GOLDENPEAK HOTEL AND SUITES
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/7196/goldenpeakzw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


New CHOWKING near Redemptorist Church

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/4769/kfchowst4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Newly Renovated Midgets

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/4215/nicemidgetsua3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

PARKLANE HOTEL (soon to be covered by the 24 storey Toblerone hehehe)

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/3913/parklanend4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


THE FORUM

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1239/theforumnu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


WINDLAND TWINS (gibuntis na ilang brother)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9743/windlandtwinsmj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Lapu-Lapu City

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/378155111_36e19ecbb1.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/378152845_f54da493dd.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/378142123_9313ad45fe.jpg?v=0

I really love to see clean and wide streets. Even if our streets are not that wide, the cleanliness and the low volume of vehicles especially on weekends give us an illusion that they are wide.

Anyway, ongoing pa rin ang renovation ng Gaisano Mactan. But still, their merchandise is a major turn-off. :ohno:

Soon to Open! Roma Mia - Asiatown IT Park

GOLDENPEAK HOTEL AND SUITES
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/7196/goldenpeakzw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Sayang talaga ang height ng building na ito. The facade really looks grand with that glassy facade but it's the opposite when you look at the backside :bash:

I think the hiway in Lapulapu City is very clean. passed by there everyday and i'd say it's well-maintained. i don't know 'bout the interior roads though.

I really love to see clean and wide streets. Even if our streets are not that wide, the cleanliness and the low volume of vehicles especially on weekends give us an illusion that they are wide.

Anyway, ongoing pa rin ang renovation ng Gaisano Mactan. But still, their merchandise is a major turn-off. :ohno:

Soon to Open! Roma Mia - Asiatown IT Park

Unta mao man ang scene sa Opon Mercado/Poblacion area especially padung sa amua sa HumayHumay kay pwirting dusty padung Tamiya agi HumayHumay.

Anyway, Roma Mia Asiatown IT Park,soon. Tapad nya Abuhan Tres. :okay:

By the way, morag ang new bhaus ko sa Lacion na. (wow, imagine the distance of Banawa and Lacion, hehehe! Pero anyway, some accounts will be moved to I2 in IT Park and hopefully apil kami didto.)

@Demented_Pigeon
naa na sila sa 38th floor bai.

@Demented_Pigeon
naa na sila sa 38th floor bai.

yes! hapit na mahuman.

di gyud ko mubalik sa cebu for three years aron masurprise ko sa developments.

^^^pwede sad bai. pero ma-surprise pa kaha ka bai nga makita naman nimo diri tanan hehehe... mas updated ug mas abtik pa ra ba taga-SSC kay sa mga balita.

^^ lahi ang actual sa makit-an sa internet bai.

^^^hehehe... bitaw. even my brother who was back here for Christmas and the Sinulog after a year in Manila was so surprised.

Cebu is blessed and we should always be thankful.

Cebu Thread 52! Wow! Lots of contributors here.... Very fast!

wow! cebu @ 52! maayong gabii.

Unta mao man ang scene sa Opon Mercado/Poblacion area especially padung sa amua sa HumayHumay kay pwirting dusty padung Tamiya agi HumayHumay.



Yeah, sadly only the main roads are given attention by our authorities. The interior roads are really not in a good state if I may say. Our roads here in Barangay Bankal, are very narrow, add to that the deep potholes, and to top it all, the pedicabs use the already very narrow roads as their terminal. Sigh

as of 2/4/07
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8228/imgp28111bn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

more pics in Cebu's U/C thread...

CPILS building is repainted with new color.
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4121/imgp2818ul5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8297/imgp2819uo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Congrats nanaman Cebu! wa na... tigulang na..

CPILS building is repainted with new color.
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4121/imgp2818ul5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


This was once the Harbor View Hotel right?



ANyway, nagkatiguwang na jud ta ug samut! heheeh COngrats 52!




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

hi everyone... can anyone help me with posting pictures? thanks.. :)

^ Read the newbie manual: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=426144

maaung gabii SUGBO!!! kudos sa atuang singkuwenta-e-dos nga hilo., hinaot ang kapaspasan sa atung hilo mao sad ang kapaspasan sa atung pagkalambo ug ka-hayag sa kaugmaun sa mga sugbuanon.. hehe...
:banana: :banana: :banana:

ganina ra man ko post diri pero wa diay ko ka-greet hehe...
congrats sa atong 52nd thread!

nindot to'ng update ni @jimbu about sa 3-towers sa Filinvest! hope matinuod.
like @tj_brewed said, nothing is impossible here in Cebu!

2/4/07 8 a.m. cebu sidewalk scene, hehe.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/DSC00580.jpg

congrats sa 52nd thread SSC-Cebu!

wow! very quiet and very clean!

passed by cbp last friday especially near tower palace's showroom, limpyo na kaayo. during the sinulog, grabe kadaghan sagbot.

also, naa nay naka-prepare na base para sa t-crane ang construction site sa tower palace.

just a scene at cebu city's upland, it was so cold here in the city these past few days but its much colder up there!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/DSC00572.jpg
2/3/07 around 5:30pm

and yeah, the road is just so scenic!

just a scene at cebu city's upland, it was so cold the past few days and its much colder up there!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/DSC00572.jpg
2/3/07 around 5:30pm

and yeah, the road is just so scenic!

^^ We went to Tops last night with my dad and goodness!!!!! Airconditioning on High speed!!! brrrr..... :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90414651@N00/379123577/

Hanging bridge in Mountain view resort...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90414651@N00/379234575/in/photostream/

meet Francis in mountian view... :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90414651@N00/379123574/in/photostream/

sorry... it wont view... ill check again... went to Ma isan a while ago and it was really cold an foggy... Brrr... :)

^^try again @wit

wa mo-display imong pics. or basin sa ako ra?

and mura sad ug baguio didto kay daghan sad mga otan along the road, t'was a nice trip, tambay dayon sa sambag II overlooking the city

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/DSC00576.jpg

plenty of veggies!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/DSC00570.jpg
2/2/07

anyway, naa man diay FTV cafe sa bigfoot, we were supposed to hang there pero under renovation man diay, so derecho na lang sa SuTuKil at manna's, i dunno if its popular but most of their customers are foreigners, on our left are some japanese, koreans on our right and some caucasians on our back.

@Markiboi
This was once the Harbor View Hotel right?

yes bai, along MJ Cuenco Ave., Nag sugat raba ta ganinang hapon sa may flyover sa Ayala bai. Nag pix2 sad ka ganina?

and mura sad ug baguio didto kay daghan sad mga otan along the road, t'was a nice trip, tambay dayon sa sambag II overlooking the city

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/DSC00576.jpg

plenty of veggies!

diha mi ganiha sa Taptap with my lola and cousins...IMO, they have the sweetest sweet corn in the city...

driving through the fog at near-zero visibility is quite and experience, we opened the sun roof and the fog crept into our vehicle like we were inside a gigantic refrigerator...

btw, they ought to have highway guards stationed at the bridge thats currently under repair in the Balamban side, one could never tell when an accident could start...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

congratz on our 52nd...48 more to go!

Cebu's rich marine life..

http://www.node-net.jp/node/Photo/CEBU/images/CEBU_1566.jpg

oi..walang sumasagot sa tanong ko...:D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11626200&postcount=9

huwawwwwwwwww... haha, nag picture2x si Slimer ug ic3man25.... sayang wala nag-abot..

Bai Slimer, are you the one behind some of the scenes (3D buildings) behind CIPC's video about Cebu? I remember before, you posted those 3D buildings here in SSC.


Anyway, I downloaded GOOGLE VIDEO Player and when I installed and opened it, the default sample video file was CIPC's video about Cebu..................How is this so? :dunno:



..


//

oi..walang sumasagot sa tanong ko...:D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11626200&postcount=9

Pwede man tingali bai kay as of the moment daghan naman mag ligo ligo diha dapita. Di man sad hugaw pero agianan lang sa barko.

Pwede man tingali bai kay as of the moment daghan naman mag ligo ligo diha dapita. Di man sad hugaw pero agianan lang sa barko.

aw..salamat..na na jud ni tubag...:D

Cebu's very own... Skin Canvass Body Art & Accessories



http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/body%20art/9.jpg


http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/temp%20tats/8.jpg http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/face%20painting/15.jpg


http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/henna/2.jpg http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/henna/10.jpg


SkinCanvass BodyArt & Accessories© is an Entertainment Company established and based in Cebu City, Philippines, specializes in providing Body Art/Painting, Airbrush Temporary Tattoos, FacePainting, Henna Tattoos and Mhendi for a variety of events, parties, fashion shows, fundraising activities, corporate events, promotions, product launching or branding, etc. all over the Philippines.


source: http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/index.html

^^ nice din yan ah... http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q83/RCXsickboy/smiLeys/wink.gif

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/blue_water_logo.jpg

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/header_image_01.jpg


http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/header_image_05.jpg


http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/header_image_04.jpg

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/image_resort4.jpg

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/image_resort7.jpg

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/image_resort10.jpg

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/images/image_resort3.jpg

source: http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/

^^ nice din yan ah... http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q83/RCXsickboy/smiLeys/wink.gif



Bakit gising ka pa kuya ron? di ba ang mga bata, dapat matulog ng maagA? ako, natutulog na. zzzzzzz.

[QUOTE=yepeeyo;11630396]Cebu's very own... Skin Canvass Body Art & Accessories



http://www.blutacgsm.net/skincanvass/body%20art/9.jpg


cool pix... mura mag sinina gyd ang ilang gisoot...pero klaro lng kaayo ang nipple sa usa...mura mag anakan na... :D

^ wow. that Mala photos are cool..

...i found these renderings in STORM STUDIO website ....i wonder if these are project proposals in Cebu...

http://www.3dstormstudio.com/images/ext_13_big.jpg


http://www.3dstormstudio.com/images/ext_16_big.jpg


source: http://www.3dstormstudio.com

^^ wow.. those renderings, especially the first one, are grand. but i haven't heard of storm studio yet,.. at least not here in Cebu... Bigfoot studio hinuun.. ahhe

@Markiboi
This was once the Harbor View Hotel right?

yes bai, along MJ Cuenco Ave., Nag sugat raba ta ganinang hapon sa may flyover sa Ayala bai. Nag pix2 sad ka ganina?


Mao ba bai? wala lagi ko kita nimo. Wala ko nag picture2 bai, naa ra gipalit sa ayala.

Maayo kay naayu na imo digicam bai. Para musamut kadaghan ang mo post ug updates.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

...i found these renderings in STORM STUDIO website ....i wonder if these are project proposals in Cebu...

http://www.3dstormstudio.com/images/ext_13_big.jpg

source: http://www.3dstormstudio.com


I actually saw this design last year, and emailed the studio if this is for Cebu since they also have the Spinning Disc design of the megadome.. But too bad i didnt receive any reply.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Bakit gising ka pa kuya ron? di ba ang mga bata, dapat matulog ng maagA? ako, natutulog na. zzzzzzz.

waaaaaaa.... ikaw ngani kuya james... kay cge pa Lingaw2x dina...... http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q83/RCXsickboy/smiLeys/sleepy.gif

Lawyers support ‘cleanest by 2015’ plan
Sun.Star

UNLIKE before when it threatened to sue over the solid waste law’s poor implementation, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter commended the Cebu City Government for its 10-year plan aimed at making the city the country’s cleanest by 2015.

The lawyers’ group lauded City Hall for the “comprehensive” plan, which includes waste collection, recycling, composting and a well-managed sanitary landfill.

The plan also includes a community-based monitoring and evaluation system, public information and education, and incentives that the IBP said “help realize our solid waste management (program).”

The IBP offered to coordinate with City Hall in spreading information to help implement Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

“The IBP Cebu City Chapter concurs with the City Council that the success of this endeavor cannot be achieved by the City Government alone but also through the collective efforts of the government and the people, especially among the barangays, people’s organizations and non-government organizations, the private and business sectors, and the academe,” read its resolution.

City Hall started implementing RA 9003 and its enabling local ordinances last July 1, 2005.

City Ordinance 2031 requires waste segregation and waste classification into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, reusable/recyclable, hazardous, and bulky wastes.

It prohibits the mixing of separated wastes, disposal beyond the scheduled time and day of collection, and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Penalties

Violators will be asked to pay a P1,000 fine or suffer one to six months’ imprisonment, or suffer both penalties, depending on the court’s discretion. They can, however, pay the compromise fine of P500.

City Ordinance 1361, on the other hand, prohibits spitting, urinating and defecating in public places; and posting of posters, handbills or scrawling graffiti on the walls of buildings.

Over 1,300 volunteers of the Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team were taught the law and the City’s two ordinances on solid waste management.

Prior to that, the IBP warned it will sue City officials for failing to fully implement the law. (RHM)

congratz kay kentaro for his masterpiece.. :banana:

FYI:

On-going starting today until Friday is the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) Workshop at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. WEN will tackle, among others, improvement of cross-border networking in monitoring wildlife trafficking.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

congratz kay kentaro for his masterpiece.. :banana:

salamatz mga peeps! heheh.


On-going starting today until Friday is the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) Workshop at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. WEN will tackle, among others, improvement of cross-border networking in monitoring wildlife trafficking.


great news, how many countries are participating?

Ang kana diay gi hawanan kanang ganghaan padong sa Mambaling access road, himuon daw nag mini park... nindot na kaayo ang landscaping didto nga part kay limpyo na kaayo tan awn.

Ang ACT building ako giihap, naa pa man diay sa ika 12th nga floor...

Ang kana diay gi hawanan kanang ganghaan padong sa Mambaling access road, himuon daw nag mini park... nindot na kaayo ang landscaping didto nga part kay limpyo na kaayo tan awn.

cleared of squatters na?

great news, how many countries are participating?




Only the 10-member countries.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Ang kana diay gi hawanan kanang ganghaan padong sa Mambaling access road, himuon daw nag mini park... nindot na kaayo ang landscaping didto nga part kay limpyo na kaayo tan awn.



Yeah, I saw the landscaping too!

But i hope they will do something with the informal settlers along the access road to SRP.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

repost


Ang kana diay gi hawanan kanang ganghaan padong sa Mambaling access road, himuon daw nag mini park... nindot na kaayo ang landscaping didto nga part kay limpyo na kaayo tan awn.

Speaking of Balamban, does anyone of you have photos of Gaisano Balamban?

^^ naa diay Gaisano Balamban?




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

^^ naa diay Gaisano Balamban?
warehouse club. owned by Gaisano Country Mall and Bogo.

warehouse club. owned by Gaisano Country Mall and Bogo.

Yeah it's owned by the owner of Gaisano Country Mall, Main and Bogo. So warehouse club lang pala? I thought it was a full-pledge mall because I always here artists holding mall shows there

Yeah it's owned by the owner of Gaisano Country Mall, Main and Bogo. So warehouse club lang pala? I thought it was a full-pledge mall because I always here artists holding mall shows there

pareho lang sa gaisano tabunok before it became a mall.

FYI:

On-going starting today until Friday is the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) Workshop at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. WEN will tackle, among others, improvement of cross-border networking in monitoring wildlife trafficking.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

ASEAN meets in Cebu again

Officials to tackle cross-border monitoring of wildlife traffic

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

MACTAN, Cebu — Officials of member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet again here on Monday for the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) Workshop, which will tackle, among others, improvement of cross-border networking in monitoring wildlife trafficking.

The five-day meeting, which will be hosted by the Philippines at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa here starting Monday, will review member country and regional progress under the new ASEAN-WEN; improve cross-border networking of the illegal wildlife trade; identify and address national and regional capacity-building needs; and provide ideas and support for new Program Coordinating Unit (PCU).

The ASEAN-WEN was launched by member-countries in December 2005 in a move to mount a counter offensive against the region’s illegal wildlife traders.

Discussions on the illegal wildlife trafficking in Cambodia and Vietnam are expected to be one of the highlight of the meeting as both countries recently recorded several incidents of wildlife poaching.

Conservation groups say that Cambodia’s bears, monitor lizards, crocodiles and macaques are as vulnerable to the claws of the poachers. Cambodia’s wildlife has become increasingly in demand as stocks run out in other countries, said James Compton, Southeast Asia regional director for TRAFFIC, a global wildlife trade monitoring network.

A study by the World Bank in 2005 offers a glimpse at the profits involved. The wildlife trade in Vietnam in 2002 was estimated at 66.5 million US dollars, the Bank noted in "Going, Going, Gone: The Illegal Trade in Wildlife in East Asia and Southeast Asia." In Indonesia, the study added, an average of over 50 tigers were killed every year from 1998 to 2002.

All concerned officials of the 10 member countries of ASEAN are expected to attend the meeting starting Monday, said Department of Environment and Natural Resources Executive Director for Central Visayas Leonardo Sibbaluca in a press statement.

cleared of squatters na?

yup, cleared na... gi abunohan na sad og white na apog.
There was a somewhat groundbreaking nga gi held the other day attended by some local officials...

Ang ACT building ako giihap, naa pa man diay sa ika 12th nga floor...

pila man d i ka floor ang ACT building bai slerz?? abi ba nakog 12 floors lng na xa...

^^12 floors ra bai... I dunno kung mo extend pa sila after 12...I hope

Good morning guys! :)

naa lang ko question, is the picture below the original design for CICC?? (i have a friend man gud and told me that it is)

http://www.3dstormstudio.com/images/ext_7big.jpg

thanks! :)

^^ That's the proposed Cebu Megadome. The CICC will supposedly form part of the megadome had the latter not been shelved.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

hello cebu! first time ko magpost in your thread, i have to say, among all the cities ive been to in the philippines (including my hometown davao) cebu just feels like a different country. everything! from the city's ambiance to the general set-up of the city, infrastructures and the uniformed white-colored taxis. people speak pure hardcore-cebuano, people there love to go out at night, and you have the strongest pride of place IMO. and with the largest concentration of foreign tourists i have seen in a city, it almost feels like bangkok, give it more time and soon it would feel like KL or singapore or probably HK.

i just like to share the effects of negative media and the unjust travel ban and security warnings here in mindanao imposed by most western countries, i dont know if this is the proper place to share with you guys but you should feel at the very least lucky to have avoided such unjust warnings or alerts, thanks to the west!

travel warnings because of security problems are included in the general exclusion of insurance claims. it is almost always in the first five general exclusions, where the insurance company SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE for accidents or harm in places where such warnings are raised. the impact? low travel volume from foreign/domestic tourists, would you risk yourselves being harmed and not be able to claim insurance if these isolated incidents happen to you? most brave souls would still go for it, but on a sad note, majority of them would avoid the place. most of us would think that a travel ban is just a simple travel ban, but the impact goes deeper than these diplomatic papers.

hello cebu! first time ko magpost in your thread, i have to say, among all the cities ive been to in the philippines (including my hometown davao) cebu just feels like a different country. everything! from the city's ambiance to the general set-up of the city, infrastructures and the uniformed white-colored taxis. people speak pure hardcore-cebuano, people there love to go out at night, and you have the strongest pride of place IMO. and with the largest concentration of foreign tourists i have seen in a city, it almost feels like bangkok, give it more time and soon it would feel like KL or singapore or probably HK.

i just like to share the effects of negative media and the unjust travel ban and security warnings here in mindanao imposed by most western countries, i dont know if this is the proper place to share with you guys but you should feel at the very least lucky to have avoided such unjust warnings or alerts, thanks to the west!

travel warnings because of security problems are included in the general exclusion of insurance claims. it is almost always in the first five general inclusions, where the insurance company SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE. the impact? low travel volume from foreign/domestic tourists, would you risk yourselves being harmed and not be able to claim insurance if these isolated incidents happen to you? most brave souls would still go for it, but on a sad note, majority of them would avoid the place. most of us would think that a travel ban is just a simple travel ban, but the impact goes deeper than these diplomatic papers.

greetings to you.. welcome!!!:hi:
You are free to speak here..:)

:hi: Welcome D5NSS to SSC Cebu Thread :hi:

You can speak your mind here with no boundaries.

ey..Da Vinci's Pizza may soon open in Arcenas Estate din. :)

wow. ang banawa ug guadalupe area, grabe na pud ang progress! cool

I T | P A R K | H O T E L


http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/253/ehotel5ane2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

...no other info...





http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

hello cebu! first time ko magpost in your thread, i have to say, among all the cities ive been to in the philippines (including my hometown davao) cebu just feels like a different country. everything! from the city's ambiance to the general set-up of the city, infrastructures and the uniformed white-colored taxis. people speak pure hardcore-cebuano, people there love to go out at night, and you have the strongest pride of place IMO. and with the largest concentration of foreign tourists i have seen in a city, it almost feels like bangkok, give it more time and soon it would feel like KL or singapore or probably HK.

i just like to share the effects of negative media and the unjust travel ban and security warnings here in mindanao imposed by most western countries, i dont know if this is the proper place to share with you guys but you should feel at the very least lucky to have avoided such unjust warnings or alerts, thanks to the west!

travel warnings because of security problems are included in the general exclusion of insurance claims. it is almost always in the first five general exclusions, where the insurance company SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE for accidents or harm in places where such warnings are raised. the impact? low travel volume from foreign/domestic tourists, would you risk yourselves being harmed and not be able to claim insurance if these isolated incidents happen to you? most brave souls would still go for it, but on a sad note, majority of them would avoid the place. most of us would think that a travel ban is just a simple travel ban, but the impact goes deeper than these diplomatic papers.


:wave: hellO! welcome to the SSC! :) thank you for the compliments..:) with regards to the negative effects of the media, it's so true and we sympathize with the people from mindanao for that..there are a lot of beautiful places, beaches,culture, people pa naman dyan..well, we hope that the media will continue to open up the beauty of mindanao as what i've seen now on tv...:)

God bless you and your people :)

i was gone for 2-3 days ba to, then natingala lang ko y wa na ko kadawat ug updates from cebu thread... mao diay, kay thread 50 pa ang akong na subscribe. tanaw ko sa cities and places na subforum, kita kog 52. then tingala na pud ko, murag wa man ko kabasa sa 51 ha? mao nang gipangita na pud nako. nakitan ra nako, including tong naay away... naluoy gyud ko ni diehardbisdak bai. didto ko dapig niya. haha.

paspasa sa cebu thread uy! grabe. lipay kaayo ko after spending 3 hours reading all your posts. whew... 1 whole thread and a quarter. :banana:

From SunStar Cebu

Incentives eyed to encourage renovation of old buildings in Cebu City
By Linette C. Ramos
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

TO ENCOURAGE owners to renovate old structures, Cebu City officials are considering giving incentives and easing some restrictions on building requirements.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama said parking requirements do not have to be complied with, provided that renovation will not alter the use of commercial buildings.

He also proposed possible incentives for building owners who take the initiative of renovating their properties for fire safety purposes, one way they can help make downtown Cebu City an economically viable district.

Flexibility

One possible motivation is tax exemption, but this will still have to be carefully studied, he said.

“There are no concrete plans on this yet; but it has already been discussed that when talking about old buildings in downtown area, there has to be some kind of flexibility. If we’re not going to change the use of the building, then we will not insist on the parking requirements,” Rama said.

While some city officials want to preserve certain areas of downtown Cebu City as cultural heritage, minor improvements are also needed, he said.

“Whether we like it or not, parking spaces are necessary to make the area economically viable... but we also need to have some kind of an incentive because a renovation imposes several restrictions on the owners,” he added.

Last Thursday, fire gutted 17 business establishments along Lincoln and Plaridel Sts., prompting the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to remind building owners to inspect their properties regularly.

Hesitant

Wood components and loose electrical connections of decades-old buildings in the downtown area make the structures highly flammable, an OBO official said.

An OBO source earlier said owners are hesitant to improve their buildings because of stringent requirements, especially on parking spaces.

But City Planning Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said they do not have to provide additional parking spaces when doing minor improvements.

The Cebu City Zoning Ordinance requires restaurants to provide at least one parking space for every 20-square-meter floor area on the ground floor, and one for every 60 square meters on the second floor.

Offices need to provide one parking space for every 50-square-meter floor area on the ground floor and one for every 100-square-meter area on the second floor.

“If the renovation is for purposes of changing the use of a building, then definitely it will be subjected to parking space requirements. But if after the renovation the restaurant is still a restaurant, then you don’t have to provide additional parking space, if that’s what they’re worried about,” Villarete said.

He, however, is not amenable to easing restrictions on building owners.

He said it should even be made more stringent, which is why the City Zoning Board is proposing to make a uniform parking space requirement.

Whether or not an establishment is located on the first or second floors, the parking space and floor area ratio should be the same, Villarete said.

Monday, February 05, 2007
Ford launches SUV models for 2007 in local market

TO SIGNIFY its commitment in providing motorists with innovative and stylish car models, the Ford Group Philippines unveiled its new line of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the local market.

Ford launched the complete line-up of 2007 series SUVs, which include the Everest, Escape, Explorer Eddie Bauer and Eddie Bauer Expedition at the Ford showroom in Nivel Hills, Lahug recently.

“This is the first time we introduced all new-generation vehicles which exemplify our SUV heritage of quality, performance, luxury and safety,” said Paolo Borromeo, Ford Cebu general sales manager.

read more >> (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/02/05/bus/ford.launches.suv.models.for.2007.in.local.market.html)

From The Freeman

KEPCO power plant project goes on despite opposition

The Freeman 02/05/2007

Despite opposition from environmental groups and some local residents, Korean Electric Power Corporation said it is still committed to continue implementing its P15-billion 200-megawatt power project in Naga town, Cebu.

The Korean company also reiterated its commitment to pursue its rural electrification project which involves the energization of 200 barangays for this year alone.

Kang-Won Lee, the new president and chief executive officer of KEPCO-Philippines, recently paid a courtesy call on Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla to reiterate their company's commitment to continuing their business operations in the country. Kang-Won Lee replaces Gil-Gu Lee as KEPCO-Philippines president and CEO. Lotilla expressed appreciation for KEPCO's commitment to finish its projects to provide power to barangays that do not yet have electricity.

"We appreciate KEPCO's commitment to continue their operations in the country, particularly of the 200-MW Cebu-Naga power plant project. They have also reiterated their commitment to carry on with their rural electrification project, which involves energizing 200 barangays for this year alone," Lotilla said in a press statement.

The DOE said that KEPCO has already helped energize 200 barangays in different areas of the country in previous years. The 200 barangays they will electrify this year constitute the first batch of 500 barangays they pledged to energize last 2005. They will work with electric cooperatives from Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga Apayao, Samar, Ticao Island in Masbate, Palawan and Cebu to complete the project this year.

According to the energy department, the 200-MW coal-fired power plant that KEPCO plans to build in Naga will utilize clean coal technology that limits nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions at environment-friendly levels. KEPCO is undertaking the project jointly with Salcon Power Corporation.

However, the implementation of the multi-billion project was delayed due to some environmental concerns. Environmental groups are opposed to the project, which they describe as threat to people's health and the environment because of toxic chemicals that the power plant may produce.

The proposed project will use the circulating fluidized-bed combustion technology, which its proponents claim is one of the cleanest and most efficient technologies in the world.

Groundbreaking of the project was done in December 2005 and its construction was supposed to start last year. By October this year, the first plant is expected to operate while the other plant is expected to operate by October 2008.

Aside from Cebu, Lotilla also encouraged KEPCO to explore other investment opportunities in the country's energy sector, particularly in the Mindanao and Panay islands, where power supply is considered critical. The company likewise expressed interest in renewable sources of power in the country.

KEPCO's Philippine operations include the KEPCO Philippines Corporation (KEPHILCO), which operates the 650 MW Malaya Thermal Power Plant in barangay Malaya, Pilillia, Rizal, and the KEPCO Ilijan Corporation (KEILCO), which operates the 1,200 MW Ilijan Combined Cycle Power Plant in Ilijan, Batangas.

KEPHILCO and KEILCO power plants currently provide approximately one seventh of the Philippines' installed generation capacity. - Wenna A. Berondo

I T | P A R K | H O T E L


http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/253/ehotel5ane2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

...no other info...








asa nimo kit a bai?

^^ looks like the original design of Parklane Hotel

World-Renowned... Cebu-Made Fashion Accessories !!!


http://ceburloloy.com/store/images/ncklace-leafgumamela.jpg


http://ceburloloy.com/store/images/kwentasLayer.jpg


http://ceburloloy.com/store/images/MOP-necklace.jpg


http://ceburloloy.com/store/images/ncklace-intsikPendant(pink-.jpg


http://ceburloloy.com/store/images/choker-kwentas.jpg


http://ceburloloy.com/store/images/ncklace-trianglePendant.jpg


source: CEBUrloloy (http://ceburloloy.com/store/index.php)

oist...just got back from Bogo City....


Congrats Cebu at Fifty Two

naa sad newbies....

:banana: Welcome to ssc CEBU!!!:banana:

Sumilon Island Resort, Sumilon, south of Cebu pics by @2rokbot2y of flickr
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/379727517_2fcaaec08f.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/379727108_b1008d05b1.jpg?v=0



..somewhere in San Fernando, Cebu pic by @micxs032 of flickr
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/379954766_00286281dc_o.jpg

tnx bai @ slerz..

nice pix @yepeeyo, specially the first one.

^^ thanks to the flickr guys for keeping Cebu pics coming.....

...indeed, Cebu is Highly Industrialized Province !!!



pics and texts by @adlan1971 of flickr


tsuneishi shipyard in balamban, cebu. picture taken from the bridge of tenshou maru. this is the launching of jalma topic.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/378886377_3555fff4a5.jpg?v=0



tsuneishi shipyard in balamban, cebu. picture taken from the bridge of tenshou maru
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/378885878_24c732b19c.jpg?v=0

...mushrooming of fast-food chains in Cebu is probably one of the indicators of good economy

pics from flickr.com

Mambaling Branch
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/379221177_c97e6625f0.jpg?v=0


...is this Bogo City Branch?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/379067069_504efb53fd.jpg?v=0

....Cebu's sunrise & sunset (pics by @eilslei of flickr)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/376457931_abd3609480.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/377393194_0032095027.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/371817122_2949460160.jpg?v=0

pics by @theshanghaieye


Mactan Shangri-la Hotel
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/376424721_a4851db685.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/375976961_e3e34426a0.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/375414304_c29e625b71.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/173/372579065_d8436247b3.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/374932646_716e9c1cb0_o.jpg



PLANTATION BAY RESORT & SPA
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/374327980_61351b1e9e.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/374052662_7084aa7de7.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/374233441_ad14518b43.jpg?v=0

Wow, that McDo Mambaling Branch looks good :okay:

Nice pictures @yepeeyo! Resourceful kaayo ka da!

Salamat bai!

yeah.. those are really awesome pics.. not the ordinary ones you can find.. hehe



I T | P A R K | H O T E L


http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/253/ehotel5ane2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

...no other info...



hmmm.. judging from the pic, the building stands tall at around 20 storeys.. this could probably be erected in Asiatown,.

Speaking of Balamban, does anyone of you have photos of Gaisano Balamban?

theres a large vacant lot at the junction between the Transcentral Highway and the National Road, that according to town gossip there in Balamban, would soon see the rise of another Gaisano Department Store...

didto man ko gikan sa Balamban gahapon, pero wa man ko kakita ug Gaisano, as far as i remember, Gaisano Sari-Sari Store ra man to...

^ Gaisano Department Store? Which operator? Metro Gaisano perhaps?

^ Gaisano Department Store? Which operator? Metro Gaisano perhaps?

the 'other' Gaisanos...wa pa man gud sila'y mall ngadto...just a convenience-store-like branch called Gaisano Sari-Sari Store...all their shows featuring 'artistas' are held at the Balamban Gym, which is right beside their store...

if the rumors are true, then we'd be expecting a store the size of Gaisano Carcar City...

^^ nice pictures and interesting updates guys! keep them comin!!!

this would be nice to help the environment... you know the hottest news now is global warming and stuffs so i think cebu is taking steps to solve this problem... take a look at today's issue of sunstar...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/div-cebu/article_202573_02-05-20071.jpg

so is it true that we'd be living underwater soon?

maybe Cebu would be a cross between Venice and Hongkong in the future...

just another thought, potential investors could put global warming into consideration, and chose to build in the mountains...looks like the only way to go is up, literaly...soon we might be seeing high-rises on Busay while 'Old Cebu' would be criscrossed by a network of canals...:)

yeah, but i just hope cebu is not in bad state as maldives... coz if nothing is done to lessen this problem daw, maldives will be wiped out from the map few hundred of years from now...

this would be nice to help the environment... you know the hottest news now is global warming and stuffs so i think cebu is taking steps to solve this problem... take a look at today's issue of sunstar...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/div-cebu/article_202573_02-05-20071.jpg

i can't imagine how businessmen will look like if they employ this method.. :lol: :lol: :lol: maybe in the future we'll all use floating boards in walking,.. :D

this would be nice to help the environment... you know the hottest news now is global warming and stuffs so i think cebu is taking steps to solve this problem... take a look at today's issue of sunstar...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/div-cebu/article_202573_02-05-20071.jpg


I miss roller blading na. hehe... Pero ang galing nito ah... Just imagine people going to work use roller blades... economical, tapos environment friendly, tapos exercise pa! Ahehehehe. ang disadvantage lang using roller blades, di pantay ang mga sidewalks ng cebu.... masikip pa ang ilan.. kung dun ka naman mag roler blades sa daan, delikado.

mga bai, remember the article about acc to have the "expansion of the expansions"? i've heard from a reliable source that they are going to **** hehehe... sorry, confidential!

^ Hi slimer, yeah, I posted that article. Can't you give us a little clue? Or a PM perhaps? :colgate:

huwawwwwwwwww... haha, nag picture2x si Slimer ug ic3man25.... sayang wala nag-abot..

Bai Slimer, are you the one behind some of the scenes (3D buildings) behind CIPC's video about Cebu? I remember before, you posted those 3D buildings here in SSC.//

nope bai. mine is just a hobby. 3D freak man gud ko hehehe... if naay magpahimo aw himuan hehehe...

@sinj
ako na gi-PM. i-PM lang sa sa uban. di lang ko gusto pangunahan ang CHI. di niya madayon hehehe...

^^ apili sad ko pm bai. hehe salamat!


...mushrooming of fast-food chains in Cebu is probably one of the indicators of good economy

pics from flickr.com

...is this Bogo City Branch?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/379067069_504efb53fd.jpg?v=0


I think the one in Bogo is inside Gaisano. Maybe this is the one in Mandaue (AS Fortuna)




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Nice pictures @yepeeyo! Resourceful kaayo ka da!

Salamat bai!

...anything basta for our beloved Cebu!

@sinj
ako na gi-PM. i-PM lang sa sa uban. di lang ko gusto pangunahan ang CHI. di niya madayon hehehe...

mura man sad ta ug nagtan-aw ug suspense movie, ma thrill/excite/pumped up man sad ta... pls pm sad me thenks.

hello cebu! first time ko magpost in your thread, i have to say, among all the cities ive been to in the philippines (including my hometown davao) cebu just feels like a different country. everything! from the city's ambiance to the general set-up of the city, infrastructures and the uniformed white-colored taxis. people speak pure hardcore-cebuano, people there love to go out at night, and you have the strongest pride of place IMO. and with the largest concentration of foreign tourists i have seen in a city, it almost feels like bangkok, give it more time and soon it would feel like KL or singapore or probably HK.

i just like to share the effects of negative media and the unjust travel ban and security warnings here in mindanao imposed by most western countries, i dont know if this is the proper place to share with you guys but you should feel at the very least lucky to have avoided such unjust warnings or alerts, thanks to the west!

travel warnings because of security problems are included in the general exclusion of insurance claims. it is almost always in the first five general exclusions, where the insurance company SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE for accidents or harm in places where such warnings are raised. the impact? low travel volume from foreign/domestic tourists, would you risk yourselves being harmed and not be able to claim insurance if these isolated incidents happen to you? most brave souls would still go for it, but on a sad note, majority of them would avoid the place. most of us would think that a travel ban is just a simple travel ban, but the impact goes deeper than these diplomatic papers.

Welcome to the thread, D5NSS. Yup. regarding to your comment, yup, it's true.. Taga Mindanao din ako. I'm from Butuan. Wala pa mga travel advisory, ok pa ang volume ng mga foreigners na pumupunta sa Butuan. Konti nga lang sila, which is very normal kasi wala naman maxado sights to see sa Butuan. Nung nag simula ang mga travel advisories, WALA NA! wala ka na makikitang foreigners na palakad lakad sa butuan. Kung meron man, mga missionaries from a christian church. ung iba, mga may mga asawa sa Butuan.. Kawawa talaga ang Mindanao pagdating sa mga travel advisories.

Minsan nga sa report, naiinis ako... Kung ang topic ay Mindanao, puro nalang bombings, NPA, MILF. Totoo naman, pero ang masaklap dun, nadadamay ang ibang cities ng Mindanao, which are not affected sa bombings... Sa Caraga Region, or at least sa Butuan City, wala pa bombings ang narereport. Everyone in the city feel safe roaming around Butuan. Pero, dahil ang Butuan City ay nasa Mindanao, hindi safe na city para sa mga foreigners... hehehe


Sorry guys kung pinost ko dito.. hehe... anyway.... back to the topic. hehe

bai @slimer, pde sad pa-pm?. thank you.. i'm guessing this is something bigger than what we're expecting.. :D

from www.clubultima.com

the F.U.E.N.T.E.T.R.I.A.N.G.L.E

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1990/gallerybig02xl3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

@sinj
ako na gi-PM. i-PM lang sa sa uban. di lang ko gusto pangunahan ang CHI. di niya madayon hehehe...

please. ako rin. pls pls

i like the 3rd fuente tower.. it's very glassy on its facade,. :)

please. ako rin. pls pls

txt ko kung unsa bai... hehehehe...

good mrning sugbu... lnganu krn rman blik ang SSC... hehehe...

mu.invade jud diay mu sa bohol, hope maka.join ko. pero busy pman... nxt time nlng...

naa jud diay ako migo dri nga based in UK...

musta nka dha dong, pag.PM lng nko... uli man kha ka dri Cebu nxt month...

grabeh na kaau ang teleserye sa PPG dri. hehehe... ooops... OT na...

C E B U | C I T Y


http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3429/skylinecordovauntitled1jb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Good Morning!





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http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1010105.jpg

Good Morning kaninyo! niduta jud tan.awn sa Cebu Skyline dha Cordova mark...

^^

Nindut jud bai.

Pero naa lagi na Eiffel Tower is imo picture? hehehe




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

^^ RPN 9 na cya bai... hehehe, mao bya na pinaka.taas dri Cebu, maka.ilad xad...

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/winlandedit.jpg

nindut unta ug ing.ani ka dense ang Winland towers... hehehehe...

bhala na comyblocks... bsta daghan lng, OK kaayo...

^^

Maayu unta magtukod ang City Hall ug 10 ka Winland Towers (1 tower per year) para a solve ang problema sa mga IS.



http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

good morning! maayo ha gud ninyo mu kuha ug pic. ang galing talaga ng mga cebuano! :rock:

^^
Sure naman gyud nang Winland 3 Towers mike kay nagsogod naman ang Tower 3. Wala lang tah picture diri kay wala man gud ta'y access didto. Pero kung naay intresado nga mo kuha ug pic, makita ang excavation for tower 3 sa tower 1 & 2.

^^ naa ka access bai?



http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

^^
Naa kung mobalik tong mga tao ni Architect Tessie P. Javier diri sa office. Kay pwede tah mo kuyog nila sa ilahang office para lang mag take ug pictures sa Winland Tower 3.

can i say bwisit here? hehehe, di ko kakuyog sa bohol!!!!! may lakaw ang family, BWST!

^^ i thought nag leave naka bai? sayang!


@hans: texti unya ko bai if naa. lamats!



http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

human na man akong leave, pero naka request na kog off, unfortunately, may unexpected nga lakaw, tsk tsk tsk, ey, pwede magpa PM sad ko about ACC's expansion of expansions. thanks daan!

@mark
Textsan lang taka bai.

@SSC Cebu Peeps
Wala lagi naka post didto sa samahan about sa Bohol Meet and Tour. Post it na lang, including the itinerary.

@Pao: sa bantayan or badian or moalboal na lang ka kuyog bai. hehehe



http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

good morning! maayo ha gud ninyo mu kuha ug pic. ang galing talaga ng mga cebuano! :rock:

welcome diay dri bai! enjoy...

3 Bigfoot towers with the 2 towerpalace towers...

OK kaayo! party.ON ang Cebu!

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/cbpdit.jpg

:dance:

^^ hehe.. wala ju'y angay itapad ang 3 bigfoot towers ug ang tower palace.. heheehe.. but still, madayun unta! :D

WHO: SSC Cebu Peeps
WHAT: Exercise Meet
WHEN: 5AM February 07 Wednesday, 2007
WHERE: Cebu City Sports Complex (Abellana)

1. Arnold_Carl
2. Hans Boy
3.
4.
5.

Just add your name in the space provided. Hope to see you there.

WHO: SSC Cebu Peeps
WHAT: Exercise Meet
WHEN: 5AM February 07 Wednesday, 2007
WHERE: Cebu City Sports Complex (Abellana)

1. Arnold_Carl
2. Hans Boy
3.
4.
5.

Just add your name in the space provided. Hope to see you there.

bag.o rman ko uli ing.ani nga oras... hehehehe, maayu na bai, pra healthy ug fit...

.

I still like this one than those three...


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8947/bigfoottower2qe5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Diba WINLAND na dili WINDLAND? Part owner kay si Ruffa Gutierez?

^^ kinsa ingun na Windland? :D




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

^^Si rage...hehe

^^ isn't it called winland? i'm confused na.. i kept on calling it winland towers pa naman.. :)

^^
Sure naman gyud nang Winland 3 Towers mike kay nagsogod naman ang Tower 3. Wala lang tah picture diri kay wala man gud ta'y access didto. Pero kung naay intresado nga mo kuha ug pic, makita ang excavation for tower 3 sa tower 1 & 2.


Naa lagi scale model sa tower 3, naa sa Robinsons Mall..



//

.

I still like this one than those three...


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8947/bigfoottower2qe5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

mas gnhan ghpon ko ani... ang corporate tower dri kay cool kaayu...
nindut xad kay complex man cya... 3 pa jud kabuok high.rise...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/cbpdit.jpg

mga guys, kung kamu papili.on, unsa inyoha?...

@mark
Textsan lang taka bai.

@SSC Cebu Peeps
Wala lagi naka post didto sa samahan about sa Bohol Meet and Tour. Post it na lang, including the itinerary.


Na post siya sa Samahan bai...

Wala'y itinerary kay si Cyrus among agdon...

^^Si rage...hehe

mAO man ako ma.basa sa mga Cebu city maps, ug sa ila sales, and rendering sa ubos...

^^ pde both? hehe.. naa pa baya space for the bigfoot tower (ka2ng usa ra) in between tower palace and the tower complex..

.

I still like this one than those three...


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8947/bigfoottower2qe5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

where will they construct this building??? will it be near the 3 proposed towers inside cbp???

With regards to the displayed Windland Towers at Robinson's Place.

I see it almost everyday. I asked one of the guy who is an agent. He said they're selling the vacant units left of tower 2 and the future new units of tower 3 which is currently under construction.

@Rage

bati man kaayo ang proposed design sa three towers bai... mura siya ug pang "disneyland" or pang "Las Vegas." Hehehehehehehe..

Nindot kung sleek and elegant... Mura ug pang business jud ang appeal ba, para mubagay sa Cebu Business Park....

Aw hinuon, Bigfoot MEDIA Park man sad ni siya...



..

@Rage

bati man kaayo ang proposed design sa three towers bai... mura siya ug pang "disneyland." Hehehe..

Nindot kung sleek and elegant... Mura ug pang business jud ang appeal ba..

Aw hinuon, Bigfoot MEDIA Park man ni siya...



..

bhala na bai..... hehehe cute man tan.awon... ahem... wa man amusement park dri sa Cebu... hehehe, maau na nga naa mura ug tan.awn... :banana:

bhala na bai..... hehehe cute man tan.awon... ahem... wa man amusement park dri sa Cebu... hehehe, maau na nga naa mura ug tan.awn... :banana:



dili jud siya bagay sa CBP bai.

maayu pa adto himuon ang 3 towers SRP para mo complement sa ilaha soundstages ug marina yatch club.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

if they're choosing which buildings to construct... it'll be nice if they construct all four... they really look nice... cebu skyline would never be the same again... atleast fuente wont get all the tall buildings....

Cebu Capitol rushes to implement P566-M infrastructure projects

Monday, February 05 2007 @ 05:15 PM GMT

Cebu News

The Cebu Provincial Government is beating the March 30 infrastructure ban in connection with the May 14 elections by bidding out P566.6 million worth of infrastructure projects.

A huge chunk of the budget will be for the asphalting of 154.5 kilometers of provincial roads worth P495 million, improvement of 21 bridges costing P50.8 million, repair of school buildings costing P3.6 million, construction of waterworks system costing P5.9 million and riprapping works in Tudela and Poro in Camotes island worth P2.2 million.

Cebu Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre said the projects are part of the promises Governor Gwendolyn Garcia made when she assumed office in 2004.

The asphalting of roads, for example, already has 261-kilometer contracts awarded in 2005 and 2006, some of which were completed while the others are still ongoing.

The work on bridges, Pelayre said, has a target of 10 bridges a year but the Capitol already worked on 46 bridges in 2005 and 2006, all worth P48 million.

The projects that are being bid out also include P8.5 million for the putting up of private rooms with air conditioning units and comfort rooms in 13 district hospitals.

Garcia is pushing for this so those who can afford to pay and want to stay in private rooms in district hospitals will have an option, and the hospitals can also earn.

Like in previous elections, some sectors may see the move as part of the campaign for the next elections, but members of the opposition have no complaints this time.

Former congressman Celestino "Junie" Martinez Jr., Garcia's fiercest rival in the last elections, said it is up to the Commission on Audit (COA) to look into whatever transactions the Capitol will enter into.

Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Estrella Ypha, who has been vocal against some projects of the governor, said she read the published invitation to bid and saw that the items will "benefit and are needed by the people."

"It's okay. I saw the projects like asphalting and water systems, I can say that at least they saw what is needed," she added. (PNA)

-- This email has been scanned by the Balita server.

where will they construct this building??? will it be near the 3 proposed towers inside cbp???


if they're choosing which buildings to construct... it'll be nice if they construct all four... they really look nice... cebu skyline would never be the same again... atleast fuente wont get all the tall buildings....



Actually according to some of our insiders bai, they will either build the 3 Media Park towers, or the single corporate tower.

But as of now, they only have enough funds to construct the basement. :lol:

But Bigfoot is Bigfoot, for sure they have all the moolahs to even develop the entirety of the SRP.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

mAO man ako ma.basa sa mga Cebu city maps, ug sa ila sales, and rendering sa ubos...

mao sad ako nakit an sa TV sa una...


re: Bigfoot.
Kung sa design, kang Markiiboi... kung sa quantity, kang rage

@Rage

Nindot hinuon bai nga mura siya ug compound ba, unya naay park sa tunga tapos nag surround ang buildings niya...

mao sad ako nakit an sa TV sa una...


re: Bigfoot.
Kung sa design, kang Markiiboi... kung sa quantity, kang rage

tnx sa info Markiiboi... I'd go for quantity this time... those 3 media towers, they look good and cool...

What if ingon ani nalang ang architecture sa highrise sa Bigfoot? nindot man sad cguro tan-awn....

http://www.boitearecettes.com/publications/authentique/chateau_frontenac_2.gif

http://www.h-e-eisenring.ch/USA_Kanada/Bilder_USA_Kanada/Bilder_USA_Reise_14_Teil/Quebec,%20Hotel%20Chateau%20Frontenac%20Detail.jpg

^^ waaa,, that's too far off from the highrise architecture that we have now.. luud na kaau tanawun ang skyline sa cebu..

-edited-

ok lang sa ako yan, hehe, counterpart ng waterfront!

With regards to The Bigfoot Media Park.

Let's not cross our fingers anymore. Because that won't be realize. According to TPJ, the budget was realign to a more enticing and priority investments of Bigfoot. If ever the plan Bigfoot Media Park will push thru in the coming years. Surely, it will be a new design because Bigfoot's design firm called RedVantage from Hong Kong is already house in Mactan. Which are currently working on the designs of the plan 10 studios & soundstages at SRP.

Maybe what they referred to as the more enticing and priority investments of Bigfoot is their planned development at SRP.




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

well, we just have to appreciate the things that are being showered in cebu now., bahala'g wala'y bigfoot media park, basta naa'y cebu towers commercial, crown regency hotel, club ultima residences, ramos tower, tower palace, 3rd windland tower, & the 3rd and 4th citylights garden towers.. >> these will all certainly stand tall and proud in cebu in the next 2 or 3 years.. :D

naa pa jd: pioneer insurance bldg (9), act & it mall (12 or 15?) & lexmark (22)..

@markiiBoi
More or less bai, mao rag mao na gyud na kay gidala naman gyud sa Bigfoot ang ilahang design firm nga RedVantage from Hong Kong to Mactan, Cebu. It's like their video, Bigfoot from New York to Cebu.

Canada, Netherlands assist Cebu exporters

IN their thrust to assist the local exporting industry, two donor countries have decided to link for a three-year Business Support Organization Development (BSOD) program using their governments’funds.

The Canadian government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that funded program Pearl 2, and the Netherland’s Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) inked a deal with the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) Cebu to provide local exporters an improved marketability and global competitiveness.

more here (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/02/06/bus/canada.netherlands.assist.cebu.exporters.html)

^^ waaa,, that's too far off from the highrise architecture that we have now.. luud na kaau tanawun ang skyline sa cebu..

hahahaha, mura diay ug belltowers sa church.. nice baya sad... lagpas lang kaayo... unya ang mag work diha nga building kay mag Latin or Spanish.....

^^ ikaw ra ang malipay kung ingun ana ang nawng sa Bigfoot bai. :lol:




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

What if ingon ani nalang ang architecture sa highrise sa Bigfoot? nindot man sad cguro tan-awn....

http://www.boitearecettes.com/publications/authentique/chateau_frontenac_2.gif

http://www.h-e-eisenring.ch/USA_Kanada/Bilder_USA_Kanada/Bilder_USA_Reise_14_Teil/Quebec,%20Hotel%20Chateau%20Frontenac%20Detail.jpg


pwede ra ni cya... naa lng cguro gamay changes like mag gamit ug cladding and more glass...

tan.awa ang waterfront... looks sooo grand...

I really love Waterfront's night lighting scheme. I can't understand why some of our radio commentators can't appreciate it

I really love Waterfront's night lighting scheme. I can't understand why some of our radio commentators can't appreciate it

lahi2x ra jud ug taste ang tawo...

^^

unsa diay ila sulti Sinjin?

repost lng... nindut man gud tan.awon... samut kung mahuman na ang project...

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1070061.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1070058.jpg

flickr finds


pic by @dbludvl

Asiatown IT Park, Waterfront Hotel and Cebu Business Park
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/373616214_2d1b8de9f2_o.jpg

flickr finds
pics by @flochoe


(this was how the Sinulog DEVOTEE CITY looked like)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/381352979_d0195996ef.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/381351548_df55e195dd.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/381351142_2a6f716659.jpg?v=0

^^weee!! thanks @yepeeyo! hehe..:p nagimagine ra ko sa una how the devotee city looked like..

good afternoon cebu! :)

flickr finds
pic by @mon_ayer/trent


this could be a good material for HSBC's promotional photo in Cebu...hehehe

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/370613587_f03f6c372a.jpg?v=0

Cebu Sinulog 2007 and Gov Gwen Garcia pledged annual dance offering:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BF1GkmOGU
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6281007282509063610

(Sunstar)..For three consecutive years now, Garcia danced during the opening of the Sinulog grand parade yesterday after the performance of Cebu City Government dancers. She also danced in the closing ceremony that capped the parade... a gown with a design that combined that of a Maranao and Egyptian queen, and Garcia’s favorite character, Aeda, queen of Nubia.“I felt nervous but what sustained me was the thought that this was my offering for the Sto. Niño,” she said. (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/01/22/guv.to.dance.sinulog.every.year.html)

gikural na man diay ang parts sa plaza indenpendencia nga agi-an sa srp tunnel... karon pa ko kabantay.

^^ yup...


http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1325/dsc01296tq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4461/dsc01390oo7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

flickr finds

Alegre Beach Resort - Sogod, Cebu

pic by @geetrotter
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/369882922_6100546b83.jpg


pic by @acemarc
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/369875766_af7a8be16c.jpg?v=0

flickr finds
pic by @mon_ayer/trent


this could be a good material for HSBC's promotional photo in Cebu...hehehe

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/370613587_f03f6c372a.jpg?v=0

Bitaw no... what serendipity :D :D :D

.

I still like this one than those three...


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8947/bigfoottower2qe5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Mora'g pina-Dubai nga bulding, katong sails ang design niya, albeit its more subtle. But sleek, IMHO

hoy-ipm sad ninyo nako b?

flickr finds

repost....pic by @wantet

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/diehardbisdako/view-1.jpg

Maayong hapon doods,

diba the North Artium and Diamond Plaza are something the mandauehanons can look forward to, but whats being built up in consolacion? (where the old market used to be)

I asked around, said its a mall, but it dun luk lyk it. just wondering if you guys knew. hehe

Wala mi labot sa PM? :)

but whats being built up in consolacion? (where the old market used to be)

I asked around, said its a mall, but it dun luk lyk it. just wondering if you guys knew. hehe

Fooda Saversmart Consolacion

Fooda Saversmart Consolacion

Oh.. so technically its a minimart :bash: or something. wonder when its done. hehehe

taken by: yimsu
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/ayah19/88382961RL131780923.jpg

taken by: yimsu
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/ayah19/88382961RL131780923.jpg


hala, mao ba kaha ni, sa Sapangdaku ni, just a habal2x away from our home.

photo below:


http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/44fd45bfm7737e672/06c9/__sr_/c2cd.jpg?phwlFyFBGKuWPUiY

^^ waah katulo nako kaligo ana nga falls kay naghiking akong boy scout nga troop from Boy scout camp sa capitol hills up to there, gisubay gyud namong suba. its nice perosometimes it gets a little crowded, i remember sauna some of my classmates were pelted with stones by little boys at the top of the falls.

Fooda Saversmart Consolacion


http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8207/p1060672nb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)





http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Please pass it to all Filipinos you know.

The message goes:

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the Philippines to take advantage of our cheaper tuition fees, quality education and learn English at the same time.

This is an essay written by a Korean student I want to share with you. (Never mind the grammar; it's the CONTENT that counts) Maybe it is timely to think about this in the midst of all the confusion at present.

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES - Jae Young Kim
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines . Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines ? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines .

Let me first talk about my country, Korea . It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , for Filipinos were very rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is STILL very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country.

More than forty years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea . He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park . They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea , and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea . So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea . He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.
Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well off country. My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood. Have you cried for the Philippines ?

I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid Prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines . I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines . Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.

When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines , I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines . Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They were so sorry for Korea that there were so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pagsanjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because they pity them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.
She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.

I discover that every person is worthy to beloved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country.

Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines , there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love.

If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines . Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.
That's all I really want to ask from you Filipinos.


AT LARGE
Respect and contempt

By Rina Jimenez-David
Inquirer
Last updated 00:42am (Mla time) 01/20/2007

FILIPINOS who love their country: Read this and weep.

The Agence France-Presse reports that US military authorities in South Korea have apologized “over the alleged rape of a 67-year-old local woman by a US soldier, saying the case was ‘an affront’ to all servicemen.” The apology was issued by Maj. Gen. John Morgan, the acting US 8th Army commander, hours after South Korean police arrested a 23-year-old American soldier for allegedly raping and beating the woman in an alley in Seoul.

Morgan, in a statement posted on the US military website, said the case “tainted the reputation of US soldiers,” with the general adding that he deeply regrets and personally apologizes for the “terrible incident that has resulted in grave injury to a Korean civilian.”

Not only that, the soldier, who has yet to stand trial, has been transferred from police custody to prison, with a South Korean judge approving Tuesday a police request for his transfer to South Korean prison facilities. The news report said “no formal charges have been laid yet.”

I hate to stress the obvious, but it seems Filipino officials need to have their faces rubbed into the obvious. Contrast the quick apology on the part of the Americans, and the decisiveness of South Korean authorities in taking custody of a serviceman who remains at this time a “suspect,” with the silence and even support of the US Embassy officials in Manila for convicted rapist Daniel Smith, as well as the abject surrender of sovereignty by Filipino officials in the case.

It gets worse. American military authorities have NOT only apologized for the rape of “Nicole,” even after Smith’s conviction by a local court, they even flexed their superior military muscles and threatened to
cancel joint military exercises with Philippine troops if Smith was not turned over to the US Embassy.

And the Philippine government? It not only sided with the US Embassy in its interpretation of the Philippine-US Visiting Forces Agreement, it even sought to bamboozle Judge Benjamin Pozon into releasing Smith and, failing that, thumbed its nose at the judiciary by sneaking out Smith in the dead of night in defiance of an ongoing hearing in the Court of Appeals.

* * *
IF anyone should ask why the Americans treat the South Koreans with so much respect, and Filipinos with nothing but contempt, we need only look at the contrasting behavior and attitudes of the two “host” governments.

While the South Koreans immediately moved to arrest the suspect and hold him in captivity, Filipino officials first tried to lose the rape case and impugn the victim, and then -- frustrated by Judge Pozon’s decision -- bent over backwards to do the Americans’ bidding. Where would Smith be, we must ask, if he had raped a South Korean instead of a Filipina?

Certainly, not in his quarters inside the Embassy building, form where -- so the latest news goes -- Smith will be temporarily moved to a converted container van inside the Embassy compound. Rusty or not, a converted container van sitting out in the open is still far less secure than a guarded building. If the US Embassy needs to remodel its premises, what’s to stop officials from temporarily turning over Smith to Philippine authorities who can house him in much more secure quarters -- the National Penitentiary is my suggestion, as this is where convicted criminals are usually remanded.

* * *
THERE is another reason the United States was so quick to apologize to the people of South Korea and expressed willingness to “cooperate fully” with the local authorities.

It turns out that the alleged crime took place at a “sensitive time,” with “ Washington seeking help from Seoul to consolidate and relocate American military bases in South Korea by 2008.”

The South Korean defense ministry has already said it would not be able to complete the relocation but gave no new date for its completion, saying the delay has been caused by protests by local residents whose land has been taken over. There has also been a dispute over how to share the costs, estimated at over $10 billion.

There has been an American military presence in South Korea since the armistice that ended the Korean War, almost 60 years ago. At present, some 29,000 US troops are based there.

With North Korea detonating a nuclear device and threatening the “balance of power” in Asia , American authorities may also feel maintaining their presence in the South is crucial. That may explain why mollifying Korean sentiments about the rape and assault was considered a priority.

* * *

THIS is not the first time that crimes involving US troops in South Korea have caused a wrinkle in the relations between the two countries. In 1992, the brutal murder of a South Korean bar girl triggered a wave of protests around the country. Ten years later, in 2002, the death of two South Korean middle-school girls in a traffic accident involving US armored vehicles also set off a series of candlelight protests.

The maintenance of bars and brothels with alleged links with American military authorities has also come under fire, especially with the proclamation by the US defense department that it was adopting a “zero tolerance” policy toward sexual solicitation by US troops posted abroad.

When US military bases were still to be found here, crimes committed by US servicemen against Filipinos occurred so frequently they became fairly routine. But the agreement between our two governments at that time allowed for an accused serviceman’s superiors to just say the serviceman was “on duty” at that time, and he would invariably be spirited out of the country, out of reach of local police or judges.

We no longer have US bases here, but the arrangement is alive and well in the Visiting Forces Agreement.


THE FILIPINO CAN DREAM AGAIN
by Tony Meloto

[Mr. Antonio “Tony” Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga, gave this speech for the Ateneo Graduate School of Business last July 27 in a Business Leadership Forum that urges, amidst the climate of rising despair and indifference which has caused the exodus of many Filipinos abroad, the imperative of involvement, the need to be a man for others, and in so doing, help bring hope to a country that is losing it.] It is good to talk after Manny Pangilinan, an outstanding Filipino who loves this country. It is a great jump-off point for me and there is a lot to tell. No, I will not dwell on how he brought PLDT back from the dead. We have heard enough corporate Lazarus stories already. Nor will I speak about the outstanding Gawad Kalinga model communities we are building with Smart/PLDT all over the country… they speak for themselves. Instead, I’d like to talk about the spirit of someone who has so much, and yet has great sympathy for those who have so much less… and the spirit of many of you who would like to be Manny Pangilinan yet carry in your heart the dream of so many ordinary Filipinos. Likewise, it is good to speak before Secretary of Finance Gary Teves, another Filipino who wants to serve his country and who is here to represent government. I am exactly where I should be -- in the middle of industry and government -- and that is where the ordinary Filipino is all the time. Today, I face a question that has been nagging me for years… How can an ordinary Filipino like myself contribute towards the realization of the dream of our people to rise out of poverty? Traditionally, everyone looks to big business and government for answers. Filipinos see them as so powerful that we have depended on them to lift our country out of poverty and then blame them when they are unable to do so. We fail to recognize that there is just so many of our countrymen we have left behind that big business and government do not have enough power to lift them all up. What can we all do? I cannot answer for big business or government. I am no businessman nor am I in government. Yet I represent the vast majority of Filipinos who also have the power to change this country. The greatest tragedy that we are experiencing now is that our people have lost their capacity to dream. This is at the root of our poverty. This is not about the poor being hopeless-because they have long learned to cope with hopelessness. What is alarming is the hopelessness that has seeped into the psyche and into the spirit of the rich, the educated and the working middle class. Many of them are leaving and their children are also thinking of leaving. We are losing the critical sector that have the aspirations, the drive and the expertise to lead the majority who do not have the confidence nor the resources to initiate change. It is imperative that we must have hope. But hope can be like a mirage. There is a very thin line between hope and escapism. Hope can bring people into fantasy. And this is where many Filipinos are - a new breed who are hooked on telenovelas, Wowowee and Pinoy Big Brother and whose daughters have embraced the Sex Bomb dancers as their icons and their way out of poverty. Real hope must have basis. Hope must be seen. Hope must be felt. Hope must be smelled. Hope must be planted on the ground. Hope must be shared. Hope must be passed on to our children. But hope must begin with me. I found hope when I found God. In the beginning it was just to seek my personal holiness when I joined Couples for Christ. Later on, I came to realize that I could never be holy if I did not follow Jesus in loving the poor and restoring their dignity as children of God. When we started to build communities in Gawad Kalinga and develop the poor’s capacity for self-reliance and self-sufficiency, my journey for personal holiness became a vision of hope for my family, my country and my people. And my children share my hope. My 23-year old son, Jay, left his job in L.A. to work for the typhoon victims in Bicol and elsewhere in Luzon . Hope is real to him as it is real to the 40,000 survivor families who will no longer be squatters living in shanties in dangerous areas. They will not remain victims forever. My eldest daughter, Anna, declined her training in Switzerland and resigned from a job she enjoyed to volunteer in our productivity and food sufficiency program for the poor. She sees hope in the faces of Muslims and Christians in seventeen Muslim communities built by Gawad Kalinga with DSWD and the LGUs in Mindanao so far, overcoming centuries of prejudice and conflict. Anna felt secure enough to visit Datu Paglas in the early months of her pregnancy and sees a lifetime of friendship with the Muslims by trusting a former Muslim commander to be godmother to her first child. Hope is a powerful force that invites transformation in my children and their co-workers as well as the communities that they hope to change. It can be powerful enough… for thieves to stop stealing, for the lazy to work… to transform ugly slums into beautiful communities. I recall a particular visit to Baseco last December that made me realize the profound value of giving hope to the poor. Upon entering one of the first of nearly a thousand homes we had already built in the area for fire victims, I was overwhelmed by the beautiful interior that I saw - tiled floors, glass-topped furniture and a fragrant toilet. I remember just a year earlier moving the family from a shanty made of plastic, rusted GI sheets and old wood from the nearby canal. I asked the mother of the house, Malou, who now looked clean and confident, what brought about the dramatic change in such a short time. Instead of telling me that she and her husband are now working and earning, which they are, she simply said “Kasi ginawa mo kaming disente Tito… binigyan mo kami ng pag-asa.” (You made us decent Tito, you gave us hope.) In simple language she was telling me a fundamental principle - that economic activities and benefits are natural consequences when the poor start to dream and to work for that dream. In the same community, no major crime was reported last year among the over 5,000 residents compared to the 28 murders and homicides reported in 2003, the year before we entered the area. Hope does not only trigger productivity, it brings peace. And a decent and peaceful environment provides the right setting for people to dream bigger and work harder. This is the pattern of development in over 850 communities we are currently building and the 7000 communities that we hope to build by 2010. Change the slum environment for dreams to flourish, attract the convergence of kindred spirits from government organizations, NGOs and ordinary Filipinos here and abroad who love this country and have not given up… who will pursue change passionately following the path of peace. Ateneo President Father Ben Nebres keeps pushing us to upscale, upscale… but also provides us support every step of the way as the work gets bigger. This brings me to a crucial point. The problem of poverty in our country is so massive that our response to it cannot be small. We must ignite hope that is widespread and create a response that is heroic. To spread hope, we must go to the poor and show them that there is a way out… we must go to the rich and show them it is not futile to help. We must go to business and government and show them that investing in the poor will be the greatest investment that they can ever make. Because the interest of Gawad Kalinga goes beyond partisan politics and profit, we have no serious difficulty getting the support of business and government. We have gained their trust that our only business is to help build this nation and to bring our people out of poverty. But there is just so much to be done. We must build more templates that bring our people out of centuries of landlessness and homelessness and the perennial threat of hunger. We must provide more health services and a kind of education that begins in the home and in the community. We must recover the greatest wealth that we have lost - our people. Convert our human resource from liability to asset by prioritizing development from bottom up, because nothing much has trickled down from the top. Just build and they will come. Let us unleash resources for poverty eradication and development that this country has never seen before. A great crisis that has depressed an entire nation must be countered with a great movement that can inspire great heroism. Tomorrow, I fly to Las Vegas for the Gawad Kalinga Congress to honor the Filipino heroes in the United States . We often herald the sacrifice of OFWs whose concern for loved ones at home has kept our economy afloat. What we are seeing over and above the OFW phenomenon is a new type of altruism where Filipinos from abroad are helping, at great sacrifice, those they are not related to by blood or have any direct obligation to help. Floodgates of support are about to open and we must demand our local counterpart of heroism. This outpouring of generosity from abroad must be matched at home --- love for love… sacrifice for sacrifice. We have hit the mother lode of goodwill, of Filipino patriotism, of the deep-seated desire to help our people and our country. Initiatives to help are coming from all over, in many ways and in many forms… hundreds running the 26-mile marathon in California and Chicago where each runner donates at least 1 house… some giving up their luxury cars and jewelry to help the poor in the towns they left behind… UST doctors working extra hours to fund their villages… alumni from Ateneo, La Salle, UP, San Beda, College of the Holy Spirit, Assumption, St. Scholastica’s, Miriam, St. Theresa’s, PNU, PWU and FEU - every one of them adopting a poor community and outdoing each other in a race to save the country they have not stopped loving. Even the young, many of whom were born in the US, have started to reconnect with their ethnic roots in a dramatic and heroic way… giving up debuts and proms to help the poor that they do not know… even taking a leave from good jobs to volunteer for a year in the Philippines. The heroism of Fil-ams is being matched by Filipinos in Canada . Wherever I went last May - Winnipeg , Toronto , Montreal - our countrymen were dancing to the beat of a new found hope in the country of their birth. Even Joey Albert, a long-time resident of Vancouver , regained her Filipino citizenship and was singing her love song for the Philippines all over Canada . The concern was so intense and massive, particularly for the mudslide victims of Southern Leyte, that they were able to raise CAN $450,000 - including CAN $300,000 contributed by the governments of Ontario and Alberta - in the short time I was there. The help from Ontario was made possible through the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration who was impressed with the Gawad Kalinga communities built by the sacrifice and heroism of ordinary Filipinos. When a people start to care for others beyond self-interest, he starts to regain his honor and the respect and trust of the world. It was the same spirit I witnessed in Australia the week after I left Montreal . The Speaker of Parliament of New South Wales, Hon. John Aquilina, fired up the Filipinos in Sydney when he said that his visit to the Australian GK Village in Payatas last February was his most profound experience in recent years. He came to the Philippines because he was curious about this new passion of his Filipino constituents and he was touched. Just build and they will come. Last week, Gawad Kalinga ANCOP was registered in Australia as a tax exempt foundation as it is also in the US and Canada . We hope to register it as well in the Middle East and European countries where Filipinos are giving generously for the poor in the Philippines when they themselves have very real needs for their families. Many have said that we are a divided people and in many ways we are. But in loving the motherland, in helping the poor and the weak, the hearts of Filipinos are one. We are one in our desire to see our country rise from poverty and our people from shame. I am not embarrassed to tell you that my greatest dream is to make Gawad Kalinga the 8th Wonder of the World, built by the Bayanihan spirit of our people who are no longer slaves of the past. This is my legacy to my children and to the young Filipinos everywhere. I want them to be a new generation of Filipinos who are proud of their country. And I know you will all help because this is your dream for your children as well. The quest of every Filipino is honor, to be anywhere in this world and not be ashamed that millions of his countrymen suffer from poverty, corruption and hunger. It is a necessary quest, for without honor, we will forever hang our heads in shame. Many Filipinos have achieved great individual success. But for every successful Filipino, many are left behind. The greater the success, there are more left behind. That is why I chose not to mention the great success of Manny Pangilinan but instead I speak about his resolve to return his sights on those left behind. The story of the talents, about how much is expected from those whom much is given, is particularly relevant in this gathering. Before me are those to whom the most in talent and treasure has been given. Can you imagine the effect in this country when the collective excellence of you who are from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business is shared with the millions who cannot make it here? What all of us here can do for those who have been left behind can be awesome… just as what very ordinary people in Gawad Kalinga have done for the poor thus far is already creating global waves. What started out as a national effort to lift the poor out of poverty and build a nation we can all be proud of is emerging to be a global movement for Filipinos all over the world. And because its attractiveness as a universal template for poverty intervention and conflict resolution is reaching non-Filipinos as well, Gawad Kalinga is gaining more sympathy and support worldwide. We have a real opportunity to build a global brand and attract unimaginable resources to our shores at this time when the world’s highest agenda is poverty reduction. In this room are the natural leaders of an initiative that will raise the image of Filipinos from Third World to one that many other countries will follow in order to confront and defeat poverty in their own respective homelands. It is in the hands of Filipinos privileged by wealth or talent to take leadership positions, but they can do so only if they have the hearts of heroes. It is only heroes who will extend their power and resources to help others beyond themselves. It is only heroes who can rescue a failing nation and a suffering people. It is only the hero in you that I appeal to, that our people cry out for. Be a hero. Don’t forget those who have been left behind. Think of the poor in the towns and cities where you come from. Don’t stop hoping for them and your country. Demand greatness and generosity from yourselves and inspire them in others. Build hope. Be heroes. Attain honor. I thank God for His perfect design that I was born Filipino. God bless the Philippines !


An Interview of Dylan Wilks by Bo Sanchez
Date: Undetermined

Dylan Wilk was born to a poor family. But at the young age of 20, he started a computer games company that made him a millionaire. Soon, Dylan operated in nine countries and ran his own TV channel. Then at the age of 25, Dylan sold his company for multi-million British pounds. He became the ninth richest person in the Great Britain under the age of 30.

But one night, while lying in bed, he was distressed by a nagging question that wouldn't let him sleep. "God, why am I rich?"

He asked if there was a reason for his immense wealth. Ironically, he also felt terribly empty inside. This, despite his ability to have any kind of pleasure he wanted. He had just bought himself a brand-new Ferrari and took one holiday after another. But he was discovering that pleasure was like fire... it constantly needed more fuel to keep it going. And he realized he would never be happy in the path he was taking.

One day, a Filipina friend visited him. She said she felt guilty going there because her plane fare could have built two homes for the poor. That made Dylan pause. How can you build two houses for that measly amount? He decided to investigate.

In January 2003, he visited the Philippines . And for three hours, Gawad Kalinga (GK) Director Tony Meloto brought Dylan to different GK villages for the poor. With his own eyes, he saw something that would change his life forever...

Bo: What did you see on that day?
Dylan: I saw hope. More than newly built houses, I saw transformed lives. We were entering rather dangerous slums, breeding ground for thieves and kidnappers.. . yet in the middle of that was an oasis...the Gawad Kalinga village. I saw people smiling, men working, children laughing... I've seen many other projects in South East Asia and across the world. And I've never seen anything like GK. This was different. This really worked!

Bo: So what did you do after your trip?
Dylan: I went back to England . I saw my BMW parked in the garage and realized I could build 80 homes with it... and affect the lives of 600 people. I saw the faces of the children I could help. I called up Tony Meloto and told him I was thinking of donating $100,000 to Gawad Kalinga and asked him if that was okay...

Bo: What did Tony say?
Dylan: He said, "No, I don't want your money."

Bo: Only Tony can say something like that. (Laughs.)
Dylan: He said if I was really serious in working for the poor, I should go back to the Philippines . So two months later, I sold my BMW and flew back to Manila . And in June of that year, I made a decision to stay in the Philippines and work for GK for seven more years.

Bo: Wow.
Dylan: I've decided to invest in the poor of the Philippines . Not in stocks or bonds. If I can help in uplifting the poor of this country, I can say that I spent my life well.

Bo: I presume your family wasn't too crazy about that decision.
Dylan: No! They thought I was brainwashed by a religious cult! (Laughs.) So my mother came and spied on me. But she was soon convinced of the beautiful work we were doing and went back home and told my sister about it. And my sister said, "Oh no, they brainwashed you too!" (Laughs.) But today, all of them support what I do.

Bo: You've made a decision to give up your wealth for the Filipino poor.
Dylan: I don't see it as a sacrifice. When you give charity out of pity, you feel pain parting with your money. But when you give charity because you love, you don't feel that pain. You only feel the joy of giving to someone you love. That's what I feel.

Bo: I hear you built an entire village for GK in Bulacan.
Dylan: I don't see it as my village. I just provided the materials. Architects, engineers, volunteers gave their labor. Together, we built 63 houses for the poor.

Bo: Amazing. What else do you do?
Dylan: I go around the world telling everyone that Filipinos are heroic. Because I work with them every day... the volunteers of GK.

Bo: What do you see in the Filipino that we take for granted?
Dylan: You're hardworking. You're always laughing, always eating, always singing. Even in your problems. You're loyal. And honest. Sure, there are exceptions, but generally, that's been my experience. And you have the bayanihan spirit. The pyramids of Egypt are beautiful but they were built by slavery. GK villages are more beautiful because they're made through the bayanihan spirit of the Filipino. It's especially this bayanihan and love of family and community that makes the Filipino more valuable than gold. If you take a golden nugget and kick it on the floor for 400 years, afterwards you won't be able to see much gold, just mud. This was what happened to the Filipino... for 400 years you were slaves and then you suffered under dictatorship and corruption. This is where the crab mentality came from; I don't think it's a natural Filipino quality because every day I see the gold under the surface of ordinary Filipinos. If we wipe away the mud by bringing hope and being brothers to one another in bayanihan, the gold will shine through and the world will see it.

Bo: Let me get personal here. I hear that you don't only love the Filipinos, but you've fallen for a particular Filipina.
Dylan: (Smiles.) Two months ago, I married Anna Meloto, the eldest daughter of Tony Meloto. She grew up with the GK work, so we're totally one in our mission. And yes, I'll be having Filipino children. The best way I can secure a future for my kids is to continue to help raise this country from poverty. Instead of building high walls in an exclusive subdivision to protect us from thieves and kidnappers, I will go to the breeding ground of thieves and kidnappers and help transform their lives.

Bo: Thank you for this interview. You don't know how much you inspired me.
Dylan: Thank you for being our partner in GK. I read KERYGMA every month and I'm happy to see GK stories in every issue.

Bo: It's our immense privilege to tell the world about it and ask others to join the miracle.
Dylan: To me, GK isn't just Gawad Kalinga. It is a part of "God's Kingdom" in this world. Thank you.


Why Henry Sy Believes the Philippines is not Hopeless

MANILA, JUNE 5, 2006 (STAR) BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET
By Wilson Lee Flores


"I am optimistic that we can achieve a better future. It is not true that the Philippines is a hopeless case," 82-year-old SM Group and Banco de Oro founder Henry Sy recently told The Philippine STAR. "I am an immigrant who came here at 12 years old, spoke no English or Tagalog, but I came to appreciate the natural beauty and many economic advantages of the Philippines more than many other people do, and I kept working and investing with positive thinking."

The exclusive three-hour interview took place at his simple but elegant bungalow in North Forbes Park , Makati City , and at Tanabe Japanese Restaurant in his SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City .

In the over two decades I have known the legendary rags-to-riches taipan and shopping-mall pioneer, Henry Sy has become more mentally sharp and energetic than ever before. He is strong despite his weak knees, which occasionally forced him to use the wheelchair when we briefly toured his newest pride and passion at the SM Mall of Asia.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Congratulations on the success of the SM Mall of Asia . What did your competitors say about your biggest shopping-mall project yet?

HENRY SY: I called Robinsons mall boss John Gokongwei Jr to personally invite him to the blessing of the SM Mall of Asia, but he said he couldn't make it. Even though we are competitors, I do not think Gokongwei has any complaints about me.

Your executives tell me that one million people came to the SM Mall of Asia on your first day, May 21, then 400,000 came the next day, Monday. Why are people coming here, when this location is not along a highway like SM Megamall or at a crossroads like SM North Edsa?

A lot of the customers to this mall came from the provinces and they enjoy touring the place. It is not only constructing the place that creates a good mall, we at SM create destinations using continuous research, studies and new ideas to match the needs and wants of the people. Doing a mall is not only construction of the physical place, what's important is the merchandising mix. We strive to serve the convenience of the public. We want shopping at our malls to be a unique and an enjoyable experience.

Why did you build an Olympic-size ice-skating rink in this mall?

Very few people know this: I love skating and bowling. I used to roller skate a lot in my youth on Taft Avenue , Manila . That's the reason why there's always a skating area in all my SM malls. I want more people to share my love for skating.

When you were a kid, what was your original ambition?

I have always wanted to be a businessman. No other ambitions, I just wanted to be in business, even when I was a child in Fujian province, south China .

Why did you invest P7 billion in Mall of Asia's 500 outlets, 180 restaurants and other facilities, at a time when the Philippine economy is not that strong?

It's investment that manifests my strong confidence in the Philippine future. I hope this biggest mall project will have a positive impact on the Philippine economy and I hope to encourage other business people to invest, too. Not everything I do is purely for money. Of course, as a businessman and as head of publicly listed companies, we have to earn, but at this point in my life, there are other considerations more important besides just money. I took a risk and invested in SM Mall of Asia because I wanted to create something that could contribute to Philippine tourism growth. If I am only after profits, the easiest way is for me to construct high-rise condominiums here along the seashore facing Manila Bay , or I could just develop high-end subdivisions here and subdivide the lots to cash in quickly with big profits. But constructing this mall is a long-term investment; it is proof of my faith in the future of the Philippine economy. I wanted to build a beautiful destination for shopping, wholesome family-oriented entertainment and leisure. That church outside this mall, I donated it to everything from the structure, the land, to the interior furnishings and decor and it's not for profit.

What else do you wish to achieve after the SM Mall of Asia? What other big projects can we expect from you?

My biggest wish is for government, the private sector and all of us to work together to make the Philippines the best tourism destination in Southeast Asia . This is the reason I am always optimistic that the Philippines is not a hopeless case, contrary to what a lot of cynics claim. What Thailand can offer in tourism places and services, we in the Philippines can match, except for our past reputation in peace-and-order problems. That's what has held back our tourism growth. Philippine economic prospects are very good; we just have some problems in the investment environment which the government is now rectifying. Other export industries often rely on imported raw materials and the Philippines often only earns the labor input, but in the tourism industry, the Philippines can earn as much as 80 percent for every dollar spent here on food, shopping, entertainment, hotels, transport, etc., while 20 percent probably goes to imported liquor and other luxury goods. I am into tourism with Tagaytay Highlands, Taal Vista Hotel. We shall keep investing in new tourist-friendly malls, we are now master-planning a new 5,700-hectare seaside tourism project called Hamilo Coastal in Batangas, and many others.

Why do you think the Philippines is ideal for tourism?

First, there's the location: we are just two to three hours from all the major Asian cities like Singapore , Malaysia , China , Hong Kong , Taiwan and others. Second, our people are famous for the best service in Southeast Asia . Third, people here are proficient in English. Fourth, the Philippines has many naturally beautiful tourist destinations, beaches, thousands of islands, unique flora and fauna, vast fishery resources, and others. Fifth, the Philippines is excellent in entertainment, which is important in tourism. Look at the singers and bands in top hotels, from Shanghai to Seoul to Tokyo , many of them are Filipino entertainers. Sixth, you do not need much capital or foreign investments for tourism development. Seventh, Philippine hospitality is better than others in ASEAN culture just look at the people's smiling faces. In our Chinese language, we call this "ho khe chieng", or people who are warm and hospitable in welcoming clients and guests. There are many more advantages. I could spend all day and all night talking to you about the tourism potentials of this country.

What are your suggestions on how to build up Philippine tourism?

I have a very simple formula based on common sense that will help accelerate Philippine tourism growth: the government should improve the peace-and-order situation as well as the international image of the Philippines on this crucial issue. The government should upgrade infrastructure, there should be a strong information campaign worldwide to promote the Philippines as an ideal tourism destination. In a recent event of HSBC, a TV talk show host of CNN asked for my advice to politicians and I shared only a few words of advice: work more, talk less. Government every year claims over two million tourist arrivals.

What do you think should be the ideal number of tourists coming to the Philippines annually?

Our target should first be to attract five million tourists in the first five years, then go for over 10 million in 10 years. Every time I meet President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, I always tell her this dream of mine and my excitement about Philippine tourism potentials because I know she really wants a better Philippine economy.

In this era of globalization, SM is also going international like the western multinationals Walmart, Carrefour, Metro and others.

What are your plans in China ?

We have four major projects in China . In August or September this year, we shall inaugurate our new mall in Chengdu City, the capital of the 100-million- people Sichuan province. China is a dynamic place, it is amazing in progress.

Why is it that your children did not grow up spoiled, and seem to have imbibed your work ethic and business acumen? How did you train them?

I think it's their innate natural drive. I also trained them in the importance of hard work. Even while they were in high school, my children used to spend their free time working at our SM Department Store in Makati .

Who among your six children like Tessie, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Hans, Herbert and Harley will become your future successor and the leader of the SM Groups next generation?

I cannot for now ascertain who will be the leader. We are organized as corporations, publicly listed firms. Whoever becomes the leader of the next generation shall rise based on merits and abilities. Unlike other top Chinese business families in Asia , which favor male sons over daughters, all my six children are treated equally. My eldest child Tessie is hardworking and very capable; it doesn't matter that she's a woman. She always wants to learn and she is a fast learner.

A billionaire asked me recently who is richer, you or Lucio Tan?

How can I know for sure who is bigger in net worth when each person has his own strengths that not everyone fully appreciates? I don't like to say this guy is the biggest in wealth, because some people have wealth which is hidden and isn't that a fair point of view?

John Gokongwei Jr. told me that when he first applied for a loan with PBCom it was not approved, and it was China Bank's Dee K. Chiong and Dr. Albino SyCip who approved his first loan of P500,000 in 1950.

What about your first loan?

I don't usually like to get loans. In fact, the reason why we did well and completed our first mall project, SM North Edsa, even after the 1983 economic crisis and after the Ninoy Aquino assassination, was because we had very little loans then. I got my first credit line in 1949, it was from China Bank and they lent me P1 million. My credit line was approved by Mr. Yap Tian Siang in their head office before at Juan Luna Street , corner Dasmarinas Street .

Did you ever imagine in 1949 that you would someday own more than 70 percent of China Bank, and that you would have Banco de Oro and soon, possibly, Equitable PCIBank?

No, I never imagined then that I would own banks. You know, despite our many shareholdings in China Bank, the Dee family of the original founder has managed the institution so professionally and profitably, we never attempted to change the incumbent chairman Gilbert Dee or president Peter Dee. We are not that greedy, it's not good. I don't believe in wanting both power and financial gain. Even those executives who have been with China Bank for many years, they are still there. If a venerable institution like China Bank is doing so well, why make changes?

Is it true you already own 11 percent of San Miguel Corporation?

I have invested a lot in that well-managed company, but I do not want to mention figures.

What are the business principles or strategies that made you successful?

I would not classify this as a secret to success, but one of my lifelong practices is to pay my obligations on time, especially my suppliers. Even in my early years as retailer, I didn't delay my payments to suppliers, because I tell my kids that we have to be considerate to suppliers and think of their own "hinyong" or how they have to protect their sense of trustworthiness with others. If it's time to pay others on Monday, we would already deposit the money in their bank accounts on Friday, so they need not even come to our office to collect.

Your SM Cinemas do not allow R-18 or For Adults Only movies, including The Da Vinci Code.
Are you a Catholic or is it just your wife?

I am Catholic, but yes, it's my wife Felicidad Tan Sy who is the most devout among us in the family. She devotes almost all her time and money to the Catholic Church.

Your SM Group leases out or has retail businesses in millions of square meters of prime commercial space. When you came to the Philippines as a 12-year-old boy, how big was the sari-sari store of your father and what was its name?

It was a small "ha-ya-tiam", it had no name. It was located on Echague St. , which is now Carlos Palanca Sr. St. in Quiapo, Manila . It was only about 30 square meters in floor area.

Why did you cry when you first saw your father in his store?

I cried because I saw how hard the life of my father was as a small shopkeeper. He worked from early morning to late at night every day. He would go to "chay-chi-khaw" area or Divisoria to buy goods, carrying them himself on his back in order to resell in the store. I learned the importance of honest hard work, frugality and discipline from his example.

Where did you and your father sleep at night, on the second floor or at the back of the store?

Our sari-sari store was so small it had no back or second floor, we just slept on the counter late at night after the store was closed.

When you were a kid and you saw your father struggling with his sari-sari store, did that motivate you to aspire to become Southeast Asia's Shopping Mall King?

As a kid, I had the will to strive for excellence and to overcome the hard environment, but I never imagined attaining big success. Whatever I have achieved did not happen overnight; ever since my teen years I have devoted many, many years of my life to non-stop studying, diligent work and dreaming of a better future.


What is A Pinoy?

Recently, a Filipino-American asked me a seemingly simple question: What is a Pinoy? My response was as simple as it could be, a person of Filipino ancestry. But what exactly is a Pinoy? I thought about it and here's what I think:

A Pinoy is person who works overseas and remits his earnings to his family back home so that his children would get a good education and live more comfortably. Today there are more than eight million Pinoys working in more than 120 countries around the world. Their annual remittances to their families have been in excess of US $12 billion a year, not including the monies, estimated to be $10 billion more, remitted outside the banking system.

A Pinoy is a person in the medical profession abroad, who goes to the Philippines on a medical mission to treat the poor Pinoys. Every year, numerous medical missions from the United States , Canada , Europe and Australia go to different Philippine provinces to perform surgical procedures for those who cannot afford to pay for medical treatment.

A Pinoy is a person who sends $20 every month to pay for the education of a poor boy or girl. There
are several Filipino non-profit organizations in the US , Canada , Europe, and Australia dedicated to helping poor children in the Philippines get an education.

A Pinoy is a 10-year old Filipino-American from Texas who sold his drawings to raise money to build houses for the poor in the Philippines . Tex Ona raised $4,000 to build four Gawad Kalinga homes.

A Pinoy is a young Filipino-American who mortgaged his home to build a Gawad Kalinga village. Joey Coronel and hundreds of Pinoys around the world have contributed to Gawad Kalinga to build homes for the poorest of the Philippine poor.

A Pinoy is an Englishman who fell in love with the Philippines and moved there. Dylan Wilk, a young multi-millionaire Englishman, has contributed and helped build thousands of homes in Gawad Kalinga villages.

A Pinoy is an American couple -- Dan and Nancy Harrington -- who founded the Books for the Barrios to provide quality education for Filipino school children in the barrios. Today, their innovative Model of Excellence program has been successfully implemented in numerous schools in the Philippines .

A Pinoy is a poor young Chinese who migrated to the Philippines and built a business empire. Today, Henry Sy gives back to his adopted country by putting one percent of his companies earnings to SM Foundation, which is into school buildings, low-cost housing, and medical missions.

A Pinoy is a Filipino expatriate who retires in the Philippines and invests his savings to help the economy of the Philippines . There are a growing number of Filipino-Americans and other expats in other countries who choose to retire in the Philippines .

A Pinoy is a person with the bayanihan spirit and goes out of his way to help another Pinoy in need. Numerous Filipino organizations around the world are involved in raising funds to help the disaster victims in the Philippines .

A Pinoy is a Muslim mayor who inspires his people -- Muslims and Christians alike -- to work together. Today, thanks to Mayor Abubakar Totoy Paglas, the people of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao live in peace helping one another in the spirit of bayanihan.

A Pinoy is not just a generic human being who descended from Africa . A Pinoy is not necessarily of
Filipino ancestry. A Pinoy could be an American, Chinese, Spanish, Englishman or any person on Earth. A pinoy could be a Christian or a Muslim. Indeed, Pinoys are a unique group of people. They are diverse yet homogeneous in their aspirations -- and hope -- for a better Philippines . They all have one thing in common: they love the Philippines . In their hearts, they are Pinoy.

are you???????


100 Best Things About Being Pinoy

FROM the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt, and the tiger cub economy, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.

1. Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?
2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
3. Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
4. Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
7. Po , opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
9. Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan --over here, life is truly a beach.
10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.
16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalapeño peppers. Messy but delicious.
19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine 's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
21. Pakidala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
29. Tricycle and trisikad (pedicab), the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as PHPesos3.00, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
32. Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico , papaya, singkamas--the possibilities!
34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsaysay, Richard Gomez, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Gemma Cruz, Erap, Tiya Dely, Mel and Jay, Gary V.
35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori, Manny Pacquiao.
36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube halaya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, MBA and basketball. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Robin Padilla, and Tamagochi. We survive Erap and GMA.
43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.
46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket - and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East , as well?
50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!
53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
54. Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
55. Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.
58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia . Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.
62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, overaccessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.
69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
70. Street food: Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Sulaiman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.
74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers: "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog", "Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.
76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially now that those darned candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila !
77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.
78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.
82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes). Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined >our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.
86. Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
87. Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
88. Festivals: Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, kariñosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?
92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?
94. All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang-balikbayan pa!
96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
97. OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia 's best.
99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Mula sa Puso"--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.
100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.


THE PHILIPPINES IS DOING VERY WELL

Many of you would probably be surprised to see the heading of the article. You probably have a different opinion than the headline of this article. I did not write this article to start a debate. I am never fond of a debate. My purpose in writing this article is to let most people know that some people do hold a different opinion. And to let other people, who believe in the headline of this article that you are not alone. Basically it all boils down on how to look at a glass of water. Do you look at it and say it is half full or do you look at it and say it is half empty? For many Filipinos they not only say that it is half empty, they even curse and blame everybody for making the glass half empty.

I was born from a poor family. My father died before I was 10 years. But my mother believes in me. She said that I can make a difference in my life and the lives of my countrymen. I was told the same thing in High School. I took my high school in Philippine Science High School. Our teachers said we are the "crème de la crème" we can make a difference in the world and I believe them. The same thing was told to me when I was in UP. We can make a difference in the world we live in. When I joined my fraternity, it was emphasized that we are the best and we can make a difference. This was also the sales talk in our MBA class in UP. We are the best and we can make a difference. My life is premised on the idea that I can make a difference.

Now let’s get to the point, let me show you some good news. First, the economy. The Philippine economy grew by 6.1% in 2004 the highest in 15 years and is expected to grow at least 5% per year for the next 3 years. The Philippine economic growth also bested more than 100 countries including Japan , USA , Germany , France , England , Switzerland , Belgium , and the rest of Europe, Indonesia , Thailand , and Malaysia . In fact our growth rate is one of the best in the world.

What is even better is that it is forecasted to grow by more than 5% per year for the next 3 years. This is extremely good. Of course the pessimists will point out that our base is smaller etc. Here is my question. If your son got a grade of 1.25 for a very hard subject like math would you belittle his performance by telling him, "I am not impressed. Your classmates did much better in the past. Their average is much higher than yours." Or would you tell him "Son you did well. Let us continue doing well"

The second point security. The Philippines is one of the safest places in the world.. Before you howl in protest, I admit that we do have some problems but in general we are safer than America with one of the most number of murders per 100,000 populations. Where 9/11 happened. Where race riots broke out in LA. Were people drive in to McDonalds and shoot everybody for no apparent reason, where children shoot and massacre other children. We are safer than Thailand where more 1000 people died last year because of the insurgency. We are safer than Indonesia ; British and Irish civilians still kill each other in the thousands. We are better than Israel , Pakistan , India , Afghanistan , almost all of Africa and most of the Middle East . We are better than most of South America as far as security is concerned. In fact we are not in the list of top 50 most murderous countries in the world. Included in the top 50 is Colombia (#1), Russia (#3),Finland (#20), Malaysia (#23), France (#28), Australia (#31), Canada (#32), Japan (#44) and many more.

The 3rd point is politics. Philippine politics is a politics of patronage, admitted. But why do Filipino-Americans raised so much hell about our politicians? They could probably get their cue from Clinton when He said" I did not have sex with that woman". He lied, was impeached but was found not guilty by the American senate. Of course it also helps to know that there are more than 10,000 "United Filipino Associations" in America . What I am saying is that what is happening in the Philippines is normal antics for politicians. It should not be a cause of undue alarm. We should not be too hard on ourselves. On a very promising note, our country's politicians are not a hopeless case. Look at what happened in Marikina . The Fernandos transformed Marikina to be a world-class municipality in terms of cleanliness, people pride, basic services, and government services in a span of 10 years. So if we choose our leaders wisely, 10 years is all that is needed to make a difference for our whole country.

The 4th point is poverty. 40% of the Filipinos are poor. We are rank 47th among the poorest country in the world. My question is what do you do when you are poor and would like to improve your lot? The answer is doing something about it. In our country, people migrate, people work hard but very few take the route of entrepreneurship. Do you know that Chinese TNT’s would rather go to the Philippines than America ? Do you know that Government estimates about 80,000 Chinese TNT’s every year go to the Philippines ? For many would be Chinese entrepreneurs, the Philippines is the perfect country. They have very few competitors. There are many rags to riches Chinese stories in the Philippines . How about us the dominant brown race? When will we learn that there is alternative path?

So that's it. I love my country and it is a great place to be. We just need to believe that we can make a difference.

Sincerely Yours,

Ramon I. Castillo


'WHY RETIRE IN THE PHILIPPINES '

For many Americans, retirement time is just around the corner. The prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age is a daunting one. For some, moving to retire in another country such as Mexico (for North Americans), or Portugal and Spain (for Northern Europeans) is an option which has been successful. But why not consider retiring in the Philippines ?

Over the last decade, the Philippines has become a retirement haven for thousands of foreigners, particularly the Japanese, Korean, and Northern Europeans. Along with Thailand and Malaysia , the Philippines developed communications, infrastructure, and service delivery systems specifically geared to meet the needs of foreign retirees.

The principal appeal for retirement in the Philippines is the lower cost of living. At present, the Philippine Peso (PhP) exchange rate is approximately PhP 50.00 to $1.00. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. A two bedroom condominium in one of the posh " villages" in Makati City costs about $400 per month and one can dine out on average at a three star restaurant for less than $10.00 including tax and tip . If you plan to hire domestic help, a private driver's salary is approximately $200 per month, while a trained housekeeper will earn approximately $ 100 month. These salaries are lower if you live in the provinces. Watching a film in a first-run movie theater there costs only $2.00, with a good light meal (called " merienda") afterwards for about $2.00. One can hire an air-conditioned taxicab for eight hours for less than $25.00. Or take the MRT monorail from end to end for less than 50 cents. And a pair of locally made blue jeans costs less than $10.00. In a country where a provincial Governor's salary is PhP 28,000 per month, and a Presidential Cabinet Under-Secretary earns PhP 35,000, your pension can go a long way. So, if you have an individual retirement income of approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per month (PhP 75,000 to 100,000) you can live quite well there. Incidentally, Peso-denominated Time Deposit interest rate now is 4.5% for forty-five days.

As for health care, most U.S. Health Management Organizations pay for medical expenses incurred in the Philippines . Check with your HMO. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs presently has a task force headed by former Secretary Roberto Romulo working to have the U.S. government accredit a number of first class Philippine hospitals for Medicare reimbursement. The Makati Medical Center , one of the nation's best already has such accreditation. Unbeknownst to many is that for years, citizens of nearby countries such as Thailand , Nauru , Tonga , Indonesia , and Malaysia have flocked to the Philippines for medical care, particularly sensitive surgical procedures. The quality of medical care at the better Manila hospitals such as the Asian, St. Luke's, Medical city, Cardinal Santos, Philippine Heart Center for Asia, National Kidney Institute, and Makati Medical Center meets international standards. Many Filipino-Americans have been treated by American Surgeons in San Francisco who have been to the Philippines where they performed surgical procedures. These Surgeons have a high opinion of the Philippine Doctors, nurses, and facilities they worked with. Heart, Liver, Kidney, Pancreatic, and Cornea transplants are done routinely in the better Manila hospitals.

A Japanese company will be building a medical facility in Tagaytay city exclusively for Japanese nationals within the year. There are now close to 10,000 Japanese retirees in the country, and the number is growing annually. The British government recently acquired a large tract of land in Fort Bonifacio to build a large Embassy. The British ambassador explained that larger facility is meant to help serve the growing number of British nationals retiring there as well. There are also Japanese and Korean investment groups buying homes and condominiums in Manila , and tracts of provincial land for retirees. This has caused a mini- Real Estate boom in the country. A retirement village exclusively for Japanese nationals already exists in Tagaytay, and more are planned. These are strong indicators of what is on the horizon English is the Philippines ' official business language. Most of the people you will meet, from hotel workers, taxi drivers, sales or service people, government employees--- speak English, or have a working understanding of it. The middle class speak English, without exception.

All the major newspapers, and major broadcast companies use English. An English speaking visitor will never get lost in the Philippines . It is the universal use of that language that has been a strong incentive to foreigners. As well, communications links within the country and to other countries via the various commercial gateways is up to international standards. For example, the use of cell phones and text messaging is so common that housemaids, street vendors and sidewalk food hawkers can be seen using their cellular phones incessantly.

And for just PhP 1.00 per message, why not? Are you thinking of bringing household goods over? Your electrical appliances will work using the local electrical outlets, which provide either 220 V, or 110 V sources. Just ask.

One will never want for adventure and sights to experience in the Philippines . There is always a colorful Fiesta, pageants, street festivals, and open public events going on. Lush with bountiful natural resources, one can enjoy the numerous beaches, resorts, golf courses, and play just about any sport, except skiing. There is an ice skating rink in Manila , though. Scuba diving and fishing are among the sports which draw the most number of foreigners to the rich aquatic offerings. Shopping is the Filipinos' second most popular activity, the first is eating. Manila is Asia's undiscovered shopping Mecca . You will love the golden purple sunsets, the fragrance of the flowers at dusk, and the wonderful array of fruit and food. You will enjoy watching the sun sets from the bar at the Philippine Cultural Center. There, you can listen to the Symphony, check out a play, or enjoy Grand Opera. There is just so much to explore and discover, especially in terms of nature, culture, and history. For more of these beautiful places and colorful events, log on to www.wowphilippines.gov.ph.

If you're a betting man, there's horse racing, the Jai Alai, numerous first class casinos, and of course, cock-fighting. Manila is well known for its exciting night life.

Strategically located, the Philippines is an airline hub. Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City , Kuala Lumpur , and Taipei are just an hour and a half flight away, with Tokyo , Shanghai , Bangkok , and Jakarta approximately five hours away by plane. There are regular flights to those destinations from Manila 's three international terminals.

Philippine Real Estate, medical/ social service, and Employment agencies are now working together under the aegis of the government's Philippine Retirement Authority ( PRA) to set up standards and make the retirement industry truly world class. Under the direction of Gen. Edgar B. Aglipay, chairman of the Philippine Retirement Authority, plans have been operationalized to ensure that the growing demand for housing and ancillary services for the retirees is met. The objective is to turn the country into the retirement haven in Asia .

Visit the land of fun, flowers, food, fruit, and friendly people. You might not want to leave it anymore. MABUHAY!


Please pass this to all Filipinos you know, whether abroad or in the Philippines and rekindle our love for our country. Please save this document and you can read it during your spare time.

^^ pwede i-summarize bai? hehehe




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^^ naduling ata ako! link na lang sana.

^^ waah katulo nako kaligo ana nga falls kay naghiking akong boy scout nga troop from Boy scout camp sa capitol hills up to there, gisubay gyud namong suba. its nice perosometimes it gets a little crowded, i remember sauna some of my classmates were pelted with stones by little boys at the top of the falls.

suya kaayo ko nimo...naka-abot gyud mo diha...ako kutob ra gyud ug backyard camping :lol:

kinsa diay gi-bato?

pwede i-summarize bai? hehehe


summary:

nindot japon ang Pilipinas

double post...

flickr finds
pic by @mon_ayer/trent


this could be a good material for HSBC's promotional photo in Cebu...hehehe

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/370613587_f03f6c372a.jpg?v=0

I could imagine seeing this in major magazines like Time or Newsweek, hope someone could show this to somebody at HSBC, it would be perfect for an ad campaign and it would do good for the promotion of cebu and the philippines


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@pirena: hehe kuyog ta ka namo im sure sir paqs wouldnt have cared. cla ceff ug rexonni diay gipambato sa mga bata, wa cla kabaw apil mi ni gino ug bajan ug bato nla.

hey guyz, have you seen this music video made by bigfoot.?
Cattski - Downfall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOfZWj7zMfs

'tis shot in Cebu.. heheh..

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/4905/040220071015zx3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Camella set to launch medium-scale project

A REAL estate developer has ventured into projects for the middle-end market to tap overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

Camella Homes and Communities (CHC), developer of Camella Homes — a chain of low cost subdivison in Cebu — will introduce to Cebu by April this year, Camella Residences, its first medium-cost housing development project.

“Camella has evolved because we have enhanced and upgraded Camella. We now offer single-detached homes,” said CHC general manager Tessie Lanot.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/02/07/bus/camella.set.to.launch.medium.scale.project.html

City offered lampposts at 1/4 price of ASEAN

By Jhunnex Napallacan
Cebu Daily News
Last updated 10:50am (Mla time) 02/06/2007

A businessman is offering Cebu City decorative lampposts similar to those installed for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit earlier this year, but at almost one-fourth the price.

Cris Saavedra, project manager for Pelican Bay Group Inc.-Cebesos Development Corp., said the lampposts would only cost the city P25,000 a piece. The lights installed during the ASEAN Summit cost P95,000 each.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=47773

SINULOG2007 FLUVIAL PROCESSION compilation
ZcCIsG_a7Z0
link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcCIsG_a7Z0)

S H E L L | F E R R A R I


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Y E L L O W | C A B


http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/401/image950yn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A new branch of Yellow Cab?






http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

S R P


http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/1965/image951lb7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Fixing some busted lamps.






http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Small plane crashes in Cebu
02/07/2007 | 10:25 AM


A six-seater Islander aircraft crashed Wednesday morning near the Plantation Bay as it was about to land at the nearby Mactan International Airport.

Officials of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) told radio station dzBB's affiliate in Cebu that they have already started "rescue operations" in the wake of the incident.

The Islander plane, with tail number RTC-1047, departed from Butuan City and crashed in Cebu at about 9:20 a.m.

Authorities have yet to determine how many passengers were onboard the plane. -




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

OMG! watta sad news :(

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Small plane crashes in Cebu
02/07/2007 | 10:25 AM


A six-seater Islander aircraft crashed Wednesday morning near the Plantation Bay as it was about to land at the nearby Mactan International Airport.

Officials of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) told radio station dzBB's affiliate in Cebu that they have already started "rescue operations" in the wake of the incident.

The Islander plane, with tail number RTC-1047, departed from Butuan City and crashed in Cebu at about 9:20 a.m.

Authorities have yet to determine how many passengers were onboard the plane. -




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

copy... heard sa radio while nag.lunch mi ni slerz sa pardo... tsk, tsk, tsk...

^^ http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q83/RCXsickboy/smiLeys/sad.gif

@Jrevalde

Bro, naa na promotion ang HSBC about sa Cebu.. Na published siya sa National Geographic Magazine.. It's about cultures..

Karen Kasmausky I think ang photographer.. Basta photos sa fluvial parade ang na publish..



@Mark


Mark, naa ra ko sa kilid pag picture nimo ani, hehehe.. :lol:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/DSC01882.jpg

Quaint towns: SIBONGA
(Series 01)

Photos I took last April 2005:

Town Plaza
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1462.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1470.jpg



A Badminton Court at the Plaza
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1469.jpg



Municipal Hall
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1463.jpg



Fountain
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1464.jpg



PGMA's Grandfather
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1467.jpg



Church Convento
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1460.jpg



Historic Cemetery
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1426.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1430.jpg



Neo-Gothic Church, inaugurated by Msgr. Jeremias Harty, then Archbishop of Manila
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1451.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Sibonga%20Church/IMG_1453.jpg

share lang nko,in case interested mo..:)

Microsoft Juniors v4.5

Founded in 2002, we are a group of young people recruited through a selection process which is called auditions / casting. While majority of the members belong to Information Technology and Computer Sciences as their field of study, there are some members that are passionate about technology and belong to the humanities or the sciences as their field of study
The MSJuniors is a group of students that are used for various events of Microsoft Philippines. Privilege? Definitely, want to be part of us? We are now looking for qualified individuals in Cebu. Think you got what it takes? Read below...

Microsoft Southern Philippines is looking for students that are interested in joining the MS JUNIORS in Cebu who are:

1. Open to all students, male or female, currently enrolled in College(1st year - 3rd year) Course is irrelevant (you could be a management or biology major, for as long as you fullfil the second requirement).

2. Must be passionate and knowledgeable about Technology. (Don't think you aren't trained enough of have the right skills, we will determine that later... you just must be passionate and have a certain level of umph for technology)

3. Must be able to present and discuss technology to novices or intermediate end-users from scenarios ranging from 1:1 to 1:many audiences.

4. This sounds corny but is essential... must have a pleasing personality. Must be able to work in a team but can work as an individual.
To be part of the Microsoft Juniors program. For those interested you may email the following information to casting@msjuniors.net:

Name:
Age:
School / Yr. Level:
Contact Numbers / Cell:
Email Address:

For the applicants, there will be a mock presentation that will happen on
1) Interview
2) Mock session with a non-technical person
3) Presentation (we will send you a 5 slide Powerpoint presentation beforehand so you can prepare).
(topics for 2 & 3 will be simple and will focus only on Windows and or Office... this will be pre-determined, but very basic... you will not need Internet connectivity to do #2 or #3).

Mock presentation will be on February 10, 2007 (Saturday), in the Microsoft Southern Philipines Office, 7th Floor Skyrise Building, Asia Town IT Park, Apas Cebu City.

Again, if you think you have what it takes, take the opportunity and be a part of a family.. :)

^^nice pics you have there @arnold :)

^^ btaw, makita jud ang pagka laidback sa cebu province...

^^

Thanks Miaka-Cham.. Last April pa nako na gi take.. Bati lang kaayo kay nangawagtang ang pics nako sa Carcar ug Argao. :bash:

Anyway, nakabasa ko anang Microsoft Juniors sa CebuCentral.com nga blog.. :okay:

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Small plane crashes in Cebu
02/07/2007 | 10:25 AM


A six-seater Islander aircraft crashed Wednesday morning near the Plantation Bay as it was about to land at the nearby Mactan International Airport.

Officials of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) told radio station dzBB's affiliate in Cebu that they have already started "rescue operations" in the wake of the incident.

The Islander plane, with tail number RTC-1047, departed from Butuan City and crashed in Cebu at about 9:20 a.m.

Authorities have yet to determine how many passengers were onboard the plane. -




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png


I suppose the plane rego is RPC-1047, not RTC-1047!


From Philskies.net (http://www.philskies.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9791)

An excerpt:

A twin-engine Islander plane crashed in waters near the Plantation Bay Resort at 9:28 a.m. Wednesday morning.

All six people aboard, including pilot Ding Dahan and co-pilot Lucio Dahan, survived the mishap, according to Manuel Villegas of the the Air Transportation Office (ATO).

The passengers are still on board the plane, and rescuers are wading through waist-deep waters to reach them.

The plane is owned by Rep. Prospero Pichay, the Associated Press reported.

It was not immediately clear if Pichay, a key political backer of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was on board, Villegas told the Associated Press.

According to positive_aura,

Mike Gleissner bought Tambuli East and West, and Cebu Beach Club.... I wonder what's going to be built there...

who is he?? weeee..sorry, i don't know man..:no:

nice ta ang carcar @arnold...;)

According to positive_aura,

Mike Gleissner bought Tambuli East and West, and Cebu Beach Club.... I wonder what's going to be built there...

Nice move :okay:

who is he?? weeee..sorry, i don't know man..:no:

nice ta ang carcar @arnold...;)


cge, cge, ni request man ka.. hehehe.. pero gamay ra jud akong pics sa Carcar.



Quiant Towns: CARCAR
(Series 02)


Rice Fields
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/carcar55.jpg



Highway
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/carcar56.jpg



Historical church in Graeco-Roman style. Notice the "Moslem" onion type domes at the twin bell tower. These were done in purpose to fool invading Moro pirates since this church was very visible from the sea during the Spanish colonial times.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/carcar32.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/carcar03.jpg



An old house
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/carcar51.jpg



Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/IMG_0930.jpg




Gamay ra jud akong photos sa Carcar kay na delete ang uban... :bash:

@Slerz

Yeah munindot na jud ang Tambuli ug Cebu Beach Club if it's true that he really bought it.. :okay:


@Miaka-Cham

Si slerz diay Miaka kay naa siya daghan pics sa Carcar...


..

Fuente Osmeña
http://xs512.xs.to/xs512/07063/fount1.jpg

http://xs512.xs.to/xs512/07063/fount3.jpg

http://xs512.xs.to/xs512/07063/fount5.jpg

http://xs512.xs.to/xs512/07063/fount6.jpg

http://xs512.xs.to/xs512/07063/fount2.jpg

@arnold, nawagtang or na erase mga 80% pics nako sa SSC kay ni surrender akong hard disk...

Rice Fields
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Carcar%20Church/carcar55.jpg


Mura man ug Windows XP Bliss nga wallpaper:)

double post

alegre was featured sa star world ganina

Quaint Towns: ARGAO
(Series 03)


- Argao, during the Spanish colonial times, was one of the few "walled" towns in the Philippines.

- A wall, less in scale than Intramuros in Manila, encloses the church, the casa real, the school for church workers (now Hall of Justice), the church and town plaza, and a morada. Part of the wall remains, the only surviving bastion is part of a residence, and the seaward gate of the complex is still intact.



An inner wall at the church plaza
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao65.jpg



Town Hall
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao60.jpg




A cannon at the Town Plaza
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao64.jpg




Historical church in Baroque-Rococco style
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao04.jpg



Tomb of Fr. Meliton Talecon, former director of the Philippine School of Valladolid in Spain.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao34.jpg



Main altar retablo
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao23.jpg



A retablo at the side chapel
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao25.jpg



Church interior and trompe l'oeil ceiling
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao33.jpg



The former school for church workers, now Hall of Justice
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao59.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/beautifulChurches/Argao%20Church/argao55.jpg

diba quaint na dapat nold? :D

:applause: SSC-CEBU really rocks..........Keep up the good work guys............
:applause:

hi jarenz....welcome to ssc cebu.....

another newbie in the house.....

since 2005 ,, im following the Cebu Threads but there was a problem in registering,, Im proud to be part of SSC CEBU

Thnks for warm welcome...

^^ welcome bai!

g.kural lagi ang Steve's KTV bar sa Gen. Maxilom Ave... unsa kha ang plans nila dha?... nindut bya kyo na tukuran ug hi.rise condo dha kay mao bya na ang U-BELT sa Cebu...

FO Historical Fountain.
http://xs312.xs.to/xs312/07063/fount7.jpg

http://xs312.xs.to/xs312/07063/fount8.jpg

http://xs312.xs.to/xs312/07063/fount9.jpg

http://xs312.xs.to/xs312/07063/fount11.jpg

@rey,,, in what thread,,, the triangular Fuente Towers scale model be found,,,???

^^wow!! ka nice sa mga pics! thanks again @arnold! :) post ninyo when inyo out-of-town trip sa samahan ha!! sama ako!..hehe..

:wave: welcome @ jarenz!!

@rey,,, in what thread,,, the triangular Fuente Towers scale model be found,,,???


kni nlng bai...


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1000513.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1000829.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1000828.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1000827-1.jpg

^^wow!! ka nice sa mga pics! thanks again @arnold! :) post ninyo when inyo out-of-town trip sa samahan ha!! sama ako!..hehe..

:wave: welcome @ jarenz!!


Thanks.. Yup, sure no problem.. :)


@Waway,

edited na :D

flickr finds


Sumilon Bluewater Resort (Sumilon Island, Cebu)
pic by @eilslie
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/362584233_6d73625b71.jpg?v=0




Plantation Bay Resort & Spa - Mactan, Cebu
pics by @ramonortiz
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/381583027_fb8fa3c374.jpg?v=0


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/381582550_853ea34b38.jpg?v=0

^^does plantation bay still have their two slides?

@Slerz

Yeah munindot na jud ang Tambuli ug Cebu Beach Club if it's true that he really bought it.. :okay:





..

I'll try to confirm this with my aunt who works there :okay:

Y E L L O W | C A B


http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/401/image950yn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A new branch of Yellow Cab?






http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

Maybe, maybe not. We passed by there kanina and saw that the logo of BTC on the banner. So maybe it's just a promotional banner? :dunno:

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Small plane crashes in Cebu
02/07/2007 | 10:25 AM


A six-seater Islander aircraft crashed Wednesday morning near the Plantation Bay as it was about to land at the nearby Mactan International Airport.

Officials of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) told radio station dzBB's affiliate in Cebu that they have already started "rescue operations" in the wake of the incident.

The Islander plane, with tail number RTC-1047, departed from Butuan City and crashed in Cebu at about 9:20 a.m.

Authorities have yet to determine how many passengers were onboard the plane. -




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png


YEY!!! Sikat nasa ang Butuan sa Newspapers ani. ahehehe

@sinjin, but its very unusual for them to just place their ads on that u/c building... if that was their sole purpose, i would be angry at them if i were the owner of the u/c building....

^^ Basin nananghid sila. ahehehe

^^ pyde pod... y not go nuts donuts....

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1090979.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1090980.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1090982.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1090970-1.jpg

samoka sa mga spaghetti wires oe...

^^ hate those spag wires

mmmm. spaghetti with meatballs... italian style spaghetti sauce.. yum!!!


hehe. anyway, sayang ang mga view sa city of cebu because of these spaghetti wires...

^^ mao gani kinahanglan jud mo daog ghapon si tomas kay seryoso kaayo sya sa pag implement so NO SPAG WIRES in 5 years ba to or 3 years? not sure...