ELENA PALACIOS HAS BEEN IN Cebu since 2016. The president and CEO of Lexmark Research

and Development Philippines, she wears a double hat as General Manager for the Competence Center. Lexmark has had a strong presence in Cebu for more than 20 years, and considers the city its home base for research and development

in Asia. Being from Venezuela, Elena quickly adjusted to Filipino culture. 

WHERE WAS YOUR PREVIOUS HOME? I arrived in Cebu on January 7, 2016 coming from Miami, Florida. Now, I live in Maria Luisa Estate Park, a very nice neighborhood, great houses.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU

ON WEEKENDS OR ON

YOUR LEISURE TIME? Normally we stay at home

enjoying our swimming pool with good food

and good music, but we also go to different

restaurants or resorts. Among our favorites are Anzani’s, Crimson Resort and Spa, Asmara, Tavolata, Pig and Palm, Marble + Grain Steakhouse. Boating and going to sandbars around the island is something we also enjoy very much.

FAVORITE FILIPINO FOOD

I love lumpia, crispy pata, adobo, mongo

and kinilaw. I also like the sweet mangoes.

PLACES TO BRING GUESTS TO

There are many places to go, first visit would be the Basilica del Santo Nino and the spots close to it like Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro and Casa Gorordo. We like to bring our guests island hopping by renting a boat in Mactan, or just staying in the many beachfront resorts there. For longer trips, we take them to Bohol.

WHAT RESTAURANT WOULD YOU

TAKE A VIP GUEST?

Anzani’s because I know Marco and Kate, they always help me to set a great dinner for our VIP visitors with great food and service and a beautiful view. For breakfast or lunch, I take guests to Café Des Amis because Philippe is a

great chef, the food is very good and the service is very friendly.

Michael Mccullough

Michael Mccullough is the CEO and co-founder of KMC Solutions, an ISO-certified provider of flexible workspace solutions and staff augmentation, as well as being Managing Director of KMC Savills, a full-service real estate services firm. He has a long history of working for multinational companies on their relocation and real estate needs in the Philippines.

KMC Group of Companies was set up by

Michael with friends Greg Kittelson and Amanda

Rufino Carpo. Starting off with KMC Savills, the

group soon established KMC Solutions, an outfit that initially assisted foreign companies set up operations and grow their businesses in the Philippines. Today, KMC Solutions, a pioneer in the serviced- office market, is the largest coworking and flexible workspace provider in the country.

WHERE WAS YOUR PREVIOUS HOME?

I arrived here in January 1st 2007, sent by my former employer to set up a regional office for software development. We had found great senior resources which helped service our US clients. I was living in Palo Alto, California prior to coming to Manila.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO SET UP

KMC OFFICES IN CEBU? 

We’ve been in Cebu for more than seven years and always loved visiting as tourists. Our clients wanted to explore the lifestyle that Cebu has to offer versus the hustle and bustle of Manila. We try to capture Cebu’s laidback vibe with its super friendly, team-oriented people, so our offices allow space for a lot of collaboration. Also, Cebu is 15-30 minutes away from everything, including world class water sports. Our hybrid working model supports our employees who like working from the beach or the office.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ON WEEKENDS OR ON YOUR LEISURE TIME? 

We’ve been hopping around different Airbnb’s to explore parts outside of Metro Manila. We started this during COVID and while we do it a bit less now, we enjoy the different scenery. With 3 boys, anywhere with a pool or beach is key to our enjoyment and sanity. Mactan is always my favorite — the beaches and water are amazing, plus I love scubadiving!

FAVORITE FILIPINO FOOD 

I do love my bulalo, sinigang and adobo. Also, the suman, if I feel like something sweet.

WHEN IN CEBU, WHAT IS THE ONE PLACE YOU WON’T MISS? 

The Pig and Palm restaurant always satisfies, the pork dish with applesauce is a favorite.

WHAT RESTAURANT WOULD YOU TAKE A VIP GUEST? 

We usually take guests to restaurants in Mactan for the sea breeze and tasty food.

WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO RESTAURANT?

There are so many great places to eat in Cebu and coming from Manila, they are all affordable! We love Pig and Palm, Asmara and Abaca Bakery.