Vios Fest, showcasing Toyota car modification, transition to hybrid variants

 CEBU CITY – The Toyota Vios Fest, a fun-filled event in March 2026 at the Toyota Cebu City Branch celebrating 36 years, has successfully showcased the Toyota Vios Sedan models, with customization, and marketing emphasizing the importance of overall impact and personalization and slowly transitioning to promoting the hybrid variant to address the current issues with gasoline prices.

Toyota Cebu City general manager, Jose Jessaldo Layese discussed the the importance of overall impact and virtual life modification, emphasizing the need to look at different aspects differently, with key points included the flexibility and affordability of the Vios models, with prices ranging from over P738K to P1,019,800 for different variants.

Layese highlighted the reliability and environmental benefits of hybrid technology, starting with the overall impact and working back to specific details, highlighting the importance of personality and art in modifications and noting that hybrid cars can save up to 20 pesos per kilometer compared to gasoline.

Layese noted that the Toyota Corolla is a popular sedan in the Philippines, with a history dating back to the 90s, highlighting its flexibility and affordability making it a top-selling model. The Vios Fest event was meant to highlight the flexibility and affordability of Toyota models focusing on the Vios.

“But the concept of dressing up a car, including modifications like bumpers, spoilers, and side skirts, are based personal preferences and lifestyles influence the look of a car, emphasizing the owner's role in customization,” shared Rex Abrenilla, an entrepreneur and a race car driver under the Toyota Team Cebu Vios Cup, during the media briefing with the Cebu Online News Press Corps (CONPC).

Abrenilla with Carlo Suarez and John Dale Dy were on hand as judges to the Vios Dressing Up Contest as part of the Vios Fest.  The conversation with these racers also delved on their experiences with the Toyota Vios models being used by the Toyota Racing Development Team and its participation in racing events, aiming to showcase the versatility and future direction of Toyota vehicles.

The racers agreed on the reliability of Toyota engines, explaining on the transition basic sedans to more advanced SUVs, emphasizing the elegance of the Corolla, the Vios and the pricing details for different Toyota variants, including the Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) variant.

Abrenilla and Dy talked highly on the benefits of hybrid technology, including fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. They mentioned the reliability and effectiveness of hybrid vehicles compared to electric vehicles and the affordability of hybrid cars, with many options available from Toyota.

Dy emphasized Toyota's long-standing reputation for reliability, backed by decades of engineering experience and these gentlemen racers agreed on the importance of brand trust and the role of Toyota's engineers in maintaining reliability, and the transition from gasoline to hybrid vehicles to address current fuel issues.

Layese noted an increased demand for hybrid models due to high oil prices.  “Hybrid vehicles offer better fuel efficiency and longer battery life, with some models achieving up to 27 kilometers per liter.  After-sales services are robust, with technicians trained quarterly,” he added.

Layese also highlighted the reliability of hybrid technology at Toyota, backed by 30 years of development, and the need for continuous training to maintain high serviceability standards. He also talked about the importance of battery health and the long-term durability of hybrid vehicles, with many still in good condition after running for over 10 years.

“We, at Toyota highlights the importance of the after-sales support and training provided to our technicians to ensure the reliability of the Toyota hybrid vehicles,” Layese concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)

Montebello Villa Hotel brings back full-day Easter Wonderland

CEBU CITY -- Montebello Villa Hotel at Gov. M. Cuenco Ave. Apas, Cebu City brings back its annual Easter Wonderland on Easter Sunday, April 5, beginning at 9:00 a.m. designed as an all-access family experience featuring a wide range of activities including large-scale egg hunts, live performances, interactive games, and curated lifestyle attractions aimed at creating meaningful family bonding moments.

The event’s centerpiece, dubbed “The Greatest Egg Hunt,” includes more than 15,000 hand-painted eggs, along with special prizes for participants who find golden, dinosaur, and dragon eggs. Guests can also participate in “Eggventure Quests,” a series of challenges where children can win treats and prizes.

Each ticket includes all-day access from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., along with a meal platter, activity map, and event wristband. Early bird tickets are priced at ₱990, while regular tickets are set at ₱1,200 per person.

The event aims to combine entertainment with opportunities for connection, aligning with the theme that “every moment is made for family.”  An Easter Mass will also be held at 8:30 a.m. at the poolside area for guests who wish to begin the day with a religious observance.

CPMS Family Camp highlights this year’s Easter Wonderland at Montebello

A key highlight of this year’s celebration is the introduction of the Children’s Paradise Montessori School (CPMS) Family Camp, which brings structured team-building and inspirational activities into the program. The addition is intended to deepen engagement among families beyond traditional holiday entertainment.

Beyond the egg hunt, attendees can explore a variety of attractions such as inflatables, carnival-style rides, obstacle courses, and interactive zones. A lineup of live shows including a fairytale-themed musical, a bubble show, and a costume runway to run throughout the day. The Zootopia Superstars Costume Contest is also expected to draw participation from children, toddlers, and parents.

Animal and nature exhibits will form part of the “Easter Zootopia,” featuring petting zoos, reptile showcases, and botanical displays. Meanwhile, parents can browse the Easter Bazaar, which offers curated selections of fashion, plants, and locally sourced products.

Tickets may be purchased through the hotel’s official communication channels, including phone and social media platforms. (Photos: CPMS)

Chemlux Inc. opens Cebu Branch to strengthen Visayas operations

MANDAUE CITY-- Chemlux Incorporated, a trusted provider of professional cleaning solutions, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and water treatment systems in the Philippines, formally inaugurated its Cebu branch office on March 25 Located at the S.A. Building along Plaridel Street, Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, and the branch is expected to facilitate more efficient distribution, technical assistance, and client engagement for industries that require high standards of sanitation and water management.

The new facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to provide world-class cleaning and sanitation solutions across the Visayas region and its commitment to enhance service accessibility and operational support for its growing client base across central Philippines.

Chemlux Incorporated offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including industrial and institutional cleaning and sanitation solutions, Integrated Pest Management, and advanced water treatment systems through its sister company, Chemwater Trading and Services Inc. These solutions are designed to support key sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage processing, food service, laundry, agriculture, healthcare, and various industrial and institutional operations in maintaining compliance with safety and sanitation regulations.

“The opening of our Cebu branch reflects our commitment to bringing our expertise closer to our clients in the Visayas. We are dedicated to providing timely, reliable, and high-quality solutions that support operational excellence and uphold the highest standards of hygiene and safety,” said Chemlux president, Jose Raquel Santos.

The expansion represents a pivotal step in the company’s long-term growth strategy, reinforcing the company’s mission to strengthen its nationwide presence while delivering innovative, sustainable, and client-focused solutions tailored to the evolving needs of regional markets.

With the launch of its Cebu branch, Chemlux Incorporated continues to position itself as a key partner for businesses seeking effective, compliant, and sustainable cleaning, sanitation, pest control, and water treatment solutions.

For inquiries, interested parties may visit the Cebu branch office or contact Chemlux Incorporated through its official communication channels. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

Experience the all-new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

TALISAY CITY-- Experience the all-new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the future of driving where a gasoline engine and electric motor work seamlessly together to give you strong performance while consuming less fuel.

Enjoy silent, smooth driving on electric mode at low speeds, and switch effortlessly to gasoline power when you need more strength—giving you the perfect balance of power and fuel savings.

Drive the all-new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and experience lower fuel expenses; reduced emissions; no need to plug in and smart energy regeneration while driving.  Whether you’re in the city or on long drives, the RAV4 Hybrid lets you go farther while spending less.

Make the smart switch. Drive Hybrid today. For inquiries and more details, feel free to message its Facebook page. Rates and promos are intended for residents of Cebu Province. Toyota Talisay is located at SRP Road, Lawaan 1, Talisay City, Cebu, phone #- (032) 260-9201. (Photos: Toyota Talisay)

Women power at Aventus Medical Care

 
CEBU CITY --Healthcare leadership is not just about expertise, it is about showing up for people with clarity, compassion, and purpose and at Aventus Medical Care, women power is felt from the clinic floor to the boardroom, they shape a workplace where care is not just a service, but a value.

Dr. Donabel Pineda, Medical Director, did not always picture herself in medicine, it was her father who first encouraged her to try.  "At first, it was difficult. It required courage, commitment, and a strong willingness to keep learning," she recalls.

That difficulty became direction and today, she leads with the same quiet resolve that carried her through.  She is honest about the challenges that come with being a woman in a leadership role.

"There are times when I am perceived as 'too soft,” she says. But she sees it differently. Compassion, she believes, is not a weakness. It is what makes women especially effective in healthcare.

Mary Rose Decena, Corporate Relations Manager, leads with a simple but powerful shift in perspective.  "We don't just provide a service. We become a true health partner."  For her, leadership means seeing the whole person, not just their productivity, but their well-being. That human-first approach, she says, is what women bring to the table.

Michelle Joy Palomar-Menicable, Clinic Head of Filomena Clinic, finds meaning in the everyday. "Each day is an opportunity to learn and connect. Filomena Clinic is more than my workplace. It is my home."   Her leadership is built on relationships, with her team, her patients, and herself. Every challenge, she says, shapes a better version of who she is.

Leah Pundan, Senior Assistant Manager for Billing and Collection, works behind the scenes, but the impact is real.  "When financial processes are managed with accountability, they help sustain services that support patient care," she explains.  Her leadership is grounded in faith and integrity—not just hitting targets, but taking care of the people around her along the way.

Dr. Pierenne Virgil Pinlac-Santos, in medical evaluation, stays motivated by one thing. "The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives."

Simple. Steady. Enough. Together, these women point to something larger.  As Dr. Pineda puts it, more women are stepping into decision-making roles in healthcare and the industry is better for it.  Her advice to those who follow? "Know your purpose. It will define your goals and carry you forward."

This Women's Month, their stories share one quiet truth: real leadership is not about the title. It is about the willingness to serve, to listen, and to lift others up.    At Aventus, women are not waiting for a seat at the table, they are already at the helm. (Photos: Aventus Medical Care)

VIOS STYLE FEST IS HERE!

​Everyone is invited to an exciting day at Toyota Cebu City on March 21, 2026 for a fun-filled event packed with style, prizes, and amazing deals.

✨ Vios Dress-Up Competition (FREE entry & prizes!)

✨ Accessories Clearance Sale (Huge discounts!)

✨ Vios Display – see our latest units up close

✨ Customer Raffle Draw – exciting prizes await!

✨ Grab Go Live Event – faster application processing

📍 Visit us at Toyota Cebu City, #34 M.J. Cuenco Ave. Don’t miss out—bring friends and family and experience the excitement with Toyota! 

PhilHealth brings YAKAP to Bogo City learners, teachers

 BOGO CITY, Cebu — PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) VII, through its Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) Danao, conducted the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) Caravan on March 16 at Marcelo B. Fernan Polambato Elementary School, in collaboration with the Department of Education, bringing primary care services closer to learners and teachers in the community.

The YAKAP Caravan was held alongside the turnover of a new Learning Continuity Space (LCS) facility in the school, built to help address classroom shortages due to calamities, like the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City in 2025.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Department of Education Secretary, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara graced the event with PhilHealth, Regional Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto guiding President Marcos through the YAKAP Caravan stations, providing updates on the program’s implementation and highlighting the agency’s efforts to promote the eGovPH Super App, which simplified access to government services through digital platforms.

Some 200 individuals received primary care services under YAKAP at the caravan, including the First Patient Encounter (FPE) or medical consultation, laboratory tests, and medicines through GAMOT. The activity highlights PhilHealth’s commitment to bringing preventive and primary care services, including in schools, where early health interventions can support both learning and overall well-being.

Three partner YAKAP clinics in Bogo City participated in delivering the services: Cebu Provincial Hospital – Bogo City, City of Bogo Health Office, and North Med Diagnostic Clinic.

As of December 31, 2025, 75,842 out of 92,426 residents of Bogo City were already registered PhilHealth members and dependents, with 33,982 individuals having selected their YAKAP Clinic.

Meanwhile, as of November 2025, PhilHealth Region VII had already released over ₱6 million in payments to accredited YAKAP providers in Bogo City for services rendered under the program. PhilHealth continues to strengthen its efforts to ensure that essential healthcare services reach Filipinos, supporting healthier communities and a stronger future generation. (Photos: PhilHealth/DepEd/Google Images)