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photography Oliver Echevarria

Truffled roast black olive toast alongside Circa 1900’s selection of freshly-baked breads from their own kitchen.

The Christmas feast includes lamb leg, grilled grouper and crispy baby craps, croquettes and the beef brisket.
The holidays will surely be a hearty one at this charming restaurant, with new but familiar dishes such as the Beef Brisket, Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin and the Lightly Smoked BBQ Bacalao Croquetas.
Sanjercasvil Road, Gorordo, Lahug
6332. 239 6265 | @circa1900
photography Oliver Echevarria

The holiday feast at Trattoria da Gianni includes the classic roast beef, zampone, bresaola bites, single-portion lasagna, and the bacon-wrapped roast beef.
The Italian restaurant offers diners a peek of what goes down during Christmas in Italy, with Roast Beef (classic or beef-wrapped!), the Christmas Cannelloni and the Zambalone.
Crossroads, Gov. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad
63. 977 842 2786 | @trattoriadagianni
photography Nath Ybanez
The new dining destination aims to bring forth sumptuous local dishes and reimagined international favorites. A Special Roast Turkey is available throughout the season for pre-order, in addition to their sumptuous meals.
8 Morales St., Cebu City
63. 943 556 7828
photography Chester Baldicantos
This season brings a new menu at the famed restaurant, including the now-popular Roast Chicken with Pearl Barley and Sweet Corn, and Pan-Fried Mullet with Cauliflower Couscous.
MSY Building, Cebu Business Park
63. 917 657 6866 | @thepigandpalm
Read more in Zee Lifestyle‘s Holiday & Entertaining Issue, out on stands now!
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Zee Lifestyle’s November 2016 Food & Entertaining Issue: The Mactan Newtown (Photography by Oliver Echevarria/Makeup by Janice Barillo and Nicko de la Peña/Fashion styling by Blaq Mafia/Set styling by Vanessa East/Furniture from Living ‘n Style/Shot on location at The Mactan Newtown Beach)
This edition is the ultimate guide to preparing for the holidays. A Guide to Entertaining is a collection of tips and tricks, as well as recipes, for throwing all those parties this season. Adding further to the festive inspirations, Cebu’s newest dining spots Circa 1900, Trattoria da Gianni, Cocina de la Casa and The Pig & Palm whip up special Christmas-themed menus we’re sure you’re going to want to try out. Meanwhile, we gather a roster of personalities for The Breakfast Club. Deborah Hayes, Gretchen Choa-Uy, K.D. Tiu, Mikaela Pacubas and Juanita Romualdez share morning rituals you’ll want to incorporate into your routines.
On the cover are Roma Villarama, Gigi Mantaring and Beatrice Lim from Concentrix, Manulife and The Results Companies respectively—all top locators inside the major township development The Mactan Newtown. The ladies discover the luxury and lifestyle of bringing the workplace to the beach.
Guest editor Kate Dychangco-Anzani helms this issue, just right before showcasing her entertaining skills further with bespoke table settings to be displayed at Deezine happening from November 10-15, 2016 at Ayala Center Cebu. A continuation of Zee Lifestyle‘s 20th anniversary festivities and a launch for the November issue, the event is a curated shopping party featuring limited edition designer collections.
Alongside Kate’s table settings with Rustan’s and Pink Flora, the pop-up store will also have one-of-a-kind home accessories by Miranda Konstantinidou and Kitkat Lobaton, Lani Pasquet and Selina Romualdez, and several pieces by Francis Dravigny with Doro Barandino, Hannah Lim and Reena Gamboa. A special Zee Lifestyle capsule fashion collection will feature exclusive pieces by Arcy Gayatin, Cary Santiago, Jun Escario, OJ Hofer, Philip Rodriguez, Philipp Tampus, Dexter Alazas, Dino Lloren, Harley Ruedas, Mia Arcenas, Axel Que, Bree Esplanada, Celine Borromeo, Edward James Castro, Jessica Ouano and Mike Yapching. BPI cardholders, Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club members and Zee Lifestyle subscribers get 10% discount on all items.
Be there at the opening cocktails of Deezine. RSVP on Facebook.
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Early photos of Matteo and his family (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, August-September 2016)
On his happy place:
Having spent his formative years in Cebu, Matteo has a special place in his heart for his mother Glenna’s home province. “Cebu, to me, is home,” he says. “Everything started in Cebu, my career as a racer and athlete, even my show biz career.”

Brooks Brothers cardigan from RUSTAN’S, white button-down shirt from BERGAMO (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, August-September 2016)
On convincing his parents to let him enter show biz:
Since the Guidicellis are a very private family, both Glenna and Gianluca were understandably not too keen about their son’s decision to pursue show biz, a world that’s alien to them. After some time, Matteo was finally able to convince his parents, but on one condition: he should finish his college education first before he could even think of signing up with any of the major networks. He did as he was told, enrolling in a two-year bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts with a major in Musical Theater at Columbia College in Chicago.

Button-down shirt from BERGAMO (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, August-September 2016)
On investing in the future:
One of Matteo’s long-term goals is to save enough money to buy land both in Cebu and Metro Manila where he could build his own homes. This level-headedness and forward-thinking attitude is what makes him a great fit for the Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc (SLAMCI). “Matteo manages and invests his money wisely,” says Reina Pama, president of SLAMCI. “He understands how important it is to entrust one’s money with a company that has a good record and integrity, as well as the value of investing for the long-term. He is the perfect ambassador and spokesperson for the brand.”

Brocade blazer, black button-down shirt, slacks, and polka-dot bow tie from BERGAMO (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, August-September 2016)
On marriage:
If it were up to him, Matteo wants to get married by time he turns 30. That’s less than four years from now. Although the 26-year-old actor-singer has been dating fellow Kapamilya talent Sarah Geronimo for over two years now, he and the country’s reigning pop superstar princess have yet to make public any future plans. “But one thing is definite,” he shares. “It will be a big wedding in Cebu with family and close friends. I can’t think of any other place that’s more perfect.”

White textured blazer, white button-down shirt and slacks from BERGAMO (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, August-September 2016)
On what his mom thinks about Sarah:
Glenna finds Sarah a “very nice, respectful” girl. Like any modern parent, she says she won’t meddle in matters involving her son’s heart. Sarah being a non-Cebuana is no issue to Glenna either. “It’s okay as long as she learns how to speak our language,” she says with a chuckle.
sittings editor Shari Quimbo photography Jan Gonzales styling Roland Magalang of Bergamo grooming Sheryl Songsong
Read the full story on Matteo Guidicelli in Zee Lifestyle’s August-September 2016 issue. For back issues, subscribe via Magzter.
Catch Matteo’s 10th anniversary concert, Matteo: Made in Cebu on November 18, 2016 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. Tickets are available at Ticketworld, Waterfront, and Trattoria da Gianni.
]]>Born in Northern Italy, Gianni, father to Gianluca and grandfather to Giorgia, Matteo, and Paolo, moved to the Philippines in the late 1970’s, fell in love with the country, and never left. All throughout Gianni’s life in the Philippines, Gianluca shared that despite the number of Italian restaurants in town, his father always preferred home cooking from their very own kitchen.
Time caught up with the food-loving Gianni, and he passed away last year, leaving two of his helpers, Antonia and Jean, with no one to attend to any longer. Since then, the idea of putting up a family restaurant has always hung over the head of Gianluca. As a result, Trattoria da Gianni was created. The fruition of the restaurant gives Antonia and Jean something to take care of now that their beloved Gianni is gone. It’s also the family’s way of thanking the two women who have served them for more than two decades.
Trattoria da Gianni, which translates to “a small Italian restaurant by Gianni,” is casual and unpretentious. All the love that goes into the restaurant doesn’t only reflect in their food, but it extends to their cozy and inviting interiors as well, giving you the warm-hearted welcome you’d get at an Italian friend’s home. As a family restaurant, Trattoria da Gianni serves the best of Italian home cooking with time-honored recipes right from the Guidicellis’ kitchen.
One thing that sets Trattoria da Gianni apart is that instead of pizzas, they have a wide variety of bruschettas. With toppings ranging from Parma ham with figs and fresh ricotta, to Taleggio cheese with apricots, the Guidicellis make the Italian staple more exciting than usual.
Diners can also expect freshly made pastas with homemade sauces for that personal touch, different kinds of mouthwatering mozzarellas, a variety of fresh salads, traditional Italian cold cuts and cured meats, premium Italian cheeses, hearty soups, and of course, delectable desserts. The menu also indicates which dishes were Gianni’s personal favorites. Some of these include the minestrone, spaghetti with pesto Genovese, ragu della Nonna (spaghetti with tomato meat sauce and Parmiggiano Reggiano), and tiramisu.
Crafted out of love, Trattoria da Gianni is the Guidicellis’ way of welcoming everyone into their kitchen, hoping to spread the love that Gianni had for food across Cebu. At Trattoria da Gianni, home is where the heart is.
TRATTORIA DA GIANNI
Crossroads Mall, Banilad
63. 977 842 2786 or 998 846 4996
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