Biographies of world figures

"Chocolate makes everything better." A chocolate bonanza is happening at 10 Dove Street Confectionery in Oakridge Business Park from September 28 to October 5. One of Cebu's originals, 10 D.C., shifted through it's treasure trove of recipes to bring unique flavors to the Cebuano cake scene. The next seven days will be filled with gooey, luscious and sweet chocolates. From cakes to cupcakes to cake pops to drinks, the popular restaurant will overflow with chocolatey goodness. When I first saw the buffet table bursting with all things chocolate, I forgot about my sugar diet. The only thing that went into my mind was that I gotta try a couple of slices to satisfy my craving. I actually was able to try 3 cake flavors: Hey, Charlie Brown, German chocolate and chocolate Bundt cake. Each bite was a delight. There were quite a few surprises. And I won't spoil them for you because it would be better if you tried them yourself. I enjoy a chocolate bar once in a while. And o...

"I like my money right where I can see it...hanging in my closet."  - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City What's the most important thing that you need to pack for a trip to the Big Apple?  Clothes, clothes, clothes... Yes, that's right. You have to make sure that the clothes that you'll be wearing for your trip is comfortable, weather-appropriate and photogenic. OOTD or Outfit-of-the-day poses are a must for the stylish tourist. "Thirty, flirty and thriving." - Jenna Rink, 13 Going on 30. Style writing is not my forte but seeing my brother's photos from his recent trip to New York City, I just had to post about it. It took some time to convince him but I've finally managed to get his "Yes". You would think that men's fashion is all about shirts and jeans but it's not! Nowadays, men's clothes are competing head-to-head with women's outfits. You'll see more and more men posting their style in Social Media. Your travel...

Ever wondered what our Philippine Presidents used to travel from point A to B during their terms? Do they also have a version of the United States Presidential car called "The Beast"?  When I was younger, we had a tour at the Fort Santiago which is located in Intramuros, Manila. Part of the Museum exhibit were the Presidential cars of the past Presidents of the Philippines. I vaguely remember seeing them on display. I couldn't remember how many cars were there but I do recall that they were all black and big. Presidential Cars of Aguinaldo, Laurel and Magsaysay I've been to Fort Santiago several times through the years and I never again saw the cars. At the time, I thought they were neglected and disposed of. And during the first History Con in August at the World Trade Center, I was surprised to find that the National Historical Institute has maintained and restored them to mint condition. They're now at a storage facility awaiting their transfer to the Quezon Ci...

Every Harry Potter book by J.K. Rowling is a magical experience but the one that resonates the most to me is the 6th book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I promise no spoilers even though it has been 9 years since the book was published plus the highly-successful movie came out in 2009. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince It is a simple book. The storyline is the most anticipated among the HP books. How did Tom Riddle become Lord Voldemort? What is that special and disturbing connection between Voldemort and Harry Potter. Who is the Half-Blood Prince? The story is not complicated. Reading the book and enjoying it is not complicated. When it originally came out in 2005, I stayed up all night to finish reading it. That was how engrossed I was with the Half-Blood Prince. It's full of angsts --- young love, longing, discovery and loss. At the end of the story, our young heroes face uncertainty. The author, Rowling, was able to bring to life what we felt when we were the cha...

Living in a country that is comprised of over 7, 000 islands, partaking on Seafood is in our genetic makeup. It has come to my attention that Cebu Marriott Hotel has designated that every Friday dinner will be Seafood night. I, for one, didn't skip a beat to try out this cornucopia of sea harvest. Armed with a handful of antihistamines, I planned my assault on the Seafood Buffet at the Garden Cafe. I was so excited that I was there in the hotel lobby 30 minutes before the restaurant opened. I surveyed the different food stations and listed which ones I would go to first. When we were finally ushered into the restaurant, I immediately went to the Chefs stationed at the Stew station so that I could ask them to prepare the all-time Filipino classic soup, sinigang (a sour soup), with the various fishes and clams they had on display. Once the Sinigang was cooked, it will be delivered to our table. Sinigang Station The next thing on my list was the rock lobsters, I just asked the Chef to...

For the past couple of years, Board Game Cafes have been sprouting in and around Metro Manila. The Cebuano crowd is starting to appreciate cafes like this. I'm predicting that a few months from now, this would be the new fascination of the Cebuanos. I ntroducing Vault Board Game Cafe which is on it's soft-opening. It provides an avenue for board game enthusiasts play different games with friends and families. It also becomes an avenue for gamers to meet and discuss their favorites. You just need to pay PHP150 per person and you can play as long as you want, as many as you want. If you're not familiar with the rules of a particular game board, there is a Game Master who will guide and instruct you on how to play the different games that they have on hand. Vault Board Game Cafe also offers a variety of refreshments that would help gamers be nourished and ready for more action. The cafe is usually open by around 3pm and closes at 10pm or 11pm depending on the day of the week...

Want to start your day right? Let Tom N Toms Coffee make it happen for you. I have been living in Cebu for the past ten years and I have seen how the Coffee landscape has changed. In recent months, there have been several Coffee shops that opened in the City but there is one that stood out from the rest. Tom N Toms Coffee is a Korean Coffee franchise that started in 2001. They partnered with locals and opened their first branch in Bacolod in  2015.  In 2016, they partnered with the Alba family of Alba Uno Residencia fame to open a Tom N Toms Coffee shop in The Greenery at Mabolo.  What's unique with this Korean Coffee shop is that they bake their pastries as you order. You get your bread and pretzels, hot and fresh all the time. And I recommend that you try their different flavored and toasted bread. Their pretzels are definitely well-made. They're soft and delicious. Every time you visit the shop, always make sure that you get to eat any of their pastries. Garlic Butter,...

What would you do if you had a chance to meet your favorite author? Would you grab the bull by its horns and make it possible? I did and I couldn't stop gushing about it even after a week. On a September Saturday afternoon, I was fangirling with the Filipino Hugot Historian, Professor Ambeth Ocampo. Sometime in July, I was going through my Facebook feed when I saw the announcement for this year's History Comes Alive series of Professor Ambeth Ocampo at the Ayala Museum. I've always wanted to attend his lecture sessions but living in Cebu makes it a little difficult.  For this year, my scheduled trip to Manila coincided with his September lecture. I was brimming with excitement when I contacted Ayala Museum via email on how to reserve a ticket. Their response time and instructions are admirable. I paid via bank deposit through BPI. I sent a picture of the bank slip and all I had to do was show up on the day of the event and provide my name when I register.  One thing that I...

Cafe Lorenzo, Cebu Grand Hotel's main restaurant, presents their All Day Specials which are available starting September 15th until December 31, 2016. Make your 'Ber' months special with Cafe Lorenzo's Executive Lunches, Merienda Cena and Sugba-Sugba offerings. You'll feel right home at the restaurant. There is a right balance of good food and atmosphere. It's nice to try new food places and compare notes. Cebu is fast becoming a foodie paradise. Cafe Lorenzo's Leche flan Filipino favorites with the Cebuano twist made with love. Bring your family, friends or co-workers to enjoy the different food flavors and varieties specially made by the chefs of Cafe Lorenzo. Executive Lunches Dinuguan, Puto, Fried Bananas Pancit, Pandesal and Kakanin Cebu Grand Hotel is part of Vibo Place located on N. Escario St., Cebu City. You can call them for reservations at (032) 254 6331.