Norberto Quisumbing, Jr.: Cebuano Influence

Norberto B. Quisumbing, Jr. was once considered one of the most influential people of Cebu. Being the chair and founder of the Cebu-based Norkis Trading Co., Inc. (now Norkis Group of Companies) Mr. Quisumbing made a great contribution not only to the business sector but to the society as a whole.

*image sourced from the official Norkis Group of Companies website.

It was in 1962 when Norberto Quisumbing, Jr. and his wife Britta tied up for the exclusive distributorship and manufacturing of Yamaha motorcycles in the Philippines. Eventually, this has become one of the longest business partnerships the Japanese company Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. ever had with other countries.

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Monique Rae: Cebuana Pop-Rock Sensation

Cebu has been known to be a home of naturally talented individuals ranging from writers to artists. And it has proven itself once again with the coming of today’s pop-rock sensation, Monique Rae.

Kristina Monique de los Santos, her real name, was born and raised in Cebu City. She studied at Cebu International School. Even as a child then, she had already shown great potential as a singer. She had performed and sung in many of her school activities and guested on her mom’s shows. Her mother is a Cebuana diva herself, Eva Santos, lead singer of the Zee Band.

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Life in Cebu

Among other cities in the Philippines, Cebu is one of the best places to stay. Whether you are looking for a good place where you can find beaches and other tourist spots or a dynamic modernized city that gives easy access to business establishments, Cebu has it. Food has never been so easy to come by with an array of choices from the most expensive and exquisite to the cheapest yet delicious delicacies.

The heart of the City is surrounded by modern infrastructures like malls and international business offices that create an opportunity not only for the locals but also to expats. A day in the downtown area can be very enjoyable, walking around the Fuente Osmeña vicinity one can find cheap yet elegant hotels, bars and coffee shops just in case one should chill out.

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Vicente Sotto: Great Cebuano of 20th Century

Vicente Yap Sotto is hailed one of the greatest Cebuanos of the 20th century for having served the Philippines as senator and being esteemed as the Father of Cebuano Language and Letters as few of his contributions. He was born in Cebu City and finished his secondary education at the Colegio de San Carlos (now University of San Carlos ).

Vicente Sotto, or Nyor Inting as he was fondly known, wrote the first published Cebuano short story which he entitled “Maming”. He as well made a play called Paghigugma sa Yutang Natawhan (Love for the Native Land ) which demonstrated the struggle of the people of Cebu against the rule of the Spaniards. This was staged in the oldest playhouse in the province, Teatro Junquera.

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Judge Simeon Dumdum, Jr.: Lawyer and Poet

Simeon Dumdum, Jr. is a Regional Trial Court Executive Judge in Cebu City . As a lawyer he is described as well-researched and above-board. According to him, more than working for money, he seeks honor as a lawyer and whatever is just and humane for his clients.

But Judge Dumdum is not only noted for his honest-to-goodness law practice. He is also one of the celebrated poets in the Philippines having published poetry anthologies and written other works in various publications. His pieces were of “witty humor and [political] satire”, as another Cebuano poet would put it.

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Monique Lhuillier: World-Class Couturier

Lhuillier has always been a big name in Cebu ’s high society, but Monique Lhuillier simply made a bigger name for herself to the world when she captured the fashion industry by storm.

Starting from a line of bridal gowns, she became couturier of many personalities in the United States of America . She made the wedding dresses of Ashlee Simpson, Britney Spears, Jewel, Christine Baumgartner (when she married Kevin Costner in 2004), Sarah G. Lee (Al Gore’s youngest daughter), and our very own Lea Salonga to mention just a few.

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Gloria Sevilla: Queen of Visayan Movies

Not many locals today are aware of the richness of the film history in the Visayas and Mindanao . During the golden period of Cebu Film Industry in the 1950s, one Cebuano name emerged as the “Reyna ng Pelikulang Bisaya” or the Queen of Visayan Movies – Gloria Sevilla.

*image sourced from Famas Gabi ng Parangal

Hailing from the island of Bantayan , Gloria Sevilla was a daughter of a Cebu merchant. She starred in movies like Ang Mga Anak Intawn (Pity the Children), Rosas Pandan, and Mapait ang Balaod (Law is Harsh) to mention a few. She was often paired with Mat Ranillo, Jr. (who is also recognized as the “King of Visayan Movies”) and they were a very popular and sought after tandem at the height of their careers. They became a “love team” on- and off-cam.

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