Spotlight: Mark Roa

Full Name: Mark Roa
Home Town: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Profession: Territory Sales Supervisor, San Miguel Brewery

“Anyone can take a picture, but a person with a passion sees the picture before it is taken.” This anonymous quote is something that probably best describes this young photographer we are putting under the spotlight. His photos celebrate life and beauty. You can tell just by looking at his galleries of portraits how passionate he is in what he does. Get ready to marvel at the world through the lens of Mark Roa.

Blue Pearl Meat Restaurant: Next on your Gastronomic Bucketlist

There is a new Korean restaurant in town and its gaining popularity fast. The Blue Pearl Meat Restaurant is located along Hibbard Avenue, Tugas, Piapi. It is situated right by the Korean Church. It’s easy enough to spot, especially with an enormous signage right outside the restaurant. Blue Pearl is actually the fourth branch of the Pearl Meat Shop which first opened its doors in AS Fortuna, Mandaue City. It’s two other branches, both located in Cebu, are also widely-known and well-loved by foodies both Korean and Filipino. So imagine my delight when I learned that one of my favorite Korean restaurants from Cebu was branching out to none other than Dumaguete City.

Lantaw Native Restaurant: The New Home of the Family of Gentle People

Lively Filipino music, rich and boisterous laughter and the clanging of utensils were in perfect harmony during the blessing and grand opening of Lantaw Native Restaurant Dumaguete. It seemed like one giant feast that brought together families from all over the city. And as the night progressed and the moon steadily lit the restaurant’s skyline, the crowd excited to taste the savory native delicacies unique to this new restaurant just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Spotlight: Hope “Hopia” Tinambacan

It’s not easy making it big in the local music industry. But through his burning passion for Original Pinoy Music and the arts, coupled with a ton of perseverance, this man has beaten the odds. In a country still enslaved by colonial mentality, this man has managed to unite local artists in advocating our very own brand of music. He is Mr. Earnest Hope Tinambacan – singer, songwriter, ultimate performer and the idol of many Dumaguetenyos and Negrenses.

Full Name: Earnest Hope Lumayag Tinambacan
Home Town: Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
Profession: NGO worker

What/Who inspires you to sing and compose songs? Why do you say so?
So many artists have influenced me. Every time I listen to their songs I immediately feel like writing. Good songs inspire me to write. I started writing when I was 12 or 13 with the influence of my barkadas and my papa who loves to write “balak”. When I was in first year High School my close friends were “the singers” in the batch, and our favorite hangout activities were songwriting and jamming. I also used to join songwriting competitions in the CYF, our church youth group when I was still in High School.

Gabby’s Bistro Makes its Way to the Heart of the City

If you’re from Dumaguete or spend a lot of time in the city, you’re bound to know about Gabby’s Bistro. Their flagship restaurant, although located in a primarily residential area quite far from the city proper, is the go-to place of many foodies. It is everywhere on social media. The bistro is modern and fun, and the food, a consistent homerun. It has been dubbed as one of the places to be when visiting the city and with good reason.