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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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
]]>Called Deezine, the event was a pop-up store that kicked off the holiday season. Deezine featured three distinct setups that showcased limited edition designer collections.
The first setup highlighted bespoke home furnishings—all of which were carefully-made products collaborated upon by top names in Cebu’s design scene. Runaway bestsellers were unique shagreen and rattan trays by La Galuche’s Lani Taylor Pasquet and Obra Cebuana’s Selina Romualdez, while Francis Dravigny and Reena Gamboa’s handwoven solar LED lamps piqued people’s interest.
The most respected names in the Queen City’s fashion industry came together for a capsule collection exclusive only to Zee Lifestyle. With pieces in limited quantities and available only throughout the sale, people took the chance to have unique ready to wear blouses by top designers. Young designer and Project Runway finalist Celine Borromeo’s sleeveless pinstriped suit-inspired top sold like hotcakes, while people couldn’t resist a Philip Rodriguez neoprene creation.
Zee Lifestyle’s Food & Entertaining Editor Kate Dychangco-Anzani also had a moment to shine at the event, with her collaboration with Rustan’s. The entertaining guru utilized pieces by Rustan’s Home, Polspotten, Boska, chilewich, D&M and Harman Home—all available at Rustan’s Department Store—for an elegant table setting fit for the holidays. Meanwhile, Pink Flora also had a beautiful carnation and white table setting that became an Instagram-worthy backdrop for guests and mallgoers.
The opening cocktails on November 10, 2016 gathered the magazine’s valued subscribers, advertisers, and the rest of Cebu’s VIP for heavy cocktails and tequila-laced drinks from the Patron bar. Zee Lifestyle subscribers and BPI cardholders were able to enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases.
Deezine was presented by Arthaland, in cooperation with BPI Cards, Sun Life Financial, Mercedes-Benz Cebu, Rustan’s and Patron.
]]>Besides showcasing the fashion from labels such as Aidan Mattox, Adrianna Papell, David Meister and Jessica Howard, the fashion show also unveiled Fashion Forum’s Cebuana style influencers—Zee Lifestyle editor Patty Taboada, businesswomen Susan Chua and Maureen Sanchez; master aesthetician Dianne Gandionco-Huang, florist Pinky Chang, architect Gerlie Ang, Rotary District 3860 District Governor Mary Ann Alcordo-Solomon, and philanthropist Amparito Lhuillier. The ladies were escorted by dashing gentlemen, most of whom were wearing suits and tuxedos from the SM Department Store.
The M·A·C Astounding Vital Audacious Fantastic featured live body painting sessions, upbeat dance routines, and a performance from DJ Nina Saputil and Joyce Pring.
]]>As a way of saying thank you, the hotel kicked off celebrations by giving back. On April 3, more than 900 runners gathered for Run for ERUF #TimelessAt10. Php 130,000 was raised for the benefit of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundations.
Weekly events with different themes were also held, inviting friends and guests to intimate gatherings. Games and raffle prizes were given away, and no one went home empty-handed.
In the succeeding months, the celebrations will continue with the “Timeless at 10” theme, with Marco Polo Plaza upholding its standard of excellence that can only come from Cebu City’s Finest.
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills
Apas, Cebu City
6332. 253 1111
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Mugnâ, a Cebuano word that means “to create”, is a fitting term for the extravaganza of flourishing local talent. The event featured signature pieces by designers from the Fashion Council of Cebu and the introduction of Lobby Lounge’s Chocolate High Tea, a treasure box of goodies made in partnership with homegrown chocolatier, The Chocolate Chamber.
Guests had a fabulous afternoon as they witnessed piece after piece of chic Cebuano couture made by renowned names in the industry: OJ Hofer, Yvonne Quisumbing, Albert Arriba, Mia Arcenas, Edwin Ao, Jun Escario, Arcy Gayatin, Philipp Tampus and Philip Rodriguez.
The afternoon flair was complemented with bites of the Chocolate High Tea selection that consists of White Chocolate Crème, Chicken Inasal, Spiced Chocolate, Tablea Crème Brûlée, Beef Tablea and Flourless Tablea Cake, which was served with a pot of premium tea.
The more adventurous chocolate aficionados meanwhile had the option of indulging in signature cacao-infused martinis, made in partnership with Grey Goose Vodka. The line-up includes the Classic Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, Orange Chocolate, Chili Choco, Mint Choco, Choco Bomb Shot and Warm Orange Cognac Sikwate.

Mugnâ was a celebration of firsts, as it was the launch of Lobby Lounge’s Chocolate High Tea and signature martinis which are now available daily. Moreover it was the premiere of the monthly fashion shows in which two of the participating designers will present collections exclusively made for the resort. The couture pieces will be on display at the resort’s Events Center and the entire season will culminate with a grand finale on Aug. 31, 2016.
It’s that time of the year again when the vaginas are coming… to Cebu, that is. Production company 2tincans Philippines, Inc. has been granted the rights for a V-Day Cebu presentation of The Vagina Monologues to raise money and awareness for local organizations that work to stop violence against women and girls.
The award-winning play is based on V-Day founder and playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. With humor and grace, the piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength.
Through this play and the liberation of the word ‘vagina’, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than sixteen years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.
With a script that has, for the most part, remained unchanged, the challenge is how to put on a different show every time. This year’s producing artistic director, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson has assembled a diverse cast of 20 women to bring the Monologues to life—Joan Saniel-Amit, Maxi Bolongaita, Laurie Boquiren, Cattski, Pami Estalilla, Bea Evardone, Chai Fonacier, Margo Frasco, Deborah Hayes, Candice Hintz, Gem Icamen, Gingging Navarro-Laude, Aleah Lim, Regal Oliva, Andrea Pateña, Stephanie Sitoy, Patty Taboada, Brazzy Valdez, Charlene Virlouvet and Jo-Ann Zaldumbide.
“With The Vagina Monologues being known more than ever as a successful, award-winning play, it is important to see that vagina monologues happen everyday,” says Enclona-Henderson, who first brought The Vagina Monologues to Cebu back in 2001. “The stories are real and both women and men need to hear them.”
This year’s production will be for the benefit of Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc., a local non-government organization focused on helping the urban poor families and supporting women’s causes.
The V-Day Cebu 2015 production of The Vagina Monologues is supported by The Henry Hotel, 22 Tango Records, Candice Hintz Photography, Castilex Industrial Corp., Hair by Gino Fonghe, Isidra Comfort Cantina, Jamaica Markets Corp. Koncepto Events, Makeup by Arnauld, MyAdvocacy, Saraban and Your House Doctors. Media partners include Y101 Always First and Zee Lifestyle.
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
Directed by Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson
8:00 p.m. on May 23 and 30, 2015
Space 150, The Henry Hotel
For tickets and other queries, call 6332. 512 3134 or 260 7080.
Like V-Day Cebu on Facebook.
Meet the cast of this year’s The Vagina Monologues
sittings editor Patty Taboada photography Candice Hintz graphics Ehds Javier makeup Arnauld hair Gino Fonghe locale The Henry Hotel
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