Mandani Bay opened its doors again for Sinulog activities after a long time. Upon the return of Sinulog, Mandani Bay also geared up to host two amazing events for Sugboanons.
For Balikbayans: Sinulog sa Mandani 2023 Balikbayan Night
To officially open its doors to Cebuanos once again, Mandani Bay hosted the Sinulog sa Mandani 2023 Balikbayan Night. The event transpired last January 12, 2023.
It was a night full of giving importance to the Sinulog culture. There were different performers that graced the event with their traditional Cebuano dances. The balikbayan night also served as an avenue for OFWs to see what the Cebuano culture has to offer.
Being away from their home country and city, the Balikbayans deserved an amazing welcome through the Balikbayan Night. Not only do they get to celebrate Pit Senyor but they also get to witness the different Festivities during Sinulog.
Sinulog Fluvial Parade Viewing at Mandani Bay
One of the most anticipated Sinulog activities is the Sinulog Fluvial Parade. It is a parade done through boats where devotees can witness the image of Senyor Sto. Niño as the child Jesus parades in the waters of Cebu.
To elevate the devotees’ experience during the event, Mandani Bay hosted a Sinulog Fluvial Parade Viewing at the Mandani Bay Boardwalk on January 14, 2023.
Gates opened at 4:30 AM as devotees gathered around and brought their own statues of Sto. Niño. Before the Fluvial parade itself, Mandani Bay prepared a program for all the attendees.
The event officially started with a Grand Fireworks Display, brightening up the skies of Mandaue. After that, attendees witnessed a Sinulog Cultural show where different dance groups in Cebu showcased their skills and talents as they performed traditional and Modern Cebuano dances.
As the sun rose, the Fluvial Parade officially began. Waving their hands, people sang Bato Balani sa Gugma as the image of the Child Jesus paraded in the waters of the Mactan Channel. Spectators watch in awe as the boat carrying Sto. Niño was accompanied by other participating boats, tailing behind it during the procession.
Mandani Bay was able to provide the attendees with the best view of Senyor Sto. Niño cruising the waters of the Mactan Channel. The up-close experience is definitely one for the books.
Where style meets comfort- Ipanema always makes sure to complete your look no matter the occasion while being both stylish and comfortable. With their classic but beautiful slippers and flip-flops design, Ipanema takes on the world one foot at a time.
Photo from Ipanema Philippines on Instagram
Celebrate #EverydayMoments with Ipanema
Ipanema celebrates Everyday Moments this month and wants you to join in on the fun. Share your favorite moments with Ipanema on Facebook and Instagram with their #EverydayMoments and get a chance to win a free pair from their latest collection.
Photo from Ipanema Philippines on Instagram
Ipanema Takes a Stand with Sustainability
Ipanema is known as a sustainable sandal and flip-flop brand. Made from a non-toxic and recyclable material called “Flexpand”, Ipanema takes a stand with Sustainability. By buying a pair of Ipanema products you are one of the heroes of reducing waste products.
Photo from Ipanema Philippines on Instagram
That’s not all, Ipanema is also registered with the Vegan Society since 2017. The brand ensures that its products are not tested or used on animals upon manufacturing.
Stylish, timeless, and environmentally friendly, what more can you ask for? Make your day a little brighter with Ipanema and celebrate #EverydayMoments.
Craving Spanish dishes? This Spanish restaurant in Cebu is your next go-to restaurant for authentic Spanish cuisine.
Locals and tourists alike are definitely loving El Chiringuito. The restaurant offers amazing and authentic Spanish dishes prepared by amazing cooks. To ensure authenticity in their dishes, the owners even hired a Chef from Spain to train their local chefs.
El Chiringuito allows its clientele to experience a taste of Spain with their dishes that truly remind patrons of the beautiful España.
Paella Negra and Paella Sisig
El Chiringuito’s signature dish is their Paella. Patrons from all over Cebu raid the restaurant to taste their flavorful and authentic Paella Dishes.
Sugbo PH was able to taste 2 of their amazing Paellas namely the Paella Negra and Paella Sisig.
Paella NegraPaella Sisig
Here’s what we think.
Their Paella Negra was a dish new to us as it is different from traditional Paella. However, the flavors did not disappoint. The Paella was an explosion of flavor in our mouths and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients.
Another Paella dish that we tried is their Spanish-Filipino fusion which is the Paella Sisig. Despite being two completely different dishes, the flavors were able to complement each other very well. It was definitely a unique food experience.
Aside from their Paella dishes, we were also able to try their BBQ pork ribs. The sauce definitely elevated the flavor to a whole new level. Other than that, the meat was also incredibly tender and the flavors soaked into the meat as well.
Of course, we finished off with one of their desserts which was the Tarta de Galletas con Chocolate. It was a chocolate dessert infused with brandy. The touch of brandy’s bitterness and strong taste surprisingly compliments the smooth and sweet chocolate flavor. It was definitely one for the books.
El Chiringuito Turned into Reality
Before its success, El Chiringuito started with humble beginnings. The restaurant is a product of passion, hard work, and of course a husband and wife who both love to cook.
Sugbo PH was given the amazing opportunity to interview the co-founder of El Chiringuito, Jose Luis Gomez Fernandez. According to Mr. Fernandez, the story of El Chiringuito started during the lockdown.
“One of the things that my wife and I do together is cooking in our kitchen. We used to cook paella on Sundays for the family and sometimes with friends. During the lockdown, we came up with the idea to start selling authentic Spanish paella and we did home deliveries on the weekends. Back then, we named it “Paellas con Amor” which translates to Paellas with Love. However as the pandemic restrictions began to ease and we started going back to work, we had to close Paellas con Amor because of our busy schedules. I took it as a blessing in disguise because it gave us the idea to open up a physical establishment. We renamed it to El Chiringuito, as we were inspired by the chiringuitos of Málaga, Spain when my wife and I went there for the holidays.
Our restaurant is built from our love of cooking Spanish dishes and the desire to share it with the Cebuano people. Not only do we commit ourselves to provide our customers the opportunity to enjoy the flavors of Spain in the heart of the metro, but we also want to give it a Filipino twist to serve the Filipino palate. We love to offer our customers something they want, putting their desires first. So if anyone is looking for some authentic Spanish cuisine and the best paella in Cebu, this is the place to eat.” –Jose Luis Gomez Fernandez, co-founder
Gear up for Salsa Night
Aside from their food and services, El Chiringuito is also known for hosting their Afro Latin Social Dancing every Wednesday nights – featuring Bachata, Kizomba and Salsa dances. Customers can dance the night away to the beat of Spanish-Latino music and enjoy their Salsa-by-the-al-fresco promos on drinks and pica-pica!
¡Qué rico! Dine and experience passionate Spanish Cuisine at El Chiringuito and get a taste of Spain in every bite.
The best thing about fine dining is that all dishes are made with passion. Different fine-dining restaurants see to it that they have flavors fitting for every guest. And one restaurant successfully plays with flavors to fit their patrons’ palate, Bell+Amadeus.
Photo from Bell+Amadeus Facebook Page
The restaurant launched its soft opening last September and has been giving Cebuanos a modern fine dining experience. Bell+Amadeus sees to it that it puts focus on the food and services to give its patrons a good time.
A Visual Delight
Bell+Amadeus has an array of food choices. Not only are the restaurant’s dishes delicious, but they are also visually appealing.
Aside from flavor, presentation is everything for fine-dining establishments. The more visually appealing the dishes are, the more they will catch people’s attention and will look good enough to eat.
Photo from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook Page
The restaurant makes sure that the food comes out in the most presentable way possible to highlight the dishes. From garnish to plating, each of Bell+Amadeus’ dishes is a visual delight.
Playing with Flavors
Bell+Aamdeus serve quality dishes that patrons love. The restaurant produces food that people will enjoy. With a wide variety of dishes, Bell+Amadeus plays with flavors to ensure fresh and delicious meals.
If it is your first time in the restaurant, make sure to order their guest-favorites such as the Chicken Confit, Steak, and Wagyu Cubes.
Bell+Amadeus also has an impressive wine list and cocktails that go well with their steak and other dishes.
Treat your family and loved ones to a fine-dining experience they will never forget. Book a reservation at Bell+Amadeus today.
Photo from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook PagePhoto from Bell+Amadeus Facebook Page
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Best-sellers: (if applicable)
Chicken Confit
Steak
Wagyu Cubes
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: 10AM to 11PM on Tuesday to Thursday; 9AM to 11PM on Friday to Sunday
Visayas is definitely gearing up for the biggest festival returns of the year. As Sinulog, Dinagyang, and Ati-Atihan are just right around the corner, so is the flu season. Each festival will definitely be packed with a lot of festival-goers. This means there will be interactions and contact which makes flu transmissions easier.
Photo from Geraldine Jane GE
Be Fiesta-ready with Bioflu
If you are feeling under the weather and experiencing headaches, fever, chills, body pain, cough from post-nasal drip, colds, or sore throat, you most likely have the flu right in time for the festivities.
Don’t let the flu ruin your festive experience and be Fiesta-ready with Bioflu. Get rid of multiple flu symptoms for only Php 8.00 SRP. Also, say goodbye to taking different medicines for each symptom and say hello to a quicker and more effective way of relief with Bioflu- your new go-to choice.
Nothing beats yelling Pit Senyor and Hala Bira with full confidence knowing you are protected. Conquer 2023 festivities with Bioflu- #KayaAll ang tanang symptoms sa flu!
Good news, Sugboanons! There will be available buses to help you get to the Sinulog 2023 Festival Venue at SRP.
Photo from Cebu City Government Information Website
Mayor Michael Rama, along with the other organizers for Sinulog 2023, made an announcement on January 11. 2023, that there will be private and public buses available going to South Road Properties on January 15. The routes will start at 6 AM this Sunday.
Fare will be collected as you ride the listed public and private buses.
See bus routes below:
Yellow Route – From Anjo World, Minglanilla to SRP
Black Route – From Talamban to SRP Viaduct
Blue Route – From Parkmall to SRP Viaduct
Red Route – From Gaisano Tabunok, Shopwise to SRP
Green Route – From Marigondon, Cordova to SRP.
There are also Green Buses that will be deployed by the City Government to offer free rides to SRP.
Photo from Cebu City Government Information Website
Aside from buses, Angkas motorcycles will also be available for free booking. The free ride will be available from 8 AM to 11 PM on January 15.
Routes:
SRP (Southbound) – PTT Gas Station beside Gaisano SRP
SM Seaside – Plaza Independencia
SM Seaside – Designer Square, N. Bacalso Avenue
Photo from Cebu City Government Information Website
One of the most well-known events in the Philippines is the Sinulog Festival, which draws millions of tourists every year. It is composed of many activities, and one of its highlights is the Grand Parade, a full-day procession that attracts dancers from all across the nation who dress in vibrant costumes and plan dances for it.
Photo from Merx Mercado
The Grand Parade usually falls on the third Sunday of January, where different dancers showcase their colorful costumes and dance moves in the streets of Cebu. This year, the Grand Parade will happen at 9:00 AM on January 15, 2023, at the South Road Properties; this will be the first time that the parade will be held on these grounds.
Here is the list of the things that you can also do during the day of the parade:
• Attend the Mañanita and Pontifical mass
The Mañanita Mass and the Pontificial Mass will be the first two services of the festival proper, which will begin on January 15.
Photo from Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu Facebook Page
From four in the morning, these masses will be celebrated at the Minor Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu. Another mass will be given at the South Road Properties at 8 am to mark the beginning of festivities after the two masses at the basilica.
• Watch the street dance performances
What takes place during the big procession of this Sinulog Festival? Of course, street dancing!
It mainly comprises a long procession of multiple groups of gathered street dancers, all of whom are decked up in vibrant costumes and backed by platforms that have been exquisitely decorated.
Photo from Merx Mercado
In addition to performing their dance moves or the “Sinulog dance” as they move across the entire town, the dancers frequently depict how Santo Niño has benefited their local towns in their performances.
• Witness the grand performance of the dancers
The grand parade usually ends at about 4 PM, and the street dancers perform their last show at the SRP Grounds in City de Mare. Here, the Sinulog festival’s competition portion with its many prize categories, including the Street Dancing Category, Free Interpretation, and others, will take place.
Photo from Merx Mercado
This event is frequently broadcast on television, which is good because the complex is frequently too crowded with attendees.
• Join street parties and concerts
In practically every section of Cebu, there will be street parties and live concerts before and after the Sinulog Grand Parade (especially in the evenings). You can catch one of these street parties at 8:00 PM at the Plaza Independencia.
Photo from Careless Music Festival Facebook Page
Thus, you are advised to wear loose clothing, get some face paint, and get ready to down some beer. Most of the people just linger around on the streets while some would go to locations like Mango Square, Baseline, or Fuente Osmeña to have some fun till the wee hours of the next day.
• Catch the fireworks display
The Sinulog Grand Parade in Cebu City is usually concluded with a stunning pyro extravaganza!
Photo from Unsplash
A vibrant fireworks display will be held at 9 PM, but the venue is yet to be announced. The better it will be if you can arrange to stay at a Cebuano or Cebuana friend’s condo with a fantastic view of this region! As an alternative, you can enjoy this amazing spectacle from the ground with terrific viewing.
The Grand Parade, in particular, will be the highlight of the Sinulog 2023 celebrations as it makes a complete return to in-person events. It will undoubtedly be one of the best Sinulog ever, so make sure to have fun!
Foot Locker, the global athletic footwear and apparel retailer, has recently opened its doors in Cebu, at SM Seaside City Cebu. The grand opening of the new store has been highly anticipated by sports enthusiasts, sneakerheads, and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Located at the UG/F Sea View Wing in SM Seaside, the newly opened Foot Locker store covers a total floor area of 1,000 square meters, and features a wide selection of sneakers, athletic apparel, and accessories from various top brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Converse, and more. The store’s design is modern and spacious, with sleek and stylish interiors that enhance the shopping experience.
Foot Locker Cebu is set to become a go-to destination for those who are looking for the latest trends and styles in sports footwear and apparel. The new store offers a fresh and exciting shopping experience.
Foot Locker is a global brand known for its wide selection of high-quality and stylish footwear and apparel. With its presence in Cebu, the brand is set to cater to the growing demand for athletic wear and trendy sneakers in the city.
The store’s commitment to providing exceptional customer service and high quality products will surely make a mark in Cebu’s retail landscape.
Everybody is definitely hyped up for the upcoming Wavy Baby Music Festival. With an elite lineup of musical artists, festival goers cannot wait to vibe and have fun in the Philippines’ biggest music festival yet.
Photo from Wavy Baby Music Festival Facebook Page
But wait, there’s more- different local artists are also going to take part in the festival as they share their sick beats and amazing music to everyone.
Sugbo PH had the awesome opportunity to interview three proud Bisaya artists that are ready to take on the Wavy Baby stage and the international scene.
Get Wavy with Jolianne, Massiah, and Augustwahh
Careless Music artists Jolianne, Massiah, and Augustwahh will be taking over the Wavy Baby stage with their own twist and ignite the proud hearts of the Bisaya people. As they grow with Careless Music, these artists are sure to elevate the notion that Bisaya people are total performers.
Let’s get to know Jolianne, Massiah, and Augustwahh and their music journey.
Meet Jolianne
You’ve heard people say that everyone from Cebu can sing, and this girl brings that to a whole new level.
Meet Cebu’s pride, Jolianne Salvado who was born and raised in the Queen City of the South. This sweet girl is a monster on stage and is elevating her career internationally. She has been singing ever since she was young and her singing career started when she auditioned for the voice kids when she was 11 years old.
During the interview, Jolianne told Sugbo PH that her musical influences are Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Musical talent and singing definitely runs in the family as she also mentioned that her mom is also a singer. The artist also looks up to Ariana Grande as she considers herself a ‘pop girl at heart’.
The young artists started opening for Cebu concerts. However, her projects were shelved when the pandemic struck but that did not stop her from dominating the music scene. She released all her songs during the pandemic, and people started noticing her music. One thing led to another; Careless Music discovered and signed her.
Jolianne was even included in Blackpink Lisa’s “Dope AF’ spotify playlist. The famous Kpop artist included Jolianne’s ‘Sublime; in the playlist, a song that highlights her amazing vocals.
According to Jolianne, she feels happy to represent Cebu and she sees it as an exciting challenge.
Make way for Massiah
Proudly from Dumaguete, Massiah is taking over the rap scene of the Philippine music industry. With his sick beats and powerful rhythm, Massiah is definitely showcasing raw talent.
But before being one of Careless music’s artist, Massiah started of by creating rap when he was young. He started by actually making youtube beats. Suddenly, a friend of his invited him to perform in Mango Avenue and thats how his first show kickstarted. Massiah met different local artists and from then on he continued writing and making music.
His hardwork definitely paid off as Careless discovered him in 2018. Since then he released mix tapes and was even one of the people who worked on Nadine Lustre’s album. He also did a song with James Reid entitled Experience.
There are not a lot of Dumaguete musical artists and Massiah feels happy to be one of the few who brings pride to his hometown. He is glad that he represents Bisaya artists as well. He does feel pressure but as he enthusiastically said, “We just gotta do it!”.
Massiah’s musical influences are diverse and he does like diversity when it comes to music. According to the rapper, his musical influences are Pharell Williams, the Neptunes, and Usher. He also mentioned the band ‘Gorillaz’ because of his love for cartoons.
Massiah’s passion for his music and craft is very evident as to how he talks about being an artist and you can definitely see how excited he is to elevate the music scene.
Vibe with Augustwahh
Hailing from General Santos City, Augustwahh is Careless Music’s newest artist. The artist is laid back and chill, but when it comes to her performances? She definitely sets the stage ablaze.
Augustwahh’s musical journey started when she was a kid. According to her, she was discovered by her father. Music has become a huge part of her life as her dad decided to make a music room in their house when she was young. Every day after school, she would practice songs.
Her music career elevated after moving to Manila for college. Augustwahh chose to take up a music program in Benilde and despite it being a rushed decision, she started getting into music even more as she joined bands during her college days.
Just like many artists, Augustwahh experienced down moments. The artist decided to quit music and did it for a year. But her love for music did not let her just sit and quit totally, she was able to bounce back as she realized that she really did like to make music and it is the love of her life.
She turned her thoughts into poems, and the poems turned into songs with the right melody and beat. One thing led to another, Augustwahh’s musical career kicked off, and she is now part of Careless Music.
Growing up, Augustwahh’s musical influences were from a variety of different artists just as Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Lauren Hill, and Minnie Riperton.
Augustwahh feels so proud because she makes people from her hometown proud. She also said that it feels really cool to be one of the first musical artists from Gensan to make waves locally and internationally.
Ze Ocean and Samokan are just two of the many songs the artist released as she elevates the Filipino Music scene.
Growth as Careless Music Artists
Jolianne, Massiah, and Augustwahh all have the same sentiments when it comes to being artists at Careless Music. The three of them are very much thankful to be surrounded by people who support each other.
As per Jolianne, she is very happy because she was able to make the right connections with Careless as she gets to work with creatives that have the same passion as her. Massiah also expressed how thankful he is because he gained so much perspective. And Augustwahh is also grateful for the sense of community they have at Careless. She also highlighted how people with different personalities, age range, and styles come together to see different perspectives that challenge artists in a good way.
Waby Baby Domination
Catch Jolianne, Massiah, and Augustwahh during the Wavy Baby Music Festival.
Jolianne and Massiah hinted that they will perform unreleased songs and feature different tracks from their albums that will surely showcase the different phases of their music career. And, of course, get ready to dance, vibe, sing, and have fun with Augustwahh as she brings energy on stage and definitely pop off.
Bisaya na pud! Make sure to witness fire performances from Jolianne, Massiah, and Augustwahh as they proudly raise our flag and take over the stage, the Bisaya way.
To learn more about the Wavy Baby Music Festival on January 13-14, including the ticket prices and where to buy them, check out our other article here.
It is inevitable for Cebuanos to keep dominating the food scene here in the Philippines. From your friendly neighborhood kwek-kwek carts to the nearest malls, Cebuanos can really pique your palate everywhere.
While others find their fancy in posh restaurants, others also opt for an al fresco dining experience. Especially during these times, outdoor dining is safe.
Hence, if you’re looking for a BBQ dining experience, Chixboy has got you covered.
Chixboy offers you the one of the best Cebuano gastronomic experience ‘in the bukid.’ Yes, you read it right! If you’re from the uplands of Cebu, you need not to fret! You can get your Cebuano fix meals from Chixboy.
With their delectable choices of Cebuano grilled dishes, they are looking to satisfy everyone with the familiar palate of Cebuano experience. Not to mention, piquing our attention with their innovative offerings of other dishes nonetheless.
What are you waiting for? Satisfy your cravings now and dine-in with a magnificent view.
Exact Location: Busay, Cebu City (near Temple of Leah) — 15-20 minutes away from JY Square or the main road
BY HABAL-HABAL: Ride a motorbike (max of 2 persons per bike), near or surrounding from JY Square Mall in Lahug. It would cost only ₱100 per head per way – ₱150 for 2 people. You may need to pay more and schedule ahead if you want a ride back from the city. Inform the driver to drop you off at the new Chixboy Restaurant (few meters away from Temple of Leah, or show him the map below).
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps, and search for “Chixboy” in Busay. Parking space is available. This is the best option, if you want to have peace of mind and not worry about your way back home. The road is concrete and well-maintained, but a bit steep so it’s safe to bring your own car.
