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BORACAY
1
For all kinds of seafood — fish, squid, seaweed and all
sorts of crustaceans — and other local goodies (such as
dried mangoes and flat biscuits), head over to Taboan Public
Market in Pahina Central.
2
Right smack in the middle of the city is furniture
designer Kenneth Cobonpue’s workshop, hidden behind
a nondescript gate marked Interior Crafts of the Islands
(3-
A General Maxilom Ave; tel: +63 32 233 4045,
kennethcobonpue.com)
.
Kenneth, along with a few other
designers whose works can be found in top hotels and in
the homes of Hollywood A-listers (Brangelina’s purchase of
a Cobonpue bed made headlines), is one reason why Cebu
is considered the furniture capital of the Philippines. Set an
appointment to see the showroom (insider tip: call Karmel at
+63 917 630 5351) and catch Kenneth himself walking the
floor, and maybe luck out on select showroom pieces due for
refurbishing that come at substantial discounts!
3
Packets of dried mangoes are the quintessential souvenirs
from Cebu. Cebu Best
(
Salinas Dr, Lahug; tel: +63 32 272
6217)
dips the sweetened pieces of dried native mango in
sinfully dark Belgian chocolate, radically reinventing its taste.
4
Abaseria
(32
Pres. Quirino St, Villa Aurora Subd.,
Kasambagan, Mabolo; tel: +63 32 412 4196)
,
with wooden
furniture lending it a homey interior, serves Filipino food and
doubles as a sundry store stocking delicacies from the north
to the south of the country. Abaseria’s owners also run an
exporting business, so it’s more than a cozy spot for Pinoy
comfort food; there’s an outlet store for overruns of wooden
fashion accessories and other wood-based crafts, all sold at a
fraction of the retail cost.
5
The works of designer Janice Minor
(
L’Anchora Bldg,
Governor Cuenco Ave, Banilad;
com)
—
high-end furniture, luxe home decor, and fashion
accessories made from blown glass and metal — are a
Neiman Marcus favorite, and her factory outlet store is an
insider secret among the city’s stylish set.
6
At The Bellavista Hotel
(
ML Quezon Highway, Pusok,
Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island; tel: +63 32 340 7821,
thebellavista-hotel.com)
,
the hotel gift shop does double
duty as Avatar Accessories’ factory outlet for their quirky
laminated rings, bracelets and necklaces.
C I T Y T R I P P E R S
Barangay Lahug
Barangay Mabolo
Mactan Island
Cebu Strait
Downtown Cebu
For the
super shoppers
Barangay Talamban
