By bringing together a mix of Cebu’s well established creatives as well as up-and-coming businessmen that shook different industries of the Queen City, this paved way for inspired learning and meaningful interactions. From the likes of Steve Benitez, founder and owner of Bo’s Coffee, to creatives like Cattski Espina of 22Tango Records, an afternoon filled with sparked conversations filled the Performing Arts Hall of UP Cebu last June 16, Saturday, for The Spark Project’s Sparkfest Cebu 2018.
Making a mark in various industries in Cebu, several successful handpicked speakers were present to share their insights on their journey towards a successful business venture. Ken Ngo, founder and CEO of Travelbee and Hammerland, urged the audience to “find their tribe” when knowing what type of business to put up. He shares that you should surround yourself with people who have the same goals and traits as you do, so that it may propel you forward.
The most talked about weekend market, Sugbo Mercado, is known to be a home of various food choices and stalls that is an ultimate go-to for foodies. Charm de Leon, Director at Sugbo Mercado, shares that the weekend market provides an avenue for small and medium-sized enterprises to live sell and interact with their customers. It allows start-ups to know their market and incubate the sellers for them to be able to expand through healthy competition within the confines of the Sugbo Mercado.
On enabling local entrepreneurship, DTI Provincial Director Nanette Arbon shares the importance of having to protect your business by protecting your brand. The government agency also provides the public various shared service facilities that enable them to materialize their products for their market.
Known for its “homegrown brew”, Bo’s Coffee is a local coffee shop brand which started in Cebu and is now with over a hundred stores nationwide. Steve Benitez, founder of the coffee shop brand, shares insights to start-ups and young entrepreneurs.
“The limit we have is the limit we put on ourselves,” shares Steve, on his journey as an entrepreneur with that entrepreneurial mindset.
Creatives in different fields– from the richness of the arts and crafts in the city, to its divergent and talented artists thriving in the world of music, film and theater–shares the importance of putting oneself out there to the world and actually making your audience love you. The value of the artists’ brand is emphasized in the different topics on these creatives, from starting movements that create good, on emergence of sustainable social enterprises, as well as using creativity and the power of innovation as a tool for entrepreneurship.
Patch Dulay, the founder of the Spark Project
Cattski Espina of 22Tango Records shares that the company was able to create a thriving community of not only music creators, but also a community of music consumers. With the movement of #GrowCebuMusic, it strives to achieve a sustainable highly creative local music industry in Cebu, which not only provides for various artists but gives pride to Cebuanos.
Jude Gitamondoc, more famously known for his work on VISPOP songwriting campaign and having produced the famous vispop song HAHAHAHasula, also took part in sharing his journey in building a community of musicians and making these musicians touch hearts and be hits.
In the creative scene, the common denominator is that one should make the audience love and adore the talents and pieces, as well as the overall brand being put out to the market. The power is in knowing what’s hip and trendy, as well as what’s going to last, in the contemporary world.
Creative businesses like these are also movements for social change. Anthill Fabric Gallery, represented by its Creative Operations Officer, Cham Lopez, is driven by this idea. It makes its mark in the local scene of clothing and garments as a social and cultural enterprise in the with the goal to preserve local weaves through contemporary and zero waste design to sustain livelihood.
Ceeli Martinez-Miranda, Co-Founder of Create Cebu
“The whole purpose of Sparkfest really is to create that “spark”, to get people excited about entrepreneurship, creativity and creating social good”, says Ceeli Martinez-Miranda, Co-Founder of Create Cebu, a team with a vision of “urban revitalisation and reclamation” with the help of collaboration through art. Being able to be present with different speakers who have made things happen in their respective fields would then be able to ignite and inspire business-minded and creative-minded people under one roof to allow them to collaborate and start their own businesses and movements.
Aside from the bustling field of business, Sparkfest brings to the spotlight the importance of creativity and the value it brings to each product and service. The marriage of a product/service and the marketing dilemmas that go with it show that there is an incorporation of creativity in businesses, and a way to make a business out of the creative ideas you put out to the world.
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6:00 a.m. — Attend the Novena Mass at Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino
We can’t celebrate the Sinulog Festival without paying homage to the celebrant—Sto. Nino. Head over to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino for the last day of the nine-day novena.
7:30 a.m. — Breakfast at Bo’s Coffee
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day—especially on a hectic day like Sinulog Sunday. Bo’s Coffee is a homegrown brand and they offer only the best coffee beans sourced locally; their big breakfast meals will fuel you throughout the morning.
9:30 a.m — Watch the street parade along Mango Avenue
As one of the highlights of the Sinulog Festival, you definitely can’t miss this! It’s best to pick a spot along Mango Avenue, where the contenders will showcase the dances they’ve been practicing for months.
11:30 a.m. — Eat barbecue at Larsian Food Park
Enjoy one of the city’s best barbecue spots at the heart of the parade’s route. A circle of small eateries where different vendors hawk their barbecues, it’s open for 24 hours.
1:30 p.m. — Get your shirt cut out at Island Souvenirs
A shirt form Island Souvenirs is a must-have for everyone who attends Sinulog. Customize your shirt however you’d like; you can have them cut into any style or embezzled with beads or gems.
3:00 p.m. — Have your face painted or get a henna tattoo done by one of the vendors along the parade route
Face paint and henna tattoos are iconic during the Sinulog; have yours done by one of the many vendors along the parade route—they have many designs to choose from, and you can also request a personalized design.
4:30 p.m. — Halo-halo and chill at D’Original Razon’s
By this time, the heat would have probably drained all your energy. Replenish it by ordering a halo-halo from Razon’s; it’s perfect to cool you off.
7:00 p.m. — Dinner at Zubuchon
Known for their organic lechon, Zubuchon lets you experience the deliciousness of the dish—but with a much healthier take.
8:00 p.m. — Fireworks at Ayala Center Cebu
Enjoy a grand fireworks show at one of the city’s best malls. Their fireworks never fail to amaze the Sinulog-goers every year.
10:00 p.m. — Party on at The Sentral until dawn!
If you’re still down to party, it’s worth going to one of the hottest bars in Cebu. With the theme of Neon Jungle, it’s sure to be a wild experience.
Originally published in the Zee Directory January 2018 edition.
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Abaca Baking Company
Abaca Baking Company (Photography by Jessica McYorker/Zee Lifestyle)
What could be better than handcrafted, fresh goods served at your table? At Abaca Baking Company, they see to it that only the freshest ingredients come out the kitchen – including coffee. Whether it’s freshly brewed coffee in the mornings or a brunch with the ladies, Abaca Baking Company brings hearty dishes in a unique identity of sophistication and class.
Crossroads, Ayala Center Cebu, Robinsons Cybergate, Robinsons Galleria, and Paseo Arcenas
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Yolk – Coffee and Breakfast
Yolk Coffee and Breakfast (Photography by Christine Cueto/Zee Lifestyle)
For all the breakfast lovers out there, this is for you. Yolk Coffee and Breakfast serves scrumptious breakfast food and coffee ALL DAY. Bonus, it is offered at a very reasonable price too!
80 Tres Borces St., Mabolo
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Bo’s Coffee
Bo’s Coffee (Photography by Ezekiel Sullano/Zee Lifestyle)
There are only a few things that can make you feel at home. Bo’s Coffee is one of them. Grown and brewed in the Philippines, Bo’s Coffee delivers the best sources of Philippine Coffee. Besides that, each Bo’s Coffee shop reflects the rich culture and identity of the Philippines.
Various branches all over Cebu
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Degree 9 Coffee and Roasting
Degree 9 (Photo: Degree 9)
Here at Degree 9 Coffee and Roasting, they roast their own beans to deliver the freshest coffee in your cup. What started in Jeon-ju, Korea as a coffee and distribution company, Degree 9 is sharing their passion for great coffee with their first branch in Cebu. A selection of coffee and tea beverages, along with pastries, awaits you there.
GAGFA Building, F. Cabahug St. and Norkis Cyber Park, A.S. Fortuna
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La Vie Parisienne
La Vie Parisienne (Photography by Oliver Echevarria/Zee Lifestyle)
The pink cherry blossoms brought customers to them. But it was the great coffee, wine and pastries that kept them coming back. La Vie Parisienne is the first French boulangerie, pastry shop and wine library in Cebu. And much like the fuss about their wine, we are just as sure about how great their coffee is.
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