Food, fashion, fascinating adventures in M's latest ish

CEBU, Philippines - French writer and essayist Voltaire once said, “Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.”

Dining has undeniably become a pleasurable endeavor more than just a necessity. With an abundance of food produce in Mindanao, the Philippines’ Food Basket, it is no wonder that many Mindanawons celebrate its plenty through festivals, competitions, or even in the simple act of dining out in a local eatery, or serving it with pizzazz at home. The current trend for anything culinary has spilled down south and this is what M (Life & Living in Mindanao) Magazine is celebrating in its fourth quarter issue.

This sought-after commercial model in Manila is now literally cooking the dishes in her very own restaurant in Davao City. French-Filipina Celine Le Neindre shares her life’s secret recipes and her passion for food, a trait she inherited from her famous dad, in M’s latest release.

Chef Romano Venuti and her beautiful wife Rochelle of Picobello and Swiss Deli, restaurateurs Vince and Tricie Arcenas of Salutti, and business partners and twins chefs Mike and Mel Aviles of Lachi’s join Celine in our journey to Mindanao’s food havens.

As one of the world’s top producers of quality bananas, Maldives-based Dipolognon chef Nouel Omamalin’s reveals a modern take on the “linusak” (a traditional mashed banana delicacy). Also in this issue, explore the many choices of gastronomic fares of the island in M Restaurant Guide and learn about the events of the recently concluded Mindanao Culinary Festival.

From food, hop on to the pages of fashion as M bares the story of one of Davao’s pillars of style and fashion, Alfonso “Boy” Guino-o, and why after five decades, he remains relevant and influential. Otoy Mercado, M’s very own fashion and beauty editor, makes an ocular interpretation of feathers as ornaments for the eyes, and unveils the latest in couture with Mindanao’s premier designers, Emi Englis, Egay Ayag, Popoy Barba, Roel Rosal, Edagar Buyan, Bonie Adaza and Melvin Lachica.

Travel the island with M as we uncover the trails to Gingoog, Impasug-ong, Marawi, Dapitan, Butuan and Sigaboy, and meet some of its interesting and exemplary citizens, tribal weaver Rosita Into Salvo, up and coming photographer Anton Lopez, soil painter Waway Saway and artists Anoy Catague.

Plus more captivating tales on the places, people, flavors and colors of Mindanao as M celebrates its splendor and diversity. Mindanao’s first-ever glossy travel and lifestyle publication is available in National Bookstore, Babasahin, Fully Booked, Power Books, Forewords, Christian Ventures, airport lounges and other leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. In Davao City, get your copy at Metrolifestyle Complex (Bo’s Coffee, Krua Thai, Metrolifestyle Gym and Pablo’s Steaks & Crabs), Lachi’s, * Babasahin (Victoria Plaza,SM City,NCCC Mall,Gaisano Mall,Gaisano South), D’ Farmers Seafood Grill & Restaurant, Marco Polo Davao Business Center, Farfalla Pasta-Bar (Victoria Plaza), Agencia Nina Jewelry (Victoria Plaza,JP Laurel, Bankerohan, Gaisano South,Gaisano Mall), and Davao Periodicals outlets. Visit www.m-mag.com.ph.