Lozada is planning to visit Cebu soon. Lets all give him a red warm welcome by throwing tomatoes at him, shall we? :cheers:

i'd say let him be. let's just surprise him on how well cultured cebuanos are, that we aren't gung ho about his message of "hope"... in the end he'll return back to manila like a beaten old mutt with a tail between his legs. he belongs to his posse of moonbats in manila...not in cebu.

Cebu IT firm bags award for phone-based solution (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/06/bus/cebu.it.firm.bags.award.for.phone.based.solution.html)
Sun.Star Cebu
Thursday, March 06, 2008

A CEBU-based communication systems provider has been given the “Groundbreaking Technology of the Year” award for developing an open source hardware and software system capable of incorporating computer intelligence into any telephone system.

The NEXT IX’s INF solution enables a telephone system to transfer calls to an intended destination, records call activities, allows a call that is put on hold to be forwarded to another extension (call parking), call queuing, call retrieval, conference bridging, transmit and receive fax messages, roaming extensions and streaming media access.

“The capabilities of the telephone system become limitless,” said NEXT IX chief executive officer Bobby Suson.

“The telephone now possesses the data and voice processing capabilities of a computer, enabling it to become intelligent,” read a statement from NEXT IX.

Intelligent

“Consumers now have access to an intelligent virtual computing platform interfaced by the telephone. The Internet can be checked via the telephone, which can even talk to you and remind you of important details or events.”

The system can be used by call centers, telecommunications companies and, even small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Among those that have signed up to avail themselves of the system are RCPI, International Rice Research Institute, Department of Social Welfare and Development, US Agency for International Development, Sun Cellular and Digitel.

The NEXT IX came out with the first prototype of the INF, whose software and design are developed by local programmers in the Cebu, three months ago. At present, 10 prototypes are being tested by various non-profit entities.

While the system is capable of various functions, NEXT IX is offering it 10 times cheaper than comparable products.

“We will offer it on a monthly subscription rate that is affordable to SMEs,” Suson said. He added that NEXT IX is planning to partner with telecommunications companies that can buy the system wholesale and distribute it to subscribers.

He said the company is applying for an international patent for the INF and hopes to release the system in the US market in May this year.

The “Groundbreaking Technology of the Year” award was given to NEXT IX during the 8th annual e-Services Philippines (ESP) Awarding Ceremony last Feb. 12 at the Mindanao Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila located at the CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Biggest meet

The awarding ceremony is the highlight of the two-day e-Services Philippines 2008 Global Sourcing Conference and Exhibition—one of biggest annual information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services outsourcing meet in the region—held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, the event is an annual global platform in the Asia Pacific where key players in the IT and IT-enabled services converge and discuss trends, business leads and new opportunities.

The ESP Awards complements this by recognizing Filipino IT professionals’ world-class competencies as applied to innovative IT products and services.

The Groundbreaking Technology of the Year Award distinguishes breakthrough technology that enhances existing operation or function resulting to significant benefits for the end-user. (LAP)

^^Di pud ganahan sa iyang gibuhat nga maglaroy-laroy sa nasud. Mura mag election. Samok, no?

ayaw lng jud na siya paagia diri dapit sa keppel!!! kay malabayan na nako ug tibugok nga itlog ug rotten na tomato!!!

:lol:

when siya m.ari? kay ato nang pangandaman!!! hehe!!!

ICT stakeholders aim to make Cebu an innovation destination (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1171717/)
Wednesday, March 05, 2008; Posted: 08:15 PM

CEBU CITY, Mar 05, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- Information and communications technology (ICT) stakeholders in Cebu are aiming to position the province as an Innovation Island, an integral component of the Philippine cyber services corridor aimed at leading the growth of the industry nationwide within the next two years.

The Philippines, in general, and Cebu, in particular, are proactively implementing an ICT roadmap aid strategy as the next level goal of our shared vision to transform our province into the Cebu Innovation Island, said Bonifacio Belen executive director of the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology.

Becoming an Innovation Island will mean serving 20 percent of the countrys revenue and employment targets for the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry by 2010, Belen explained.

Cebu has an enormous growth opportunity in ICT, which globally is expected to expand to $ 110 to $ 130 billion by 2010. The challenge for Cebu is to serve a substantial 20 percent share of the 12 billion dollar national target for 2010, he said.

Belen said the province is now the emerging destination in Asia for outsourcing and offshore operations.

Belen said Cebu, through the software development sector, aims to corner 255 million dollars of the $ 12.199 billion national revenue target of the BPO industry.

Cebus software development sector is generating around $ 60 million annually.

Apart from software development, other BPO services that are also gaining popularity in the province are customer care, back-office, medical transcription, legal transcription and animation.

In terms of employment, Cebu aims to increase to 15,000 the provinces current manpower pool of 3,500 software developers.

Belen said software developers in Cebu have been growing at 50 percent in the last four years.

He cited that from a population of 1,000 software developers in 2003, it has jumped to 3,276 in 2007.

To address the challenges leading to the breakthrough growth, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in line with the annual ICT Summit of the Cebu Business Month (CBM)is helping the ICT realize its 2006-2011 blueprint by focusing on the potentials of the open source platform.

The first Cebu Open Source Summit 2008, which will be on June 18 to 19 at the Cebu International Convention Center, is one of the major thrusts of the CBM in collaboration with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry.

Topics to be discussed include advantages and disadvantages of open source, spectrum of OS technology, vendors and products, OS applications, infrastructure and technical success factors, challenges and risks and licensing and legal implications.

The open source summit will advance the development of an innovation system and the promotion of technology entrepreneurship, two of the pillars of Cebus blueprint, Belen said.

Automatic Centre sees ’08 revenues hitting record P3b
Manila Standard
By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Automatic Centre, the appliance retailer owned by the family of businessman Samie Lim, aims to increase revenues this year to P3 billion as the company expands its network in Metro Manila and Cebu.

“We booked sales of P2.3 billion last year. We’re targeting about P3 billion this year,” Lim told reporters.

He attributed the sustained growth in 2007 sales to the boom in the real estate sector and increase sales to the residential segment.

“All the condominium units built two years ago are now completed and these comprise bulk of our market for appliances and furniture,” said Lim.

Lim inaugurated the flagship store of Automatic Centre in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday. The 25th and biggest store, the Cubao outlet occupies 10,000 square meters, including a selling space of 8,000 sq. m.

“We are starting expanding. I’ll be opening something as big as this in Cebu before the end of the year,” said Lim.

He said the company spent P200 million for the Araneta Center store, bulk of which went to inventory. The store now occupies the building that used to house the Rustan’s Department Store.

The new outlet occupies two floors and showcases the latest line of appliances and electronic gadgets under Automatic Centre and furniture and furnishings from Blims Furniture, which is also owned by Lim.

“This is a new concept. We are keeping our ears to the ground to know what the consumers need,” said Lim.

He said the new store also showcased a package of appliances, furniture and furnishings that would work in limited spaces like condominium units. The package will be priced at a slight discount compared with purchases of single items.

The store gives discount as appliances and furniture are sent to one destination, thus, translating into savings in terms of delivery costs.

Cebu furniture pieces impress Grammy stars
By Cris Evert Lato
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:25:00 03/05/2008

CEBU CITY, Philippines - After Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue won accolades for his furniture designs and products in the international market, here comes another Cebuano, Pete Delantar, whose furniture pieces were showcased during the 50th annual Grammy Awards last month.

Delantar, president of Nature's Legacy Home and Garden, said his company’s eco-friendly product line, Naturescast, was presented at the Grammy Awards Talent Gift Lounge, a sideline attraction.

According to United States magazine Furniture Today, the lounge was used by show presenters and performers during rehearsals.

The lounge showcases furniture items from four members of the Sustainable Furniture Council of the US (SFC).

Nature's Legacy is the only Filipino member company of the SFC.

HERE (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20080305-122917/Cebu-furniture-pieces-impress-Grammy-stars)

Lozada is planning to visit Cebu soon. Lets all give him a red warm welcome by throwing tomatoes at him, shall we? :cheers:

bsta makit.an nko kay mag.disguise ko nga fan ko niya then if i get near him kay ako jud cya kulatahon (not a joke). instant celebrity jud ta ani sa TV (kahibaw naman jud ta unsa kabuang sa media). one punch from a proud Cebuano!

^^ Morag Benazir Bhutto/PJ2 assassination plot approach na oe. :lol:

Hay, instead of focusing with bashing Lozada or even the opposition upon arrival in Cebu, lets just concentrate in what we do best to uplift ourselves away from the addiction of the biggest teleserye: "Philippine Politics" :D

^^ well cebu is least affected by those actors in the capital naman, so theres no need to do something to uplift ourselves, but it would be definitely nice to do something to lozada, just to show the country that his sentiments is not shared by most of the philippine population, and that its only concentrated in manila.. there was a nightly docu in abs-cbn before hosted by ces oreña drilon, it says something about cebu in boom, manila in doom. and the contrasting situation here and in the capital was very much highlighted.

right now, im seriously considering throwing a tomato at him na talaga, sus, dapat di sya magkaron ng speaking engagement/rally sa fuente dahil na, fuente is very accessible, and throwing a katamis is not hard to do.... wohooo, i can see it would grab the headlines! hahaha

lozada binato ng kamatis sa cebu! :lol:

...Cebu wants the TRUTH not RAGE!

^^ and definitely not lozada!!!

When is he expected to arrive at Cebu by the way?
To tell you honestly, at first i adored his bravery. Now, napatay na pud ang adoration and grew tired and instead curious about that hamburjer. :D

Anyway, just keep your emotions cool and lets prove to the world that Philippines is not Manila alone. Philippines still goes on for progress and let Cebu and the rest of the countryside lead it. :okay:

what do they have to say about cebu?

"cebu is a place where business and leisure thrives, we continued our investments since 2001 because it is extremely easy to do business here, we find dedicated talent and our operations are very sucessfu"l

- michael gleissner, group chariman, bigfoot group of companies

"cebu is a major market because it has the single largest gross development product in the philippines outside of metro manila, the receptivity of the cebuanos to the latest in ICT has allowed this location to have all of the latest in technologies that are now widely available, so come to cebu and you will find that whatever is in all of the advanced ICT countries in the world, you can find here in cebu"

- Gil B. Genio, Chief Executive Officer, Innove Comm. Inc.

"i saw how the circa 1982 metro cebu of the gaisanos evolved into a singapore-like metropolis with the help of the ayala's"

- redentor valencia, Laguna lake development authority

SSC Cebu, unsa man, let's do something good for the Filipino people, let's kidnap Lozada when he comes to town :lol:

ako, ready na sa banner "dont bring your mess to cebu you crying dummy!" :lol:

4T jobs for CV studes offered this summer
By Jhunnex Napallacan
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:46:00 03/06/2008

Around 4,000 slots are available in Central Visayas for the summer job program of the government, which is aimed at helping poor students have money for their studies.

Regional Labor Director Elias Cayanong of Central Visayas said yesterday that the national government has set aside P6 million for Central Visayas for this year's summer job program.

“We are expecting lots of applicants all over the region,” Cayanong said yesterday.

Those who can avail for this program shall be students from 15 to 25 years old.

If they have just graduated from high school, they have to show their recent report card to show they have no failing grades. For college students, they must submit their grades given by the school for the recent semester.

The student-applicants are also required to show a copy of the income tax returns of their parents to prove their capacity to go to college and their birth certificate.

Cayanong said interested students can go to the Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) in their respective areas. In Cebu City, applicants can apply at the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP).

Fidel Magno, DMDP head, said the city government has 300 slots available. The hired students will be assigned to different offices in the city government.

Cayanong said PESO or DMDP will evaluate and assess the capability of the students and where they will be fielded, either in government or private sectors.

In the government sector, Cayanong said, the students can be assigned in the clean and green program or in offices if the students can do office work.

Salaries for the students should be based on the prevailing minimum wage in the area where they work.

The salary will be given in a cost-sharing basis. The 60 percent will be given by the employer and 40 percent from the fund of the government allotted to DOLE.

Cayanong said he hopes the students can have all the requirements immediately after end of the school year or semester as he targeted to start the program after holy week.

He said it will last only for 45 days or one and a half month.

HERE (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20080306-123137/4T-jobs-for-CV-studes-offered-this-summer)

ako, ready na sa banner "dont bring your mess to cebu you crying dummy!" :lol:

Sigue bai. kay na high blood na ko aning tawhana. Mayor Tom calls him "political animal". Gusto sab seguro mag senador ang unggoy.:nuts:

EGI Mactan Cebu Hotel

http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/IMG_9488.jpg



http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/IMG_9512.jpg



http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/IMG_9544.jpg



http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/IMG_9638.jpg



http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/brochure5x7notxt.jpg



http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/IMG_9878.jpg



http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities/IMG_9889.jpg

source: EGI's Official Website (http://www.egicebuinvestmenthotel.com/amenities.php)

..soon to open Tabunok Public Market cum Transport Terminal (Talisay City, Cebu)

http://talisaycitycebu.gov.ph/images/public_market.JPG http://talisaycitycebu.gov.ph/images/market2.JPG


http://talisaycitycebu.gov.ph/images/market3.JPG http://talisaycitycebu.gov.ph/images/market4.JPG


http://talisaycitycebu.gov.ph/images/market5.JPG

source: TalisayCity.Gov (http://talisaycitycebu.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=94)

The Cebu Millionaire's Club during a recent event at CICC called
PACE (Performance and Classic Car Enthusiasts of Cebu)
pic by @joseph_ong of flickr!

* Dr. Yong Larrazabal - owner of Cebu Doctor's University Hospital (3rd from left)

* Glen Soco - owner of Coffee Dream (6th from left)

* Kenneth Cobonpue - known to have sold his famed furniture to Brad Pitt (3rd from right)

* Jay Aldeguer - owner of Island Souvenirs, Loalde, USA Sports (2nd from right)

...and of course, the rose among the thorns, our very beautiful Gov. Gwen Garcia

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2314695180_e2d40b7f30.jpg

The country's first Lady Drifter is a Cebuana!
pic by @joseph_ong of flickr!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2296182388_1ec0aec2f7_m.jpg



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/2295465445_187b7f89ce_o.jpg

The Cebu Millionaire's Club during a recent event at CICC called
PACE (Performance and Classic Car Enthusiasts of Cebu)
pic by @joseph_ong of flickr!

* Dr. Yong Larrazabal - owner of Cebu Doctor's University Hospital (3rd from left)

* Glen Soco - owner of Coffee Dream (6th from left)

* Kenneth Cobonpue - known to have sold his famed furniture to Brad Pitt (3rd from right)

* Jay Aldeguer - owner of Island Souvenirs, Loalde, USA Sports (2nd from right)

...and of course, the rose among the thorns, our very beautiful Gov. Gwen Garcia

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2314695180_e2d40b7f30.jpg

Cool. And most of them are young. :okay:

Guv says just move ahead (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/07/news/guv.says.just.move.ahead.html)

FOR the first time in quite some time, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia agreed with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, that Cebu should move ahead despite what is going on in Manila.

Garcia said she is tired with the political turmoil in Manila.

“As far as what’s happening in the National Capital Region, ma-switch off man ang akong utok,” Garcia told reporters when asked about the scrapping of the Executive Order 464 or the infamous “gag order.”

“That is never ending. They filed a case against EO 464, what’s next? Kapoy na kaayo,” Garcia continued.

Petition

She was referring to a petition pending before the Supreme Court questioning the legality of EO 464, which was eventually revoked by President Arroyo.

Lately, Garcia said she was more interested in the United States (US) democratic primaries, especially after hearing that US Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is running for President, won in three states.

As far as Cebu is concerned though, Cebuanos should just keep on working.

Garcia noted the opening of the Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition 2008 last Thursday.

“They are showcasing Cebu furnitures vigilantly and with resilience,” said Garcia.

“We’d rather walk than talk,” she added.

Infra support eyed for Liloan to spur investment potentials (http://philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=2008030641)

Friday, March 7, 2008

Firmly believing that the municipality of Liloan is a “sleeping giant,” more investment opportunities are now being eyed as a number of residents from Metro Cebu are relocating while housing developers and other investors operate their businesses in the area.

“Liloan is a sleeping giant; we presently have a lot of home developments in the area and industries are coming in as well,” shared Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” D. Frasco in an interview during the north leg of the OTOP familiarization tour.

With Liloan’s growing residents, Frasco is seeing the grave demand to provide infrastructure support and facilities such as public market, sports and leisure center as well as commercial establishments such as shopping centers that can cater to the immediate needs of the residents so there won’t be a need to travel down to the city.

“There are several housing developments emerging in Liloan now and majority of these residents are composed of either workers or students in the city. Aside from living in Liloan, we also want them to spend some of their time here,” said Frasco.

As for investors, Frasco said that Liloan has not only been able to attract real estate developers but also industries like manufacturing as Sheldan, an air freshener company operates in the area. A boat building company also recently showed interest to expand their operation in the area to be nearer to the seashore.

“Whoever wants to invest here in Liloan is welcome. As an LGU we are very supportive to any type of investments that can spur development to our municipality,” said Frasco.

Liloan’s one-town-one-product is rosquillos and Frasco said that this industry has been in town for more than a century that even without government support it has surpassed the test of time.

“Rosquillos has been around Liloan for over 100 years than any other product and it has provided generations of livelihood to our people. We particularly chose this product as it has became synonymous to Liloan and people from all over the country even abroad has recognized us because of that,” he said.

Frasco’s family also operates Titay’s Liloan Rosquillos and Delicacies, Inc. which has been in operation for more than a hundred years already and is one of the major players in Liloan’s rosquillos industry.

With the province’s growing local economy, Frasco is determined to bring Liloan at par with the rest of Cebu’s other municipalities to contribute to its growth by providing the facilities needed to achieve development.

“Cebu is fast growing and Liloan has to catch up with its developments to attract companies to invest here and we will need social infrastructure to be able to do that,” Frasco pointed out.

To achieve this goal, Frasco said that 26% of their development fund will be used for infrastructure development and in the fourth quarter of this year, they will be starting with the construction of their 2-hectare proposed public market project that will have a terminal and a sports facility.

“I always tell people that Liloan is a diamond in a rock and it needs polishing for it to become a thriving municipality and hopefully become one of the great cities in the province of Cebu,” he stressed.

Update: While the other hallways of Ayala Center Cebu have their own names (Paseo Ciudad, Paseo Verde, Paseo Marina), the expansion building of Ayala Center Cebu is now called Paseo Solana

Tom calls deco lampposts trash (http://philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=52&type=2&sec=70&aid=20080306204)

Friday, March 7, 2008

“It’s basura. It’s useless.”

This was how Mayor Tomas Osmeña described the decorative lampposts installed along the ceremonial routes in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

He made the statement following the result of the inventory done by the Department of Public Works and Highways on these decorative lampposts that shows out of 1,928 lampposts installed in the three cities that hosted the ASEAN Summit last year, only 165 of them are working while the rest are either missing or busted.

In Cebu City, the DPWH report said that the 674 remaining decorative lamps are no longer working.

Along Juan Luna Avenue to Salinas Drive, six lampposts are missing while four lampposts are also missing from Cebu Transcentral Highway.

“It’s basura, it’s useless. Lampposts like that would be nice in the interior of Fuente Osmeña not beside the road where people are walking around. It’s a decorative item, it’s not a real light. This one, it does not light the road,” Osmeña said.

With this, he expressed hesitance to accept and rehabilitate them unless there is order from the Visayas Ombudsman its okay to do so.

“We have to be very careful before we will be implicated to be part of this corrupt transaction,” he said.

The mayor has been very cautious about receiving the alleged overpriced ASEAN decorative lampposts, which are now subject of an investigation by the anti-graft body.

“Let me remind you that I refused to sign any program of works for the lamppost because I saw it was very clearly overpriced. I did not even want to touch it. But they came back to me and said ‘you choose the color nalang,’ I don’t have to sign anything. So me and my simple mind I chose the color. Way bayad so, dawata ra. But I didn’t sign any program of works, only to find out that it’s a terrible scam against the people,” Osmeña said.

The mayor explained that if he decides to rehabilitate the lamps without any order from the Ombudsman, he might be linked to the alleged illegal transactions.

“Unless it is the Ombudsman that says it’s okay… Also, I still need to be given the chance to analyze the interior of a lamppost because I know it just consumes too much electricity,” he added.

Osmeña admitted he was told that each lamppost consumes 260 watts of electricity.

One possible solution he is considering is to scrap all the interior of the lampposts, extend it and convert to a regular street lamp. He added that there would be no value left of the original lamppost except the exterior part that is cemented to the ground.

“Until I’m given the opportunity to study and evaluate, I really don’t like to touch these lampposts,” he said.

----------
I love Mayor Tom. Yeah, I agree, these lamp posts are not decorative anymore. They're eyesores. :cheers:

Cebu City modernizes legislative facilities (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080306-123110/Cebu-City-modernizes-legislative-facilities)

By Doris C. Bongcac
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:09:00 03/06/2008

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Now that it has a newly renovated legislative building, the Cebu City Council is now working towards modernizing its facilities.

Former councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, now City Hall consultant on special legislative concerns, said that the codification program and the acquisition of new equipment are on top of the list of the city’s priorities.

Among the goals behind the use of more technology in the council is to make the council “paperless” and to give the public quicker and easier access to legislation through computers in the Council Library.

“But printing of these legislations will be controlled by the city council,” Pesquera said.

The council also intends to install cameras and video screens throughout the session hall, making it easier for audiences to see which councilor is talking at a given moment.

“If a TV is there, people in the gallery no longer need to twist their neck just to watch whoever is talking,” Pesquera said.

She said some of the new equipment, such as computer tables for the library, would be delivered next week.

“We will have mahogany-covered tables so that the library will have the same look as the session hall,” Pesquera said.

The council has yet to approve the budget for the other items.

In December 2007, the city council allocated P2 million for its codification program and a computerized archiving of all city ordinances and resolutions passed since 1945.

Pesquera gave the councilors the update on the upgrading of the legislative building’s facilities after the city council approved the renewal of her consultancy contract yesterday.

Pesquera’s contract lasts six months, from Jan. 1 to July 30. The city pays her P17,000 a month.

I tried checking the lampposts, it's really useless, the wirings inside are all gone! Stolen perhaps, hehe..

The Republic of Cebu might just end up spending millions of pesos if they will attempt to repair it.. Its also not worth repairing hehe..


..

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02371.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02372.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02370.jpg

using the comfort rooms of ACC now is handfree, everything is sensorized :lol: from the urinals to the faucets

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC02366.jpg

Which comfort rooms have been upgraded? Have all been upgraded already? I know that the one at the Entertainment Center (beside Ratsky) has already been upgraded since I was able to use it last week but as far as I know, those at the basement are still the same old comfort rooms.

theyre doing it by phases...

Mga bai,

Hows the weather there right now in Cebu? Are you experiencing overcast or sometimes drizzle with strong cool winds from the north-east?

theyre doing it by phases...

I love it. This phase-by-phase redevelopment and expansion of ACC is making me excited. The Rustan's building has opened last year, the CRs are being upgraded, the fountain will be demolished and the activity center will be renovated/reconfigured, the leisure oasis will open soon, the whole mall will be renovated, phases 3 and 4 of expansion will commence... What more?! :banana:

Mga bai,

Hows the weather there right now in Cebu? Are you experiencing overcast or sometimes drizzle with strong cool winds from the north-east?

Yeah it's very cold and we can really feel the gusty winds at late evening and early morning.

Yeah it's very cold and we can really feel the gusty winds at late evening and early morning.

Did your thermometer in your house dropped again to as much as 17degrees?

Last year at this time, Cebu and the rest of the Visayas is already balmy.

^ I have not monitored well but before I slept, I remember the temperature was at 19.7C (11pm). They're forecasting a rainy summer. :cry: I hope not or else we'll have a rainy summer in Manila. Anyway, PAGASA predicts that at least 25 typhoons will enter the Philippines this year.

^^ La Nina again. Hmmm..

On the good side, it will bring enough water for the rest of the year. But please not too much.

How is the Boardwalk Mall? Any indication of its opening?

TRAVEL BITS

Boracay – One of the World’s Top Ten Beaches!

Boracay was adjudged as the 2007 World’s Most Popular Beach and as 7th Best Beach by Yahoo Travel.

Among Most Popular Beaches are 1. Boracay Island, Philippines; 2. Nassau, The Bahamas; 3. Cebu, Philippines; 4. Phan Thiet, Vietnam ; 5. Montego Bay, Jamaica; 6. Phuket, Thailand; 7. Cozumel, Mexico; 8. San Diego, CA ; 9. Honolulu, HI; 10. San Juan, Puerto Rico (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-21525019)

While the Best Beaches include 1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; 2. Miami, Florida ; 3. Cancun, Mexico ; 4. Kaanapali, Hawaii; 5. Honolulu, Hawaii; 6. San Diego, California; 7. Boracay Island, Philippines; 8. Key West, Florida; 9. Sydney, Australia; 10. Santa Barbara, California (http://travel.yahoo.com/beaches)


Adventure in Travel
Adven-Turista Travel and Tours
Bohol, Philippines

what i hate about doing nothing at lozada being here is that other filipinos might think that we cebuanos agree with him! one tomato to his body or face will send the signal!!! or if not tomato a banner telling him that he's not welcome here would do i guess...

when is he coming here in cebu???

Past Forward : Cebu pueblo in the National Archives

By Jobers Bersales
Cebu Daily News

Posted date: March 06, 2008

Forty minutes before the close of the National Archives for the week last Friday, I was astounded by an amazing find: an unsigned colored topographic map of Cebu City, then a small capital town. I know of only three maps of Cebu in the Spanish period that have come to light, all of them done after the 1850s. Now before me was map of the pueblo dated 1833. And, unlike all the other maps of the town that I had seen, this one was complete with a description of the important government and ecclesiastical structures extant at the time.

This map appears to be part of a thick set of documents proposing the merger of the districts of Lutao and Parian, an important event that would end in the destruction of the Parian Church about 15 to 20 years later. One of these documents is even signed by Fray Julian Bermejo – the Augustinian builder of watchtowers and fortress churches in southern Cebu – who was probably the prior of Santo Niño convent at this time. Also part of these documents is a veritable census of families of all the sitios of Cebu with such quaint names as Ljog (for Lahug), Banilar (Banilad), Tejerros (Tejeros) and so on. Anyone interested in knowing if his or her descendants were in any of these districts at this time should consult these documents.

The map and the accompanying documents are just the latest in a series of important finds that came to light during my four-day visit of the National Archives which I hope to write about more fully in the heritage page of this newspaper very soon. Among these finds is a set of beautifully-rendered architectural drawings for the churches of Alegria (1881) and Dumanjug (1859), accompanied by their corresponding bills of materials. For Alegria, a thick set of instructions and explanations on how to carry out the construction accompanied the bill. Don Domingo de Escondrillas, the lone engineer in Cebu during the 1870s to 90s, signed the Alegria proposal and drawings, while a certain Engineer Pelayo signed for the brief proposal for the Dumanjug church. While the Alegria church, as it stands today, appears faithful to the set of drawings in the archives, the Dumanjug church, as designed, looks more like the church in Badian.

Other than these two plans are drawings for the Casa Parroquial (parish house or convent) of Malabuyoc, the old Casa Tribunal and Casa Consistorial (town hall, council house) of Cebu and a renovation of the Casa Tribunal of Opon. These plans were all rendered in color (mostly blues, reds and oranges). All these drawings, including a set for the Hospital de Lazarinos (precursor of the Eversley Childs Sanatorium), and bridges for Malabuyoc, Ginatilan and Cotcot, will form part of the exhibits for the Cebu Provincial Museum, which will hopefully open before the year ends. My trip to Manila, after all, was paid for by the Cebu provincial government. And so despite perceptions of a brewing political storm in Manila, I could not be dissuaded from digging through old documents so that these may be brought to light at last.

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20080306-123139/Cebu-pueblo-in-the-National-Archives

Real estate developer starts work on Guadalupe condo

THE need for security and fast-paced lifestyle has prompted a property developer to build another condominium in Cebu City.

Commonwealth Estate Inc. (CEI) last Thursday broke ground at the site of its latest mid-rise condominium project, Woodcrest Residences, at Don Gervacio Quijada St. in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

CEI assistant sales manager Ramero Espina said there is a growing market for condominiums with the increasing number of foreigners living in Cebu, and overseas Filipino workers and their families.

Employees and executives of business process outsourcing companies, as well as transients and second-home buyers, also contribute to the growing demand for condos, he added.

While there is still land available in Cebu, these sectors prefer condos which are close to business and recreation centers, and for the assurance of safety that condominium complexes provide, he said in a press briefing last Thursday.

Woodcrest Residences is a few minutes away from service institutions (hospitals, schools and supermarkets), business districts and entertainment centers, he said. The nine-story condo building will also have 24-hour security, he added.

The project, expected to be open in 2010, will feature 132 units of studios, two-bedroom dwellings and lofts. It will also include a fitness gym, swimming pool, children’s wading pool, as well as a clubhouse with function rooms.
Condo units are priced between P1.7 million and P9 million; the premium lofts are the most expensive. All units are ready to occupy with tiled floors, and toilet and bath, as well as painted walls.

Joseph Edward Obando of CEI said the company has received 40 letters of intent from interested buyers, 18 of whom have already made reservations.

All units at Woodcrest are thoughtfully designed with their own service area that will be equipped with washing machines and dryers. “So that no clothes will be seen hanging from outside the building,” he added.

A CEI statement said units at Woodcrest Residences will be the least-priced fully-finished, amenities-filled residential condominium in the market.

“We want to make condo living a new way for life in Cebu, not just for the rich, but for every hardworking Cebuano,” said CEI managing director Stephen Liu.

Amid reports of home buyers being victimized by delinquent developers, CEI’s William Christopher Liu Jr. said buyers of Woodcrest Residences units need only to look at the company’s track record to be assured of quality dwellings and on-time delivery.

“We’re very committed to the market…we’re here for the long-term,” said William Christopher in the same press briefing.

Stephen also revealed that CEI has several residential development projects in the pipeline in northern and southern Metro Cebu.

The Lius said CEI is looking at maintaining its usual annual yield of 1,000 residential units this year. LAP

Real estate developer starts work on Guadalupe condo


http://www.philippine-real-estate.net/typo3temp/pics/e3f82a0b2c.jpg

RP can still bring in FDIs – analyst
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 11:29:00 03/07/2008

THE PHILIPPINES is still in the best position to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) despite the current political turmoil besetting the Arroyo government, said an international financial analyst.

"You have done so much in moving your economy forward. You have high growth rate and low inflation rate which investors like," said Nicholas Kwan, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd. regional head for research in Asia.

Kwan said recently that challenges such as lack of infrastructure and presence of red tape are not enough reasons to discourage investors.

Investors' confidence can still be seen in the number of FDIs in the country, he said.

An FDI-led economic upturn has also been noted in Cebu where FDIs capitalize on the province's rich talent pool, effective public-private partnership, and improving and growing infrastructure, according to Joel Mari Yu, managing director of Cebu Investment Promotions Center.

"FDIs are the single biggest contributor to Cebu's economy," Yu told officials of various foreign chambers during the Anti-Smuggling Dialog at the Marco Polo Plaza last week.

Yu said 1993 export earnings reached $1 billion with $500 million coming from local export companies, and foreign companies operating mostly in export processing zones accounting for the other half.

In 2007, total export earnings reached $5 billion where $500 million came from local export companies – the same amount the sector earned 14 years ago.

Of the $5 billion, Yu said $4.5 billion came from foreign companies, which shows the role of FDIs in providing employment and generating income.

The flat growth of the local export industry is due to the low value of the peso against the dollar as most furniture companies export to the United States, said Ruby Salutan,.executive director of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation.

Around 41 percent of Cebu's exports were shipped to the US in 2004, while almost 60 percent of the remittances from overseas Filipino workers are dollar-based. /Reporter Cris Evert Lato

HERE (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20080307-123340/RP-can-still-bring-in-FDIs--analyst)

The Cebu Millionaire's Club during a recent event at CICC called
PACE (Performance and Classic Car Enthusiasts of Cebu)
pic by @joseph_ong of flickr!

* Dr. Yong Larrazabal - owner of Cebu Doctor's University Hospital (3rd from left)

* Glen Soco - owner of Coffee Dream (6th from left)

* Kenneth Cobonpue - known to have sold his famed furniture to Brad Pitt (3rd from right)

* Jay Aldeguer - owner of Island Souvenirs, Loalde, USA Sports (2nd from right)

...and of course, the rose among the thorns, our very beautiful Gov. Gwen Garcia

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2314695180_e2d40b7f30.jpg



Medyo familiar nako ang lalake sa 2nd from the left...
We met him last friday at the AWS. (Advanced World Systems). He is Mr. Tse. Im not sure kung siya jud ni. hehe

^^hmm ang mga nasa pic either insikon or mestizo, wala gyuy bisdak

^^ Yeah...well, generally, the Malayo-Polenesian Bisaya(s) are not as 'entrepreneurial' as the Chinoy(s) and/or the Mestizo Espanol(s).

And, one has better chances of hitting the 'jackpot' by being an entrepreneur than just being employed.

^^hmm ang mga nasa pic either insikon or mestizo, wala gyuy bisdak

yeah but their heart and mind kay pure bisdak. hehe

So may plans pala ang WaMu before? was it a branch sa bank or just a call center again? Kasi kung bank, il definitely open an account there. hehe

Callcenter operations lang po.

Callcenter operations lang po.
ROBBERY ON BANK CARD CALL CENTER WITH ARABIC/INDIAN ACCENT.
The card was never used within a week after the call when it happened.
My card was cashed out in a small city in Turkey. PIN was used and was never been in Turkey. Bank never gave refund.
HOW SECURED ARE THESE CENTERS..?

ROBBERY ON BANK CARD CALL CENTER WITH ARABIC/INDIAN ACCENT.
The card was never used within a week after the call when it happened.
My card was cashed out in a small city in Turkey. PIN was used and was never been in Turkey. Bank never gave refund.
HOW SECURED ARE THESE CENTERS..?

Depende po sa callcenter....big callcenters in the philippines do follow certain security and rules po to protect the privacy of the clients.......thats the rule here sa Phils...pero as what uve said....ur card was cashhed in a small city sa turkey? then baka yung customer support ng card mo is being outsourced sa turkey. in that case, d ganun ka strict pala ang centers dun....

ROBBERY ON BANK CARD CALL CENTER WITH ARABIC/INDIAN ACCENT.
The card was never used within a week after the call when it happened.
My card was cashed out in a small city in Turkey. PIN was used and was never been in Turkey. Bank never gave refund.
HOW SECURED ARE THESE CENTERS..?

I think that this story is true because this type of incident already happened to the call center where I am working right now. The agents copied all the credit card information of the subscriber and use it to buy stuffs online. The subscriber investigated the items on his bill and found out that the items were purchased online from Cebu. Our client launched an investigation to the three vendors in Manila and Cebu. Investigation was then focused to the two vendors in Cebu. Agents were investigated from these two vendors and after two months of thorough investigation, BANG! Agents were from the call center where I am working at. The agents were fired but the vendor like most of the call center that we have here in RP are responsible in paying for the damage that has been done by their agents, and in worst scenario the vendor might lost the account resulting to the lost of the job of all agents in the account. But thank God it didn't happen. That is why call centers do not allow any electronic gadgets, writing materials, even email or internet access in the operations floor to avoid this kind of incident from happening. This type of incident will most likely happen to agents who are handling billing where the plastic money is the common method of payment.

After the incident, the call center where I am working at is so paranoid with security that almost every hour of everyday the security guards will have to deal with a daily dose of arguments with some female agents as they are treated like a terrorist who will blow up the entire building just because they have these huge bags which becomes a fashion trend from the ladies in the call center industry.

I think that this story is true because this type of incident already happened to the call center where I am working right now. The agents copied all the credit card information of the subscriber and use it to buy stuffs online. The agents were investigated that time and were proven guilty. The agents were fired but the vendor like most of the call center that we have here in RP are responsible in paying for the damage that has been done by their agents, and worst of all the vendor might lost the account resulting to the lost of the job of all agents in the account. That is why call centers do not allow any electronic gadgets, writing materials , and even email or internet access in the operations floor to avoid this kind of incident from happening. This type of incident will most likely happen to agents who are handling billing where the plastic money is the common method of payment.

After the incident, the call center where I am working at is so paranoid with security that almost every hour of everyday the security guards will have to deal with a daily dose of arguments with some female agents as they are treated like a terrorist who will blow up the entire building just because they have these huge bags which becomes a fashion trend from the ladies in the call center industry.

Oh my :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: With the new company im with right now, sobrang strict sila when it comes to security. As agents, we've undergone a privacy and security training and the meat of that training is the reminder that in any cases of credit card fraud made by an agent, if proven guilty, that agent will have to pay $200,000 and would be terminated from the company as well. Sobrang strict sila dito...with security cams and paper shredders in every floor. We are not allowed to jot down or take notes and in any cases that someone would, he cannot get out of the operations floor without passing through the paper shredders installed near the guard's stations.

CBP
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_352603255m.jpg
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_819742412m.jpg
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_228275867m.jpg
USC
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_493884671m.jpg
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_876880911m.jpg
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_635781559m.jpg
Sto. Nino Church
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_233211758m.jpg
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_466115681m.jpg
Future: ( trip lng )
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_712093768m.jpg

CBP
http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_819742412m.jpg

http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_228275867m.jpg

^^ i love this shot! look at the skyline! asteeg! :okay: The best skyline outside of Metro Manila. :okay:

http://images.mayr04.multiply.com/image/4/photos/37/500x500/83/P1011974.JPG?et=u4ltUZ92RlmSi6jStmwgQQ&nmid=83018299

Cebu's "Arc de Triomphe", Celestial Gardens, Banawa

Trader to offer city zoo 'rescue'
Sun-Star Online
10 March 2007

A PRIVATE investor who operates zoos and supplies exotic animals to the rich and famous has offered to operate the Cebu City zoo in Barangay Kalunasan.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña last week said the offer will save the City from spending for maintenance expenses and supplying and taking care of the animals.

He said that Robert Yupangco’s family is into selling Yamaha organs, but the man is also known as an animal supplier. Yupangco, he added, used to operate the Residence Inn, a restaurant with rooms and a mini-zoo with bears, lions and tigers in Barangay Busay, which closed down.

He said the Cebu City zoo was one of the reasons he was in Manila the other week.

Aside from President loyalty check, he said, he visited the Zubic Navy and Marines training camp, being a Marine reservist; a Batangas zoo; a Tagaytay vegetable refrigeration facility; and a Calamba, Laguna garbage recycling plant.

Yupangco is preparing a proposal to take over the Cebu City zoo, after giving the mayor a tour of his botanical garden and zoo in Mendez town near Tagaytay.

The Cebu City zoo has 91 animals, including 30 pigeons and 13 monkeys.

Except for a dilapidated administration structure and the animals’ cages, there is nothing much in terms of facilities in the zoo.

While the City has a yearly allocation for the animals’ food, it has no budget to develop and maintain the facilities there.

The City spends money in maintaining the facility without getting any income because it does not charge entrance fees, relying only on donations.

If the deal pushes through, the mayor said, Yupangco will not only take care of the animals, he will also improve and develop the zoo and offer it to the public for a fee, of which the City Government will have a share.

“And then maybe I’ll give him a portion of the SRP (South Road Properties) to develop a park like the botanical garden,” Osmeña added.

He also dreams of having at the SRP miniature horses so kids could go horseback-riding, as well as llamas, ostriches and “other non-violent types of animals that will just graze around.”

One of Yupangco’s employees inspected the seven-hectare zoo last Wednesday, he added. (RHM)

New call center opens
Sun-Star Online
Monday, March 10, 2008

WHILE the peso continues to gain strength, a new business process outsourcing (BPO) company expressed optimism about the industry as it opens a 20-seat operation in Mandaue City today with plans to expand in three months.

“I’m not very concerned about it,” said Live2Sell, Inc. chairman and CEO Chris C. Ducker, referring to the peso’s appreciation against the dollar.

He said that compared to huge contact centers operating in the country, being a minor player, Live2Sell Inc. operates with minimal overhead costs, which can allow the company to maximize on internal growth.

He said he is optimistic about the Philippine economy and confident that the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector will remain to be the country’s sunshine industry.

He said the company will do “fine” right now and expects to get back its initial investment of P2 million after six months of operation.

He also said that the company will prioritize growth within the year and enter stronger into 2009. He said the company plans to hire 10 more agents in three months to expand its operations to 30 seats.

Hire more

Ducker did not discount the possibility of adding more seats within the year as he and his partner have a very clear idea of what they want to achieve for their company.

“We want a stable working environment. We want to promote professionalism,” he said, stressing that his company will offer a high level of staff retention.

One of the major challenges that the BPO industry in the country is facing is the high turnover rate of personnel. But Ducker said he does not understand why people leave a good job if there are no management problems.

Live2Sell also maintains a high level of optimism with the presidential elections in the United States in November.

“Historically, with a new president, it is always a time when the US economy tends to do well,” he said.

Ducker said the company chose to set up operations in Cebu because the cost of operating a business here is lower than in Manila.

Talent pool

The company also found “a very good turnout of talents” in Cebu. “I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of people we hired,” Ducker said.

Ducker said Live2Sell is in Cebu for the long term and even plans to diversify its business.

At the moment, though, the company wants to focus on its niche, which is telesales.

Aside from offering big savings to US-based firms, Live2Sell is confident that it will be able to strengthen the sales force of its clients by 30- to 50-percent.

Ducker has 15 years of sales and telemarketing experience from various fields like publishing, contact centers and advertising. He trained Filipino telemarketers for other outbound contact centers before venturing into his first business venture with Cebuana wife, Ercille, Live2Sell’s director of operations.

The Duckers have partnered with Cebuano businessman Francisco Lim, who oversees the technical aspects of the company’s operations.

Live2Sell Inc., an outbound sales consultancy firm, will handle appointment setting, lead generation, cross and upselling and telemarketing for US-based companies. Its agents, considered business partners by the Duckers, are projected to make 1,500 calls after a full shift. (DME)

Furniture firm to enlist int’l celebrity endorsers
By Cris Evert Lato
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 08:14:00 03/08/2008


A Cebu-based furniture company producing eco-friendly products plans to tap international celebrities as endorsers to access the US mainstream market.

“Aligning our marketing campaigns with celebrities somehow has a positive effect in terms of customer reach and influence,” said Cathy Delantar, human resource and corporate strategy officer of Nature’s Legacy Eximport Inc.

Cathy said they hired two public relation officers, one for celebrities and another for trade industry, to help them with marketing strategies in the United States.

The company’s product line, Naturescast, include chairs, tables, wall décor and vases made from agro-forest wastes such as dead twigs, shrubs and bark.

The products impressed international stars such as Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and American singer Cyndi Lauper during the recent 50th annual Grammy Awards.

Naturescast products were also given as tokens during the 80th annual Academy Awards.

The company was invitated to participate in the Green Actors Awards on April 2008, where 21 celebrities will be awarded for their contribution in environmental protection and conservation.

“The US is in the forefront of having celebrities for marketing blitz. Our intention really was to have massive awareness in the global market. That’s why we thought of aligning ourselves with the World Market Center in Las Vegas,” Cathy said.

“(Hiring celebrities) is very expensive but we hope that with this strategy, we can speed up our marketing campaign. The bottom line is to raise awareness of consumers so they will buy,” she added.

Cathy said they chose to employ different marketing strategies to entice more buyers.

She also noted that buyers tend to be passive in typical trade shows.

Pete Delantar, president of Nature’s Legacy and husband of Cathy, said being a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council of the US gives them the opportunity to tap international celebrities.

Based on the positive response of the celebrities on their products, Pete is positive that celebrities will be interested in endorsing their furniture pieces.

Asked what makes their items different, Cathy said “these are rare products where you have all these requirements which the green movement is talking about.”

Cathy said these requirements include corporate social responsibility, environmental impact, material sustainability, community involvement and business ethics.

“We have a mission to help people in the far-flung areas where (the means of) livelihood are absent, but we cannot achieve this mission without buyers. That’s why we have awareness campaigns,” she said.

Cathy said innovation remained the top strategy to increase buyers and gain loyalty of clients.

“No matter how good you are, ma-bored ang tawo. Look at other angles, keep them excited,” she said.

The company, a member of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, is one of the exhibitors in the annual Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibit that opened last Wednesday.

http://images.mayr04.multiply.com/image/4/photos/37/500x500/83/P1011974.JPG?et=u4ltUZ92RlmSi6jStmwgQQ&nmid=83018299

Cebu's "Arc de Triomphe", Celestial Gardens, Banawa

hala nice! huhuhuh ive never been here! :(

^^is it a cemetery?

http://images.mayr04.multiply.com/image/4/photos/37/500x500/83/P1011974.JPG?et=u4ltUZ92RlmSi6jStmwgQQ&nmid=83018299

Cebu's "Arc de Triomphe", Celestial Gardens, Banawa

hapit na ang holy week... taak na sad ko aning lugara.. stations of the cross!

hala nice! huhuhuh ive never been here! :(

it looked even better 5 years ago, now, the beauty still remains, but unfortunately, vandals have left their mark on some areas...:ohno:

@revalde: yup, cemetery siya, pero naa pud life-sized na Stations of the Cross

hapit na ang holy week... taak na sad ko aning lugara.. stations of the cross!

Haha! Kami sad! Last year. Diba Tanchan owns that place? It gives you breathtaking views of the Metro. :cheers:

^^

I used to attend Stations of the Cross a week before Holy Week, 8 pm..

There were just 10 of us bringing torches and prayer booklets..

Imagine how spooky it is considering that the place is a memorial park, hehehehe..


..

^^Dai? I never noticed the Tomb Stones. I like the path! It starts as a narrow winding road and then you climb the hill which offers great views. The last station is where the shrine is correct? The path towards the exit gate has flower like bushes on each side which somewhat ressembles cherry blossoms.

We usually go there at early morn', around 6 or 7.

^^ animasola....div, phil, and i are contemplating on having a ssc cebu meet here in metro manila this saturday...join tayo ha? should u wish to keep in touch, heres my contact num - 0927-772-1039 or 916-1539 dito sa pasig.

^^I'm not sure if I could join the meet but I'll try my best. This coming week is gonna be Hell due to the burden of school work... I still have papers which are long overdue. :cry:

But I'll try to finish all my schoolwork beforehand, wish me luck. :)

THE PERSIMMON
Mabolo, Cebu City

pics from Persimmon's (www.aboitizland.com/persimmon) official website

http://www.aboitizland.com/persimmon/files/viewentrance1.jpg


http://www.aboitizland.com/persimmon/files/viewgrandstaircase.jpg


http://www.aboitizland.com/persimmon/files/viewbldgsite.jpg


http://www.aboitizland.com/persimmon/files/viewdropoff.jpg


http://www.aboitizland.com/persimmon/files/viewbldgentertainment.jpg

^^ see Gloria Jean's? ...Persimmon's commercial part of the project is another "gimik area" in the making....

^^ I love it!

Just attended an entrepreneurship symposium this afternoon in the university. the guest speaker was Engr. Manuel Pages (correct me if i misspelled it), the owner of thirsty, bright academy and moon cafe. i heard this from him himself that moon cafe might be having a new Lahug branch, on a hilly lot near UP owned by the Velez's. he said that they are still under negotiation with the owner for the said lot for it is for rent.

"Expect that there will be new moon cafe on that area, something we will look up to.", he said.

In one of my early morning flights to Cebu...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2325665279_07e7b82683.jpg

don't you just love it?

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/suroyta/6.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/suroyta/7.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/suroyta/11.jpg

USC will be having another International Conference... a total of 64 speakers and presenters are being invtied on the said conference. Most of these people were from outside the country. Japan, Korea, Malaysia, US, Germany, Canada, etc. One thing that is nice in the conference is that the Welcome Dinner will be held at the Capitol Social Hall or at the CICC (depende sa availability) and it will be hosted by the governer herself, Gov. Garcia. Kapoy prepare sa conference. But still enjoying it. for the love of USC and Cebu. Wahehe

In one of my early morning flights to Cebu...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2325665279_07e7b82683.jpg

don't you just love it?

Beautiful! I love it.....waaaaaa miss na miss ko na ang Cebu!

USC will be having another International Conference... a total of 64 speakers and presenters are being invtied on the said conference. Most of these people were from outside the country. Japan, Korea, Malaysia, US, Germany, Canada, etc. One thing that is nice in the conference is that the Welcome Dinner will be held at the Capitol Social Hall or at the CICC (depende sa availability) and it will be hosted by the governer herself, Gov. Garcia. Kapoy prepare sa conference. But still enjoying it. for the love of USC and Cebu. Wahehe

great news! whats the conference all about po?

USC oval

http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_499120028m.jpg

http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_180666091m.jpg

USC New Engineering Bldg

http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_840215843m.jpg

http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_532535540m.jpg

CBP

http://photos-232.friendster.com/e1/photos/23/23/45253232/1_335665654m.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/suroyta/6.jpg


Pine trees!? Cool! Looks like somewhere in Britain. :cheers:

In one of my early morning flights to Cebu...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2325665279_07e7b82683.jpg

don't you just love it?

nice shot! :cheers:

PAL eyes MCIA space (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/12/bus/pal.eyes.mcia.space.html)
Sun.Star Cebu
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

NATIONAL flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) began negotiations two weeks ago to lease space at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) for a maintenance facility, its first outside Manila.

The flag carrier is eyeing a 6.6-hectare property that it will lease for a minimum of 25 years, PAL president and chief executive officer Jaime Bautista said yesterday.

On it, PAL will build a hangar and maintenance facility where it will base new additions to its fleet like the Airbus 320 aircraft and the Bombardier Q300 and Q400 turbo-prop planes. PAL’s sister-company Air Philippines uses a recently delivered five-seater A300 to fly the Manila-Caticlan route, and expects to take delivery of another Q300 by March 18.

A third Q300 is scheduled for delivery by late April and may be used for a flight from Cebu to Caticlan, just in time for the increased summer tourism traffic to and from Boracay. PAL expects to receive one Airbus320 next month and four more by November this year.

PAL is also planning to open a Cebu-United States flight service once it takes delivery of new long-haul aircraft in 2010 and after the US has upgraded its international air safety assessment of the Philippines.

Bautista said the plan is in response to “clamor” for a PAL service between Cebu and the United States (US).

The carrier hopes to launch the service, which will probably have a stopover in Inchon, South Korea, in the first quarter of 2010, said Bautista in an interview with the press in Cebu City yesterday.

“The flight will improve service in Cebu,” he said. He added that a group has been studying the possibility of a Cebu-US (California) service for several years but due to lack of planes, PAL has not been able to do it right away.

Re-fleeting

PAL has embarked on a re-fleeting program that includes four Airbus 320s and about three Bombardier Q300 aircraft this year. It will also take delivery of six new Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft starting 2009 to 2011. The Boeings will be deployed for its flights to the US and other transpacific routes.

“By 2011, we will have nearly 50 planes, which is the same level we were at before we submitted for rehabilitation in the 1990s,” Bautista said during the press luncheon the airline hosted. PAL emerged from rehabilitation in September last year.

At present, PAL has about 35 aircraft for all routes.

Bautista said he met recently with the MCIA board to inform them of PAL’s intention to lease a site for its maintenance facility in Mactan, but could not say yet how much the arrangement will cost.

“We want to start on this maintenance facility as soon as possible,” Bautista said. At present, all of the 35 aircraft are based in Manila.

He said he is hopeful the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will upgrade the Philippines air safety status from Category 2 to Category 1 with the passage into law of the Civil Aviation Authority bill.

The FAA downgraded the Philippines’ safety rating after the country’s failure to meet six out of seven criteria. The downgrade hampers PAL’s plans to establish more flights to the US using its new aircraft.

Despite the downgrade, Bautista expressed optimism about growth in the Philippine travel market.

However, Bautista said flying to Europe at this time “will not be profitable” for PAL. Still, he said, the flag carrier will continue to study the possibility of having the service with the delivery of the Boeings.

The Center for Asia-Pacific Aviation named PAL the “Airline Turnaround for the Year 2007,” in recognition of the carrier’s early exit from rehabilitation and improved financial performance. (IDA/LAP)

great news! whats the conference all about po?

International Engineering Research Conference. More on Engineering. hehe

International Engineering Research Conference. More on Engineering. hehe

is it the same as the conference of the ASEAN Federation of Eng'g Organizations which was held last year Nov. at Waterfront? The speakers were from different countries man pud and were attended by engineering students of different universities in Cebu..

Need some help... What's the best way to get to the CICC by jeepney? If there's no jeepney route that goes to the CICC itself, what route can bring me as close as possible, like, walking distance?

I'm in Lahug, by the way.

^^

Take the Jeepney that goes to Mandaue Highway..

Bumaba ka sa may gasoline station across San Miguel Brewery.

From there you can walk all the way to CICC gamit yung shortcut na road going to the recla..

The Cebu Millionaire's Club during a recent event at CICC called
PACE (Performance and Classic Car Enthusiasts of Cebu)
pic by @joseph_ong of flickr!
* Kenneth Cobonpue - known to have sold his famed furniture to Brad Pitt (3rd from right)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2314695180_e2d40b7f30.jpg

i just had the chance of seeing Kenneth Cobunpue in person. He was one of the invited guests during the inauguration of our new office today.
very nice guy! there were other prominent persons invited like the vice mayor and guv Gwen among others, but i think they were not able to come.

Mactan showed the way

Started in 1979, the 150-hectare Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ I) is located near the waterfront of Mactan island and strategically accessible via the seaport and the Mactan International Airport. It currently hosts more than a hundred companies from a wide range of industries – from electronics and computers to metals and precision instruments, from chemicals to garments and furniture.

Factories inside the MEZ I churn out watches (TMX Phils.), cameras (Asahi Pentax, Olympus), stylish furniture (Maitland Smith), diodes/transistors (Fairchild Semiconductors), that find their way in export markets, mostly in Japan and the United States. Proof of how successful the economic zone program has been the development of the 63-hectare Mactan Economic Zone II (MEZ II), privately developed however (Aboitiz Land), that attracted some 42 locators. Combined employment of MEZ I and MEZ II account for some 43,000 jobs, infusing some P300 million a month to Cebu’s local economy. Directed towards manufacture-for-exports, locators inside MEZ I and II are entitled to income tax holidays and duty-free importation of equipment, among other incentives – as mandated by the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7916).

Today, there are six other economic zones and industrial parks following the success of the Mactan ecozones. What’s more, these industrial parks are spread across the province, according to a masterplan for managing economic development in Cebu. MEZ I and II and the Cebu Light Industrial Park are located in Mactan island, the New Cebu Township in Naga, in the northern part of the province, the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban, the western part of Cebu in Balamban, and the Cebu Asia Town IT Park. The Miranila Economic Zone is a 2,800-hectare property being developed in Aloguinsan and Barili, South of Cebu.

The private sector manages and develops all of the above except for the Cebu South Reclamation Project. The Cebu City government is developing the 300-hectare prime property development on reclaimed land just a few meters off the coast of the Cebu central business district. PEZA-registered as a special economic zone, locators at the Cebu South can avail of special incentives. The Japanese investors, who own more than half of Cebu’s top export firms, are funding the project cost of P3 billion, through the Japan Bank International Cooperation (JBIC). They also funded the adjacent Cebu Coastal Road, a four-lane, 12-kilometer highway built to ease traffic in the city. Starting this year, the Cebu South will be ready for occupancy and both manufacturing and service industries are welcome. A great come-on for locators, aside from the guaranteed sound infrastructure done by the Japanese is the proximity of the central business district and the international port (ten minutes away) and the International Airport (30 minutes).

This 16 storey building here in Taipei reminds me of KEPEL...
The brown building behind is Taipei's second tallest, about 50 storeys...haven't counted it pa:D
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t140/slemarken/ssc1kep.jpg

^^ musta na bai @slerz? ...i love Taipei! ...i miss 'food tripin' at Shilin Night Market ...basin mobalik ko diha with my boss to attend the AMPA Show this April...kung mahinayon mi, magkita nya ta bai...pm nya lang ko nimo...as of now, preparation pa lang sa Visa...dili pa man 100%...

Need some help... What's the best way to get to the CICC by jeepney? If there's no jeepney route that goes to the CICC itself, what route can bring me as close as possible, like, walking distance?

I'm in Lahug, by the way.

you go to the v-hire terminal at SM, and then you will take a v-hire ride to either Opon/Mercado or a MEPZ route. This v-hire will pass by the CICC.

^^ Or you can also go to Ayala for V-hire if you're taking 04L from Lahug. Take Opon-Mercado or Camella v-hire and have the driver take you to CICC. Although you might be paying the full rate going to Opon yet minus the hassle of disembarking far from the destination.

In one of my early morning flights to Cebu...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2325665279_07e7b82683.jpg

don't you just love it?

w0w nice pic. . .

hey guys! pupunta ako sa cebu with my family this march 22 hanggang 28 via cebu pacific! i'm very excited because that would be my first time going there! tourist mode this coming holy week! i know so many places but could you help me make a trip plan! nice hotels but not so expensive near the city and the beach? tourist spots itineraries? maraming salamat!!!! :)

Welcome to cebu Bai... maybe i can help you on that. pls email me your schedule visit in cebu and how many of you so that i can find you a cheaper rate regarding your concern at adventuristatravel@yahoo.com. thanks

is it the same as the conference of the ASEAN Federation of Eng'g Organizations which was held last year Nov. at Waterfront? The speakers were from different countries man pud and were attended by engineering students of different universities in Cebu..

Nope. IERC is organized by USC Engineering. Usually they contact people who have expertise on all fields in engineering. pati nga mga professors that made their own algorithms, naa. hehe... i happened to make their certificates. and all their studies are so out of this world. hehe

^^ kasama ba dyan si Jun Lozada? :lol:

i read on today's daily regarding SEATTLE'S BEST hiring for their operations in Cebu! :D the ad says: "the smoothest coffee in town." :okay:

it didn't indicate where they are opening though.

Seattle's Best got the best hot choco with peppermint for me. taste na hinahanap ko. i dunno. :)

it's in ACC's Leisure Oasis bai :)

Let's welcome Jun Lozada mga bai, let's show him and the whole Philippines what Cebuano hospitality is all about let's welcome him with Cebu's Dried Mangoes..The Dried Mangoes' Seed that is hehehe let's pelt him with those seeds hehe or maybe with the Famous Cebu-Made Guitar let's strike him with the guitar's sturdy body...or maybe we'll let ALA Boy AJ "Bazooka" Banal welcome him with his fists hehe or if u like, the renowned danggit...fresh danggit para napay tunok unya langsi pa kaau!hehe ato ilabay sa iyang nawng

Let's welcome Jun Lozada mga bai, let's show him and the whole Philippines what Cebuano hospitality is all about let's welcome him with Cebu's Dried Mangoes..The Dried Mangoes' Seed that is hehehe let's pelt him with those seeds hehe or maybe with the Famous Cebu-Made Guitar let's strike him with the guitar's sturdy body...or maybe we'll let ALA Boy AJ "Bazooka" Banal welcome him with his fists hehe or if u like, the renowned danggit...fresh danggit para napay tunok unya langsi pa kaau!hehe ato ilabay sa iyang nawng

honestly though i dont like it... coz it would be like going down to his level... but we should show something strong or send him a strong message... so that he will know that many of us cebuanos do not agree with what he is doing...

^^

haha bai marxman that was just a joke hehe :)

i really don't know know why people in manila are going gaga over the lozada person. yes, i must admit that he did a courageous move in divulging corruption. but what i don't understand is that why are they projecting him as a hero. not that i am inclining myself towards corruption but as i am contemplating of his actions now, it seemed that there is a hidden plot against the government. nobody in the government is clean - period. politics is dirty and people who are in politics are dirty. no matter if you came from a religious organization. if lozada wants to help clean the government, he must do it in court.

honestly, i really admire that guy, being brave in telling everyone how corrupt our government is. he ruined his life actually by testifying. what i dont like is that he is giving the people specially the students the perception that he himself is clean. and this goes to the senate too... no one in govt is clean.. they just pretend to be one.. ;) imo lang...:)

can anyone answer me? everytime i pass by parkmall 168, i noticed nga dili ang tibook uniwide building ang ilang girenovate. at the back portion, murag wala na atimana. does this mean dili tanan sa uniwide building ang napalit sa parkmall?

^^

Try to zoom in on GoogleEarth, you'll notice that there's supposed to be a wide road that would cut through Uniwide and then go all the way to the back of the CICC.

Gi unsa kaha na nila pag zoning sa una, hehehe.. Ouano man gud.. :ohno:


...

Cebu City after WWII


USIS photos

Downtown (that small building in the upper middle portion is Vision Theater)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/Old_Photos/old_downtown_cebu.jpg



Capitol

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/Old_Photos/old_downtown_cebu_capitol.jpg



Aduana

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/Old_Photos/old_downtown_cebu_harbor.jpg



Wala pa ang north reclamation area hehe :p

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/Old_Photos/old_downtown_cebu_harbor02.jpg

^^ Nice pictures....

1T hotel rooms mean more jobs (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20080314-124690/1T-hotel-rooms-mean-more-jobs)

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:26:00 03/14/2008

More job opportunities are open in the tourism industry with the opening of more than 1,000 hotel rooms in Cebu this year.

Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said these hotels are Imperial Palace Hotel and Microtel Resort Hotel in Mactan, and Sofitel Cebu in Cebu City

Of the 1, 000 rooms, Imperial will open around 600 rooms, Microtel with 150 rooms and Sofitel with 400 rooms.

Durano said these hotels have “high-star ratings.”

“Industry standards require that the higher your star rating, the more people you need to serve each room. For five-star hotel, you need two employees for every room,” he said.

“With the 1, 000 hotel rooms, that's around 2, 000 new jobs this year.

At the end of the day, what's important for us is that more jobs is generated from the industry,” Durano added.

Yesterday, DOT opened the 3rd Trabaho sa Turismo Fair at the SM City Trade Hall participated by 121 exhibitors. The fair will end today.

Airlines, shipping and cruise companies, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and call centers are some of the companies who opened jobs for applicants.

In an earlier interview, Durano said around 2,000 domestic and international vacancies are available for job applicants for the two-day fair.

Around 3,000 applicants have pre-registered online, but as of 1 p.m. yesterday, more than 4,000 applicants flocked to the trade hall.

“Applicants can go through our website and see available jobs. The benefit of this travel fair is that employers are face-to-face with employees,” he said.

Durano said they also made it a point to schedule the fair in time for graduation so that jobs are readily made available to graduates.

He said the industry needs more labor force to help serve the 3.5 million tourists, who are expected to visit the Philippines this year.

To address mismatch of skills, Durano said he met with state universities and private schools last year to inform administration that hotel and restaurant management course require more vocational trainings. /Reporter Cris Evert Lato

WOW I love Cebu.....

ADVENTURE IN TRAVEL

ADVEN-TURISTA TRAVEL AND TOURS
BOHOL, PHILIPPINES
038-5059145 Globelines
09187498424

http://images.mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/image/5/photos/2/400x400/259/3.jpg?et=C6%2BBnUy%2CFVkeqHF9V5IUXw&nmid=6588676
M/T Damar, the infamous hit-and-run ship docked at the Port of Cagayan de Oro. The oil tanker rammed one of the columns of Marcelo Fernan Bridge in mandaue city on the night of march 10, 2008. (ph0t0 by JOEY NACALABAN f0r Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)

^^ burn that ship!

hehe

yeah sink it! hehe

Monterazzas de Cebu

- Soon to be the most prestigious and enviable address in Metro Cebu
- Located right at the crown of the Queen City of the South with a commanding 360 degree view of Metro Cebu and Bohol


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas01.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas03.jpg




The view of the progressive metro

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas04.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas05.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas08.jpg




The peak (around 1,000 feet above sea level); this is the most expensive part of Monterazzas de Cebu

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas06.jpg




View of the protected landscape/watershed (central national park)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas07.jpg




This is the "Northridge;" this is the lower (and cheaper) part of Monterazzas de Cebu (more or less 200 feet above sea level). It still commands a view of Metro Cebu

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas10.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas09.jpg




...

Flickr Photo by Storm Crypt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/storm-crypt/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2332669375_d0e1220038_o.jpg

the PNP Chapel right across CNU at RR Landon Street is a nice piece of architecture IMO, and i guess Cebu's skyline--and sports and other related events scene--would look awesome if we built a large say 60-120 meter high stadium patterned after it somewhere in the waterfront

I'm predicting a Makati-type skyline on that avenue. :D

Monterazzas de Cebu

- Soon to be the most prestigious and enviable address in Metro Cebu
- Located right at the crown of the Queen City of the South with a commanding 360 degree view of Metro Cebu and Bohol

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas05.jpg



^^ Superb shot Nold! :okay:

What's the timetable for this project? As per press released, it's been said that this is Landco's creme de la creme project in the country today! :banana:

Tourism, ICT drive Central Visayas economy
By Minerva BC Newman

Cebu, Philippines (14 March) -- Tourism and the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sectors are growth drivers of the regional economy.

NEDA-7 regional director Marlene Rodriguez reported that Central Visayas economy has moved forward significantly because of excellent public-private sector tandem in building and promoting tourism and its downstream industries.

In a joint full council RDC-RPOC meeting today in Bohol, Rodriguez told the audience that the two sectors fueled the growth of other sectors that are directly or indirectly aligned with tourism and ICT industries such as construction, power, banking, retail trade, and transportation.

NEDA-7 reports that Central Visayas tourism industry expanded in 2007 with visitor arrivals posted at 18.7 percent increase from last year's level of 11.80 percent. The region's hosting of a number of ASEAN-related meetings contributed to the growth of the industry.

The report further said that the continued promotion of Central Visayas as a premier tourist destination in the country has remarkably improved tourism growth in 2007.

International communities have recognized specific areas in the region as among the best tourist destinations in the world. In 2007, a travel magazine ranked Cebu as seven (7) among the 10 top island destinations in Asia and Indian Ocean.

Total tourists' arrivals, foreign and domestic from 2005 to 2007 have been steadily increasing from nearly 1.5M in 2005 to more than 1.633M in 2006 and 1,938,111 in 2007.

The NEDA-7 regional economic situationer report also cited the positive performance of the export and agriculture sectors. It said that the region's export industry appeared to have recovered in 2007 enough to post a positive from a negative growth in 2006.

Total export earnings in 2007 increased from $3.726-million in 2006 to $4.922-million. The increase however, was partly due to the rapid appreciation of the peso that made the region's export products more expensive in the international market.

Although there was an increase in the export sector, industry players said 2007 was not a very good year for the entire export industry in the region because the rapid peso appreciation adversely affected the small and medium enterprises (SME) some even closed shop.

The report also noted there were still certain sectors in the industry that managed to perform well such as the gifts, toys, house-wares (GTH), fashion accessories and high-end furniture products.

Electronics on the other hand continued to be the top export product and dollar earner in Central Visayas in 2007 followed by other industrial goods, electrical equipment, garments, traditional products, furniture, steel and metal products, vehicles and machinery parts, marine products and GTH.

The ICT industry on the other hand also performed well in 2007. More business process outsourcing (BPO) firms set up offices in various parts of the region while those existing companies expanded their operations.

The NEDA-7 report also pointed out that part of the investors' attraction of Central Visayas specifically, Cebu was its selection as disaster recovery area for IT firms.

A disaster recovery area according to the report is where IT firms transfer or replicate their operations in case there are disruptions in their main centers' operations which are mostly located in Manila.

It was reported that at the Asiatown IT Park alone, the number of IT firm locators increased from 20 at the start of 2007 to 30 by yearend.

Employment generated from the IT Park also rose to 11,000 in December 2007 from 7,000 in 2006 as a result of the opening of new facilities and the expansion of existing firms.

Meanwhile, investment interests in the region also remained strong in 2007 with most prospective investors wanting to invest in tourism and ICT-enabled sectors.

According to the Board of Investment (BOI), there were two registered projects in Central Visayas worth P725.9 million. These are located in Negros Oriental with an agricultural processing project and the other is a tourist accommodation facility Bohol.

With the continued boom in the tourism market, investments were related to hotels and resorts and other related facilities such as spa, and fitness and wellness centers.

A number of new BPO investments started in the region, many of them are into call centers, software development, and computer animation.

The NEDA report further said that the number of projects in Central Visayas that were registered with the BOI doubled in 2007 from seven (7) projects in 2006 to 14 new projects in 2007 with a total investment cost of P15.69 billion.

These projects included cement manufacturing, ship repair and food processing to mass housing, tourist facilities, construction, and establishment of ICT-enabled industries. Nine (9) of these projects are located in Cebu, three (3) in Negros Oriental and two (2) in Bohol.

In similar developments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in the region has approved a total of P4.38 billion worth of investments in 2007.

It is 43 percent less than the total investments PEZA approved in 2006. According to the PEZA report, the decline was the result of the more than 60 percent drop in foreign direct investments approved by PEZA in 2007. Local investments on the other hand was up by 9.18 percent from P2.081 billion in 2006 to P2.272 billion in 2007. (PIA-Cebu) [top]

HERE (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080314.htm&no=16)

from guam pacific daily news...

Chambers of commerce meet in Guam

"Reinke said American chambers of commerce should work "to embrace" business-to-business collaboration. Even big companies such as GE are now increasingly engaged with other businesses in bold, new ways, she added.

Reinke mentioned factories in Philippine locales such as Cebu as being engaged in manufacturing of chips for internationally known phone brands."

MORE HERE (http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080315/NEWS01/803150308/1002)

It's only now that I know that there's a city ordinance defining "downtown Cebu City" or the central business district.

Downtown Cebu or the "central business district" is bounded by the Guadalupe river and M.Velez street, Escario street up to Gorordo Avenue and then to Gen.Maxilom and then to Quezon blvd (port area)..

So the entire shot below is basically downtown Cebu City, weeehh..


..



Flickr Photo by Storm Crypt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/storm-crypt/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2332669375_d0e1220038_o.jpg

@tj_brewed


*** tj_brewed has exceeded their stored private messages quota and can not accept further messages until they clear some space.

Monterazzas de Cebu

- Soon to be the most prestigious and enviable address in Metro Cebu
- Located right at the crown of the Queen City of the South with a commanding 360 degree view of Metro Cebu and Bohol


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas01.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas03.jpg




The view of the progressive metro

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas04.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas05.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas08.jpg




The peak (around 1,000 feet above sea level); this is the most expensive part of Monterazzas de Cebu

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas06.jpg




View of the protected landscape/watershed (central national park)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas07.jpg




This is the "Northridge;" this is the lower (and cheaper) part of Monterazzas de Cebu (more or less 200 feet above sea level). It still commands a view of Metro Cebu

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas10.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas09.jpg




...

ganda!!! is this a residential development or commercial?

It's only now that I know that there's a city ordinance defining "downtown Cebu."

Downtown Cebu or the "central business district" is bounded by the Guadalupe river and M.Velez street, Escario street up to Gorordo Avenue and then to Gen.Maxilom and then to Quezon blvd (port area)..

So the entire shot below is basically downtown Cebu,weeehh..


..

I thought Colon is downtown and Fuente to Capitol is uptown:)

^^

Maybe that was before but now downtown or the central business district covers the area in that aerial shot.. Uptown should now be the residential areas in Talamban..

A lot of us though including myself have gotten used to referring downtown as the "old" part of Cebu City.



..

^^i didnt know that Cebu's Downtown area was that large :)

well if we have that ordinance defining Cebu City's Downtown, maybe we could also expect to have (or at least in the near future) a set of ordinances defining greenbelt areas in between municipalities and cities in the metro to maintain the greenery and curb the spread of urban sprawl

* * *

and btw, IMO, the PNP chapel right across CNU at RR Landon street is a beautiful piece of architecture, and Cebu's skyline--and sports and other related events scene--would, IMO, look rather gorgeous if a 60-120m stadium based on its design gets built in the waterfront

^^

Yup, speaking of "greenbelt" we have the protected landscape where the watersheds, forests, etc.. can be found. It's still part of Cebu City :okay:

Passed by there just a while ago on my way to "Island in the Sky" and I'm so happy to know that the trees that we planted many years ago have grown, hehehe..

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas/monterazzas07.jpg

Follow up to Arnold's post

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2335288132_cde5b0fa38.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2334438759_6f922236a8.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/2335270662_18f4a0a34b.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/2335264050_7917f5c1e5.jpg?v=0

Mactan Cebu International Airport and Waterfront Mactan Hotel & Casino
pic by @storm_crypt of flickr!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2332669505_18918da256_o.jpg

repost from Cebu Heritage Walk Thread

The 1919 San Roque Parish Church in Valladolid, Carcar City, Cebu that's soon to be demolished to give way to a new church.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5592/sanroque01af7.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1364/sanroque02uu2.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3127/sanroque03wu7.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/ether_2006/DSC01342.jpg

open na ang multi-level parking space sa SM Northwing hehe..

mga bai, im new here and i want to join this forum.
BTW, nice developments for metro cebu. Im really amazed how boom our metro now

welcome @federalist!

i like your username. hehe

Senator Jun Lozada will be in Cebu tomorrow

Senator Jun Lozada will be in Cebu tomorrow
take some pictures bai,.. and bring some tomatoes too...:lol:

LOL! a sports columnist in sunstar said that there's one celebrity missing in attendance during pacman's fight, he asked "where's senator jun lozada?". he added that this guy is campaigning early w/c in my opinion is so true!

muabot siya ugma..
mag-mass unta sila diri sa cebu pero wala'y pari nga musogot magmisa..
mao mag-interfaith2x nlang daw sila...
ambot unsa na..

welcome @federalist!

i like your username. hehe

tanx bai

welcome @federalist!

i like your username. hehe

tanx bai

Federalist, welcome to the group!!

The prices for the lots at (The Peaks) Monterrazas de Cebu range from 9 to 20 million per cut. This development is going to be more expensive than Maria Luisa Estate.

@federalist

Wohoi. :wave:

Welcome to all newbies...

Hi guys!! Just want to share with you some pics from my trip in Northern Cebu. This is in Tabuelan. Nice beaches! Sorry for the very poor quality of the pics, I used a relatively new camera phone.. and it was raining, so little to no sunshine.. But I was very impressed with the beach.. It wasn't rocky at all, just beautiful, powdery sand caressing your feet even while you're already far far out into the sea.. When we visited there, the waters were surprisingly very very shallow.. but you can still swim and enjoy.. I dunno why, maybe the seabed isn't steep or sloped it's just flat..

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii73/ashen_cordonata/durhanstrip2.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii73/ashen_cordonata/durhanstrip.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii73/ashen_cordonata/durhanresort.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii73/ashen_cordonata/durhanbeach3.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii73/ashen_cordonata/durhanbeach2.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii73/ashen_cordonata/durhanbeach.jpg

The resort where we stayed was Durhan beach resort..

Tourism, ICT drive Central Visayas economy
By Minerva BC Newman

Cebu, Philippines (14 March) -- Tourism and the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sectors are growth drivers of the regional economy.

NEDA-7 regional director Marlene Rodriguez reported that Central Visayas economy has moved forward significantly because of excellent public-private sector tandem in building and promoting tourism and its downstream industries.

In a joint full council RDC-RPOC meeting today in Bohol, Rodriguez told the audience that the two sectors fueled the growth of other sectors that are directly or indirectly aligned with tourism and ICT industries such as construction, power, banking, retail trade, and transportation.

NEDA-7 reports that Central Visayas tourism industry expanded in 2007 with visitor arrivals posted at 18.7 percent increase from last year's level of 11.80 percent. The region's hosting of a number of ASEAN-related meetings contributed to the growth of the industry.

The report further said that the continued promotion of Central Visayas as a premier tourist destination in the country has remarkably improved tourism growth in 2007.

International communities have recognized specific areas in the region as among the best tourist destinations in the world. In 2007, a travel magazine ranked Cebu as seven (7) among the 10 top island destinations in Asia and Indian Ocean.

Total tourists' arrivals, foreign and domestic from 2005 to 2007 have been steadily increasing from nearly 1.5M in 2005 to more than 1.633M in 2006 and 1,938,111 in 2007.

The NEDA-7 regional economic situationer report also cited the positive performance of the export and agriculture sectors. It said that the region's export industry appeared to have recovered in 2007 enough to post a positive from a negative growth in 2006.

Total export earnings in 2007 increased from $3.726-million in 2006 to $4.922-million. The increase however, was partly due to the rapid appreciation of the peso that made the region's export products more expensive in the international market.

Although there was an increase in the export sector, industry players said 2007 was not a very good year for the entire export industry in the region because the rapid peso appreciation adversely affected the small and medium enterprises (SME) some even closed shop.

The report also noted there were still certain sectors in the industry that managed to perform well such as the gifts, toys, house-wares (GTH), fashion accessories and high-end furniture products.

Electronics on the other hand continued to be the top export product and dollar earner in Central Visayas in 2007 followed by other industrial goods, electrical equipment, garments, traditional products, furniture, steel and metal products, vehicles and machinery parts, marine products and GTH.

The ICT industry on the other hand also performed well in 2007. More business process outsourcing (BPO) firms set up offices in various parts of the region while those existing companies expanded their operations.

The NEDA-7 report also pointed out that part of the investors' attraction of Central Visayas specifically, Cebu was its selection as disaster recovery area for IT firms.

A disaster recovery area according to the report is where IT firms transfer or replicate their operations in case there are disruptions in their main centers' operations which are mostly located in Manila.

It was reported that at the Asiatown IT Park alone, the number of IT firm locators increased from 20 at the start of 2007 to 30 by yearend.

Employment generated from the IT Park also rose to 11,000 in December 2007 from 7,000 in 2006 as a result of the opening of new facilities and the expansion of existing firms.

Meanwhile, investment interests in the region also remained strong in 2007 with most prospective investors wanting to invest in tourism and ICT-enabled sectors.

According to the Board of Investment (BOI), there were two registered projects in Central Visayas worth P725.9 million. These are located in Negros Oriental with an agricultural processing project and the other is a tourist accommodation facility Bohol.

With the continued boom in the tourism market, investments were related to hotels and resorts and other related facilities such as spa, and fitness and wellness centers.

A number of new BPO investments started in the region, many of them are into call centers, software development, and computer animation.

The NEDA report further said that the number of projects in Central Visayas that were registered with the BOI doubled in 2007 from seven (7) projects in 2006 to 14 new projects in 2007 with a total investment cost of P15.69 billion.

These projects included cement manufacturing, ship repair and food processing to mass housing, tourist facilities, construction, and establishment of ICT-enabled industries. Nine (9) of these projects are located in Cebu, three (3) in Negros Oriental and two (2) in Bohol.

In similar developments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in the region has approved a total of P4.38 billion worth of investments in 2007.

It is 43 percent less than the total investments PEZA approved in 2006. According to the PEZA report, the decline was the result of the more than 60 percent drop in foreign direct investments approved by PEZA in 2007. Local investments on the other hand was up by 9.18 percent from P2.081 billion in 2006 to P2.272 billion in 2007. (PIA-Cebu) [top]

HERE (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080314.htm&no=16)

hahahaha! typo error... we only have million dollar exports, we should have billions!

magkita nalang ta ninyo tanan sa bantayan mga guys! iil be there wednesday to saturday. adto lng mu sa amoa. youll see me mag.DJ2x... hehehe libre ang entertainment with house music, trance and great tracks! state of the art laser systems! hehehe! palit lng mu daghan beer! :)

kagabii kay nanuroy mi with my friends sa asiatown. i never expected it to be bustling. naa nay daghang mga buildings. how i just wish it would be taller though but anyway they are beautiful. ask lang ko (sori sa akong pagkaignoy). what is that building built near the THE VILLAGE?

...wala'y mo-misa nga pari ni Jun Lozada sa Cebu...nakatawa lang ko sa report gabi-i sa TV Patrol Linggo...nihilak na sab siya...

^ And he said this: "Ginigipit na naman ako ng Malakanyang!".

Wtf?!? Hello, hindi madidiktahan ng Palasyo ang mga Cebuanos... :rant:

kagabii kay nanuroy mi with my friends sa asiatown. i never expected it to be bustling. naa nay daghang mga buildings. how i just wish it would be taller though but anyway they are beautiful. ask lang ko (sori sa akong pagkaignoy). what is that building built near the THE VILLAGE?

..that u/c building next to the soon-to-open mall at Asiatown is the TG Tower...here's the rendering:

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/5333/eb0ab66dxs2.jpg


...wanna see more of Cebu projects?....go this thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=575066

congratz cebu for giving Lozada the treatment he deserved :applause: IDOL KO KAYO :)

Now Lea Navarro of Black and White movement accused the Archbishop of Cebu (Cardinal Vidal) of being gagged by a congressman or a Malacanyang group.....hmmm.

Palihog lang, peaceful kaayo ang Cebu karon, ayaw lang pag-sinamok mga pulitiko behind everything ZTE! :ohno:

Okay, this whole "why is the Church not acting" debacle for me is just pure crap. I applaud the archdiocese of Cebu for their stand on this issue. I mean, of course the Church has the moral obligation to lead the people to the path of what is supposedly right and just, but doing so doesn't necessarily mean urging the people to act against the government by joining protests and rallies.. tsk tsk tsk.. and remember, these are the same people who are complaining about the Church getting in the way of some political issues...

But I agree, Cebu right now is more or less unaffected by the ZTE Scandal. Life here goes on and honestly, in my travels and excursions in the towns and provinces, there is little to no talk at all about Lozada or ZTE for that matter.

More than ever, I just wished Pacquiao was here in Cebu so we could have welcomed a real hero..

Kinsa naman sad sunod iyang idamay, si Cardinal Vidal? Si Mayor Tomas? Si Gov. Gwen? Hala, the name dropping doesn't seem to stop I'm now doubting his credibility.

Anyway, enough of that. A couple of days ago, I was looking out from one of the rooms in Club Ultima which offered a view of Mactan island, and noticed theres this massive gray structure rising in Mactan. I wasn't able to get a photograph though, but anybody know what it is? Or is there a massive project in Mactan island right now that's starting to rise say, around 5 or 6 storeys.

is it imperial Palace? - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474858&page=2 or it could be cebu seascapes both projects are in Mactan Island.

...Make sure JLozada has gone back home to Manila where he belongs.....:)

To: Jun Loazada

If you can read this or if you are newbie here...:lol:

You should have not included Cebu in your itinerary.
You know how Cebu thinks! Cebu kicks out those who stinks!

Jun Lozada go back here in Cebu anytime you like but not as what you are doing right now, but as a civilian, tourist, ordinary citizen and most of all as a probinsyanong intsik like you proudly said to the public.

Congrats Cebu!!!! Jun Lozada don't come back here to Manila..... hope you go to Bicol region where you are not welcome also bwa hahahahaha.

Congrats Cebu!!!! Jun Lozada don't come back here to Manila..... hope you go to Bicol region where you are not welcome also bwa hahahahaha.

I think Bicol Priests are also not allowed to hold "Mass for Truths" anymore.

Mas maayo hinuon nga naka-anhi pud sya sa Cebu para makahibalo pud sya nga dili tanang tawo ni support sa iyaha. Ug wala gyuy rason nga maghimo na pud ta ug Edsa revolution tungod ug alang niya. Nagka wala na gyud iyang credibility hinuon tungod ana iyang pagsuroy-suroy. Iya pang basul-basulon atong pinalanggang Cardinal nga for 26 years nang ni-giya sa mga Sugbuanon? Nah, kaubo gyud sya sa mga taga Sugbo.

I don't know if it's right but I have read this blog and I really like it. So I hope the owner will forgive me:

http://postcardheadlines.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/km294/#more-490

I think Bicol Priests are also not allowed to hold "Mass for Truths" anymore.

Yes, he is not welcome, gusto ko lang maranasan niya na hindi lahat bilib sa kanya. Only a few students, the militants (as always) adore Lozada here in Metro Manila. Dios mabalos! (thank you in Bicol).

i salute cebu city for what you have done to j-lo

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

sometimes we thought kasi that after what happened and what we did, feeling natin all people were on our side,at higit sa lahat feeling natin artista na tayo :lol: :lol: :lol: well sorry j-lo, people from cebu is more intellectual than manila and other cities in the philippines na dinumog-dumog kapa!

to ms. navarro of blk & wyt movement

bisaya ka pa naman, anong search for thruth ang sinasabi mo? hindi pa ba enought ang TV exposure ninyo ni j-lo at you needed badly to go to places? ABS-CBN alone has an international channel is it not enough?

Now Lea Navarro of Black and White movement accused the Archbishop of Cebu (Cardinal Vidal) of being gagged by a congressman or a Malacanyang group.....hmmm.

Palihog lang, peaceful kaayo ang Cebu karon, ayaw lang pag-sinamok mga pulitiko behind everything ZTE! :ohno:


ang p*tang yan, ina-akusahan si cardinal na namumulitika daw...anong tawag nya sa mga madre at paring bumubuntot kay satanas, este lozada pala?

sometimes we thought kasi that after what happened and what we did, feeling natin all people were on our side,at higit sa lahat feeling natin artista na tayo :lol: :lol: :lol: well sorry j-lo, people from cebu is more intellectual than manila and other cities in the philippines na dinumog-dumog kapa!


Tol, pag-amping sa mga words (Be careful with the words). ;) Following Lozada doesn't measure one's intelligence and judging a locality based on what they believe is somewhat unfriendly.

ang p*tang yan, ina-akusahan si cardinal na namumulitika daw...anong tawag nya sa mga madre at paring bumubuntot kay satanas, este lozada pala?

Actually I was enraged with the quotation of B&W Movement. Although we know that the Catholic Church itself is also marred with politics, but Mrs. Navarro's justification is simply not acceptable.

sige na mga kabarkads. let us stop talking na to this person. he is not worthy of our time and the spaces of this forum. may God bless our country. amen.

ang p*tang yan, ina-akusahan si cardinal na namumulitika daw...anong tawag nya sa mga madre at paring bumubuntot kay satanas, este lozada pala?

very well said! she was accusing him na one sided, ano kaya tawag sa kanila "three sided?" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Those who punched "Po" should be charged in court with assault/battery. Sunstar photographers who caught the act should be called as witnesses.

Those leftists in the USC Gymnasium who "booed" him are a bunch of idiots. The so-called forum was not a forum at all, it was merely a propaganda of anti-Arroyo political wannabes.

The prices for the lots at (The Peaks) Monterrazas de Cebu range from 9 to 20 million per cut. This development is going to be more expensive than Maria Luisa Estate.


You can get one at Northridge -- a part of Monterazzas de Cebu -- for around P4,000,000.. Lot area is 500 sq.meters, quite small though if one would like to build a mansion, hehe.

But the view is still great..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/1932061832_45f21d8feb.jpg


The view at the Peak is quite similar to Tops so medyo malayo na.. I prefer the view at the middle and lower portion..




..

hello SSC cebu, im new here... hope its ok for me to join your forum..... hmmm where is everybody?:hi::hi:

welcome to the forum sidious. may you like our talks and company.

thanx kurom! i only manage to gather enough guts to register and make my first post here but i've been visiting the forum and reading all your posts for about two years now just to know the developments of my beloved cebu everytime im away because work.

Actually I was enraged with the quotation of B&W Movement. Although we know that the Catholic Church itself is also marred with politics, but Mrs. Navarro's justification is simply not acceptable.


its a remark out of desperation coz they are losing the battle. and they knew it. their "STAR" witness proved to be a falling star. he he

if there is one place in the country who benefitted from the economic boom under PGMA's term. it's cebu. i haven't seen such an upsurge of property projects and infrastructure developments like what's happening in cebu right now. and i think you deserve it.:)

the BPO construction in the island is unstoppable. another one's being put up, this time just across Sofitel Cebu (formerly SM-Sheraton).

there's a new building to be constructed near the gate of pier 6. naa nay rendering pero wa lang ko kakuha ug pics

Qimonda I.T. Center
· 6 floors
· across Sofitel Cebu facing Cebu harbor
· target soft opening: December 2008
· fully operational by June 2009

a typical BPO building box and glassy. a billboard has been put up, too bad no chance to take pics of it.

welcome sidious....

sayanga sa area maayo unta bisag 9-12 storey.

thread 68 please...

Post away folks! :colgate:

Link to Thread 67 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=580080) in the Archives.

** Updates **

-- Another I.T. Building (around 5 floors, glassy) will rise at the port area near the former SM Sheraton Hotel. Name is Qimonda I.T. Building

-- An eight storey I.T. Building (I think it's Gothong IT Building) is also nearing completion in H. Cortes, Mandaue City (from Sykes Building, straight ahead)

-- Foundations for expansion of Sarrosa Hotel is complete, they are now working on the first floor. I think it will be a mid to high rise building.



Hehehehe...

great new updates @lordcarnal!
sa mga hilig sad mangape, coffee dream in A! City Mall is now open! nice ang iyang location.

paspasa sa atong forum uy! it is a good sign. GO BISDAK! GO CEBU!

** Updates **

-- Another I.T. Building (around 5 floors, glassy) will rise at the port area near the former SM Sheraton Hotel. Name is Qimonda I.T. Building

-- An eight storey I.T. Building (I think it's Gothong IT Building) is also nearing completion in H. Cortes, Mandaue City (from Sykes Building, straight ahead)

-- Foundations for expansion of Sarrosa Hotel is complete, they are now working on the first floor. I think it will be a mid to high rise building.

Hehehehe...

this might be the owner's site http://www.qimonda.com/

Lozada statement irks Cebu officials
By Wenna A. Berondo
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

During his press conference yesterday, Osmeña said that Lozada’s statement calling Cebu “Archdiocese of Malacañang” is natural reflection of attitude of people in Manila to Cebu.

“This is consistent with their comments before, after the last election that Cebuanos are cheaters, because we don’t vote like them we’re cheaters. Because we don’t follow their line of thinking we are tuta sa Malakanyang.

“I’m tempted to declare war against people like that but we should not, because as I have said before let us not be distracted by these pests.”

With this, Osmeña appealed to the Cebuanos to “just focus on what we have to do here” and concentrate on building and not on destroying.

He said, it will be counterproductive if Cebuanos will allow themselves be drawn by the events that are happening in Manila.

“Let it continue to be that way and one day they will wake up that Cebu will beat Manila, I promise you that. They are not getting anywhere. Then we will show them the painful truth that Manila is not the Philippines,” the mayor said.

more: http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=52&type=2&sec=70&aid=20080318192

City approves Filinvest project proposal at SRP (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=2008031891)
By Ehda M. Dago-oc
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The Cebu City government has finally accepted the proposal of Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corporation to develop a 14-hectare seaside property at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu Investments and Promotions Center (CIPC) managing director Joel Mari S. Yu announced in a press conference that Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña has finally agreed to the proposal of Filinvest to build a mix-used commercial and entertainment complex within the SRP.

However, the said proposal still has to go through the City Council’s approval, and also up for Commission of Audit’s (COA) processing.

“This [Filivest proposal] has to be worked out with COA first. The city can not put the project for bidding unless COA will put their stamp of regularity,” said Yu.

Aside from the 14-hectare development proposal, Yu said Filinvest has also proposed to invest in a joint venture with the City government to develop another 35-hectare property within the economic zone, that will offer upscale residential and condominium units for foreign retirees.

“I don’t think we will have a problem with the City Council,” said Yu, adding that the project will have to wait for COA’s approval, and then normal processing will immediately follow such as bidding, among others.

According to Yu, the City government has initially agreed to offer a P15,000 per square-meter price of the 14-hectare seaside property, which will host shopping facilities, hotels, and other commercial and entertainment joints.

The other 35-hectare property, which will be developed into a chic residential component for retirees, will be done through a partnership with Cebu City and Filinvest.

Filinvest will spend on the vertical development of the retirement village, while the City government will get its share as the owner of the lot.

Other applications of the two giant developers in the country are still under evaluation, Yu said.

These applications from well-known conglomerates are already in the final stages, Yu said.

Of the total 300-hectare, Yu said only 112 hectares are sellable, the rest are areas that will be used for roads, some areas that are included in the measurement are the Kawit Island, and the Pond A.

In an earlier interview with Osmeña, he promised that Cebuanos will be able to see horizontal and vertical works inside SRP within the first semester of this year, and proposals are being seriously examined for approval.

The Mayor admitted that he is very strict in accepting project proposals in SRP, as he has envisioned the zone to be a spectacular international icon for Cebu.

Cebu City is seen to become the richest Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines, as soon as the SRP will start accommodating operating locators.

Envoy vows to initiate Cebu-India trade links (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=2008031888)
By Ehda M. Dago-oc
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Rajeet Mitter has vowed to link the Cebu business community with the large Indian business organizations to advance trade and commerce relations between Cebu and the big cities in India.

Mitter was in Cebu early this week to meet with the officers of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) led by president Edward Gaisano, to explore opportunities in Cebu, especially that it is positioning as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center in the Philippines.

The Ambassador promised to facilitate series of trade delegations to Cebu, especially during the Cebu Business Month (CBM 2008), and that signing of a sister-hood agreement with CCCI and large business organization in major cities in India, like Bangalore, among others will take in place.

According to Mitter, Cebu has become a well-known site for IT and BPO expansion in India, more so, that large IT companies there like WiPro and InfoSis have already established operations here.

The CBM 2008 which will highlight the three industries tourism, ICT, and entrepreneurship will expect good number of delegation from India, specifically the “heavy-weight” IT companies there.

“I will personally recommend CBM to the NASSCOM [National Association of Software and Services Companies],” the Indian Ambassador said.

“I’m encouraging them [India] to come to Cebu,” said the Ambassador, as the environment is still inviting, unlike the “overpopulated” Manila.

Ambassador Mitter believes that Cebu’s IT and BPO industries is going to take the world’s attention and that it will “boom” rapidly.

The Ambassador’s visit to Cebu early this week, was his second time after the ASEAN Summit. He said during the ASEAN Summit, he saw the big potential of Cebu, especially as investment site for big-ticket IT and BPO companies.

Aside from WiPro, Mitter mentioned the good performance of Innodata, which is also one of the biggest BPO companies in India.

Apart from IT and BPO, the Ambassador said Cebu and India could forge a stronger trade partnership in other industries, like in mining, pharmaceutical, engineering consultancy, construction works, among others.

Significantly, he stressed that the Indian Embassy to the Philippines, is now getting more inquiries about Cebu from big IT and BPO companies in India.

“There are still a lot of companies in the pipeline,” he said referring to interested IT and BPO firms that are planning to locate in Cebu soon.

If the stronger trade relations were to be established soon, especially with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Cebu could take advantage intensely of India’s advancement in the IT and BPO sectors.

Earlier, Kiran Karnik of NASSCOM encouraged a collaboration move between Philippines and his country to strengthen both countries’ niche in ICT.

The Indian IT player, Karnik stressed that the Philippines could take advantage of the US$17 billion IT enabled services market, thus immediate collaboration is highly encouraged.

Karnik mentioned specific steps that both countries could start working together such as formulating a framework on how companies in both countries get together and work in synergy.

City accepts firm's plan (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/19/bus/city.accepts.firm.s.plan.html)
Sun.Star Cebu
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

AN official of the Cebu Investments and Promotions Center (CIPC) has announced that the Cebu City Government has accepted the proposal of the Filinvest Group to build a commercial complex in the South Road Properties (SRP).

“The Filinvest proposal has been accepted by the mayor (Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña). The task at hand is to work with COA (Commission on Audit) to make sure it (proposal) has met all the requirements so we can successfully bid it out to any challenger,” said Joel Mari Yu, CIPC managing director.

CIPC is the marketing arm of the SRP, a 290-hectare reclaimed property of the City Government that was funded by a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

In an interview with reporters last Monday, Yu said the proposal presented by the Filinvest Development Corp. (Filinvest), a company founded by Cebuano taipan Andrew Gotianun Sr., was to purchase close to 14 hectares at Pond F with the minimum floor price pegged at P15,000 per square meter.

Yu said Filinvest is planning to develop a commercial complex in the area, complete with hotels and shopping centers.

Additional area

“But unless COA will put the stamp of regularity, the City can’t bid this out,” he said.

He said Filinvest also plans to acquire an additional 35 hectares at SRP and enter into a joint venture with the City Government to establish a residential complex at SRP, targeting the retirees market.

Filinvest is one of the country’s major conglomerates, with interests in real estate development and leasing, financial and banking services, and sugar. The company is controlled by the Gotianun family through ALG Holdings Corporation.

Yu also said the City Government is now in the final stage of negotiations with two other major investors who are proposing to develop multi-million peso projects at the SRP.

Apart from Filinvest, those who had shown interest in the SRP include: SM Prime Holdings Inc., which plans to build another mall; Container Systems Corp., a Singaporean company that will need 20 hectares; Taiwanese firm Paul Yu Group of Companies; JY Construction; Arcenas Group; Paknaan Central Development Corp.; Mactan Rock Industries Corp.; King Group of Companies; and the University of Cebu.

Yu earlier said that CIPC has projected the sale of half of the titled reclaimed lots this year or at least 100 hectares, with one to three deals to be closed this June.

“If the three are approved this year, SRP will be fully occupied in less than five years, maybe even by 2011,” he said, adding that full development of SRP will bring in an additional 50,000 jobs.

Even if only one of the three proposals is closed this year, Yu said this would already be an “achievement” for Cebu City, especially in generating additional income not only from leased and purchased lots but also from commissions on all utility firms that will operate there. (MMM)

:applause: :applause: :applause: wow...nice news to hear.......yes, Mayor is right......forget JLO and let him meddle on his business in Manila while we concentrate how we can improve more our economy.....

Lozada statement irks Cebu officials
By Wenna A. Berondo
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

During his press conference yesterday, Osmeña said that Lozada’s statement calling Cebu “Archdiocese of Malacañang” is natural reflection of attitude of people in Manila to Cebu.

“This is consistent with their comments before, after the last election that Cebuanos are cheaters, because we don’t vote like them we’re cheaters. Because we don’t follow their line of thinking we are tuta sa Malakanyang.

“I’m tempted to declare war against people like that but we should not, because as I have said before let us not be distracted by these pests.”

With this, Osmeña appealed to the Cebuanos to “just focus on what we have to do here” and concentrate on building and not on destroying.

He said, it will be counterproductive if Cebuanos will allow themselves be drawn by the events that are happening in Manila.

“Let it continue to be that way and one day they will wake up that Cebu will beat Manila, I promise you that. They are not getting anywhere. Then we will show them the painful truth that Manila is not the Philippines,” the mayor said.

more: http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=52&type=2&sec=70&aid=20080318192

not only the cebuanos are with you mayor osmeña. we from other parts of the visayas are with you. count us in.

paspas ang dagan sa economy sa Cebu
paspas sad ang SSC Cebu mag update sa new hi-rise
and new information in the metro.

City approves Filinvest project proposal at SRP (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=2008031891)
By Ehda M. Dago-oc
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The Cebu City government has finally accepted the proposal of Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corporation to develop a 14-hectare seaside property at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu Investments and Promotions Center (CIPC) managing director Joel Mari S. Yu announced in a press conference that Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña has finally agreed to the proposal of Filinvest to build a mix-used commercial and entertainment complex within the SRP.

However, the said proposal still has to go through the City Council’s approval, and also up for Commission of Audit’s (COA) processing.

“This [Filivest proposal] has to be worked out with COA first. The city can not put the project for bidding unless COA will put their stamp of regularity,” said Yu.

Aside from the 14-hectare development proposal, Yu said Filinvest has also proposed to invest in a joint venture with the City government to develop another 35-hectare property within the economic zone, that will offer upscale residential and condominium units for foreign retirees.

“I don’t think we will have a problem with the City Council,” said Yu, adding that the project will have to wait for COA’s approval, and then normal processing will immediately follow such as bidding, among others.

According to Yu, the City government has initially agreed to offer a P15,000 per square-meter price of the 14-hectare seaside property, which will host shopping facilities, hotels, and other commercial and entertainment joints.

The other 35-hectare property, which will be developed into a chic residential component for retirees, will be done through a partnership with Cebu City and Filinvest.

Filinvest will spend on the vertical development of the retirement village, while the City government will get its share as the owner of the lot.

Other applications of the two giant developers in the country are still under evaluation, Yu said.

These applications from well-known conglomerates are already in the final stages, Yu said.

Of the total 300-hectare, Yu said only 112 hectares are sellable, the rest are areas that will be used for roads, some areas that are included in the measurement are the Kawit Island, and the Pond A.

In an earlier interview with Osmeña, he promised that Cebuanos will be able to see horizontal and vertical works inside SRP within the first semester of this year, and proposals are being seriously examined for approval.

The Mayor admitted that he is very strict in accepting project proposals in SRP, as he has envisioned the zone to be a spectacular international icon for Cebu.

Cebu City is seen to become the richest Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines, as soon as the SRP will start accommodating operating locators.

abi nako SM will take the seaside property sa SRP,
but, :okay: ra ang filinvest mag develop sa area....

^^ di ba ang SRP kay para sa BPO
ngano man naay housing sa SRP???

^^

Retirement complex man..maybe it's a mixed facility --> condos, shopping complex, hospital, leisure facilities, etc..

^^ i'm glad to know that Filinvest's proposal was approved by the city government...at least, we have variety...it's good na may ibang choice tayo sa Cebu...hindi puro SM or Ayala na lang...hehe...

^ True. Anyway,...

Cebu Holdings says 2007
profit rose 22% to P252M
(http://businessmirror.com.ph/03192008/companies02.html)
By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes
Reporter


CEBU Holdings Inc., an affiliate of Ayala Land Inc., said Tuesday its net profit in 2007 grew 22 percent to P251.8 million from P206.8 million a year earlier on the back of improved sales.

The company, whose shares are traded on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), said consolidated revenues amounted to P1.28 billion, up 24 percent from P1.04 billion in the same comparable period.

“The significant growth both in revenues and net income resulted from the increase in commercial land sales, lease income from commercial centers, sale of Amara residential lots, and sports club shares,” the real-estate unit of Ayala Land said in a disclosure to the PSE.

Other revenue contributors include the sale of office lots from Asiatown IT Park and rental from e-office, which are projects of its subsidiary Cebu Property Ventures & Development Corp.

The business of Cebu Holdings centers on real-property ownership, marketing, management and development.

It is 47.26-percent owned by Ayala Land. Other owners include Santiago Land Development (13.21 percent), First Metro Investment Corp. (9.72 percent) and the public (29.81 percent).

The company owns and manages the Cebu Business Park, a 50-hectare business and commercial subdivision in Cebu City and to date the single largest urban-development project in Central Philippines.

The Ayala Center Cebu— a shopping and entertainment destination of residents from Central and Southern Philippines—serves as the business park’s main attraction. In June 2007, Ayala Center opened a new building of 5,800 square meters and introduced to the market 50 new concepts that include foreign and local brands, an IT zone and a supermarket brand for the A-B segment south of the main island of Luzon.

The Lagoon Redevelopment project, popularly known as the Greenbelt of Cebu, is under construction and set to open in June 2008.

Cebu Holdings also pioneered the development of high-rise residential and office in Cebu. So far, the company has developed two office condominiums—Cebu Holdings Center and Ayala Life-FGU Center Cebu—that were sold out in 2002, as well as the high-rise projects known as Park Tower I and II.

In 2005, CHI launched seaside residential development Amara, in partnership with Cebu Coastal Highpoint Ventures Inc. The 46-hectare residential project broke sales records when Phase 1 was sold out a few weeks after it was launched. Phase 2 was launched in July 2006, and by year end, only eight lots remained in its inventory.

^^ i'm glad to know that Filinvest's proposal was approved by the city government...at least, we have variety...it's good na may ibang choice tayo sa Cebu...hindi puro SM or Ayala na lang...hehe...


The article in Sunstar Daily mentioned SM Prime Holdings as one of the interested investors whose application is still under evaluation.. If approved then there would be two commercial establishments at the SRP, :banana:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/19/bus/city.accepts.firm.s.plan.html

cebu countryside...


pic & text by @fast_lens
This bridge is located somewhere in the Mountain Barangays of The Municipality of Balamban, western part of Cebu Province, Philippines. Somewhere near Mt. Manungal, where the late Pres. Magsaysay died in an airplane crash.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2343090781_f129b6cd39_o.jpg

Festival Supermall - Cebu :banana:

^^ as reported about a year ago or so, Filinvest will be constructing a commercial strip ala Bonifacio High Street with restaurants, entertainment establishments and stand alone shops on that prime lot facing the Mactan Channel...

^ Well that's even better. ;)

random flickr! pics....


good 'ol downtown - pic by @fiscaplyder
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2242/2340171482_77491620ef.jpg



...the upper part of the city - pic by @storm_crypt
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2340067324_d54f92318c.jpg

@storm_crypt flickr! pics

view from top of Crown Regency - the big sister looks on to her siblings Metrobank and Midtown Hotel
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/2342839822_42e73c149c.jpg



cebu harbor
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2337105292_20d579e5f5.jpg



mandaue city port / reclamation area
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2336269457_dbd0cf4730.jpg



central cebu canyons
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2331508740_d691ba3f0f.jpg

...if i'm not mistaken, this is the first lot that Filinvest will develop (hopefully, without any hitches) at SRP...a prime lot facing the Mactan Channel...what a beatiful view for future Bo's, Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, Tea Leaf, Seattle's Best coffee shops...

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/diehardbisdako/bigfoot.jpg

cebu countryside...


pic & text by @fast_lens
This bridge is located somewhere in the Mountain Barangays of The Municipality of Balamban, western part of Cebu Province, Philippines. Somewhere near Mt. Manungal, where the late Pres. Magsaysay died in an airplane crash.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2343090781_f129b6cd39_o.jpg

sad to say, this bridge is of no use. vehicles of any type are not allowed to pass through this bridge due to its unreliable foundation. vehicles would only use the one lane strip beside the bridge.

this news is just classic... :D


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/metro/view/20080319-125652/Man-robbed-during-outdoor-tryst

Man robbed during outdoor tryst
By Dale G. Israel
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:30:00 03/19/2008
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines - A 36-year-old man lost his money and his clothes while having sex with a woman at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City on Monday night.

Pablo Cañete, 36, of Barangay (village) Tubod in Asturias town, Cebu, said he hired the sexual services of a woman at the reclamation area.

They went to a vacant lot along the Ouano Avenue, a few blocks away from the Jade Court Motel, where they rented a carton sheet for P15 to lie on.

After a few minutes with the woman, Cañete said he noticed that his clothes and money amounting to P1,500 were gone.

Naked, he caught the eye of Police Officer 2 Rogelio Travero and Police Officer 2 Roberto Peteros, who were patrolling the area.

“We saw him waving his hands at us, so we approached him,” Travero said.

The policemen immediately searched the area and came upon Eric Manso, 26, and Faustino Tunacao, 27.

The two were arrested after policemen found in their possession the clothes of Cañete.

The money, however, was not recovered.

Police also confiscated an improvised scissor with a 5-inch blade from Manso and a 10-inch kitchen knife from Tuñacao.

Charges are expected to be filed against the two suspects on Wednesday.

Travero said the woman, whom Cañete hired for sex, could have been an accomplice of the two suspects as she quietly slipped away during the incident.

He said police received several complaints about Manso and Tuñacao allegedly stealing the clothes of couples having trysts at the North Reclamation Area.

The Mandaue City Police Office Station 1 took into custody 14 commercial sex workers last week in the area. The women were released after they were claimed by their husbands and live-in partners.

Travero said these women sell sexual services for P100, while other residents in the area make a business out of renting cartons to serve as beds for only P15.



hahahahaha.... ahmmm.... kanang karton sa washing machine, 30 kay dako dako.. :D

Cebu City is seen to become the richest Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines, as soon as the SRP will start accommodating operating locators.

Richest debt free province in the Philippines
and
Richest Local Government Unit in the Philippines... :cheers::cheers::cheers:

It's good to read this kind of articles... I'm somewhat relieved of the shameful international news articles about our country today.
Mauwaw ko sa nahitabo sa atong nasud pero proud ko sa nahitabo sa akong SUGBO :okay:
Maypa Cebu nalang akong country :D

-slerz-

aahhh the superlatives :cheers: ....

sad to say, this bridge is of no use. vehicles of any type are not allowed to pass through this bridge due to its unreliable foundation. vehicles would only use the one lane strip beside the bridge.

that's where the gurl stand in the bridge......
i dunno where is the pic????

that bridge is just a few hundred meters from the 'mouth' of the road/corner leading to mt. manuggal.

that's where the gurl stand in the bridge......
i dunno where is the pic????


...yeah, i've seen that pic but someone said here that she is a he! :lol:

Btw guys, I already said here before rumors that Tambuli Beach Resort has been taken over by Bigfoot. Here are some updates:

-My mom who was planning to renew our Tambuli membership was informed that membership isn't available anymore due to a "change in management" daw.
-The other day, mom's friend, who is from the City Treasurer's Office told her that Bigfoot has been paying the taxes for Tambuli for some months daw.
-Rumors are spreading that Bigfoot is planning to redevelop Tambuli into a five-star resort.

:dunno:

Pila man diay ang bayad kung 1,500 PESOS ra dala ni Pablo.
QUOTE=weewit;19125195]this news is just classic... :D
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/metro/view/20080319-125652/Man-robbed-during-outdoor-tryst
Man robbed during outdoor tryst ...- A 36-year-old man lost his money and his clothes while having sex with a woman at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City on Monday night. Pablo Cañete, 36, .. hired the sexual services of a woman at the reclamation area. They went to a vacant lot along the Ouano Avenue, a few blocks away from the Jade Court Motel, where they rented a carton sheet for P15 to lie on.
..., 30 kay dako dako.. :D[/QUOTE]
Cebu should invite USA NY State ex-Governor Spitzner w/ same service for 5,000 per hour in pesos and bring along the NYS State new governor to guarantee no eyewitness and refrigerator box to give so she can rent for 60p.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/IMG_0974.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/IMG_0963.jpg

^^ mountain view resort na nu???
naa sa tops...

Cebu City and SRP

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/ericlucky290/Squib_bohol/squibBohol062.jpg
Taken last Feb. 21, 2008 during PAL MNL-TAG flight

nindota ninyo mga bro ug sis. you can get to travel anywhere you wanted. i am stuck here in my small business. how i wish makasuroy pud intawn ko besides sm.

@sharkleman
Island in the sky na bai sa may Balamban.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2347022524_ddcee7c727.jpg

nindota ninyo mga bro ug sis. you can get to travel anywhere you wanted. i am stuck here in my small business. how i wish makasuroy pud intawn ko besides sm.

Cebu is an island of endless possibilities, a few minutes drive to the Tops or the beaches of Mactan would be a much welcomed change in the picture, without hurting your schedule that much :okay:

MCIA

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2346814037_753ccc89e1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2346814225_1af5cacbc7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2347644734_568b193437.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2346814537_894433a84a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2346814685_1a3a26e376.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2190/2347645234_fa02fb80f6.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/2346815027_32e61a3967.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2347645480_52456f7d52.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2346815341_f39161775e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2315/2346815511_fa190c9818.jpg

Aerials

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2347646040_1d276cdd60.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2347646262_cf1c17c288.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2346816047_f9a0a87e29.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2346816209_141d9f19da.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2347646718_fced82eea3.jpg

^^ last pic is the Sta. Lucia Realty's Discovery Bay Resort & Residences...

here's a pic before....
http://www.mactanproperties.com/DiscoveryBay/overvuDB.jpg

it was my first ever Ferry Boat ride earlier today, the view of the Cebu skyline was simply breathtaking! it was around 2pm. wish i had my digicam with me that time. sayang...

@iloilokid, let me guess... are you on an air phil flight? ;)

thanks for sharing those great photos @iloilocitykid! you have captured the developments there in LLC which we do not normally see!

it was my first ever Ferry Boat ride earlier today, the view of the Cebu skyline was simply breathtaking! it was around 2pm. wish i had my digicam with me that time. sayang...

Yep, everything was sooooo clear early today. :okay:

^^ Cebuanos in the metro suddenly felt fleeing for the countryside as what most of us Filipinos do during Holy Week. I think Bantayan Island is bracing itself for a big feast. :)

^^ last pic is the Sta. Lucia Realty's Discovery Bay Resort & Residences...

here's a pic before....
http://www.mactanproperties.com/DiscoveryBay/overvuDB.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2347646718_fced82eea3.jpg


^^^ yikes guba and ecosystem...

^^^ yikes guba and ecosystem...

Yes. What are they building there?

@iloilokid, let me guess... are you on an air phil flight? ;)

Yap..:)

thanks for sharing those great photos @iloilocitykid! you have captured the developments there in LLC which we do not normally see!

No problem. I just wished I could've visited your city.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/IMG_0974.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/IMG_0963.jpg

Beautiful! Can visitors stay here for a night? Do they offer accomodation?

^^ when we went there, they said visitors can stay overnight, pwede din daw mag tent lang,


Cebu eyes major meet
By Marian C. Baring
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

AFTER learning that Cebu is being eyed as potential venue for the 2014 Asian Beach Games, Cebuano government and sports leaders are in a frenzy to bag the hosting of the major meet.

The Asian Olympic council will be announcing the country’s hosting on April 1 in Manila and among events that will be hosted are beach volleyball, beach football, marathon and swimming. The first Asian Beach Games will be in Bali, Indonesia this year and has 17 events.

Cebu City councilor Jack Jakosalem, who is also the head of the council’s committee on sports confidently said Cebu is the best venue for this event.

“We hosted the Sea Games and other major events, which gives us an edge over Boracay and Mindanao in hosting. Cebu also has the Philippines’ best beach hotels and resorts and the proximity of the beach venues to Cebu City, where other world class hotels are located, will be hard to beat,” Jakosalem said.

The proximity of the international airport is also an advantage.

“The quality of the probable venues like Shangrila, Mariago Blue Waters, Tambuli, Cebu Beach Club, Hilton and even SRP surpass those in other areas, plus the international airport is only 20 minutes away,” said Jakosalem.

Cebu is one of the venues that are being looked at along with Boracay and Davao. The biggest event, whose venue is wildly fought over for, is beach volleyball.

The Cebu Volleyball Association (Ceva) executive director Nonna Catipay said that, as always, they will be putting their best foot forward in the hopes of winning the hosting bid.

Silent war

“It has become a silent bidding war because apart from Cebu and Boracay, I learned that Bacolod and Davao also want to host it,” Catipay said.

Boracay is one of the favorites since it has been the yearly venue for the national beach volleyball competition.

Catipay, however, said that when Cebu goes head-to-head with Boracay, Cebu has a lot more edge since it had worked with the Asian beach volleyball council, and the Federacion International Volleyball (FIVB).

“Our credentials are way better when it comes to hosting international competition,” Catipay said.

Apart from having a well-organized volleyball body in Ceva, Cebu has hosted the World Men’s Qualifying competition at the University of San Carlos Gym and the Asian Girls Championship at the Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex.

“Ceva will always do its best whatever challenge they throw at us. They want a man-made sand court, we will give them one. They want a natural beach, we are surrounded by it. All I know is that whatever FIVB wants of us, we deliver according to their standards,” Catipay said.

Man-made courts were put up for several beach volleyball competitions here in Cebu, including those held in a first-class hotel and a mall.

Meanwhile, Jakosalem said that Cebu is ready for another hosting of an international multi-event competition.

“The best thing to do is try in Cebu a national beach sports festival which includes all the sports in the Asian beach games to show them how able we are,” Jakosalem said.

HERE (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/20/sports/cebu.eyes.major.meet.html)

Beautiful! Can visitors stay here for a night? Do they offer accomodation?

Quite expensive at around P1,500 per room which is good for two persons only.



Celestial Gardens

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/tanchan01.jpg



View of Monterazzas de Cebu

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/monterazzas_de_cebu.jpg



View of Cebu City from Celestial Gardens

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/cebu_city.jpg

^^ nice shots

just bought a new sony cybershot yesterday...
some of my first shots at cbp
sorry for the quality, i tried to edit it because i was inside a tinted car:)

innove tower
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/linuar_bat/innove.jpg


keppel tower with the crativo crane at the back
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd215/linuar_bat/keppel.jpg

:applause: Simply beautiful Rau! :applause: We're looking forward to see more pix from u soon! :okay:

Guys,

I saw most of the SRP photos posted here, and i could say, it's a great landscape.

There is a photo there about benches fronting the sea with a ship passing by, and it's really so cool.

I observe that the water that sorrounds SRP is clear and clean. With this, i would like to raise up a concern....Kung puhon paaboton, mapuno na ang SRP og mga locators, mapabilin ba ang katin-aw ug kalimpyo sa tubig dagat nga nagpalibot niini? Asa man padulong ang mga hugaw nga tubig sa mga locators?

^^

There's a masterplan for the SRP (underground cables, it's own power plant, etc.), I hope that they will also set up a sewerage treatment plan. Hehe.. I'm just hoping but I hope it will be realized..

i took this last week from Wa Shang Lo, Club Ultima.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/panorama/sm_cebu.jpg

^^SM City Cebu, Sofitel Cebu, South Harbor, Mandaue South Reclamation Area, Mactan Channel, Hilton Towers from afar.

^ Did you zoom in your camera Kuya Rus? If not, then Cebu is indeed very small. :D

^^

looks like one could just casually walk from one place to the other noh? but it's far ui, hehehe.. :D

^ Did you zoom in your camera Kuya Rus? If not, then Cebu is indeed very small. :D
^^i cropped the image. :)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/panorama/sm_cebu_orig.jpg
^^this is the original photo. and this one's zoomed already! it's kinda far. :D

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/13/photos/6/500x500/13.jpg/IMG_8796.jpg?et=C9rS5QRw1GPagGCcslcN4w&nmid=4891788

http://images.rhonson.multiply.com/image/14/photos/6/500x500/11.jpg/IMG_8790.jpg?et=oR0omYiaXiMxUG2jeL5UmA&nmid=4891788

Nice photos @reancorbz. :okay: Have you been to Cebu recently?

Wa Shang Lo Viewing Area
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/panorama/downtowncebu.jpg

Does anybody here know how much the Club Ultima membership is worth right now? My dad is thinking of getting one and he has tasked me to know if it's worth it. :D

^^

why don't you call the office instead so that you'll be given more options? hehehe..

Does anybody here know how much the Club Ultima membership is worth right now? My dad is thinking of getting one and he has tasked me to know if it's worth it. :D

- rates start at P261,000++ for individual membership (lifetime) pero covered na whole family (children below 21 years old)

- club monthly dues: P1,000++

^ OMG, mega-expensive :shocked:

^^

Before it was less than P100k right? I think mga P70k pa tu..

With that amount Sinjin, buy a 1-2 hectare farm nalang :okay:

At least you'll have a mini hacienda.. :D

^^but if we compare it with City Sports Club Cebu (Ayala) membership/proprietary share, the lowest price is P859,000.00

^^

Before it was less than P100k right? I think mga P70k pa tu..

With that amount Sinjin, buy a 1-2 hectare farm nalang :okay:

At least you'll have a mini hacienda.. :D

i think they started at Php70K around 6 years ago! they said it will increase to Php300,000 end of this year. :D this means our investment has tripled in 4 years. :)

^^

Grabe noh? For sure there will be lots of "clubs" to come in the future.. Hehehe..

..

most probably it would have its own wastewater treatment facility, i think its a requirement for all master planned developments, the cebu business park has its own treatment facility so we should expect SRP to have its own. after all, it is envisioned to be the single biggest economic driver of cebu city's economy, and as tomas put it, it would make cebu the "envy" of all other cities :)

this is just like MEPZ, although geared towards light manufacturing and exports, imagine what MEPZ has done to mactan and cebu during the 80's and 90's.... SRP is like 3 to 5 times bigger