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!
]]>For this year’s show entitled ‘Bling It On’, Cary Santiago came back for the second time with an exclusive collection called Pacifique which were worn by male and female pageant winners and title holders, including: Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 Yvethe Santiago and Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani. A few of Cebu’s very own were also present, including Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 Kris Janson and Miss Cebu 2015 Wynonah Buot, along with the face of the campaign, Miss Cebu 2016 Raine Baljak.
The show featured local personalities including young entrepreneurs, Cebu’s most creative set, as well as social media sensations, Medyo Maldito and Snake Princess. This year, Islands Souvenirs also collaborated with ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, a social enterprise which supports Filipino weaving communities with their pieces.
Adorable 2-8 year olds also modeled shirts specially designed for the show by internationally-renowned creative studio Happy Garaje.
See highlights from the fashion show below.
[unitegallery islands2017]
]]>Guests were pampered with beauty treatments from La Mer and MAC throughout the afternoon, until they had to dress up for cocktail hour. A five-course degustation by Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa executive chef Frank Bohdan and a raffle of exciting prizes including round trip tickets to the Maldives with a stay at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa preceded the main event of the evening—an exclusive fashion show featuring the A/W 2018 collection of Miranda Konstantinidou. Free flowing champagne, caviar and cheese kept the party going until the early hours of the morning.
The Zee Lifestyle Emerald Ball is presented by Arthaland, in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Cebu, Rustan’s and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu. Special thanks go out to Dedon Island, La Mer, MAC, and Jo Malone London.
photography Oliver Echevarria and Ezekiel Sullano
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