SongHits KTV, Akkua Base open

CEBU, Philippines - Two entertainment joints threw a party recently to family and friends, as well as to press people, to mark their grand opening.

SongHits! Family KTV, a franchise, has replaced a 300-square-meter business space of the same nature at the Banilad Town Centre. Wayne Congmon, chief operating officer, disclosed that the joint has to fix most of the rooms after Pod5 folded up. "We have 17 rooms - Silver, Diamond, based on our study on the needs of our clients. The technology is newer. If they don't want to sing, they can opt for movie marathons in here soon when we can load completely the most-requested films lineup."

"And there's also interesting party and pulutan packages fit for their needs," he also said.

There are four room types you can choose from depending on the size of your company (or tag-alongs) - Silver (6-8 pax), Gold (9-12), Platinum (13-16) and Diamond (17-30). Rates vary on days. For example, from Sunday to Thursday, Silver Room is up at P99 per hour but goes up at P149/hour on Fridays and Saturdays.

The dance floor is also enlivened with Xbox 360's upgraded version of Dance Central, Congmon added.

On weekdays, establishment opens from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., while on weekends, it is open from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m. 

"It's basically a place set up lively and pleasing to the eyes so people can eat, drink, sing, dance, bond with family and friends," he added.

Meanwhile, Akkua Base RestoBar takes over Pump 2 at Mango Square on a 150-square-meter al fresco setup. Owners Rosemarie Luche, Clarence Sanchez, Blane Ann Acosta, and Bernadette Emnace are a band of grade school classmates (Class '86) in Mandaue City who chipped in the needed capital outlay to start the viable business that sees return of investment in just three months, Emnace revealed. A co-partner is Junde Lauranilla who is in-charge of maintenance works.

Emnace, former owner and manager of Bakkak across a Talamban university, said that they already opened softly on March 9 after a fast-paced 16-day renovation project.

"We started communicating through Facebook early February. A post started the idea. My partners are just so interested about this business, knowing that I have been doing good in managing one before. And since I'm running a meat shop in Carbon (public market), a trade started by my mother, they trust that together we can make this project work," Emnace shared.

That night, Sound Merge offered live music of the '80s. They will be seen there on Fridays. The place can seat 100 people.

In the next three months, disco will take place on the second floor.

Worth the try are their mixed drinks - Boracay (rhum and tonic drink) and Careless Whisper (gin, orange and pineapple in a delightfully green shade).

Akkua Base is also open to functions or any corporate promotions, Emnace added. (MEEV)