Mercure Mactan Cebu Unveils “Timo Cart”

MACTAN, CEBU — Mercure Mactan Cebu officially launched its newest culinary concept, “Timo Cart”, a homegrown food and beverage experience that spotlights local ingredients, award-winning creations, and the rich flavors of Cebu and the Visayas.

The launch event showcased a menu made homely from local produce and talent, featuring the hotel’s own R&D drinks alongside creations inspired by Cebu’s culinary heritage and recent festival wins.

Guests were treated to Mercure’s in-house crafted beverages, including: Flavored Oboe Latte, Banana Latte, Mactos — a tribute to Mactan.

A highlight was the winning beverage creation of Mercure’s Beverage Manager from the recent Cebu Culinary Kalipayan. Inspired by the beloved Cebuano delicacy Puto Maya, the drink reimagines the dessert as a beverage — turning tradition into a sippable experience.

The Timo Cart also features a partnership with Tuburan Coffee, celebrating one year of collaboration this August. Mercure is using Tuburan Beans to craft its coffee and signature lattes, supporting local farmers and showcasing Cebuano coffee. 

Executive Chef Paolo Alviso presented new creations developed for the Timo Cart, dishes designed to pair perfectly with the curated drinks. Also featured were cocktails, brewed coffee, and beverages by Chef Sir Aymar, blending culinary expertise with mixology.

Building on the momentum of recent wins at Cebu Culinary and the Cebu Food and Wine Festival, the team highlighted crowd favorites like Lamb Kansi Kesabirya, which received very good feedback, alongside new items aligned with the Timo theme of “new creations meets the old favorites.”

Local Flavors, Local Partners

In line with Mercure’s commitment to supporting local, the Timo Cart also features Bisaya Brew — a locally made flavored German beer, with variants including mango and more.

“From our areas, to your cup and plate — Timo Cart is about celebrating what makes Cebu home,” the team shared during the launch. “We hope you enjoy every bite and sip as our waiters and chefs serve you today.”

The Timo Cart is now officially open at Mercure Mactan Cebu, inviting guests to rediscover Cebuano flavors in a fresh, creative, and accessible way.

About Mercure Mactan Cebu

 Located in Mactan Newtown, Lapu-Lapu City, Mercure Mactan Cebu is a 4.5-star beachfront hotel that blends modern comfort with Filipino hospitality. The hotel champions local culture through food, art, and partnerships with Cebuano producers. 

Zero hunger in focus in Cebu with P140M province-wide feeding program

BALAMBAN, Cebu -- The fight against hunger and child malnutrition in Cebu is getting a double-barreled boost with the Cebu Provincial Government rolling out its massive ₱140-million localized feeding program with the launching of the province-wide "Tabang Pangpabaskog Feeding Program” that kicked off on July 16 at the barangay gym in Cambuhawe, Balamban, feeding around 1,000 pupils from Jose Chona Jo Elementary School.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Balamban Mayor Amos Cabahug and DepEd Cebu Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Priscillo Paulin signed the memorandum of understanding to solidify their partnership and seamlessly aligning with the national government's flagship "Walang Gutom 2027" campaign, creating a powerful safety net for the province's most vulnerable sectors.

The biggest game-changer in this program is the shift to ready-to-eat meals. Unlike previous capitol feeding programs that only provided raw rice, the provincial government is now delivering fully cooked, hot breakfasts straight to classrooms.

“We don't want this feeding program to hassle you. We don't want our teachers and parents to have to do the cooking. When this reaches you, it's already ready to eat meals,” Baricuatro emphasized that the program was designed with convenience in mind.

To ensure no child is left behind, the Capitol backed the initiative with a massive budget and a structured, multi-month strategy with the allocation to secure food supply, logistical operations, and the deployment of seven mobile kitchens across the province to fast-track food preparation and delivery.

“The intervention runs for at least 120 days, featuring hot meal distributions, weekly food assistance, nutritional drinks, and regular weight monitoring to track progress, targeting the vulnerable learners,” Baricuatro said.

Nutritious food wasn't the only thing delivered during the launch. To ease the financial burden of the new school year on local families, Baricuatro also led the distribution of essential school supplies.

Young students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 happily received brand-new school bags packed with notebooks, writing paper, crayons, and pencils—giving them the tools they need to succeed both nutritionally and academically.

Filling the gaps, the program is designed to seamlessly complement existing nutritional efforts run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for daycare centers and DepEd for public schools—the "Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program", which was institutionalized under Executive Order No. 44.

The National “Walang Gutom” program push

Beneficiaries of the program receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card loaded with ₱3,000 monthly food credits to purchase nutritious food items like rice, protein, and vegetables from the DSWD-accredited retailers.  

To maintain eligibility, beneficiaries must attend Nutrition Education Sessions and participate in job training programs offered by DOLE and TESDA, encouraging long-term self-sufficiency.  By restricting food redemptions to DSWD-accredited local stores, the program funnels money directly back to local farmers and fisherfolk.  

Cebu is currently a primary battlefield in the national war on hunger. Just last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally traveled to Cebu City to launch the Visayas region's very first Walang Gutom Kitchen.

Located near Pier 4 along Arellano Boulevard, this specialized community hub recently expanded its services on July 11, to serve both free breakfast and lunch daily on a first-come, first-served basis to homeless individuals, low-income port laborers, and families experiencing involuntary hunger.

With both the DSWD's community-level food programs and Cebu Province’s newly minted school feeding initiative running side-by-side, Cebu is mounting one of the most comprehensive, multi-layered defenses against hunger in the country. (Photos: Capitol PIO/DSWD7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chiz files bill to overhaul FDA for better consumer protection

CEBU CITY -- Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero filed Senate Bill No. 2310, a measure proposing to overhaul the country’s product regulatory system by transferring several functions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to other government agencies better aligned with the nature and risks of the products they oversee. 

Escudero said that his proposed reform aims to streamline government regulation, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and strengthen public health and consumer protection through a science‑based, risk‑informed framework across agencies. The measure addresses long‑standing overlaps and delays that affect both consumers and businesses. 

“Product regulation efficiency is critical for promoting public health and safety, and for protecting consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products,” Escudero said in the bill’s explanatory note.

“Through the establishment and enforcement of product standards and other regulatory measures, the government addresses matter that cannot reasonably be expected of individual consumers, such as verifying product quality, (and) ensuring compliance with technical and manufacturing standards,” he stressed.

Under the proposed “Product Regulatory System Reform Act,” the regulation of raw and unprocessed food products shall be transferred to the Department of Agriculture (DA), while processed food, cosmetics, and other consumer goods shall fall under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Other products could likewise be reassigned to specialized agencies depending on their risk profile and statutory mandates.   Escudero emphasized that the realignment seeks to ensure that regulatory functions are exercised by agencies with the appropriate technical expertise and institutional capacity. The measure also mandates inter‑agency coordination to avoid duplication and improve public service delivery. 

He underscored the urgency of updating the country’s regulatory framework, citing “rapid technological advancements, increasing complexity of products, evolution of local and global markets, and the emergence of public health risks” as reasons for adopting a more responsive system. 

To ensure continuity of service, the bill provides transitory provisions allowing existing permits, registrations, and authorizations to remain valid until expiration. Pending applications and enforcement actions will be completed by the agency to which the relevant function is transferred. 

The Bicolano senator said the proposed reforms aim to build “a coherent, adaptive, and efficient regulatory system that protects public health and safety and consumer welfare” while encouraging innovation and investment.

Developer pushes forward with 700-Unit twin towers in Mactan

LAPU-LAPU CITY — A major developer in Cebu is moving ahead with a 700-unit twin-tower residential project in Punta Engaño, Mactan, citing the area’s booming tourism and demand for beachfront living.

In an interview with Ramon Carlo Yap, president, Priland Development Corporation, he said that the project, delayed earlier by the pandemic, is now back on track and already more than 70 percent sold and turnover is targeted in three and a half years.

Yap said they chose Punta Engaño because it will always be a destination for quality beach and for relaxation for both tourists and locals.  "All the developments are booming here, so that's why we want to be also part of this progress in Punta Engaño," he said.

The development consists of two towers with 700+ units in total. Officials clarified the project was not canceled, only delayed due to pandemic uncertainties.

"During that time, we decided to move the construction because it's not a very good time to start, because it's very unpredictable, and now... we still push through with the construction because we promised to deliver the project on time," Yap said.

He also confirmed that unit prices have not changed since the pre-selling stage.

This marks the developer’s 11th project, all currently residential. But the company is set to diversify. "We will be having commercial, hotel, offices soon," Yap announced.

He also revealed they have just ground broken their first mall in Consolacion, Cebu along with the company’s first hotel in the area. A future "high street" development is also in the planning stage.

"After this project, we will be back on track on our momentum, what we did before the pandemic," he added.   Despite global headwinds including the ongoing situation in the Middle East, yap remains bullish on Cebu and Philippine real estate.

"Despite the ongoing... challenges, we still see a very positive real estate industry in Cebu, and I think in the Philippines in general. We're not stopping. I'm sure we see it slowed down, but there's still a big demand," he said.

With Punta Engaño continuing to draw both local and international attention, the new twin towers are expected to add to the area’s growing portfolio of residential and leisure developments.

Childlink partners with local artists to bring out 12 universal values of life

CEBU CITY – Childlink Learning Center and Childlink High School, Inc collaborates with local visual artists known as Artists Beyond Border to extend education beyond the four corners of the classroom and every learning space is designed to inspire character, creativity, and purpose.

The school’s commitment to holistic education has taken on a vibrant new form. The project transformed twelve classroom doors into meaningful works of art, each representing one of Childlink’s 12 Universal Values—the guiding principles upon which the school’s educational philosophy is built.

These values serve as daily reminders that education is not only about academic excellence but also about developing individuals of strong character, compassion, integrity, and responsibility.

The artists behind this inspiring initiative are Ilyn Chua, Jovelle Mae Jaca, Vladimir Valdehueza, David Alfaro, and Mara Dado, whose collective creativity and passion brought the values to life through colorful and thought-provoking illustrations.

Each classroom door now serves as a visual masterpiece that welcomes students while encouraging reflection on the importance of living out these universal principles every day.

More than a beautification project, the collaboration reflects Childlink’s belief that the school environment itself should become an active participant in the learning process. Every artwork invites students, parents, visitors, and members of the community to pause, appreciate, and understand the values that define the Childlink community.

The initiative also reinforces the school’s dedication to promoting the arts as an essential component of holistic education. By integrating visual arts into everyday spaces, students are constantly exposed to creativity, imagination, and artistic expression.

The presence of these artworks serves as an ongoing source of inspiration, encouraging learners to appreciate the role of the arts in shaping perspectives, solving problems, and expressing ideas.

According to the school’s philosophy, creativity is one of the most important human capacities that must be continuously nurtured. In an ever-changing world where innovation and adaptability are becoming increasingly important, Childlink believes that sustaining one’s creativity is essential for lifelong learning and success.

As the first School of Character in the Visayas and Mindanao recognized by the Character Education Partnership, Childlink has consistently championed an educational approach that develops the whole child. Guided by its motto, “Learn, Link, Lead,” the school strives to cultivate not only intellectual growth but also emotional intelligence, social responsibility, leadership, and moral character.

Through programs such as its Center for Life Skills, character education initiatives, and creative learning experiences, Childlink continues to provide opportunities for students to discover and develop their unique talents and potentials. The collaboration with Artists Beyond Border perfectly embodies this mission by demonstrating how education, art, and values can come together to create meaningful learning experiences.

The completed classroom doors now stand as permanent symbols of the partnership between education and the creative community. Every student who walks through these doors is reminded that learning is a journey of both the mind and the heart, and that creativity has the power to inspire positive change.

Childlink extends its sincere appreciation to Artists Beyond Border and its members—Ilyn Chua, Jovelle Mae Jaca, Vladimir Valdehueza, David Alfaro, and Mara Dado—for generously sharing their artistic talents in support of the school’s vision. Their work has transformed ordinary classroom entrances into inspiring gateways where values, imagination, and education converge.

As students begin each school day by entering these classrooms, they are greeted not only by beautiful works of art but also by enduring reminders of the values that will help shape them into compassionate, creative, and responsible individuals prepared to make meaningful contributions to society. (Photos: Childlink)

Priland Devt Corp to hold roadshow in Iligan City

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩? Discover exciting property opportunities at the Priland Development Corporation Roadshow in Iligan City. This is the chance to meet the team, explore the latest developments and find the perfect investment for your future.

The event is on July 4, 2026 at the Kelsey's Cafe and Restaurant - Quezon Avenue Extension Corner, Ubaldo Laya Avenue, Pala-o, Iligan City. Don"t miss this opportunity--your future address might be waiting for you.

Baricuatro allocates P140M for malnutrition, food insecurity program for Cebu

CEBU CITY-- Amid a sobering reminder of the structural hurdles facing public health in Central Visayas, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro kicked off the province’s 52nd Nutrition Month celebration with an aggressive ₱140-million counter-offensive against child malnutrition and food
insecurity.

Announced on Wednesday, July 1, at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Grounds under the national theme “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan,” the massive local government mobilization arrives just as newly released data underscores Cebu’s position at the epicenter of the region’s nutritional crisis.

According to the latest 2025 Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) survey released by the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Region VII, chronic malnutrition remains a deep-seated provincial battleground. While regional stunting rates (low height-for-age) showed a slight percentage decline to 6.33%, a staggering 40,674 children under five in Central Visayas remain stunted.

Due to its dense population, Cebu Province accounts for over half of these numbers, logging 20,664 stunted children—the highest volume of stunting among all provinces nationwide.  

Furthermore, the regional data tracks 18,735 underweight children with 8,672 in Cebu Province alone and 7,152 suffering from wasting or acute thinness. This nutritional deficit is compounded by severe systemic strain; the Expanded National Nutrition Survey reveals that 35.6% of households in Central Visayas suffer from moderate to severe food insecurity, eclipsing the national average of 31.4%.  

“If you ask me what kind of Cebu I dream of, my answer is simple,” Gov. Baricuatro remarked, visibly emotional as she marked her first year in office during the July 1 launch. “A Cebu where every family has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life. How can we talk about economic growth, quality education, and tourism if our people themselves are hungry and their bodies lack proper nutrition?”

Capitol's tactical blueprint

To actively reverse these metrics, Cebu Province rolls out a multi-pronged intervention strategy that targets both immediate hunger and long-term health stabilization:  ₱140-Million Feeding Allocation: an expansive financial package injected directly into community-level supplemental feeding.

The Mobile Kitchen Fleet: Seven state-of-the-art mobile kitchens scheduled for deployment across rural and vulnerable sectors this July to rapidly distribute hot, nutrient-dense meals.

Mass Micronutrient Campaign: A target distribution of 600,000 Vitamin A capsules and 300,000 iron supplements to Rural Health Units (RHUs) across every city and municipality in Cebu, directly intervening in the crucial early development phases of toddlers.

Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan underscored that the intervention represents a shift from passive health management to active governance. “Malnutrition is not only a health concern; it is a governance concern,” Catalan emphasized. “The data on malnutrition in Cebu is not something we can ignore; it should disturb us, but more importantly, it should move us to act.”

Model localities and health systems recognized

While the regional numbers present an uphill climb, the launch also celebrated local government units (LGUs) and medical facilities showing breakthrough success in managing community health profiles under strict guidelines.

The Municipality of Dalaguete took center stage, receiving a Plaque of Achievement as a 2025 National Nutrition Green Banner Seal of Compliance Awardee for its progressive grassroot nutrition models.

The Capitol also officially recognized municipalities and health offices that recorded the lowest stunting and maternal health risks based on the 2025 metrics:   Lowest Stunting Prevalence (OPT Version 1) went to Bogo City Health Office, Borbon RHU, Minglanilla RHU, San Fernando RHU, Naga City Health Office.

Lowest Prevalence of Nutritionally At-Risk Pregnant Women went to Oslob, Alcantara, Ronda, San Remigio, Cordova.  

Retaining mother-baby friendly status, 13 provincial and district facilities were lauded for successfully retaining their Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI) status for 2025, ensuring that foundational nutrition—specifically early, exclusive breastfeeding—is guarded at birth. Cebu Provincial Hospitals (Danao, Carcar, Bogo, Balamban); District Hospitals (Badian, Tuburan, Oslob, Bantayan, Daanbantayan); Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital; Ricardo L. Maningo Memorial Hospital; Tuan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital and Jose Ma. Borromeo Memorial Hospital.

As Nutrition Month continuous through July, provincial health officials hope that Cebu's hyper-localized, heavily funded approach sets a benchmark for how local government units can actively reclaim the health and futures of the region's youth.