Cebu Got Talent

These individuals do Cebuanos proud with their contributions to fashion, the arts and sport. Some are making waves on a global scale; so props to the Queen City for producing some real world class talent. EYP gets you acquainted with these true Cebu talents, who really need no introduction...

1. Monique Lhuillier

Fashion designer of red carpet-worthy frocks was born and raised in Cebu city. After seeing her talents in designing early on, her parents (socialite Amparito Lhuillier and businessman Michel Lhuillier) sent her to study in Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. It is said that Lhuillier has piqued the attention of Hollywood after seeing the gown she designed for her own wedding at age 23.
Claim to fame: Lhuillier’s pieces have been worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Drew Barrymore, Hillary Swank, Rhianna, Jamie Lynn Discala, Heidi Montag, and Kirsten Stewart. Also, she designed the wedding gown Britney Spears wore to her marriage with Kevin Federline.
Visit Monique Lhuillier's official website.
(See a list of wedding suppliers and services in Cebu.)

2. Urbandub

This four-piece rock group also hailed from the Southern province of Cebu. Composed of Gabby Alipe (vocals), Lalay Lim (bassist), John Dinopol (guitars), and JanJan Mendoza, Urbandub has been making amazing music since 2000 and has five commercially and critically acclaimed albums to show for it.
Claim to fame: The 2003 release Influence won the NU107 Album of the Year Award. Also, who doesn’t feel the urge to jump up and down every time they hear “First of Summer?”
(Catch a gig or spend the night out! See a list of bars and restos.)

3. Celso Pepito

Painter Pepito is a native of Cebu and was a graduate of Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines, Cebu. In an article, the Cebuano painter has said that his faith in the Holy Trinity, love for the Philippines, and concern for the Filipinos influences his work, which usually is characterized by three planar parts.
Claim to fame: This artist has exhibited works in Singapore and New York to positive reviews.
(See a list of art galleries in Cebu.)

4. Matteo Guidicelli

This Filipino-Italian celebrity and racer says that he started karting in Cebu, where he is born and raised, at the tender age of eleven. With his great skills on the tracks, this young racer has managed to snag “Karter of the Year” awards for our times.
Claim to fame: Aside from being a well-known racer, Guidicelli also acts, hosts and sings, and is currently signed to the Kapamilya network.
(Go go-karting in Cebu! Check out Kartzone.)

5. Nicolo Nimor

Nimor is a young graphic artist and the man behind independent shirt label Nick Automatic. Very much influenced by music and pop-culture, he said that he started out designing shirts for bands in Cebu city before finally designing and branching out internationally.
Claim to fame: His clients include Destruction of a Rose, KENAI from the UK, A Day to Remember, and American punk band Four Year Strong.