Group invests P50M for 1st entertainment venture

CEBU, Philippines - Seeing the promising prospects for food and fun related businesses, a group of businessmen pooled their resources to put up a one-stop entertainment and lifestyle hub in Cebu.

Vivo Sugbo Inc., composed of fun-loving businessmen Eric Ng Mendoza, Stanley Uang, Oliver Chan and lawyer Reiner Mora, started with a P50 million capitalization to open its first entertainment venture --- the Amnezia Superclub on Ouano Avenue, north reclamation area, Mandaue City.

Barely a year old, Amnezia Superclub has already established its niche in Cebu’s nightlife scene having gained popularity among young professionals who go clubbing to unwind after a hard day at work.

Vivo Sugbo pointman Mendoza said the group is up to invest another P150 million to improve Amnezia and maximize the 12,000 square-meter property in Mandaue.

Mendoza said they will introduce the first green market square around Amnezia’s open space to transform the area into a total entertainment hub that will not only offer leisure and fun activities, but also wellness products and services.

Mendoza bared that they have commissioned urban planner expert Jun Palafox to make a feasibility study for the entire facility and come up with unique and good market square concept.

As an added attraction to Cebu’s vibrant tourism industry, the group envisions Amnezia to be the “it” destination for fun and entertainment for both local and foreign tourists.

It offers different entertainment options under one roof. It boasts of 27 KTV rooms with huge LCD television and LED dance balls, live band and disco pub, sports bar, and function rooms for private functions. 

Amnezia Superclub marketing director Zandro Sy Guillo reported that aside from the growing number of walk-in clients, the club is also getting bookings from the corporate market for special events.

According to Guillo, the club’s diverse choice of entertainment activities make Amnezia the most flexible venue for business mixed with leisure and fun events.

Earlier, economist Bernardo Villegas of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) mentioned that entertainment, which include fun, food, and leisure is one of the most promising sunrise industries in the country.

If managed and marketed well, Villegas said this kind of business can bring in good revenue for tourist destinations like Cebu.

Aside from the growing number of tourists who love to check out the local night life and go to unique entertainment joints, Filipinos are also big spenders for entertainment activities. --- Ehda M. Dagooc

J Centre Mall joins battle against breast cancer

J Centre Mall officially launched its Pink October activities last Monday, October 1, to up the campaign on breast cancer awareness.

I Can Serve Foundation director Michelline Farrarons said that this is the first public-private partnership (PPP) on breast cancer awareness campaign, adding that J Centre Mall’s efforts in raising awareness on breast cancer and the advantage of early detection would be a great help to many women.

“I am a testimony of the awareness of early detection,” said Farrarons, director of ICanServe Foundation. Farrarons was diagnosed of breast cancer ten years ago, but because of early detection, she was able to overcome the disease.

“Our mantra is, ‘Early detection saves lives, early detection saves money, and early detection is the cure’,” she said.

Mandaue City’s first lady, Sarah Cortes, related her family’s battle against cancer, saying how her mother died from undiagnosed abdominal cancer.

“What you are doing will save a lot of lives,” she said, adding, “Thank you Mr. Jerry Uy for sharing your mall in spreading awareness that breast cancer can be prevented through early detection.”

According to J Centre Mall’s Assistant General Manager Douglas Davidson Chiongliu, Pink October is about people taking responsibility of their own lives. He said that what J Centre Mall tries to do is to help open greater access to medical assistance for the residents of Mandaue City and Metro Cebu.

He revealed that for the whole month of October, the mall will be encouraging its tenants to help spread awareness on breast cancer by giving special discounts to women on certain items, and at the same time it will also be conducting free screening, laboratory tests, and even ultrasound on certain days.

“Cancer is a traitor and we want everyone to be aware, to be educated so that we could reduce the risk of getting cancer,” Chiongliu said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

For more information and for schedules on screenings, call J Centre Mall at (032)2668888. J Centre Mall is located along A.S. Fortuna Street in Bakilid, Mandaue City. --- (FREEMAN)