Events

What Bibliophiles are Reading at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale Cebu 2019

We talked to bibliophiles at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale Cebu 2019 and asked what’s in their carts!

by Raizza Alividao

Hold your carts, the infamous Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Book Sale finally returns to Cebu after its
huge success in 2018!

“Cebu has been petitioning for us to comeback since early this year. Actually, even when we
ended our Cebu [book sale] last year, we already received requests.” Jacqueline Ng, Founder of
BBW Book Sale, said.

The long wait is over and it’s time to take out your credit card or the cash you have saved up.
But with over a million of good books available in affordable prices, choosing which books to
purchase becomes a dilemma to every bibliophile. The massive collection of books ranges from
children’s books, fiction, non-fiction and premium books for all ages. If only you could take
them all!

Just like preparing for a battle, some readers thoroughly prepared a list of “must buy” before
going on a book hunt at the world’s biggest book sale. Here’s a tip! When looking for good
books to read, clicking around Goodreads, watching book review videos from your favorite
YouTuber, and browsing the bestsellers lists is your way to go.

Sheila Calog, a book worm who enjoyed collecting books since she was young, prefers
discovering new books and concepts rather than just having the popular ones. She took Fiction
books such as “Kumari: Goddess of Destiny”, “The Secret Life of Bees”, “The Witch of Salt and
Storm” and others. Also, she hoped to find books by Laini Taylor and Paulo Coelho.

“I gamble,” Sheila said. “In [Big Bad Wolf Book Sale], I like to get books with good synopsis and
obscure titles –titles you wouldn’t find anywhere else.” She added that she did the same at last
year’s book sale and it was worth it since she found unexpected amazing books.

A number of readers at the book sale flocked to the Young Adult section and grabbed books
from bestselling authors Rick Riordan, J.K Rowling, Stephen King and others. Carts had been
filled with novel series such as “The Maze Runner”, “Harry Potter”, “Percy Jackson and the
Olympians”, “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard” and more. You can definitely tell that
fantasy books are well loved by Cebuano bibliophiles. For readers, fantasy novels serve as an
escape from reality, letting you experience something extraordinary. Who does not love
spectacular magical abilities and slaying monsters, right?

Sean Villacorta, a fantasy, crime, and science fiction enthusiast, picked up the books of Michael
Crichton, Dan Brown and Rick Riordan. His wide search focused on finding all books written by
them but unfortunately, only few were available.

“[It’s because of] childhood nostalgia. I’ve read [Rick Riordan’s] books before when I was young
so I bought it,” shared Sean when asked why he chose such books at the book sale. This
indicates that despite already knowing how the story goes, readers are willing to spend on
certain books they’re emotionally attached to.

It’s no wonder that the Romance fiction is one of the most popular genres. Whether you’re
happy being single or have already found your guy, romance novels won’t fail to excite and
captivate you. Readers loved swoon worthy reads from authors Nicholas Sparks, Rainbow
Rowell, Jane Green and others.

Readers are also checking out Arts and Photography, Reference books and others under non-
fiction but most especially, self-help books. A reader at the book sale even said it’s a must have
since this type of genre does well in motivating and inspiring you when you need it.
The books you’d want to read vary depending on your mood or own preference. However, if
you have no idea on which books to try, knowing other people’s favorites could be a big help.
We don’t know…you might surprise yourself and enjoy it as much as them.
Don’t waste the opportunity and get what you want at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 2019 at IEC
Convention Center, which will be open 24 hours throughout its 11-day run until August 26,
2019. Enjoy this perfect haven for book lovers and support BBW’s advocacy in spreading the
importance of reading.

“Reading is beyond knowledge and education. It’s all about inspiring, empowering and making
books accessible especially to those who needed it,” Jacqueline Ng emphasized during the
Preview Day of Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 2019 on August 15.

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by Emmanuel Hamoy

On April 4, 2025, the much-anticipated exhibit One Flower, One World: Brushstrokes of Compassion and Wisdom opened at SM JMall, blending contemporary Buddhist art with interactive experiences. The event brought together art students, enthusiasts, collectors, social luminaries, community leaders, international Buddhist practitioners, and Dharma masters to celebrate Oj Hofer’s tribute to Venerable Master Hsing Yun through calligraphy, Zen ink painting, and Ikebana.

Erwin Choa (Adviser for Buddha’s Light International, Philippines), Marisa Fernan (Vice President of SM Prime Holdings Inc), Venerable Yung Guang (Head Abess of Fó Guāng Shān, Philippines), Marguerite Lhuillier (Social Luminary and Animal Rights Advocate), Sheila Go ( Adviser for Buddha’s Light International, Cebu)

Margie Lhuillier, artist Oj Hofer and Mariquita Yeung

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Joy Uy, Francis Dravigny, Venerable Yung Guang, Marissa Fernan, Margette Sarmiento

Among the distinguished guests were Oj’s muse, society maven Marguerite Lhuillier, SM Holdings’ Marissa Fernan, Buddhist advisers Sheila Go and Erwin Choa, and, most importantly, Fo Guang Shan Philippines’ Head Abbess, Venerable Yung Guang, who shared reflections on Master Hsing Yun’s teachings and the role of art in spiritual practice.

Artist Oj Hofer and Paeng Batuigas (Senior Assistant Vice President, Visayas Marketing, SM Supermalls)

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Events

Villa Mariquita: An Evening of Elegance, Laughter, and Fine Champagne

by Emmanuel Hamoy

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Margie Lhuillier, Frances Siao, this writer and Mariquita Yeung

Mariquita Yeung sharing experiences with guests on art collection

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Events

A Feast for the Senses

Crimson Chefs - Masahiro Kinoshita, Naoki Eguchi, Daniel Johnston, Javier Garcia, Allan Barios, Andrew Simpson

By Joanna Cuenco

June 8 – Mactan, Cebu | For one of its biggest dining events of the year as part of the highly anticipated Cebu Food and Wine Festival, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan curated an epicurean journey that brought guests on gastronomic flights of fancy, fine cuisine. A Feast for the Senses showcased the creativity and excellence of the resort’s culinary team through a dine-around event at its four dining destinations that invited guests to sample the best that each restaurant had to offer: international cuisine at Saffron, Spanish at Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Japanese at Aka by Naoki Eguchi, and desserts and more drinks at Azure Beach Club.

Maria Paz Perdices, Ambra Anzani, Ema Onda,Kate Anzani, Kumiko Onda, Daisy Barns

Tamsin Booth, Didier Belmonte, Frances Siao, Celeste Miranda, Bert Miranda, Bob Booth

Spirits were high and beverages flowed freely the whole evening, thanks to Philippine Wine Merchant, A Wine Company, The Wine Club, Don Revy, Sommelier Selection, Engkanto Brewery, M. Lhuillier Food Product Inc., Future Trade International, Happy Living Philippines, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, and Bauhinia Brewery.

Allan Barios at Saffron dessert station

Ulysse Jouanneaud

Margarette Lhuiller and Perl Jacalan

For the after-party and entertainment at Azure Beach Club, renowned mixologist Ulysse Jouanneaud took over the bar, crafting cocktails with Bacardi, Don Papa, Cointreau, and Sula Brands. Chef Allan Barrios presented a dessert spread that included key lime pralines, vanilla bourbon truffles, honey coconut cryos, and tiny flower-potted bamboo shoots that turned out to be made of pistachio. These little works of art were planted alongside vibrant green foliage, smooth stones, and a faux fog effect that created a tropical rainforest diorama out of the dessert table.

Lechon belly station at Saffron

Dessert display at Azure Beach Club

Yellowfin tuna tataki

Grilled mackerel with laksa boullabaise

The night sky and the distant lights of neighboring islands were the perfect backdrop for a high-energy LED dance performance and fantastic fireworks display that left guests in awe and applause.

Rose Hudson

Chele Gonzalez

Brava potato with chorizo at Enye

LED and Tron Dance

Aka Private Room

The Cebu Food and Wine Festival is supported by the Department of Tourism – Philippines, Visit Central Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Month, and Cebu Pacific Air.