Eurobrands Distributors and Gateway Motors held a grand launch of the Peugeot showroom in Cebu’s North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City. A magnificent display of fireworks lit up the evening sky as the opening rites unfolded.
Peugeot Citroen and Eurobrands VIPs flew in from Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, led by Peugeot’s Jean Yves Dossal, sales director for Asia; Lionel Faugeres, general director for Asean countries; Samson Anan George, president of Peugeot Naza; and Ronnie Mercado, regional sales manager for Asean nations.
Eurobrands was well-represented by its president, Felix Mabilog Jr.; and Gateway Motors, Peugeot’s principal dealer in Cebu, by chair Martin Goho, president Markane Goho, and executive VP Michael Goho.
There were toasts, speeches, and lots of merrymaking in the program hosted by Georgina Wilson, and livened up by a performance from Cebuana songbird Natasha Cang.
Guests milled around the two sleek Peugeot cars on display—the RCZ sports car, and the 508 sedan. It was an A-list event with Kaye Sala and Cybill Gayatin providing us with some interesting info.
Peugeot started in France in the 19th century, manufacturing coffee, salt and pepper grinders. That led to umbrella frames, bicycles and, finally, automobiles.
Presently, Peugeot is noted for its high-pressure diesel injection system and micro-hybrid technology, making it a leader in fuel efficiency and eco-sustainability.
New art gallery
Another A-list event for Kaye and Cybill was the grandest opening ever of an art gallery marked by a fantastic display of avant-garde artists from Cebu as well as other points of the Visayas and Mindanao.
That’s the Qube Gallery at the ground floor of the Henry Hotel in Banilad, at 1 Saturnino St., which leads to posh Maria Luisa Estate Park.
Qube is the concern of Jon Kenneth and Janice Gotiong, and Maris Holopainen Hadaway. They explained that the exhibit’s title of “Dos X Dos” refers to the standard size of the paintings on show, two feet by two.
Well, there’s a big one painted by Palmy Pe Tudtud, who was the first artist we saw upon entering. Eminent Cebuano painter Boy Kiamko was there with some very good ideas about what to do at the Cebu City Museum of Art.
Two abstracts by Javy Villacin attracted a lot of admiring comments, as was another by Darby Alcoseba, who represents the fourth generation of Cebu artists with that surname.
Three by Dennis “Sio” Montera, also abstracts, were the object of curiosity and praise. He is also an excellent portrait artist. His life-size portrait of the late Lydia Ibañez has pride of place at St. Benedict’s School, which she founded.
There are a total of 36 works on display at Qube. Aside from the above-mentioned artists, Cebuano exhibitors include Josua Cabrera, Radel Paredes, Marvin Natural, Felix Catarata and Jana Jumalon.
More artists: Ronald Ventura, Reneboy Chona, Lester Amacio, Mariano Catague, Chris Gomez, James Najarro, Robert Gonzales, Buboy Buenaventura, Nomar Miano, Gualberto Licong, Jericho Vamenta, Peter Fatinaglo, Gromyko Semper and Roderick Tijing.
Cebu Daily News photographer Gerard Pareja was there to document the event. In focus: Maia Franco, Bunny Pages, Alice Plaza, Dr. Mickey Morales, Cheling and Susan Sala, their son Javy Sala, and elegant couturier Arcy Gayatin.
Nonie Uy arrived wearing an exotic kaftan. That was the cue for Teresin Mendezona, Irma Atillo and Elvira Luym to start their series of farewells. They were all going to a kaftan dinner, and had to change, at Elvira’s in Maria Luisa.
Glimpsed about, and randomly enumerated: Sebastian and Ina Lacson, honorary consul of Spain Anton and Maripaz Perdices, Louie and Hazel Alvarez, June Alegrado, Alice Woolbright, Alma Mia Garcia posted at the bar, pouring red or white wine.
More: Doro Barandino, Jun Escario, James Abilla, Debbie Palao, Maybelline Te, Aitor Zaldumvide, Gemma Go, Debbie Bontes, Marco Anzani, Kumiko Onda, Chikoy Romualdez, Anton Quisumbing, Mitos Foster, among others.
Jon Gotiong and Maris Hadaway opened the first Qube Gallery located at the Persimmon Plus mall and residential complex in Mabolo, Cebu City. This gallery is now dedicated to emerging artists from Cebu and other areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
Aside from the Qube galleries, Jon and Maris also manage the art displays at Steven Aznar’s popular Café Elysa in downtown Cebu, and the Art District in D32 of the Mactan International Airport.
