"Cebu, Cebu!": A celebration of Cebuano talent

CEBU, Philippines - Homegrown talents, world-class acts and festive Sinulog entertainment became the main evening attractions in the SM City Cebu Northwing last January 9-17. Together with the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation, Inc., the Northwing Atrium was once again transformed into an impressive display of Cebu’s finest offerings in music, fashion, furniture, food, and faith in the event dubbed as “Cebu, Cebu” and the launch of their ad campaign “My City, My SM”.

It opened with stirring performances from Eva delos Santos, Raki Vega and Dulce—three internationally-acclaimed Cebuana divas who sang timeless Cebuano classics. Memorable was de los Santos’ Visayan version of the late Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There”, which became “Balik Na”, a powerful anthem of asking a lover to come back and fulfill a promise. The Peace Philharmonic double-string quartet also serenaded the guests and provided the background Visayan music for fashion designer Philip Rodriguez’ Spring 2010 runway showcase. 

The rest of Sinulog week had the mall-going crowd enthralled with nightly performances from choral groups such as the Mandaue Children’s Choir and the University of the Visayas Chorale; musical acts such as the Cebu Guitar Quartet, Lourdes Parish Rondalla, the University of Cebu Dance Company and tribal band Lupon Anduyo. Singers Pinky Marquez and Chad Borja capped the week-long exhibit and celebration of Cebuano talent.

Beauty, grace and the visual treat of dazzling costumes also took centerstage when the annual Sinulog Festival Queen parade was held at the Northwing.

On the sidelines, the ad campaign My Cebu, My SM which featured the Aldeguer brothers — Chris, Jay, Michael — and event specialist Teresin Mendezona was launched to the public. The Aldeguers, who are all successful entrepreneurs in their different lines of business (tourism, fashion and sports), and Mendezona shared to the Cebuanos why they love their very own Cebu and SM.

Exhibits at the Northwing Atrium include the jewelry designs and collections of Annie Chen, furniture designed by Kenneth Cobonpue, the exclusive paintings of portraitist Romulo Galicano, photos from the book “Cebu, Pride of Place” by master photographer E. Billy Mondoñedo, the collections of fashion czar Philip Rodriguez which showcased his colorful designs for the Search for the Sinulog Festival Queen, and the food display of Raki Urbina, executive chef of Cafe Laguna.