Cebu Headlines 24/7

03/09/2025

Pipila ka kongresista apil ni Cebu City South District Rep. Edu Rama ni-file og resolution nga nagtinguha pag-usab sa Constitution pinaagi sa constitutional convention aron mapa-us-osan ang minimum age requirement sa modagan sa position nga president, vice president ug senators.

Gikan sa 40 anyos, gitinguha nila nga ang mag-edad og 35 anyos makadagan na isip Presidente ug Bise-presidente; samtang gikan sa 35 anyos, mahimo nang makadagan pagka-senador ang mag-edad og 30.

Ang miduso niining maong balaodnon mao ang mga House Young Guns, gilangkuban nila ni Representatives Paolo Ortega, Jay Khonghun, Ernix Dionisio, Zia Adiong, Rodge Gutierrez, Lordan Suan, ug Eduardo Rama.

03/09/2025

SM Foundation helps build stronger foundations, refurbishes 2 Cebu health facilities

SM Foundation turned over two newly renovated public health facilities on September 2 and 3: the San Remigio Primary Care Facility in San Remigio, and the Naval Base Rafael Ramos (NBRR) Medical and Dental Dispensary in Lapu-Lapu City.

These renovations are part of the foundation’s broader Health and Medical Programs, which focus on upgrading public healthcare facilities—from rural health centers to hospitals—to enhance accessibility and promote preventive care, especially for vulnerable and remote communities across the Philippines.

The NBRR Medical and Dental Dispensary underwent extensive upgrades. The once compact 99-square-meter space has been expanded into a 446-square-meter, fully functional dispensary, following a collaboration between the foundation, Makati Medical Center Foundation (MMCF), and the Philippine Navy.

The refurbishment maximized the structure originally built as a hospital, outfitting it with modern examination rooms, a minor surgical room, and a dental section. The new layout also includes a laboratory, pharmacy, emergency room, male and female observation rooms, radiology services, an expanded outpatient department, as well as a supply and records section, lounge, waiting area, and conference room.

To strengthen its operations, the MMCF donated vital medical equipment, while SM Foundation introduced its DigiKonsulta platform to support teleconsultations and digitized patient records.

The collaboration for social good put the dispensary in a position to secure Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth licensing, enabling it to broaden its reach. Once accredited, the facility is expected to better serve some 500 uniformed personnel and their families, as well as residents of the surrounding barangays of Canjulao and Looc, which is home to more than 38,000 people combined.

In San Remigio, SM Foundation returned to a facility it had first rehabilitated in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, when the local rural health unit was severely damaged.

Now expanded into a full-fledged Primary Care Facility, the center has undergone a second wave of improvements under the foundation’s Phase 2 project. The upgraded facility features a redesigned layout, updated medical equipment, and sustainable elements, including a rainwater-harvesting system, energy-efficient lighting, air-cleaning paints, and enhanced greenery.

With these developments, the center is better positioned to meet the standards set by the DOH and PhilHealth.

These efforts build on SM Foundation’s earlier initiatives, such as the upgrade at the Naval Station Julhasan Arasain Medical and Dental Dispensary in Legazpi City, as well as the 2023 upgrade of the San Fernando, Cebu Primary Care Facility.

Since its launch, SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs have renovated nearly 220 wellness centers, aiming to align healthcare infrastructure with national standards and deliver quality care to communities.

02/09/2025

💜 Walking together starts with one simple step—registration! Follow this easy guide to secure your spot at the Cebu World Walks Against Dementia. Every ticket, every donation, every stride brings us closer to awareness. 🌍👣

👉 Scan the QR code or visit: https://cebuwwad2025.eventbrite.sg

02/09/2025

Cebu’s Creative Sector Seen as Catalyst for Cross-Industry Growth

Cebu, Philippines — Cebu’s creative sector is rapidly emerging as a key driver of innovation and growth across multiple industries, with business leaders highlighting how animation, digital media, and creative entertainment are now essential tools for enhancing manufacturing, tourism, fashion, and technology.

At the recent Creative Entertainment Business Forum, held under the banner of Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2025, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Jay Yuvallos called on stakeholders to recognize creativity not just as a cultural asset, but as a strategic economic advantage.

“The foundation of who we are as a people is our creativity and attention to detail,” said Yuvallos. “We see this in our heritage industries—furniture, guitar-making, crafts—and now, we must build bridges between these and digital creative fields like animation and digital storytelling. That intersection is our way forward.”

Yuvallos emphasized that creative skills will soon permeate every industry, becoming indispensable in product design, branding, marketing, and virtual experiences.

“It’s all about communication and storytelling,” he noted. “Creative entertainment will support sectors from manufacturing and fashion to tourism and tech.”

Echoing this vision, Mario Panganiban, President of the Cebu Creative Council, laid out a roadmap to develop a stronger creative infrastructure, including the planned Silver City within Cebu’s proposed Creative City framework.

Panganiban also announced plans to establish creative hubs in Bogo City, Danao City, and Carcar City in Cebu, and in key creative destinations across the country including Cagayan de Oro, Boracay, Siargao, and Ormoc. Some local governments have already expressed support for the initiative.

“These hubs don’t need to be complex—they can be coffee shops or small shared spaces where creatives can gather,” Panganiban said. “With basic infrastructure like computers, software, and reliable Wi-Fi, we can begin providing training, classify talents, and connect them to jobs.”

To build a future-ready talent pipeline, Panganiban also proposed introducing AI training and digital creative modules in high schools, enabling students to earn micro-certifications that qualify them for industry roles right after senior high school.

Juan Miguel Del Rosario, Chairman of the Animation Council of the Philippines, welcomed the proposed creative education reforms and emphasized the economic potential for youth entering the sector. He also backed the development of a Creative District in Cebu, describing it as vital to nurturing a self-sustaining industry.

“This is how Hollywood works—it’s a full ecosystem,” said Del Rosario. “For us to succeed, we need to build a similar environment where all parts of the creative value chain are present and connected.”

CCCI President Yuvallos reiterated Cebu’s unique position to lead in creative development, with its strategic location, international connectivity, and world-class airport infrastructure.

“Let us build a Creative Cebu—a place where art, imagination, and dreams meet enterprise. Where stories generate value. Where innovation is driven by the innate creativity of the Cebuano,” he urged.

The two-day Creative Entertainment Business Forum—a highlight of CBM 2025—featured thought leaders and innovators from Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Discussions spanned global trends, regional collaborations, and investment opportunities in Southeast Asia’s growing creative sector.

Leaders from the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) and SIKAP (Creative Content Creators Association) also provided updates on upcoming industry events, including the GameDev Summit, PGDX, and new animation festivals.

As Cebu positions itself as a Creative Entertainment Hub in the Visayas, the momentum generated from the forum signals a strong commitment across sectors to elevate creativity as a pillar of economic transformation.

For more information, please call Cebu CCI at 2321421 to 24 or email us at [email protected].

02/09/2025

SM Cinemas in Cebu Host Midnight Screenings of “The Conjuring: Last Rites”

Horror fans, the wait is over! The chilling conclusion to one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time arrives this September, and SM Cinemas in Cebu are opening their doors at the stroke of midnight to welcome brave souls ready to face it first.

The Conjuring: Last Rites” will premiere with a special midnight screening on September 3, 2025, 12:01 AM in SM J Mall, SM City Cebu, and SM Seaside City Cebu. This final chapter follows the Warrens as they confront the darkest evil yet in a haunting conclusion that promises to deliver fear, suspense, and heart-stopping moments.

The film is rated R-16, adding an extra layer of intensity for those daring enough to join the midnight event. For horror enthusiasts in Cebu, this exclusive screening is the ultimate way to experience the film — on the big screen, surrounded by fellow fans, and in true spine-chilling fashion.

Tickets are now available through SM Cinema’s official website at smcinema.com or the SM Cinema app, and at cinema ticket booths of SM J Mall, SM City Cebu, and SM Seaside CIty Cebu.

Don’t miss your chance to be among the first to witness the last rites of The Conjuring saga.

01/09/2025

Grab Marks 10 Years of Driving an Inclusive Digital Economy in WesVis with Super-Takbo Run

Grab Philippines celebrates a decade of advancing an inclusive digital economy in Western Visayas with the second leg of its Super-Takbo trilogy, staged at Atria Park District in Iloilo City.

The run underscored the superapp’s commitment to shared progress, highlighting how Grab’s online marketplace drives sustainable growth for drivers, riders, merchants, and local economies through every transaction on the app. The Super-Takbo Iloilo leg drew nearly 3,000 runners from Grab’s “supercommunity” of drivers, merchants, and consumers, spanning race categories from 3K to 21K.

Since launching GrabTaxi in Iloilo in 2015, the superapp has steadily expanded with GrabFood in 2020 and GrabCar in 2022, concurrently growing its fleet of driver-, delivery-, and merchant-partners within its ecosystem. The leading superapp has also since extended its geographical reach to include the entirety of Panay, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Today, the Visayas region is home to more than 10,000 Grab driver- and delivery-partners, making it one of the platform’s most active driver hubs outside of Metro Manila. Among them is Jose Diosdidit Borja Esportono. Esportono is one of the first to join the GrabTaxi fleet when it entered the Visayas a decade ago.

From taxi driver to digitalized transport provider, he quickly saw the viability of on-demand ride-hailing: “Maganda kasi ang kita sa Grab. Hindi kami nagkakaroon ng problema sa dami ng bookings. Maganda rin ang suportang naibigay ni Grab sa mga masisipag na drivers, gaya na lang ng incentives,” he said.

Esportono later transitioned being a GrabCar driver-partner, growing his operations from one vehicle to three — with his children now also behind the wheel. “Maliban sa magandang kita, ang gusto ko rin sa pagiging GrabCar driver ay hawak ko ang oras ko. Mas nabibigyan ko ng oras ang pamilya ko.”

Having experienced this transformative impact, Esportono organized and now leads the “Panay Breakers,” a 60-member community of GrabCar drivers and also a Grab Driver UGNAYAN advocate, focused on building solidarity and community-led programs for TNVS drivers across the region.

Merchants remain another pillar of Grab’s ecosystem, with more than 5,000 MSMEs connected to the platform in the Visayas. Iloilo accounts for a significant share, from homegrown food stalls to family-run shops tapping Grab’s consumer base, digital tools, and delivery network to scale sustainably.

A standout in this community is Luna’s Arrozcaldohan, owned by Helen Barcelona. She underscored how Grab was instrumental in helping their family business, which was established in 1967, not just survive the pandemic, but also grow stronger in its aftermath. What was once two branches in 2020 has expanded into nine today. “Sa tulong ni Grab, napalaki namin ang family business kaya mas marami na kami ngayon mula sa pamilya na nagtutulung-tulungan para sa negosyo,” Barcelona said.

The growth also means more jobs for the community. Each branch now supports six to fifteen staff, turning Luna’s Arrozcaldohan from a small family venture into a livelihood generator for dozens of Ilonggos.

Barcelona added that beyond revenue, what matters to them is the multiplier effect: as the business thrives, more families benefit — both their own and those of their employees.

Grab Philippines Vice President for Cities CJ Lacsican shares: “We’re proud to stand alongside the Iloilo government and every Ilonggo in building a stronger digital economy: one that creates livelihoods for thousands, and helps families turn their aspirations into reality. This event reminds us that progress is never a solo act. On Grab, every role matters — from the users who place their trust in us, to the merchants who grow with us, to the drivers and riders who serve every day. Together, we create a flywheel of service and opportunity that lifts communities upward.”

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31/08/2025

Gourmet Secrets: From Dorm Kitchen to Culinary Advocacy

What started as a simple kitchen for medical students has blossomed into one of Cebu’s trusted catering businesses, with an added touch of heart and health.

Dr. Michele Bathan-Vatanagul never planned to enter the food business. Michele and her husband Dr. Jarungchai Anton S. Vatanagul owns the Cracking D’ Boards Study & Review Inc. She opened a dormitory for the review students. To support their stay-in program, Michele decided to provide meals for them. That’s when she hired Chef Eddie Chua, whose cooking soon captured more than just the taste buds of the students.

“His food was delicious,” Michele recalls. “We asked him if he was willing to expand into catering—and that’s how it all began.”

Starting with just one booking a month, Gourmet Secrets catering clients increased considerably. However, Michele insisted on maintaining quality over quantity. “We kept on accepting orders, but we soon realized we needed to set limits to maintain quality service,” she explained.

She also saw the business as a way to uplift her staff. She enrolled them in Hotel and Restaurant Management courses, equipping them with skills in service and food preparation.

Today, Gourmet Secrets counts big companies among its loyal clients, but Michele believes their edge lies in generosity. “Clients tell us that with Gourmet Secrets, the food feels unlimited. If you order for 100 guests, we make sure more than 100 can eat,” she says. “And we never take back leftovers—everything prepared belongs to the customer.”

Their menu reflects both flexibility and Filipino favorites: pork barbecue, humba, fresh lumpia, choco banana cupcakes, and leche flan are among their bestsellers. Special requests are also welcome, as long as the chef knows how to prepare them.

During the pandemic, Gourmet Secrets shifted to packed meals. “We also joined charity initiatives,” Michele shares. “It was our way of helping during that difficult time.”

But beyond catering, Michele’s personal passion lies in culinary medicine. “I really, really love cooking,” she says. “Now I’m taking a lifestyle medicine course, which is culinary medicine. For those with diabetes or hypertension, I can design meals suited to their health needs. For those who want weight loss, I can create specific menus.”

She advocates for healthier lifestyle choices.. “Soon, we will be able to expand our catering with more wholesome and nutritious dishes, giving our customers a wider variety of healthy options to enjoy. Through our food offerings, we aim to make every gathering not just delicious, but also nourishing. This is our way of supporting lifestyle medicine—helping individuals and communities prevent chronic disease, improve overall well-being, and experience the joy of healthy living without compromising on taste,” Michele explains.

Through this advocacy, Gourmet Secrets hopes to inspire people to see that wellness can be celebrated at the table.

Michele also plans to offer ‘meal in a box’ and one-on-one consultations, extending Gourmet Secrets beyond celebrations and using it as a platform to promote healthier living.

31/08/2025

31/08/2025

“Quezon” Cast Thrills Cebuano Fans with Advance Ticket Selling and Meet & Greet at SM City Cebu

Cebu was brimming with patriotic energy as the cast of “Quezon,” TBA Studios’ latest historical drama, brought star power and national pride to SM City Cebu for a special advance ticket selling and meet & greet event.

The Cebu stop of the promotional tour at SM City Cebu gave fans a rare chance to interact with the stellar cast led by Jericho Rosales, who embodies the iconic role of President Manuel L. Quezon. Joining him were esteemed actors Ana Abad Santos, who portrays Carmen Hernando, the steadfast matriarch in the story; Therese Malvar, who takes on the role of Nadia Hernando, a young woman whose perspective adds depth to the narrative; and Cris Villanueva, who plays Joven Hernando, a figure whose journey intertwines with President Quezon’s. Their presence brought the film’s characters to life off-screen, captivating the audience and earning warm admiration from fans.

Beyond meeting their screen idols, early moviegoers were also treated to exclusive perks. The first 40 buyers of Quezon cinema tickets not only secured their seats for the nationwide premiere but also earned meet & greet passes, complete with a photo opportunity with the stars.

The heartfelt welcome extended by Cebuanos reinforced the significance of the film’s message and the anticipation surrounding Quezon, which promises to shed new light on the legacy of the late president and his enduring mark on Philippine history. With its grand nationwide release set for October 15, 2025, the film is already shaping up to be a must-watch event for both history enthusiasts and Filipino moviegoers.

Tickets are now available at SM Cinema through the official website, the SM Cinema app, and at the SM Cinema Cebu’s ticket booths.