10 things to love about Rustan’s Cebu

But first, what's there to love about Cebu? Plenty.

For me, Cebu is history, romance and style. When Magellan landed in Cebu, the historical relevance of Cebu was cast in stone. Was that Mactan stone?

My first visit to Cebu many years ago still brings memories of romantic sunsets, sun-kissed shores and people who speak in a loving, melodious tone.

As for style, Cebu brings images of  Kenneth Cobonpue and Cary Santiago with their Filipino design aesthetics being loved by the world. Cebu is clearly the global hub for export-worthy furniture and fashion products.

Clear reasons why the Tantoco family — hailed as royalty in luxe retail in the Philippines — decided to expand their Rustan’s Department Store in Cebu, the crown jewel of the south which is second only to Manila in terms of development and infrastructure.

Nedy Tantoco,Rustan's chairman and CEO, says: “Our stalwart belief in Cebu's growing economy is shown in our significant investment through the new Rustan's Cebu with its total of 17,500 square meters in retail space, including the supermart.” Rustan's at Ayala Center Cebu is dedicated to the memory of retail doyen Glecy Rustia-Tantoco, who together with Bienvenido Tantoco began the first Rustan's store in Manila in 1951. It was in 1981 when the couple opened a store in Cebu on Mango Avenue, on a property owned by the Ludo Luym family.Rustan's Cebu in its new location matches Cebu’s awesome rise as a global manufacturing center and lifestyle gateway for the Visayas region.

1. Rustan’s at Ayala Center Cebu is beautiful.

So beautiful that Rustan’s chairman emeritus, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco, told his daughter: “Nedy, all our stores should now be patterned after the Rustan’s Cebu store. I like it.”

With its imposing facade and gleaming, modern interiors housed in three stories, Rustan’s Cebu looks inviting to shoppers who appreciate wide, well-lit and well-curated shopping aisles. Designed by Metro Millennium, it has the sophisticated Cebuanos in mind. “My grandfather loves this store that my aunt  Nedy built,” says Rustan’s president Donnie Tantoco. “Lolo Benny said Cebuanos have been loving and supporting Rustan’s since we opened here in 1981.”

Anton Tantoco Huang, president of the SSI Group, says: “We’ve watched how the the market evolved and we’ve done very well in this part of the country.This new location on Cardinal Rosales Ave. is indeed a beautiful store befitting the tasteful elegance and the global outlook of the Cebuanos.”

2. Rustan’s Cebu pays tribute to its homegrown design heroes.

For the opening, Rustan’s Cebu  presented a Cary Santiago x Kenneth Cobonpue collaboration, as well as dining area vignettes by Cebu tastesetters Teresin Mendezona and Amparito Lhullier..

3. Rustan’s Cebu highlights the best of our very own designers.

Rustan's has always had that nationalist mantra of promoting “Our Very Own” and this is clearly seen in its fashion section where Filipino international designers Josie Natori and Rafe Totengco are highlighted, along with Criselda Lontok — whom Nedy Tantoco proudly describes  as the all-time bestselling  Filipino fashion label with a cult following — Jojie Lloren and Mel Meer.

4. Details, details: There are always comfortable seats for shoppers.

Only at Rustan’s do you feel a concern for the comfort of shoppers. A relaxing nook near an escalator provides stylish yet comfortable chairs by Kenneth Cobonpue. Near the dressing room, elegant chairs between a huge mirror allow you and your shopping companions to relax in between fittings. At the foyer leading to the restrooms,there are two sofas inviting you to take a break. Even at the toy department, colorful  modern furniture keeps you in a young and happy mode.

Details such as these make Rustan's a leader in luxe retail, where, as their motto declares, shopping is a pleasure.

5. Nedy Tantoco’s personal touch reflects the Tantoco heritage in luxe retail with a respect for history and culture, and a modern vision for the future.

At Rustan’s Cebu, you will feel the personal touch of Nedy Tantoco, who as Rustan’s chairman has been overseeing  Rustan’s Department Stores the past decades with her fiercely meticulous eye for detail. Days before the Cebu inauguration, Nedy was there checking on the store layouts and merchandise displays, assisted by her son Michael Huang who is VP for store planning expansion.

Such is the work ethic taught the Tantoco children by Benny and Glecy Tantoco, and handed down to the grandchildren as well. Four generations of the Tantocos were represented in Cebu — from 94-year-old Lolo Benny to 21-year-old great-grandson Christian Tantoco, in town for his summer break from Boston University where he is an economics student.

“Rustan’s is not just a store,” Lolo Benny tells his grandson Donnie.“It is a heritage. Take care of that heritage.” Most everyone in the Tantoco clan has a role in the continuation of this luxe retailing vision started by Benny and Glecy in 1951. With over a hundred global brands under the SSI Group, grandson Anton Huang enriches the heritage with an international prominence and stature.

6. Rustan’s Cebu has the best of international fashion brands.

Like the other Rustan’s Department Stores in Makati, Edsa Shangri-La, Alabang Town Center and Gateway Cubao, Rustan’s Cebu is the home of the world's top luxury labels such as Montblanc, Ascot Chang, Oleg Cassini, Armani Jeans, Pedro del Hierro, Kurt Geiger, Dior, Rebecca Minkoff, Tadashi, Laundry, Adrianna Papell, Sinequanone, Desigual, Tahari, Lola Casademunt, Dooney & Bourke, Alexandre de Paris and Coccinelle.

Chanel is a bestseller at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.

7. Rustan’s Cebu is beauty-full...

Better known as Rustan's The Beauty Source, Rustan's beauty department carries the best cosmetic brands such as  Chanel, MAC, Laura Mercier and Stila, as well as fave fragrances and skincare products from Murad, Clarins, La Prairie, Dermalogica, Dyptique and Acca Kappa.

You get the feeling that you are shopping in the best stores in New York, Paris and London as you check on the latest beauty products at Rustan's Cebu.

Maritess Tantoco-Enriquez at the Silver Vault

8.  ... and glowing with fine jewellery.

During the Rustan's Cebu launch, Rustan's family gemologist Maritess Tantoco-Enriquez showed guests fine diamonds and other glowing gems from international jewellery brands Adami Martucci, Marco Bicego, Mikimoto, Yvel and Tamara Comolli.

Crowning the top floor is Rustan’s collection of endearing home décor from brands like Bernardaud, Lenox, Lalique, and Natori.

9. Rustan’s Cebu is rich with home decor.

Rustan’s home section is an endearing collection of wares that show Filipino craftsmanship at its best — many of them export products by Cebuano manuacturers, as well as  exquisite pieces by Lenox, Royal Doulton, Bugatti, Swarovski, Bernardaud, Lalique and Lladro.

10. Rustan’s Cebu is fun land for the young.

Rustan’s Cebu's toy section has its own entrance from the mall, and it opens to a wonderland of fun for the young. Their fashion section for youngsters who love to play in style carries local designs by Neck & Neck, Rustan Jr. and Rustanette. Trunki and Skoot offer practical playthings for little ones.

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Follow the author on Instagram and Facebook @milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at mananquilmillet@gmail.com.

Tomorrow in Modern Living: Honey Loop reports on the  guests from Cebu's 300 who attended the Rustan's Cebu inaugural.