Cebu City and Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 209

Ex!lE

March 3rd, 2009, 01:51 AM

Plantation Bay expects influx of summer guests (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445062&publicationSubCategoryId=108)
Updated March 03, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines – Amidst the gloomy background brought about by the world-wide economic crunch to the travel industry this year, one of Cebu’s popular inland resort destination, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, continues to look at the influx of both foreign and local tourists this summer.

In an interview with Plantation Bay Resort and Spa’s PR associate Joanna Cuenco, she said that despite the slowdown of the global tourism market, they continue to thrive and attract a handful of visitors this year.

“There is a difference when you compare the situation and our performance today from previous years. But nevertheless we continue to do well in our occupancy and our bookings are still high,” said Cuenco.

She said that for January and February they were able to achieve 80 percent occupancy rate despite the negative prospects of the travel industry this year due to the global recession.

Cuenco noted that compared to previous years, this year their Korean visitors have decreased; however, other nationalities have started to peak up especially Europeans.

She said that the crisis gave them an opportunity to renovate and improve their products.

As of the moment, the resort is renovating four of its guest buildings to provide more value added features to their guests.

The renovations have been started on the first quarter of last year and these renovated buildings are eyed to be ready by the end of this year

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa currently has 256 rooms and last year six rooms were added to its inventory.

She said that to counter the forecasted slowdown in the industry, they are active in looking for new businesses in other places.

In fact this coming March, the resort will be joining an international travel fair in Berlin, Germany to attract more foreign guests.

“With the crisis, there is a slight difference but not to a point that we are already struggling and have to lay off workers. Although other hotels and resorts are affected with the current crisis, things are still on a normal range for us. Even if there is a recession world-wide we believe that the market will still want to enjoy life that is why we go out on our way to invite more people to experience the resort,” said Cuenco.

Plantation Bay recently launched its Summer Frolix, an annual promotion that targets domestic tourists as well as Filipino balikbayans.

Summer Frolix allows guests to avail a 20 percent discount for a minimum of three days and two nights stay at the resort.

At the moment, they have started to receive quite a number of bookings that has availed of their Summer Frolix promo.

Cuenco said that so far, their bookings for summer is doing fairly well and they expect more guests especially local tourists to flock.

“Summer is one of our peak seasons and every summer, we bank on the domestic tourists because usually we get a good number of Filipino tourists. Since we are not really badly affected with the crisis, we expect the same number of guests this summer,” said Cuenco. — Rhia de Pablo

vatics

March 3rd, 2009, 02:58 AM

CEBU Bar in Philadelphia
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3414/thewirecebuqt9.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/cbarlatt/CebuFriflyer.jpg

when you hear the word "cebu" ... it simply means a past time... or relaxation and enjoyment.... doing business and pleasure at the same..... no place like home....

cebu - the best place to go!

actually i was dreaming of that before.. kanang light effect sa bridge..

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7425/mfbridge.gif :cheers:

i dream that someday.... cebu will become the country's city of lights... from the harbour up to the mountaintop.... filled with lights all over.... and the festive mood is all around you.... wherever you are in the metro!

very nice but loud due to flight path of landing aircraft at MCIA.

actually the noise created by the planes landing at MCIA are not as loud as people think unless they are 100 meters away from the airport. i once slept at my friends house in mactan... only a kilometer away from the airport and i heard the noise of aircrafts landing and taking off the airport... it wasn't as loud as i thought it was before. since the airport is not that busy at all... the noise created by planes in and out of the airport is bearable and almost unnoticeable when you are watching a television or listening music from your ipod.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2192/dsc00633.jpg

i would like to see this "bamboo iconic sculpture" at the center of SRP rising 3 stories high with lights and landscaped garden around it inside SRP's big rotunda similar to that in fuente circle.... that would be a nice addition to the landscaping of South Road Properties. when you see the icon being photographed by tourists... then you will know that you are within the SRP grounds.... the future city of cebu....

mOjicAn

March 3rd, 2009, 03:27 AM

Students put up coffee shop at USC campus as part of course program

THE lifestyle and business of drinking coffee have penetrated the University of San Carlos (USC) campus as a group of its senior business administration students pooled their money to put up a coffee shop within the university’s walls.

Since the students’ group started Cappacopee in June last year, it has become a fully operational, government-registered commercial entity. It is the only concessionaire at the USC Law and Business School building on Pelaez St., Cebu City.

“There is a market here. There is demand for coffee and coffee-based drinks. Coffee has become a commodity for both young and old,” said Kyshia Ong, president and chief executive officer of Big Fish Corp., which owns and manages Cappacopee.

The coffee shop was an idea born primarily due to the students’ love for coffee. When they were required to invest in an actual business venture as part of the practicum program under their course, the students formed Big Fish Corp. and established Cappacopee.

Study

Big Fish Corp. is composed of 17 students with majors in marketing management and entrepreneurship. Each shelled out more than P10,000 to purchase machines, equipment, furniture and utensils for the coffee shop.

Ong said the group made a feasibility study early last year, taking into consideration the boom in the coffee shop business in Cebu. In a couple of months before Cappacopee was launched, the people behind Big Fish Corp. underwent training on making drinks and bartending under their Manila-based supplier of machines and equipment.

The coffee shop, which is run by the students, has been making an average of P2,000 to P3,000 a day in sales from vending drinks and pastries to fellow students, faculty and school administration.

Cappacopee’s hot coffee drinks are priced from P35 to P60 and its iced drinks from P50 to P60. Its bestsellers include cappuccino for hot coffee and iced choco for iced drinks.

“Our price is competitive. We have our own blend. We have built a brand inside the school and we are conveniently located here as the only concessionaire of this building,” Ong told Sun.Star Cebu.

Since the USC Law and Business School is separate from the USC main campus, Cappacopee is not easily accessible to other students. To address the situation, the group now offers delivery services.

Apart from expanding their menu, Big Fish Corp. plans to move out from its present location sometime next year to join homegrown coffee shop players in the industry and cater to a much bigger market. (NRC)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/students-put-coffee-shop-usc-campus-part-course-program

Hiroshima

March 3rd, 2009, 06:27 AM

Wow! what a vision!!! hehe

I have to see this in building (in person diay). Very big difference compared before. This will have a good impression sa mga tourists.

Ang Super Metro Mandaue na lang...Mag redesign na pud ta sila.

camera phone photos I took earlier today
Ayala Mall? SM Northwing? :?

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Lapu-Lapu/Gaisano%20Mactan/03022009550.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Lapu-Lapu/Gaisano%20Mactan/03022009547.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Lapu-Lapu/Gaisano%20Mactan/03022009545.jpg

Taking Cebu-based Gaisano Malls to the next level...

Gaisano Mactan Island Mall
Lapu-Lapu City
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Lapu-Lapu/Gaisano%20Mactan/03022009551.jpg

Newly improved facade of the mall. major improvement and reconfiguration of the mall interior is on-going.

PINOYmeat

March 3rd, 2009, 07:20 AM

OT again...

ive read somewhere that our place is a testing ground for products of some sort.. companies like procter and gamble daw test out our market first before introducing it to other places...
the reason, we cebuanos are known for our frugality... we expect quality service or products for quality prices... (sa binisaya pa tihik!), ergo.. once a product or service clicks in our place it would click also to other places...

it would be greatly appreciated if someone, especially experts in marketing to confirm this... (thanks in advance)

USJR pud ko.. LOL

its an open secret among those who want to start up a business.

sample lang ito from the owners of bigby's cafe....

--------------------------------------------------------------------

On its second year, Bigby’s was invited to put up a branch at the Ayala Entertainment Center in Cebu. The partners were ecstatic but nervous for they knew Cebu was an entirely new ball game.

“We were the only probinsyano player and a newbie at the Ayala Entertainment Center, while the others were already big in this business,” Henrik says.

But just like in Cagayan de Oro, Bigby’s was a big hit in Cebu.

“Maybe that’s because we have good food and we offer value for money,” he says.

By then, Bigby’s had already positioned itself midway between fine-dining and fast-casual dining.

“That’s when we realized our concept could survive in other places,” he says.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20090301-191653/Bigbys-Caf-breaks-into-culinary-scene

venntro

March 3rd, 2009, 07:38 AM

Cebu traders brace for impasse in local decisions (http://http://www.bworldonline.com/BW030309/content.php?id=051)

CEBU CITY — The Cebu Economic Advisory Group, a coalition of 11 business organizations, will draft measures to help local traders ride out the expected lack of local government action starting in the second half.

This, as politicians nationwide start their informal campaigns well before the official period that starts in March next year for such sorties in the run up to the May 10, 2010 national and local polls. As with previous preelection years, the second semester — which coincides with the last regular session of the current 14th Congress — is expected to be marked by inaction on priority legislative measures that were otherwise designed to prod economic activity, especially amid the current, deepening global economic slump. The national situation is usually mirrored at the local level, especially in districts with hotly contested seats.

"We expect the political period to start in the second half of this year. We have to be prepared. We have to find out how we can help our businesses ride it [inaction by political leaders even on pressing economic issues] out. That will be our next project," said advisory group chairman Geronimo D. Sta. Ana.

The advisory group just recently completed a business sentiment survey that found out that almost half, or 46%, of the 150 respondents expected the Philippine economy to worsen this year.

The survey, which is the group’s first project, also showed that 40% of the respondents expected a decrease in business activities, while 56% expected the volume of exports to go down and about 48% expected a decrease in the volume of imports.

Mr. Sta. Ana, however, was confident that Cebu-based businesses would remain resilient.

Except for the export sector, which is taking a beating, "we are still not affected much" by the global crisis, he added.

The group has asked Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr., a former socio-economic planning secretary who now heads the Institute for Dev’t and Econometric Analysis, Inc. (IDEA), to serve as special adviser. Mr. Paderanga, who has accepted the offer, recently gave an economic briefing to members of the 11 business organizations comprising the advisory group.

The advisory group was formed to provide all business groups in Cebu a sounding board on their common concerns. The new group is also envisioned to help make Cebu more investment-friendly. Spearheaded by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the group includes the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines-Cebu, American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines-Cebu, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Cebu, Mactan Export Processing Zone, Chamber of Exporters & Manufacturers, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines-Cebu, and Cebu Bankers Club. — Marites S. Villamor

venntro

March 3rd, 2009, 07:43 AM

Chinese tourists lead rise in direct foreign visitors to Cebu (http://http://www.bworldonline.com/BW030309/content.php?id=056)

TOURISTS from mainland China arriving in Cebu last January increased 204%, while visitors from Hong Kong rose 163%, the Tourism department said in a statement yesterday.

In addition to the growing number of Chinese visitors, Russian tourists also increased 133% and Indians by 108%. Russians come during their winter period to stay for 12-15 days, while Indian tourists stay for an average of 20 days, the statement read.

The number of tourists directly arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport last January grew 5% year on year to 36,653.

-sharkleman125-

March 3rd, 2009, 12:27 PM

Where did you get that info? I've seen the lot and it's quite small, minus parking pa. Unless they'll have basement parking and they'll make the mall a midrise, which I highly doubt.

Dili kaayo ko sure ha pero murag giclose ang cinemas katong pag-add nilag 4th level.

EDIT: Ay, naa pa diay kuno'y 2 cinemas.

Aw dili pa obliged si @diehard nga bawion iyang statement uy kay wala pa man ta'y nakita sa pagkakaron. Unya na ta mujudge if mahuman na tanan. :D

Actually Sinj. the 2 cinemas are closed.
and finally GGFM has a foodcourt (replaced the cinemas),
a home center on 4th floor, a mini-tiangge in the ground floor,
a mini Hardware on the extension of the supermarket area and
extension of supermarket on the lower ground floor.

Here is the update of new stores opened in GGFM:
David's Salon
Red Moon
HBC (newly transfered)
Asian Home Appliance Center
Globe Business Center
Healthworks
Salon de Rose
World of Fun
Angelica's Bakeshop

rustyboi

March 3rd, 2009, 01:39 PM

kay tungod lagi atong fantasy dire sa Cebu usually ma tinuod...

actually i was dreaming of that before.. kanang light effect sa bridge..

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7425/mfbridge.gif :cheers:

dream no more! i passed by the bridge and they started installing lights on those huge cables too! :rock:

a_terisk78y™

March 3rd, 2009, 02:03 PM

^^

hala sakto si bai concern.... mmm mo agi ra ba ko diha unya nig uli nako sa talamban...:)

betro

March 3rd, 2009, 02:10 PM

^^

hala sakto si bai concern.... mmm mo agi ra ba ko diha unya nig uli nako sa talamban...:)

Picture dayon bai...

rustyboi

March 3rd, 2009, 02:40 PM

My South Cebu Road Trip - March 1, 2009
Boljoon
One of the oldest towns in Cebu

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010797.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010800.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010813.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010814.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010826.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010848.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010856.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010858.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010960.jpg

diehardbisdak

March 3rd, 2009, 03:01 PM

flickr pic from @reysanchez78

Balamban Plaza
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3322938768_e4afc1437e.jpg?v=0

rustyboi

March 3rd, 2009, 03:08 PM

Cebu Club FortMed
Boljoon, Cebu
March 1, 2009

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010964.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010967.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010873.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3011070.jpg

diehardbisdak

March 3rd, 2009, 03:20 PM

diehardbisdak

March 3rd, 2009, 03:36 PM

random panoramio pics

Genera Milling Corporation
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5668544.jpg

St. Louis School of Mandaue
http://static2.bareka.com/photos/medium/12084885.jpg

Honda Showroom - Mandaue City
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/10207148.jpg

SMB Brewery Complex - Mandaue City
http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/16821015.jpg

Parkmall - Mandaue City
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/11087002.jpg

Citibank @ CBP
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5921353.jpg

The Terraces
http://static2.bareka.com/photos/medium/16449413.jpg

Sinjin P.

March 3rd, 2009, 03:50 PM

Gaisano Mactan Island Mall

...then!
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5035478.jpg

...now!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Lapu-Lapu/Gaisano%20Mactan/03022009551.jpg

pics source: panoramio / @rustyboi

.

Naa pa ju'y way before...

Gaisano Mactan when it first opened!

http://photos-p.friendster.com/photos/46/63/41463664/716182504l.jpg

Photo by: Domark Paquibot

leylander

March 3rd, 2009, 03:59 PM

my aunt said that the old Tong Yan building will become the Jollibee Archbishop Reyes branch.

diehardbisdak

March 3rd, 2009, 04:01 PM

^^ grabe kagastos diay ilang nahimo..heheh!

diehardbisdak

March 3rd, 2009, 04:07 PM

my aunt said that the old Tong Yan building will become the Jollibee Archbishop Reyes branch.

...so, dili diay hotel as what everybody was expecting....i hope nindot ang design with drive-thru...

leylander

March 3rd, 2009, 04:14 PM

...so, dili diay hotel as what everybody was expecting....i hope nindot ang design with drive-thru...

dili bai. lahi man tong sa magellan's hotel. lahi pud ang katong sa corner gyud. katong tong yan nga gikural karon. atbang gyud sa new LBC. mao daw nay jollibee. ang katong kabayan hotel kay ground level na. human na ang basement tingali kay makita na sa dalan.

extra: daghan nahibulong why nag close ang jollibee guadalupe. abi sa mga taw na-bankrupt daw. girenovate ra diay.

Sinjin P.

March 3rd, 2009, 04:16 PM

^^ grabe kagastos diay ilang nahimo..heheh!

Yep, ang latest renovation nila kay last 2006, kanang mala-Jollibee ang colors. Within 3 years, nausab siguro ang market trend ug murag mas ganahan na ang mga tawo manuroy sa mga aesthetically-pleasing nga lugar so mao sigurong nakadesidir silang magrenovate pag-usab. :D

Sinjin P.

March 3rd, 2009, 04:19 PM

extra: daghan nahibulong why nag close ang jollibee guadalupe. abi sa mga taw na-bankrupt daw. girenovate ra diay.

Haha, mura ra gud sa katong Jollibee sa cor. Maxilom ug Gorordo. Nahibung ko nganong nanira, unya timing pa gyu'd sa Sinulog, aw garenovate ra man diay sila. :lol:

diehardbisdak

March 3rd, 2009, 04:20 PM

^^ bai, kung imo subayon ang Jollibee stores starting from Sto. Niño up to Country Mall, ang distance between stores is about 300 meters to 2 kilometers...grabe! heheh!....or about 15 Jollibee stores including na ang kanang proposed branch diha sa Tungyan...here:

Sto. Niño
Colon - Metro
Colon - Collonade
Colon - former Super Cinerama
Colon cor. Leon Kilat
Leon Kilat cor. P. del Rosario
P. del Rosario - USC
Osmeña Blvd. cor. Arlington
Robinsons
Raintree Mall
Gorordo cor. Maxilom
Gorordo cor. Archibishop Reyer (proposed)
Ayala
Asiatown
Country Mall

....excluding pa na ang sa may area in Capitol, Guadalupe, Lahug, NRA, Mandaue etc...

SleMarKen

March 3rd, 2009, 05:33 PM

My South Cebu Road Trip - March 1, 2009
Boljoon
One of the oldest towns in Cebu

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Boljoon/Px3010814.jpg

wa ta gaabot bai... naa mi sa belfry atbang sa municipio when this was taken.

vicven2

March 3rd, 2009, 06:21 PM

nitambong man diay ang RDC chairman sa Region btw, enough na ba ni ang mga fire trucks with ladder sa Cebu nga maka tubag og sunog sa mga high rises diha?
Until pila kaha ni nga floor maka abot ilang mga ladders...
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7529/dsc00631.jpg

According to our trainor from Cebu Fire Department, the highest their ladders can go is only up to 8 Floors. That's why they would like it better if all buildings above that would be required to have a helipad, for emergency evacuation. But that was a couple of years ago, perhaps they got new trucks with taller ladders. Haven't seen any though.

Jimbu

March 3rd, 2009, 06:53 PM

Film, dance highlight 3rd day of One Visayas expo (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445442&publicationSubCategoryId=107)
March 04, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Presentations on film, dance, music and literature were on show yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center on the third day of the One Visayas exhibit.

The day’s activity started with an Iloilo short film showing and the “Calbayog Lakub” from Samar Province.

The “Ang Musika” of Southern Leyte was also presented along with the Kalipayan Dance Company who entertained visiting students and teachers.

Yesterday the book launching of Dr. Erlinda Alburo’s “A dictionary of Bisayan Arts, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray” was also held.

Alburo also had an earlier lecture entitled “Cebuano Language as a Heritage”.

Today’s activities will again showcase dance and music from other regions of the Visayas.

Meanwhile, the Sinugbuano language which established for the people of Central Visayas a unifying cultural identity was yesterday highlighted through a film screening, along with the other arts of the humanities – dance, music and literature, on the third day of the “One Visayas (A Showcase of Culture and the Arts of Regions 6, 7 and 8)” event at the Cebu International Convention Center.

In four short films independently produced by Cebuano filmmakers, the language was used in the works of Frank Calmita of the SineBuano group for “Serante Serrano”, in Publio Briones’ “Babaylan”, in “Di Na Lagi Mausab” from Panumduman Media Productions, and in “Humamai” on the conversion of Humabon’s wife to Christianity and on how Sinulog, the worship dance, came to be.

More films in the Visayan tongue will be featured today, starting with Bacolod City’s full-length film showing. Three short digital films from Samar will be shown at 3 p.m.

In relation to movie productions, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will conduct a lecture on independent filmmaking at 3 p.m. of tomorrow, March 5. Musical scoring and sound engineering for film will be tackled by Bigfoot, a film school and production outfit based in Lapu-Lapu City, on March 7 at 10 a.m. – Johanna Natavio and Maria Eleanor Valeros/BRP (THE FREEMAN)

SineBuano

March 3rd, 2009, 07:57 PM

Yeah lets support indie films.

Zuburbia

March 3rd, 2009, 09:16 PM

^^
YEZZZ, this is where great talents and sensible movies came from..:okay:

crlazlo3

March 3rd, 2009, 11:38 PM

Great photos from your "South Cebu Road Trip" Rustyboi! Wonderful Cebu. So many beautiful places to explore when we return, forever...

Sleepwalker

March 4th, 2009, 01:25 AM

kay tungod lagi atong fantasy dire sa Cebu usually ma tinuod...

dream no more! i passed by the bridge and they started installing lights on those huge cables too! :rock:

Effective man diay ning fantasy ni @Concern...Mas maayo pa siya na lang ato pabuhaton og mga photoshop-edited nga mga ficture..Hehehehhe

swahi

March 4th, 2009, 01:49 AM

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20090303-192061/City-to-be-richer-by-P348-million

City to be richer by P348 million

Cebu Daily News

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City government will be receiving P348 million from Filinvest Land Inc. on Thursday as the firm’s first payment for the land it bought at the South Road Properties (SRP).

With the payment, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), the city's escrow agent, will release to Filinvest duplicate copies of the certificates of title for the sold property.

The title that would be released to Filinvest would still be under the name of the city but a deed of absolute sale would be issued so that the Filinvest could start working on transferring the titles under its name.

The city was supposed to get the first payment on Tuesday. However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) did not release the properties’ technical description.

Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez assured of getting the documents from the DENR before the 30-day period after the signing of the contract.

According to the Joint Venture contract between the city government and the Filinvest, the LBP has the obligation to release the duplicate copies of the land title to the possession and custody of the Filinvest upon the receipt of the payments. The city would also issue the deed of absolute sale of the property that was paid in installment basis.

The city entered into a Joint Venture contract with the Filinvest to develop a 50.6 hectare property of the SRP worth P25 billion.

The contract involves the development of the 40 hectare joint venture property as well as the purchase of the 10.6 hectare in Pond F.

“We have reviewed the documents and we are ready to sign,” said Fernandez, chairman of the Joint Venture Selection Committee (JVSC) for the Filinvest deal.

He said the City Council need not issue a resolution authorizing acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to receive the first payment and to sign the documents pertaining to the sale and the transfer of title.

“A resolution is not needed as the contract was a catch all,” Fernandez said.

When the mayor was authorized by the City Council to sign the contract, it is already incumbent that the mayor will be signing all the documents which are the effect of the monumental signing of the JV contract on February 2.

A representative of the Cebu City Hall was tasked to go to the Land Bank on Monday to have the title subdivided in the Registry of Deeds under an escrow arrangement. /Reporter Marian Z. Codilla

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 4th, 2009, 02:59 AM

kay tungod lagi atong fantasy dire sa Cebu usually ma tinuod...

dream no more! i passed by the bridge and they started installing lights on those huge cables too! :rock:

wow! basin grabe lang gyud ka saba ta diri sa SSC-Cebu mao daghan makabati sa atong mga damgo! hehehe..:okay:

concern

March 4th, 2009, 04:56 AM

kay tungod lagi atong fantasy dire sa Cebu usually ma tinuod...

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7425/mfbridge.gif

dream no more! i passed by the bridge and they started installing lights on those huge cables too! :rock:

dream come true na..hahaha. Nindot na dyud na tambayan diha sa bridge.. :banana:

Sleepwalker

March 4th, 2009, 05:25 AM

@concern,

Pagphotoshop na pud og lain bai...Hehehehhe

concern

March 4th, 2009, 05:42 AM

^^ sure, kung walay lingaw diri mag edit nasad ko. hehhee

PINOYmeat

March 4th, 2009, 05:42 AM

nanaghan na gyud ang international flights sa cebu...

RP, Bahrain ink air deal to increase flights

"Flights between Bahrain and Cebu, on the other hand, will be increased to seven frequencies weekly on each direction from its previous one frequency a week."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/03/03/09/rp-bahrain-ink-air-deal-increase-flights

and cebu-siargao...

Airline to begin Cebu-Siargao service starting Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines - Starting Wednesday March 4, Cebu Pacific Airlines will serve the Cebu to Siargao route – so far the only carrier to mount this flight – providing easier access to travelers heading for internationally-renowned surfing sites.

Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading budget carrier, will fly direct to Siargao from Cebu three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/151176/Airline-to-begin-Cebu-Siargao-service-starting-Wednesday

and the good news, cebu still enjoys an increase in tourism arrivals, bisan crisis

Cebu posts 5% hike in tourist arrivals
By Roderick T. dela Cruz

INTERNATIONAL visitor arrivals in Cebu grew 5 percent to 36,653 in January from a year ago, led by tourists from China, Hong Kong, Russia and India, the Tourism Department said yesterday.

Arrivals from China soared 204 percent, and from Hong Kong 163 percent, as the Chinese trooped to the island in time for the Lunar New Year, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said.

The number of Russians and Indians flying to Cebu directly rose 133 percent and 108 percent, respectively, the same month, he said, adding the increase was due to the affordable cost of flying to and staying in Cebu, its friendly culture and quick visa processing.

“We are strong on all three factors,” Durano said.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news5_mar3_2009

growing tourism stats, along with boracay.

Tourism will be resilient to global crisis

Boracay, the country’s showcase tourism destination, is still “going well and strong” despite the anticipated reduction in travel elsewhere in the world due to the global crisis.

“The numbers have gone up. From last January’s 48,000 tourists, we now have more than 51,000, or an increase of 5 percent,” the President said, comparing tourist arrivals here in January 2008 and January 2009.

She noted that other traditional tourist destinations in the country are doing well, such as Cebu, where tourist arrivals increased by 5 percent in January over the same period last year.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/6952-tourism-will-be-resilient-to-global-crisis.html

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 4th, 2009, 07:10 AM

@concern,

Pagphotoshop na pud og lain bai...Hehehehhe

^^ sure, kung walay lingaw diri mag edit nasad ko. hehhee

bai iphotoshop ang bukid sa cebu! haha...:lol::lol::rofl:

SleMarKen

March 4th, 2009, 07:20 AM

Trip na Trip

Naa gyuy mga lugar nga tungod sa kanindot og katahom, ato gyong gina balik balikan...(Jason)
Usa na niini ang QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH, CEBU City!...(Uma)

Needless to say, bitin pa kami sa all natural, extremely exciting, stunningly beautiful and very delicious CEBU!
It takes a lot to get to know a place, kami nga kahit ilang beses na kaming bumalik sa CEBU, with all these new experiences, parang bagong CEBU ang nakikilala namin..(Kat Kat)

Kaya antayin nyo sa susunod na lingo dahil hindi pa ubos ang mga bagong lugar na aming papasyalan... dito sa QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH...(Franzen)

raceINT

March 4th, 2009, 07:26 AM

OT: since you guys were talking 'bout Jollibee...
here's their newly opened branch @ Queens, NY, USA.

(phone cam quality)

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2381/124/11/694021588/n694021588_1605704_3426417.jpg

http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2381/124/11/694021588/n694021588_1604717_3657849.jpg

and here are some snaps of my Southern Cebu trip:

The "Infamous" Simala @ Sibonga

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3247228814_6f36fec5d9_o.jpg

Oslob

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3246204861_2bcf5ac994.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3246223187_b4f9ce3485.jpg?v=0

Barili

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3327096187_ba1743fc67_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3308783776_e13864f5c2_o.jpg

habagatcentral1

March 4th, 2009, 07:31 AM

Bai, nganu "infamous" ang sa Simala?

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 4th, 2009, 07:32 AM

raceINT

March 4th, 2009, 07:38 AM

Bai, nganu "infamous" ang sa Simala?

errr, my bad. forgot to put the quotation marks. was going for double negatives. hehe... but if there's anything infamous about the place, its those adjacent landowners who charge rather expensive parking rates.... :ohno: but to make things clear... I have nothing against Simala. =)

filino

March 4th, 2009, 07:58 AM

raceINT

March 4th, 2009, 08:04 AM

^^ A mix of young fil-ams, other asian minority groups and some african americans. :)

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 08:12 AM

nanaghan na gyud ang international flights sa cebu...

RP, Bahrain ink air deal to increase flights

"Flights between Bahrain and Cebu, on the other hand, will be increased to seven frequencies weekly on each direction from its previous one frequency a week."

...karon pa ko ana nakabalo bai...i think there's no direct flight from Bahrain to Cebu...may stop yan sa UAE at mag change ng plane of other airlines such as Cathay or Qatar (to Cebu) or Etihad or Gulf (via Manila)...anyway, i'll try that route when i come home next year for my vacation....here's other international flights at MCIA:

...MCIA truly lives up to its title as international airport...heheheh!

http://ccs.dlsu.edu.ph/nlp-team/paclic22/flightstocebu.png

...i wonder how it will affect MCIA when the airport in Panglao starts to operate...

.

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 08:29 AM

correct, dili man pwede nga uniracial lang, something about their labor code. but the managers are filipinos.

^^ A mix of young fil-ams, other asian minority groups and some african americans. :)

betro

March 4th, 2009, 08:44 AM

City takeover of complex not easy

By Marian Z. Codilla
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:15:00 03/04/2009

Filed Under: Government, Real Estate

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The Cebu City government is intent on clearing the lot being occupied by the CitiCenter Commercial Complex in Barangay (village) Kamagayan by the end of the month.

But City Hall does not expect the traders occupying the place to give it up without a fight.

Kamagayan barangay Captain Celestino Avila said that apart from hosting several businesses, the complex has also become home to 200 families, most of whom were illegal settlers affected by demolition operations in 2002.

The families living in the center could not afford the socialized housing offered to them by the government in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, Avila said.

Before the city takes over the lot, Avila said the families should first be accommodated in the Canduman relocation site.

But he said the city may not be able to offer relocation for the traders occupying the center.

The city government wants to use the lot, which is worth about P100 million, City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said.

He said Mayor Tomas Osmeña planned to develop the area into a sunken park.
The open-air, public park, would also be designed to serve as a drainage system or lake in case of heavy rain.

The nearby University of San Carlos (USC) has also expressed interest in the lot to house its expansion or annex building, Fernandez said.

Avila said that while businesses inside the CitiCenter have been met with varying degrees of success, the place is best known for prostitution and drug pushing.

Avila said Junquera Street, particularly the area close to the CitiCenter complex, is a haven for illegal activity. He admitted that the place is considered the city’s “red light district.”

He said drug and sex trafficking in the area has been a constant problem for barangay officials.

The complex, built in 1982, was originally a bowling center.

The enterprise was met with limited success. It was later converted into a commercial complex.

But the complex’s owners failed to settle their tax obligations with the city.

In 2007, City Hall paid P15 million to the Philippine Depository Insurance Corp. to take over the property.

Late last year, the city government gave the occupants of the lot notices of eviction. But they asked City Hall to allow them to stay until summer because of the families living in the complex.

Fernandez said the city government will clear the lot whether or not USC pushes through with its plan to purchase the property.

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 08:54 AM

Bank allocates P500 million for technology upgrade
Updated March 04, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing that strong positioning is one of the important tools to survive amid the fragile economic condition, Security Bank Corporation (SECB) pours its highest capital expenditure (capex) in the last seven years, spending about half-a-billion pesos for branch expansion and technology upgrade.

In an interview, Security Bank president and chief executive officer (CEO) Alberto S. Villarosa said the bank is cautiously optimistic of the Philippine economic prospects, and there ‘s no way to go, but to push on aggressive moves, saying “our biggest enemy is complacency.”

The bank’s P500 million capital expenditure this year, will be spent mostly in technology advancement of the banks growing 119 branches across the country, giving the optimum customer-service advantage to its clients.

In Cebu, the bank already spent at least P30 million investments for the opening of three bank outlets, located in Banilad, North Road, and Tipolo in Mandaue City, making a total of five branches in Metro Cebu.

While competition is getting tougher in the banking industry, given the fragile economic state, Villarosa said the battle of the banks today is on how to hold on to its customer-based and attracting new ones, via providing optimum service and unique products.

Security Bank’s introduction of new products and services are considered as the bank’s “life blood” and its effective weapon is to stay ahead with the competition, Villarosa said.

“There are three things that differentiated us from other players. These are in the customer service, innovation, and speed to market,” he said.

This year, the bank is going to open 10 more branches in different areas in the country. This is one of its strategies to “reach out” to customers. “We have to bring the bank closer to the consumers.”

Although, Villarosa said the bank is considering 2009 and 2010 as “glass half-full” in terms of economic prospects, he said “this is the best time to invest, and position ourselves well.” — Ehda M. Dagooc

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445417&publicationSubCategoryId=108

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 08:55 AM

^^ we used to play bowling at Citicenter when i was in college...

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 08:56 AM

Philacre to push for global promotion of local projects
By Rhia de Pablo Updated March 03, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines – Hoping to create a “push” that will help the country’s real estate industry become the prime mover of the economy, Philippine Allied Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Licensed Salesmen (Philacre) eyes to embark on international promotion of local real estate projects and tap into the huge Filipino markets based abroad.

Philacre president Anthony Leuterio said that the negative impacts of the global economic recession is undeniable and it has been creating a slowdown in the industry as more people are hesitant to spend on properties especially that the industry has caused the downfall of the US economy.

“We have to bring back the confidence of the market to real estate business. The key here is to promote to Filipinos all over the world the real estate projects that they can invest in here in the country. Its time they think about the country’s economy before they rush on investing in properties in the US which is now at its lowest,” said Leuterio.

He said that the real estate industry has a huge impact to the economy accounting for a huge slab of the country’s annual income.

“Although there are no available statistics yet but the slowdown of real estate is worldwide and news is not good so most stakeholders in the sector are not expecting to hit targets,” he said.

He said that if before they are able to hit 20 units for a certain project, now 10 units are just sold because of factors such as the economic condition, poor marketing exposures of a certain project, bad commission schemes and the wrong project location which makes it difficult to market.

Leuterio said that right now Chinese investors are looking at investing in real estate because they have huge surplus of money and most are eyeing to buy properties in the US.

“We should convince this prospective market to pour in their real estate investments here instead because projects here are positioned strategically and price-wise, it’s even more competitive. There is no reason for them not to invest here in the country because we have a lot to offer,” he added.

Leuterio said that the slowdown of the real estate industry has started since the last quarter of 2008 and the slowdown has so far ranged from 10 to 50 percent in terms of sales.

“At this point, if we look at it in a per quarter basis, the slowdown might even be worse because there is no stimulus and people are waiting and keeping their money,” said Leuterio.

He said that their organization will push for real estate to become the major economic driver of the country.

“We should benchmark real estate as the major economic driver of the country. The manufacturing sector is owned mostly by foreigners but the real estate industry is 100 percent Filipino owned,” he said.

To do this, Philacre will be doing international promotions of our local real estate products and this coming August members are going to participate in the Philippine Fiesta in America, an expo to be held in New Jersey eyed to be a good venue to market local projects and do networking with Filipino real estate practitioners based in the US.

“We will certainly do promotions as a group. Despite our infancy we are confident of what we can as a group to bring back the market’s confidence to the sector and help the industry revive back its heydays,” said Leuterio.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445066&publicationSubCategoryId=108

filino

March 4th, 2009, 09:37 AM

^^ A mix of young fil-ams, other asian minority groups and some african americans. :)

im just curuios, unsa may usual mag dine diha naa pud mga other nationalities or usually fil-ams or pinoys lang? or something that Mcdo country just worry about?

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 09:44 AM

mostly filipinos but residents of Queens regardless of the nationality would also come to dine.

im just curuios, unsa may usual mag dine diha naa pud mga other nationalities or usually fil-ams or pinoys lang? or something that Mcdo country just worry about?

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 09:45 AM

...what do you think guys...pwede na ba ni sila mo-compete with Jollibee?...hehehe! ...it's about time na mag-expand na sila outside Cebu :okay:

GDsovJtFMcg

AiZRJzZhgCI

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 09:56 AM

they already have outlets outside Cebu. i'm not sure if naa pa ba.

...what do you think guys...pwede na ba ni sila mo-compete with Jollibee?...hehehe! ...it's about time na mag-expand na sila outside Cebu :okay:

GDsovJtFMcg

AiZRJzZhgCI

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 10:05 AM

^^ their website shows that they have 21 stores in Cebu...no stores listed outside Cebu....here: http://www.orangebrutus.com/branches.html

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 10:07 AM

nag-close na siguro. they had one in maasin, nakakita pod ko sa Limketkai sa CDO sa una.

QUOTE=diehardbisdak;33133366]^^ their website shows that they have 21 stores in Cebu...no stores listed outside Cebu....here: http://www.orangebrutus.com/branches.html[/QUOTE]

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 10:09 AM

^^ correction: 20 stores ra diay, not 21...

Hiroshima

March 4th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Oi! Speaking of Orange Brutus...

Lami sad bya ilang Burger Steak na Sizzling.

But their TV commercial... oh my goodness ... baduy gyud as in. pina rap rap ang bata. Local jud kaau ang dating.

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2009, 10:16 AM

The fastfood that is sprouting everywhere is Mang Inasal, they even reached towns that you've never heard before. They just opened a branch in Trento, Agusan del Sur. That's a threatening competitor of Jollibee. They serve unlimited rice everyday.

^^ correction: 20 stores ra diay, not 21...

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 10:27 AM

:cheers: :banana: :applause:

Cebu City, Filinvest ink P250B contract (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20090204-187379/Cebu-City-Filinvest-ink-P250B-contract)
By Marian Z. Codilla
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 14:42:00 02/04/2009

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The deal is finally closed.

Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama on Tuesday signed the P250-billion joint venture contract with Filinvest Land Inc. to develop part of the 300-hectare South Road Properties (SRP).

Andrew Gotianon Jr., Filinvest vice chairman, signed on behalf of the private developer.

Within 30 days, a downpayment of P348 million will be paid by Filinvest for the outright purchase of 10.6 hectares in Pond F.

Tristan Las Marias, Filinvest vice president for the Visayas and Mindanao, assured the Cebu City government that the company would make payment on schedule.

Filinvest is mandated to start the first phase of development of a 40-hectare joint venture property on August 2009, starting with property along the road.

The Cebu City government is committed to make available water and power supply within the six months before the development starts.

Joel Mari Yu, Cebu City Investment Promotions Center managing director, said the city will now prepare the legal requirements for power and water utilities.

“Putting the water systems (and electricity) in place is a condition precedent under the Filinvest deal. Filinvest wants the water and power rights in order before they operate,” Yu said.

The city is negotiating with the Visayas Electric Co. (Veco) for power supply and is entertaining an unsolicited joint venture proposal of Mactan Rock Industries Inc. for water supply.

Both utility firms will have to pay the city a concession fee if negotiations succeed. The concession fee for electricity needs approval of the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) while the water supply proposal will have to be bidded out.

The Filinvest JV contract signing on Tuesday was attended by city councilors, who authorized the mayor to sign the deal a day earlier.

City Hall department heads and Filinvest Management officials were also present.

“This is the fruit of our very hard work. We faced many hurdles, many problems but on the way we faced many heroic acts of many people. This is just the beginning and there is more that will come,” said Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, chairman of the Joint Venture Selection Committee.

He said the signing of the SRP joint venture contract signals the beginning of the city's economic recovery.

The city has been paying roughly P1 million a day for its loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the reclamation project.

Because of this, the city had made it a condition for the first developer to be able to earn for the city P1.5 billion within three years.

To reach that amount, Yu said Filinvest agreed to pay the city four times over three years which would amount to P1.54 billion.

The first amount will be Filinvest's downpayment which is P348 million.

The rest of the payment will come from the sale of the property which is about P250 million a year plus the minimum guarantee return of the city, which is the selling price of the property per square meter plus 20 percent interest of the property being developed.

The first portion of the 40-hectare joint venture property that will be developed by Filinvest costs P11,000 per square meter because of its location along the road.

The contract states that the developer must develop the 40-hectare property in four phases. Each phase will cover at least 10 hectares that will be developed within five years.

Las Marias said Filinvest would also develop each 10-hectare lot by phases depending on their master plan.

Filinvest has only six months to secure all permits and clearances from the City Hall.

With the signing of the contract between Rama and Gotianon, the Cebu City councilors said they were optimistic about the future of the city.

“It is clear that after Filinvest starts building at SRP others will follow when they realize the business potentials and advantages the SRP offers,” Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said.

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

Filinvest Land to be Cebu City's partner in developing property (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/146966/Filinvest-Land-to-be-Cebu-Citys-partner-in-developing-property)
GMANews.TV
02/02/2009 | 03:45 PM

MANILA, Philippines- Gotianun-led property developer Filinvest Land Inc. on Monday disclosed that Cebu City has chosen the company to be its partner for the development of a huge chunk of land in the locality.

In a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Filinvest Land said its board approved its acceptance of the Cebu City award to be part of an "unincorporated joint venture over a 50.6-hectare at the South Road Properties ".

Andrew Gotianun Jr., Filinvest Land vice chairman, will also enter into, sign and deliver on behalf of the company, the joint venture agreement upon its approval by the Sangguniang Bayan of Cebu City.

Reports earlier said Filinvest Land has proposed two contracts to the Cebu City government. One covers the purchase for about P2 billion of a 13-hectare lot at the South Road Properties, while the other involves the development of 35-hectare lot across the prime property into a mixed-use commercial project, which will have recreational facilities, residential condominium buildings and IT buildings.

rustyboi

March 4th, 2009, 10:33 AM

^^that's old news na bro, last month pa yan :D

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 10:34 AM

^^ it's dated February 4...re-issued press statements...heheheh!...wala lang...excited! heheh!

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Starbucks 2 at The Northwing SM Cebu

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3328115638_ffa205a973.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3328115596_78e30f202c.jpg?v=0

flickr pics by @diliryobadkarma

.

betro

March 4th, 2009, 10:44 AM

^^ it's dated February 4...re-issued press statements...heheheh!...wala lang...excited! heheh!

Maayo nalang na imoha bai kaysa ni zuburbia na dili katulog. Anyway more are coming pa sa SRP to name a few. AYALA, SM, Pueblo de Oro og uban pa nga hapit napod siguro nahuman ang negotiation.:cheers:

rustyboi

March 4th, 2009, 11:08 AM

^^ it's dated February 4...re-issued press statements...heheheh!...wala lang...excited! heheh!

basin imo pasabot ha karon na nga date, March 4 na baya ron, :lol: :D I heard na tomorrow or the day after next na makuha sa Cebu City Government ang P380-million downpayment from Filinvest. :)

SleMarKen

March 4th, 2009, 11:54 AM

quote ba gyud ni gikan nila? hehehe.. murag wala lagi ko nakahinumdum ani na mga lines? hehehe...;):D

uu, try this link... register first kung dili ma open... http://www.youtube-pinoy.com/media/17725/Trip_Na_Trip/

rustyboi

March 4th, 2009, 01:47 PM

wa ta gaabot bai... naa mi sa belfry atbang sa municipio when this was taken.

really? ka small world! :lol: when we took a photo of the belfry, wala may taw, basin ni sulod mo sa simbahan!

BTW, the second bridge tonight looks really amazing! the light-rope/led is getting longer. kusog lang sad gyud mu blink, i'm sure mga isda sa dagat ma libat! I hope they'll stop that fast-blink mode, the bridge looks like a roller coaster/skywalk extreme facility. hehehe

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 02:47 PM

basin imo pasabot ha karon na nga date, March 4 na baya ron, :lol: :D I heard na tomorrow or the day after next na makuha sa Cebu City Government ang P380-million downpayment from Filinvest. :)

...tiguwang na gyud ko bai...hahahha!

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 03:50 PM

panoramio pics

Skyline Garden - Busay, Cebu City
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2055373.jpg

Busay, Cebu City
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2055361.jpg

Antenna Peak - Babag, Cebu City
http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/13735943.jpg

Transcentral Highway
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/6956632.jpg

Upland Cebu City
http://static3.bareka.com/photos/medium/12327954.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/7933623.jpg

Fooda Supermarket - Consolacion
http://static2.bareka.com/photos/medium/16513409.jpg

Jollibee - Consolacion
http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/16514019.jpg

Jollibee - Liloan
http://static2.bareka.com/photos/medium/16256821.jpg

Zuburbia

March 4th, 2009, 04:29 PM

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 05:42 PM

..fingers crosseD! :cheers:

State school eyes P486-million facility on donated SRP lot (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445727&publicationSubCategoryId=107)
Philstar Online
Updated March 05, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Philippines Visayas-Cebu College proposes to build an initial P486-million facility at the area in the South Road Properties donated by the Cebu City government.

This as the City Council finally approved the deed of donation to UP in yesterday’s session.

In a proposal submitted by UPVCC to city administrator Francisco Fernandez, the country’s premier university is set to construct a P486-million facility for phase one alone of the planned campus on the 51,372 square meters donated by the city.

It will also need an additional P4.1 million to make phase 1 fully operational.

According to the proposal, phase one will include the building for the Masters in Business Administration and for computer science.

Phase 2 will include the structures for communications design and the third phase will cover the structures for product design.

The MBA will have specializations on management and information systems, tourism management, environmental management, urban and regional planning and supply chain management.

For computer science and information technology, there will be a consortium arrangement with several leading higher education institutions in Cebu and with UP Diliman. — Ferliza C. Contratista

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 05:44 PM

..fingers crosseD! :cheers:

State school eyes P486-million facility on donated SRP lot (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445727&publicationSubCategoryId=107)
Updated March 05, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Philippines Visayas-Cebu College proposes to build an initial P486-million facility at the area in the South Road Properties donated by the Cebu City government.

This as the City Council finally approved the deed of donation to UP in yesterday’s session.

In a proposal submitted by UPVCC to city administrator Francisco Fernandez, the country’s premier university is set to construct a P486-million facility for phase one alone of the planned campus on the 51,372 square meters donated by the city.

It will also need an additional P4.1 million to make phase 1 fully operational.

According to the proposal, phase one will include the building for the Masters in Business Administration and for computer science.

Phase 2 will include the structures for communications design and the third phase will cover the structures for product design.

The MBA will have specializations on management and information systems, tourism management, environmental management, urban and regional planning and supply chain management.

For computer science and information technology, there will be a consortium arrangement with several leading higher education institutions in Cebu and with UP Diliman. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 05:49 PM

:applause: ...love it!

Renovation of Colon buildings pushed (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445649&publicationSubCategoryId=108)
Philstar Online
By Ehda M. Dagooc Updated March 05, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The Colon Business Association Inc. (CBAI) encourages members to invest on building “beautification” and renovation to preserve the historical and business dynamism of the country’s oldest street — Colon.

CBAI president Jose R. Soberano III said that the primary thrust of the organization this year is to push for improvements of the physical structure of buildings located along Colon Street from south end point of Gaisano Capital South all the way to the University of the Visayas.

“We are making sure that we continue to attract [consumer] traffic in the area, as we are competing with other shopping destinations in the uptown districts,” Soberano said in an interview.

There are at least 50 member establishments of CBAI, Soberano said the group will meet soon to realize this program, in coordination with the Cebu City’s existing project called “Downtown Revitalization” program.

Soberano, whose family owns Quirino-Leonor Rodriguez Building along Colon Street, said that businessmen are willing to put their money on building renovation, after all he said the business dynamism of Colon is still there.

“The downtown [business] dynamism is still there, the strong downtown presence in all local economies is needed,” he said.

Despite the presence of air-conditioned and ambiance-tempting shopping destinations in the “new urban Cebu”, Colon is still the favorite shopping destinations to many, especially those that are more adventurous to shop for cheaper-priced goods.

As part of the organization’s effort to revitalize Colon Street, Soberano said CBAI will also call the attention of Department of Tourism (DOT) to support its cause of preserving the tourism-advantage of Colon Street.

“It [Colon] is such a historic landmark, they [DOT] have to create awareness program to aggressive push the area a destination,” he stressed.

“We need the heritage component of Colon, as the oldest street in the Philippines,” he added.

Although business is still alive in the area, businessmen believe that if it were to be promoted very well by tourism stakeholders, trade and commerce in Colon Street will reach once again into its full potential, just like in the old days.

CBAI was organized in 1980 with founding members including Michel Lhuillier, Edward Gaisano (Metro Gaisano), Alex Gaisano (Gaisano Main), Rene Avila and owners of Rose Pharmacy, Julie’s Bakeshop, and other Fil-Chinese Cebuano businessmen.

While these businessmen also have their businesses outside of Colon Street, Soberano said this time, they are uniting to help Colon stay alive, and attract more consumer traffic, as well as capture strong interest from domestic and foreign tourists.

While building renovation investment is an individual contribution of the Colon Street locators, Soberano said the group is hoping the local government will also strongly implement stringent rules to maintain peace and order along the street to ensure the security of consumers and tourists alike.

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 05:54 PM

...fingers crosseD! :cheers:

State school eyes P486-million facility on donated SRP lot (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445727&publicationSubCategoryId=107)
Philstar Online
Updated March 05, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Philippines Visayas-Cebu College proposes to build an initial P486-million facility at the area in the South Road Properties donated by the Cebu City government.

This as the City Council finally approved the deed of donation to UP in yesterday’s session.

In a proposal submitted by UPVCC to city administrator Francisco Fernandez, the country’s premier university is set to construct a P486-million facility for phase one alone of the planned campus on the 51,372 square meters donated by the city.

It will also need an additional P4.1 million to make phase 1 fully operational.

According to the proposal, phase one will include the building for the Masters in Business Administration and for computer science.

Phase 2 will include the structures for communications design and the third phase will cover the structures for product design.

The MBA will have specializations on management and information systems, tourism management, environmental management, urban and regional planning and supply chain management.

For computer science and information technology, there will be a consortium arrangement with several leading higher education institutions in Cebu and with UP Diliman. — Ferliza C. Contratista

MatudNilaBaby

March 4th, 2009, 06:18 PM

MatudNilaBaby

March 4th, 2009, 06:39 PM

its about time that they start working on the vertical developments of srp so that when the world economic crises is over, their physical plants are ready for business.

AmbutLang

March 4th, 2009, 07:10 PM

diehardbisdak

March 4th, 2009, 07:31 PM

flickr pics by @erle_czar

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3328164469_dd6a7e5f93_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3328999504_c7dec7ecfd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3328999346_e09a43491f_o.jpg

MatudNilaBaby

March 4th, 2009, 07:47 PM

5 years! kahinay man ug lihok. by that time another wave of economic crisis will set in siguro. pgma should step in to have this important project implemented before her term expires may maspuslan ni nga project kon dunay leader in r&d sa visayan region.

concern

March 4th, 2009, 08:16 PM

^^ nice find bai.. :cheers:

betro

March 5th, 2009, 01:13 AM

Resort keeps optimism

A FOREIGN-funded hotel and resort in Mactan Island is set to open next quarter, barely three years after it broke ground in July 2006.

The Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, located in Lapu-Lapu City, is confident it will perform well this year despite the declining number of Korean tourists in Cebu.

The P3-billion project, developed by Philippine BXT Corp., will be operated by Korean hotel chain Imperial Palace. The hotel and resort is registered under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority as a tourism economic zone.

Amando Huh, general manager-designate of Imperial Palace, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that the waterpark will allow the resort to attract not only the leisure travel market, but also local and foreign water sport enthusiasts.

“(This) kind of attraction will bring in the tourists and locals,” he said.

Imperial Palace will also offer day-use packages for Cebu residents at “attractive and reasonable” prices.

Huh said Imperial Palace also expects Korean honeymooners, who consider Cebu as a honeymoon destination, to drive its sales performance in its first year of operations.

“Honeymoon travelers are not decreasing,” he added.

For those in the leisure market who want to “completely relax,” Imperial Palace offers pool villas, which have private pools and Jacuzzis.

Jobs

Adventurous guests, on the other hand, can choose from a variety of water attractions—the Wave Rider, an artificial tide pool; Captain Hook’s Pool that features a ride on Captain Hook’s ship and a water slide; and the Amazon River, which allows one to ride down the pool through an inflatable tube. The resort also features a swimming pool for toddlers and a pool with a beach. Water sports are available for children and adults.

As Imperial Palace prepares for its opening on May 20, Huh said the company is busy filling up a number of positions for the hotel operations.

Upon opening, Imperial Palace will hire at least 1,000 individuals. Around 30 expatriates have also been hired by the company for some of its food and beverage outlets.

Huh said Imperial Palace will also offer nine restaurants—all to be operated by the hotel—that offer international, Asian and contemporary cuisine.

One of the restaurants, Maru, will offer traditional Korean food prepared by Korean chefs who will use ingredients that will be imported from the Imperial Palace headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

Imperial Palace sits on an eight-hectare property in Barangay Maribago. It will have 557 rooms, including 48 pool villas.

Its fitness and wellness facilities include the Caracalla Spa that has nine spa suite rooms, 11 treatment rooms, separate sauna for men and women, steam room and a plunge pool. Meeting facilities and function rooms will also be available.

Aside from its “unique” facilities and amenities, Huh said the hotel-resort aims to provide each guest a “memorable” time. “The memorable experience is what makes our guests come back,” he added. (DME)

jsl_bxu1206

March 5th, 2009, 01:18 AM

UPVCC needs P490M for bldg. on SRP lot
Thursday, March 5, 2009

THE University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College (UPVCC), who received from the Cebu City Government five hectares of the South Road Properties (SRP) for its graduate school campus, needs P490.1 million in financial requirements for Phase I alone.

In a seven-page proposal submitted to the office of City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, UP said P486 million is needed to build and P4.1 million to fully operate the facilities for the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and Computer Science programs for Phase I.

The facilities, it said, “may be built gradually as the service offerings expand in response to the demands from locators.”

Aside from classrooms and laboratories, the facilities include a network operations room and training and seminar rooms.

Laboratory

In particular, the MBA program will have special facilities that will have a simulation laboratory, geographic information systems application laboratory, and computational and applications laboratory.

The Computer Science program, on the other hand, will have five instructional laboratories and eight research laboratories, which include those for bioinformatics, remote sensing, visual computing, and computer animation.

“Other infrastructures and program offerings of UPV Cebu College in the SRP such as product design and communications design shall be included later in Phase 2 and 3 of the project,” read the proposal.

Aside from the MBA and Computer Science, UP also identified as potential programs at the SRP 14 continuing education programs, including language courses and updated program for Information Technology (IT) professionals.

Locators

The UP graduate school is part of Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s plans for the 302-hectare SRP, which he said will address the need of multinational companies for a training center for their employees.

And while City Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa initially had some reservations before the donation was approved last month, the executive department has assured that there is nothing to worry about because the deed of donation has certain provisions that will protect the interest of the City.

According to the deed of donation, the City can recover the property from UP if the school does not construct campus buildings intended specifically for a master’s degree program in business administration.

It also has to offer training programs and courses on information and communications technology and English language, to
cater to the needs of call centers and other multinational companies that will operate at the SRP. (RHM)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/upvcc-needs-p490m-bldg-srp-lot

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 5th, 2009, 02:45 AM

Hiroshima

March 5th, 2009, 03:17 AM

Sleepwalker

March 5th, 2009, 04:14 AM

Im happy for this. Dugay na kaau ni na plano.... hope they would also level the sidewalk... kay murag hagdanan ang sidewalk sa Colon. and clear the Spaghetti wires... I look forward na ma 'No Vehicle Zone' na ang Colon... nindot na i laag atong future anak. hehe

Plus bricks nga flooring sa tibook downtown area.... :)

bakasaurus

March 5th, 2009, 05:18 AM

Pagka maayong adlaw sa tanan!
Wow great news on the development on UP's presence in the SRP. I must say those are really good programs and will enhance greatly the value of SRP for future locators. Its a great opportunity for Cebuanos and the Filipino people as well because the presence of the companies in the facility will spur a demand-driven kind of education. This will further improve the skills of the students.
The Colon revitalization plan is also great. Finally, there is a clear indication of wanting to preserve this historical street with the buildings along with it.

Lastly, great pics!Made my day.

mOjicAn

March 5th, 2009, 05:44 AM

CebuX 2009 opens today with the "best of the best"

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the hostile market environment, the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) opens today its most expensive, yet smaller, Cebu International Furniture & Furnishings Exhibition (CebuX 2009) at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

This year’s CebuX, which was almost called off due to fewer participants brought about by the bleak economy, spent P18 million that included intense promotion to squeeze in international buyers’ to come.

In the last few years, CFIF had been allocating between P12 million to P13 million for organizing the event. This year’s show is so far the most expensive one as hurt players’ are still holding on to their hopes and optimism.

As of yesterday, CFIF reported that a total of 483 global buyers have pre-registered to come to the show, this is down by over a hundred from a usual buyer pre-registered record of at least 600 a day before the show opens.

In an interview with CFIF president Eric Casas yesterday, he said that the organizers are not surprised of the downtrend of pre-registered buyers, however, he said what is important to know, is that “these buyers are serious ones.”

Casas said although this year’s show is the smallest among all shows in the recent years, players considered this show as the “best of the best” as products are created out of desperation and pressure.

“When we are pushed through the wall, we don’t have other choice but to excel,” Casas said.

According to Casas, the four-day show will be showcasing Cebu’s excellence in furniture making, wherein “out-of-box” designs and innovations are displayed by the crises-laden companies.

“We don’t want to throw away P18 million for nothing. We are making sure that what is displayed in the show are the “world’s best” in furniture products,” he said.

This historical year of the CebuX has also earned the support from the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the first time with P2 million worth of support given to the show.

“DOT has recognized the importance of CebuX to Cebu’s tourism industry. Buyers also come here because they can make business and at the same time relax and have brief vacation,” Casas said.

DOT secretary Joseph Ace Durano, along with other officials from the government like Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and local government executives are the honored guests in this morning’s CebuX formal opening.

With the help of DOT, CebuX 2009 is bringing the largest delegation of media practitioners from all over the world.

According to Casas, CebuX this year which will culminate on March 8 provides dozens of surprises to buyers. Some of the products being showcased are produced by best designers who are helping out some companies to innovate, including products made by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ supported program dubbed “Materials Manipulation Program”, a research and development program on indigenous materials and discovering new applications to existing new materials.

This year’s exhibitor participation is expectedly down, with 56 exhibitors occupying 1,740 square meters compared to last year’s 85 exhibitors occupying 2,784 square meters, a 34 percent and 38 percent decline in participation and space occupied respectively.

During the “heyday” of furniture exports, from 2002 to 2005 the four-day CebuX generated an average sale of US$27.4 million. From 2006 to 2008 the performance had been on steady downtrend, she reported.

In the middle of last year, furniture stakeholders debated whether to pursue the 2009 CebuX or not, as participation is expected to shrink and most players’ feared that small show will not create a good impression to the foreign buyers.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445652&publicationSubCategoryId=108

jsl_bxu1206

March 5th, 2009, 06:43 AM

asa na dapit nga south? kinsa nag-ingon ana? :ohno:

nahala naa rabay nang hambug from down south nga na debunk nakuno niya nga ang colon is not the oldest street in the philippines. unsaon nalang inyong improvement dinha:lol::lol::lol:

jsl_bxu1206

March 5th, 2009, 06:48 AM

Basin sa SOUTH pole ni, hehehe.

WOW! my dreams are finally drawing up a bit! great! :cool:;)
south? asa man daw kuno iyang oldest street? hahay. its better if he/she makes her own history book para majustify gyud niya ang claim. I believe there could be other places in the country that may have built roads long before the arrival of spain but because colon was made by spain and we were her colony back then, so its in our recorded history that colon is the oldest street in the country. ;)

jsl_bxu1206

March 5th, 2009, 06:50 AM

Wow, mura diay kanang sa USC main. Bricks na ang sidewalk^^

Plus bricks nga flooring sa tibook downtown area.... :)

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 5th, 2009, 07:49 AM

^^

actually dugay ra na na plan that traffic will no longer be passable in colon and instead turn it into a park with pathways so that the buildings will be save from eternal damnation of pollution, dust, waste, gasoline, etc. and I'm hoping that this plan will push through. I'm actually visualizing colon to be a huge shopping center or a shopping strip full of shops ranging from the more chic and modern down to bargains and flee markets minus the usual "enclosed" malls with high walls and ceilings you see here. :D

MatudNilaBaby

March 5th, 2009, 08:09 AM

asa na dapit nga south? kinsa nag-ingon ana? :ohno:

look for his posting on facts, figures and trivia threads

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 5th, 2009, 08:15 AM

^^

Nah! no need to do that. its a waste of energy basta I respect his/her knowledge but I'm more confident on my own... ;)

Hiroshima

March 5th, 2009, 09:01 AM

^^

Nah! no need to do that. its a waste of energy basta I respect his/her knowledge but I'm more confident on my own... ;)

Right.

murag gi dibdib gyud ninyo iyang comment abt the oldest street. hehe

what's impt is majority of Filipinos know that Colon is the oldest street in the country. And our local officials/businessmen finally are working together for this project...

i believe gi serious na gyud nila ang revitalization sa Colon karon unlike before na murag wala lang.

Hope to hear more updates on this.

mOjicAn

March 5th, 2009, 09:09 AM

asa na dapit nga south? kinsa nag-ingon ana? :ohno:

^^ay dahh...ga.buot2x gud.

rustyboi

March 5th, 2009, 09:16 AM

Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
photos by me
Mar. 5, 2009

LED Screen upon entering the business district
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051115.jpg

L-R: Marriott Hotel, Keppel Center, Innove Plaza, Lexmark Plaza 1, Pioneer House
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051136.jpg

Tower Palace and the Bigfoot property (right)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051134rama.jpg

diehardbisdak

March 5th, 2009, 09:56 AM

panoramio pics

Parklane Hotel
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/4788639.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5451402.jpg

SleMarKen

March 6th, 2009, 02:29 AM

COLON revitalization:

Sunod sunod baya na ang projects sa atong local government...
SRP then tunnel then the beautification of downtown...
Nus a gani to mahuman ang tunnel? June?

habagatcentral1

March 6th, 2009, 02:32 AM

Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
photos by me
Mar. 5, 2009
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051136.jpg

Oh memories! I spend my late afternoons here together with my former classmates. Maayo lang kay pwede pa diri tambayanan pag hapon. It really lives up to its name as a park...:)

Sleepwalker

March 6th, 2009, 02:33 AM

Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
photos by me
Mar. 5, 2009

LED Screen upon entering the business district
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051115.jpg

Hinaot mahinay-hinay ni og tang-tang ang mga spaghetti oi... :)

Regarding sa Colon/downtown revitalization, morag uyon man siguro tanan mga Cebuano nga kini nga project is as important as HKPH, GC, Tower Palace and Club Ultima combined...Wa na ko fingers nga ma-cross karon.. :)

Hiroshima

March 6th, 2009, 03:30 AM

Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
photos by me
Mar. 5, 2009

L-R: Marriott Hotel, Keppel Center, Innove Plaza, Lexmark Plaza 1, Pioneer House
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051136.jpg

I like this shot.. murag dili sa Philippines.

Hinaot mahinay-hinay ni og tang-tang ang mga spaghetti oi... :)

Regarding sa Colon/downtown revitalization, morag uyon man siguro tanan mga Cebuano nga kini nga project is as important as HKPH, GC, Tower Palace and Club Ultima combined...Wa na ko fingers nga ma-cross karon.. :)

Mata na sad i cross. hehe:nuts: - or till.. hehe

Naka hinumdon nuon ko sa among Documentary about Colon way back in College. Sa amo research... daghan mga businessmen wa na nila gi rebuild ilang mga building after the War.. they sold their lots. If only ila gi pang rebuild, mas daghan pa unta mga karaan na architecture sa colon today. Naa sad mi na storya nga vendor in front of Colonade.. Klimot ko pila na siya ka years sa Colon namaligya.. i guess mga 20-30+ yrs.
Colon has a very rich history... Nindot unta ma document ang mga experience sa mga tiguwang dha sa Colon. Like sa mga Holocaust Jewish survivors..gi gastoan gyud ni Steven Spielberg pag document sa mga experience sa mga survivors before sila mamatay.

Sleepwalker

March 6th, 2009, 03:41 AM

I like this shot.. murag dili sa Philippines.

Bitaw no...Mora gud og sa Cebu...Hehehehehhe

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 6th, 2009, 07:56 AM

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Cebu%20Business%20Park/Px3051136.jpg

nice park! definitely Cebu ;)

Hiroshima

March 6th, 2009, 09:19 AM

Officials, supporters to wear yellow to welcome Tomas
Thursday, March 5, 2009, Sunstar Cebu

CEBU City officials and supporters will paint the city yellow to welcome Mayor Tomas Osmeña on Tuesday.

Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said the color will signify that people are happy to have him back. ...

in other news...

Pizzeria’s branches fail inspection
Linette C. Ramos
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

FOUR other branches of Alberto’s Pizza will be closed today after Cebu City Hall inspectors found that they have been operating without business and sanitary permits, among other violations.

Cebu City officials stood by their recommendation to temporarily close the pizzerias even if there is no conclusive report that Alberto’s Pizza caused the food poisoning of 10 nursing students early Tuesday morning. ...

-- Sikat kaau ang Alberto's Pizza.. pareho sa Siomai sa Tisa.. taas kaau ang linya.

-- Tried Alberto's once . . . I did not like it.

Hiroshima

March 6th, 2009, 09:32 AM

nice park! definitely Cebu ;)

Nindot na location for an Insurance TVC.. or kanang anything.. na 'picnic' theme.

Zuburbia

March 6th, 2009, 09:45 AM

Right.

murag gi dibdib gyud ninyo iyang comment abt the oldest street. hehe

what's impt is majority of Filipinos know that Colon is the oldest street in the country. And our local officials/businessmen finally are working together for this project...

i believe gi serious na gyud nila ang revitalization sa Colon karon unlike before na murag wala lang.

Hope to hear more updates on this.

mao gyud..labi na og si Rama na mahimong mayor kay i think active and passionate kaayo siya about the revitalization of Colon.:)

Zuburbia

March 6th, 2009, 09:47 AM

COLON revitalization:

Sunod sunod baya na ang projects sa atong local government...
SRP then tunnel then the beautification of downtown...
Nus a gani to mahuman ang tunnel? June?

Yes June man to ilang ingon sa news..:)

Hiroshima

March 6th, 2009, 09:53 AM

mao gyud..labi na og si Rama na mahimong mayor kay i think active and passionate kaayo siya about the revitalization of Colon.:)

Dako kaau iyang nawng sa Tarp streamer sa Colon na 'Colon Revitalization Project' sa taas sa ACT building.. kanang naa chowking

@ SRP Tunnel: Gi close naman ang direct access to Pier 1 (ambot unsa na street) only private cars can pass through.

Zuburbia

March 6th, 2009, 10:07 AM

Dako kaau iyang nawng sa Tarp streamer sa Colon na 'Colon Revitalization Project' sa taas sa ACT building.. kanang naa chowking

@ SRP Tunnel: Gi close naman ang direct access to Pier 1 (ambot unsa na street) only private cars can pass through.

naa na gyud diay tarp about sa Colon Revitalization Project, buot pasabot tinuod na gyud ni, og sugdan na sa dili madugay...WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA LIPAY KAAYO KO! :banana: samot ko ani sige nag lakaw lakaw sa Colon..hehe! I hope ang security sa lugar ila pod i-revitalize para ang mga hadlokan og colon mobisita na and learn to appreciate its nostalgic feel and charm! :cheers:

Zuburbia

March 6th, 2009, 10:15 AM

Grabeha nato ka blessed oi og ang Cebu kay atong mga Pangandoy sa atong pinalanggang sugbo, nag-anam2x na gyud og ka realize...

Sus imagina ang kanang mga old art deco buildings and mga classic building, and even those not so stylished ones, mapinturahan og mga colorful and light paint..maybe yellow, orange, green, or even pink and some whites!...nya wala nay moharang sa imong view nga mga palabok wires...sus kanindot tan-awon! tropical happy feel gyud kaayo!

hahahaha! naglupad napod akong utok! damgo damgohon napod ko anig images sa nindot nga sugbo! hahaha! :lol::lol:

Hiroshima

March 6th, 2009, 10:32 AM

naa na gyud diay tarp about sa Colon Revitalization Project, buot pasabot tinuod na gyud ni, og sugdan na sa dili madugay...WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA LIPAY KAAYO KO! :banana: samot ko ani sige nag lakaw lakaw sa Colon..hehe! I hope ang security sa lugar ila pod i-revitalize para ang mga hadlokan og colon mobisita na and learn to appreciate its nostalgic feel and charm! :cheers:

mga 3 weeks na ko naka bantay sa tarp... every saturday ra man gud ko agi colon from my 2nd office (ako gi part timan)

betro

March 6th, 2009, 11:23 AM

RP firm to put up new hotel in Cebu City

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 14:11:00 03/06/2009

Filed Under: Hotels & accommodation

A Filipino-owned chain of value hotels plans to put up a hotel in Cebu City in two years because of Cebu's robust growth, excellent manpower, infrastracture and technical support.

Francis Patrick Favoreal, vice president and chief operating officer of Legends Hotel International Corp., said the company will put up a hotel on a 1.3 hectare property at the Archbishop Reyes Ave., near the Cebu Business Park.

Favoreal said that while the company has been looking at Cebu “with high interest, there are just some issues that we have to resolve in Manila.” Thus, the company's expansion to Cebu has temporarily taken a backseat.

He noted that any new hotel set up in Cebu is always full when it is operational. Favoreal refused to give details of the Legends Hotel project in Cebu but assured that it will give domestic travellers a “range of options.”

Cebu is a strategic area because visitors or businessmen from other Visayas or Mindanao provinces come to Cebu to do business or leisure or they have children who go to school here.

While the global economic crisis is forecast to be deep, Favoreal said the hotel or hospitality industry will have to embrace the local or domestic tourists.

Since the Legend Hotels' immediate market is the Filipino traveller, Favoreal expressed optimism that the company will surmount the crisis because it has better rates and understands the needs of its market. Their clients include the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), balikbayans, businessmen in transit, motorists and even the barkadas.

Even companies, who send their representatives on business trips, look for hotels that give them good value, added Favoreal.

crisis rates

Tourism Regional Director Dawnie Roa earlier told a sports tourism conference here that hotels in Cebu were responding to the economic crisis by coming up with “crisis rates” in order to cater to the domestic tourists.

While Favoreal acknowledged that lowering the rates of high end hotels can threaten the value hotels, it also forces them to be creative in their approaches and showcase their strength.

Favoreal also noted that many Cebuanos who go to Manila also book at the Legends Hotel. They are either following up documents for work abroad or are owners of small and medium-sized business.

Legends Hotel International opened its latest brand, the Park, Bed and Breakfast (PBB) hotel in EDSA, Quezon City last September. It is the first motor hotel in the country which caters to travellers especially those who trek the highways with their vehicles. It is a pit stop for the driver and the car.

There are 11 hotels under the Filipino-managed Legend Hotels International. These brands are the Legend Villas,a super value hotel in Parañaque; the Kabayan Hotel in Pasay, Caloocan and Cubao that cater to the OFW in the city who need a nice place to stay in the city while they fix their papers for employment abroad.

There is also PADS by Legend Hotels in Palawan that address the traveller's preference for modern living; Legend Palawan, a five-star hotel in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.The PBB is the latest brand under its group. /Thea C. Riñen

Jimbu

March 6th, 2009, 11:50 AM

RP firm to put up new hotel in Cebu City

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 14:11:00 03/06/2009

Filed Under: Hotels & accommodation

[B][SIZE="3"]A Filipino-owned chain of value hotels plans to put up a hotel in Cebu City in two years because of Cebu's robust growth, excellent manpower, infrastracture and technical support.

mora ra ni ug advertisement nila sa ilahang “crisis rates” ug naa sab sila daghan hotel. they have said this from 2 years ago but until now still a plan unya in 2 years pa jud. maayo pa na uban diha mokalit ra ug turok :)

AmbutLang

March 6th, 2009, 11:57 AM

mga 3 weeks na ko naka bantay sa tarp... every saturday ra man gud ko agi colon from my 2nd office (ako gi part timan)

Bai, palihug picture sa Colon karon echura.

Jimbu

March 6th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Legend group plans hotel in Cebu (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/08/09/bus/legend.group.plans.hotel.in.cebu.html)
Sun.Star Cebu
Tuesday, August 09, 2005 :bash:

THE Filipino-owned Legend Hotels International Corp. (LHIC) plans to put up six more hotels in the country in the next two years . And it is eyeing Cebu as one of the priority areas for its expansion.

“In fact, we already have a property in Cebu. We bought the 10,000-square-meter lot of Magellan Hotel,” said Joselito Felipe, general manager of Kabayan Hotel Pasay, one of the hotels owned by LHIC, which has properties in Metro Manila and Palawan.

Magellan Hotel, located on Archbishop Reyes Ave., closed a few years ago.

Felipe also revealed that the construction of a 140-room hotel in Pasay City would start next month.

Accredited by the Department of Tourism with a three-star rating as an economy standard hotel, Kabayan Hotels cater to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and travelers from the provinces, Felipe said.

Felipe said travelers from Cebu make up 12 percent of Kabayan Hotels’ occupants.

“Most of those who come from Cebu and other provinces are businessmen who want to get a good accommodation for a reasonable price,” Felipe said.

Kabayan Hotel Cubao, which has 79 rooms, caters to those who travel mostly by land to and from the northern part of the country. On the other hand, travelers from or for the Visayas and Mindanao who arrive and depart through the Manila Domestic Airport are the usual market of the 109-room Kabayan Hotel Pasay.

Felipe said the OFW and domestic traveler market is underserved.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration reported that the country deploys an average of 2,000 to 3,000 workers abroad daily, according to him.

For the first quarter of this year alone, the POEA recorded 270,264 OFWs deployed abroad, he said.

Manila is often the departure point for these workers. (ALC)

(August 9, 2005 issue)

Sleepwalker

March 6th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Mora'g taod taod na gud diay nila ni nga plano...Hmmm, maayo unta og dayonon gud ni nila.

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 6th, 2009, 12:35 PM

^^

usually pila ka stories ang sagad himuon sa legend hotel? ;)

bakasaurus

March 6th, 2009, 01:03 PM

^^

usually pila ka stories ang sagad himuon sa legend hotel? ;)

Actually puros ra stories ilahang gibuhat, wala pa gyud nagsugod hahaha.

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 6th, 2009, 01:06 PM

^^
hahahaha... hoy storeys bai ako gimean...pasensya!:lol::lol::laugh:

bakasaurus

March 6th, 2009, 01:11 PM

^^
hahahaha... hoy storeys bai ako gimean...pasensya!:lol::lol::laugh:

Murag sakto man ang duha bai, American ug British English man tingali. Ako lang pasabot, puros ra sila storya (stories) ba. Wala pa gyuy lihok. Hehehe.:cheers:

PINOYmeat

March 6th, 2009, 01:31 PM

^^ murag mao man siguro ni ang gitukod karon sa arch.reyes, pirmi ni nako maagihan from work. baga kaayo ang mga kabilya.

Striquall

March 6th, 2009, 01:36 PM

LordCarnal

March 6th, 2009, 01:44 PM

There's a very huge crane in Sepulveda, near Sacred Heart Church, the property that used to be occupied by ABC Liner buses.

SleMarKen

March 6th, 2009, 02:43 PM

Kanus a gani tong trip na trip? diba karon? Cebu gihapon sila diba?

Jimbu

March 6th, 2009, 05:23 PM

City gets P348M Downpayment (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446316&publicationSubCategoryId=107)
By Ferliza C. Contratista
Updated March 07, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Filinvest Land Incorporated made its first payment for the outright purchase of 10.6 hectares of the South Road Properties yesterday at the Cebu City Hall after a day’s work of working through the bureaucracy.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6514/freemanpic.jpg
Acting Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Andrew Gotianun Jr. of Filinvest, along with other city and Filinvest officials, show off a replica of a cheque for P348 million which the company paid the city as downpayment for a lot at the SRP. Reynan Villena

The check represents the first installment for the purchase of the property, which is apart from an additional 40-hectare joint venture of the two entities.

Andrew Gotianun Jr., president of FLI came over for the turn over of the payment.

The ceremony was originally set at 2 p.m., but was delayed as FLI would not hand the payment unless a clean title without the annotations stating the 20 meters salvage area which was placed in the Original Certificate of Title for the property would be produced.

Gotianun was with Vice President for Visayas and Mindanao Tristan Las Marias when he handed over the P348 million check to Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the other city officials in a simple ceremony at past five in the afternoon.

Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said that when the SRP obtained its title, its original land classification was agricultural, from sea waters reclaimed into dry land.

When the reclamation was fully completed, the Housing Land Use and Regulatory Board (HLURB) and the Land Management Section (LMS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued Certifications that the whole property is now declared as urban/industrial.

“Since it is now classified as industrial, it follows that the salvage zone will now only be three meters from the highest tide, only three meters ‘unbuildable’,” Fernandez said.

He said the mother title was placed under mortgage at the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) when the city took out a loan from Japan and was only taken out this week for titles to be made for smaller portions.

When the first two titles which were to be given to FLI in exchange for the P348 million payment were released, it bore the same annotation as the mother title.

“We here at City Hall are not technical people and it was only pointed to us by FLI in the morning, so I was expecting it was difficult to attain, but Mike (Rama) moved heaven and earth just to realize the turn over,” Fernandez said.

Rama called the assistance of DENR Secretary Lito Atienza, who sent Regional Executive Director Leonardo Sibaluca to assist in the making of the corrections of the title covering the outright purchase or the sale properties.

Officials from the Registry of Deeds led by Atty. Eugenio Gemarino were also there to make corrections on Transfer Certificate of Titles 15962 and 15971 which were turned over to FLI.

TCT 15962 covers 20,000 square meters of the 10.6 hectares that have been purchased while TCT 15971 covers 97,621 square meters of the 40 hectares for the joint venture.

Also undertaken yesterday under the Memorandum of Closing was the delivery of the remaining titles to LBP as a keeper of the escrow account.

A Special Power of Attorney was also signed in favor of FLI and several necessary undertakings that need to be done pertaining to the development including drainage development, road right of way and industrial road access.

FLI is pouring P25 billion as its initial investment for the project. The total amount could reach P80 billion in 20 years. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)

Sleepwalker

March 7th, 2009, 01:24 AM

So karon nga naa na gud kita ug deal ang SRP, mo-resign nato ang Tinago councilor nga sige og yawyaw sa una?

flesh_is_weak

March 7th, 2009, 01:53 AM

limpyohan na ang Colon? cool...mayta ipadayon to nila ang plano nga 'automobile-free zone'

bOrN2BwILd

March 7th, 2009, 02:03 AM

^^arangan naman ang colon karon...
nindot naman gani kay gianam anaman na nilag guba tong mga karaan nga establishment...
and slowly, the sidewalks are also changing..unlike before:)

RonnieR

March 7th, 2009, 02:16 AM

Cebu's Congressman Garcia still wants the old way....he should be sent to India to learn how the poll automation works :bash: It's good that President will sign the poll automation budget.

Excerpts from PHilstar:

"Garcia claimed that unless Republic Act 9369, the law authorizing the automation of elections in 2010, is amended, the poll exercise is bound to fail.

Despite the approval of the P11.3-billion supplemental budget for automated polls, Garcia said the public bidding for purchase of computers and technology to be used in the 2010 elections could not be done without amending the law.

“At this point in time automated election is mission impossible,” he said.

Garcia pointed out RA 9369 provides for automated election but only for selected cities and provinces.

He stressed his proposal was for the amendment of RA 9369, otherwise a hybrid election should be held so as not to circumvent the intention of the law.

As earlier explained by Garcia, voters, as in the past, would write the individual names of their candidates at the precinct level on election day. After the close of voting, the ballots would be counted manually by the board of election inspectors (BEI).

The BEIs fill out the election returns (ERs), indicating the votes each candidate obtains. The ERs are then transmitted electronically or by computer to the municipal or city board of canvassers.

At the municipal and city level, there will be a manual system of canvassing of votes. After the canvassing is finished, the board of canvassers prepares the certificate of canvass and proclaims the winners. The certificate is then transmitted electronically to the provincial canvassing board.

The canvassing board at the provincial level makes a manual tally, proclaims the winning provincial and congressional candidates, and sends a statement of votes to the Comelec in the case of senatorial candidates and to Congress in the case of candidates for president and vice president.

Comelec and Congress make separate manual canvassing and proclaim the winning senatorial, presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Garcia pointed out the roadblock of automated elections is the existing provision in the law that counting of votes would be done manually in the presence of designated watchers.

In the case of senatorial and presidential candidates, it would be Congress that will act as the national canvasser for the votes.

The votes, Garcia said, would be based on the certificate of election returns submitted by the difference provinces.

“So how can you count votes generated by computers,” Garcia asked.

He stressed the disbursement of the election funds, including the supplemental budget, could only be done if the necessary amendment of the law has been approved.

Another stumbling block for automated polls, Garcia said, is the lack of a proven and tested computer system that will be used.

He said RA 9369 provides that only those computer systems tested in national elections should be used in the 2010 polls.

Currently there is no system that has been tested except those used in the regional elections for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) last year.

“But the system used during the ARMM election cannot be used because it has not been tested in national elections (and) that is provided by the automated election law,” Garcia pointed out.

“Even if the automated system is piloted in the ARMM elections, the machines cannot be used because they fell short of the requirement that it must be tested in a national election. ARMM election is only a regional election,” Garcia said."

habagatcentral1

March 7th, 2009, 02:21 AM

^^ He's an old guy already...:lol: Anyway, I still push through poll automation. If they are worried about "daya-an," like when in Philippine history was election clean? :lol:

Me dos sentimos...:2cents:

mOjicAn

March 7th, 2009, 02:59 AM

Cebu tourist arrivals up 5% in January
Updated March 07, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Amid global economic crisis, tourist arrivals in Cebu marked an increase of five percent in January this year, according to Department of Tourism.

This was derived from the number of tourists directly arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport that have recorded a total of 36, 653 tourist arrivals in January.

DOT attributed the increase to the incessant in-market tactical programs undertaken in cooperation with partner stakeholders including tour operators, hotel establishments, resorts and the transport sector.

Chinese arrivals in Cebu has reportedly posted a remarkable growth of 204 percent while visitors from Hong Kong went up by 163 percent in January this year in time with Chinese New Year and other celebrations like Sinulog festival.

DOT Undersecretary for Tourism and Planning Operation Eduardo Jarque, Jr. said the increase in arrivals can also be attributed to “three travel considerations of the Chinese market which include cost, Chinese-friendly culture and quick and affordable facilitation of visa-processing.”

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano added: “We are strong on all three factors. We have value-for-money destination packages, pervasive Chinese influences, and effective visa-upon-arrival for tourists.”

To facilitate the huge inbound traffic of Chinese arrivals, nine chartered flights from Shanghai to Cebu were set.

DOT sees the substantial growth in the number of Chinese visitors as an advantage because China has a fast-growing economy with an annual average of 40 million outbound tourists each spending an average of three thousand dollars per trip.

DOT added that Russian tourists also grew by 133 percent and Indian arrivals by 108 percent.

Durano explained that Russian visitors come over during winter period to stay at an average of 12 to 15 days in the Philippines to soak up the sun, shop and try out adventure tours.

Indian tourists, on the other hand, find Cebu an ideal destination for holidays and corporate incentive trips.

Durano said holiday makers from India stay an average of 20 days doing shopping, seeking entertainment and enjoying sightseeing. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446329&publicationSubCategoryId=107

mOjicAn

March 7th, 2009, 03:01 AM

Forbes list: Aboitiz, 3 Pinoys among Asia's top givers
Updated March 07, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano businessman Jon Ramon Aboitiz and three other Filipino taipans were among 48 wealthy individuals named by Forbes Magazine as the Asia Pacific Region’s Heroes of Philanthropy.

According to a posting on Forbes.com, the three other Filipinos named with Aboitiz are Manuel Pangilinan, Henry Sy and Alfonso Yuchengco Jr.

The list, which is coming out in the March 16 issue of the magazine, includes the leading givers from 12 countries in the region, and is the third annual edition of the compilation.

Forbes.com describes Aboitiz, 61, and brothers Roberto and Mikel as the most active members of the Aboitiz family in the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation.

Aboitiz chairs the holding company with investments in energy, construction, logistics, food and banking.

The foundation was set up as a traditional charity by their grandfather Ramon in 1966 but has evolved into a development institution today with focuses on child welfare, community development, Cebuano heritage, microfinance, youth leadership and environment.

The foundation spent $1.6 million in 2007 and over the past five years put hundreds of thousands of dollars into renovating public schools.

Pangilinan, 62, is chairman of Hong Kong-listed First Pacific and New York-listed Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.

While in Hong Kong, he founded, and still chairs, the Bayanihan Center, which provides cultural and vocational activities for Filipino domestic workers.

He is a sports enthusiast and patron of youth basketball and badminton leagues and has footed the bill for overseas training of national basketball youth teams.

He donated funds for the construction at Ateneo de Manila University of the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership and bankrolled a retreat house named after his mother for Catholic sisters in Tagaytay.

Henry Sy, 84, is the country’s richest man who built the SM shopping mall empire.

He founded and chairs the SM Foundation, which focuses on health, education and spiritual well-being. It runs clinics near SM malls, repairs pediatric wards and hospices and in 2007 its mobile health and dental clinics treated 164,000 people in remote areas. Alfonso Yuchengco, 85, heads ther Yuchengco conglomerate anchored on insurance and banking interests.

He chairs the Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation, which targets health, nutrition and education issues. One clinic it sponsors is in Cotabato City, where the beneficiaries are Muslims. At any one time, it supports 5,000 college scholarships. - /JST (THE FREEMAN)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446317&publicationSubCategoryId=107

mOjicAn

March 7th, 2009, 03:13 AM

Creative entrepreneurs explore Cebu's artistry
By Ehda M. Dagooc Updated March 07, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 50 international delegates from different creative sectors in Southeast Asia are now in Cebu exploring the world-renowned creative competence of Cebuanos, through the formal launching of “Creative Cebu” campaign, initiated by the British Council.

The eight-day “Creative Cebu” drive officially opened yesterday with the delegates going around the creative icons in Cebu, part of which was to witness the furniture products being showcased at the ongoing Cebu International and Furnishings Exhibition Show or CebuX 2009 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The delegates were also toured yesterday to different furniture manufacturing plants, like the showroom of world renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue as well as at the “One Visayas” exhibition held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) to see craftsmanship of the entire Visayas region.

Jay P. Aldeguer, one of the prime movers of the “Creative Cebu” program and known as the creative entrepreneur nexus in the Philippines told The Freeman yesterday that the official launching of “Creative City” Cebu will bring the province to a higher level in terms of capitalizing on the creative industry to spur further economic development in the province.

Today, the campaign will also officially open the two-day festival called “Tubod Fest” at the Ayala Center Cebu---The Terraces, which puts together all the elements supporting the creative industry in Cebu.

The festival does not only display products, but also inviting financial institutions to participate, to explore opportunities or extend funding requirements to start-up companies, especially those that are identified in the OTOP (One-Town-One-Product) program.

A Focus-Group-Discussion (FGD) was also held yesterday in a bid to formalize the Information Technology and Inter-active sector as part of the broad creative industry sector.

According to Aldeguer, Creative Cebu campaign is now trying to work with the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (Cedfit), identifying the players in the inter-active creative sector, such as those software developers in animation, gaming, among others.

Cebuano Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) advocate lawyer Andrew Ong, will also tackle on the importance of copyright in the creative sector industry.

This afternoon’s “Creative Cebu” conference to be held at the Parklane International Hotel, will tackle mostly on how to develop the creative industry in Cebu, with international experts discussing key matters, such as how the United Kingdom (UK) creative industry has developed, and also explore other countries’ success in maximizing the “wealth” of the creative industry.

The “Creative Cebu” campaign is part of the British Council’s “Creative City” program.

The launching of the Creative Cebu, Aldeguer said hopes to address issues in the creative industry here, such as harnessing the skills of the potential talents, and provide them the even the “glimpse” of how “creativity” impacts the economy, across all industries.

Initial plan is to implement a “Big-Brother” partnership between successful companies and micro-creative players.

The lack of avenue for designers, and artists to get together, and learn from each other, is one of the problems that are being identified, why the creative industry in Cebu has not been moving, despite its potential, said Carungay.

Identifying creative entrepreneurs goes beyond jewelry and furniture designers, it includes a huge spectrum in the creative economy, including, industrial graphic artists, architecture, visual arts, performing arts, screen, inter-active web designers, culture and heritage and festivals, film animation artists, among others.

When the British Council was deciding on a place to call its creative city in the Philippines, several places came in the list, including Manila, Silay, Vigan, Liliw, Paete, Davao and Cebu.

After careful consideration, the British Council decided that Cebu was the perfect choice given its history of successes in the arts and its long list of creative Cebuanos recognized the world over.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446241&publicationSubCategoryId=108

Sleepwalker

March 7th, 2009, 03:31 AM

kindofperfect82888

March 7th, 2009, 03:56 AM

So karon nga naa na gud kita ug deal ang SRP, mo-resign nato ang Tinago councilor nga sige og yawyaw sa una?

di na siya muresign sir.. kay iyaha bet na muresign siya if the srp would make a sale within 2008.. so meaning, 2009 naman... :sleepy:

just like what tommy said.."its just mind over matter, if we dont mind him he doesnt matter.."

:lol:

MatudNilaBaby

March 7th, 2009, 05:32 AM

Zuburbia

March 7th, 2009, 05:06 PM

^^arangan naman ang colon karon...
nindot naman gani kay gianam anaman na nilag guba tong mga karaan nga establishment...
and slowly, the sidewalks are also changing..unlike before:)

unsay giguba ang mga karaan? unsay buot pasabot? sayanga gud...pintorahon og i-renovate lang unta oi..

diehardbisdak

March 7th, 2009, 05:32 PM

diehardbisdak

March 7th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Nus a gani to mahuman ang tunnel? June?

...sa picture nga gi-post before, ang nakasulat sa signage kay November 2009 man 'to bai...

diehardbisdak

March 7th, 2009, 07:26 PM

pic by @oscarmachaconjr

...mga bai, asa ni nga branch? (with "cebu" tag man gud sa flickr)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3334788397_ca2b2998b9.jpg?v=0

flesh_is_weak

March 7th, 2009, 07:55 PM

-delete-

d@nggit

March 7th, 2009, 11:02 PM

pic by @oscarmachaconjr

...mga bai, asa ni nga branch? (with "cebu" tag man gud sa flickr)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3334788397_ca2b2998b9.jpg?v=0

murag sa banilad (going usc-tc), duol sa bright academy og atbang sa woodridge school.

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 8th, 2009, 05:23 AM

...mura'g nagsugod na man sila og construction mga bai diha sa former lote sa Magellan Hotel...i think @leylander confirmed nga na-a activity sa site...sa last niya nga post, klaro na kuno ang ang mga kabilya...

...i sent them email 1 week ago...pero wala reply...instead, nagpa press release sila...

i thought that lot is hotel elizabeth? dili na ang legend hotel siguro oi...;)

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 08:08 AM

^^ bai, i'm not talking about Elizabeth Hotel which is lahi na nga lot...i'm talking about the former lot of Magellan Hotel which is located at the "dead end" part of that street behind LBC Bank... :okay:

Henz

March 8th, 2009, 09:20 AM

...mura'g nagsugod na man sila og construction mga bai diha sa former lote sa Magellan Hotel...i think @leylander confirmed nga na-a activity sa site...sa last niya nga post, klaro na kuno ang ang mga kabilya...

...i sent them email 1 week ago...pero wala reply...instead, nagpa press release sila...

dili na sya mao bai nga naklaro ang kabilya.. lahi sad na nga hotel.. Hotel Elizabeth na.. ang Legend property mao na ang former Magellan Hotel.. currently gi fence na ang lugar.. Maybe construction will start within the year.

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 09:37 AM

^^ yes bai, i know! Please read previous posts :bash:...we're not talking about Elizabeth Hotel....heheheh! :nuts:

Henz

March 8th, 2009, 10:10 AM

too late when i read it... hehehe

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 11:53 AM

Welcome! to BODOS BAMBOO RESORT - Alcoy, Cebu

flickr pics by @rey_inting

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/3336814891_9bc462a964.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3337645370_964d4035b0.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3336815919_2c0eeb9a8f.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3337645066_1693017252.jpg?v=0

MANILAMAN

March 8th, 2009, 01:14 PM

LordCarnal

March 8th, 2009, 01:29 PM

^^

Southern part of Cebu province. :okay:

bakasaurus

March 8th, 2009, 02:22 PM

http://images.zartacross.multiply.com/image/1/photos/25/500x500/14/DSC-4823.JPG?et=AQbSEMoxeDA2BzatGtCGmQ&nmid=216202305

http://images.zartacross.multiply.com/image/2/photos/25/1200x1200/31/DSC-4899.JPG?et=NgHoSXX69dMSdgq96zCZog&nmid=216202305
pics from zartacross multiply

Kani duol sa mactan hehe. Pandanon Island. Nearer to Bohol actually.:cheers:

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 03:15 PM

^^ so, part na sa Bohol, dili Cebu?

jsl_bxu1206

March 8th, 2009, 04:21 PM

Part sa Cebu. Here o.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Ph_locator_cebu_alcoy.png

^^ so, part na sa Bohol, dili Cebu?

swahi

March 8th, 2009, 04:22 PM

He was talking about pandanon island, which is nearer to bohol than cebu. People go there using pumpboats jumping off mactan. You were talking of alcoy, which is south of Cebu.

been there twice (pandanon island), but the chapel wasnt there yet. How did they justify putting a chapel. Is there that many residents there already?

leylander

March 8th, 2009, 04:50 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3334425847_aa705e28f1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3334445141_7b13d23da7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3335281142_609c208c0e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3335282082_9765404830.jpg

jsl_bxu1206

March 8th, 2009, 04:52 PM

asa ni dapit leylander?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3334425847_aa705e28f1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3334445141_7b13d23da7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3335281142_609c208c0e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3335282082_9765404830.jpg

leylander

March 8th, 2009, 04:57 PM

aw forgot to add. hehehe.

transcentral highway na sir. cantipla and balamban side...

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 05:49 PM

...na-a gyud mga tawo nga dili mobasa unya pataka lang og tubag...ing-ana sab baya ko usahay...hahahhaha! :lol: :rofl: :lol:

Part sa Cebu. Here o.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Ph_locator_cebu_alcoy.png

correct!

He was talking about pandanon island, which is nearer to bohol than cebu. People go there using pumpboats jumping off mactan. You were talking of alcoy, which is south of Cebu.

been there twice (pandanon island), but the chapel wasnt there yet. How did they justify putting a chapel. Is there that many residents there already?

bakasaurus

March 8th, 2009, 05:53 PM

Yeah, the first pic is facing the valley which is actually ang main part of the Mananga watershed catchment basin, which drains water to the Mananga River.

Mao ni ang route sa Watershed Tour hehehe.

Kana na part I wish we can reforest aggressively gyud unta. In the next decade I hope that scene will look different in a good way ha.

Ang kanang murag sculpture sa taas sa bukid naa na dapit sa GOvernor (former) Leyson na lugar (duol ra sa Leylander and Leyson hehehe).

bukid

March 8th, 2009, 06:57 PM

bitaw kanang view sa bukid anang transcentral highway naluoy ko pag-anha nako kay naay mga part na murag mga kinitkitan sa higante. murag magpataka ra man nang mga tao ug quarry diha uy. mao usahay inig anha nimo dili bugnaw ang feeling murag init sya kay kulang man ug green, nagbrown ra man ang kolor ug usahay pa gani putiputi na iningkiban.

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 07:11 PM

...let's keep our fingers crossed! heheh!

********

Mayor set to meet with Arroyo, prospective buyers of SRP lots (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mayor-set-meet-arroyo-prospective-buyers-srp-lots)
Sun-Star Online
9 March 2009

PRESIDENT Arroyo scheduled a trip to Cebu City tomorrow and will visit Mayor Tomas Osmeña, whose health she “is deeply concerned about,” a Malacañang official said.

Osmeña’s first week back in Cebu will be a busy one, with scheduled meetings with other prospective buyers of the South Road Properties (SRP), including owners of SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Pueblo de Oro.

The mayor, who went on medical leave since October last year to seek treatment in the US for his urinary bladder cancer, is scheduled to arrive at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said.

In a phone interview yesterday, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo wants to personally talk to Osmeña to check on his health while the latter is home for a two-week break from his treatment.

“I hope the visit will not be given any political color. She is just really concerned about Tommy. He is considered by the President as one of the country’s good mayors, and his health condition concerns her. So she will visit him to find out how he is doing,” Remonde told Sun.Star Cebu.

No specific time and venue was set for President Arroyo’s visit to the Osmeñas.

The President will be in Cebu to address the Asia Pacific Convention of the Kiwanis Club on March 12, Thursday.

It is, however, the same day that Osmeña will fly to Manila for his meeting with the SRP buyers and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza.

Osmeña is expected to discuss with Atienza the titling of the 60-hectare Pond A of the 302-hectare SRP and a foreshore lease agreement covering the reclaimed properties’ beachfront area.

The mayor is scheduled to fly back to Cebu from Manila on March 13, Friday.

Remonde said the President may spend the night here since she also has to inaugurate a few government projects.

Tomorrow, Osmeña is scheduled to address city officials and employees and his supporters during a homecoming reception at the Plaza Sugbu at the City Hall grounds.

“Unless there are last-minute changes, we are expecting the mayor to arrive at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. He has not given any instruction that he will assume full powers right away, but he has already scheduled some appointments,” Fernandez said.

Since last Thursday, city employees have been busy making ribbons out of 18 rolls of yellow cloth that were bought using donations from the mayor’s friends.

The ribbons will be tied to trees, City Government vehicles, buildings and other structures around the city when the mayor arrives, to symbolize a warm welcome. (LCR)

jsl_bxu1206

March 8th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Enchanted Kingdom eyes viable expansion in Cebu
Updated March 09, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Considering the huge potential tourism market in Cebu, Enchanted Kingdom is looking at a medium for a long-term prospect of investing in the area.

In an interview with Enchanted Kingdom chairman and president Mario O. Mamon, he shared that Cebu is a growth area that their company has long been looking at for possible expansions.

Mamon said that Cebu has the potential to draw in crowd for the entertainment and recreation industry that Enchanted Kingdom is serving because of its location.

“Cebu is the second international gateway of the country and it’s in fact the number one tourism destination and with its higher tourism potential, it seems to be insulated from the other problems of the country so we will truly consider Cebu as Enchanted Kingdom’s another area of expansion. It is the foremost choice in mind if ever we deicide to go South,” said Mamon.

He said that this will be considered a medium to long term plan but with the current financial crisis, Mamon said that participating in the recently concluded 5th Vis-Min Travel and Lifestyle Expo is the nearest they can go to explore the Cebu market.

Enchanted Kingdom was one of the 115 exhibitors in the show and Mamon said that this is their way of bringing more people to the park especially the market in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.

In an interview, Mamon shared that because Enchanted Kingdom caters to different markets such as the corporate groups, they are not sparred by the negative current global economic crisis.

“We have clients from the manufacturing and marketing groups and since most of these firms have laid off workers to cut on their costs, they are also cutting on expenditure on extra trips and activities on leisure and entertainment we are also affected,” said Mamon.

However, despite noting a slowdown of consumer spending, Mamon said that they are now slowly looking at a resurgence of guests in the park which started December of last year and is extending until now.

“With the different measures and events that we offer at the park, we have slowly attracted a wide spectrum of the market and this has balanced the business. Last year, we have faired marginally better than last 2007’s performance and this has been impressive because the turn around was made in December,” he said.

He said that this year, Enchanted Kingdom is looking at hitting a one million visitor mark despite the crisis.

And that they are looking forward to extending the stay of their visitors from the usual one day trip to a week stay by providing more facilities that guests can enjoy.

Mamon said that this plan is still a work in progress and they have held this off because of the financial crisis.

Recently, Enchanted Kingdom launched new facilities which include an event’s venue called Eldar’s Tent which holds the park’s big events, the horror SRRX!!! Experience which is a tie up with Regal Entertainment and the new 4D theatre that will be launched later this March.

Mamon, who is also the president of the Laguna Chamber of Commerce, said that the country’s entertainment industry continues to also thrive together with the growth of the tourism industry.

“During these times of crisis that we are experiencing, the tourism industry will serve as good buffer so if we can get our acts together, we can help make the tourism industry as one of the country’s strong prime movers,” said Mamon.— Rhia de Pablo (THE FREEMAN)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446751&publicationSubCategoryId=108

jsl_bxu1206

March 8th, 2009, 07:22 PM

Investments still come in
Monday, March 9, 2009

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 7 believes the regional economy will be able to perform well this year despite rising prices of goods and declining exports.

Neda 7 expects inflation rate in Central Visayas to go up to about 9.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. It also reported that exports, which is the region’s leading growth driver, also decreased by 5.2 percent in volume last year.

“What gave us hope amid the global economic crisis was the fact that investment confidence and investment continued to flow in the region,” said Neda 7 Director Marlene Ca Rodriguez in an economic briefing last Friday.

She said investments in the region increased in 2008 and investor confidence remained high based on a survey commissioned by the Cebu business community.

In 2008, value of investments approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority amounted to more than P21 billion from only P4.3 billion in the previous year. Investments registered under the Board of Investments, on the other hand, increased to P22.4 billion from P15.6 billion in 2007.

Local efforts

Neda lauded efforts made by local government leaders and the business community in the region to cope with the crisis.

This includes the move of Central Visayas leaders to pursue the One Visayas program and the creation of the Cebu Economic Advisory Group (CEAG) by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

With the deepening global economic crisis, Neda said, sustained construction activities, tourism and the business process outsourcing industry in Central Visayas will drive the regional economy this year.

Although the tourism industry in the region is expected to slow down further—tourist arrivals declined in 2008—Rodriguez said the total figure will be within the 550,000-mark.

“Tourists continued to include Central Visayas as part of their destination,” she said.

Rodriguez said government infrastructure projects in the region will help boost the regional economy.

In Cebu, these projects include the Metro Cebu Development Project III Coastal Road and the Cebu North Coastal Road Project amounting to a total of P3.7 billion; three port projects in Daanbantayan town and in the cities of Talisay and Cebu; power projects in the towns of Sibonga, Alcoy and Medellin; and an irrigation project in Carcar.

Since the region has managed to outperform national targets for gross domestic product during the previous years, Rodriguez believes that the gross domestic product (GDP) for Central Visayas will still be above the national average of 4.6 percent GDP.

“In a span of 12 years the regional economy was able to post a growth rate higher than eight percent three times—in 1996, in 2000 and in 2007,” she said. (DME)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/investments-still-come

diehardbisdak

March 8th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Enchanted Kingdom eyes viable expansion in Cebu
Updated March 09, 2009 12:00 AM

^^ hayyyy...paulit-ulit na lang ang sinasabi ng EK-EK..hehehe!...walang gawa, puro salita...heheheh!

Jimbu

March 8th, 2009, 08:11 PM

Hiroshima

March 9th, 2009, 03:10 AM

Bai, palihug picture sa Colon karon echura.

Hala! Bad News!

Nawala na ang Streamer about the Colon Revitalization pag agi nako last saturday! hehe. Basin gibalhin ra nila.

Nice pics sa TransCentral highway above.

RE: on Enchanted Kingdom's Cebu Expansion:
Karaan na ni. Dugay na sila sige plan.. wala lang gihapon. Basin nangita pa silag yuta. Nindot ta if madayon sa bukid sila magconstruct. Forest ang dating.. bugnaw pud.

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 9th, 2009, 04:44 AM

^^ hayyyy...paulit-ulit na lang ang sinasabi ng EK-EK..hehehe!...walang gawa, puro salita...heheheh!

mora sab ni ug legend sigue lang ingon ilang plano para lang ma ka advertise dire sa cebu ug libre ..

Hala! Bad News!

Nawala na ang Streamer about the Colon Revitalization pag agi nako last saturday! hehe. Basin gibalhin ra nila.

Nice pics sa TransCentral highway above.

RE: on Enchanted Kingdom's Cebu Expansion:
Karaan na ni. Dugay na sila sige plan.. wala lang gihapon. Basin nangita pa silag yuta. Nindot ta if madayon sa bukid sila magconstruct. Forest ang dating.. bugnaw pud.

matud pa ni bai @federalist sa laing thread: "easier said than done!" :lol::lol::D

Henz

March 9th, 2009, 05:19 AM

korek jud.. mga bai.. kapoy na piminaw ana ilang press releases.. sauna excited kaayo ta.. pero karon.. keberrrr na!!!!!! hehehehe

rustyboi

March 9th, 2009, 05:29 AM

^^ hayyyy...paulit-ulit na lang ang sinasabi ng EK-EK..hehehe!...walang gawa, puro salita...heheheh!

We already have the Sky Experience Adventure (with The Orbiter coming soon) plus the roller coaster to be installed in the 2nd Mandaue Mactan bridge :lol: (i'm just kidding!)

Enchanted Kingdom I think is a good attraction in Cebu in 5 years time.

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 07:51 AM

mora sab ni ug legend sigue lang ingon ilang plano para lang ma ka advertise dire sa cebu ug libre ..

pero bai, at least na-a activity sa ilang lot (former lot sa Magellan Hotel)according to @leylander...pero basin gihunong na sab because sa crisis...

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 08:31 AM

Cebu's Bets in Bb. Pilipinas 2009: (wala kadaug..heheh!)

http://www.bbpilipinas.com/images/2009/candidates/c19shirt_2009.jpg

Nane: Stephanie Señires

Age: 22 years old

Place of birth: Cebu City

Province: Cebu

Education: BS Psychology

Participation in Other Pageants:
Ms. Cebu 2006

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 117 lbs

Vital Statistics: 34-25-35 1/2

This lovely 22-year-old calls Cebu City her hometown.

Stephanie graduated Magna cum Laude from University of San Carlos with a degree in Psychology.

http://www.bbpilipinas.com/images/2009/candidates/c22shirt_2009.jpg

Name: Priscilla Mae Honorio

Age: 21 years old

Place of birth: Cebu City

Province: Cebu

Education: BS Nursing

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 116 lbs

Vital Statistics: 33-25-35

Priscilla Mae graduated from University of San Carlos with a degree in Nursing.

This pretty 21-year-old is now anxiously awaiting the results of her board exam.

source: www.bbpilipinas.com

.

SineBuano

March 9th, 2009, 08:34 AM

Pagkanindot.......sa mga bukid sa Transcentral. Bugdo kaayo.

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 9th, 2009, 09:20 AM

Cebu's Bets in Bb. Pilipinas 2009: (wala kadaug..heheh!)

http://www.bbpilipinas.com/images/2009/candidates/c19shirt_2009.jpg

Nane: Stephanie Señires

Age: 22 years old

Place of birth: Cebu City

Province: Cebu

Education: BS Psychology

Participation in Other Pageants:
Ms. Cebu 2006

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 117 lbs

Vital Statistics: 34-25-35 1/2

This lovely 22-year-old calls Cebu City her hometown.

Stephanie graduated Magna cum Laude from University of San Carlos with a degree in Psychology.

yeah! sayang bitaw! but I was lucky indeed I had the chance to meet her when she had their physical examinations last year at Teletech! Grabe mura gyud ko taga call center kay graveyard gyud ang mobile clinic ato na time! :lol::lol::D

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 10:02 AM

Made in Cebu!

http://www.sibonga.com/tablechair.JPG
source: sibonga.com

Sinjin P.

March 9th, 2009, 11:43 AM

OT: Kalingawan lang, please vote for me as SSC's Next Top Male Model here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=631253&page=47 :lol: Thanks! Naa'y free pizza if makadaug ko. :rofl: :jk:

SineBuano

March 9th, 2009, 11:51 AM

You got my vote.

Sinjin P.

March 9th, 2009, 11:54 AM

bakasaurus

March 9th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Pag-unang kita nako sa mga yellow ribbons ganiha, nakapangutana ko, unsa man na? Naa si Cory or si Noynoy? :lol: Para kang Mayor Tommy diay. Welcome back, Mayor! :banana:

Todo na ni imo pangumpanya Sinj ha. Hehe. Di man sad ko katilaw aning imong bangka na pizza oi.

Og nay ato pa, hala ka! KAsab-an gyud kang Radaza, ang imong Mayor (akoa pod diay bisan 2 times na ko nga election wala nibutar niya) haha.:lol:

Sinjin P.

March 9th, 2009, 12:29 PM

^ Ha? Unsay labot ni Sir Radaza?

bakasaurus

March 9th, 2009, 12:37 PM

^ Ha? Unsay labot ni Sir Radaza?

Welcome back, Mayor!:banana:
Kana ra gud. Murag warm kaayo kag welcome kang Tomas magselos nya si Radaza ba. Hehe. No big deal ra oi.:bash:

(OT: Sinj, abri pa ba ang MB's Tavern?)

Sinjin P.

March 9th, 2009, 12:48 PM

^ LOL. Anyway, yeah, it's still operational, alive and kicking!

PINOYmeat

March 9th, 2009, 01:31 PM

we all know that any kind of terrorism, be it a threat or a real attack, is damaging to a place, we cannot let that happen to cebu, good thing cebu is doing measures to make cebu a hard target for terrorists.

Cebu has most effective port security

CEBU CITY – The port of Cebu has one of the most effective port security measures in the country, said an official from the Office of the Transport Security (OTS) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

OTS Consultant ret. Rear Admiral Ed Israel said he was impressed with the various changes that were instituted in the ports of Cebu, making it one of the best in terms of port security measures around the country.

“We have to continually improve our system though to ensure that everybody is safe in our ports,” said Israel during today’s dry-run of an anti-terrorism drill set next week.

Israel took special notice on the various security measures in the ports of Cebu, including the installation of x-ray machines, personal frisking of passengers going out of Cebu, and the dispatching of K-9 dogs.

The port anti-terrorism drill is part of the counter-terrorism partnership between the governments of the Philippines and Australia, said Israel. Australia has poured millions of financial package as counter-terrorism assistance to the Philippines.

The collaboration on counter-terrorism capacity building includes the strengthening of capacity of key Philippine agencies to develop plans and manage port security. A priority is to ensure that Filipino ports meet International Maritime Organisation standards on port security.

Don Anderson, projector director of the Australian Government’s Philippine Ports Project, said he was also impressed by the security measures at the Cebu port although he refused to comment when asked on his assessment on the country’s port security in general.

“There are areas where we can improve but identifying these areas for improvement is one of the main reasons we conduct these exercises,” said Andersons.

The dry-run for the anti-terrorism drill at the Pier 4 went smoothly, catching some port workers and passengers off-guard. The drill started with a simulation of a bomb explosion, resulting to several port workers lying dead on the ground.

A few minutes later, emergency rescue workers, bomb disposal teams, fire men, and police arrived in the area. The place was immediately cordoned and K-9 dogs were released to sniff off other possible bombs.

One of the K-9 dogs stopped at a pile of boxes. The bomb disposal expert cordoned the area and announced that another bomb was found. Then came another explosion. This time, no one was hurt because the place was already cordoned off.

Israel said similar drills will be conducted in the other ports around the country to prepare authorities from possible terrorism attacks.

here (http://www.cebuonlinenews.com/20090309/992323-cebu-has-most-effective-port-security/)

LordCarnal

March 9th, 2009, 03:20 PM

God help Cebu if RAMA will become mayor of Cebu.

I hope RAUL DEL MAR will run for mayor of Cebu and win.

And I hope the city will also tie yellow ribbons for the hundreds of others out there who are suffering from cancer.

..

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 03:25 PM

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 03:59 PM

pic by @teddybeer63

Hilton Cebu
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3340481169_20bb0e893f.jpg?v=0

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 04:13 PM

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 04:19 PM

...Cliffs in Cebu

Boljoon
http://www.bigfoot.com/locations/images/cliffs/boljoon/regular/1.jpg

Barili
http://www.bigfoot.com/locations/images/cliffs/barili/regular/1.jpg

Borbon
http://www.bigfoot.com/locations/images/cliffs/borbon/regular/2.jpg

source: www.bigfootstudios.com

.

Zuburbia

March 9th, 2009, 04:48 PM

^^ medyo may sarcasm na imong post bai @nold...heheheh! ...bitaw noh, nasayop gyud ko nga akong tan-aw nga na-ay abilidad si Rama...dili man diay gyud diay siya maayo...ang style niya, minamao-mao ra man diay...heheheh!

nganong nakaingon man mo ana...maayo man na siguro si Rama..hehe..
Raul del Mar murag usa man ni sa mga Trapo...ambot lang pod ha..:)

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 04:51 PM

SM Bowling Center (Cebu) sports a new look (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sm-bowling-center-sports-new-look)

SHOPPERS and bowlers of SM City Cebu can now look forward to a great bowling experience as SM Bowling Center unveils its new look, with newly-renovated lanes and world-class facility plus a cozy ambiance.

SM Bowling Center now has LCD monitors, new 26 synthetic lanes, and a new look featuring a spacious promenade and dining area and cool and comfy lounge seats.

Other features include small and big lockers for rent, smoking area, Lane 50 Snack Bar and Refreshments, and BOSS Pro Shop, where one can find complete bowling equipment.

SM Bowling Center also invites individuals for bowling lessons: basic, advanced and comprehensive levels.

It is open from 12 n.n. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.

Zuburbia

March 9th, 2009, 04:51 PM

Bigfoot Studios @ SRP

http://www.bigfootstudios.com/images/highres/srp-1.jpg

http://www.bigfootstudios.com/images/highres/srp-5.jpg

http://www.bigfootstudios.com/images/highres/srp-2.jpg

source: www.bigfootstudios.com

.

coola sa bigfoot oi...nindota og butangan nag taas kaayo nga fountain diha sa pond atubangan sa bigfoot oi..pareho sa Jeddah...

Jimbu

March 9th, 2009, 05:37 PM

pero bai, at least na-a activity sa ilang lot (former lot sa Magellan Hotel)according to @leylander...pero basin gihunong na sab because sa crisis...

sa ilaha jud kaha lot bai (former lot sa Magellan Hotel) :)

"the company's expansion to Cebu has temporarily taken a backseat."

here: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20090306-192690/RP-firm-to-put-up-new-hotel-in-Cebu-City

Sinjin P.

March 9th, 2009, 06:00 PM

bukid

March 9th, 2009, 06:14 PM

patabang ko ninyo kay next week akong mga foreign friends muadto sa mactan magferry ra daw sila. kinsay kabalo sa schedule sa ferry from cebu to mactan ug vice versa ug sa asa man na pier. any pension house o backpacker's room pud na marecommend ninyo? kay ako ilang gipangutana pero wa gyud koy idea ani kay wa pa ko kasuway magferry ug backpack sa mactan. ganahan sila ug unique experience mao di sila ganahan muadto sa mga mahalon na resort anyway ilang purpose kay adventure man ug dili relaxation sa mga resorts.

habagatcentral1

March 9th, 2009, 06:23 PM

^^ Kanang Mactan Ferry gikan downtown, every 15-30 minutes man na starting 6AM to 6PM sa akong nahibaw-an. Pier 3 ka mosakay unya modungka na sya sa Muelle Osmeña sa downtown Opon sa luyo sa Virgen de la Regla Church.

bukid

March 9th, 2009, 06:31 PM

^^ thanks bern.

any backpacker's inn o pension haus na ma-recommend ninyo? and any place to go na you can recommend for backpacker's?

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 07:08 PM

sa ilaha jud kaha lot bai (former lot sa Magellan Hotel) :)

"the company's expansion to Cebu has temporarily taken a backseat."

here: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20090306-192690/RP-firm-to-put-up-new-hotel-in-Cebu-City

...well, i asked him twice kung sa former Magellan Hotel lot ba gyud iyang gipasabot and he confirmed nga mao gyud kuno...pero, gaduda gihapon ko....we'll ask him again...hehe!

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Manila Ocean Park eyes Visayas Mindanao market
Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines – After a year of operations, the country’s first world-class marine themed park, Manila Ocean Park, is now starting to make its presence felt in the huge Visayas and Mindanao market to further boost its growing clientele base.

Manila Ocean Park was among the many Manila-based tourism stakeholders that participated in the recently concluded 5th Vis-Min Travel and Lifestyle Show held at the SM City Cebu that ran for three days.

In an interview with Jerlyn M. Mapile, an account executive from the corporate marketing of Manila Ocean Park, she said that their recent move to penetrate VisMin is in line with their company’s vision to further promote the themed park to the rest of the Filipino populace.

Manila Ocean Park adopts a fusion concept as it brings together an oceanarium, a mall, a restaurant row, hotel, swimming lagoons and multi-purpose function facilities under one complex.

Currently, it houses the first and largest aquarium facility in the country with an oceanarium and a reef simulation lagoon of seawater that features an assortment of colorful fishes and invertebrates that are indigenous to the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

Mapile said that the Manila Ocean Park is doing extremely well for the first year of its operation and on a daily average, they get around 20, 000 visitors.

She said that the Manila Ocean Park is positioning itself as an educational and corporate tourism destination so it aims to tap into the huge MICE (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition) market as well as the thriving educational tours segment.

She added that this year, they are also looking at increasing their market base from Visayas and Mindanao so they have partnered with a Korean travel company Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. which will assist them in marketing the park in the Vis-Min regions.

“We are now open for corporations, travel agencies and students but these are usually from the vicinity of Luzon so we partnered with IRC to help us wholesale to the huge Vis-Min market,” said Mapile.

Currently, Manila Ocean Park’s hotel property called as H2O Hotel is being constructed within the park and this is targeted to be opened on August of this year.

The facility will have 147 rooms and it is expected to be a five star accommodation because the company is eyeing it to become another prime hotel destination in the country, said Mapile.

“Marketing Manila Ocean Park will not be difficult because it is something new and people will likely want to come and experience what it has to offer. So far we have already established ourselves in the global market because we have linkages in Spain, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea. Volume-wise we already have a huge international client-base but we are still continuously developing the market in Vis-Min,” said Robert Choi the CEO and president of Island Resort Club Tour Services, Incorporated.

He said that right now they are still in the introductory phase of their promotion efforts in the Vis-Min market.

“We are eyeing to establish partnerships in the Vis-Min market from travel agents, domestic airlines to shipping and so far we have started gathering a lot of inquiries from different agencies. We are aggressive despite the current crisis because we know the situation will be temporary so we continue to focus on maintaining the volume,” said Choi.

The Manila Ocean Park is a joint undertaking of Singaporean and Malaysian investors and it is a subsidiary of the Singapore registered company China Oceanis Pte Ltd., one of the China Oceanis Group of Companies with a core business in designing, developing and operation and installation of public aquaria.— Rhia de Pablo

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447065&publicationSubCategoryId=108

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 07:43 PM

Envoy: British firms want to invest in RP
By Ehda M. Dagooc Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippines will be expecting more investments from British companies in the next two years, specifically in the fields of energy, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and financial services.

In an interview with British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham, he said that the Philippines has become one of the preferred investment sites for British companies, owing to the active promotion of the country to United Kingdom as a good investment site as well as a tourism destination.

Although Great Britain has not been spared from the impact of the global economic crisis, Ambassador Beckingham said the country’s economic figures are now improving as the British government managed to put up strong crisis firewalls such as stimulus package, increased taxes, and re-financing programs for financial institutions.

In his recent meeting with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secretary Peter B. Favila, Beckingham said they arrived at a common interest on inviting investments here, at the same time promoting the Philippines to the U.K.

There are over 200 companies in London that are expressing interest to market and make business in the Philippines. Beckingham will have a presentation about the Philippines in London towards the end of this month.

The Ambassador mentioned the country’s strong potential to attract more Bristish-owned BPO companies, as most of them are moving away from India, and are currently eyeing the Philippines as an alternative site because of better and high quality manpower pool.

Knowledge outsourcing is one of the BPO sectors that will pick the Philippines as offshore site, this aside from the traditional call center operations that are also growing, Beckingham said.

He said it is much cheaper to do research works in the Philippines rather than doing it in London.

“India still obviously has more investments,” Beckingham said but the influx of British BPO firms is expected in the Philippines, as the country has gained popularity among companies in the UK.

He mentioned that some BPO companies realized that the Philippines offers more competitive workforce and infrastructure is as good as in Bangalore (India).

Even the British Embassy in Manila is setting up its own call center operation to service VISA processing support services in Tokyo (Japan), South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This operation employs 25 people, mostly Filipinos.

Shell Petroleum, a British company will also set up its call center in the country employing over 3,000 workers.

Beckingham also said there is a growing number of British companies that are interested to invest in the country’s energy sector, investment in Wind Power Energy in Ilocos, and Bio-mass Ethanol plant in Negros.

In the next two years, the Philippines will expect at least US$100 million worth of investments in the power sector.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447066&publicationSubCategoryId=108

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 07:45 PM

'Wholesale Electricity Spot Market-Visayas to start by first sem'
By Ehda M. Dagooc Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines – The Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) will soon obtain the much anticipated approval from the Department of Energy (DoE) to operate in the Visayas, said DoE undersecretary Melinda Ocampo.

Ocampo said WESM-Visayas will go into commercial operation by May or June this year after the implementation of the Visayas Supply Augmentation Program.

DoE, together with the WESM operator Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), is still waiting for the approval of the Visayas Supply Augmentation Program from the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC).

She said the completion of all regulatory compliance will be done before May or June this year, immediately after that WESM-Visayas will be opened for commercial operation.

The opening of WESM-Visayas is one of the most awaited developments in Cebu, especially for the private sector. As it is expected to resolve the looming power shortage in the region, and dictate the true cost of electricity in the market.

The establishment of WESM is expected to create a more robust energy industry by encouraging competition and efficiency among industry players.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 mandated the establishment of the electricity spot market to set the price of electricity thru market forces, free from the restrictions of regulation.

Transparency in market operations transactions ensure the reflection of the true cost of electricity and improve the delivery of power supply to the end-users.

If WESM will start its commercial operation here, it allows buyers and suppliers to trade electricity as a commodity will invite interested power facility investors to open plants, where it is needed, as the electricity spot market will show the real demand and supply of power.

In an interview with Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) head for power committee and past president Carlos Co, he said that the business sector is expecting WESM-Visayas to run its commercial operation this year, as it already had its dry-run for over a year now.

Its decision to implement the Visayas Supply Augmentation Program, Co said is a good indication that ultimately the market can participate in the spot market, once it is commercially opened.

On the other hand, PEMC earlier emphasized that the commercial operation of the WESM is expected to have minimal impact on the end-users in the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid, because 97 percent of the 1,065-mega-watt average peak demand is covered by bilateral contracts between generators and distribution utilities.

Last year, 16 business chambers from all over the Visayas, agreed to call the attention of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s government to give a go signal for the commercial operation of WESM in the Visayas.

The business sector in the region highlighted its concern on the looming power crisis and urged the DoE to take immediate action on the matter.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447062&publicationSubCategoryId=108

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 07:51 PM

Saltwater intrusion now near Capitol
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Juan L. Mercado Of Sun.Star Cebu

“CEBU can always become the country’s salt capital,” the grizzled editor snapped. He was jolted by how far inland, into Cebu City’s small aquifers, seawater seeped in just 11 years.

In 1985, the “salinewater edge” already crept, from the waterfront. It reached just below historical Fuente Osmena. (See new salinity map)

That was already far above City Hall. In 1972, the first tracking map, pinpointed the edge just above Magellan’s Cross. In Mandaue, salinity was confined in a small arc enclosing Opao and Omapad.

Cebu, however, pumps 275,000 cubic meters daily. Its coastal aquifer can recharge less than half. Demand from population and industry will more than double by 2030. This “over-mining” permits salt water to seep in. The damage is irreversible. It takes 500 years or so to flush tainted underground reservoirs.

Thus, by 2006 salt seeped past the Fuente, notes the Water Resources Center. It reached just a stone’s throw from Provincial Capitol. Silent intrusion of chlorine turned wells brackish, beyond Labangon in the south, and Casili Hills in the north.

More houses, wells

More water is pumped out than is recharged by rain between Pardo, Sta. Lucia to Fuente. This area is sandwiched, in the map, by the numbers “1985” and “2006”. There are today more houses and private wells.

In Mandaue, the expanding area infiltrated by salt markedly. The big change, at one place, could be the result of Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) activation.

Little change is seen in Mabolo. This indicates more flow of ground water from hills beyond Maria Luisa.

Cebuanos cannot plead ignorance. All studies from Asian Development Bank Jica, USAid to Delft University warned of unsustainable stress on Cebu’s main water source: aquifers. It must import surface water from outside, sooner rather than later.

“The salinewater edge (50 mg C1/liter) has already penetrated three kilometers inland,” noted the March 1995 Cebu Water Resources Potential study. “It is moving at a rate of 100 to 150 meters per year.”

“In coming years, this will cause an increase in groundwater salinity in MCWD wells beyond a permissible level (250 mg C1/liter). This will render groundwater from this portion of the coastal aquifer non-potable. Such a development will affect both MCWD and private wells. (It) will cause a water crisis in Cebu.”

“There is no substitute for water.” When 1979 and 1995 salinity maps are examined, P. del Rosario street down to Alaska already bore “the handwriting” of salt. So did a narrow area around Paknaan. By 1995, that line had advanced beyond Lourdes Parish in Labangon and, in the south, to near Jagobiao.

“Dig the well before you get thirsty,” the Chinese proverb says. Thus, then governor Sergio Osmeña looked 50 years down the road and proposed a high dam at Lusaran that Cebu would need by 2010.

With a second dam in Mananga, this would impound surface water now flowing out to sea unused. Exchange rate then was P6 to a dollar. And long term loans at 4% per annum were available.

Highest cost

But Osmeña was then an emerging presidential contender. In Malacanang, his rival, Ferdinand Marcos, stomped on the proposal. Marcos and Osmeña are now in their graves. “But the evil that men do lives after them.” By classic politics, Marcos hobbled Cebuanos, in 2009, with growing water deficits.

Today, Cebuanos pay for the highest cost of drinking water in the country” Mactan export zone firms scramble to lock in additional water supplies. And Cebuanos, in slum areas, pay quadruple for water from vendors. “We pay more for our gastro-enteritis,” a nun working with the poor says.

Additional supplies are not forthcoming soon. Thanks to a historical irony, governor Osmeña’s son – Mayor Tomas Osmeña – dismisses his father’s foresight. “Cebu has no water problem,” he insists. And subservient City Hall officials dare not say,
“The emperor has no clothes.”

This is a “world-is-flat” mindset. Osmena blocked every proposal to tap surface water from outside the city. That includes considering, even at this late hour, a high dam in Lusaran, the Ayala proposal to pipe water from Carmen and a Dutch government-supported drafting of a master plan.

Rainwater

The city conserves little. Its prime project, South Road Properties, cannot harvest a single drop of rainwater. Singapore, in contrast, has rain harvesting devices over 92 per cent of the island. Singapore treats its waste water. Cebu doesn’t treat a single drop.

Osmena’s friends are bidding to supply “cheap water” for South Road Properties. They’ll not bring in new surface water. All would drill more wells into already collapsing aquifers. That guarantees saltwater edge’s intrusion will speed up.

This policy paralysis stems from the politics of scarcity. It results in paraplegic governance.

“If the present trends persist, it will only be a question of time before a water quality crisis occurs, as bad if not worse than the current shortages,” said Cebu’s Water Potential study in 1995.

You then call in the cops. The party is over.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/saltwater-intrusion-now-near-capitol

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 07:52 PM

Amusement park mulls Cebu expansion but not right away
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

SINCE it opened its rides and entertainment services in 1995, Enchanted Kingdom (EK) continues to eye Cebu as its base of expansion in the southern part of the country to cater to the Visayas and Mindanao markets.

“Cebu would be foremost in our minds if we decide to go south (of the country) because I see in Cebu the predominance of the tourist industry and (it is) really the second busiest international gateway into the country,” said EK president and chairman Mario Mamon.

He explained that EK has been asked to start a leisure and entertainment park in Cebu several years ago but the company decided to concentrate first on developing its property in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“I would consider this (expansion to Cebu) a medium- to long-term plan, especially in the light of what’s happening now in the global economy,” he said.

At present, the 17-hectare theme park located south of Manila continues to introduce new products for families, companies, teenagers and professionals. Before Holy Week, the management will launch its four-dimensional movies.

“By providing a more value-for-money products (other) than just rides and attractions, we’ll be able to attract more visitors and encourage them to stay longer,” Mamon said.

Following its 10th anniversary in 2005, he said, EK experienced a downturn caused by “internal” factors. But the company has already addressed those and ended 2008 “on a higher note,” he added.

EK’s performance in 2008 was “marginally better” than 2007, he said. This can be attributed to new product offerings, including a 600-square-meter leisure function area for concerts and other events.

EK also partnered with ITEX Integrated Solutions Inc. that manages Pasyal Pinoy, an arranged tour program that features local destinations.

Mamon said with its January and February performance being “remarkably better,” the company is looking forward to hitting a one million-visitor mark this year.

However, EK is not spared from the effects of the global financial crisis, which has affected the export sector in Laguna and in neighboring areas.

Mamon observed that the slow demand for Philippine exports has forced export companies to cut cost and even lay off workers. These cost-cutting measures mean fewer corporate travels and recreational activities at EK.

“Fortunately, with Filipinos being fun-loving and wanting to forget problems once in a while, we see a resurgence of guests in the park in December last year (amid) the global financial crisis and that resurgence (continues),” he said. (NRC)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/amusement-park-mulls-cebu-expansion-not-right-away

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 07:55 PM

Brits eye power, BPO
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

BRITISH investors have found several opportunities in the Philippines power sector as the National Government promotes alternative and renewable energy.

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham told news reporters in Cebu last Sunday that several investors from the United Kingdom recently met with Trade Secretary Peter Favila and former energy secretary Vince Perez, who now heads
Alternergy Partners—a firm that develops renewable energy in Asia.

“They (different British investors) will invest about US$100 million in the next two years (in the power sector),” he said.

“There’s quite a lot of development in the energy sector (in the Philippines),” he added.

He said that some British companies have already invested in alternative energy projects in the Philippines. One of them is Bronzeoak Ltd., which put up a bioethanol plant in Negros Occidental.

Beckingham said some British investors are also interested in carbon trading in the Philippines.

In carbon trading, a company that emits carbon dioxide may “buy” carbon credits from another entity—usually in a less-developed country—that can plant trees or engage in technologies that reduces carbon emissions. Carbon trading is based on the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming and climate change.

Outsourcing services

As the global crisis deepens, Beckingham said, more British companies are expected to outsource back-office functions to the Philippines, particularly financial services.

He said the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. and Shell are expanding their business process outsourcing units to the Philippines.

He also said theat smaller British-backed companies are expected to put up business process outsourcing (BPO) operations in the Philippines, as well. He did not give details, however.

He said there is a growing number of British companies that are relocating their outsourced functions to the Philippines from India.

“(Here,) the work force prices are better, there is quality work force and the infrastructure is just as good—even better than Bangalore (India),” he said.

He said BPO companies in the Philippines should also try to go into knowledge outsourcing, which may also attract some British companies.

Beckingham said he expects to learn two weeks from now if there are other British investors interested in the Philippines after his scheduled meeting with about 200 companies in the United Kingdom. In that meeting, he will present the various investment opportunities in the Philippines.

He said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would probably attract investors as well when it holds a trade mission in the UK sometime this year.

But Beckingham said the global financial crisis may cause “some downtrend” in British investments.

But he remains optimistic about the Philippines, citing a code sharing agreement between Philippine Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways, which is expected to bring more travelers and tourists between the UK and Manila.

He said British tourists would be interested in scuba diving, beaches and other destinations that feature the Philippines’ natural resources.

While the danger of protectionism has been raised in the United States as the recession threaten the incomes of many Americans, Beckingham said the UK is “totally opposed to protectionism,” even amid the crisis.

“The UK economy is one of the most open in Europe,” he stressed.

To indicate the British Government’s confidence in the Philippines, Beckingham pointed out that the British Embassy in Manila has recently moved into its own building. The British Embassy has also been assigned as a regional hub for visa processing for Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. (LAP)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/brits-eye-power-bpo

concern

March 9th, 2009, 08:10 PM

diehardbisdak

March 9th, 2009, 08:21 PM

^^ Re: Salt Intrusion....wala man gani magproblema sa KSA nga ilang tubig gikan sa dagat...sa bagay, datu man sila og na-a sila technology...pero, why not do the same in Cebu...mag loan ang national government for Cebu...hehehe!

jsl_bxu1206

March 9th, 2009, 08:25 PM

hahaha, sakto gyud ka! :lol:

maybe they heard our discussions here.. maong naay press released "Cebu expansion but not right away" :lol:

MatudNilaBaby

March 10th, 2009, 12:13 AM

maybe they heard our discussions here.. maong naay press released "Cebu expansion but not right away" :lol:

pabuhi sa dugo so ang mga cebuanos aron adtoon sab dayon ug suwayan. thats another way of reverse advertising. look the asian markets are crushing.

swahi

March 10th, 2009, 03:04 AM

re salt intrusion, how to we access the salinity map?

re backpackers, try sugbuhotel, its several blocks from sm city. They have huge advertising in recla and in mabolo, saying its 250/person

Sleepwalker

March 10th, 2009, 03:44 AM

Unseen Metropolis of Cebu - Downtown
flickr pics by Sidious Sid

Unsa kaha mahitabo ani? Maritime Museum?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3338629148_49723c31c2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3338624584_fe499b7eb9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3337276923_f9287873ba.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3338094912_544e3d0f97.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3337247345_15e8628430.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3337256483_f47ab37d5d.jpg

We will be seeing a whole new downtown after few years, if the downtown revitalization will be materialized... :)

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 10th, 2009, 04:54 AM

^^

hay how i wish butangan ug computer generated LED advertisement sa Metro kanang dako gyud kaayo para murag time square! hehe..:lol::lol::laugh:

venntro

March 10th, 2009, 05:49 AM

Cebu Catholic schools to shelve tuition hike plan (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/152031/Cebu-Catholic-schools-to-shelve-tuition-hike-plan)
03/10/2009 | 07:59 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Students of Catholic schools in Cebu may get a relief of sorts after the schools heeded the call to shelve any tuition hike plan this year.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Cebu have supported the call of Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

"In response to the global crisis, the Archdiocesan Superintendent’s office supports Cardinal Vidal in his call on Catholic schools for a no-increase-of-tuition-fee policy for next school year 2009-2010," said Fr. Eduardo Ventic, head of the archdiocesan Catholic schools, in an article on the CBCP Web site Monday night.

He added that instead of increasing matriculation fees, the schools concerned will adopt “alternative schemes" to source funds for their needed operational expenditures.

Ventic cited availing of programs like the government-sponsored Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), Education Services Contracting (ESC), and Educational Voucher System (EVS).

Also, he disclosed other measures will be implemented like encouraging PTAs to sponsor scholarships, increased campaign for more enrollment, schools running their own canteens, and cutting unnecessary expenditures to ameliorate the tightening financial situation of Catholic schools in Cebu.

Earlier, Vidal aired concern on the effects of the global economic downturn on parents who might think twice before sending their children to Catholic schools if ever tuition fees are raised.

Vidal aired his appeal to Catholic institutions to do their share in carrying the burden of economic crisis by scrapping supposed plans to increase tuition fees for the coming school year.

But Ventic said that as early as January, when the effects of the global economic meltdown started to hit, some schools already announced they were not increasing their fees for the coming year.

He cited St. Joseph’s Academy in Mandaue City, as having done so that early in the year.

Also, two big universities in Cebu run by religious congregations announced a tuition freeze last month.

These include the University of San Carlos and University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Cebu archdiocese has 10 colleges, aside from the two universities, and around 60 grade and high schools run by religious congregations or by administrators representing the Cebu archdiocese. - GMANews.TV

SleMarKen

March 10th, 2009, 06:09 AM

Naabot na si Mayor Tommy Osmeña sakay sa Cathay Pacific.
WELCOME HOME Mayor TOM :)

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

March 10th, 2009, 06:31 AM

^^

WOW! magmotorcade ba si mayor tom? ;)

Henz

March 10th, 2009, 06:35 AM

^^ medyo may sarcasm na imong post bai @nold...heheheh! ...bitaw noh, nasayop gyud ko nga akong tan-aw nga na-ay abilidad si Rama...dili man diay gyud diay siya maayo...ang style niya, minamao-mao ra man diay...heheheh!

me too.. from what i see.. he is not the typical Mayor which a burgeoning city like cebu needs. Cebu City needs a better choice either from the admin or opposition doesnt matter, basta a good choice.

Henz

March 10th, 2009, 06:39 AM

^^

hay how i wish butangan ug computer generated LED advertisement sa Metro kanang dako gyud kaayo para murag time square! hehe..:lol::lol::laugh:

I was there last night bai, when i was looking at big tarpaulins, i wished na a big LED could be actually put there. It is actually a good investment for advertising firms since i believe they can solicit more advertisers considering the strategic location, even better than the LED in Mercury Drug near the Quiapo Church in Manila.

I wonder why avertisers havent thought of it, or maybe they have already made negotiations na..

venntro

March 10th, 2009, 07:07 AM

Rapist marries businesswoman in Cebu jail (http://http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/10/09/rapist-marries-businesswoman-cebu-jail)
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/10/2009 11:53 AM

In a love that knows no borders, a convicted felon and his girlfriend tied the knot inside a Cebu maximum security prison Sunday, a first in the jail's entire history.

In a solemn wedding ceremony, Rolando Cascasto and his bride Joan exchanged vows inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Cebu province. Cascasto was convicted of rape and has been detained for more than 10 years at the facility. Joan, meanwhile, is a businesswoman from Danao City.

Both of the couple's families attended the ceremony, as well as CPDRC Officer-in-Charge Jail Warden Alito Gabuya, who served as a witness. The wedding preparations were all handled by Cascasto's fellow inmates.

Gabuya said the marriage is another first for CPDRC, which is also known for its "Dancing Inmates." The prisoners had become instant Internet sensations when the jail recorded a video showing the inmates dancing to Michael Jackson's song "Thriller." The prison's head, Byron Garcia, had introduced an exercise program at the facility, which then evolved into choreographed dancing routines.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Rolando and Joan said they first met after the CPDRC's "Thriller" video was shot in 2007, where Rolando was one of the dancers and Joan was among the audience. After seeing him dance, Joan said she introduced herself and continued to visit Rolando at the facility. They became lovers in 2008 after Rolando formally expressed his love.

"I love her with all my heart, I can't believe I will ever find a love like hers," said Rolando in his native dialect.

Joan, meanwhile, said she is willing to spend a lifetime visiting Rolando in jail. "I don't care what people think, I love him, and my family loves him," she said.

Gabuya said the marriage was another milestone for the famed maximum security prison. "We totally prepared for this, we want the world to see that our jail can be a home to many things, including love," he said.

As of April 2008, the CPDRC's dancing routines were opened to the public. After the program, usually held on Saturdays, visitors can also have their pictures taken with the inmates. Souvenier prison T-shirts are also for sale. -- report from Carmi Cavanlit, ABS-CBN Central Visayas

Hiroshima

March 10th, 2009, 07:39 AM