Take a break from all the Christmas bustle and be inspired as Ayala Center Cebu lines up several concerts and fun-filled activities for everyone!

Here are Ayala Center Cebu’s Operating Hours for December 2011:

Main Mall (including Active Zone, Food Choices and Services):

December 1 – 14 - Regular Mall Hours
December 15 – 22 – 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
December 23 – 10:00 am – 12:00 mn
December 24 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
December 25 – 12:00 nn – 9:00 pm
December 26 – 29 – Regular Mall Hours
December 30 – 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
December 31 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
January 1, 2012 – 12:00 nn – 9:00 pm

The Terraces:
Regular operating hours except on the following dates:

December 24 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
December 26 – Not later than 12:00 nn
December 31 – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
January 1, 2012 – Not later than 12:00 nn

Regular mall hours will resume on January 2, 2012.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

(L-R): Raymund Magdaluyo, Shanna Lopez, Glecy Lopez-Go, and Marvin Agustin

Their branch at The Terraces is their first in the Visayas and the biggest in the country so far, with a seating capacity of 120.

SumoSam, as the name suggests, is a Japanese-American Restaurant truly reflected by its interior design featuring a unique ambiance of stained wooden planks, textured paints, and colorful light boxes. Playful decor of sumo wrestlers captured in various poses are also a visual treat.

SumoSam ceiling

According to Magdaluyo, their goal with SumoSam is to “make Japanese food or present it in a more formal or more international way”. He claims the strength of SumoSam is “bastardizing Japanese cuisine, (laughs)”. SumoSam is one of the more popular Japanese food chains in the country today and it is positioned to be “not too expensive but still able to provide quality”, he added. The menu is very extensive with around 140 items and each one actually has a photo with it so when you’re browsing SumoSam’s menu, you’ll feel as if you’re viewing a photo album. This was done for “people not to be scared of Japanese food”. Due to their success in SumoSam, they opened spin-offs from SumoSam such as John and Yoko, featuring cosmopolitan-Japanese cuisine, Marciano’s, featuring Italian-New Yorker cuisine and Mr. Kurosawa, featuring European-Japanese cuisine.

Raymund Magdaluyo with SumoSam’s textured walls as his background

Marvin Agustin

Agustin further explained that SumoSam is a “family-oriented restaurant”. Realizing their desire to expand and reach out to untapped markets by opening new stores, he revealed that they are opening a branch each in Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and one more in Davao next year. For Cebu, they are looking at opening one of their spin-off brands at the Phase 2B of Ayala Center which is currently under construction. In the next two years, the company is planning to open 15 more branches on top of the 10 stores that are currently operating. They are also now open to franchising. Typically, investment on a franchise would cost P5 million to P7 million depending on the size of the store.

As operations normalize, they also plan to introduce new items that will “utilize Cebuano ingredients”. And now that SumoSam has finally invaded The Terraces, they are hoping to put more smiles on the faces of the diners in Cebu. Not only because SumoSam is at last a quick drive away, but also because now, you can choose over the wide array of sumptuous meals prepared skillfully by SumoSam’s highly-trained chefs and served by modish and vibrant attendants. To date, SumoSam confirms that the fusion of Western and Asian cuisines can work.

SumoSam Red Ice Tea. Bottomless at P98.

Chicken Teriyaki and Mangoes Pizza. P288.

SumoSam’s Pride: mixed greens with grilled prawns, mango, caramelized walnuts on Citrus Miso Vinaigrette. P278.

Fried Chicken & Pork Gyoza. P228.

Grilled Chicken Teriyaki. P268.

Victory Float: tuna, salmon, kani sashimi, California, Philadelphia, Dynamite roll. P858.

*Prices are subject to change without prior notice

**Author’s note: Prices may appear to be quite steep at first look but each item actually has huge servings, enough to serve 2-3 people, depending on the appetite of course.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over now to SumoSam Cebu, located at the ground level of The Terraces garden row (in between TGI Friday’s and Banana Leaf)! SumoSam also has branches at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, MarQuee Mall, TriNoma, ABS-CBN, Nuvali, Greenbelt 3 and Abreeza.

Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner. And, a truly Pinoy Christmas is never complete until you’ve walked home on a frigid morning dawn mass and stopped to sample a warm bibingka from a small stall by the road.

Genuine smiles

Since there was a category for Most Plates Served, each bibingka had to be weighed for a fair competition

Competitive yet cheerful participants

iFM 93.9 DJs Randy and Radcliffe hosted the event

Naturally, with Christmas being so close, SM Hypermarket chose to cap their quarter-long Master Chefs extravaganza with a celebration of one of the most iconic of holiday treats, the bibingka. And where better to do it than in the home of the biggest bibingka in the world, Mandaue City, Cebu.

SM Hypermarket’s very own customer assistants provided free wholesome entertainment!

Rows of bibingka! Amazing!

The very energetic audience.

Known as the source of the best bibingka in the country, Mandaue City is also the home of many ingenious bakers who have taken this delicacy and given it a delicious twist. Some make it with grated keso de bolo on top, others with a layer of salted egg, and still others with a generous heaping of grated coconut and muscovado sugar. But one thing stays the same – all Mandaue bibingka are cooked in the classic “inurno” style. The batter is made of rice flour, coconut milk, yeast and sugar. The mixture is then baked to perfection in a terra cotta container. Red-hot coals placed above and below heat the batter through until it is fully, moist, and delicious, with a dark brown crust on top. It is this unique method of cooking, and the smoke from the coals, that gives bibingka its distinctive flavor.

Mr. Lee R. Jennie, founder of Adam Jennie’s Christian Center for Special Children based in Mandaue City, served as one of the judges.

Ms. Louella Cabanero, head of the Mandaue City Tourism Office, was the only lady in the board of judges

The event was also graced by the presence of one of the country’s celebrity chefs today, Chef John Paulo Sia, who was also part of the esteemed board of judges.

SM Hypermarket wants to kick off the holidays in Cebu by holding a festival for bibingka makers and lovers of the treat. Their Supersized Cookoff competition held yesterday, paid tribute to the many variants of the basic recipe and challenged chefs from all over to create the tastiest bibingka, and to serve up as many plates of it as they can. The competition was open to everyone who wished to join, provided that they formed groups of five and served a minimum of 50 plates.

At the end of the day, two groups were proclaimed as winners. The Best Tasting Bibingka was awarded to the Alang-Alang Group with a very high average score of 93.33%. Meanwhile, the Most Number of Plates Served was awarded to the Mandauenian’s Group for serving 391 plates of bibingka. Each winning group got P25,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates and a plaque of recognition from SM Hypermarket.

This is the final round of the SM Hypermarket’s Supersized Challenges. The previous ones were Iloilo’s Batchoy Challenge, which produced 1,862 servings of the beloved noodle dish; Batangas’ Bulalo Challenge which came up with 522 cups of the beefy broth, and Pampanga’s Sisig Challenge, which produced 1,775 plates of the spicy pulutan favorite. Knowing the Cebuanos’ cheerful fighting spirit, the final round held yesterday bested all the previous cook-offs as there were at least 2,000 plates of bibingka served!

Alang-Alang Group together with Mr. Lee Jennie, SM Hypermarket Cebu branch manager Angelo Carandang, Chef John Paulo Sia, SM Hypermarket senior manager for marketing communications and iFM93.9 DJ Randy

Mandauenian’s Group together with SM Hypermarket Cebu branch manager Angelo Carandang, Mr. Lee Jennie, Chef John Paulo Sia, SM Hypermarket senior manager for marketing communications and iFM93.9 DJ Randy

From June 3 to 5, 2011, enjoy big, big discounts of up to 50% off in participating stores.

PLUS!

Catch Jake Cuenca, Guji Lorenzana and Nina Dolino on June 3, Friday, 5PM at the Activity Center and be serenaded by the Soul Siren, Nina on June 4, 6PM, at the Activity Center.

So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars and shop ’til you drop at Ayala Center Cebu’s Back to School Sale!

Fashion Beats takes on the first unique collaboration on fashion and live music on the runway. Launched last March 25, the first installment of the series was recently held at Greenbelt.

Unlock your unique style and witness Style Origin Fashion Beats at an Ayala Mall nearest you. Ayala Center Cebu’s Style Origin Fashion Beats happens this Sunday, May 8, featuring Rico Blanco.

Express and cultivate your unique and personal sense of style as your senses witness and listen to fashion moving to the live local sound at Style Origin.

For more details, you may refer to the event poster below

Ayala Center Cebu once again celebrates Earth Hour, the mall’s annual participation to the effort organized by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) that encourages households and businesses to turn off non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for 1 hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.

Last year, Ayala Center Cebu , together with the Cebu Business Park , was able to save 3,661 kwh or an equivalent CO2 emission reduction of 702.55 kg for this initiative. Earth Hour 2011 will raise the bar and go beyond the hour by working hand in hand with the mall’s merchant partners for a year-long campaign for a sustainable environment. With this, Ayala Center Cebu has prepared various activities for all of us to join and pitch in our contribution to this cause.

To start with, let us support Earth Hour by SWITCHING OFF our own non-essential lights on March 26 from 8:30PM to 9:30 PM. The mall will SWITCH OFF again 70% of the lights at the common areas and some equipment such as elevators, escalators and water features. Restaurants can use alternative lights on the tables and are encouraged to place glow sticks or any glow in the dark items inside their stores.

Going beyond Earth Hour, Ayala Center Cebu encourages you to participate in there other activities as well:

Merchants Green efforts, March 16-25: A contest for all ACC merchants to share their innovative efforts in helping reduce environmental impact. Top five (5) best and most relevant efforts will be selected and awarded during the Earth Hour party on March 26. Each best entry will get P3,000 worth of eGC and Five (5) pcs. Ayala Cinema Passes.

Beyond the Hour Contest from March 18-25: Thru Ayala Center Cebu ’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/AyalaCebu) , shoppers can participate by posting their small acts for Mother Earth. It may be a simple text describing the act or effort or a photo which can be uploaded. Ten (10) best acts/efforts from both written and photo categories will be selected and awarded with Gift Certificates during the Earth Hour party.

Earth Hour Countdown at The Terraces, March 26: This will be led by CHI Management Heads, WWF Representative, ABCCI President, Business partners and the merchants. Glow-in-the-Dark I Commit to Go Beyond the Hour Wall, percussionists, fire dancers, Capoiera demonstrations, some games and prizes will be prepared for everybody.

Together our actions add up and we can make a difference. So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars and have a meaningful and worthwhile Earth Hour Celebration only at Ayala Center Cebu as they celebrate Earth Hour beyond the hour!

Marco Polo Plaza General Manager Hans Hauri welcomes guests, media and VIPs to the launch of their Sinulog 2011 activities

Exhibit opening and blessing

San Diego Dance Company

From January 7 to 18, Marco Polo Plaza brings back well-loved Cebuano traditions. In honor of the occasion, they opened the special weeklong exhibit of the “Sto. Niño: Images of Jesus as a Child,” a rare antique collection of the Compañeros de Juego del Sto. Niño, at the hotel lobby.

Ms. Jessica Avila shares about her own culinary journeys

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Food and Bevarage Manager Stephan Wieprich, Bantayan Vice Mayor Geralyn Escario, 5th District Board Member Agnes Magpale, Ms. Jessica Avila, Aloguinsan Mayor Cynthia Moreno and Mr. Hans Hauri open Sugbusog 2011

The Marco Polo Plaza also relaunches its traditional SUGBUSOG, with this year’s theme “A Culinary Journey to Our Roots.” For lunch or dinner, delight in a sumptuous selection of Cebuano heritage cuisine, featuring the culinary treasures of Cebu’s famous municipalities: Bantayan and Aloguinsan.

Have your fill of all time Cebuano food favorites like lechon, kinilaw, Bantayan’s danggit, pusit (squid) and other seafood fare, as well as Aloguinsan’s popular Pan Bisaya, Salvaro and more. Talented restaurateur and guest chef Jessica Avila also shares well-loved family recipes for traditional Cebuano fiesta dishes such as balbacua (ox tail), humba, adobong baboy and manok, dugo-dugo, tinola and a lot more. All these on top of the regular international buffet favorites at Cafe Marco.

If it’s food you want, it’s food you get… WARNING: PHOTO OVERLOAD!

Linat-ang Manok Bisaya

Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you

Kaldereta

Adobong Baka

Escabeche

Pancit Buko

Guinataang Sugpo

Arroz Valenzuela

Mais

Kinusit-Kusit nga Nukos

Calamares Fritos

Ginisang Pasayan sa Ahos

Lumpiang Ubod

Crispy Boneless Bangus

Pork Chicharon

Chicharon Bulaklak

Kasahos Beef Tapa

Baked Tahong

Puso sa Saging

Itlog Maalat

Nangka Salad

Guso

Eggplant Salad

Green Mango Salad

Lokot

From January 14-16, spend your Sinulog weekend at the Marco Polo Plaza and avail of the special Sinulog room rates, starting at Php 4,818++, per night with buffet breakfast. A Sinulog package is also available, including complimentary shuttle service to the Sinulog grounds, packed meal and priority eating at the Marco Polo grandstand along Mango Avenue. Sinulog dancers, free souvenirs and face painting in the Lobby on Sunday, January 16. Make this week a truly festive affair!

So go up and celebrate Sinulog 2011 at Cebu City’s only five-star hotel, the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. For inquiries and reservations, call 253111 loc 8249 or email mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com

The exhibit opening was marked by a ribbon cutting with the presence of Msgr. Cristobal Garcia of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Ms. Joy Polloso, General Manager of Ayala Center Cebu, and Mr. Francis O. Monera, President of Cebu Holdings, Inc.

This year’s exhibit theme “Gamhanang Kabilin ni Senyor Sto. Nino” promotes the adoration of the Sto. Nino image through all the altars in Cebu.

The choir

At the central part of the exhibit is an altar where devotees can adore the Sto. Niño and place their petitions at the side of the altar

Consisting of 60 images, the 2011 collection are images that are worshipped and treasured by generations of families, either in Chapels, private altars or in the most sacred places in family homes.

Msgr. Garcia opened the exhibit through a Novena prayer

Msgr. Garcia urges devotees not to say “Pit Senyor” out of “desperation” but out of peace, hope and love

Msgr. Garcia blesses all the images in the Exhibit and a short sharing of his own devotion to the Sñr. Sto. Niño

The exhibit aims to entice mallers to attend the 9-day novena which started earlier as well as venerate their “Kabilin”/Heritage from their parents and great grand parents as a token of love, unity and peace throughout the world.

Msgr. Garcia pays homage to his own image of the Señor Sto. Niño

Msgr. Garcia, officials of Ayala Land, Ayala Center Cebu and the devotees behind the Sto. Niño exhibit

The Sto. Niño exhibit is open daily during mall hours from until January 20, 2011.

- Further Sale up to January 9

- Ms. Cebu On-line Voting, until January 9, Mall Hours, 2nd Floor Northwing (near Cyberzone)

- Sinulog 2010 Winning Photos Exhibit, until January 29, Mall Hours, 3rd Floor (fronting Max’s Fried Chicken)

- Great American Circus Pre-Show, January 6, 4:30 and 5:30PM, Event Centre

- Jovit Baldivino Album Tour, January 14, 5PM, Event Centre

- GMA Kapuso Fiesta Mall Show, January 15, 4PM, Event Centre featuring the stars of Dwarfina Dennis Trillo, Iwa Moto, Will Devaughn, and Heart Evangelista

For more event details, call 2320296