Month: September 2025

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In a city where heritage churches and colonial houses once defined the skyline, Cebu today is racing skyward, marking its place among the modern urban centers of Asia. At the heart of this transformation is the competition for the title of the tallest building in the province, a race driven not by outsiders, but by Cebu’s very own homegrown developers.

Horizons 101 Tower One: Cebu’s Highest Landmark

Standing at 185 meters (or 192 meters according to other sources) Horizons 101 Tower 1 by Taft Properties claims the title of the tallest building in Cebu. Rising proudly along General Maxilom Avenue, the tower is a landmark visible across the city’s downtown, Uptown, and even from the sea. With 55 stories, it symbolizes the boldness of a Cebuano company that dared to rise higher than anyone else in the region.

The Challenger: Masters Tower Cebu

Not far behind is Masters Tower Cebu, the flagship project of Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), another proud Cebuano developer. At 172 meters, this hotel and office tower in Cebu Business Park is not just tall, it’s ambitious. More than its height, the tower carries prestige as it will house the first Sofitel hotel in the Visayas, redefining the standards of luxury in Cebu’s hospitality and business landscape.

The Predecessor: Crown Regency Hotel Fuente

Before these newer towers redefined Cebu’s skyline, the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers (Tower 1) stood as the city’s beacon of ambition. At 165 meters and 45 stories, built by Fuente Triangle Realty, it was once the tallest in Cebu and even one of the tallest outside Metro Manila. More than just a hotel, it became famous worldwide for its Sky Experience Adventure, from edge-coaster rides to skywalksβ€”a daring blend of tourism and architectural spectacle.

Cebu Developers Leading the Race

What makes this race even more remarkable is that all three of Cebu’s tallest buildings were not built by Manila-based conglomerates or foreign giants, but by Cebuano developers with deep roots in the island. Taft Properties, Cebu Landmasters, and Fuente Triangle Realty represent Cebu’s entrepreneurial spiritβ€”turning visions into concrete realities that now shape the skyline.

From the era of low-rise buildings and heritage structures, Cebu has transformed into a city of towering landmarks, each building not just a structure of steel and glass, but a testament to local pride and global ambition.

The race is far from over. With more projects announced, Cebu’s skyline will only continue to rise. But for now, three homegrown giants stand tallest, each one a reminder that Cebu’s reach is not just across islands, but also aiming for the sky.

Cebu Now in Good Hands with Governor Pam Baricuatro

Cebu today feels like it is in a better place. With the leadership of Governor Pam Baricuatro, the Capitol has taken a new direction, toward transparency, fiscal discipline, and service that puts the people first.

First, transparency is no longer a buzzword. It is real and felt by the constituents. The workings of the provincial government are now wide open to scrutiny, like being viewed under a magnifying lens. Every action, every project, every decision can be seen and questioned.

Makita na gyud sa Sugboanon kung asa paingon ang atong gobyerno, and this builds both trust and accountability.

Second, Governor Baricuatro is handling public funds with more care. Gone are the days of spending without thought or direction. Every peso is now weighed carefully, directed toward programs that matter.

Wala nay sayang, wala nay gasto nga walay pulos. Ang tanan alang sa dugang nga kaayohan sa Sugbo.

Equally important, the Governor shows a passion for service. She gives attention to the health sector that was once overlooked.

Iyaha gyud gihatagan og importansya ang katawhan nga dugay nang nangayo og tabang.

This presence is felt on the ground, not just in the halls of the Capitol. And perhaps the clearest sign of change is the end of extravagance. The days of lavish spending and unnecessary display are gone. In their place is a government that values simplicity, prudence, and substance.

Dili na kinahanglan ang pasikat, ang importante karon kay serbisyo nga tinuod ug matinud-anon.

Cebuanos are discerning; they know when leadership is working for them. And today, there is a growing sense that Cebu is indeed in good hands, with transparency, careful stewardship of resources, heartfelt service, and freedom from excess.

Cebu deserves no less.

When the Filipino Spirit Conquered a Spanish Crown: The Saga of Emperador and Fundador

The Philippine Flag flying high over a 1500 hectare vineyard now owned by Emperador in Jerez dela Frontera, Spain

In the chronicles of commerce, there are tales of ambition, but few rise to the level of legend. This is the story of Emperador Distillery, born in the islands of the Philippines, which rose from humble origins to seize a throne once thought unreachable, the crown of Fundador, Spain’s oldest and most illustrious brandy.

A Drink of the Masses, A Dream of the Nation

From the first pour in the Philippines, Emperador was never just a drink. It was the spirit of the Filipino people, affordable, unpretentious, yet full of fire. Across fiestas, weddings, and countless nights of laughter, Emperador became the companion of a nation.

But deep within its story was a restless dream: that the Filipino could not only drink the world’s best, but own it.

The Old World’s Crown Jewel

Far away in the ancient vineyards of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, the great houses of brandy had reigned for centuries. Among them stood Fundador, born in 1730, the brand of kings and nobles, its name etched into the very fabric of European heritage.

It was a symbol of the Old World’s refinement, a jewel passed down through generations. Never had it crossed anyone’s mind that such a treasure could be claimed by hands beyond Europe’s borders. Until the Filipinos arrived.

The Turning of the Tide

In 2015, Emperador did the unthinkable. With courage and conviction, it crossed oceans and struck a deal that shook the industry: it acquired Fundador and its sister brands. It was not merely a purchase, it was a reversal of history.

Andrew Tan, Chairman of Emperador Distillery among other businesses formalizing the acquisition of Fundador Brandy in 2015

The land once ruled by Spain now owned a crown of Spain itself. The once-colonized people had claimed the heritage of their colonizer. And so, what was once poured into Spanish goblets now carried within it the fire of the Filipino spirit.

A Toast Heard Around the World

The acquisition was more than business, it was poetry. In every bottle of Fundador now flowed three centuries of Spanish craftsmanship, sealed under the stewardship of Filipino hands. . Today, whether in Madrid, Manila, or New York, when a bottle of Fundador is raised, it carries with it a tale far greater than brandy. It is the saga of a nation that dared to dream, the story of how a Filipino company conquered a global empire of taste. And so the legend stands: Emperador, the Filipino spirit that rose from humble tables to seize a Spanish crown.

The Emperador line of products today

Direct Flights From Cebu to Guam

From Mission Crossings to Direct Flights: The Cebu–Guam Connection Centuries ago, the island of Guam looked across the Pacific and found its spiritual guidance in Cebu.

During the Spanish era, the Catholic Church in Cebu supervised Guam’s faith life, sending missionaries and supplies to the distant Marianas. For more than a hundred years, Guam’s parish records and missionary reports were tied to the Bishop’s Palace in Cebu. It was a connection of faith and heritage, linking two island communities across vast seas. Today, that bond takes on a new meaning.

Philippine Airlines is set to launch its first-ever Cebu–Guam direct flight starting December 16! No longer will the journey take months by galleonβ€”just a few hours from Mactan to America’s Pacific paradise.

From the Chamorro traditions and pristine beaches of Guam to the deep historical ties shared with Cebu, this new route is more than just a convenience, it’s a revival of a centuries-old connection. PAL will fly nonstop to Guam 3x weekly, bringing Cebuanos closer not only to stunning island adventures but also to a place that once looked to Cebu as its spiritual home. History has come full circle. What began as missionary crossings in the 1600s now continues with modern wings in 2025.

Book your flight at philippineairlines.com.

The First 100 Days of the People’s Governor

CEBU – Governor Pam Baricuatro’s victory was nothing short of phenomenal. While many were initially skeptical about what she could deliver as a newcomer in politics, her first months in office have proven otherwise. Now, as she approaches her first 100 days, it’s worth looking back at the quick gains and accomplishments she has already achieved for the province. This will be a multi-part series, beginning with her initiatives in the field of health.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro has put healthcare at the forefront of her first 100 days in office, combining immediate medical missions with long-term investments to strengthen the provincial health system.

With the support of her daughter, Dr. Nikki Catalan, who serves as a passionate ‘Pro-bono Piso Consultant‘ for provincial health programs, the governor led a series of medical and surgical missions in Camotes Island, Bantayan Island, Bogo City and Carcar City .

Aside from free consultations and medicines, the missions offered major surgical operations, including procedures for hernia, goiter, breast cancer, gallbladder stones (cholecystectomy), and parotid or β€œbayuok” cases.

β€œThese operations prove that our healthcare outreach is not just symbolic, but life-saving,” Gov. Baricuatro said. β€œWe are committed to making quality medical care accessible to all Cebuanos, especially those in far-flung communities.”

Another medical mission on August 16–17 at the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City, provided P10 million worth of free surgeries. For the first time in Cebu’s history, private hospitals, organizations, and volunteers partnered with the Province for large-scale surgical operations.

Specialists from Chong Hua Hospital, UCMed, the Cebu Medical Society, and other medical teams joined the initiative.

Backing her pledge with resources, Gov. Baricuatro has a proposed β‚±650 million in capital outlay under her proposed 2026 budget for the improvement of district and provincial hospitals. The fund will cover facility upgrades, acquisition of modern medical equipment, and expansion of specialized services.

Her administration also rolled out barangay-level health caravans, replenished medicine supplies in rural health units, and initiated support measures for frontline health workers, including hazard pay and allowances.

In Camotes island, she increased the fuel subsidies of ambulances while working ways to expedite the acquisition of sea ambulances.

Dr Nikki Catalan also emphasized the urgency of upgrading the hospital facilities in the islands because in the past, ‘a boat ticket in Jomalia Shipping has become a doctors prescription’ which means a patient needs to be transported to mainland hospitals due to inadequacies in the island healthcare facilities.

Private groups were also encouraged by the governor’s strong health advocacy. Doctors and specialists from as far as Australia joined local volunteers in conducting medical missions, creating a multiplier effect that expanded both the attention and resources dedicated to healthcare in the province.

Gov. Baricuatro’s decisive focus on health is among the most tangible accomplishments of her first 100 days. By pairing immediate, life-saving interventions with long-term hospital development, she is setting the stage for a stronger, more inclusive provincial healthcare system