MANILA, Philippines - There is nothing more pleasant than living close to nature, and as the book Inside Cebu illustrates, Cebuano homes are the best in this regard, with houses designed to make the most out of the mountain views and sea breezes that can only be experienced in the queen city of the south.
Genvi Development Corporation, developer of the prestigious Monterrazas de Cebu and known advocate of the Cebuano lifestyle, is the major sponsor of the book. “Genvi sees that maintaining our cherished Cebuano lifestyle traditions is the touchstone to providing the right urban setting to bring those same traditions to a global level,” Genvi president Augusto Villalon said. “We are happy to contribute to Inside Cebu’s success, as the book showcases exactly what sets Cebuano living apart.”
Published by Zee Publications Inc., Inside Cebu was recently launched at Fully Booked Rockwell with Villalon and Genvi treasurer Marga Villalon. Flying in from Cebu were Zee Publications’ publisher Eva Gullas with husband Jiji, editor-at-large Rosebud Sala with daughter Marvi, executive editor Jing Ramos and art director Felix Mago Miguel. Prominent guests included Irene Marcos Araneta, Union Bank CEO Tito Ortiz, Gina Aboitiz, Gina Montinola, Rene and Ann Puno, Mia Borromeo, recording artist Louie Heredia with brother Manolet, Ambassador Virgil Reyes, and Bloomberg’s Nico Bolzicco and Anita Matic.
The book features 27 homes of diverse architectural styles ranging from Filipino Modern to classical, French and Italian Revival — opulent to minimalist — that best represent Cebuano living, designed with mountaintop vistas, covered porches, large verandas, and expansive terraces that bring the outdoors inside.