Lifestyle

Filipinos love love. From the highs of kilig to the lows of hugot and TOTGA (the one that got away), we embrace love in every stage and situation. And as if we are not hopeless romantic enough, a new survey revealed the majority of Pinoys believe in soulmates.

Caffeinated afternoons at Lamisaan

Cozy afternoons filled with coffee, pastries, and relaxed ambience are offered at Lamisaan restaurant in Holiday Inn Baguio City Centre.

The hotel has launched “Caffeinated Afternoons,” a soiree from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., where diners can enjoy free-flowing special Benguet coffee or teas and unlimited cakes, including a modern interpretation of the iconic tiramisu by Holiday Inn Baguio’s Chef Ed, super moist triple chocolate cake topped with premium 55 percent Malaysian dark chocolate.

Dining guests can also expect an assortment of unlimited pastries and merienda choices, like chewy crinkles, chocolate chip cookies, sumptuous mille feuille, Vienna-style brownies, assorted muffins and Danishes, and Holiday Inn signature breads: carrot and walnut bread, choco-banana loaf, and sweet and savory bread made of a heavenly combination of meat and cheese.

The Lamisaan’s peaceful atmosphere makes it the ideal place to spend quiet afternoons getting work done, having meetings with the team, or being with loved ones for some heart-to-heart sessions.

Go to www.holidayinn.com/baguio or call (074) 620-3333 or (02) 571-6079 for more information.

Small gatherings at Nobu Manila

Nobu Manila now accepts lunch bookings for intimate gatherings or small meetings, from Monday to Saturday.

Groups of 15 to 30 may book the restaurant’s private room, while groups of not more than 50 may take up its main dining area.

The offer provides diners another way to experience Nobu, which will serve a four-course set menu inspired by Nobu’s bento box lunch offered daily at the Nobu Lounge composed of Field Green Salad; Chicken Gyoza; a choice of Black Cod Miso, Chicken Tonkatsu, Grilled Chicken Donburi, Pork Tonkatsu, or Sushi; and Miso Soup at P2,000 net per person. It is inclusive of a glass of house iced tea and free flowing hot tea.

The menu and its inclusions can also be customized depending on the guests’ preferences and requirements.

For a seamless program flow, meeting essentials such as projector screen, public address system, and a podium are available upon request. Advance payment and reservation of at least three days to a week is required.

Call (02) 691-7637 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for inquiries and reservations.

by Robbie Pangilinan -  

Professional dancer and model Marija Debelic has been two-timing since she came to the Philippines five years ago. She says she can’t live without these two – her mobile phones, that is.

“I use both my iPhone and Samsung, and I have two laptops as well. All of them are very useful. I definitely can’t live without them because my phones let me communicate for work and also with my family in Croatia and Europe and my friends who are all over the world,” shares Marija who has been traveling around the world since 2009.

Marija says that her iPhone is faster, its operation is smoother, and she loves its camera. She admits that iPhones can be very limiting compared to Samsung which is very flexible especially when it comes to downloading and transferring files.

Marija is not brand-conscious, though. What she looks for in a gadget is speed, memory, and camera features.

“Of course I go for the top of the line gadgets because they are super efficient. I also like big phones so I always go for the + sizes,” adds the cum laude in Economics and Business Management graduate from Croatia.

Marija also keeps her options open for new players in the world of tech.

“I heard Huawei is so cool and the reviews are brilliant. I want to try it soon,” says Marija, who also starred in the TV drama “Be My Lady” and in the films “Art of Ligaw” and “Beauty and the Bestie,” released her first single with Brazilian actress-model Daiana Menezes, and has done over 20 TV commercials. She is doing three movies this year.

Catch Marija via Facebook: Marija Debelic, or be one of her thousands of followers on Instagram:@marijadebelic. She’s also on Spotify: Marija Debelic.

The future of Philippine fashion is bright and colorful as seen in a presentation that celebrated the childhood joys of summer.

Proud parents and their stylish tots strutted the runway of the show staged by SM Kids in collaboration with Toy Kingdom.   

What does it really mean to become a parent? There’s no cookie-cutter formula on becoming one. Today, parenthood is no longer solely defined by one’s ability to conceive and bear a child biologically. It goes beyond blood ties.

Cebu is known for many things: its significance to the country’s history; warm, beautiful people; world-class destinations and sumptuous fare. But the sweetest and juiciest of all is its ripe mangoes.

A hands-down worldwide favorite, mangoes have easily become a proud trademark of the province, long before the recent mango craze caught on in various parts of the country. Such has been the inspiration behind the upcoming Cebu Mangoes Festival, a two-day festivity that celebrates the legacy and the success of mangoes as the top produce of the Queen City of the South.