Cebu’s legendary Eddie’s Log Cabin gets a makeover
April 13, 2006 | 12:00am
Over half a century ago, a young American full of promise and drive landed on the shores of Cebu. His name was Eddie Woolbright.
Little did he imagine that he would spend the rest of his life on this island and make it his home away from home. He married a former beauty queen, the engaging Miss Philippines Annie Corrales, and together they planned, developed, and built the very first hilltop residential subdivision, which was aptly known as Beverly Hills.
Full of reachable dreams, he likewise ventured into several other businesses. One of his first of many projects was a quaint, unpretentious cozy coffee shop by the wharf, which he founded in 1950. It was simply called Eddie’s Log Cabin.
The welcoming interiors resembled a typical lob cabin in the mountains of Oklahoma where he was originally from. It soon became the gathering place for early morning coffee drinkers where exciting events of the day were discussed, and quite often many issues decided.
In time, the ever-growing number of regulars such as Hector Veloso, Moya and Anthony Jackson, Conchita and John Taylor, Bob Garcia, Junior Rodriguez and Tony Taylor came up with their very own logos focusing on their initials that were burned a la branding of cattle upon the logs of the cabin walls. Eddie’s definitely became the watering hole to unwind and relax, dine and wine, and, if one chose to, even dance.
Fast-forward 56 years later. Adhering to Eddie Woolbright’s wishes and to honor a truly fine gentleman of the old world, his heirs headed by eldest daughter Alice Woolbright Fernandez refurbished and even expanded the log cabin.
At its blessing and reopening – not that it ever completely closed – his buddies and friends in denims and cowboy hats as the invite requested, once again dropped by the place they were so familiar with to rekindle fond memories and toast a truly fine gentleman who endeared himself to the Cebuanos, earning the prestigious distinction of becoming an adopted son of the city.
In attendance were fun-loving couples Hank and Lulu Aboitiz, Choy and Rosebud Sala, Ernie and Mari Aboitiz, Danny and Zeny Deen, Louie and Annie Aboitiz, Romy and Chiqui Ronquillo, Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, Harry and Carmen Campbell, and Mario and Teresita Mendezona. They were joined by the viudas Hazel Gonzalez, Evelyn Ugarte, Teresin Mendezona, and Delia Jurado.
Enjoying the free-flowing wine and chilled margaritas were Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Augusto Go, Bruno Gonzalez, Sonny and Mila Espina, former Cebu City Mayor Eulogio Borres, Michael Go, Luis Tan, Ernie Masnayon, and the Wollbright sisters Anita, Karen, and Joy.
As I sat quietly for a moment before I was joined by friends, I secretly wondered if only the walls could speak. Yes, if only they could, we would have volumes and volumes of books, all best sellers in their own right.
Ay, the walls… if only!
Little did he imagine that he would spend the rest of his life on this island and make it his home away from home. He married a former beauty queen, the engaging Miss Philippines Annie Corrales, and together they planned, developed, and built the very first hilltop residential subdivision, which was aptly known as Beverly Hills.
Full of reachable dreams, he likewise ventured into several other businesses. One of his first of many projects was a quaint, unpretentious cozy coffee shop by the wharf, which he founded in 1950. It was simply called Eddie’s Log Cabin.
The welcoming interiors resembled a typical lob cabin in the mountains of Oklahoma where he was originally from. It soon became the gathering place for early morning coffee drinkers where exciting events of the day were discussed, and quite often many issues decided.
In time, the ever-growing number of regulars such as Hector Veloso, Moya and Anthony Jackson, Conchita and John Taylor, Bob Garcia, Junior Rodriguez and Tony Taylor came up with their very own logos focusing on their initials that were burned a la branding of cattle upon the logs of the cabin walls. Eddie’s definitely became the watering hole to unwind and relax, dine and wine, and, if one chose to, even dance.
Fast-forward 56 years later. Adhering to Eddie Woolbright’s wishes and to honor a truly fine gentleman of the old world, his heirs headed by eldest daughter Alice Woolbright Fernandez refurbished and even expanded the log cabin.
At its blessing and reopening – not that it ever completely closed – his buddies and friends in denims and cowboy hats as the invite requested, once again dropped by the place they were so familiar with to rekindle fond memories and toast a truly fine gentleman who endeared himself to the Cebuanos, earning the prestigious distinction of becoming an adopted son of the city.
In attendance were fun-loving couples Hank and Lulu Aboitiz, Choy and Rosebud Sala, Ernie and Mari Aboitiz, Danny and Zeny Deen, Louie and Annie Aboitiz, Romy and Chiqui Ronquillo, Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, Harry and Carmen Campbell, and Mario and Teresita Mendezona. They were joined by the viudas Hazel Gonzalez, Evelyn Ugarte, Teresin Mendezona, and Delia Jurado.
Enjoying the free-flowing wine and chilled margaritas were Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Augusto Go, Bruno Gonzalez, Sonny and Mila Espina, former Cebu City Mayor Eulogio Borres, Michael Go, Luis Tan, Ernie Masnayon, and the Wollbright sisters Anita, Karen, and Joy.
As I sat quietly for a moment before I was joined by friends, I secretly wondered if only the walls could speak. Yes, if only they could, we would have volumes and volumes of books, all best sellers in their own right.
Ay, the walls… if only!
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