Modern Swans: 16 of Cebu's Most Stylish and Talked-About Women
Adapted from Truman Capote's use of the term 'swans,' a Modern Swan describes a beautiful and stylish woman who is admired by those around her. Here, we've listed down Cebu's most accomplished who fit the bill.
CARLA YEUNG-MCKOWEN
The Skinny: The daughter of Hong Kong business magnate Carlos K.H. Yeung and philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung. Yeung-McKowen is the chairwoman and president of Modine Inc., a food
Vital Information: As the director of MSY Charitable Foundation, Inc., she’s also an active philanthropist.
Natural Habitat: When she's in the country, Cebu
JENNIFER MARTINEZ
The Skinny: Jennifer Martinez is a wellness advocate and certified yoga teacher.
Vital Information: She's a proud ambassador for various local products/creations in the Philippines and the first one to be certified to teach Inside Flow in the Philippines.
Natural Habitat: YogaHub, a premier yoga studio in Cebu she founded.
KATE ANZANI
Posted by Kate Dychangco-anzani on Sunday, November 29, 2015
The Skinny: A restaurateur. She’s married to Chef Marco Anzani with whom she has three daughters.
Vital Information: She owns DGC Group of Companies and ANZANI Restaurants Co.
Natural Habitat: Anzani in Nivel Hills Cebu, a fine dining restaurant she owns with her husband.
SELINA ROMUALDEZ
The Skinny: The woman behind Obra Cebuana Furniture Designs, Inc. She's the sister of internationally-renowned furniture designer Vito Selma.
Vital Information: She left retail to pursue her dream of opening a furniture company.
Natural Habitat: You’ll find her working behind the scenes at Obra Cebuana.
MEG OSMEÑA-ETEVE
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Posted by Ibiza BGC on Saturday, November 26, 2016
The Skinny: In addition to being a hotelier, she heads her father's group of companies as communications director.
Vital Information: She is the executive director of HopeNow Philippines Foundation Inc.
Natural Habitat: Doing the rounds at Manny O Groups’ subsidiaries: Mövenpick, Manny O Wines, Sky Kitchen Philippines Inc., and Sky Logistics Philippines.
FIONA KING
The Skinny: The founder and chief executive officer of RFK Holdings Inc., a real estate company that’s “dedicated to building and selling design-oriented homes.”
Vital Information: In 2016, she was appointed board president of PAREB-Cebu Real Estate Board, Inc.
Natural Habitat: At the numerous construction sites she oversees.
MIA ARCENAS-BRANELLEC
The Skinny: A fashion designer, Arcenas-Branellec has established her brand in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Dubai, and the Maldives. Her eponymous brand “emphasizes Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity using precious silk, mother of pearl, and other local materials.” She's married to Jewelmer's Jacques Branellec.
Vital Information: Arcenas-Branellec graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Apparel Manufacturing Management from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. She's exhibited at two exclusive international shows: Première Classe and Maison & Objet.
Natural Habitat: Her showrooms in Manila and Cebu.
CANDICE GOTIANUY
The Skinny: As University of Cebu's chancellor, she transformed the once ridiculed university “into a well-respected higher education institution.” Today, UC is “the largest privately held university in the country, with over 50,000 students spread over five campuses,
Vital Information: A graduate of Masters in Education from Harvard University, Cambridge. At 21, she became the youngest University Chancellor in the country.
Natural Habitat: Cebu, Manila, and Singapore.
CRYSTAL CHLOE ONG-CHUA
The Skinny: The internal vice president for sales and marketing of Citrineland Corporation, a subsidiary of her family’s Innoland Development Corporation.
Vital Information: She’s spearheading the creation of sustainable ecosystems at Citrineland.
ANGELLI LUA DOMINGO
The Skinny: The president of Bai Hotel Cebu, her family’s first foray into hotels.
Vital Information: In addition to being a hotelier, she acts as executive vice president of Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc. (PSWRI) and president of its corporate social responsibility program Nature's Spring Foundation, Inc. (
SARRITA PIMENTEL
Posted by Sarrita Pimentel on Sunday, October 29, 2017
The Skinny: A chef, restaurateur, and triathlete.
Vital Information: She has a degree in interior design. She also completed a two-year course at La Salle Bacolod International Culinary Arts.
Natural Habitat: Café
JAJA CHIONGBIAN RAMA
MUA: Eunice Enrera Wearing: Rei Antoni Escario
Posted by Jaja Chiongbian-Rama on Thursday, November 2, 2017
The Skinny: Georgia “Jaja” Chiongbian-Rama is Cebu's PR maven.
Vital Information: The managing director of public relations and events company Bigseed, which is responsible for mounting many of the city's top lifestyle events and digital campaigns. She's also the vice president and director of George & Peter Lines, Inc.
Natural Habitat: On top of Cebu’s most exciting events and parties.
SILVIA LUDO-ALCORDO
Posted by Silvia LuDo-Alcordo on Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Skinny: The woman restaurateur behind Cebu’s comfort food institutions.
Vital Information: She finished at California Culinary Academy, an affiliate of Le Cordon Bleu.
Natural Habitat: Her restaurants Oh Georg! and Café Georg.
AMANDA LUYM
Posted by Amanda LuYm on Friday, September 2, 2016
The Skinny: The daughter of one of Cebu's most influential couples tycoon Douglas and Annabelle Luym.
Vital Information: The creative head of All That Glitters, a jewelry and small fine leather goods proudly made in the Philippines.
Natural Habitat: She travels back and forth Manila and Cebu.
ANYA LIM
The Skinny: The co-founder, managing & creative director of social enterprise ANTHILL (Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Ingenious/Indigenous Little Livelihood Seekers) Fabric Gallery.
Vital Information: ANTHILL supports indigenous weavers and the local textiles they produce. For her work, she was featured in Go Negosyo's 55 Inspiring Stories of Women Entrepreneurs.
Natural Habitat: The ANTHILL fabric gallery/lifestyle store.
JEWELLE YEUNG-MUGGLESTONE
The Skinny: Artist, jewelry designer, and creative director at her family’s MSY Holdings Corporation, a multifaceted conglomerate that started out by building affordable residential and memorial properties.
Vital Information: She graduated from Fashion Design and Technology at the University of the Arts and had obtained her Master's Degree in Fine Arts
Natural Habitat: She alternates between her namesake brand’s studios in Hong Kong and Cebu.
