Cebu Travel Blog

Hotels & Other Accommodation Options in Metro Cebu

2009-07-29T11:44:00.003+08:00

Crowne Garden Hotel
Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City
Tel. (63-32) 412-7517, 412-7759, 231-3036, 231-3773, 231-0772
email@crownegardenhotel.com
www.crownegardenhotel.com

Golden Valley Hotel
155A Pelaez Street
Cebu City, 6000
Tel No. (6332) 253-8660
Fax No. (6332) 253-8482
www.goldenvalleyhotel.net

La Guardia Hotel
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City
Tel. #: (63-32) 416-7889, 416-7881, 416-7787, 416-7788
email@laguardiahotelcebu.com
www.laguardiahotel.com

Metro Park Hotel
Saint Lawrence St., Lahug, Cebu City
Tel #: (063) (032) 233-2352, 233-3883, 233-3887, 233-3677, 233-0130
email@metroparkhotelcebu.com
www.metroparkhotelcebu.com

note: This page will be updated every chance I get.

Cebu Travel Blogger Visits Prony the Python

2009-04-07T00:45:00.004+08:00

Cebu travel blogger meets Prony(after mini-zoo owner Sofronio), a python at a mini-zoo in Alburquerque, Bohol. They say that at 25 feet and 600 kilos, this is the biggest python in captivity. To get there, you have to pay a PHP10.00(about a quarter of a US dollar) for road maintenance fee and PHP 5.00 entrance fee at the mini-zoo. Photo opportunities also require some donation.

Cebu Travel Blogger Revisits History at Sandugo Site

2009-04-07T00:31:00.003+08:00

This blood compact site in Tagbilaran City commemorates the blood compact(Sandugo) that Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi had with then Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna(King Katuna?) on March 16, 1565. It was considered the first international treaty of friendship between two people of different races according to a Wikipedia article.

Some dispute the real location where the ceremony took place. While this Cebu travel blog author was in Bohol, he found a marker that read: "Welcome to Loay, the real blood compact site". It could be possible, however, that a blood compact ceremony did happen in Loay, between Legazpi and another Boholano chieftain, Gala.

Cebu travel blogger party joins the blodd compact party..haha

Cebu travel blogger and equal half poses with figures of history

Cebu Travel Blog Recommends Cesar for Bohol Countryside Tour

2009-03-13T10:27:00.003+08:00

Cebu Travel Blog author just had a great tour of the Bohol countryside. Accompanying him and his equal half was tour driver Cesar of Cavalry Transport Services, a Bohol-based rental service for vans, cars and buses used for tours in the beautiful island of Bohol. Cavalry Transport Services is owned by Rod Balaba and holds office in Tagbilaran City, Bohol's lone city. Their services also include providing transportation for weddings and seminars. Their Bohol countryside tour package costs only Php 2,000.00 excluding entrance fees, lunch and occasional donations, probably the lowest in Bohol. A sidetrip to Sagbayan peak in Sagbayan, Bohol will cost an extra Php 500.00 to cover fuel costs. The itinerary includes visits to the Chocolate Hills Complex(entrance fee: Php 25.00) in Carmen, Bohol, the Candabong Man-made Mahogany Forest in Bilar, Bohol, the Hanging Bridge in Loboc, Bohol, lunch at the floating restaurant at Loboc River(buffet cost: Php 300.00), the tarsiers at the roadside of Loboc(optional donations), the largest Python(Prony) in captivity(road maintenance fee: Php 10.00 + mini-zoo entrance fee: Php 5.00) in Alburquerque, Bohol, the century-old Clarin ancestral home in Loay, Bohol, the Baclayon church in Baclayon, Bohol and the Blood Compact Site in Tagbilaran City. Seeing all that for Php 2,000 in a white Toyota sedan makes this thrifty Cebuano tourist think it's all worth it. You may email them at rodboholtours@yahoo.com or call telephone number +6338-4160118 or mobile number +639185914969.

Cebu Travel Blogger Up Close with Bohol's Tarsier

2009-03-05T10:00:00.003+08:00

Here are photos we took from our latest vacation to Bohol. We were so fortunate to be among the last tourists to have seen the tarsiers in captivity. A few days after our vacation, the Bohol provincial government enacted new legislation that mandated the return of tarsiers to the wild citing stress to the world's smallest primates as the primary reason for such. These photos were taken at a roadside tarsier mini-zoo in Loboc, Bohol. Tarsiers can also be found in the riverbanks of Loboc River of the famed Loboc Floating Restaurant and at Corilla in the interior of Bohol island.

Cebu Travel Blogger Thadz and equal half Karen poses with a tarsier

Cebu Travel Blogger poses with the world's smallest primate

Karen and Tarzy

Cebu Travel Blogger turns into a giant tarsier..lol

Super Tarzy Karen

Cebu Travel Blog Restaurant Review: Chika-an Just a Carinderia at SM North Wing

2008-11-10T11:16:00.002+08:00

This Cebu travel blogger loves eating out and while there are a few places I haven't eaten at, I usually listen to friends' critiques of such places and try to pick the ones that had positive reviews. Chika-an at SM's North Wing has had positive reviews from my friends that it actually prompted me to try the restaurant just to find out for sure.

Native home-cooked dishes in a more cozy ambiance, that's what the place seemed to promise judging from its interior design, menu and friends' critiques. My experience however, was less positive or was a lot less encouraging than what my friends think. Well perhaps, it could be that I am harder to please than plain Cebu folks. It didn't help that I had a hard-to-please Bacolodnon to tow along.

The dishes they serve were okay, except that there was nothing extraordinary or special about it. We ordered Pork Sinigang(the presentation was plain awful), Crispy Pata(it ain't worth the price) and some mollusks baked in cheese(probably the only positive experience I had, probably because it wasn't a common dish). And oh yes, another positive is that if you are a rice lover, steamed rice is unlimited. Oh well, that's bad news though for those who are watching their calories like me.

Service is also wanting, the staff is inattentive, I had to holler a lot of times for my ice tea refill and it didn't help many of them do not actually wear warm smiles. They are quite impolite and discorteous too. One waiter, without a word took out the table napkins in our table when I still needed some of those. He did that without the courtesy of asking.

For Filipinos who are very critical of native dishes, I do not ask them to try Chika-an. It's just a t a level with a roadside carinderia or a regular school cafeteria and you are paying more for the brand rather than what the dining experience is worth.

Cebu Travel Says Cebuanos Hardly Feel Fare Rollback

2008-11-10T10:49:00.002+08:00

A provisionary 50-centavo fare rollback is supposed to have been issued already and Cebu jeepney drivers are expected to heed the order. However, after a few days into the fare rollback memorandum, jeepney drivers in Cebu have continued to collect a minimum fare of 8 pesos as opposed to the Php 7.50 minimum fare set by the LTFRB. This to the dismay of Cebu's riding public. If at any, the 50 centavo rollback on fares is hardly felt by Cebuanos. Cebu's jeepney drivers actually make the scarcity of 25 centavo coins as an excuse while Cebu's riding public is too ashamed to ask for the 50 cents that is rightfully theirs. To resolve the issue, join me in urging the LTFRB to issue another 50 centavo provisionary rollback on jeepney fares while the petition for a Php 2 peso rollback is pending. This way Cebu's commuters are not shortchanged.

Cebu Travel Blog Criticizes KMK Bus Model of Public Transport

2008-11-10T10:31:00.002+08:00

The KMK Metrobus Transit is a welcome respite for Metro Cebu commuters who no longer have to change rides when traveling anywhere in between SM City Cebu at the North Reclamation Area to the southern Metro Cebu city of Naga. Business have therefore been good for the operators of KMK.

I am however appalled by how KMK treats its passengers as mere commodities and a means to raise revenue rather than focus on the end to serve the public through a convenient mode of transport. I had the misfortune of experiencing that firsthand just this past weekend. On my way to visit an aunt in Tabunok, Talisay City in the outskirts of Cebu City, I took the bus ride from SM and I noted a few things which did not make the ride convenient at all:

1. Overloading
The bus driver and conductor tries to squeeze in as many people as possible which really made me feel uncomfortable. Each row seats only 2 people on each side and bus personnel insists to squeeze in 3 people. I protested when they tried to squeeze in an extra person in my seat and told them I was paying enough fare and I deserve convenient space during my ride, me being overweight. What makes the experience worse is that you have gender-biased ladies who expect you to give up your seat when they come aboard a full bus. My advice to these type of people: You knew the bus was full and you expect no seats, just wait for the next bus, don't be so insensitive!

2. Airconditioning
Probably because of overloading or just plain poor maintenance, airconditioning is almost non-existent. Such a pity since you are paying fares for an airconditioned bus and you are being shortchanged.

Those are at least 2 of the things that makes a KMK bus ride not worth what you are paying for. So if Cebu is serious about that Bus Rapid Transit system, KMK is not the best model to follow.

Cebu Travel Blog Food Review: Bread Talk is All Talk

2008-06-27T20:16:00.002+08:00

I was expecting Breadtalk to be a bakeshop to be in a better mold of the French Baker and I awaited so much for their Cebu branch opening. But after one visit and a few buys at BreadTalk, I probably won't come back. The price just doesn't justify the quality of their bread and presentation was probably the only good thing about them.

Any Cebu Traveler Wanting To Travel To The Bible Land?

2008-04-30T11:09:00.002+08:00

Are any of you Cebu travel buffs out there interested to join Bible Land Christian Cruises? There are opportunities out there that promote a Christian Family Cruise. For those interested travellers, here is your chance to join a Christian Cruise. This offer is open to 170 believing souls. The Christians participating in the above-mentioned tour will experience an enjoyable time sailing adventurously in a private luxury yacht chartered for the Christian Cruise. Bible teachings and sessions will also be done on board the vessel while Bible sessions and teachings done on shore will have the ambience of the amphitheatre where the apostle Paul spoke, at Athens' Mars Hill and the Partenon. The Christian tour delegation will leave from the United States of America and will include stops in the Bible cities of Pergamum, Athens, Patmos and Ephesus. A stop is also scheduled for Santorini, described as the most beautiful island in the world. The tour participants get to the chartered luxury yacht at Athens when they arrive from the United States of America on July 20. On July 21, everyone will be away at sea and will get to know each other better through fellowships and strengthen heir faith through teachings aboard the yacht. The chartered ship will dock at Dikili on July 21 and the tourists are off to a visit to the ruins of Pergamum where one of the two best preserved church sites can be found, a site that provides a breathtaking overview of the Mediterranean Sea. Aside from the church site, Christian tourists can also take a stroll and enjoy the pristine beaches of the Mediterranean coast. Another chance for Chrisian tourists to enjoy the beaches of the Mediterranean coast will be at Kusadasi on July 22 while a side visit occurs to Ephesus, said to be the best preserved archeological site in the Mediterranean what with the best Roman City laid out being excavated on the site. A teaching will be done in the very amphitheatre where the Apostle Paul spoke to the Ephesians.

Pilgrims will visit John's cave in the quaint Greek island of Patmos on July 23. Another teaching session will be done in John's cave afterwhich everyone will have the chance to explore the island in a bicycle or riding on a scooter. A full day is dedicated to the visit to the beautiful Santorini island, land thought to be home to the lost city of Atlantis. This happens on July 24. July 25 is scheduled for a visit to the Greek island of Sifnos and enjoy the beach and barbecue while a beachfront teaching will also be conducted. July 26 is parting time off to Athens and to the beautiful island of Malta.

Cebu Travel Blog Scandal Alert: Cebu VSMMC Scandal Haunts Gay Florist

2008-04-18T08:46:00.008+08:00

A Cebuano gay florist went to Cebu's Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center(VSMMC) last January 1, 2008 to have a perfume spray canister removed from his rectum after his male sex partner inserted the object into his anus while he fell asleep after they had casual sex. A few months later, he was surprised that a video(now popularly known as the Cebu VSMMC scandal) of the surgical proceeding found its way on YouTube, a popular video site on the world wide web. While Cebu became popular to YouTube users because of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center's dance program, the latest video scandal from Cebu's VSMMC was but scandalous. What was even more humiliating for the Cebuano homosexual was the fact that the VSMMC scandal video showed how the medical team involved in the medical procedure jeered and made snide remarks which all makes the harrowing experience more embarrassing for him. Although his face was not shown on the VSMMC scandal video, the victim claims a lot knew it was him on the VSMMC scandal. He is now contemplating about taking legal action against the Cebu-based VSMMC hospital. The Cebu-based offices of the Ombudsman, the Department of Health and the Professional Regulation Commission are also looking into the matter separately while the Cebu-based VSMMC hospital is also conducting its own internal investigation into the VSMMC scandal issue.

Many Cebu sectors also condemned the VSMMC scandal. The Cebu Medical Society says the VSMMC scandal video was a violation of the professional code of ethics and invaded the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. a Cebu-based NGO also condemned the malicious intent of taking the VSMMC scandal video and uploading it to YouTube. The Cebu Archdiocese also laments the lack of respect afforded to the human being when the VSMMC scandal video was taken. Cebu Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale also expressed fears it would affect plans of the Cebu Capitol to promote medical tourism in Cebu as this VSMMC scandal video issue might affect the mindset of those contemplating of a Cebu travel for purposes of medical enhancements.

Apparently this VSMMC scandal video was already taken out of YouTube but I still found a YouTube link in my latest search. I suppose this VSMMC scandal video has also found its way to lesser known video sharing sites with less stringent privacy terms . It was also reported that this VSMMC scandal video is also widely circulated among mobile phone users in Cebu and beyond.

Cebu Travel Blog Feature: Manny Pacquiao To Play the Role of Lapulapu

2008-04-10T09:46:00.007+08:00

Frequent Cebu visitor, modern day Filipino hero and world boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is set to embark on a Cebu travel to play the role of Lapulapu in the coming Kadaugan sa Mactan celebration in Cebu. The Kadaugan sa Mactan is a reenactment of the 16th century Battle of Mactan between the the men of Cebuano chieftain Lapulapu and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who. The event happened on April 21, 1521 when Datu Lapulapu, the Cebuano acknowledged as the first Malay to stand up against Western invaders, refused to pay homage to the King of Spain. The Cebuano warriors cut short Magellan's Cebu travel in that Cebu battle. Lapulapu City in Mactan Island was named after the Cebuano chieftain who is also known as the first Filipino hero, as homage to his showcase of Cebuano pride and bravery. The Lapulapu fish is also named in honor of the Cebuano hero.

Credit Card Network

2008-04-08T21:52:00.003+08:00

Building a good and trustworthy credit reputation has become one of the foremost challenges that people face in the 21st Century even for Cebu creditors. To start with, people with no credit need to convince creditors that they are capable of paying and that they can be trusted enough. Moreover, the rising incidence of bad credits have made credit services provider set up more stringent measures for aspiring creditors. While information about credit card offers, credit advice and related topics are aplenty even on the internet, these are loosely interconnected. Luckily though, some intelligent people conceptualized the idea of credit card networks. Credit card networks provide comprehensive information about credit cards, credit advice and tips on how one can build a credible, trustworthy and good credit standing or reputation, and keeps a listing of available credit card offers from major banks, financial institutions and other credit services providers with the aim in view of helping their viewing public decide on which offers are best suited for their needs and which offers they have to avoid or take. In credit card blogs, some credit card networks even take a sidestep from the serious tone that a credit discussion warrants by providing a humorous way of looking at credit issues. Humor somehow eases the tensions and headaches often associated with discussions on credit.

Medical Career Option

2008-04-05T16:06:00.002+08:00

While demand for medical professionals have risen considerably these past few years, many opportunities have remained viable. Take for example opportunities for an ultrasound technician career. Demand for ultrasound tech personnel have remained high and we are inviting you to take a look at the resources linked to this post for an opportunity to find an ultrasound tech school. Good luck!

Cebu Travel Buff Tries Torta Visaya

2008-04-04T14:04:00.005+08:00

Torta is an egg-based pastry that come in different varieties all over the world. In the Philippines(Cebu particularly) it is either a cupcake-like pastry or some food that resembles omelettes. There's this one kind of torta from Argao, Cebu prepared in a peculiar way. Instead of yeast, tuba or fermented coconut wine(coconut sap, palm wine) is used as a substitute for the Cebu town's torta. Argao's torta is also baked in a clay furnace as opposed to modern-day ovens. The torta from Argao, Cebu is truly unique as this can only be found in the southern Cebu town. On your next Cebu travel, ask for the famed Torta Visaya of Argao, Cebu.

More on Ashop

2008-04-03T23:42:00.003+08:00

A few days ago, I featured Ashop software as the leading US resource for an online shopping cart solution. In the current post, let us further explore the intricacies of this hosted shopping cart software.

If you are not yet sure about buying the solution, you can try the demo to help you decide whether it is the right solution for your online business activities. The solution also boasts of its unique features. Its user-friendly interface does not require any prior HTML or other coding and programming languages in order to get it installed. No need for plug-ins too for one to start using the software which can be administered on the web. Ashop even helps with graphics so you don't have to pay a premium for graphics artists. Included in the bundle is a free ecommerce software user manual, tutorial movies and knowledgebase while after sales people are kind enough to entertain users through phone, email and online chat.

Let us talk about good reasons why Ashop has an edge when it comes to ecommerce software. For one, technical and customer support is available through a variety of channels like phone, email and online chat. It comes with free emails and good security and safety nets well in place. Plus you get web promotions for free as the software is optimized. It is easy to customize even for dummies and it is affordable, truly value for money.

Make Money

2008-04-03T16:21:00.002+08:00

When the French say gagner de l'argent, they mean earn some silver. I cam across a site that looks good suggesting tips on how to have a devenir riche or rich future. While the site is loaded with tips and tricks on how to maximize playing online casinos to as much as $200 per day. We all hope it's no argent facile opportunity that is bound to have an early unsustained success.

Introducing AShop to Merchants

2008-04-02T10:03:00.002+08:00

Are you an online merchant? a netpreneur? Do you do business on the internet? And are you looking for a viable payment solution that is secure, safe and easy to use? Your money-making site or online shop probably need a shopping cart software. Installing a shopping cart software has proven to work wonders for a lot of online businesses as their sales soared owing to the convenience that a shopping cart software can give to customers. A shopping cart provides a user-friendly interface where customers can keep track of the items they are buying. Because of its importance, shopping cart softwares are so popular with online merchants that it tops the list of ecommerce software purchases over the years. In the United States of America, Ashop has become the leading provider of shopping cart softwares. Moreover, Ashop service creates much value for their patrons assisting them in finding the right solutions for their online business activities, making quality recommendations while keeping costs at a minimum to pass on savings to their end-users. They even have a 10-day trial for their software and offers free store designs for their customers to utilize. Even their after sales professionals are so accommodating they provide live support, truly great value for your dollar. We invite you to try Ashop now for a user-friendly shopping car software that is easy to set-up, provides good after sales support, well optimized for search engines, secure, safe and affordable.

Earn a Pharmacy Technician Salary

2008-04-02T09:53:00.002+08:00

Earn a pharmacy technician salary and embark on a new and exciting career journey. Become a pharmacy tech and choose from among the schools listed in the resource sites linked to this post. The pharmacy technician career, along with the rest of the medical careers, is in high demand. This provides many an opportunity to rethink their options and look at the prospect of earning big like all other pharmacy technicians.

Live TV for All

2008-04-01T23:49:00.002+08:00

Live TV is now accessible for everyone with a decent internet connection to view. The internet revolution have also allowed just about anybody with a webcam, computer and internet connection to create their own live broadcast. It is no longer the domain of a select few to create a live show. Just about anyone now can quickly develop skill and wit, while equipment is no longer capital intensive.

Cebu Travel Blog Crime Feature: Another Robbery Turned Deadly in Metro Cebu Saddens Cebu Travel Buff

2008-03-30T22:46:00.005+08:00

Metro Cebu yet again lost a life to a street robbery that turned deadly. The incident happened in a dark street in Barangay San Vicente, Liloan, Cebu and claimed the life of Lucky Pitogo, a 6'3" cager playing for the University of the Visayas Green Lancers. 3 men on board a red motorcycle apparently blocked his path while he was driving his bicycle to meet his teammates in a barangay league in Yati, Liloan, Cebu. He reportedly replied to messages on his way and might have caught the attention of the robbers who shot him in the forehead. His Nokia N80 cellphone however was not taken as this was under his body. This is the 3rd similar incident in Metro Cebu in a span of less than 1 month. Prior to Pitogo's death, Cebu Doctors' University senior nursing student Ruby Jade Ruba was shot dead in a Cebu City backstreet while working mom Virginia Baguio was also slain in similar fashion in Lapulapu City, Cebu. The spate of robberies and murders could change the Cebu travel plans of tourists.

Bloggerwave

2008-03-27T14:39:00.003+08:00

I signed up with bloggerwave today, a site that invited me to make money while using their service. They immediately offered me a $10 opportunity right when I accessed my account the first time. Looking at their stats posted on the web, some users have already earned at least $1000. There are but a few opportunities at the moment, but I'm new to the site so maybe it will come aplenty in a while. Bloggerwave is hoping to become Europe's leading blog advertsing media.

Cebu Should Push For Stricter Implementation of No Smoking Law

2008-03-27T14:32:00.004+08:00

While Cebu City have enacted an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public areas including public transportation, there seem to be no serious implementation and enforcement of such Cebu City ordinance. In effect, smokers in Cebu have remained undisciplined. Worse, even those who are supposed to enforce the Cebu City law themselves are violating it. It will take serious political will for Cebu's political leaders to protect everyone from insensitive smokers who put other Cebuano's health at risk as well and I hope the current Cebu City administration can heed to this call. Undisciplined smokers roaming around Cebu could turn down those planning a Cebu travel.

Culinary Arts

2008-03-26T14:45:00.004+08:00

The food items in each place tell about the people's culture. It is important for people to learn how these dishes from their locales are prepared. Cebuanos are no exception as their ar many food items unique to Cebu. To start, one may want to find a culinary school. Visit this directory of culinary schools and sort out your options until you find the best chef school for you.

Strong Cause To Further Regulate Sale and Consumption of Alcohol In Cebu

2008-03-26T14:30:00.005+08:00

Two(2) recent criminal incidents in Metro Cebu should provide a strong foundation should Cebu public officials decide that the sale and consumption of alcohol in Cebu should be further regulated.

The murder of a Cebu Doctors' University senior nursing student in a backstreet robbery were perpetrated by young intoxicated lads. The influence of alcohol robbed 20 year old Cebu Doctors' University student Ruby Jade Ruba of a promising future and her family were deeply wounded after their daughter met a brutal end in Cebu City.

Less than a week later, another trio of men in Lapulapu City, Cebu under the influence of liquor, killed a working mother on her way to work in one of Cebu's export zones when she refused to hand over her Nokia 3310 mobile phone.

32-year-old Virginia Baguio orphaned 2 children, one of whom was about to graduate from a Cebu grade school. The sad thing is that, Virginia planned to use her salary for that month to buy her graduating kid shoes for the graduation rites.

While suspects in both Metro Cebu crime incidents were already accosted, it should make our Cebuano public officials realize that there is now a pressing need for the Cebu local governments to step in and further regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol in Cebu.

This should also alert Cebu law enforcement officials how unsafe the streets of Cebu have become. Loose firearms in Cebu are a concern while Cebu street violence is also on the rise. These issues should be address as it might affect Cebu travel plans of tourists.