”
Kirby Yu & Jennifer Sarmiento
“Since Jen loves peace and quet places, I’ll probably take her to Maru Restaurant inside J Park since they serve the best Korean food and sulbing. At the same time, only few people go there.”
What do you have planned? Share your ideas on Facebook and Instagram and tag us!
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Warm lighting and comfortable seats make Isidra Comfort Cantina anything but your usual carenderia (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)
Chef Lor Torres (Photography by Icky Salazar)
Named after Lor’s maternal grandmother, Isidra brings comfort food in a casual, cool setting at the heart of the city. Business partner April Rama calls it a canteen more than anything, but as far as canteens go, you can’t get any better than this.
Comfortable seats, warm lighting and air conditioning create a relaxed yet plush ambiance that makes it a perfect setting for Chef Lor’s take on comfort food such as the crispy chicken wings that are fried to a golden brown perfection served with sour cream and onion batter, the twice-cooked adobo, stewed first before being baked; and the deep-fried mascara—pork face boiled tender and deep-fried to crispiness.
Isidra is also the only cantina that offers options for the health and body conscious— the fish fillet, open-faced ham and egg sandwich, and Thai prawn salad, to name a few. These offerings make it relatively easier to indulge in Isidra’s unique and delectable dessert selections, such as the crowd-favorite calamansi custard meringue—perfect with the hazelnut French press coffee.
Isidra Comfort Cantina’s crispy chicken wings is one of Cebu’s best. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)
Hailing from Luzon, gising-gising is a spicy yet creamy appetizer best paired with bagnet. (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)
Must-have to cap off every meal at Isidra Comfort Cantina: The calamansi custard meringue (Photography by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)
While we certainly miss Isidra’s daily lunch buffet (at Php 149 with varying themes throughout the week, how can we not?), the cantina remains the perfect venue for the veteran chef to experiment with different flavors and keeping things interesting for patrons. Come back from time to time and you’ll see new additions on the menu… or you can talk to the Chef herself and ask her to whip up something special for you. Seriously, Chef Lor’s food at that price indeed, you know you can’t go wrong.
GF Oftana Bldg.,
Don Mariano Cui cor. Jasmin Sts.,
Capitol Site
6332. 263 1101 | Facebook
photography Robo Formacion
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