A showcase of Filipino artistry

With its cool weather, magnificent views, creative vibe and more, what’s not to love about Baguio City?

Recently, the country’s master artists, artisans and tour operators gathered for the summer capital’s first ENTAcool 2018 Baguio Creative Festival. Its grand opening was held at the Dominican Hill Heritage Site.

The week-long event celebrated and promoted local artistry and creativity, the factors that led to the recognition of Baguio as the first UNESCO Creative City in the country.

Festival highlights included the launch of the first forest bathing trail at Camp John Hay, the opening of Bell House exhibit and the city-wide creative crawl tour.

(Left) Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan. (Right) Philippine National Commission for UNESCO Secretary-General Lila Ramos Shahani.

The festival was a success with the support of Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) COO Marie Venus Tan, Philippine National Commission for UNESCO Secretary-General Lila Ramos Shahani, Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region OIC Jovita Ganongan, Baguio Arts and Crafts Collective Inc. chairperson Adelaida Lim-Perez and University of the Philippines Baguio chancellor Raymundo Rovillos.

Also present at the event were Tourism Undersecretary Edwin Enrile, Baguio City Rep. Marques Go, Benguet Gov. Crescencio Pacalso, TPB deputy COO for marketing and promotions sector Arnold Gonzales and deputy COO for corporate affairs sector Joselito Gregorio, Cultural Center of the Philippines chairperson Margie Moran, Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc. president Cesar Cruz, vice president Fe Abling-Yu and secretary general Emcy Malate. Seen, too, were John Hay Management Corp. president and CEO Allan Garcia, Camp John Hay Development Corp. COO Sean Bedi, president John Robert Sobrepreña and vice president Jane Theresa Tabalingcos.

Tourism Undersecretary Edwin Enrile and Benguet Gov. Crescencio Pacalso.

Taking part also in the week-long festival were Creative Economy Council founding president Paolo Mercado, Baguio Heritage Foundation Inc. representative Dr. Ron Paraan, bamboo artist Edgar Banasan, photographer Tommy Hafalla, artists Ompong Tan and Maela Liwanag Jose, Victory Liner vice president Marivic del Pilar, Microtel’s Roy Martin, University of Luzon’s Mac Samson Jr. and Eastgate Publishing president and book editor Jun Ventura.

 Through the festival, the Philippines strengthens its reputation not only as one of the premier tourist destinations but also as a country rich in culture, heritage and creativity in folk arts and crafts.

World-class wines at Landers

Tenute Rubino’s Francesco de Mauri.

Shoppers and wine lovers had a grand time at Landers Superstore branches — Balintawak, Otis, Alabang and ArcoVia City — for its Wine Fest, which featured an extensive collection of wines. With this event, the fastest growing membership shopping superstore in the country sought to help shoppers find the perfect wine for any occasion.

At the series of wine tasting events, wine experts Francesco de Mauri of Tenute Rubino and Jay Coson of Stella Rosa introduced Landers’ extensive array of reds and whites. They also gave wine-pairing tips for cheese and deli, which are also available at the store.

Landers Superstore is best known for its wide range of high-quality local and imported products.

Among the superstore’s brands of red wines are Salento Rosso Marmolle, Stella Rosa Rosso and Amahle Shiraz. Its white wines include Salento Bianco Marmorele, Stella Rosa Peach and Amahle Chenin Blanc.

Landers is best known for its wide range of imported products coming from the US, Canada and Australia and high-quality local and exclusive brands. With an average size of 8,000-sq.-m. per outlet, each branch offers spacious, well-lit aisles for a hassle-free shopping experience. 

Landers Superstore offers exclusive brands of world-class wines.

It is the first membership superstore in the Philippines to have a coffee shop (Doppio), a diner (Landers Central) and a bakery (Dough & Co). There is also a barber shop called Federal Barbers. And exclusively for members, the superstore offers year-long gasoline discounts from some Caltex gas stations owned by Landers. *

(Visit Landers Superstore at its following branches:  Alabang West, ArcoVia City, Balintawak, Otis and Cebu. For more information, visit landers.ph.)

Happy New Year to everyone! (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)