No, it’s not just the danggit or the dried mangoes. It’s in the air, it’s in the smile of the people even if some run after you persistently selling religious items outside the Cross of Magellan. Oh, how some also run after your car in Colon at midnight, selling other wares.
Cebu fabulous. A mortal like me can hardly resist its charm and mystery. I also love the barbecue in Lartian near the Fuente Osmeña Park. I will not exchange the mouth-watering barbecue in this place for some fine dining restaurant that cooks its food in some oil excavated in the caves of some Mediterranean island served in plates more expensive than my house, adorned by leaves that came from a secret garden in Italy. I don’t know what it is but the barbecue in Cebu romances my palate like a passionate lover who has not seen his partner for two hot summers.
A couple of weeks ago, I got invited to host the Sparkle and Shine Party at the Ayala Center, Cebu. It marked the opening of cafes, bars and restaurants that would literally change Cebu’s nightlife. If in the past, Cebu would be in deep slumber by midnight, with places like Mi Vida, Bigby’s, Bo’s Coffee Club, Brix, Sol Y Luna, Don Henrico’s (the best Don Henrico’s I’ve ever visited), Tequila Joe’s and Ratsky’s, parties can go all the way ’til dawn – just shortly before the sun breaks to announce a new day.
It was a great party which I hosted with smart and pretty Pia Guanio. The event was directed by my good friend Robert Tongco while the Bench and Marks & Spencer fashion shows were directed by Robbie Carmona. Local models sashayed in the catwalk with Manila models like the gorgeous Wilma Doesnt, John Estrada, Wendell Ramos and the stunning Bench image model, Jomari Yllana.
Randy Santiago’s friends and family came in full force to grace the opening of Ratsky’s. Ai-Ai de las Alas, Rustom Padilla, Bayani Agbayani, Bentong, Lara Morena, the Santiago brothers Rowell, Jun-Jun (with Sherilyn Reyes) and Raymart and basketball star Benjie Paras. Aga Muhlach was the principal guest who did the honors of cutting the ceremonial ribbon with Cebu First Lady Margot Osmeña and other guests.
Inside Ratsky’s, I saw Vice Gov. John-John Osmeña with friends. The local press corps was also present.
The whole event was organized by Camp Cebu, headed by Zen and Vicky Pastoriza and Ayala Corp.’s Teng Casipit. Seen in the party were Rene Almendras, Francisco Licuanan, Joy Palloso, Miriam Katigbak, Mercedita Nolledo, Maria Java, Apollo Abraham, Connie Selma, Serge Montinola, Christine Abesamis, Jing Chua, Iris Arcenas, Sandra Vidarte, Winnie Nazareth, Rowena Tomeldan and Dave Rafael.
And no, it wasn’t true that Rustom Padilla (again!) disrobed to show off his body. Rustom doesn’t have to disrobe for anybody to know that he has a gorgeous body – all he has to do is look at you and if you’re faint-hearted, you’ll disrobe.
Poor Rustom, he is always a favorite victim of wild tales. ’Di bale, Rustom, this simply means that you are irresistibly desirable!
The Sparkle and Shine Party at the Ayala Center, Cebu was certainly a hot, hot party. That sparkling strip of bars at the Ayala Center, Cebu is another shining reason for me to look forward to the next visit to Cebu.
Daghan salamat sa inyong tanan!
Trabaho Lang is a magazine show aired every Monday, 9:30 p.m. and is hosted by Amelyn Veloso which featured different types of jobs. While Urban Doktor is an informative and entertaining show which delves on medicine on a very hands-on basis. It is hosted by Doc Ed and is shown every Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, The Exchange, aired every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. is a program which features two people of different nationalities visiting each other’s country while On-Air, hosted by JM Rodriguez features man-on-the-street interviews, on-air greetings etc. This exciting show airs every Friday, 9:30 p.m.