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.
Events
A Feast for the Senses
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.
Events
The First NUSTAR BALL
The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.
Black was the color of night at the Zee table.
Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.
Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong
Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof
Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez
Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar
Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung
PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago
Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan
Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas
Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado
It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.
Events
Flying Tiger Copenhagen Lands in Cebu
By Joanna Cuenco
June 13 – Cebu City | Danish lifestyle brand Flying Tiger Copenhagen has landed in Cebu, opening its first branch in the Philippines outside Metro Manila at the upper ground floor of SM Seaside City.
Since its first store in Copenhagen in 1995, Flying Tiger has aimed to share products that not only look good, but make people feel good too. There’s something for everyone aged one to 100: toys, art materials, homeware, party supplies, workout gear, travel essentials, fashion accessories, and more. There will be fresh drops at the store every three to four weeks, so there’s always something exciting to look forward to and share with family and friends.
Product designs range from minimalist and “aesthetic” to cute and kitschy. Find lifestyle essentials like food storage and home organizers, tea towels and toothbrush holders, to some awesome things you didn’t know you needed, like a handheld sewing machine and a beach chair for your phone.
Even though the 200+ square meter space is fully stocked with hundreds of items, the store layout and neat display make it such a joy to look at all of the things and make the shopping experience easy and enjoyable. Flying Tiger believes a richer life does not cost a fortune, so items start at only P30, or even lower with some special promos.
The store opened with a traditional Danish cake-cutting ceremony with Jet Tan, Flying Tiger Copenhagen Store Operations Manager of APAC Region; Gladhys Rodriguez, Merchandising Manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Philippines; Billi Jin Esguerra-Perez, Marketing Manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Philippines; and JB Tan, Mall Manager of SM Seaside City Cebu.
Zandra Len Salvador and Drew Sarmiento
Sarree Pimentel with Lian
Rizanne Tiongko, Joanna Cuenco and Anya Morrissey
Jen and Jas Sarmiento, Rere Dakay, Kirby Yu with Kayden
Jaja Chiongbian Rama with Sebi and Georgiana
Eleni Paray, Hazel Tirol and Mitchelle Lua
Flying Tiger is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Stores Specialists, Inc., the country’s largest specialty retailer that handles a network of 593 stores and 94 brands, including some of the most recognized names in the world.
Facebook: @FlyingTigerCopenhagenPH
Instagram: @flyingtigerph
bai Hotel Cebu named 2024 PH’s Leading Business Hotel at World Travel Awards
A Feast for the Senses
The First NUSTAR BALL
Flying Tiger Copenhagen Lands in Cebu
Golden Prince Hotel’s Sinulog Royalty Experience
SM Fashion Forum reveals Cebu’s style influencers
BTS: Beetle and Bimmer Clubs for Men’s Issue
Noise and Sounds: An Artform
Christmas in Colonial Cebu: A Themed Exhibit by Teresin Mendezona and Eva Gullas for Stylescapes 2019
Artisanal Cebu: Aspiring calligraphy artist Abigail Condrado
Experience authentic Korean Barbeque at Da-In Restaurant
