Hot Stuff

CEBU, Philippines - I attended a party that required the invitees to wear RED. Unfortunately, I got the attention of many party-goers since I was an eye sore in the crowd, having worn otherwise. Too shy to parade with that distracting colored top on, I rushed towards the hotel lobby to find that appropriate garb of the hour.

I did not freak out much, having immediately found Caliente. In Spanish, caliente means hot, and for shop owner Donie Jane P. Padillo, Caliente translates to an all-around specialty boutique with clothes in vogue and branded bags on display. Caliente Swimwear and Apparels is located at the lobby, near the foyer, of the Cebu Parklane International Hotel and has been in operation since the hotel went full swing almost three years ago. Young entre-preneur Donie is fond of swimsuits and thought of marketing “bathers,” skimpy Brazilian swimsuits, wrap-arounds and board shorts. However, Caliente slowly evolved into a full-blown boutique, offering hot stuff every shopaholic fashionista needs.

Donie personally handpicks the stocks via the internet and often travels to Las Vegas to purchase them herself. Corporate/maxi/cocktail dresses, tops and tote bags at competitive prices are ready to snatch the attention of hotel guests, balikbayans and walk-ins, as well. Donie makes it a point that an item is one of each kind and or has two to three pieces with different sizes. She keeps updated with the trends by not purely researching but also subscribing to INFOMAT, a fashion industry information and research services engine for fashion forecasts and marketing solutions.

Since tote bags and overnighters (bag enough for a three-day jaunt) have gained huge following these days, Caliente’s branded bags are not to be missed out; they have DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg), XOXO, Vera Wang, Nine West, and Kathy Von Zeeland, among others. Regular shoppers are given discounts!

Whether you got caught in the same predicament as mine or you happen to be within the area, Caliente is here to take you off that hot situation.