Tag: manila

A Cebuano New Year Like No Other at SM Supermalls 

On By Jennifer PagalilauanIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The locals of the Queen City of the South know how to have a good time—it’s practically in their DNA. Cebuanos are known for their energetic, passionate, yet irresistibly sweet disposition, and this is never more evident than in their loud, lively, and unapologetically fun New Year celebrations—and in festivities all throughout the calendar year.

With 2026 officially here, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Cebu are cranking the party all the way up with not-to-be-missed experiences perfect for explosive feasts and wildly entertaining gatherings. Bring out that fiery Bisaya spirit in you, and dare to live an elevated lifestyle with these must-try, Cebufied activities. 

Must-Do #1: Go Full Kikay This 2026!

Upgrading your outfit is sure to be a doozy with these kikay-cute finds from these fabulous stores. With a stunning collection of accessories and trend-driven bags, you’ll feel absolutely gwapa from the very start of the year all the way to the end!

  • Bagel Girl 

Step into the New Year with Cebuano flair at Bagel Girl, on the 2nd Level of the Seaview Wing at SM Seaside City Cebu. Pile on the sparkle, play with the shine, and finish every look with jewelry and hair accessories made for celebrating loud, proud, and in style. From street parties to family gatherings, bring that unmistakable Cebuano energy wherever the night takes you.

  • House of Little Bunny Pop-up Store 

Start 2026 the Cebuano way by looking effortless, put-together, and ready for anything by hopping on to the House of Little Bunny Pop-up Store in SM City Cebu’s North Wing. Whether you’re out for celebrations or on the go all year long, these are pieces made to carry you through 2026 in style.

Must-Do #2: Trimmed For Tiny Perfection 

Cebuanos like to start things light, easy, and with plenty of smiles. That’s exactly what your little one gets at Cuts 4 Tots on the 2nd Level, City Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu—the first in VisMin. This kid-friendly salon guarantees a stress-free haircut that can keep your kids comfy, confident, and camera-ready all year long.

Must Do #3: Family Fun Awaits 

Once your tot has had the perfect little snip, it’s time for some much-needed family bonding. Nothing says ‘fun!’ quite like a fun-filled day at Fantasy World, at SM Seaside City Cebu, located at the Lower Ground Level, Cube Wing. The biggest one yet to open in VisMin, it features a wide array of attractions—from unique games to interactive activities like Simulated Golf and Double Fun Arcade.

Must-Do #4: Upgrade Every Feast and Festivity

Craving for something besides the usual Talisay lechon? Head over to these awesome restaurants instead to shake things up. Serving some of the most mouthwatering meals this side of Cebu, you and your family will be screaming kalami all the way home! 

  • Herbs & Cellar 

Cebuanos like their food bold, familiar, and worth coming back for. Ease into the year with a flavor-packed meal at Herbs & Cellar in the North Wing of SM City Cebu. With a fusion-forward menu that gives comfort favorites like sisig and fish and chips a clever twist, it’s the kind of place that keeps things exciting while still feeling just right for local tastes.

  • Samgyupsalamat 

The best way to welcome what’s next is around a table full of food. Say daghang salamat to satisfying, savory favorites at Samgyupsalamat in the North Wing of SM City Cebu. With Korean-style grilling, Filipino flavors, and unlimited marinated meats and sides, it’s the kind of feast made for sharing, celebrating, and lingering a little longer.

  • Tavolàta

In Cebu, starting strong means sitting down and enjoying great food. That’s why Tavolàta in SM City Cebu’s North Wing offers a feast that shouldn’t be missed. From handmade pastas to hearth-baked pizzas, its warm, inviting Italian fare sets just the right tone for a year meant to be enjoyed.

  • Super Bowl of China

When the celebration slows down but appetites are still big, Super Bowl of China is the perfect pick. Enjoy comforting Chinese favorites paired with warm, personal service—something that truly resonates with Filipinos who love gathering, dining, and celebrating with friends and family. Find the first VisMin branch at SM City Cebu, North Wing.

Must-Do #5: End on a Sweet Note with Bisaya Brews And Bites

Once the entrée is done, it’s time to treat yourself to dessert and refreshments. A typical Cebuano celebration isn’t complete without a premium brew and a sugary delight that hits just the right spot. For an high-end coffee-and-confectionery experience that’s as sweet as your palangga, make your way to these stellar cafés and pastry shops.

  • Good Habits Coffee 

When the celebrations wind down but the night isn’t over, there’s always time for one more cup. Drop by Good Habits Coffee at the North Wing of SM City Cebu and settle in. With a cozy, homey space and freshly brewed coffee, it’s an easy place to stay up a little longer—whether you’re catching up, getting work done, or just enjoying the quiet before the year fully kicks in.

  • Beard Papa’s 

After all that celebration, there’s always room for something sweet. Swing by Beard Papa’s at the North Wing of SM City Cebu and treat yourself to their famous cream puffs—filled with rich chocolate, ube, honey butter, and other seasonal flavors. They’re light, indulgent, and tempting enough to make even puto and tikoy wait their turn.

Family, food, and fun—that’s what Cebuanos do best! And this rings especially true during the advent of the year. Throttle in at SM Supermalls fully and elevate your lifestyle with our carefully curated lineup of explosive finds to lead you into a whole new era this 2026. 

Let the craziness, color, and chaos of Cebu dazzle and wow the start of the year—and let’s keep the party going right till the very end. Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig!

CCP, Intramuros Administration revive ‘Intramuros Evenings’ with Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? 

On By Jennifer PagalilauanIn StoriesLeave a comment

This July, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Intramuros Administration bring history and heritage to life within the walls of the historic Walled City with Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon?, a bold theatrical work from the CCP Out-of-The-Box Series, set to open the Intramuros Evenings on July 19, 2025, 6:30 PM at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, Manila.

Written by Jose Victor Torres and directed by CCP artistic director Dennis Marasigan, this devised theater piece draws inspiration from the works of three National Artists: Alejandro Roces (We the Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers), F. Sionil Jose (Po-on), and Eddie Romero (Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?).

Featuring the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, the story is set in the 1950s and follows Kulas, an aging farmer detained on suspicion of leading the Huk. He finds himself entangled in questions of identity, memory, and change. 

Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? features stellar performances by Arjhay Babon, Jonathan Tadioan, Marco Viaña, Mark Lorenz, Sarah Monay, Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan, Anya Evangelista, and Rey Correjado.

Ohm David takes charge of the set design, with Meliton Roxas Jr. for lighting, TJ Ramos for sound, Winter David for video graphics, Daniel Gregorio for costumes, and Rommel Serrano for overall styling.

As the IA celebrates their 46th year of stewardship, preservation, and vibrant promotion of the country’s famous walled city, their revival of Intramuros Evenings with the CCP not only enriches the cultural landscape of Intramuros, but also strengthens the long-standing partnership between the two institutions who have always championed the enduring legacy of Philippine arts and culture. 

“Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? is an appropriate opening for the revival of Intramuros Evenings as it looks back at history to provide insight into our past,” said director  Marasigan.

First held in 1996, Intramuros Evenings share a long history with the CCP as it used to feature performances from CCP resident companies including the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), Ballet Philippines, and Tanghalang Pilipino.

Intramuros Evening: Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

For latest updates on the CCP productions under Intramuros Evenings, follow the CCP official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok, and visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for tickets and other inquiries.

20 Museums and Galleries You Should Visit in CCP Pasinaya 2025

On By Jennifer PagalilauanIn EventsLeave a comment

Celebrate the National Arts Month with CCP Pasinaya 2025 Open House Festival: Para sa Lahat and visit as many museums and galleries as you can through its hop-on, hop-off museum tour around Manila and Pasay cities 

On February 1 and 2, pay-what-you-can, and visit-all-you-can with Paseo Museo, one of the well-loved components of CCP Pasinaya. Take the free CCP shuttle in the Paseo Museo terminal, located along Vicente Sotto Street and explore these 20 museums and galleries:

  • ADAMSON UNIVERSITY GALLERY – serves as a hub for art and photography exhibits, featuring works from both established and emerging artists since its inauguration in 2005. It also functions as a holding area for distinguished guests of the theater, further enhancing its role as a cultural and artistic venue.
  • ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME HISTORY (MUSEO MARITIMO) – established in 2012 to promote and safeguard the Philippines’ maritime heritage, the museum proudly presents a curated collection of artifacts and exhibits that weave together the intricate narrative of the nation’s maritime legacy.
  • BAHAY TSINOY – the premier cultural and lifestyle museum depicting the lives of the Chinese in the Philippines from pre-colonial to contemporary periods. Bahay Tsinoy documents, interprets, and communicates to a diverse audience about the evolution of the Tsinoy or Chinese Filipino, in order to propagate and perpetuate the imprint, impact and influence of the Tsinoy ethnic minority in mainstream Philippine society.
  • BALUARTE DE SAN DIEGO – the first stone fort in Manila turned into an archeological park. The garden area – which was once the site of a foundry and soldier’s barracks – is today rented out for private functions. The 16th century stone ruins provide a unique backdrop, while the fountain and pergola complete the perfect setting for special events and occasions.
  • CASA MANILA –  a living museum that features the lifestyle of an affluent Filipino family during the late Spanish colonial period. The interior decor of the house reflects the turn of the late 19th century where furniture and furnishings were sourced from Europe and China. Painted walls, crystal chandeliers, carved traceries, Chinese ceramics and gilded furniture show the elegance and luxury of a 19th century Manila house.
  • CENTRO DE TURISMO – offers an immersive experience into the rich history, vibrant present, and sustainable future of Intramuros. Exhibits and historical artifacts will take visitors on a journey through the Walled City’s pre-colonial roots, its role as a Spanish colonial center, the devastation of World War II, its ongoing revitalization, and its future development.
  • MUSEO DE INTRAMUROS – comprises two important reconstructions: the San Ignacio Church and the Mission House of the Society of Jesus. As the name denotes, the complex now houses the vast ecclesiastical collection of the Intramuros Administration.  
  • FORT SANTIAGO – one of the oldest fortifications in Manila built by the Spaniards in 1571, now standing as a memorial to the victims of World War II and the sacrifices of the Filipino people in pursuit of freedom.
  • GALLERIA DUEMILA – established in 1975, Galleria Duemila is known as one of the oldest art galleries in Manila. Galleria Duemila specializes in highlighting Filipino and other ASEAN contemporary artists and other modern masters such as Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel,  Jose Joya, H.R. Ocampo, among others. 
  • GSIS MUSEO NG SINING – established in 1996, the GSIS Museum showcases their rich art collection of National Artists for Visual Arts such as Fernando Amorsolo’s “History of Philippine Music” mural, as well as exhibitions from new and upcoming Philippine artists.
  • MANILA CLOCK TOWER MUSEUM – designed by Architect Antonio Toledo in the 1930s, the iconic clock tower is accessible through Manila City Hall and stands at 100 feet high. Transformed into a museum in 2022, the Manila Clocktower Museum features an immersive and multi-sensory experience about the history of Manila, and also features changing exhibitions in the visual arts, design and fashion.
  • METROPOLITAN THEATER (MET) – a historic example of Philippine Art Deco architecture, the Metropolitan Theater (MET) has hosted various performances such as plays, concerts, operas, and musicals since its inauguration in 1931.
  • MUSEO PAMBATA – Museo Pambata is a children’s interactive museum, the first of its kind in the Philippines. It aims to provide an alternative to the formal classroom environment, engaging the minds of the young, inspiring them to learn more, and revitalizing what child education should be – fun and exciting!
  • MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND DESIGN (MCAD) – a non-collecting art institution under the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde that considers the larger ecosystem of the Philippine art scene, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila presents exhibitions, learning, and publications programs; as well as other cultural and art-inspired undertakings in collaboration with local and international artists and institutions.
  • NATIONAL MUSEUM – ANTHROPOLOGY – stages the Philippine ethnographic and terrestrial and underwater archaeological collections narrating the story of the Philippines from the past, as presented through artifacts as evidence of its pre-history.
  • NATIONAL MUSEUM – FINE ARTS – home to 29 galleries and hallway exhibitions of 19th century Filipino masters, National Artists, leading modern painters, sculptors, and printmakers. Also on view are art loans from other government institutions, organizations, and individuals.
  • NATIONAL MUSEUM – NATURAL HISTORY – houses 12 permanent galleries that exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines. It includes creatively curated displays of botanical, zoological, and geological specimens that represent our unique natural history. 
  • PWU-SFAD JOSE CONRADO BENITEZ GALLERY – located inside the Philippine Women’s University, the School of Fine Arts and Design Studio Gallery holds numerous exhibitions that showcased works of PWU alumni, students, faculty and organizations. It is designated as a studio gallery by setting itself as a laboratory for academic study, artistic exploration and inquiry.
  • BULWAGANG ROBERTO CHABET – while the Tanghalang Pambansa or the CCP Main Building is undergoing renovation until 2026, Bulwagang Roberto Chabet serves as the center’s main exhibition hall and gallery.
  • LIWASANG KALIKASAN – home to various public art installations and the CCP bamboo pavilion, where the unique architectural elements offer an unconventional space for special events like the light, sound, and projection presentation in CCP’s ‘Dagitab Digital’.

This year, the CCP continues to bring events like the Pasinaya Open House Festival, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, and the Virgin Labfest to even broader audiences this year. Through these programs, the Center remains a home to Filipino and global audiences who hope to experience the very best of Filipino arts and culture.

CCP Pasinaya’s Paseo Museo tours start at 9am, with the last trip at 4pm on February 1 and 2, 2024. The multi-arts festival is simultaneously held at CCP Complex, Circuit Makati, various partner museums and galleries in Metro Manila, Batangas Province (Batangas), Himamaylan (Negros Occidental), and Sorsogon City (Bicol). It also makes a highly anticipated return to Iloilo City headed by the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) and Tagum City (Davao del Norte) with the Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation, Inc. This is in partnership with the networks of the CCP Kaisa sa Sining. 

Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for the latest updates.