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The next few days in Cebu is forecasted to be cold and dreary with a strong typhoon threatening everyone’s Christmas party. So what better way than to cocoon at home with a few friends to remind us that it is indeed December! In the absence of a crackling fireplace, our hostess used candles to light up the table, creating the lovely glow that only fire can create. Vines, leaves and fresh eucalyptus twigs were hung everywhere and gold accents further made the whole place cozy and inviting. To set the table, natural elements like bamboo, twigs, woven materials and mother of pearl plateholders sparkled beautifully under the subtle lighting. The intimate Christmas gathering, limited to 8 guests, made for a perfect Filipino holiday get together where the table is laden with organic lechon belly, locally sourced lobsters, home-made fresh lumpia, Cebuano pancit and biko as dessert! Iris Arcenas (extreme right) hosted an intimate dinner with (from left) Christine Pelaez, Bernie Aboitiz, Pauline Hofer, Butch Carungay, Marguerite Lhuillier, Eva Gullas and June Alegrado We hope you get inspired by this lavish Christmas spread for your Noche Buena. Merry Christmas to all!By Emcee Go
Photography by Marguerite Lhuillier






It’s Christmas Deer Knot Wrap from LUSH (Php 495)
For the practical yet fashionable mom, this reusable organic cotton Knot Wrap from Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics is ideal. With an endeeringly bright and nostalgic design, this can be used to wrap gifts or add a touch of festive charm to any outfit.
Lush has introduced Knot Wraps 10 years ago, in 2009, as an alternative reusable packaging. This Christmas, Knot-Swap, a new scheme will launch in all Lush shops. Freshen up your Knot Wrap game without wasting a stitch. Swap in your pre-loved wrap and get 50% off a Lush design of the same size. The Knot Wraps for Christmas 2019 are made from either Organic Cotton or Recycled waste bottles. Waste not, want knot! For more information, please visit www.lush.com.ph

Abaca Pillowcase in Green from ANTHILL (Php 849)
This Abaca Pillow Case from Anthill Fabric Gallery is fabulous for the meticulous aunt and can enliven any room. It is made of Abaca pinanggabol (handloomed natural textile) from the Daraghuyan Tribe in Dalwangan, Bukidnon. The handloom process creates a slightly looser weave that leaves a comfortable texture and softness that deepens over time. The Abaca pillowcase is available in 5 colors.
www.anthillfabricgallery.com

Bag of Treats from ECHOSTORE (Php 629)
Filled with Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates and variations of Malagos Dark Chocolate, this “bag of treats” from ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle is the ultimate present for the kids and the kids-at-heart!
www.echostore.ph

Bamboo Tumbler from ECO HUB CEBU (Php 720)
A nice fit for the on-the-go dad or the adventurous brother, this double-walled insulated tumbler keeps any beverage hot or cold for up to 8 hours. You can have it customized and engrave a name on the body or the lid at an additional fee of Php 50 per piece.
Order via Facebook: Eco Hub Cebu

Gifts of Comfort and Joy from HUMAN HEART NATURE (Php 509)
Give the gift of natural goodness to grandma with this set from Human Heart Nature which includes Lavender Oil and balm with Rose Bouquet Hand & Foot Salve for her relaxing and pampering needs!
www.humanheartnature.com

Glass Skin Glow Set from ELLANA MINERAL COSMETICS (Php 1,148)
Now available in a special bundle, this best-selling item from Ellana Mineral Cosmetics is an essential addition to your girlfriend’s purse! It’s skin care and a setting spray in one, which contains rose and Mandarin orange extracts.
www.ellanacosmetics.com

Lazy Boy Dry Shampoo from PARALUMAN (Php 130-160)
Perfect for the vain boyfriend, this dry shampoo from Paraluman is lightweight. It contains cocoa, patchouli and seaweed to volumize, add shine, heal, reduce oiliness and dryness, and promote hair growth. It also comes with a sleek black aluminum tub that you can reuse over and over!
www.paraluman.ph
At Seda Ayala Center Cebu, they kicked off the holiday season with Feliz, in typical Filipino fashion: a night of laughter, song, cuisine, and other holiday delights.

Simbang Gabi
Held last October 25 at the Sampaguita Ballroom, Feliz showcased the hotel’s culinary expertise through a menu inspired by the holiday season. The night started off with ‘Simbang Gabi’, puto maya with sweet mango slices and a sikwate (local chocolate), reminiscent of the warmth that one experiences after attending the devotional nine-day series of masses in anticipation of Christmas.
Next was a cream of mushroom soup drizzled with rich locally-sourced cacao syrup—all from The Chocolate Queen herself, Rachel Choa—with a tortilla chip laid across the bowl.

Noche Buena
Further into the journey was the Noche Buena, slices of glazed leg of ham served with mesclun greens in lemon vinaigrette on the side and paired with a glass of Deloach California Pinot Noir to balance it out.
Halfway through, a palate cleanser was served to the guests: a coconut sorbet that had the right amount of sweetness to refresh the palate.
Back to the mains, ‘Media Noche’, perfectly-done pan-seared salmon on a bed of mashed potatoes with a Balsamic reduction. Another bottle of wine was popped to enhance the course, a Mandrarossa Viognier Le Senie from Italy.
To conclude the journey was a decadent chocolate lava cake, with sweet, spicy, and bitter chocolates from Rachel Choa. A glass of light, sweet Jack Estate M-R series Pink Moscato from South Australia capped off the night.
Throughout the meal, musical renditions of classic Christmas songs were performed by Mandaue Children’s Rondalla, led by Anthony Buenconsejo.

From Left to Right: Peter Militant, Operations Manager of Happy Living Wines; Julian Gagliardi, General Manager of Happy Living Wines; Maria Gigante, Host and Model; Gwen de la Cruz, General Manager of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; and Raquel Choa, The Chocolate Queen
It’s clear that General Manager, Gwen de la Cruz, and Marketing Director, Frances Alfafara, along with their team, put in a lot of effort to celebrate Christmas early.
Of course, the celebration doesn’t stop there. For the rest of the holiday season, guests will enjoy the hotel’s Christmas Tree—soon to light up on November 18th. On Christmas Eve, a special buffet menu will be available at P2,000, and a Christmas Lunch buffet for P1,250.
On top of these, there’s also a dazzling getaway room package, room countdown party package, and holiday sweets and treats at very affordable prices.
To ring in the new year, the New Year feast features a dinner buffet, countdown party, dinner and countdown party—the ultimate way to welcome 2020, all on Dec. 31.
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An original Christmas musical by Maloy Yap Martinez, ‘Pure Light, Perfect Light’ portrays the power of forgiveness and how God’s pure and perfect light brings peace to all men. Alongside Joe, the musical also stars Kim Yap Martinez, Hannah Mariel Caparros, Jason Brooks and Kristine Martinez. Ferdinand Aragon, Alain James Dujenio, Joseph Rey Dujenio, Jhon Resty Fuentes, John Frederick Quintana, Daven Toyhacao, Robbie Jean Alvarado, Nicole Rubillos and Gwendolyn Venus compose the choir.
‘Pure Light, Perfect Light’ will be directed by Maloy Yap Martinez, with Mavic Fuentes Quintana serving as choir director.
Watch the musical on December 19, 2014, 8:00 p.m. at the Cebu Capitol Social Hall.
Tickets are available at PHP 150 and PHP 200 at the following outlets:
Bintana Coffee Shop and Restaurant
181-K Elizabeth Pond St., Cebu City
Tel. 6332. 254 0563
Presents & Such: Weddings and Events
122 Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City
Tel. 6332. 233 1944
JY Prestigio, Lahug (across Jollibee, beside Maybank and 360 Pharmacy)
Tel. 6332. 414 0833
2nd St., Happy Valley Road, Cebu City
Tel. 6332. 255 0523
La Belle Aurore Bookshop
Hernan Cortes St., Banilad, Mandaue City
Tel. 6332. 238 0154
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/
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The internationally recognized furniture designer just launched his 12 Days of Christmas Mystery Auction via his Instagram, wherein he will be auctioning off pieces everyday from December 14-25 between 12NN and 1:00PM on his Instagram account.
Bids start at $399 or P18,000—a steal compared to his furniture’s market prices—and the fun comes in not knowing which piece will arrive at your doorstep. Will it be the Paisley chair Kryz Uy is lounging in below, the Geo table, or one of the limited edition creations Vito’s promised to throw into the mix? Whatever it does turn out to be, it’ll surely be a holiday haul you don’t want to miss out on.
Head on to @vitoselma on Instagram for more details.
This year, there was a perfectly good reason (or excuse?) to go shopping early, as Zee Lifestyle presented the biggest shopping event of the season. The South on Sale, in partnership with Globe Platinum and BPI, was a weekend-long shopping event on November 14-16 at the Ayala Center Cebu. It gave shoppers a chance to enjoy special deals and discounts at selected Ayala stores.
The South on Sale featured three lounges all over the Ayala Center Cebu’s new expansion wing. Designed by celebrated furniture designer Vito Selma, the lounges each had special offers that an exclusive list of shoppers was able to enjoy during the launch on November 14. The Zee Lifestyle booth at The Gallery featured the La Mer champagne bar, which allowed people to sip on bubbly while checking out the luxury skincare brand’s products. The Globe Platinum booth on the second floor offered visitors a delectable chocolate buffet as they checked out the newest promos and gadget offerings. Meanwhile, the BPI lounge hosted an exclusive preview of the new Rustan’s Department Store. The pop-up store feature products from brands such as Fendi, Longchamp, Natori, Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, Loewe, Sergio Rossi, Hackett, Façonnable and Thomas Pink—all of which were available for that weekend only.
The highlight of the South on Sale was the passport shopping experience. People who received a passport were asked to get stamps from stores like Aeropostale, F&F, Superdry, Loalde and Marks & Spencer, among others. Those who were able to complete all stamps got exciting prizes from Zee Lifestyle.
Photos courtesy of John Ong and Paolo Anciano
Indulge in the ultimate holiday shopping experience with the soft opening of Rustan’s Department Store on December which will house three floors of prestigious brands and exclusive finds for discerning shoppers. More welcome additions to the city’s growing retail scene are the store openings of global brands such as Cotton On, Dorothy Perkins, General, Mothercare and Urban Apparel among others plus homegrown brands like Sunnies Studio to cater to different needs and evolving lifestyles.
Delight the palate with an assortment of new dining establishments and concepts around the mall with restaurants, pastry shops and resto-lounges adding color to Cebu’s culinary landscape. Discover the distinct flavors of Planet Grapes, Treat Street Café, The Social, Maple, New Orleans, La Vie Parisienne, Burger King plus more options at the 4th level’s Food Choices.
Running from December 3 to 10, find the best holiday gifts at the Christmas Expo located at Level 1 Rotunda Area, near Guess. A bazaar of gift ideas, different gift-wrapping materials and Noche Buena baskets are up for grabs.
Enjoy a series of jolly events this season to be ushered in by the annual Ayala Malls’ Christmas Concert 2014. On December 6 and 7, experience a unique jazz musical dubbed “Frankly Speaking” at the Activity Center with shows at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fuelled by Frank Sinatra’s eternal hits, ‘Frankly Speaking’ will feature international tap-dance artist Omar Edwards and STEPS Dance Studio.
On December 12 to 15, join the Christmas rush at Ayala Center Cebu’s mall-wide Holiday Sale. Find the greatest deals and get ready for exciting surprises during the 3-day event. Kicking off the festivities on December 12 will be a free concert featuring one of OPM’s most prolific balladeers, Basil Valdez.
As a way of showing its gratitude and spreading more holiday cheer, Ayala Center Cebu will be providing perks and privileges to its valued shoppers. Enjoy free giftwrapping services for the whole month of December at Level 1 (near Mango) when you present a minimum purchase receipt of P500. Get a free shuttle ride from December 12-15 and 19-21 to Fuente, Labangon, Talamban, Mandaue and Consolacion with a single purchase receipt of P500. For added convenience, mall hours will be extended until 10 p.m. from December 12 – 23 and until 12 midnight on December 20.
‘Tis really the season to be merry at Ayala Center Cebu, where there is more to explore. For more information, please contact the Ayala Concierge hotline at 231 5342 to 44 local 350. For the latest updates, like Ayala Center Cebu on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AyalaCebu or follow @AyalaCenterCebu on Twitter and Instagram.
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