Cebu City and Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 26

slerz

January 5th, 2006, 05:06 PM

MCIAA Needs A Parallel Runway

As per requirement from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA ) will soon have its second runway parallel to the first runway. 2007 is the deadline set by ICAO for all international airports around the world to comply with the standards.

Aside from the ICAO, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States also sets the same standards for international airports where their planes are flying or intending to fly. The proposed parallel runway will cost P1 billion to MCIAA which it will source from its own fund.

The building of the said facility is perfectly timed for Cebu as it will host this year the Asean Ministers’ Summit in December 2006. The regional meeting will gather the 10 heads of state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus seven other leaders from India, Japan, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, South Korea and China. The delegates from these countries are expected to use the jumbo jets such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus 350 which are large-capacity planes.

_ _ _ _ _ _
Arroyo In Cebu For Sinulog Launching

President Arroyo is definitely coming to Cebu for the launching of the Sinulog 2006 tomorrow after she accepted the invitation from the Cebu City Government yesterday. The confirmation was relayed thru a text message to the Cebu City Hall by her appointment secretary.

City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem was quoted as saying that the President is scheduled to attend the mass tomorrow, Friday, at the Basilica del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center at 2:00 p.m. when the Sinulog 2006 celebration officially starts.

She is also shceduled to attend the 46th Charter anniversary of Toledo City, a mining city in the western seaboard of Cebu.

_ _ _ _ _ _
Photo Contest @ Sinulog 2006

Photography hobbyists and enthusiasts will have a great busy schedule during the Sinulog week. The Sinulog Foundation will conduct a photo contest during the week-long celebration, from the first day of the novena up to the day of the grand parade. Those who have an eye for photography are enjoined to particpate in the contest as a sidelight to the Sinulog Festival 2006. The said contest is open to all amateur or professional photographers, foreign or local alike.

There are six (6) categories to contend with, namely:

a. CONTINGENT (January 15, 2006)
A dance entry (competing or non-competing) in the Sinulog 2006 Grand Parade on January 15, 2006. Pictures should be of a group dancing the Sinulog and not of a solo dancer posing for the shot.

b. FLUVIAL / SOLEMN PROCESSION - (January 14, 2005)
The miraculous image of the Santo Niño is carried around the seacoasts of Mandaue passing Lapulapu City to Cebu City in a fluvial procession or the solemn procession, which will pass the principal streets of the City of Cebu.

c. FLOAT (January 15, 2006)
Float entry to the Sinulog 2005 Grand Parade on January 16, 2005. Pictures of Float entries should be of the entire float, not only of the personalities riding the floats.

d. HIGANTE (January 15, 2006)
Higante entry to the Sinulog 2005 Grand Parade on January 16, 2005.

e. SIDELIGHTS
Exciting events and human interest such as those taken in the parade route of Sinulog 2005 Grand Parade or any related activities during the span of the Sinulog Week – January 6 – 15, 2005 in Cebu City especially the Sinulog Bazaar and the Nightly Shows in Fuente Osmeña & Plaza Independencia.

f. ROUTE DECOR / ARCH
Photos taken from any route decor or arches that were set up in connection with Sinulog 2005 Celebration. The photos maybe taken at anytime, day or night.

All entries must be submitted on or before Jan. 23, 2006 with duly accomplished entry forms to the Sinulog Foundations located at Cebu City Sports Center, RR Landon St. Cebu City

So get ready with your camera (digital or film) starting on January 6 and capture the best moments of the Sinulog spirit. Shots taken before the date would not qualify as entries.

For guidelines, please visit the official website of the Sinulog Foundation or you may contact the Sinulog Foundation at 2545010, 2536700 or 4164845.

MarkiiBoi

January 5th, 2006, 05:44 PM

edit..

MarkiiBoi

January 5th, 2006, 05:50 PM

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango1.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango2.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango3.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango4.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

VECO clearing leaves from electric cables:
<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango5.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango6.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango7.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango8.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/mango9.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

MarkiiBoi

January 5th, 2006, 07:39 PM

OT: i just wanna share this in advance coz me, bai rusty and bai slerz are part of this. hehehe

<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/MarkiiBoi2/bannerjan12.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

Jefferyi

January 5th, 2006, 09:30 PM

Apil anang photo contest Mr. Maniniyot--Slerz. :cheers:

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:23 AM

sugbuanon

January 6th, 2006, 01:27 AM

Cebu poised to become Asia’s ‘Hollywood’

CEBU CITY – If negotiations push through, Cebu City, the country’s “Queen of the South,” may also become the “Hollywood” of Asia.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has revealed that he is conducting negotiations with Bigfoot Entertainment Inc. to locate its film studios in the idle 295-has. South Road Properties (SRP).

The Cebu City government is hard-pressed in making viable the SRP, built on loan of over P2 billion from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) that has now ballooned to P6.3 billion.

Osmena said Bigfoot, a US-based information technology business solutions firm with interests in communications, business process outsourcing, education and entertainment, could be the first tenant in the SRP as he has been talking with longtime Cebu resident Mike Gleissner, chair of the board of Bigfoot Group of Companies.

He said the Bigfoot management is considering a lease, with an option to buy, two hectares of the SRP with an initial payment of P250 million, which reportedly will accommodate two major “sound stages” or large movie studios.

KulasKusgan

January 6th, 2006, 01:30 AM

WoW, nice :okay:...
I noticed that bai MarkiiBoi is the center of attraction :D

completo ba tanang cebuano sa banner?

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:37 AM

completo ba tanang cebuano sa banner?

daghan pa wala...
ang naa kay ako, sugbuanon, markiiboi, sinjin, rusty. ang uban wala na.

@Marvs, ok na project bai? naa ka pic sa imo highrise? pakita-a mi be...:D

sugbuanon

January 6th, 2006, 01:46 AM

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:55 AM

"wala koy pics ky sa school gud ko sige himo sa project.. nakapass jud ko gahapon pero naa lay kulang pero okay ra.. kapoy gihapon kayo hantod ron.. pasalamat ko sa ako mga classmates na nitabang nako tiwas sa amo plate.. "

but i have a plate here of last sem.. ill try posting it

:applause: salamat sa SSC, naka pass jud :D... bitaw, asta kami nabalaka sad basig di nya ka maka pass...hehe
ambot lang kung sa akong side makaya ba na nako in one day or two, I doubt not...

_ _ _ _ _ _

Expand Tagbilaran airport instead: mayor

The mayor of Panglao, Bohol yesterday said he is against the proposed international airport in his town.

Mayor Dolorich A. Du-maluan agrees with Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Adel-berto F. Yap that it would not be economically viable.

Yap’s statement has angered Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, who vowed to block at the Regional Development Council (RDC) a parallel runway project for the Cebu airport.

After all the hoopla, Dumaluan called up Sun.Star Cebu to say that Yap was right.

He cited a government-commissioned study’s recommendation to expand the Tagbilaran City airport, because building one in Panglao would not viable.

Dumaluan said Panglao resort owners also fear that the presence of an international airport in their town will drive away foreign tourists who want to live there in peace.

He added that the owner of one resort expressed opposition to the proposed airport in Panglao, but was allegedly threatened with deportation.

“It’s easy for Aumentado to recommend projects in Panglao because he has no risk as he has no beach resorts in our town,” Dumaluan added.

He called on the governor to respect the recommendation of the government-initiated study.

The study, according to him, suggests for the Tagbilaran airport to be extended by 300 meters to accommodate larger Airbus aircraft.

“Being the mayor of Panglao, I would be the first to rejoice if a project is going to be implemented in our town. But I am concerned about the bad environmental impact,” Dumaluan said.

Earlier, Yap suggested that the fastcraft vessel transport between Cebu and Panglao be developed instead.

The P4.2-billion international airport in Panglao would only increase the Philippines’ foreign debt, said Yap.

But earlier, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia also expressed support for the plan.

For his part, Dumaluan said that tourism in Central Visayas can be developed by building bridges to connect island provinces. (EOB)

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 01:56 AM

murag dugay dugay na walay pic diri ah, post ko beh

CEBOOM!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/12th2.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0082.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0083.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0087.jpg

my twin bro thought these pics are of san francisco, hehehe, i told him to take a good look
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0089.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0088.jpg

mga matchbox!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0086.jpg

sugbuanon

January 6th, 2006, 02:04 AM

thanx for the pics paulo.. san francisco, camotes diay.. :D

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 02:14 AM

wa man siguroy ing ana sa camotes... pero mas walay ing ana sa *toot* sus! hehehe

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 02:22 AM

bitaw...hehe. or sitio san francisco barangay mabolo, cebu city 60000 philippines :D

pero kani, Singapore jud ni... my friend who is now in Singapore sent this through my email...Singapore is really very clean. I wanna live there. ;)
a view from his office.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/LAGUNA.jpg

jrevalde

January 6th, 2006, 02:28 AM

^^ haha, mailad gyud ang tao nga dili familiar sa Ayala

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 02:49 AM

hmmm bai slerz, are we talking about the same friend, hahaha, coz wen i was in singapore a few months back, i took a pic from a friends office window pud, heres the pic... patay, todo na gyud ni! lol!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0079.jpg

nah nag pinareho naman ta ani sa mga taga *toot* :jk:

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 04:14 AM

our cats and dogs are joining the bandwagon of the cebu boom, hehehe

*******************************************************
Fashion gurus, exporter open first pet spa-hotel in RP

Cats and dogs need to have their day at the spa, too.

With that in mind, two Cebu homegrown fashion designers and clothes exporters ventured into a “novel” business called VIPet Spa+Hotel, which offers grooming, consultations, hotel accommodation and massage, among others, for pets.

“We opened this kind of business because we know animals also need some pampering like human beings,” said Meraflor Delima, one of the owners of the newly opened 180-square-meter VIPet Spa+Hotel located in A. S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.

Good market

She told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview that there is a good market in Cebu for the pet spa.

“We already got many inquiries about our pet spa and they are intrigued because this is a new concept here in Cebu,” said business partner Andre Dedamo.

Delima, also the president of MDCouture Inter-nationale that exports clothes to Japan and other Asian countries, said VIPet Spa+Hotel is the first of its kind in the country.

Dedamo said the pet spa is not new in advanced countries.

“We travel a lot and (in our travels we) realized that it is something that we lack here. There are many Filipinos, foreign residents (in Cebu) and expats who are willing to spend money to pamper their pets,” he said.

Delima said in two years’ time, they plan to expand to Manila and other key cities in the country.

“We also give advices, pet behavior counseling and veterinary consultations. One of the most common problems of dog owners is they buy dogs but don’t know what to do with them,” she said.

Having proper education on how to take care of pets will spare owners from more expenses in treatment or losses, she said. (ALC)

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 04:26 AM

^^ Good News!

See, even our pets need world-class pampering, just like their owners. :D :D

Naks, wala na namang ganyan sa *toot* :D :D :D

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 05:52 AM

oh thanks, my dog needs massage and grooming...
how about school for disciplining cats? Coz my adopted cat's so naughty, she wants to be "the grinch"...
take a look... ----> http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=lF0hCechpz0 :D

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 05:54 AM

Modified Megadome to rise in February - Gov. Garcia
Published: 5 January 2006, CDN

by Dale G. Israel

CONSTRUCTION of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), formerly known as the megadome, would start in February, but with some modifications, said Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

The governor said the CICC would now house a convention area below the multi-purpose arena.

She said architect Alex Medalla would still use the original "spinning disc" design that would make the CICC look like a coliseum. The lower floors, however, would be raised three meters higher to accommodate the convention area.

The governor said the convention area was specifically inserted into the design suit the needs of the delegates to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this December.

While the whole structure wouldn't be entirely usable by December, she said the convention area would be finished in time for the summit.

As for who would construct the building in time, Garcia said the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184) offers several options that would allow little bureaucracy in choosing a contractor.

"Republic Act 9184 would give us the capacity to fast track the choice of competent contractors that will start the substructure construction," Garcia said.

She said a competent bidding process would still be used.

The governor said she had also issued an executive order for the creation of a "Megadome Task Force."

The group, she said, would make sure that the CICC would be constructed in time for the ASEAN Summit.

The task force will be divided into legal and technical committees. The legal committee will "look into procedures by which we can fast track, first of all, the choice of the contractor that will do the substructure," Garcia said.

The governor did not say who would compose the task force, but would likely include the her infrastructure consultant Apollo Enriquez, architect Medalla, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, and the vice governor's infrastructure consultant Pedro Adonis Compentio.

All four met with the governor yesterday to discuss the CICC.

"We discussed the modifications on the design in order to focus on the convention center that needs to be completed by November of this year," Garcia said.

"Architect Medalla presented a concept that... would incorporate the convention center and the sports arena... which may be constructed at a later date," she said. "Our focus will be on the construction and completion of the convention center, which will be on the ground floor. We will finish the shell with the same design, the spinning disc."

She said they were aiming for a completion date of Nov. 6 for the convention area and the shell.

Garcia said she intends to present the CICC's situation to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to ask the President on how to expedite the building's construction.

Funding for the construction of the convention area and outer shell would be done using the P250 million already allocated for the CICC.

For the rest of the building, the governor said they would have to look for a private investor.

"After something as historic as the 12th ASEAN Summit, I am very sure that this facility will be very, very attractive to private investors who might want to complete the entire structure. It will have the added historic value of being the facility that was the venue of the prestigious event," Garcia said.

:applause: :applause: :applause:
i can't wait to take photos of that thing! :okay:

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 06:07 AM

Thanks SSC guys for making my stay in Cebu a memorable one. My longest vacation yet :D

Here are the stuff i sure will miss:
1) SIOMAI! Like no other! i swear! Harbour City and Dimsum Break :okay:
2) KIMCHIS! hahaha
3) Lechon!
4) Childhood friends ko
5) Beaches and Bitches! :jk:

and most of all, the SSC Cebu people! tenk u tenk u tenk u! i'll see u soon!

sloid

January 6th, 2006, 06:11 AM

^ Habour city has those rice things in those cups!! They were really good and so far I've never found anything like it yet anywhere else! I think they call it steam rice.. not really sure though >.<

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 06:17 AM

^ Habour city has those rice things in those cups!! They were really good and so far I've never found anything like it yet anywhere else! I think they call it steam rice.. not really sure though >.<

steam(ed) rice that is! :okay: the brown sauce topping? only in Cebu! and siomai tastes arghh.. gutom ko! :bash:

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 06:21 AM

my favourite siomai kay sa Dimsum... really tastes good and addictive.

bai Rusty, nana ta'y ssc_cebu@yahoo.com.ph ---> frendster.

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 06:27 AM

sloid

January 6th, 2006, 06:32 AM

ashton

January 6th, 2006, 06:50 AM

^^ wow, thats sounds pretty exciting. :)

Askal82

January 6th, 2006, 07:05 AM

That's cool! Ill just go to cebu just to see celebrities

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 07:18 AM

I remembered that I saw one already when Arnold Swatsaneiger (sorry fo the spelling) visited Cebu and had a coutesy call @ Cebu City hall with Mayor Alvin Garcia or Tommy Osmeña's term (I foregot)... the City hall @ that time really rocked.

kush

January 6th, 2006, 07:21 AM

there were also plans in baguio.. i heard Universal studios were very keen on buiding a studio in baguio.. i dunno now, about the progress of the plan.

kush

January 6th, 2006, 07:26 AM

how bout the developments on the proposed cebu-mactan tunnel?

CwEoBwU

January 6th, 2006, 07:37 AM

Target of Megadome
project: ASEAN summit
Published: 6 January 2006

by Dale G. Israel

FOLLOWING normal government procurement procedures would add 30 weeks to the construction time of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said.

The additional weeks, she said, would be spent choosing contractors to bid for the facility, making it impossible for the CICC, formerly known as the Cebu Megadome, to be finished in time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in December.

If the CICC is to be ready by the time the summit is held, Garcia said construction has to start by February, which means alternate procurement procedures must be implemented.

The governor was aiming for a Nov. 6 completion date.

Advertisement
Garcia said Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Law cites several alternatives.

"Whenever justified by the conditions provided in this act, the procuring entity may, in order to promote economy and efficiency, resort to any of the alternative methods in procuring," Garcia said, quoting a provision of RA 9184.

The governor said she would consult President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today on which process to use to fast track the budding process and construction of the CICC.

She said she would also discuss with the President preparations for the ASEAN summit.

The Megadome was originally designed as a multi-purpose facility, but concentrated on sports-related activities.

Architect Alexius Medalla, the designer of the CICC, was instructed by the governor recently to modify the design to "insert" a convention area into the lower floors.

Medalla is scheduled to present the new design to Marciano Paynor Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the ASEAN.

The closed-door meeting would allow the ambassador to adjust the CICC's design to suit the number of delegates to the summit and for the summit's many activities.

CwEoBwU

January 6th, 2006, 07:39 AM

richard fischer

January 6th, 2006, 08:49 AM

_ _ _ _ _ _

Expand Tagbilaran airport instead: mayor

The mayor of Panglao, Bohol yesterday said he is against the proposed international airport in his town. After all the hoopla, Dumaluan called up Sun.Star Cebu to say that Yap was right. He cited a government-commissioned study’s recommendation to expand the Tagbilaran City airport, because building one in Panglao would not viable. Dumaluan said Panglao resort owners also fear that the presence of an international airport in their town will drive away foreign tourists who want to live there in peace. He added that the owner of one resort expressed opposition to the proposed airport in Panglao, but was allegedly threatened with deportation. The study, according to him, suggests for the Tagbilaran airport to be extended by 300 meters to accommodate larger Airbus aircraft. Earlier, Yap suggested that the fastcraft vessel transport between Cebu and Panglao be developed instead. For his part, Dumaluan said that tourism in Central Visayas can be developed by building bridges to connect island provinces.

EXACTLY CORRECT, good thinking mayor damaluan.

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 10:24 AM

in todays issue of sunstar daily cebu

Council reverses stand, endorses IT park

the lapu lapu city council gave its endorsement to bigfoot properties inc. for it to develop an information technology park and get philippine economic zone authority (peza) accreditation.

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

Businessmen stay positive over entry of new retail store

the more the merrier

this was the reaction of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president robert go to the announcement of pricesmart phils. inc. of its plan to build a warehouse store in cebu city.

in a press release, pricesmart said it will put up a P400million warehouse retail outlet on a 2.3 hectare property in banilad area, cebu city by the first quarter of this year.

***

sorry for the poor editing, was trying to look for those news items on the online issue of sunstar para copy paste lang but i dont think it has been included on the web issue. its on paper lang. so its all systems go for the bigfoot in mactan, and banilad is really booming ah, after pricesmart the sm hypermarket na, walang crisis sa cebu!!!

Jefferyi

January 6th, 2006, 10:45 AM

[QUOTE=fundraiser]in todays issue of sunstar daily cebu

Council reverses stand, endorses IT park

the lapu lapu city council gave its endorsement to bigfoot properties inc. for it to develop an information technology park and get philippine economic zone authority (peza) accreditation.QUOTE]
So how will this affect the IAFT developments in the SRP?

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 10:56 AM

its not gonna affect the SRP plans at all, theyre building the facility on the SRP even w/o peza accreditation on their mactan site. bigfoot is planning to have at least 14 hectares on the SRP

CwEoBwU

January 6th, 2006, 11:01 AM

the banilad lot where cebu intl school used to be is being auctioned by the provincial govt, right? sm is one of the bidders of the said lot. do you have any idea where the pricesmart will be built?

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 11:06 AM

Jefferyi

January 6th, 2006, 11:27 AM

its not gonna affect the SRP plans at all, theyre building the facility on the SRP even w/o peza accreditation on their mactan site. bigfoot is planning to have at least 14 hectares on the SRP
OIC. Thanks for clarifying.

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 11:31 AM

Target of Megadome
project: ASEAN summit

FOLLOWING normal government procurement procedures would add 30 weeks to the construction time of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said.

The additional weeks, she said, would be spent choosing contractors to bid for the facility, making it impossible for the CICC, formerly known as the Cebu Megadome, to be finished in time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in December.

If the CICC is to be ready by the time the summit is held, Garcia said construction has to start by February, which means alternate procurement procedures must be implemented.

The governor was aiming for a Nov. 6 completion date.

Garcia said Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Law cites several alternatives.

"Whenever justified by the conditions provided in this act, the procuring entity may, in order to promote economy and efficiency, resort to any of the alternative methods in procuring," Garcia said, quoting a provision of RA 9184.

The governor said she would consult President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today on which process to use to fast track the budding process and construction of the CICC.

She said she would also discuss with the President preparations for the ASEAN summit.

The Megadome was originally designed as a multi-purpose facility, but concentrated on sports-related activities.

Architect Alexius Medalla, the designer of the CICC, was instructed by the governor recently to modify the design to "insert" a convention area into the lower floors.

Medalla is scheduled to present the new design to Marciano Paynor Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the ASEAN.

The closed-door meeting would allow the ambassador to adjust the CICC's design to suit the number of delegates to the summit and for the summit's many activities.

LordCarnal

January 6th, 2006, 12:22 PM

The vacant lot between BTC and PDI condo is now being landfilled. I wonder what they will build there. It's too small for a pricemart though. I also learned that the houses beside countrymall on the left side will be dimolished coz its a govt lot.

Isn't it going to be BTC's parking area as posted in the previous Cebu Threads?

A partial view of Cebu City from our home:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0497.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0495.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0494.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0493.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0492.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/IMG_0491.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/stitch_cebu_cropped.jpg

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 12:38 PM

^^ imagine the view bai if the Crown Regency will be finished. GalinG!

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 12:38 PM

nice: thanks for the pics bai Arnold... Elevated diay inyo lugar sa Guadalupe?
Fuente Osmeña is the densest area in Cebu City with tall buildings but the densest of all is Downtown Cebu with low and medium rise buildings and 1 or two highrise.

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 12:44 PM

^^ both the downtown and the midtown cguro are the area with the highest income generation for the city.

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 12:45 PM

I also learned that the houses beside countrymall on the left side will be dimolished coz its a govt lot.

So, is it the government lot bidded on by SM? If ever it is, woah, CountryMall will have a new opponent, SM Hypermarket. lol :D

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 12:49 PM

^^ but i guess bai hypermarket will no be built in close proximity to countrymall.

@bai arnold: oo nga baka nga parking lot lang yun.

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 12:57 PM

^^ but i guess bai hypermarket will no be built in close proximity to countrymall.

@bai arnold: oo nga baka nga parking lot lang yun.

Is that hypermarket an SM store? then what kind of store? same with that of Prince court? and so with that pricemart, is that like Makro?

kinsa naay list of all Cebu forumers? kanang kompleto ba kay ato ibutang sa pwendster.

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 12:59 PM

@bai arnold: oo nga baka nga parking lot lang yun.

Are you referring to the parking lot (I passed by last Sunday and it's done already) or another one?

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 12:59 PM

^^ maybe they're like princewarehouse or makro or walmart bai. yeah i think hypermarket is run by sm...

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 01:03 PM

Are you referring to the parking lot (I passed by last Sunday and it's done already) or another one?

you're referring to the one across btc jin? yeah its already finished.
i am referring to the area immediately beside it on the right side near the bridge. landfilling is on going...

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 01:05 PM

Is that hypermarket an SM store? then what kind of store? same with that of Prince court? and so with that pricemart, is that like Makro?

kinsa naay list of all Cebu forumers? kanang kompleto ba kay ato ibutang sa pwendster.

If nakaadto naka sa Manila, slerz, you may have known what an SM Hypermarket is. From my experience in SM Sucat and Bicutan, an SM Hypermarket is usually 2 levels with a walkalator (the escalator has a magnet to carry the shopping cart). A Hypermarket joins a Supermarket and Department Store in one.

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 01:06 PM

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 01:07 PM

you're referring to the one across btc jin? yeah its already finished.
i am referring to the area immediately beside it on the right side near the bridge. landfilling is on going...

Oh okay. The right side near the bridge? Wala pa'y info about the project sa area? I just hope it's the BTC Expansion mall.

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:07 PM

^^ maybe they're like princewarehouse or makro or walmart bai. yeah i think hypermarket is run by sm...

ay sori, I mean prince warehouse. hehe
Cebu's economy is really strenthening as we can see construction of several parking lots :D

If nakaadto naka sa Manila, slerz, you may have known what an SM Hypermarket is. From my experience in SM Sucat and Bicutan, an SM Hypermarket is usually 2 levels with a walkalator (the escalator has a magnet to carry the shopping cart). A Hypermarket joins a Supermarket and Department Store in one.

Last 1995 pa but only in Makati not Manila. We've been through a mall in Makati like Ayala but I dunoo what mall is that... I have no idea about that Sucat and Bictuan dugay dugay naman sd gud :D

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 01:11 PM

pricesmart is yeah i think mura sad ug makro, pero am not sure if for membership ba na, theres a pricesmart in d.macapagal near blue wave and SM MoA in manila pero wa ko ninaog sa sakyanan kay dali ra man kuno akong mga kauban so i stayed in the car with a relative na lang.

bai slerz.. what about the prince court diay? naa silay plans?

about the hypermarket, yeah, i think na post naman na in one of the cbeu threads before, its a big supermarket, dunno if its another version of savemore pero savemore is strictly groceries/supermarket man siguro, the hypermarket will have some small retail outlet along with a big supermarket.

PriceSmart, yes, it is like Makro, still with membership.

No, SaveMore is different. Let me explain. A SAVEMORE SUPERMARKET is what SM names an SM SUPERMARKET which is not inside an SM MALL. ;) That's why, it's Savemore in Mactan, in EMall and in Festival Supermall,Alabang

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:14 PM

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 01:19 PM

so if its a hypermarket, most prolly may department store? retail outlets? nice!

to sum it all up

sm hypermarket in banilad
expansion of ayala mall
expansion of sm city cebu (will this push through? with the hypermarket?)
entry of pricesmart

wala talagang crisis sa cebu!

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 01:20 PM

^^ No hypermarket for SM Cebu.

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 01:20 PM

asus!!! cge man gud ug hunahuna anang kuan kuan, nakita nuon ang ebidensya, pag binut-an lagi bai slerz! hehehe

MarkiiBoi

January 6th, 2006, 01:21 PM

hehe. I supposed to type prince warehouse, not prince court... diba prince court is para kuan kuan? :D

mao cguro mao imo na think bai kay cge man ka didto sa prince court. lols...
daghan pink didto? :D

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:21 PM

PriceSmart, yes, it is like Makro, still with membership.

No, SaveMore is different. Let me explain. A SAVEMORE SUPERMARKET is what SM names an SM SUPERMARKET which is not inside an SM MALL. ;) That's why, it's Savemore in Mactan, in EMall and in Festival Supermall,Alabang

SM Supermarket in SM City Cebu is also a Savemore supermarket... from 1986 (If I'm not mistaken) upto 1999, SM supermarkets are part and run by SM malls but in 1999, it was bought by (I forgot his name :D) so right now, SM supermarkets in all SM malls and so with SM supermarkets sa Emall and Mactan Marina is run by Savemore Inc.

mao cguro mao imo na think bai kay cge man ka didto sa prince court. lols...
daghan pink didto? :D

na! saon... wa man gani ko ka lot lot asa na dapit :D

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 01:23 PM

^^ But now, SaveMore is what they call to an SM Supermarket outside an SM Mall. ;)

fundraiser

January 6th, 2006, 01:26 PM

^^ No hypermarket for SM Cebu.

sinjin sorry for confusing you, this is what i mean...

"will sm still push through with the expansion of their sm city mall in reclamation area now that they have plans of building a hypermarket in banilad? or are they going to push through with the two projects?"

i hope i made it clear for u now

slerz

January 6th, 2006, 01:28 PM

^^ But now, SaveMore is what they call to an SM Supermarket outside an SM Mall. ;)

yup... BTW, I worked sa Savemore EMall upto Sept last yr pero sa office ra dili sa Supermarket... perme lang ko kita sa tag iya sa SM nga si Sy og Savemore, lipay sad ko io kita kot billionaryo in person :D

so if its a hypermarket, most prolly may department store? retail outlets? nice!

to sum it all up

expansion of ayala mall
expansion of sm city cebu (will this push through? with the hypermarket?)
entry of pricesmart

wala talagang crisis sa cebu!

to add... expansion of Emall and those parking lots of BTC :D

rowell_sk

January 6th, 2006, 01:39 PM

Viva Pit Señor diay ninyong tanan!

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2006, 01:49 PM

sinjin sorry for confusing you, this is what i mean...

"will sm still push through with the expansion of their sm city mall in reclamation area now that they have plans of building a hypermarket in banilad? or are they going to push through with the two projects?"

i hope i made it clear for u now

Pushing through with both.

CwEoBwU

January 6th, 2006, 01:49 PM

asa na dapita ang sm hypermarket tukuron?

LordCarnal

January 6th, 2006, 05:35 PM

A Hypermarket joins a Supermarket and Department Store in one.

the old SM in iloilo was like a department store and supermarket in one if I'm not mistaken.. Ingun-ana ba na ang hypermarket? :)

LordCarnal

January 6th, 2006, 05:44 PM

^^ imagine the view bai if the Crown Regency will be finished. GalinG!

yup, especially if the Crown Regency will really be 40 storeys tall like what that article in sunstar said... And also with the construction of the two more condos... plus that highrise in SRP, it would be very visible from our village..

@slerz

Very elevated bai. We live in a mountain subdivision, the one at the back of Guadalupe Church? Ours I guess is the same level as that of Nivel Hills. Marco Polo is visible to the left while to the right is Good Shepherd in Banawa but no longer visible..

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 07:44 PM

richard fischer

January 6th, 2006, 07:48 PM

something i have to tell you cebu forumers : i´ver tried to activate the davao forumers to shoot some pics during the ASEAN tourism convention at the airport with all those international charter flights comming in next week, and would you believe it ? noone except sleepwalker uno (great guy) even took under consideration of supporting such a great event ! what a difference to cebu. davao is just a sleepy slow place ! they should take advantage of how you guys move. it´s amazing how cebu progresses ! in my opinion, the fastest place in the philippines, comparable to china !

richard fischer

January 6th, 2006, 07:56 PM

.....Yap suggested that the fastcraft vessel transport between Cebu and Panglao be developed instead. For his part, Dumaluan said that tourism in Central Visayas can be developed by building bridges to connect island provinces.....

just like in the maledives. one international airport with DIRECT connections FROM THE AIRPORT per fastcraft to all the islands around. EXTREMLY EFFECTIVE ! and very well accepted by tourists and locals.

Askal82

January 6th, 2006, 08:13 PM

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 08:40 PM

Mactan resort adds more rooms, plans to expand wellness facilities

In respose to the increasing demand for spa and wellness services, Filipino-owned Plantation Bay Resort and Spa has allocated a substantial amount this year for the expansion of its spa and wellness facility.

This, after it spent a “substantial amount” for the construction of four more rooms that increased the resort’s room capacity to 224, according to Plantation Bay general manager Efren Belarmino.

Priority

He told a press conference last Thursday that the expansion of the area and adding more spa rooms to the eight rooms at Mo-gambo Springs, within Plantation Bay, is one of the priority projects of the five-star resort this year.

“The expansion is due to the increasing demand for the spa and wellness service of our house guests alone. Some of them go to Mogambo Springs and spend their money on spa everyday while in the resort,” Belarmino said.

He admitted that service rates at Mogambo Springs and the room rates of the eight-hectare resort are high.

Experience

“But we are not selling the rates. We are selling the experience,” Belarmino said.

Earlier, Hilton International president for the Middle East and Asia Pacific operation Koos Klein said Cebu does not have to project itself as a cheap tourist destination to be able to compete with other international destinations such as Phuket, Thailand and Singapore.

Belarmino also said Plantation Bay performed well last year with occupancy averaging at 84 percent. Most of the guests were Koreans and Japanese.

But locals, mostly balik-bayans, remain on top of the list with the highest number of arrivals. (JBN)

paulkrps

January 6th, 2006, 08:48 PM

@ richard:

good night davao, i´m going back to the cebu forumers. that´s where people grasp their opportunities, take the right desisions, believe in the future and wake up at 7 in the morning and not 7 in the evening....

not fair to castigate davao forumers though. first it's only dave that has been active so far. second other davao forumers are transplanted dabawenyos who make it a point to check out the davao scene. third, you don't have to go to other threads to castigate the davao forumers. fourth, if nobody (aside from the reason that it's only dave that's the only one active local) has taken the challenge of taking pictures of what you suggested, then they may have reason/s.

rustyboi

January 6th, 2006, 08:53 PM

^^ i definitely agree with u paul :cool:

rowell_sk

January 6th, 2006, 11:45 PM

Guys, pwede ta ka-upload ug pictures sa wikipedia? kay inagsearch ug Cebu sa mga tourista, seal ug map ra gyud makita.

rowell_sk

January 7th, 2006, 12:02 AM

Arroyo refuses to intervene in CICC construction plans

President Gloria Arroyo yesterday refused to issue any statement about the plans of Governor Gwen Garcia on speeding up the construction of the megadome, now referred to as the Cebu International Convention Center.

Arroyo tried to shun giving categorical answers about Garcia's plan to request the President for the possible granting of exemptions over some provisions in bidding and procurement procedures, which would fast track the construction of the CICC.

Garcia earlier said she would consult Arroyo on ways to shortcut the procedures so that the CICC will be finished in time for the ASEAN Summit here in Cebu this December.

But Arroyo only said the matter should "depend on the local government units because they have local autonomy," as she assured that the national government would contribute to the preparations of the biggest gathering of ASEAN leaders so far here in Cebu.

"It is the responsibility of the LGUs to complete the project. I asked them if they can handle the summit, and they said they can," Arroyo said.

Arroyo also said the commitment of Cebu officials on the matter made her confident that the ASEAN Summit would be hosted successfully, similar to past events like the Southeast Asian Games.

The President told local and national mediamen, during a press interaction at the CEBECO complex in Toledo City yesterday, that she has been expecting the CICC to be a "world class" edifice that will make the country proud.

Arroyo said there are lots of preparation for the ASEAN Summit because it is much bigger than the SEA Games, considering the 16 heads of states and their respective ministers and officials attending the event, and mediamen covering it.

Meanwhile, former senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña commented yesterday that Malacañang should study carefully the request of the provincial government for exemptions on procurement procedures as stipulated in Republic Act 9184, of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

He said the law is very clear and the granting of exemptions from it should only be done when it is a matter of "extreme emergency, and danger to life or limb," and not just to fast track the construction of an edifice.

"There is no denying that the provision is there but I cannot see how Capitol can stretch that provision to cover the construction of the CICC," Osmeña said.

He also doubted that the CICC will be finished by November 6, the target completion date set by the provincial government.

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 01:14 AM

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 02:13 AM

btw Sinjin, duplicate post na naman :nono:

Nope, it isn't duplicated since Markii's article was from SunStar and mine from Cebu Daily News. ;)

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 02:31 AM

Nope, it isn't duplicated since Markii's article was from SunStar and mine from Cebu Daily News. ;)

hmmm, I gotta post mine's The Freeman issue of the same article... waaaaaaaaaaa

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 02:35 AM

Oh no, how clumsy of me...Sorry.

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 02:38 AM

President declares Sinulog 2006 open

President Arroyo became part of the Sinulog’s history yesterday when she officially declared the Sinulog 2006 open, the first time a Philippine president did so in the festival’s 26 years.

But she also had to listen to a sermon on self-renewal, the need for reconciliation in addressing the country’s problems and a call to revere what a priest called the “Pinoy Small Brother.”

Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said that since the President was present during the mass, the Sinulog Foundation officials decided to give her the opportunity to declare the start of the Sinulog festivities for this year, at the Basilica del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center.

The Sinulog Foundation chairman, in this case Rama, declares the official opening of the festivities every year, if protocol is to be followed.

“It is not only the first time that the president of the Philippines attended the opening ceremonies, it is also the first time that a president declared the event open,” Rama told Sun.Star Cebu.

Arroyo, dressed in blue pants and black Sinulog shirt, greeted the cheering crowd who waved images of the Sto. Niño to be blessed with holy water by the priests.

“I now declare Sinulog 2006 open!” she said.

Healing

In his homily, Fr. Kipling Agravante urged devotees to greet the new year with the resolve to change one’s evil ways and to renew their faith and love for the Sto. Niño.

It is the people’s strong faith in the patron that will lead the country towards healing and reconciliation, he said.

“After a year of turmoil, especially in the area of politics, what we need now is reconciliation. We have to join hands and be united in uplifting the state of our country because it is only when we are united that we can rise above the turmoil,” Agravante told the hundreds of devotees who attended the opening salvo.

Although the country is already seeing signs of recovery from the political and economic problems, genuine change could only be achieved if it starts with every individual, he added.

“The value of the peso has already gone up, but change must start inside each of us. Let’s start the new year by renewing ourselves... We need to strengthen our faith in the Sto. Niño because our future and our lives are in His hands,” he said.

If Cebuanos were able to catch the Pinoy Big Brother fever so fast, Agravante said Cebuanos should also grow in their devotion to the Sto. Niño at the same pace, whom he called the “Pinoy Small Brother”.

Parade

After the mass, Sinulog Foundation officials and trustees greeted the candle vendors at the basilica and gave them P100 each.

“It’s just a small gift to them from us so they will also pray for us and for the success of the Sinulog 2006,” said Sinulog Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros.

President Arroyo, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, Government Media Group Head Cerge Remonde, Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south district) and Gov. Gwen Garcia joined the Sinulog officials in watching Sinulog dance presentations after the mass, before proceeding to the wake of the late RTC Judge Henrick Gingoyon at the Sacred Heart Parish.

A parade with the Sinulog officials and the dance troupes of various universities from the basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center followed the mass.

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 03:51 AM

xXx carlos xXx

January 7th, 2006, 04:01 AM

^^ Yeah, just like the Supercat like this: http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/Askal82/supercat.jpg

There is already a service between Batangas-Mindoro, Cebu-Leyte, Iloilo - Bacolod.
Its a twin haul, fastcraft that can achieve 30 to 40 knots. Its not that far that Cebu will also service Tagbilaran city in Bohol in the near future.

actually.. it has already serviced tagbilaran for a long time.... pero, for some reasons nagstop sila pag service sa tagbilaran... there is another fast craft from cebu that services cebu-tagbilaran.... correction, it's supposed to be a cebu-ormoc, not cebu-leyte... leyte is another town in leyte province.... :D

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 04:01 AM

double post again sinjin (#379) :D

i was just absent last night 3 pages dayon.. hehe

share lang nako: (bisaya lang ko ha?) :D

tambay mi gabie sa Kasadya tupad sa Sunflower kuyog ako mga classmates para magcelebrate ky mana mi pass amo project.. grabe!!! kato lang na gabie mga 300-500 koreans/japanese ang ako nakit-an sa lugar.. naay nag-inom sa Kasadya, ang uban adto sa Sunflower nya ang uban adto sa Metro Sports para magbadminton..

naay one time naay usa jud ka bus nisulod nya puro mga japanese siguro to sila nya nanulod sa Sunflower.. aside sa mga asians daghan sad kau mga caucasians ako kit-an kuyog mga pinay.. mura na preho sa bangkok na bisan asa ka lingi naa jud ka kit-an na foreigner..

mao to siya :D

welcome back Marvs...

yup, too many specially now intime for the Sinulog. They're just walking everywhere and as I see them they feel that they are very safe and secured walking around Cebu streets. Even gani sa gawas sa SM, in the sidewalk where the waiting area of the taxi's, one time I saw a group of Koreans squatting along that SM sidewalk just beside the parking lot eating junkfoods and sofdrinks/beverages and it's my first time to see foreigners squatting (walay hapin hapin) sa sidewalks, even gani Pinoys I haven't seen it yet.

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 04:06 AM

double post again sinjin (#379) :D

Thanks for the reminder. ;)

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 07:15 AM

The first SALE of the Year at AYALA CENTER CEBU
The Sinulog FIESTA SALE @ Ayala Center Cebu

Mall Hours:
Jan 11-12 - 10AM-10PM
Jan 13 - 10AM-11PM
Jan 14 - 10AM-11PM
Jan 15 - 10AM-10PM

A 1-hour explosive FIREWORKS DISPLAY will grace us all on January 15 at the Lagoon Area of Ayala Center Cebu. Be entertained as ACC lights the sky with the BEST Fireworks you will ever see.

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 07:41 AM

double post again sinjin (#379) :D

i was just absent last night 3 pages dayon.. hehe

share lang nako: (bisaya lang ko ha?) :D

tambay mi gabie sa Kasadya tupad sa Sunflower kuyog ako mga classmates para magcelebrate ky mana mi pass amo project.. grabe!!! kato lang na gabie mga 300-500 koreans/japanese ang ako nakit-an sa lugar.. naay nag-inom sa Kasadya, ang uban adto sa Sunflower nya ang uban adto sa Metro Sports para magbadminton..

naay one time naay usa jud ka bus nisulod nya puro mga japanese siguro to sila nya nanulod sa Sunflower.. aside sa mga asians daghan sad kau mga caucasians ako kit-an kuyog mga pinay.. mura na preho sa bangkok na bisan asa ka lingi naa jud ka kit-an na foreigner..

mao to siya :D

i was gonna say that when we went to Kasadja one night. Sunflower city is owned by a Korean. Asian tourists flock that discotheque every night. hehe..
remember marvs when we were in Bigbucks we saw many Koreans walkin' around the street past midnight? apparently they felt secured on that area. i should commend our police who always make sure the city is safe for everyone 24/7 :okay:

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 07:42 AM

^^ Yeah, after Manila, Cebu is the 2nd city that never sleeps. lol. ;)

sloid

January 7th, 2006, 07:55 AM

hmmm, I gotta post mine's The Freeman issue of the same article... waaaaaaaaaaa

speaking about freeman, does it still use the website. www.thefreeman.com?
because i've been trying to go there since yesterday and it says domain for sale.

edit: nevermind, according to this article (http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl100902.htm) it joined Star Publications.

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 08:14 AM

^^ yeah, you need to go to PhilStar's website then click on "The Freeman" link :D

http://philstar.com

CwEoBwU

January 7th, 2006, 08:18 AM

Arroyo refuses to intervene in CICC construction plans

.[/b]

It is not a SURPRISE why bureacraZy and dirty politics have made the philippine development a BIG question mark!

for certain, if in case the cicc will take shortcuts in its procurement, politicians, will question that. you all know who he is, the former cebuano senator.

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 08:23 AM

^^ John Osmeña lol!
For the complete article, click the link below

http://philstar.com/philstar/FREEMAN200601071806.htm

CwEoBwU

January 7th, 2006, 08:41 AM

mao ba!!! hehehehhe

-----------------------
He said the law is very clear and the granting of exemptions from it should only be done when it is a matter of "extreme emergency, and danger to life or limb," and not just to fast track the construction of an edifice.

"There is no denying that the provision is there but I cannot see how Capitol can stretch that provision to cover the construction of the CICC," Osmeña said.

He also doubted that the CICC will be finished by November 6, the target completion date set by the provincial government. - Wenna A. Berondo and Cristina C. Birondo

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

DAMN!!! he is a cebuano... only in name...

CwEoBwU

January 7th, 2006, 09:16 AM

From BusinessWorld:

Metrobank group hikes hotel venture budget to P1B

The Metrobank group is increasing its renovation budget for its first hotel venture, the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City.

First Metro Investment Corp. President Francis Sebastian said the P500 million allocated initially was not enough to cover the expenses of refurbishing the hotel.

Formerly Cebu Plaza Hotel, the Marco Polo Plaza is owned by Federal Land Inc. and First Metro along with a foreign investor.

"We initially allocated P500 million but it was not enough. We think we will spend P1 billion for the renovation," Mr. Sebastian said.

He also said that the group is hoping that it will be able to raise rates "a little bit" to recover costs and added that the group is optimistic that the hotel will have a high vacancy rate as Cebu is experiencing a dearth in hotels.

Earlier, the group said that the renovation includes upgrading of fire safety systems, electrical wiring and plumbing systems to international standards, installation of the latest communication systems, renovation and enhancement of all public and guest room areas.

The 25-storey, 335-room Cebu Plaza Hotel was foreclosed by Metrobank. It stopped operating in 2003. Federal Land and First Metro acquired the hotel for P1.2 billion.

The Marco Polo Plaza is the first venture of the Metrobank group in the hotel business. It is set to open in the middle of next year and aims to position itself as a venue of choice for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The hotel will have a ballroom that covers 1,000 square meters and 14 function rooms as well as swimming pool, fitness club, spa and tennis facilities.

It will also have a casino, but Mr. Sebastian said that the group is yet to get the permit to operate one from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. -- Jennee Grace U. Rubrico

KulasKusgan

January 7th, 2006, 09:23 AM

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/ssc/banner.jpg

The Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Lahug
Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Scheduled to open in 2006, The Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu is located in the prestigious Nivel Hills district where it dominates the Cebu City skyline. The hotel is surrounded by 7.5 hectares of lush greenery, and is 25 minutes from Mactan International Airport and only 15 minutes from the business and commercial center of Cebu City.

Hotel Accommodation

The 332 well-appointed guest rooms and suites are equipped with wireless broadband Internet access, luxurious bathrooms, in-room safe, state-of-the-art communications, and cable TV. Marco Polo's signature Continental Club provides the finest in accommodation and service for the discerning traveler.

Meetings & Special Events

The Grand Ballroom and 13 multi-function rooms totaling 2443 square meters provide the perfect venue for meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and social events.

Dining & Restaurants

Café Marco

An all-day restaurant featuring alfresco dining and offering a wide variety of Western, Asian, and local dishes served buffet style or à la carte.

Lobby Lounge

Overlooking the poolside garden, the Lobby Lounge will offer designer coffees, traditional teas, cocktails, light snacks, and the best in contemporary entertainment.

Garden Terrace and Pool Bar

Overlooking the mango-shaped pool and surrounded by lush greenery, the pool bar has a stage for live entertainment and provides a place for relaxation.

Health & Leisure

Recreational facilities include a swimming pool, health and fitness center.

http://www.marcopolohotels.com/cebu.html

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 10:00 AM

^^ Yeah, after Manila, Cebu is the 2nd city that never sleeps. lol. ;)

true... try walking along Osmeña blvd, in Banilad, in Downtown or anywhere else in the city from12 am upto 5 am, the atmosphere is the same sa 9pm atmosphere, people really never sleeps I mean a lot of people never sleeps in this part of the country kay maglaag laag sa dan sa kadlawng dako but most of them can be found in restos.

MarkiiBoi

January 7th, 2006, 10:08 AM

Cebu trip
CDN

Arroyo had a series of engagements in Cebu.

In the morning, she was in Toledo City, about 50 km west of Cebu City, for the city's Charter Day festivities. She distributed health cards, land titles and visited one botica sa barangay outlet.

Over lunch, reporters asked her about Cebu province's request to hasten the bidding process.

"It's their problem. They assured us that they can handle it. They want me to bring them the Asean Summit so I brought them the summit," she replied.

She pointed out that Manila, which had all the facilities, wanted to host the event. But, she said she gave it to Cebu because "Cebu showed their commitment. I will be counting on that commitment."

"Everything shall be with the local government. The national government will not interfere," the President said.

Arroyo said she had seen the design of the Megadome: "I love it."

"It's world-class. I'm impressed. It's similar to other venues I have attended. I'm sure the country will not be embarrassed with this."

The President was in a light mood as she sat with reporters for a 20-minute interaction.

She said she was confident Cebu could pull off another successful hosting.

"It only took Cebu five days to prepare for my inauguration (in 2004) and it was successful. How much more that they have one year? I even brought them (Cebuano officials) to Malaysia so they could observe (the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur)."

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 11:05 AM

@sleepwalker thanx for sharing the rendering of MP.. MP will be opened hopefully before the ASEAEN Summit

@cweobwu "salamat sa pagbangka sa 2nd meet namo last monday.." "pirte jud raba nko kaon.."

@resty the entire night i kept observing the foreigners in Kasadya.. they're really enjoying here in cebu.. security is not a problem coz mobile patrols are stationed near bars and other areas frequented by both locals and foreigners..

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 11:09 AM

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4307/img03554yf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4922/img03518mx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9412/img03520ll.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/2455/img03566eu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/2558/img03583ds.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/5443/img03573vi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 11:17 AM

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2182/img03678nl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

a midrise commercial building

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7555/img03705vp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

golden peak hotel

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6628/img03689mp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

a midrise commercial building

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5846/img03693ao.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

windland towers I and II

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9576/img03717tc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the flyover along archbishop reyes

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7530/img03725rd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the pag-ibig tower from another angle

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9994/img03730dz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2679/img03747db.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5221/img03750vw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the forum

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8282/img03766qc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the old cebu grand convention center

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 11:25 AM

salamat Marvs... sige tag agi agi dihang mga dapita but we appreciate more
their beauty kung ipaagi nag picture.
The Forum diay ngan ana nga bar? nibutho raman gud na'g kalit dihang dapita...hehe

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 11:28 AM

^^ Dili sad bar oi! :D Commercial building, lol. :)

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 11:34 AM

^^ Dili sad bar oi! :D Commercial building, lol. :)

aw commercial building diay na? mura man gud og bar tan awn kay may pagka kikay man ang design sa building...heh
thanks for the info @mike.
pero naa lagi mga banko banko nga murag pariha sa mga bars... duha tingali na bar og office building.

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 12:23 PM

sorry for posting again pics of CAFA (college of architecture and fine arts).. hehe "para sa mga new forumers lang ni"

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4626/img03865yc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7805/img03879ij.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2760/img03885cs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9002/img03907ng.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1796/img03914am.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5615/img03895dm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 12:28 PM

Hehe, here's my own version of this "NewYorkish scene"
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/amiincebu_filtered.jpg

MarkiiBoi

January 7th, 2006, 12:29 PM

^^ bisag re-post na bai its like seeing it for the first time kay nindut man jud cya bai. pero imo unta to giapil ang top view niya bai para makita ang iyang 'funky?' design. :D

MarkiiBoi

January 7th, 2006, 12:31 PM

Hehe, here's my own version of this "NewYorkish scene"
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/amiincebu_filtered.jpg

are posts like those bai also found in new york? pag adto lagi nako kay wala pa. :D

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 12:35 PM

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/976/img03789us.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

science and math building

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8816/img03797zo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/6218/img03804dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/3347/img03819us.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

arts and science building

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/2080/img03826ww.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1852/img03838ap.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/5403/img03843jg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3938/img03855rz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

nursing/ pharmacy building

ishtefh_03

January 7th, 2006, 12:35 PM

MarkiiBoi

January 7th, 2006, 12:41 PM

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8816/img03797zo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/6218/img03804dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/3347/img03819us.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

arts and science building

wow this looks so massive a building bai. nindut pud ug design.

i observed that the designs of the buildings really reflects the departments using it. like that of the archi and the pharma/nursing buildings. and now the arts and sciences. :okay:

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 12:42 PM

hehe it looks more like a teminal or an airport.. tayo lang ba mga archi dito sa SSC ishtefh? :D

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 12:46 PM

are posts like those bai also found in new york? pag adto lagi nako kay wala pa. :D

Ay ambot lang. Morag ang mga trees man siguro ang nag-give og New Yorkish effect

MarkiiBoi

January 7th, 2006, 12:57 PM

hehe it looks more like a teminal or an airport.. :D

bai its looks way better than our airport terminal :D

sugbuanon

January 7th, 2006, 01:11 PM

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3183/img03925vh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8707/img03933jt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4193/img03944ao.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3408/img03952ru.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9400/img03969vf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the biggest sto. nino statue i've even seen.. 7 feet siguro ang height ani

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6684/img03978fc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6711/img03982ic.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5391/img03996xl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2193/img04007es.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3338/img04011qr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9523/img04020js.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/200/img04038vg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 01:11 PM

I never thought that that king of buildings exists diay here in Cebu... nice!

ipost sad sa sinulog thread bai kai nindot lagi. :)

LordCarnal

January 7th, 2006, 01:21 PM

Guys, pwede ta ka-upload ug pictures sa wikipedia? kay inagsearch ug Cebu sa mga tourista, seal ug map ra gyud makita.

Yup rowell... by the way, ako nag suwat atung article about sa MCIAA didto... hehehehehe

LordCarnal

January 7th, 2006, 01:28 PM

^^ John Osmeña lol!
For the complete article, click the link below

http://philstar.com/philstar/FREEMAN200601071806.htm

When Senator John Osmeña was chairman of that very powerful committee in the senate that handles government finances, he did all he could to block the construction of the South Coastal Road at the SRP.. He's really a freak.. Never vote for him..

MarkiiBoi

January 7th, 2006, 01:39 PM

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4193/img03944ao.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3408/img03952ru.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/200/img04038vg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

that's why Cebu is so blessed because of our strong faith to the Divine Protector and Provider - the Child Jesus :)

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 02:01 PM

that's why Cebu is so blessed because of our strong faith to the Divine Protector and Provider - the Child Jesus :)

I second the motion... It's not about the party, it's not about the buildings the malls etc... but for our being one through our belief that If we believe in Him, that if we trust in Him whatever storm may come, we can survive through a reason. A reason for us to strengthen more our faith in Him, a reason for us to do more better things to our fellowmen, a reason for us to change our unwanted attitudes for the betterment of our community. We cannot see progress (with peace and harmony among every individual) if we won't thrive for rightness like giving up the least we have for the sake of our fellow people. Thank YOU. :)

fundraiser

January 7th, 2006, 02:33 PM

slerz.... sumpayan nato

world peace!

:hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

slerz

January 7th, 2006, 02:44 PM

oh! there it is, that easy to type that 2 golden words :applause:

fundraiser

January 7th, 2006, 03:04 PM

easy to type pero lisod buhaton...

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 03:50 PM

oist mga gwapo, mag eninglish pud ta oi kay kasab-an tas moderator. aw, mu resign na man diay to. sige, mag cebuano nalang ta :lol: :jk:

man, i have confidence in Gov. Garcia regarding that Megadome. i'm sure they can finish it on time :okay:

@marvin: USC-TC is something we can be proud of. thanks for those shots! i like the capitol grounds pics too! nice landscape, lovely colors, maayo gyud ka mu-niyot dong! :lol:

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 03:57 PM

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 04:06 PM

^ But you know what, there is a somewhat positive or negative coming to USC right now from the government. USC Students, according to them, are boosting "SEXUAL TOURISM" in Cebu. Our teacher shared this story to us. She doesn't know how USC will take it, good news or bad news?

i feel saddened with all this developments. i hope it's not true. if it is, i must say it's NOT just USC, and NOT just in Cebu. though i'm not alarmed at all. it's proven, tried and tested that Cebu has so much to offer. Cebu isn't a Queen City for nothing, or one of Asia's best islands for nothing. :okay: dba? :D

LordCarnal

January 7th, 2006, 04:06 PM

^^

I heard that there's this security guard in USC Main that maintains a list of USC studes for hire.. I dunno if he's still there..

They could be poor students who have no other way but to resort to prostitution in order to pay their tuition fees.. Kawawa naman...

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 04:10 PM

^ Well, sorry for the bad news.

Let's go back to track with the good news. Ceboom! :laugh:

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 04:15 PM

Sinjin P.

January 7th, 2006, 04:18 PM

^^ How much are they sold? :jk: But, yeah, I'm curious

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 04:24 PM

^^ ooi, ulitaw na si sinjin! hehe... don't patronize college girls ha. highschool girls lang! haha joke...!

Ok, enough na. off-topic na ta. lets keep our balls rolling on Cebu's developments :lol:

LordCarnal

January 7th, 2006, 04:46 PM

^^ yeah rusty lets go there sometime.. haha..

Wow so Ayala is expanding na.! Can't believe it..!

rustyboi

January 7th, 2006, 04:48 PM

yeah, i saw the photos at Cebu UC's. it's looking good! :okay: exciting!

rowell_sk

January 7th, 2006, 10:16 PM

rowell_sk

January 7th, 2006, 10:35 PM

Sumilon Island: Cebu's newest destination

The enticing sliver of cerulean blue water amidst a lush foliage backdrop of trees and white sand was what convinced us to accept the invitation to "a new destination". Braving the steady, gray downpour one December morning, we availed of the bus service to Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, where the meeting point was at Tsai Asian Restaurant and Tea Salon (Crossroads Mall). After the tour guides finally realized that the fifteen of us present were the only ones serious about attending the launch (initial confirmation for the 8:30 a.m departure slot was pegged at 40 pax), we proceeded to embark on a 3-hour scenic coastal drive heading south of Cebu. Destination was Oslob, known for its majestic mountains.

Along the way, we stopped for a mid-morning merienda at Alex Café in Argao. A quaint, cozy café frequented by travelers, foreigners, and locals, it serves really good torta paired with warm, delicious hot chocolate. The budbud (glutinous sticky rice) was not bad either, which we ate with ripe, fresh mango slices.

Refreshed from the sumptuous Argao delicacies, everyone was in high spirits as we rounded the last curve in the road, when we glimpsed for the first time the 24-hectare Sumilon Island shimmering in the distance. We were led towards the jetty where an outrigger boat was waiting to take us to the island. However, what was normally a 10-minute boat ride turned into almost half an hour of battling and maneuvering through the waves, as the weather was also overcast in Oslob. Needless to say, we were all soaking wet from the waves before we had even set foot in Sumilon.

A lavish seafood buffet lunch awaited us at the resort's Pavilion, where the other guests were already ensconced. Tourism and government luminaries were also in attendance, namely, our very own Gov. Gwen Garcia, DOT-7's Dawnie Roa, Board Member Agnes Magpale, Oslob Mayor Tata Abines, and Austrian Honorary Consul General Dodong Alegrado (the Alegrados own and manage Sumilon, along with the Maribago Bluewater in Mactan).

The rest of the afternoon, we spent exploring the resort and the island. The guest houses are large and airy, with bougainvillea lining private verandahs. Perfect for curling up with a good book, or enjoying the cool sea breeze while marveling at the beauty of the mountains right in front of you.

Scattered around the resort are payag-payags, or little nipa lofts with lush pillows that you could sink right into, and just daydream away. We also enjoyed swimming on the shifting white sand bar, although the seabed was a bit rocky. Massage services were also offered, but the masseuses were fully booked. We didn't have time for this, but we were told that the island has natural caves one could explore, wherein fishermen used to seek refuge (hence, the name Sumilon, which means exactly that). On the southside, a lighthouse rests on a protected tree park. Beside it is a "baluarte", a historical watchtower built as part of a warning system to thwart marauders in the 19th century. The island is also excellent for deep-sea diving.

All too soon (it seemed), it was time to head back to the city. As we headed back, we were glad to have accepted this gracious invitation to Sumilon. For indeed, the trip was a refuge, however brief, from the seemingly mundane droll of our urban lifestyles. What a refreshing Saturday respite, never mind the overcast skies and tidal waves!

Askal82

January 8th, 2006, 01:14 AM

Hehe, here's my own version of this "NewYorkish scene"
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/jadesinjin/amiincebu_filtered.jpg

Actually, ganito naman talaga ang mga signboards sa States- they are all standard. One thing that it lacks is the area size. Mas malalaki ang mga signboards dito.

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 02:05 AM

Actually, ganito naman talaga ang mga signboards sa States- they are all standard. One thing that it lacks is the area size. Mas malalaki ang mga signboards dito.

meron din naman mari na ganyan sa Manila, diba? na para ring nasa highway ng LA.

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 02:13 AM

about those prostitute USC girls, it is true bay, akong amigo ug iyang barkada kay nakaamiga ug taga-main nga prostitute while we we're still reviewing. Naa ra sila nagapartment ato luyo USC gym. Ilang na-amiga ang mga prostitute to the extent nga free na lang sila adto sud sa apartment..:hahaha:

I've see sa GMA kanang Witness na documentary nila... USC is not the only one but also DLSU man gani or the known universities sa Manila and also sa Davao City sad. Sa mga DLSU or Ateneo or other top schools in Manila, they are very intelligent when they are in the classrooms daw pero ig gabii mo usab ilang kalibutan coz they engage into prostitutions and to think they are rich people not like in other schools here in Cebu that money is the reason ngano ila nabuhat. But anyway, I'm just giving my side regarding this matter coz it's ufair for USC. bck 2 d topic...

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 04:43 AM

Karon lang nako na notice that Chong Hua Hospital was repainted diay.
http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/6758/chnghua0lk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sorry for this OT:... mga bai, who among you has type AB blood... my friend needs it right now. thanks...

LordCarnal

January 8th, 2006, 08:59 AM

Sinjin P.

January 8th, 2006, 09:19 AM

^^ Arnold, double meaning. :nono: :D

Cliché

January 8th, 2006, 09:27 AM

Welcome to the 13th Thread of the Metropolis and Province of Cebu!

http://img318.imageshack.us/img318/5017/welcome4hb.jpg

http://img318.imageshack.us/img318/3566/cebu1a5kt.jpg

http://img318.imageshack.us/img318/2667/cebu2a6ky.jpg

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5654/cebu3a2wd.jpg

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5302/cebu4a6mf.jpg

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/6660/cebu5a2ec.jpg

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/2583/cebu6a8wh.jpg

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/3561/cebu7a8rw.jpg

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/3003/cebu8a8ll.jpg

Feel free to post photos and news about the Heart of Asia, CEBU!

You may also visit:
CEBU: The Metropolis and Province Infrastructure Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=298476)
CEBU: The Metropolis and Province Proposals and Under Construction Updates Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=298351)
---
Photoshop Credits: Marvin (Sugbuanon)
Photo Credits: Respective Photographers

:applause: Kudos to everyone who made this thread! Very informative. But, I can't understand about 50% of what you're talking about. What language is that? :dunno:

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 09:32 AM

^^ Welcome to the CEBU Thread Cliché.

Some of us are using Tagalog while others use the CEBUANO dialect.

Cliché

January 8th, 2006, 09:33 AM

Oh okay. By the way, isn't January the month when the Sinulog Festival is held? It's really famous in here.

ashton

January 8th, 2006, 09:38 AM

ya, come here ! it'll start tomorrow... you'll love it..

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 09:40 AM

Oh okay. By the way, isn't January the month when the Sinulog Festival is held? It's really famous in here.

Yeah it was formally lunched last friday by the president herself.
WHere are you from by the way?

You can also visit the sinulog thread :
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=287637

:D

Cliché

January 8th, 2006, 09:44 AM

rustyboi

January 8th, 2006, 09:50 AM

^^ Wow! so nice to hear that cliché. no wonder President GMA said sumthin' like "Sinulog Goes Asia" ;) hope you can visit Cebu soon to feel the intensity of the Philippines' Biggest Spectacular first hand :okay:

rustyboi

January 8th, 2006, 10:21 AM

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7530/img03725rd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the pag-ibig tower from another angle

The Majestic WTC Pag-ibig Tower! I love this angle, good job! :bow:

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 10:24 AM

Just been sa Jones... It's really very festive and Kimchi's rules again and so with Caucatians. Right now, the awarding is on going for the Sinulog sa Barangay held just this afternoon and the Sinulog sa Kabataan held yesterday.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5654/1ssab8qh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/727/2ssab1ka.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Cebu Cebu
we were longing to see
Cebu Cebu
di ko mobiya kanimo
palangga ko ang kaanindot nimo
ISISIGAW KO SA BUONG MUNDO
BISAYA AKO! bow :D

rustyboi

January 8th, 2006, 10:56 AM

nice! the Sinulog fever has started! i'm expecting more photos from you guys ha! :okay: thanks!

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 10:59 AM

Expect it here bai ;)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=287637

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 11:08 AM

A New Call Center For Cebu
MB

John F. Kennedy Center Foundation-Philippines has tied up with American solutions provider Five9 to develop "a cottage call center industry" aimed at ensuring the steady growth of the information technology sector in the country.

Five9, an international call center solutions provider, last year set up its Southeast Asian regional headquarters in the Philippines.

The so-called cottage industry program aims at helping to develop between 400 and 500 small- to medium-scale companies in the provinces with the result of creating around 88,000 jobs.

Moreover, industry players and new entrants needed to spread out in locations outside Metro Manila where 80 percent of existing operations are based.

Expansion areas identified so far are Cebu City, Clark in Pampanga, Baguio City, Dumaguete City and Davao City.

Sinjin P.

January 8th, 2006, 11:09 AM

'Megadome not needed'
Cebu has other venues to host Asean meet, says tourism exec

CAN Cebu host this year's 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in December without the P250-million Cebu International Convention Center?

For Patrick Gregorio, chairman of the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau, the answer is "yes."

"We can actually host the Asean Summit even without the megadome," Gregorio told Cebu Daily News in a telephone interview. "But the summit could be the perfect time to showcase a new landmark such as the megadome."

The province, which has been given the opportunity to host the 17-nation summit, is facing bleak prospects of getting the CICC finished on time to serve as a venue for the meet.

During her visit to Cebu on Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo turned down the provincial government's request to relax audit rules to hasten the bidding process for the convention center.

Fortunately, Cebu has several alternative venues to choose from in case the CICC fails to materialize, Gregorio said.

One is the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in barangay Lahug, which Gregorio dubbed as "the convention hotel in the province of Cebu."

"The Asean Summit does not really require a big venue as long as the place offers world-class amenities and facilities; it will do," he said.

Aside from Waterfront, Gregorio also noted the capability of Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Marco Polo Plaza Cebu to serve as venues for the convention.

"Cebu's major hotels are really nice and equipped to hold big international events. That's why Cebu has become a convention destination in the country," Gregorio said.

Optimism

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who earlier expressed confidence that the CICC would be finished in time for the summit, yesterday mirrored Gregorio's observations.

"We have other venues. We have the Waterfront, the Grand Convention Center, and several others," Garcia said. "But we do not discount the fact that there really is a need to build the CICC, and we can do it and we will finish it."

She explained that a huge event such as the Asean Summit would require a special venue, "and the most perfect place is the CICC."

Garcia said earlier meetings with local officials of the Commission on Audit highlighted "certain processes" that may be shortened to fast-track the bidding of the P250-million project.

The governor clarified that suggestions to have the project exempted from Republic Act 9184, or the new government procurement law, did not come from her but the Capitol's engineering consultants.

"The exemption is something that I have never been pushing to the President," Garcia pointed out.

She said it was Ambassador Marciano Paynor, presidential assistant for state and foreign visits, who had raised the issue of exemption during a closed-door meeting with the President at the Malacañang sa Sugbo last Friday.

Garcia said although she was opting to fast-track the construction of the CICC, efforts should be within the limits of the law.

Experience

Cebu has had a long history of handling big international events despite the absence of an international convention center.

In 1998, Cebu hosted the Asean Tourism Forum, which was held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Gregorio said.

Gregorio, a former president of the hotel chain, said the Waterfront had the edge to serve as the venue for the Asean Summit given its "proximity to other hotels," where delegates, including heads of state, would be billeted.

Sought for a reaction, the hotel's marketing communications manager, Renee Villasin, said they are ready to host the summit if given the chance.

"We'll always welcome events like this," Villasin said.

She said the Waterfront's convention facility was the "biggest in the Visayas and Mindanao."

The hotel's Pacific Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate about 1,000 people in a conference set-up, is in "tip-top condition," Villasin added.

In anticipation of a big gathering, the hotel has renovated conference and function rooms to maintain its "world-class" facilities.

'Cebu has the required
17 presidential suites'

CEBU's existing hotels can accommodate the 17 heads of state who are coming for the ASEAN Summit in December, Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano yesterday said.

"The rooms are there but still need major upgrade and renovations" to meet a world-class standard accommodations for the presidents and prime ministers from 17 participating countries, including the United States, said Durano.

After an inspection of Cebu's major hotels, Durano dismissed apprehensions that the city has not enough presidential suites to accommodate the world leaders.

"Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort has eight, Marco Polo Hotel has four, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino has two, Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa, Cebu City Marriott Hotel as well as Plantation Bay Resort and Spa have one each," Durano said.

Meeting

The Organizing Committee for the ASEAN Summit met with Cebu's hotel and resort operators last Thursday to discuss their preparation for the big event.

Karl Hudson, general manager of Cebu City Marriott Hotel, said that the committee raised the need for "face-lifts" of the hotels.

"We need to meet international standards and ensure that our facilities and accommodations are in tip-top conditions," said Hudson.

While other hotels only needed to renovate its presidential accommodation, Hudson admitted that Marriott needed to construct one out of its existing rooms.

"We have to renovate four to six rooms to form one presidential suite," said Hudson.

Hudson did not give specific time table as to when the renovation will be completed.

He assured, though, that the presidential suite would be ready in time for the Summit.

Hudson also said that all hotel operators have expressed cooperation and willingness to invest in upgrading their facilities and accommodation.

Patrick Gregorio, chairman of the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau (CVCB), said that his group has been closely coordinating with DFA Undersecretary Francisco L Benedicto for the preparations particularly in the activities and tour programs related to the summit.

Mactan Shangri-la's general manager Tim Wright said that they met with DFA Usec. Benedicto a few days ago to assess the capability of the hotel in accommodating the visiting heads of states.

Cebu governor tells Arroyo:
No more stiff opposition

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia informed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday that the opposition group in the province was already dead.

"I told her Madam President, we used to have stiff opposition, but now, the opposition has died down," Garcia recalled.

The governor told the President the province was looking at a "brighter" year in 2006.

President Arroyo visited Cebu last Friday to lead the launching of the Sinulog festivities and attend the 46th charter day of Toledo City.

Garcia said a majority of the Provincial Board members are now "in the same direction" as hers.

"It is not anyone's victory. It is not me or theirs, but it's for the Cebuanos who will witness the new age of Cebu politics, which is good governance," she said.

Cebu Daily News tried to contact opposition board members Jose Maria Gastardo and Victoria Corominas but telephone calls were left unanswered.

Citing as examples the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center and the provincial hospital, Garcia said elected Capitol officials have realized "priorities above personalities."

The governor also cited the passage of the 2006 Capitol budget, which is a sign that board members are now cooperating.

"The provincial legislators refused to be dictated by the divisive demands of the unelected and the unelectable," Garcia said.

"We are talking about how things fall into place, especially that Cebu will be hosting the ASEAN summit."

It was the first time in four years that the provincial government approved the budget before entering the next fiscal year.

The 2006 budget was approved as early as December 2005.

The Capitol operated on a 2003 reenacted budget for 2004. The same thing happened in 2005 when the budget for that year was only approved in January.

ashton

January 8th, 2006, 11:12 AM

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 11:21 AM

@slerz, how are the koreans doing there in Cebu? are there really a lot of them? coz my bro also told me that they are even seen strolling around Colon St.???

before I left I remember I can only see a lot of them in malls, Sunflower City (hehe).. etc etc but not in Jones and Colon?

--thanks--

Yup. Colon is my favourite destination than Ayala :D and I see a lot of them roaming around in Downtown Cebu from the Magellans Cross upto Metro Gaisano and Carbon area. I saw a lot of them sa Sinulog parade kanina.

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 11:27 AM

'Megadome not needed'
Cebu has other venues to host Asean meet, says tourism exec
[/FONT]

This is rediculous man! They are supposed to be the ones supporting the project. If they really want to showcase cebu in the summit, they should maximize the oppurtunity by building that convention center!!! :gaah: :gaah: :gaah:

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 11:30 AM

Yup. Colon is my favourite destination than Ayala :D and I see a lot of them roaming around in Downtown Cebu from the Magellans Cross upto Metro Gaisano and Carbon area. I saw a lot of them sa Sinulog parade kanina.

Bai have you seen them ride a jeepney? i did! there were five of them when i was on my way to SM. and they were so amused of the coin-passing of the passengers. in fact the other passengers taught them how to say 'pliti' , 'sukli', and 'para'. :D:D:D

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Bai have you seen them ride a jeepney? i did! there were five of them when i was on my way to SM. and they were so amused of the coin-passing of the passengers. in fact the other passengers taught them how to say 'pliti' , 'sukli', and 'para'. :D:D:D

yup, I posted here before when I went to JY... that they want to sit just at the back of the driver for the pasa pasa sa plete.hehe. Nauwaw man gani ko ato coz the jeepney is kagang kagang but they enjoyed it naman. Walang ganun sa kanila eh.hehe. It's really an attraction to them.

Jimbu

January 8th, 2006, 12:23 PM

This is rediculous man! They are supposed to be the ones supporting the project. If they really want to showcase cebu in the summit, they should maximize the oppurtunity by building that convention center!!! :gaah: :gaah: :gaah:

Patrick Gregorio wants to showcase Subic or Clark as a convention center. I don't like his statement. CICC if built is not for the summit alone.

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 12:27 PM

Isn't he a Cebuano?

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 12:38 PM

Patrick Gregorio wants to showcase Subic or Clark as a convention center. I don't like his statement. CICC if built is not for the summit alone.

its maybe bacause Subic is ought to host the event had Myanmar pushed through with its hosting. thats why they dont want the CICC to be built because they are afraid that cebu will become the convention capital of the philippines? now thats another crab mentality. sick!

Isn't he a Cebuano?

maybe he's not. that explains it.

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 01:57 PM

its maybe bacause Subic is ought to host the event had Myanmar pushed through with its hosting. thats why they dont want the CICC to be built because they are afraid that cebu will become the convention capital of the philippines? now thats another crab mentality. sick!

maybe he's not. that explains it.

bakit di nalang sila tumulong for this project to be realized kaysa discouraging the Cebu officials for this event. Sa tingin ko kung mabubulilyaso ang Cebu sa event na ito tatawa siguro sila hanggang tenga.
Mayor Osmeña said in an interview na Cebu officials should be vigilant coz "some" Manila Mayors daw (except Atienza) lalo na si Binay that they will do anything para hindi matuloy ang pag hohost ng Cebu for this ASEAN Summit. Ano bang problema ni Binay, his Makati is already a boom city and Cebu is very proud of Makati, sana maging proud din sya sa Cebu.
Ang Cebu officials man gani full support sa Asian Tourism Forum sa Davao pero bakit sila iba ang pinaparating... :(

Sinjin P.

January 8th, 2006, 02:00 PM

^They should be nationalistic and just cooperate since this is for the betterment of everyone! :gaah:

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 02:05 PM

just let them be. those arrogant idiots.

we'll just have to show them what cebu is made of as we host the event.

nasa atin pa rin ang huling halakhak!

now let's keep our cool guys.. :)

LordCarnal

January 8th, 2006, 04:48 PM

@markiboi

hehehe.. Don't misquote Gregorio Mark... Maybe it was just an isolated comment.. He's based in Clark now after being appointed as VP in CDC....

He was a former exec at Waterfront Hotel Cebu, so who knows he's just promoting his former hotel.. hehehe.. He was also founding chaiman of the Cebu Visitors Convention something... It was very successfull and some of Cebu's increase in visitors can be attributed to it... :)

During his stint here in Cebu, he suggested that the Philippines should promote Cebu to the world because the Philippines already has a tarnished image and that only Cebu can change this...

In fact, here's what Gregorio said in the last paragraph of the statement:

Cebu's major hotels are really nice and equipped to hold big international events. That's why Cebu has become a convention destination in the country," Gregorio said.

LordCarnal

January 8th, 2006, 04:56 PM

But there's nothing to worry about... Everything I guess will really be ready in time for the ASEAN Summit... The Philippines of course cannot afford to fail the event... Even during the APEC held in Subic, the government spent a lot in building those expensive custom made Villas... So I guess there's no reason that they can't build the convention center... They should build it anyway...and they will :)

slerz

January 8th, 2006, 05:11 PM

that's the spirit! that can rise that edifice...
Sorry Sir Gregorio... but all my message will be for MManila crab Mayors nalang...

MarkiiBoi

January 8th, 2006, 05:11 PM

^^ Let's just all be optimistic i guess... :)

@arnoldsa: my msg was for the MM mayors sad bai. hehehe

sensya na. got carried away.. :D

LordCarnal

January 8th, 2006, 05:21 PM

that's the spirit! that can rise that edifice...
Sorry Sir Gregorio... but all my message will be for MManila crab Mayors nalang...

Watch out too for Gordon... He has this tendency of flip-flopping... Remember during his stint as Tourism secretary he made wonderful remarks about our city during the sinulog (he was one of the guests then). He said that Cebu was on his way to become the ___ capital of the phils and so on... But when he became senator na, he criticized the plan to transfer the DOT here saying that Cebu is not yet ready and that it has no sufficient infrastructure...

Askal82

January 8th, 2006, 05:28 PM

bakit di nalang sila tumulong for this project to be realized kaysa discouraging the Cebu officials for this event. Sa tingin ko kung mabubulilyaso ang Cebu sa event na ito tatawa siguro sila hanggang tenga.
Mayor Osmeña said in an interview na Cebu officials should be vigilant coz "some" Manila Mayors daw (except Atienza) lalo na si Binay that they will do anything para hindi matuloy ang pag hohost ng Cebu for this ASEAN Summit. Ano bang problema ni Binay, his Makati is already a boom city and Cebu is very proud of Makati, sana maging proud din sya sa Cebu.
Ang Cebu officials man gani full support sa Asian Tourism Forum sa Davao pero bakit sila iba ang pinaparating... :(

Talking about the ugly combination of politics and regionalism here. Baka na threaten si Binay na kokonti nalang ang mabubulsa nya pag mas madaming mga investors ang nagsipuntahan sa Cebu. Ka-urugot ah! They better grow up :bash:

sugbuanon

January 8th, 2006, 07:10 PM

^^ politics.. that's the only thing i hate in this country!!!

sugbuanon

January 8th, 2006, 07:31 PM

Cebu resort sees potential market in Russia

ASIDE from those in Taiwan, Japan and Korea, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is also looking at developing other tourism markets in Russia, Australia and Singapore. Plantation Bay general manager Efren Belarmino said there is an increasing number of guests from Russia, Australia and Singapore as well as from the US, Canada and Europe. The phenomenon has encouraged the company to pursue more promotions in these areas. “Joining travel fairs, exhibits and regular sales trips to potential countries are some of the ways the hotel plans to keep itself at the top of the travelers’ sought-after destinations,” he said.

“We will also continue to support Department of Tourism (DOT)-related programs to help sell not only Plantation Bay but Cebu and the Philippines as a whole,” he added. Based on its performance last year, Plantation Bay cited the Russian market as one of the potential market that Cebu can develop.

Agressive

Plantation Bay started aggressively promoting itself and Cebu to the Russian market last year by advertising in the Russian language in a Philippine guide book. Belarmino said the company responded to positive feedback from Russian tourists about Plantation Bay and Cebu as reported by the resort’s partner travel agents in Manila. The DOT and the country’s representative to Russia, Vice Consul Pete Raymond Delfin, also provided information about the Russian market.

Spenders

“According to the DOT and Consul Delfin, Russians love to come to the Philippines. We also gathered that the Russians’ spending capacity per person is $3,000 (P156,000 if the peso is at P52 to the dollar). They stay in a destination for at least 10 nights,” he said.Unlike other markets, most of the Russians pre-arrange all their meals within their stay with the hotels or resorts in which they are staying, Belarmino said. Russians come to Cebu via Hong Kong. There are also occasional chartered flights from Russia arranged by travel agent Blue Horizons.Plantation Bay is the only wholly Filipino owned five-star resort in Cebu. It will celebrate its 10th anniversary on July 17.

richard fischer

January 8th, 2006, 09:57 PM

^ I'm from Hongkong. The fame of Sinulog here is very intense. Even our neigbour, Macau, has its own version. The sad thing is, I can't go to Cebu anytime now. Maybe, I'll have a peek at Macau instead. :D

hi cliché,
what´s this copy-thing in macau ? first they copy WOW philippines with wow macao, and now they have their philippine sinulog copy.

why do the chinease always have to copy ? they copy all the fabulous inventions made all over the world and don´t give a damm about copyright. then they insist it´s their own, and offer it on the world market for less than half of the price. they smile into your face while they cheat you for the developing costs, and then they make a million on the fake, copied faksimiles. this is how this country is growing big, by not giving a damm or respect to the people who spend time, money and brains on their capacity of inventing something fabulous, new and innovative to make a decent living. china has more than enough in their own heritage and knowledge to exist par by par to the rest of the civilized world. but no, they have to copy and ruin the rest of the world.....

sorry, but it´s the plain truth....

Askal82

January 8th, 2006, 11:56 PM

jrevalde

January 9th, 2006, 12:20 AM

During her visit to Cebu on Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo turned down the provincial government's request to relax audit rules to hasten the bidding process for the convention center.

Does this mean that it will be impossible to start construction of the Megadome by February? By how many days, or weeks is the project gonna be delayed if standard bidding procedures are to be followed?

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 12:37 AM

^^she just means, "hands off ako jan coz I know and I have the confidence that Cebu officials and Cebuanos can do it alone, history tells that in any struggles Cebu can easily survive because of your countless love and affection towards your Cebu"... Para ring tunay na ina giving challenges to her children to make them stronger for the upcoming struggles in life. :okay:

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 12:57 AM

waaaaaaaaaaaahh so very early yet online na ka slerz! hehehe. yeah the negotiations are now between the cebu officials and the commision on audit. dba 'twas reported that COA said there are some aspects of the usual process that can be shortened. so there's still a glimmer of hope... :)

here's the report:

Garcia said earlier meetings with local officials of the Commission on Audit highlighted "certain processes" that may be shortened to fast-track the bidding of the P250-million project.

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 01:03 AM

oi, early pa diay rn? murag wala mana nako ang early early og late late basta SSC nay hisgutan...hehe. Pero ikaw bai, murag dli lagi obvious nga early early sad ka...hehe

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 01:23 AM

early birds make a good feather duster :D

LordCarnal

January 9th, 2006, 04:27 AM

hi cliché,
what´s this copy-thing in macau ? first they copy WOW philippines with wow macao, and now they have their philippine sinulog copy.

why do the chinease always have to copy ? they copy all the fabulous inventions made all over the world and don´t give a damm about copyright. then they insist it´s their own, and offer it on the world market for less than half of the price. they smile into your face while they cheat you for the developing costs, and then they make a million on the fake, copied faksimiles. this is how this country is growing big, by not giving a damm or respect to the people who spend time, money and brains on their capacity of inventing something fabulous, new and innovative to make a decent living. china has more than enough in their own heritage and knowledge to exist par by par to the rest of the civilized world. but no, they have to copy and ruin the rest of the world.....

sorry, but it´s the plain truth....

No Richard, the Sinulog in Macao was organized by Filipinos based there.. Most of them are members of a religious group dedicated to the Santo Niño..

But anyway, have you been to Hongkong? Does this sound familiar to you?: "Copy watch! Copy Watch! Ten dollars only!..." Hehehehehehehehehehe

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 06:58 AM

NOVEMBER D-DAY FOR MEGADOME
Bidding starts February, construction
in March, governor says
Published: 9 January 2006

by Kathy I. Navarro and Regina Aguilar

Despite citing other possible venues for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in December, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said Sunday the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), which would be built within the Megadome, was still the preferred site.
With roughly 10 months before the meet and plans of finding shortcuts to the procurement and bidding process for the project on the backburner, the provincial government is now fast-tracking the completion of the CICC's "structural design."

"The structural design is being worked upon para masugdan na ang (so we can start with the) program of work," Garcia told Cebu Daily News.

A team of engineers headed by Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. is working with architect Alexius Medalla to finish the project's structural design.

A program of work, or timetable, for the project is needed to start the bidding process, the governor said.

Garcia said she would issue an executive order creating task forces on financial, technical and legal matters.

If plans push through and the project sticks to its timetable, the CICC may be finished in November, a month before the summit, Garcia said.

Advertisement

Under an initial timetable, the bidding will be conducted in February. The construction, on the other hand, will start in March.
After seven months, the shell of the Megadome and the CICC would have already been completed and prepared to accommodate the 17 heads of state attending the ASEAN summit.

But what about the rest of the Megadome, which is envisioned to house not only the CICC but also a sports arena that could accommodate thousands of spectators?

Garcia said the Megadome would eventually be completed but with the help of funds from the private sector and not just the P250-million budget allocated to the project in 2003.

A day after reports came out indicating Cebu was capable of hosting the ASEAN Summit even without the Megadome, the governor reiterated that the CICC was still the venue of choice for the event.

But other venues she and Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau chairman Patrick Gregorio earlier mentioned would still be used, Garcia said.

In an interview with Cebu Daily News on Saturday, Gregorio said Cebu could host the 17-nation meet without the CICC, but clarified that the event would be "the perfect time to showcase a new landmark such as the Megadome."

Gregorio enumerated three other venues - the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug, the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort, and the soon-to-open Marco Polo Plaza Cebu in Nivel, Cebu City.

In an interview on Sunday, Garcia said it was not for Gregorio to decide whether Cebu needed the Megadome for the summit.

Garcia took exception to Gregorio's suggestion of holding the summit at the Waterfront's own "Cebu International Convention Center," citing the existence of a casino inside the hotel.

"What about our image? He (Gregorio) can always promote the convention in the hotel but there is a casino inside and that may not look so good," she said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, meanwhile, agreed with Gregorio's observation, saying the construction of the Megadome may only be "pangpahambug," or for show.

Osmeña clarified, however, that he was not opposing the project since it would redound to the benefit not only of his city but the entire province.

"If we have a new megadome, that is like pangpahambug lang na, which, to me, is also good. But it is not necessary," he said.

"To me, I'm not for or against or pushing (for it). I'm just trying to be cooperative. So I don't feel strongly one way or another if the governor wants to build a megadome for the ASEAN summit."

The mayor supported Gregorio's statement that Cebu could host the summit without the Megadome "based on what I have observed in the ASEAN summit in Malaysia."

"That is true. Sa among observation sa ASEAN summit, di man kinahanglan og (In our observation of the ASEAN summit, there is no need for a) plenary hall. You don't need a big setting of 5,000 or 10,000 people," he said.

Officials of Mandaue, the host city of the Megadome, on Sunday mirrored Garcia's optimism that the CICC would be finished on time for the December international meet.

"We are confident that the Megadome will be finished for the ASEAN (summit)," said Cheryl Ouano, secretary of Mayor Thadeo Ouano. "We're banking on the governor that she will really finish the project even before the summit starts."

In earlier interviews, stakeholders of the multimillion-peso project, including Governor Garcia and the Mandaue City government, insisted that the Megadome would further push Cebu's position as a convention hub of the country.

Gregorio on Sunday admitted that Cebu needed to upgrade its infrastructure to meet the demands of the growing tourism market.

"It's good Cebu is hosting the ASEAN Summit. But, really, whether or not the summit is in Cebu, it still needs a Megadome, which is long overdue," Gregorio said.

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 07:12 AM

"unsa man sad ni si osmena, sauna ni offer ug lot sa SRP para sa megadome. karun mingun nga panghambug?! ayaw kog ingna ila lang na pasagdan si gwendolyn diha?" "Unsa man jud ha, buhatun ninyo or dili?!!!?!!! kay kung dili mo mobuhat, pa-bombahan ta mo diha tanan!!!!" :gunz: :gunz: :gunz: :gunz: :gunz:

hehehehehe
:nocrook: :nocrook: :nocrook:

kush

January 9th, 2006, 07:19 AM

you mean the mega dome construction is on hold? how about the summit this year?

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 07:24 AM

^^ actually its not on hold. they are just worried of the time i guess. no question of the summit because it will sure push through here come december.

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 07:24 AM

all's set for the megadome, we need not to panic guys ;)

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 07:47 AM

we're just concious and but not sleeping regarding the developments of Cebu.
bitaw @Rusty, all are set... pero nag lagot lang dyud ko aning Mayor sa Makati, he's such a threat for this event... :bash:
but this is only my own opinion, nothin to do with Cebu ;)

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 08:02 AM

Hotel upgrade to cost US$5M
by Edith Rollan-Cole

Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort will be spending millions of dollars for the renovation of its facilities in time for Cebu's hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in December.

Shangri-La's Mactan general manager Tim Wright said the hotel would be allocating about US$5 million for the upgrading of the accommodations of one wing of the hotel.

Shangri-La has 21 large suite rooms and a number of executive suites, Wright said.

The five-month renovation of one wing will start in two months, he said.

Shangri-La's Mactan, he recalled, undertook renovations of one wing in 2003.
He said the planned renovation was decided even before the summit preparation.

Wright pointed out that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as the lead convener of the event, decides how many rooms would be assigned to Shangri-La for the summit delegates.
"We have number of suites but it depends on how they (DFA) see that," Wright said.

The first meeting with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto held last week, Wright said, involved only exploratory discussions since there were no commitments yet.

However, Benedicto wanted to know the resort's capability in handling events, he said.

"It was more determining what are our facilities (are) to provide (the venues) for the events. (And) how we plan for the event considering we are one year away. There is no firm decision made yet," Wright said.

He also expressed belief that the ASEAN summit is a high priority for the government considering that the organizing committee is already starting to plan for the event.

For his part, Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau (CVCB) chairman Patrick Gregorio said the holding of the summit in Cebu "is unquantifiable", considering the benefit it would bring to the economy of Cebu.

"Hosting is just the start, and we will be very happy to volunteer and help the DFA in making the event professionally organized," Gregorio said.

He said they have yet to send a formal communication to Undersecretary Benedicto about their willingness to help in organizing the event.

The summit will also provide international exposure to Cebu, with the presence of 17 heads of states.

"Should the delegates enjoy their stay, they will come back and it would boost the tourism industry more," he pointed out. "The role of CVCB is to volunteer, and we will be very happy to volunteer our professional service to help in making sure that the delegates will enjoy their stay in Cebu."

On the other hand, Marriott Cebu City Hotel general manager Karl Hudson told reporters that the hotel management is willing to spend for the renovation of some of the rooms to provide a presidential suite accommodation.

Hudson said they plan to allocate one wing and convert the rooms into a presidential suite.

However, he said that they were still assessing as to how much they would spend for the renovations.

The plans for the renovations will be completed in three to four months, Hudson said. "When business is good, it is always a good time to invest."

On the other hand, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino told Cebu Daily News that they have yet to make any decisions on the upgrading of their facilities to meet the summit requirements.

Belarmino said that Plantation Bay has 17 suites although not all are presidential suites. The rest are penthouses, as well as one or two-bedroom suites.

Due to the huge investment involved, he said, the owners would base their decision on the resort's future thrust not just the current market.

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 08:05 AM

wow! :eek2: it's like the original budget of the original megadome. hanep!

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 08:10 AM

hanep talaga and to think they will only upgrade...
iba na talaga, may hanep na tayo ngayon parts :D

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 08:19 AM

^^ syempre repapips! :D

''uy hapit na sad ni ma puno bai." who will do the intro of the next thread? ikaw bai slerz? cge ikaw. :D

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 08:19 AM

unsa man ako ibutang... I have no idea pa...hehe

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 08:34 AM

http://www.hoteltravel.com/philippines/manila/guides/festivals/fiesta_de_Sto_Nino.jpg
<center> <img src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/CEBU.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"></center>

<MARQUEE bgcolor="transparent" loop="-1" scrollamount="2" width="100%"><a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/9356/cebudec2005pano25tr.jpg" border="0" width="2016" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a></MARQUEE>

<center><img src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Slerz2/CBPdusk1frster.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"></center>

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 08:35 AM

naka himo nako bai, sumpayi lang nya kaywa ko lain idea unsa ibutang... :D

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 08:53 AM

how did u tween the cebu panoramic shot slerzy?? :D

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 09:04 AM

ako raman ra gisuwayan kato priha gihimo nako sa atong pwenter nya pwede man diay...hehe. pwede raba kay basig di pwede ingon ato on, kasab an nya ta...hehe

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 09:12 AM

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/cebu_thread.jpg

manileño

January 9th, 2006, 09:14 AM

Viva Señor Santo Niño de Cebu!

Great pics and banners. i just don't know why rusty had to include a McDonalds in his collage. lol

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 09:19 AM

haha, the "discovery mall" was supposedly the highlight.. :lol:

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 09:24 AM

pictures are more credible than words. :okay:
less words, less mistakes... ;)
pero wa lang juy diay mahuna hunaan nga words nga ipost :D

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 09:27 AM

pictures are more credible than words. :okay:
less words, less mistakes... ;)

very well said. i need not to elaborate :okay: Wow Philippines!

rustyboi

January 9th, 2006, 09:28 AM

i dont see anything illegal... marqueeing images isn't a big deal anyway :D

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 09:32 AM

ah ic, thanks ;)

MarkiiBoi

January 9th, 2006, 10:16 AM

WELCOME TO THE QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH

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Sinjin P.

January 9th, 2006, 11:59 AM

^Wow, I really did not know that marquee codes are accepted by SSC.

Sinjin P.

January 9th, 2006, 12:00 PM

This should be full yet. ;)

slerz

January 9th, 2006, 12:07 PM

Suroy-Suroy Ta Bai!

Suroy-suroy ta bai! That is how we, Cebuanos, say it when we invite our friends to a leisurely walk. It suggests an unhurried trip to no particular places (unless indicated) for no particular purpose other than sightseeing or excursion.

And this is what the provincial government wants to offer to all locals and out-of-towners alike to promote tourism in the countryside. ‘Suroy-suroy’ package tour was spearheaded by the provincial government of Cebu in cooperation with the travel industry and the business sector, particularly the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

It had its maiden edition last summer and it was so successful that they decided to hold it this year one more time. The concept was unique and it appeals to many people who like to travel for leisure but have qualms in travelling alone or by themselves without guides. Suroy-suroy package tour is a cheaper way for people to see the countryside as it already includes meal and accommodation.

This year, they will be taken to the southern towns of Cebu. Starting off at Naga, the group will proceed to Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara and Moalboal, in the southwestern seaboard via Carcar-Barili road. They will stay overnight at Moalboal, the diving capital of the Philippines, to recharge before continuing on the next leg.

The following day, the participants will head to Badian, a town famous for its Kawasan Falls and on to Alegria, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Samboan, Santander, Oslob and Boljoon. They will also stay for the night in the picturesque town of Boljoon, home to Cebu’s second oldest stone church, the 406-year old Patrocinio de Maria Church.

On the third day, the group will be visiting Alcoy, Argao, Sibonga and Carcar for the final leg before going back to the city.