Show biz power fades in polls

In Cebu, and perhaps in the whole Visayas and Mindanao, the name Chiongbian is all too familiar. It has the tinkle of privilege and affluence—exuding solid financial power. Anyone bearing the name elicits some kind of awe – even reverence – from anyone else. Yet, at closer look, the Chiongbian magic is really not all about money.

The Chiongbians have many business projects that have become very much part of the community life of the areas they are located in. They’ve made their mark in shipping, the family having owned one of the foremost commercial fleets in the country. They’re also into real-estate development, into some of the most foresighted projects Cebu has ever seen. In recent years, the Chiongbian business ventures have included night-life, sports and recreation, and others.

Interestingly, each generation of Chiongbians seems to carve their own particular business turf. While the grandparents were into sea transport, their children branched out into site development, and now the grandchildren are into modern-lifestyle projects. Such diverse range of interests hints of the family’s natural savvy at identifying needs peculiar to the times. Beyond that, they have also shown serious dedication to every undertaking they embark in.

The Chiongbians can appear like they’re high-risk takers. In a way, they are. But, as we all know, a seed forever clinched in the hand will never grow into a tree. You need to risk throwing it to the ground, where it may sprout.

The third-generation Chiongbians put up Club Vudu a few years back, at a time when a number of similar businesses were either sprouting up or fading away in Cebu. Many of its contemporaries have since withered. On the contrary, Vudu has become a distinct destination for party goers, locals and foreigners alike. Their confidence revved up by Vudu’s success, the group followed suit with Formo, now another important feature in the city’s night scene.

The ideas behind their successful projects are not at all rare or exclusive to the Chiongbians. John Paul Chiongbian, chief executive officer of DevAsia, a new company they established with close friends, told a small gathering of local press recently, “I’m sure many others out there have the same ideas as we do.” It might just be, he said, that the others are scared to invest in their ideas. Perhaps, more than mere lack of funds, the others don’t have the guts the Chiongbians have.

DevAsia’s initial project is Paseo, along F. Cabahug Street in Mabolo. In this venture, friends have joined the young Chiongbians, probably wowed by Vudu’s and Formo’s impressive business records. Paseo is targeted mainly at the day-end crowd. It offers a taste of the night fun that has since become siblings John Paul and Jaja Chiongbian-Rama’s forte, as well as comfortable night-shopping for those whose days are full-packed at work.

True to its name, Paseo is a great place to stroll around—for interesting picks, for refreshing and sumptuous fills, for a fun time. Since its soft opening in February, over 30 specialty food outlets are already operating within the sprawling dining-and-recreation area, serving a fast-growing clientele. Most outlets are open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. – or until the last customers go – but some open as early as 7 a.m., to serve early comers. As of now, one food outlet is open 24 hours.

The place’s cozy design also goes with good acoustics. A house deejay plays cool tunes on regular days. Party lights and a stage can be set up quickly for large-scale events. On designated nights, bands perform live, including big acts from Manila. The place has a seating capacity of 2,000 and can accommodate a standing crowd of up to 5,000.  Entertainment is free; one is only charged for food-and-beverage orders.

The other half of Paseo, called the Nine Yards Night Market, teems with shops that offer anything from clothes, gadgets, books and magazines, knickknacks, delicacies and other nice and necessary stuffs. This wide section is a cross between a mall and an upper-class bargain center, it being neatly organized and where shoppers can haggle for good prices. Store hours are from 2 p.m. until 12 midnight, or a little later on weekends and holidays. Presently, there’s a special sale, with up to 30 percent discount, from two to five p.m. daily, involving all shops. There’s a money-changer stall, for those with foreign currencies.

The open parking space is expansive, both in front and at the back of the building. A taxi stand is also found conveniently by the main entrance. Well-trained guards ensure the security of the whole place. Already an exciting place that it is, further sprucing up is underway to prepare Paseo for its grand opening tomorrow, May 18. A convenience store carrying common grocery and supermarket items and a unique spa bar will open shortly.

It’s amazing how these young, enterprising minds have thought up beautiful ways to match the changing lifestyles. It might have been an edge that they were born to a family of dreamers. But they might have had to acquire on their own the more important qualities for success—the conviction and bold determination to bring a dream to reality.

From their dreams, the Chiongbians have brought us comfort, convenience and other good things. These past years, they have made our nights more fun. And, now – with Paseo – they’re trying to roll everything into one!