by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo
You breathe a sigh of contentment as you sip frozen margarita, looking out onto the city skyline and a sprawling vista of the Ayala Center Cebu terraces and Cebu Business Park. This is the life, you say. You take your pick from charcuterie and a smattering of dishes, savoring your meal just as the sunset casts a halo over the buildings beyond. Moments like these are what await you at the Seda Ayala Center Cebu. Why not treat yourself to such a prize?
Fresh and reinvigorated, Seda Ayala Center Cebu opens its doors after the hiatus of recent years and, as ever, it is hellbent to impress. One of its main draws is the exclusive Club Lounge at the penthouse floor. This lofty perch is open to all who avail of Seda Ayala Center Cebu’s VIP/Club Rooms and Suites, welcoming them to a chic dining place serving breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktails. The buffet caters to varied tastes with its continental cuisine and keeps patrons on their toes with a rotating menu. Add your choice of beverage to the ensemble and you’re set for a day and evening of satisfaction. As a clincher, you can gaze down on a bustling cityscape rendered silent by the height. The view is pretty relaxing, to say nothing of the equally entrancing food on offer.
With a prime uptown location, you’re never far from adventure and other exploits. Sally forth into Cebu’s urban jungle and come home rested and refreshed. With Seda Ayala Center Cebu on top of things and their Club Lounge that offers comfort and enjoyment, you’ll be free to savor every bit of the moment.
Their best-seller cocktail drink, the Frozen Margarita.
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By: Allain Dumon Fonte
The brand Arcy Gayatin gave the Queen City of the South a distinct reputation in the fashion industry. The fashion line of Arcy Gayatin sets the bar higher each year for clothing luxury and fabrication techniques.
April Duenas, Nikki Gayatin and Arielle Gayatin for Arcy Gayatin—Photos by John Paul Autor from Lifestyle Inquirer.net
Araceli “Arcy” Ancajas Gayatin is the daughter Galileo Ancajas and Remedios Zanoria Ancajas who founded Cebu’s home brand, Gal’s Bakery. Arcy went to the University of San Carlos and studied Political Science. And just like Dr. Muccia Prada, who completed her Ph.D. in Political Science and established the luxury line of Prada, Arcy also got in touch with her artistic side and started her own fashion line. However, it was not Prada that influenced Arcy. Arcy was introduced to fashion and tailoring at a very young age by her mother, Madame Remedios Anacajas whom they dearly call Mama Eme. Mama Eme was running a tailoring business back then. It was called Arabel; named after Arcy and her sister Belma. Ara from Araceli and Bel from Belma. In those years, Arcy was fascinated by fabrics and was intrigued by how to manipulate the fabrics to come up with fashion-forward designs without compromising comfort and taste.
Arcy Gayatin (photo grabbed from Space Philippines Blog Spot)
After 37 years of creating haute couture pieces for the most fashionable personalities in the Philippines, Arcy Gayatin is now laying down her sketchpads and pens to rest. As she enjoys her retirement, may be on a cruise to the Bahamas or a holiday to the Swiss Alps, Arcy Gayatin has left the fashion industry a legacy of elegant and edgy clothing ensembles that understand and define the shape of women; without compromising comfort and good taste.
Arcy Gayatin’s Pink Flamingo collection Arcy Gayatin’s Sketch on a Terno
To salute the lady who brought Cebu fashion to the world, a retrospective exhibition of Arcy’s incomparable masterpieces can be seen today at Ayala Center Cebu’s The Gallery; curated by fashion editor and writer, Clint Holton Potestas, and interior and fashion designer, Jul Oliva.
BALANCE. Arcy Gayatin is known for her perfect symmetrical lines when fabricating. She knows how to balance edginess and class; understanding well the strength and the finesse of a woman.
RHYTHM. Arcy’s expertise in draping and fabric manipulation can be seen in how she achieves rhythm between architectural lines and soft fabrics like silk and cashmere.
TEXTURE. With her thorough knowledge on fabrics, Arcy Gayatin has achieved the perfection of fabrication by working on different types of fabrics and creating a single piece of art out of them. 
HARMONY. The simplicity of the silhouette plus the intricacy of the details create a wonderful harmony, making Arcy Gayatin’s design a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
The photos below show an up-close look at the intricacy and the exquisite craftsmanship of Arcy Gayatin’s fabrication techniques:
THE SPIDER WEB: one of Arcy’s genius fabrication techniques.
MATCH and PATCH: Arcy’s unique fabrication craft by patching layers of different types of lace and lace patterns
PLEATS: The perfection of symmetry in pleats on silk.
LA ROSE BLEUE: U.P. student, Danielle Alessandra Deutsch, inspired by the artistry of Arcy Gayatin, designed this midnight blue dress. The cabbage rose made from layers of silk organdy gave this evening ensemble a romantic appeal.
Mall-goers can now choose from a wider variety of restaurants that recently opened their doors at the region’s premiere lifestyle destination. With choices of international dining selections to delectable sweets, here are 5 new food spots at Ayala Center Cebu.
Tavolata
The Abaca Group’s Italian restaurant Tavolata opened its second branch at the 4th level garden area expansion wing. The trattoria serves all-time favourite Italian dishes such as handcrafted pizza and homemade pasta with mixes of salad and meat selections.
Watami
The leading food and beverage restaurant in Japan, Watami opened its first branch in Cebu at the ground floor of the Terraces. Satisfy those Japanese cravings with varieties of sushi, ramen, tempura rolls and sashimi that will transport you to the streets of Tokyo, Hokkaido and Osaka.
Summers
Stay cool at Summers, a dessert mini cafe located at the 2nd level, West entrance near H&M. Offering sweet delights of classic halo-halo and pinacolada to its crafted crepes and smoothies with aesthetic neon lights plus a swing perfect for you instagram photos.
Coldstone Creamery
Drop by the American ice cream parlor, Coldstone Creamery, located at the 4th level garden area of the expansion wing near Starbucks. Delight your taste buds with their popular cold dessert that comes in a wide range of flavors such as chocolate, coffee, cake batter, cheesecake and strawberry.
Leona’s Cakes and Pastries
For a cup of coffee and a slice of dessert, visit Leona’s Cakes and Pastries on its newest branch offering homegrown breads, cakes and pies located near the Activity Center.
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After news blew up about a certain hotel brand closing its doors last year, Cebuanos were left stunned—understandably so, considering that it had been serving Cebu for twenty years, helping it turn into a global business center.
And while many were wondering what was going to happen next, it was a pleasant surprise to learn that Ayala Land Inc.’s homegrown hotel brand, Seda, would be taking the reigns.
After seven months of refurbishment, Seda has opened its flagship property in the Visayas, the 301-room Seda Ayala Center Cebu at the heart of the Queen City’s dynamic financial district.
It’s the 8th Seda property of Ayala Hotels and Resorts Corp. (AHRC), and is the only hotel within the Cebu Business Park, the preferred location of multinational and international firms. Seda Ayala Center Cebu will target travelers doing business, as well as guests on leisure trips.
Even before it officially opened on August 19, the hotel—with quick access to the myriad restaurants and stores of the Ayala Center Cebu—was already receiving requests to reserve guest and function rooms up to early 2019, according to Frances Alfafara, director of sales and marketing.
Residents of the second largest city of the Philippines look forward to experiencing first-hand Seda’s brand of Filipino hospitality aligned with global standards and the warm contemporary interiors associated with the chain which is present in seven other key locations nationwide.
“When Seda entered the industry in 2012, the homegrown Filipino brand prioritized establishing properties in locations that lacked or needed modern hotel facilities such as Bonifacio Global City, Cagayan de Oro and Davao,” Seda senior group general manager Andrea Mastellone explains. Next in line were Nuvali in Laguna, Iloilo, Quezon City, and most recently, Bacolod.
“We felt Seda was ready to compete with all the other established hospitality brands in Metro Cebu,” Mastellone continues, based on the brand’s success in all the destinations where it is present.
Seda Ayala Center Cebu’s guest rooms, function rooms and amenities are all newly-refurbished, drawing from the plans of architect and interior designer Conrad Onglao. The guest rooms underwent a dramatic makeover and now offer a modern, minimalist layout in soothing earth colors supported by modern conveniences. The function and meeting rooms have also been updated and sport a lighter and brighter look with contemporary finishes and design accents.
But the lobby, which now exhibits Seda’s signature open layout, reflects the most striking change. Seating has been expanded and the reception area now flows seamlessly into the bank of iMacs for the free use of guests at the e-lounge and onto the all-day dining facility Misto.
Guests have always found the hotel convenient, a springboard to Ayala Center Cebu and all its entertainment and retail options, as well as to the key offices of multinational and international firms within walking distance.
Like all other Seda properties, Seda Ayala Center Cebu is expected to have many repeat guests. Mastellone points out that high repeat business is primarily the result of delightful service from the hotel’s front-liners.
“The team of Seda ACC is determined to become market leader and eager to provide the best ‘Filipino Hospitality’ to each traveler walking through our doors. Whichever way you look at it, excellent service and superior location represent great value, the key benefit of every Seda hotel. We have no doubt that Seda Ayala Center Cebu will also be known for the same, as well as the seamless experience it offers to its guests.”
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Summer Workshops
Kids four (4) and above can make this summer a colorful one with a Summer Art Workshop on all Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between April 9 to May 25, and a Learning Basics in Art for Kids Workshop on all Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between May 7 to 18.
Those more inclined to the performing arts have a choice between Brown Academy of Music’s Summer BAM Star Workshop on Tuesdays and Fridays from April 17 to May 25, and Ballet Center’s Summer Spectacular Workshop from April 6 to June 30.
Ready, Set, Play
Channel their boundless summer energy into fun and productive playtime activities around the mall.
At Level 1 near Oh Georg!, develop your kids’ logic and thinking with Creative Minds Building Blocks and have them jump around with the indoor Jump Bounce N Play inflatable playground. Near Marks & Spencer, encourage their competitive spirit with Mini Chess Tournaments the KPup Spritely Gym & Party Racer Go Karts.
Around Level 2 are various activities as well. Kids will enjoy playing the Vanguard Cardfights near Apartment 8, exploring their creativity with Jumping Clay near Rose Pharmacy where they can mold clay into picture frames and other mementos or learning some indoor archery at Hoverball near No Curfew.
Around Level 3, kids can enable their artistic side with arts and crafts at the My Little Craft Corner near CD-R King or unleash their imagination with pretend play at Gleeful Moppets near Gingersnaps.
At The Terraces Garden near Belo, revel in outdoor fun at the Inflataland.
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Summer is just around the corner, and while we’re planning out-of-town trips and looking for a delicious way to cool down, the city will be alive with many activities and events.
Celebrate the sunniest season of the year with a lineup of exciting activities for the whole family at the region’s premier destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Ayala Center Cebu shares this year’s fun-filled activities guaranteed to bring a happy, colorful summer.
Kids Workshop
School’s out, and summer’s in. It’s the perfect time for kids to try and learn new things. Kids ages four years and above can enroll in classes in voice, dance, painting, arts and crafts, sewing, and taekwondo.
Workshop registration is at Level 1 near Esprit starting March 24.
Fitness Sessions
Got your beach body ready yet? Stay in shape and achieve your fitness goals while having fun. Join the Coach A Summer Fitness Boot Camp, Gold’s Gym Zumba and Capoeira classes at The Terraces. Tag friends and family along for double dose of fun.
Play
All work and no play makes for a less exciting summer. The little ones have something to look forward to whenever the whole family makes a trip to Ayala Center Cebu. Kids of all ages and interests can take their pick from Vanguard Cardfighting, Chess, Inflataland, Jump Bounce N Play, Gleeful Moppets, My Little Craft Corner, Jumping Clay, Creative Minds, Hoverball, KPUP Spritely Gym and Party Racer Go Carts.
As an added treat, kids get a special prize once they complete all the activities on the map, which can be redeemed at the concierge near Vero Moda for a minimum donation of P100 to Hero Foundation. The first 1,500 kids to present their completed maps get a premium item of their choice.
Weekend Fun
From March 25 to April 27, treat yourself to fun activities happening at Level 1 near Oh Georg and other areas in the mall. There will be a Marching Band, Live Mannequins, Bubble Show, Balloon Twister and Photobooth, Magic Show, Face Painting, and Sticker Tattoos.
Music
Unwind and enjoy a weekly does of folk music by local homegrown talents every Wednesday, 8pm to 11pm, beginning April 4 until May 23 at the Level 4, Garden Area. Chill out after a long day by listening to the ACCoustic Sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6pm to 9pm at Level 2 near No Curfew.
Join the community by using the official hashtag #SummerAtAyala when uploading photos. For the latest updates, follow Ayala Center Cebu on Facebook (link), Instagram and Twitter.
]]>Spreading it through the sound of music! Last Saturday, Ayala Center Cebu and 22 Tango Records showed their love for their fellow Cebuanos by holding another community music fest at the Terraces for free.
Mandaue Nights
Aya’Love (I love how they played with the words here) was filled with people who are die-hard fans of the artists that performed. Some of them were fresh audience who just happened to overhear the music playing in the venue.
J Russ and DT performing ‘Drunk Feeling’
Music started playing at around 6pm with the beautiful voice of Lourdes Maglinte as she opens the concert. From then on, the music echoed all across the Terraces which I’m sure made everyone’s night a little more colorful.
Lourdes Maglinte
Other artists that performed last Saturday include Wonggoys, Groovematics, Bethany, Loop, Sepia Times, Mandaue Nights, Mary Anchit,, J Russ X DT and Vincent Eco.
“I came here for Loop. Their song Lost just relates to me and I bet to a whole lot of people,” says Theresa, one of the people who attended the music fest, “I like the fact that this is free. I enjoyed all the line up of artists. Everything about this event is perfect.”
The artists’ music and performance revolved not just between two people falling in love, but some were dedicated to one’s family or friends– which everybody can relate too.
Photos are from 22 Tango Records
Featured image: Loop
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