kinsa diay ang nag work sa PS dire mga bai? aside from ur twin... :-)

SRP
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/9266/imgp06843dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
wow the srp looks modern.
one thing though, they should work on the curb/sidework a little bit more. it looked it was left and mediocrely? made. imho :)

naay price range bai sa mga units? my friend from manila is looking for a condo/townhouse unit here in cebu..

Yup I have.. Are u familiar with East Aurora Towers? ( there are few units left for rent) for inquiries you can send me an email @ shealthiel@gmail.com



kinsa diay ang nag work sa PS dire mga bai? aside from ur twin... :-)


I am from PS! :) :) :)

:) Cebu: future Florida of the East
(remember scenes from "In Her Shoes"?)


Cebu could become
RP's retirement industry hub
Published: 10 March 2006, CDN

by Irene R. Sino Cruz


CEBU could become the country's hub for the retirement industry to serve a growing worldwide demand, according to a US-based expert on the health care industry.

David Paraiso Jr., chairman and director of Healthcare Coalition Institute, noted that to become a retirement industry hub, a place has to have highly-skilled medical professionals, first-world medical equipment and various services.

Paraiso said that setting up a retirement facility goes beyond the infrastructure. He said the hub has to meet the minimum level of expectations of its clients, who will be coming from other countries such as the United States, Japan and Europe.

He noted that there was a need to change the mindset of local entrepreneurs, professionals and other service providers to make them realize that the prospective clients are used to standards that are not available here.

Since Cebu's business sector is more open to ideas, Paraiso said, the degree of success and sustainability of developing Cebu into a retirement industry hub is high.
"What I know of Cebu is that Cebuanos are more business-friendly people than those from other parts of the country. I expect that one of the initially successful and sustainable models would take place here," he pointed out.

Paraiso noted that the number of retirees all over the world is quite high.

In the United States, he said, 12.4 percent of the 293.027 million (about 36 million) people are aged 65 and above.

The United Nations statistics estimated that the aging population in the US will be about 21.1 percent of its population by 2050.

Those aged 65 and above in other areas like Europe and Japan are also estimated to comprise 29.2 percent and 36.4 percent, respectively, by the same year.

Even the aging population in China is expected to reach 22.7 percent in 2050, up from 6.9 percent in 2000, of its total population while India's aged will also reach 14.8 percent by 2050, up from only five percent.

According to Paraiso, health care costs in the US is projected to reach US$2.8 trillion by 2010. Because of this, the United States government is looking at other countries that could provide health care to its retirees at lower costs, he said.

While medical tourism has potential, Paraiso said, the country has to develop the retirement industry to achieve sustainability.

If the Philippines could get just three million of the US retirees to come and spend their retirement years here, he said, these retirees could spend a minimum of US$1,500 each month, just out of their own pocket.

However, he said, it would be better to develop both retirement and medical tourism so that retirement facilities could optimize their resources since the medical equipment required would be too expensive to just serve the retiree's needs.

SRP
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/9266/imgp06843dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/1137/imgp06960ln.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/5601/imgp06987kq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2624/imgp06995vq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
the first pic looks like young Seoul.

Yup I have.. Are u familiar with East Aurora Towers? ( there are few units for left for rent) for inquiries you can send me an email @ shealthiel@gmail.com




I am from PS! :) :) :)


u know sonet bai? she's my classmate in college nga naa sad sa PS. email lang nya ko re the condo... thnx :)

the first pic looks like young Seoul.

at least, koreans here in cebu wont miss their country's capital... hehehe

^^ Wow!! Im itching to go there. :D Anyway, with regards to the article above, I hope Cebu won't resemble Florida at all when these geriartrics start to flock into the city.

Does anyone have any interior pics of the Cebu international airport?

Does anyone have any interior pics of the Cebu international airport?
I've tried google, there's a couple of pics but not that good though...

^^ Google is very disappointing!

^^ Google is very disappointing!
precisely! i'll try to take some pics when i'll fly to davao next week...

^^ thanks! Anyway, I wish I can see that new rendering of that Cebu convention center!

Does anyone have any interior pics of the Cebu international airport?

here are some of my pics of MCIA i took last year:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=279982&page=15&pp=20

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=279982&page=19&pp=20

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6987/picture0095us.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/6016/picture0103gt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3791/picture0114fz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

pipc building

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6901/picture0139xt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5172/picture0182kk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

globe telecom

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4555/picture0123jm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2411/picture0230ei.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8312/picture0213td.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4706/picture0222ps.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

skyrise building (another i.t. building for cebu)

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/1051/picture0053ro.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

amo balay :D

^^ Google is very disappointing!


So does the MCIA interior! hehe. naahh its juz a small airport, and handles lots of flights.. needs more facelifting.. :)

wow the srp looks modern.
one thing though, they should work on the curb/sidework a little bit more. it looked it was left and mediocrely? made. imho :)


it will be beautified bai once the prior phases of the project will be completed coz they started first the beautification of SRp area near the Malacañang sa Sugbo.

@iceman, tantalizing pics bai :D
salamat sad kay napun an ang picpic sa Cebu thread kay ang currently active sa pic pic kay si Sugbuanon ra nya ikaw:okay:

oi, i read from the sunstar website that bohol gov. Erico Aumentado is determined to block the proposed runway in Mactan in response to a comment made by Yap that the Panglao airport would be another "white elephant". I just wanna ask you guys how much trouble the bohol gov. can cause. Is he gonna cause serious delays for the project or is he just gonna be ignored, i personally want to know if akong pagkaguol kay naay basihan.....

In response, Mactan airport authorities had clarified that MCIAA will be funding the construction of the parallel runway out of its own money and future loans that MCIAA will pay, and not funds from other government agencies.

MCIAA wants the P1-billion project completed in time for the Asean summit this December.

More ... (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/03/11/news/mciaa.officials.snub.rdc.meet.html)

^^ I also dont understand why the projects for MCIAA has to pass RDC recommendation when in fact they are shelling the money out from its own coffers.

nus-a man tawn manlaag uy kay murag nadunot na kog kinatulog diri sa balay kay vacation leave ko, hehehe, payter ang pics sa srp ah!

yeow tj! akong eldest bro, not my twin, sugod na siya ig monday sa PS

@dxpsycho oo nga, bakit ba walang direct flights dyan, i wanna see the place din eh.

Naa na bai Cebu-Legaspi-Cebu every Tue-Thu-Sun

http://www.airphils.com/flightschedules.asp


PDI Southern Luzon Bureau

LEGAZPI CITY-The issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1017 had no effect on business and tourism in the Bicol region.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director Jocelyn Blanco said that based on interviews with local businessmen in the region, business operations remained normal.

There were no price increases, for instance.

In Albay alone, based on the price monitoring activity conducted by the DTI-Albay, the prices of prime commodities in the province did not increase, Jo Aguilar, price monitoring officer, said in a phone interview.

Tourism Bicol regional director Nini Ravanilla added that as far as tourism was concerned, everything was normal.

The regional office based its response on its survey of hotels, restaurants and other tourism-oriented establishments in the region.

In an interview, Ravanilla said she had received no cancellation of locally-hosted big conventions, like the coming National Statistics Conference on March 17.

In fact, she said, Air Philippines will resume its Manila-Legazpi afternoon flight on March 7, using an 118-seater plane.

Air Philippines will also resume its Cebu-Legazpi-Cebu flight every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Ravanilla said the inaugural flights from Manila and Cebu will bring along leading travel agents and tour operators from all over the country.

The Philippine Airlines office in this city said its daily flight from Manila to Legazpi and vice-versa has been fully booked since Monday with more than 100 passengers a flight.

Some firms hurting in the Visayas

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
PDI Visayas Bureau

with all these developments down there, i just hope you dont turn out to be like spoiled-brats asking for more and throwing tantrums if they dont get what they want. i hope doña gloria wont spank you for that. by the way, is your mayors name tom? the one who always looks angry? and quite arrogant when interviewed? dont raise hell here, im just asking...

with all these developments down there, i just hope you dont turn out to be like spoiled-brats asking for more and throwing tantrums if they dont get what they want. i hope doña gloria wont spank you for that. by the way, is your mayors name tom? the one who always looks angry? and quite arrogant when interviewed? dont raise hell here, im just asking...

thanks. don't worry. the mayor? no he is not...

when are they going to start constructing that new airport terminal ?? anybody got idea ? :)

Ayala Center Cebu sets expansion
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
The Philippine Star 03/12/2006

Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), a subsidiary of conglomerate Ayala Corp., is spending around P800 million for the expansion of Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) to accommodate more retail concessionaires and introduce more food and beverage outlets.

The project includes the construction of a new building at the southern part of the mall and the renovation of the man-made lagoon. These developments are intended to add at least 7,000 square meters to ACC’s gross leasable area, which is already 99 percent occupied.

CHI also plans to put up more parking spaces to meet the requirement of the local government.

This expansion, set to be implemented in two phases, will begin by the second half of the year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2007, CHI said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

CHI, a leading real estate company in the Visayas and Mindanao, intends to bring in more foreign brands from Asia, United States and Europe to the Cebu market.

Over the last three years, ACC has undergone major renovations, which cost the company several billions of pesos.

ACC has remained as the crown jewel and centerpiece of the 60-hectare Cebu Business Park. For years, it has maintained its role as the major revenue generator and growth catalyst for the company.

Aside from the expansion of ACC, CHI will also launch a new residential project targeting the middle to high-end markets.

With the continued growth of its retail operations, CHI is ready to invest huge amount of money in ACC in the next three years.

Formed after an Ayala-led consortium acquired the 44.6-hectare lot owned by the Cebu provincial government in 1988, CHI developed the Cebu Business Park, which was then envisioned to become Cebu’s business and financial center.

With 7,000 square meters additional leasable area, not as big as SM City expansion.

nice shot sugbuanon..

^^ nakahapit ra ko ug picture2 sa asiatown ky nanga-on mi pungko2 sa JY gahapon kuyog mga classmates.. ahak bati naman kau ila pungko2 didto mas lami pa sa redemptorist ug sa UC..

with all these developments down there, i just hope you dont turn out to be like spoiled-brats asking for more and throwing tantrums if they dont get what they want. i hope doña gloria wont spank you for that. by the way, is your mayors name tom? the one who always looks angry? and quite arrogant when interviewed? dont raise hell here, im just asking...


Dont worry bai, we are already contented with what we have, but we are more than happy with these developments. Its not our fault if the investors what to pour their money here in cebu. If their plans get to be realized, good for us all. If not, who's loss will it be anyway? We are happy with how things are working here in our humble island. :okay:

And yeah, our beloved mayor may always look grumpy (even if gloria is around), but mind you, he's the best we've got, so let him be. We love him for that. He is Mayor Tom, Our Man! :D

^^ nakahapit ra ko ug picture2 sa asiatown ky nanga-on mi pungko2 sa JY gahapon kuyog mga classmates.. ahak bati naman kau ila pungko2 didto mas lami pa sa redemptorist ug sa UC..


bai wa jud bitaw lami ila ginabut didto. bahung tae! hehehe. the best ang sa redem!

^^ pag-abot nako sa balay mura pa jud naglain ako tiyan.. ambot wala man ty lami pero nakahurot man sad ko nuon ug 7 ka puso; 1 ka ginabot, longaniza ug bola-bola nya mountain dew.. :D

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6620/76513767073da62ce4o3xu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7849/7651376887e40252a7o9bz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7650/picture0141sv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3559/picture0152kz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4210/picture0166gq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7081/picture0175nb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

people support: call center

MAYOL BATTLES KYOWA FOR WBC CROWN MAY 6


Undefeated Filipino Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol will challenge World Boxing Council minimumweight kingpin Eagle Kyowa on May 6 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

This was posted recently by Boxrec.com, the internet keeper of boxing records.

This will be an interesting match-up between two power-punching small men, each ready to claim their spot as one of the world's best in the talent-laden 105-lb division.

The 24-year-old Mayol, a former national amateur champion under Cebuano sportsman Tony Aldeguer before his joined the pro ranks, is undefeated in 22 fights with 17 knockouts. He had held the RP minimumweight title, but relinquished it undefeated to vie for the OPBF crown.

Recently, the 5'4 Mayol, now managed by Japanese businessman Yasuo Matsuoka, also relinquished the OPBF throne after three successful defenses in favor of his quest for the world title.

The 27-year-old reigning champion Eagle Kyowa, who stands at 5'3 1/2, is expected to give Mayol his toughest fight to date. A Thai national now based in Japan, Kyowa holds a fearsome 15-1, 6 KO's record. His only loss came at the hands of Mexican Isaac Bustos, when, leading on points, he said no mas in the fourth round after injuring his right shoulder.

There were intial plans to hold the Mayol-Kyowa in the country, but apparently the champion's camp had turned down overtures of a Manila fight.

Mayol last saw action on January 28 this year, disposing of Mexican Lorenzo Trejo in the fourth round right at the latter's home turf in Cancun, Mexico during the WBC's Night of Champions.

http://www.photopile.com/photos/dantzu/auctions/242288.gif

^^ video clip of mayol's last fight in cancum, mexico
where he KO'd Mexican Lorenzo Trejo last Jan. 28


Among those who saw Mayol in action at ringside was the legendary Ricardo Lopez, who retired undefeated as a minimumweight and light-flyweight champion. Lopez, who gamely posed with Mayol for a photo-op, considers the Filipino as a 'great fighter' immediately after his demolition of Trejo, who is managed by Erik Morales.

Also at ringside for the Mayol-Trejo fight was Eagle Kyowa, who learned for himself what he would be up to on May 6 when he tangles with the dynamite-fisted Mayol.



RATNER, EXPERTS AWED BT GORRES' SKILLS


It reeks of irony when heaps of accolades are thrown the way of the flashy Z “The Dream” Gorres, the self-effacing 22-year old prizefighter yet he remains underrated and continues to strive in the shadow of his more illustrious stablemate, Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista.

It wont be long, however, before Gorres proves his true worth and earn the respect of his critics when he climbs the ring on March 18, 2006 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex to vie for the vacant OPBF Super Flyweight championship.

While there are not a few doubting Thomases on Gorres’ potentials, they pale in comparison to those who are smitten by his skills and talents as exemplified by the observations of some boxing experts.

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2774/gorresvstirado011pb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Gorres delivers an uppercut to the chin of Mexican Jose Alfredo Tirado during Gorres' last outing in Las Vegas.


Marc Ratner, head of the Nevada State Athletic Commission who supervised Gorres' fight at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas against Jose Alfredto Tirado, told boxing scribe Salven Lagumbay in an email that he was impressed by the virtuoso performance of the young Cebuano.

Well-known former two time world champion and Trainer of the Year Buddy McGirt predicted in an interview with VIVA Sports that Gorres had what it takes to become a world champion.

Fight News boxing writer, Mike Sloan said that Gorres “appears to be a threat” in the Super Flyweight division.

Freddie Roach of the famed Wild Card Gym who trains Gorres is confident that Gorres will have an excellent future.

Philippine Star columnist, Quinito Henson wrote that former PBA Commissioner and eminent lawyer Rudy Salud who co-manages Gorres with Tony Aldeguer said Gorres is probably the most skilled Filipino fighter today.

“Gorres is a magnificent fighter,” is what Tony Martin, former Cebu resident, who was at the corner of Gorres in Las Vegas together with Freddie Roach said after the latter easily out pointed Mexican journeyman Jose Alfredo Tirado.

When everything is said and done, what matters most is how Gorres will let his fists do the talking to disprove his critics and make true of the boxing experts’ praises when he climbs the ring this March 18 against the tough Thai puncher, Waengpetch Chuwatana.

Will the young and amiable Gorres realize his dream of finally acquiring a championship belt – something which he has long cherished while at the same time silence his critics?

Another blockbuster promotion from international promoter Sammy ‘Don King’ Gello-ani is expected to draw a mammoth crowd this March 18. Featuring three international fights and one Philippine title fight, this boxing event is expected is to be another spectacular boxing showdown. Sponsored by Cebu City Marriott Hotel and Richmond Hotel, this boxing event will be shown on a delayed telecast over VIVA Sports’ boxing program, MAIN EVENT, the next day, 1 pm at RPN9.

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/776/gorreschuwatanaposterbig6ih.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bai wa jud bitaw lami ila ginabut didto. bahung tae! hehehe. the best ang sa redem!
bitaw lami sa may redemp... the beast awwww the best di.ay

with all these developments down there, i just hope you dont turn out to be like spoiled-brats asking for more and throwing tantrums if they dont get what they want. i hope doña gloria wont spank you for that. by the way, is your mayors name tom? the one who always looks angry? and quite arrogant when interviewed? dont raise hell here, im just asking...


the success of Cebu now is credited to all Cebuanos not by those beautiful presidents of the pHilippines... Cebuanos didn't ask but worked hard for what we have today. We don't ask something if it's not ours. Doña Gloria? we didn't ask but she gave, she owe us that's why...hehe ;) The mayor? He have done big things for Cebu that is comparable to the size of his nose:okay: he's our icon and our strength ;) Don't worry bai, Cebu is heaven, hell never exists here :D. Come to Cebu bai and experience it's beauty, our beauty and my beauty...jowk :D


http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7081/picture0175nb.jpg

oi, si Mark og si Tj lagi na nag sturyaanay...hehe


btw, unsa diay nang ginabot bai, tinai sa manok nga gi-bbq?

One of the reasons why Cebu is blessed.

Guinsaogon students, studying in Cebu, lost their family, can now finish their studies until their college graduation.. their tuition fees were donated by attentive Cebuanos.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6881/1014/1600/CIMG0088.0.jpg

As the days goes by, media exposure and help to Guinsaogon victims fleeted but the attentive Cebuanos never ceased, next week another barge of donated goods will be sent to Guinsaogon.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6881/1014/400/CIMG0080.0.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6881/1014/400/CIMG0048.0.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6881/1014/400/CIMG0059.2.jpg
Thanks to those helpful Cebuanos, you deserve the credit :okay::okay:

^^ also bai, the cebu rescue team was honored in malacanang for being the first in the disaster site.. :okay:

btw, unsa diay nang ginabot bai, tinai sa manok nga gi-bbq?

sha-i or chicaron bulaklak nang ginabut bai. ang kanang tinai sa manok kay mao na ang IUD or zigzag. talk about gastronomic yum yum!

So does the MCIA interior! hehe. naahh its juz a small airport, and handles lots of flights.. needs more facelifting.. :)

According to a news article that was posted here, MCIAA's interior and exterior will undergo facelifting in time for the summit. Note too that construction of the administration building has also started which when completed, would increase the leasable areas at the existing terminal since the administrative offices would be transferred.

With regards to the facelifting, I guess they would be utilizing those materials that are used in Jollibee Stores, the exterior of the newly renovated Cebu Doctors' Hospital and in Parklane International Hotel. This same material was also used at Davao's new airport terminal (the gray one?)..

Marvin, you're an architect, do you know the name of this new material in construction?



@P_Marl

The latest news regarding the proposed MCIAA Terminal II was weeks ago. It was just about that Japanese Company (Orix Group) who expressed interest in the project.

No new updates yet regarding the rendering but during the last interview of Yap, he said that the design stage of the new terminal would take 6-8 months so actual construction may begin (provided there are funds) late this year. This terminal project would really be pursued because this is actually an original project of the DOTC and not of the MCIAA itself.

By the way, kinsay gusto mukuyog?

Mangadto ta SRP this friday, libot-libot lang, especially for those who haven't been there yet... And maybe we can go to TOPS afterwards? Contribute lang mo fuel ako bahala sakyanan..... Hehehehe

^^ bai arnold, pwd weekend lang? hehehe

@slerz, i really would love to experience your beauty :D walay atrasay ha! :lol:

ehmmm..ubo..ubo.. :)

hi coke!

Anyway, for those who are asking about MCIA, their website is up and running again.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5417/mcia01lw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Visit www.mactan-cebuairport.com.ph.

^^ thanks Mark! this is one of the websites Ive been waiting to come back!

^^ np. too bad there are not a lot of pics and no new updates yet...

@slerz, i really would love to experience your beauty :D walay atrasay ha! :lol:

patay.. :D

According to a news article that was posted here, MCIAA's interior and exterior will undergo facelifting in time for the summit. Note too that construction of the administration building has also started which when completed, would increase the leasable areas at the existing terminal since the administrative offices would be transferred.

With regards to the facelifting, I guess they would be utilizing those materials that are used in Jollibee Stores, the exterior of the newly renovated Cebu Doctors' Hospital and in Parklane International Hotel. This same material was also used at Davao's new airport terminal (the gray one?)..

Marvin, you're an architect, do you know the name of this new material in construction?


puhon ma architect na ko basta dili magbinuang ang maestro namo.. :D

the material you are talking about arnold is called aluminum cladding.. its now commonly used in most of the new buildings here in cebu coz they are easy to install and and it does not need much maintenance as compared to ordinary paint.. problem is its very expensive.. a single sheet costs thousands of pesos

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9083/img02847nq4hi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ aluminum cladding is really great for exterior finishes as it gives the building a modern look

Those SRP pics were excellent @ arnoldsa and iceman25. The SRP roadways are not so unlike the stretches I drive here in California. Anyway, how are those planned bldgs in SRP coming along?

Tuloy paba yung Megadome???

@slerz, i really would love to experience your beauty :D walay atrasay ha! :lol:

what do you mean @ coke? can we talk about this :D. Is this about Roger? :jk:

sha-i or chicaron bulaklak nang ginabut bai. ang kanang tinai sa manok kay mao na ang IUD or zigzag. talk about gastronomic yum yum!

mao bitaw bai, yum yum but do you know that those people who eats these kinds of foods are rich. Nikaon ko ana pungko pungko bai sa una but nahurot nuon amo kwarta sa chong hua...hehe karon wana ko usab bai :D


By the way, kinsay gusto mukuyog?

Mangadto ta SRP this friday, libot-libot lang, especially for those who haven't been there yet... And maybe we can go to TOPS afterwards? Contribute lang mo fuel ako bahala sakyanan..... Hehehehe

bai arnold, kinsa imo kuyog? lain nsad nga adventure, mayta daghan para lingaw no? Sunday diay bai, pwede ra? hehe

Monday, March 13, 2006
ALI appropriates P1B to renovate Cebu mall
By Jessica B. Natad
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

MANILA — In three years, Cebu will see a new Ayala Center Cebu (ACC), as the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has allocated more than P1 billion for the mall’s renovation and expansion.

This project is part of ALI’s efforts to stamp the Ayala mall brand on its malls, which have been regarded as the Ayala retail group, ALI president Fernando Zobel de Ayala said during the launching of ALI’s renovation projects in its five Ayala malls at the NBC tent in The Fort, Makati.

While trying to establish the Ayala mall brand in the five malls — ACC, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Ayala Alabang and Market Market — ALI also recognized that the market of each mall is distinct from each other.

“We will find ways to custom fit the renovations in each mall to their respective target market so that each will be able to serve (its market) better,” Ayala said.

New building

ACC is the only Ayala mall found outside Metro Manila.

In an interview, Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) president Rene Almendras said the first phase of ACC’s “facelift” has already begun with the construction of a three-story building on the lot that had once been the public utility jeepney terminal. The terminal has been transferred to another site, but still near the mall.

The 2,000-square-meter building will be occupied by a retail store that targets a different market from that of the Metro Gaisano, ACC’s anchor retail store, he said.

CHI, ALI’s affiliate company, will also reconstruct the two-hectare lagoon area into “a green environment outside where people can gather,” Almendras said.

Lifestyle

“It’s not just about land development. It is a lifestyle concept. It would be different from what is already there but will complement (the current environment),” he said.

Almendras said CHI will spend about P27 million for the landscaping of the lagoon area and will create about 20,000 square meters of space for lease by restaurants and wellness establishments.

An outdoor performing stage, which took CHI a year and a half to design, will also be constructed in the area.

“ACC will be more than Greenbelt. (The changes) will custom fit the Cebuanos. We have studied what the Cebuanos do in the mall. Cebuanos are different. What works in Manila may not automatically work in Cebu,” Almendras said.

Monday, March 13, 2006
Club Ultima members have priority over tower spaces (36-story Fuente Tower 3)

WHEN completed, the Fuente Tower Complex being developed by J. King and Sons Co. Inc. (JKSCI) near Fuente Osmeña will house a compact community complete with restaurants offering international cuisine and spa.

And Club Ultima members are given priority in owning office and residential units at Fuente Tower 3, which will be located next to Fuente Tower 1 and Fuente Tower 2. Fuente Tower 1 houses Club Ultima while Tower 2 is JKSCI’s 300-room Crown Regency Hotel.

Residential

Club Ultima chief operating officer Karl C. Velhagen said the future Tower 3 is a 342-unit residential condominium to be constructed on a 2,000-square meter area.

Velhagen said members of Club Ultima, which is the biggest club in Cebu with a membership of 2,100, are already informed in advance about the project because they are in the priority list.

The facilities and amenities of Tower 3 include: parking spaces in the two-level basement and on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors all to be linked to Fuente Towers 1 and 2; and commercial spaces from the ground floor to the second floor.

Offices

Office units can be found on the seventh and eighth floors. There will be a podium, which is a bridgeway on the ninth floor providing direct access to the swimming pool facilities of the Crown Regency Hotel; and residential units from the ninth floor up.

Residential units at Tower 3 will have a floor area of 30 square meters each and a 20-square meter loft.

Velhagen said Club Ultima is a non-prorietary institution so a member can transfer or allow another person to use the facilities of the tower.

With a one-time affordable investment, he said a member is entitled to stay at the tower from one to seven nights for free, depending on the amount of investment, 20 percent discount on food and beverage, spa services, wardrobe management and family room.

Once the 36-story Tower 3 will be completed, and will be connected to the 23-story Tower 2 and 38-story Tower 1,the JKSCI property will be the biggest home-office-entertainment-food center in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“What’s nice about this concept is that the homes are open and secure 24 hours a day,” Velhagen said.

Free stay

Since Crown Regency Hotel is a member of Interval International, a Club Ultima member may use his free room nights at any Interval International establishment in the Philippines and in Australia.

“We want members to realize the value of the money they’ve invested,” Velhagen said.

JKSCI manager Roland S.G. Abadingo believes that more people will soon register as members because of the benefits.

Crown Regency Hotel food and beverage manager Wolfgang Uebler said Tower 2 will house restaurants offering international cuisine, adding that one floor will be allotted for a Japanese restaurant and another for Chinese food.

Club Ultima manager Apolonio Bondoc said the Japanese and Chinese restaurants will be the biggest food centers in Cebu. (EOB)

^^

Awesome! I can't wait for this project to be done! (^_^)

Monday, March 13, 2006
ALI appropriates P1B to renovate Cebu mall
By Jessica B. Natad
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

MANILA — In three years, Cebu will see a new Ayala Center Cebu (ACC), as the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has allocated more than P1 billion for the mall’s renovation and expansion.

This project is part of ALI’s efforts to stamp the Ayala mall brand on its malls, which have been regarded as the Ayala retail group, ALI president Fernando Zobel de Ayala said during the launching of ALI’s renovation projects in its five Ayala malls at the NBC tent in The Fort, Makati.

While trying to establish the Ayala mall brand in the five malls — ACC, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Ayala Alabang and Market Market — ALI also recognized that the market of each mall is distinct from each other.

“We will find ways to custom fit the renovations in each mall to their respective target market so that each will be able to serve (its market) better,” Ayala said.
bla bla bla...


No wonder Ayala Malls are so succesful. Can't wait to see a new ACC when I come back =D.

Monday, March 13, 2006
ALI appropriates P1B to renovate Cebu mall

“ACC will be more than Greenbelt. (The changes) will custom fit the Cebuanos. We have studied what the Cebuanos do in the mall. Cebuanos are different. What works in Manila may not automatically work in Cebu,” Almendras said.

WOW!!!!!! :rock: :rock: :rock: AYALA CENTER CEBU will be MORE THAN GREENBELT!!!!!!! Move Over Greenbelt!!

Monday, March 13, 2006
Club Ultima members have priority over tower spaces (36-story Fuente Tower 3)



And Club Ultima members are given priority in owning office and residential units at Fuente Tower 3, which will be located next to Fuente Tower 1 and Fuente Tower 2. Fuente Tower 1 houses Club Ultima while Tower 2 is JKSCI’s 300-room Crown Regency Hotel.




kewl :okay: next to tower 1 and 2? so where would it be? sa Osmeña blvd or sa Ramos street? asa naman mo agi ang mga sakyanana, pahong :jk: hehe

:banana: once the 1st skyscraper (38 Crown Regency tower 1) will be completed, the 2nd skyscraper (36 Fuente tower 3) in Cebu will follow. :banana: YAHOO! :D

WOW!!!!!! :rock: :rock: :rock: AYALA CENTER CEBU will be MORE THAN GREENBELT!!!!!!! Move Over Greenbelt!!

and SM City Cebu will be more than SM Megamall? whats next? Cebu will be more than...? :D


_ _ _____ _ _ _

HALA! March 13 diay rn? hmmm, what will happen today?

wowowee Feb 4, after 13 days Feb 17 was Southern Leyte, after 13 Days March 2 was the revelation of Rustom :D, but the number continues to scare people in Talisay City and Olango island in Lapu Lapu City where a lot of people already evacuated (naa daw tiguwang nga nisulti sa usa ka bata nga from March 13 to 17, naay mahitabo sa Talisay, nya cg lang nig balita dri sa Cebu ron sa Radio og TV about the hersay). We can't blame the people though after what happend to S Leyte but their officials are doing something naman about the paranoia :D of these people...
nya ang bukid sad kuno sa pardo mo dahili dri's ubos, fatay diay ko ani rn, na hala gd! gudbay nalang daan :D :jk:

na! nag bunok bunok marajaw karajaw nang uwan dri, nag kurog na akong ka atayan og ka itlogan...hehe

Monday, March 13, 2006
ALI appropriates P1B to renovate Cebu mall
By Jessica B. Natad
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

MANILA — In three years, Cebu will see a new Ayala Center Cebu (ACC), as the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has allocated more than P1 billion for the mall’s renovation and expansion.

An outdoor performing stage, which took CHI a year and a half to design, will also be constructed in the area.

“ACC will be more than Greenbelt. (The changes) will custom fit the Cebuanos. We have studied what the Cebuanos do in the mall. Cebuanos are different. What works in Manila may not automatically work in Cebu,” Almendras said.

What more could you ask for? I love ayala mall! I lovemall!!!! :banana:



Monday, March 13, 2006
Club Ultima members have priority over tower spaces (36-story Fuente Tower 3)

Once the 36-story Tower 3 will be completed, and will be connected to the 23-story Tower 2 and 38-story Tower 1,the JKSCI property will be the biggest home-office-entertainment-food center in the Visayas and Mindanao.


Wow man! I am more than excited for Cebu! Soon we will have our very own version of the Twin Towers. :banana:

^^bitaw bai, excited sad ko kay halos everyday, naay mga new developments and not only small but big developments and I'm confident enough that more news articles to come signifying that this and that will build another high-rise or probably skyscraper here in Cebu. diba CwEoBwU?

with all these developments down there, i just hope you dont turn out to be like spoiled-brats asking for more and throwing tantrums if they dont get what they want. i hope doña gloria wont spank you for that. by the way, is your mayors name tom? the one who always looks angry? and quite arrogant when interviewed? dont raise hell here, im just asking...


i would have to assert that the development that's been going on in cebu right now is generally attributed to the efforts of its people and leaders. what could be the contribution from the national government of the fast-tracking of its projects is merely giving cebu its due. we, the cebuanos asked for it because we deserved them all. spoiled brats are results of people being provided more than what they need, and looking at the current situation, it is clearly not the case. you don't make spoiled brats out of hardworking people.

and why stressing this statement: "dont raise hell here, im just asking..."

what's behind the asking? i'm just asking...

wow! another high rise.. kanindot nga balita!!!

oh my...the fuente towers will be quite a cluster in the future!

and the ACC lagoon, i've always dreamed that they would re-landscape it just like greenbelt's...exciting kaayo!

^^ adto nya daw mo magdate ni slerz coke.. :D

^^ bitaw! nisugot na raba to si slerz! :D :D

take note coke, ACC will be more than greenbelt daw(at least in the landscaping of the lagoon). hehehe

hahaha...bantay lang jud na si slerz da, experience my beauty daw... :lol:

nus-a daw mag-open ang new lagoon?

do you think it's better to rename the place or okay na and "the lagoon"? :D

^^ The Lagoon is ok. its unique to ACC i think. unya naa pa jud outdoor performing stage, which took CHI a year and a half to design. I wonder how this would look like since it took them that long to design. Pinaghirapan talaga! hehe

Maybe mas una ma human ang lagoon kay three years pa man daw ang mall.

single pa raba na si slerz coke..

mao jud mark.. it only took guanzon months to design the new CICC as compared to 1 1/2 for ACC's outdoor performing stage.. basin pareha na ila stage sa stage na gigamit sa Academy Awards :D

^^bitaw bai, excited sad ko kay halos everyday, naay mga new developments and not only small but big developments and I'm confident enough that more news articles to come signifying that this and that will build another high-rise or probably skyscraper here in Cebu. diba CwEoBwU?


heheheheh, diba slerz? more surprises await us.

by the way, i've read a copy of an "april 2006" (so advanced) issue of the conde nast magazine. there was this shangri-la advertisement and it featured shangri-la mactan. it had that small island slightly protruding along the beach as its foreground.

^^ basin maghimo sila ug open air na ampitheatre bai. hehehe. bitaw kay mawala na man gud ang parking lot which is the usual site for makshift stages ever since. so they have to put up a permanent stage.

^^ wow, world-class gyud tingali na nga entertainment complex...hope the Lagoon will immediately get noticed by IRCA! another award-winning world-class shopping complex for the philippines!

what do you mean @ coke? can we talk about this :D. Is this about Roger? :jk:

ingon man gud sa post #264 nga "...experience...my beauty..." :D who's roger?

^^ si slerz ug si coke kay naa nay mga code names da. tsk tsk. hehehehe

maau pa sila naa...

ingon man gud sa post #264 nga "...experience...my beauty..." :D who's roger?


aw kana diay imo pasabot? Sige!, bantay di ka modayon ha. Ingna lang ko kng asa dapit:D. Ah si Roger? gerger? waaaaaaa.


@mark, code name? like slerz a.k.a. "experience my beauty".hehe

oh my...the fuente towers will be quite a cluster in the future!

mas dense pa ang Fuente cluster kaysa CBP, nya mas tag as tan awn ang mga buildings sa Fuente kay elevated area man gud compared sa CBP nga medyo lupa or lawm gamay ang area.

_ _ _____ _ _ _

bitaw, we're just happy enough inspite of what is happening sa manila right now nga maka apekto sa ato. Naa diay forwarded email nga gisuwat sa usa ka individual about sa political situation sa atong country and I share the same sentiment sa nag suwat ato og kung makadawat mo ipost nya dri sa SSC pero nangayo na ko ni leo pero wapa man ko replyi :D


@Cebuwow, exactly.

about ACC< ACC will be more than the usual, more than a mall... exciting indeed!!!

by the way, i've read a copy of an "april 2006" (so advanced) issue of the conde nast magazine. there was this shangri-la advertisement and it featured shangri-la mactan. it had that small island slightly protruding along the beach as its foreground.

It is the only Philippine destination recognized by Condé Nast bai. Shang Cebu made it to the 2006 Gold List with a score of 90.5.

@slerz dayon ko kay hanap ko ug kapuy-an diha sa cebu...pero sa september short stay lang ko...tingali one month lang mi diha...then pag okay na akong place diha, i'll be flying in and out of cebu regularly...my friends and i are planning to open some business man gud...

wohoo, another investment fo Cebu in several months by @cokelitro :banana:

puhon ma architect na ko basta dili magbinuang ang maestro namo.. :D

the material you are talking about arnold is called aluminum cladding.. its now commonly used in most of the new buildings here in cebu coz they are easy to install and and it does not need much maintenance as compared to ordinary paint.. problem is its very expensive.. a single sheet costs thousands of pesos

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9083/img02847nq4hi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ aluminum cladding is really great for exterior finishes as it gives the building a modern look


Great! Aluminum Cladding will also be used in the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC)..

The same will also be used in the facelifting of the exterior of the MCIAA.

wohoo, another investment fo Cebu in several months by @cokelitro :banana:

nothing very big ;)

logging in.

ey coke, unsa man na na bznis? commercial? entertainment? food? pwede na among venue for future meets? hehehe

dayon to srp this friday?

Group launches project to develop 3D animated film about Cebu City

THE Cebu Animators Society for Talent (Cast) is inviting computer science students who are interested in three-dimensional (3D) animation to join its “challenging” project this year.

“We hope to finish a 20-minute realistic animation of the history and heritage of this city (Cebu). We want it to be so good that it (will be) shown to the world and to the delegates of the Asean Summit in December,” said Cast mentor and producer Gary Forbes.


more (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/03/13/bus/group.launches.project.to.develop.3d.animated.film.about.cebu.city.html)

@Markiiboi

Friday ra jud available bai... Kinsay free inig friday? Text me lang..

@fundraiser, food and entertainment, the bulk of it ;) i can't say much about it coz right now, all are still plans pa lang...but we want to target just male customers (but of course females are very welcome)...sort of a mini-malate...but a bit more sosyal... :D

@Markiiboi

Friday ra jud available bai... Kinsay free inig friday? Text me lang..


Sayanga bai weekend ra ko free. hehehe

uy, goodluck coke, sana maging hit kayo dito sa cebu, baka maging trendsetter pa yung biz nyo, galeng! :cheers1:

@fundaraiser, first of all, we would partner with CircuitAsia (one of the biggest gay party organizers in the world) to organize an event in Cebu...that party will be part of our study ;)

pa-membro na mo sa club ultima!!! hehehhe

^^ sagdi lang naa na bitaw si bai Resty. Pwd na unya makasulod ang cebu forumers. hehehe

by the way, i've read a copy of an "april 2006" (so advanced) issue of the conde nast magazine. there was this shangri-la advertisement and it featured shangri-la mactan. it had that small island slightly protruding along the beach as its foreground.

yeah, that's what i was referring to. the TV ad has been repeatedly shown over Travel&Living channel, Discovery channel and CNN :okay: they featured about 5 shangri-las around the world and mactan is one of 'em. grabe. :cool:

but conde nast only had shangri-la mactan in their ad representing the chain.

wow, a testament that Shangri-La Mactan is Shangri-La's most priced possession. undoubtedly. :okay:

yeah, that's what i was referring to. the TV ad has been repeatedly shown over Travel&Living channel, Discovery channel and CNN :okay: they featured about 5 shangri-las around the world and mactan is one of 'em. grabe. :cool:

but conde nast only had shangri-la mactan in their ad representing the chain.

i would have to assert that the development that's been going on in cebu right now is generally attributed to the efforts of its people and leaders. what could be the contribution from the national government of the fast-tracking of its projects is merely giving cebu its due. we, the cebuanos asked for it because we deserved them all. spoiled brats are results of people being provided more than what they need, and looking at the current situation, it is clearly not the case. you don't make spoiled brats out of hardworking people.

and why stressing this statement: "dont raise hell here, im just asking..."

what's behind the asking? i'm just asking...

So true. Whatever Cebu is enjoying right now is all because of Cebuanos' hardwork. inspite of the exponential growth of progress, Cebuanos remain humble. Cebu has become the envy of the Philippine islands. :lol: not jumping everytime detractors bark attributed to the island's huge success. :applause:

Monday, March 13, 2006
Club Ultima members have priority over tower spaces (36-story Fuente Tower 3)

Residential units at Tower 3 will have a floor area of 30 square meters each and a 20-square meter loft.

30 sq.m. lang? studio lang ba ni? i was expecting they're selling 1-br and above. and 30 sq.m. is just way too small (at least for me)! i can't wait to see their price listing :D


Once the 36-story Tower 3 will be completed, and will be connected to the 23-story Tower 2 and 38-story Tower 1,the JKSCI property will be the biggest home-office-entertainment-food center in the Visayas and Mindanao.

ok, i'll put my convincing power to a test. when i get back home, i'll do some sales talk to my momma and daddy. i'll force 'em to get a unit. :lol:

Photos by Iceman25
Edited by Rusty18

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/4227/cebuosmenablvd9ne.jpg
Osmeña Boulevard Skyline

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3803/cebubusinesspark8vu.jpg
Cebu Business Park Skyline

^^ey guys, sa roadtrip nyo this coming weekend pls take as much photos as you can! especially the Osmena blvd. skyline view from SRP. iceman got the best spot in taking photos. i hope you guys could take a pano shot on the entire Cebu City skyline from there. :D

^^ey guys, sa roadtrip nyo this coming weekend pls take as much photos as you can! especially the Osmena blvd. skyline view from SRP. iceman got the best spot in taking photos. i hope you guys could take a pano shot on the entire Cebu City skyline from there. :D

salamat bai..

pareng iceman, where did you take the photo on the Cebu Business Park skyline? i have no idea which spot in the city where i could get that view. :) thanks!

@fundaraiser, first of all, we would partner with CircuitAsia (one of the biggest gay party organizers in the world) to organize an event in Cebu...that party will be part of our study ;)

now i understand that rainbow flag u got there, i was thinking a different kind of party place when you said its exclusively for male patrons, but anyway, thats a good addition to the party scene, at least may variety. good luck again coke!

yeah, that's what i was referring to. the TV ad has been repeatedly shown over Travel&Living channel, Discovery channel and CNN :okay: they featured about 5 shangri-las around the world and mactan is one of 'em. grabe. :cool:

Rusty, this is just nothing compared to the exposure that Shangri-La Mactan gets thanks to EarthTV...

Shangri-La Mactan is the only establishment ni Cebu where there is an EarthTV Cam.. I saw it twice already in ANC and in CNN....

By the way, do you know what EarthTV is? :)

Also, if anybody of you saw National Geographic's Terrorism Week last night, they featured PAL 434 (Manila-Cebu-Japan)....

Starring kaayo ang Cebu (pronounced siiiiiibuuuu by the narrator) as a "resort town in the Philippines" according to the narrator.

Here's what happened:

Ramsey Yousef boarded the plane in Manila. He hid some materialsin making a bomb in his shoes, which were undetected because security measures during that time were designed to scan from the ankle and above only. When the plane was on its way to Cebu, he assembled the bomb and left it underneath the chair. The plane went on a stopover to Cebu to pick up some passengers. Ramsey left the plane during the stopover in Cebu. The bomb then exploded in mid air while it was on its way to Japan..

by the way, it seems that not only the kimchi's are invading cebu, the sushi's are back na rin, two days ago, naay 4 japs na namalhin sa apartment complex just next door, an addition to the korean complex about two houses away, ang mga koreans are families na, naay pay mga bata nga kinder ambot ug kabalo na ba ni sila magbisaya kay dugay naman sad ni sila dinhi. and mga japs are two newly wed couples, siguro ga honeymoon, lol! group.... group honeymoon (kinsay kuyog mamoso? toinks!) so we have the sushi and the kimchi na, unsay sunod russians? aahhh the vodka's!

^^ :lol: fundraiser hahaha hilig diay mamaklad ha! :bash:

pareng iceman, where did you take the photo on the Cebu Business Park skyline? i have no idea which spot in the city where i could get that view. :) thanks!

from taoist temple pre.

Wala talagang pumapansin sa building na to. hehe. The 9-storey International Exchange Bank in Mango Ave.

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/4379/pic035in.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/9149/pic087ye.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

any articles about this mga bai? Heard this sa DYAB ganiha....

CEBU TO HOST
The ASEAN INTERFAITH COOPERATION FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN DIGNITY DIALOGUE on March 14, 2006 (tomorrow)

participated in by foreign dignitaries and foreign Prime Ministers from 15 different countries such as
Brunei
Fiji
Timor Leste
Papua New Guinea
Vietnam
Thailand
Singapore
Myanmar
Malaysia
Laos
Cambodia

and the co-chair countries - Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia which is expected to have a big delegation.

This will talk asbout education, culture and peace and better linkages of mass media in the region...

The meeting will be held @ Shangri la Mactan island resort hotel with President Arroyo to address the opening ceremony.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Elizabeth Clark is also expected to address the meeting...

This will be the 1st follow up meeting of the first regional institute meeting held last 2oo4 in Indoneasia....

This meeting tomorrow will be known as the CEBU DECLARATION (mura man sa'g Australian open kung sa tennis pa,hehe)

Gov. Gwen Garcial will tender the welcome dinner at the Capitol Social hall. Sec Jesus Dureza added...

DTI sec Alberto Romulo will welcome the delegates of the said meeting tomorrow.

slerz reporting :D

nalinya na unta nas plano nako Mark nga picturan kung maka higayon...hehe



_ _ ____ ___ _


Fuente Towers: Cebu’s Tallest Skyscrapers Complex


Sitting on one of the high-elevation areas in uptown Cebu, Fuente Towers will be the tallest structures to ever grace the city skyline.

Located in the commercial hub and the prime business address of Cebu, Fuente Towers are within the commercial and residential mega-complex that is set to become the prime business and residential addresses of modern Cebu. The tri-towers complex is set to dominate the city skyline when completed in late 2007.

The Fuente Tower 1, at 38 stories high, will easily become the tallest skyscraper in the city eclipsing its sister Tower 3 which is two stories shorter at 36 floors. The shortest, Fuente Tower 2 will have 23 floors and will house the 300-room Crown Regency Hotel. Tower 1 will house the largest and most exclusive club membership in southern Philippines, the Club Ultima. The Tower 3, on the other hand, will be a 342-unit residential condominium to be constructed on a 2,000-square meter area next to Tower 1.


When completed, the Fuente Towers mega-complex will become the biggest home-office-entertainment-food center in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

^^ bai, you had it mixed up. hehehe. 38F Tower 1 will house the 300-rm Crown Regency Hotel, while the 23F Tower 2 will house Club Ultima...

_____________________



Just some info tidbit:

Due to increased passenger demand, Cathay Pacific will add two more weekly flights of its Cebu-HK route starting this April. :okay:

^^ang weird naman ng press release na toh. the last time we were informed, tower I is the 23-storey building. that's why it was built first kse nga tower 1. and now they kinda mess it up. but not really a big deal, a third tower definitely perked us all up! :okay:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/metropolis/freemanpic.jpg
from The Freeman website

Atlas to reopen copper mine in 2007
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Mar. 13 (Reuters) — Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. in Toledo hopes to restart what was once Southeast Asia’s largest copper mine in 2007 after raising the required funding this year, its chief finance officer said on Monday.

Toledo, on Cebu Island, is expected to produce 175,000 tons a year of concentrate containing about 50,000 tons of copper when rehabilitated.

MORE (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006031458593.html)


________________

PROs:
1. Jobs
2. Revenues

CONs:
1. Environmental Denudation
2. Pollution

Group launches project to develop 3D animated film about Cebu City

THE Cebu Animators Society for Talent (Cast) is inviting computer science students who are interested in three-dimensional (3D) animation to join its “challenging” project this year.

“We hope to finish a 20-minute realistic animation of the history and heritage of this city (Cebu). We want it to be so good that it (will be) shown to the world and to the delegates of the Asean Summit in December,” said Cast mentor and producer Gary Forbes.

Cast, a Cebu-based cooperative society that aims to develop animation talents, encourages self-study and cooperative learning to promote homegrown, hand-drawn and 3D animation movies.

Features

The 3D animation project this year will feature Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia and Heritage Square, Forbes said.

Cast also recently announced the completion of its “Project 2005” (available under “The Universe” on www.cast-cebu.org/project_2005.html), a 10-minute animation showing Cebu’s City Hall, Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, Fuente Osmeña and the Capitol, among other highlights.

The group also produced “Cast Project 2004,” a 14-minute animation about investing and doing business in Cebu.

Program

Rommel R. Esparcia (University of Cebu), Cesar L. Omayon Jr. (University of Visayas), Mary Gay A. Paro-an (University of the Philippines) and Dhina Rose V. Treehero (Cebu Normal University), who took part in this year’s project, first learned to use the Linux operating system and then used an open source program called “Art of Illusion” to model the city of Cebu.

“Our job was made a little more difficult this year because one of our goals was to come up with a quality product and be able to put in a ‘wow’ factor,” Forbes said. (ALC)

Tuesday, March 14, 2006
CICC start of boom - Ouano

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano sees the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) as the start of the business boom in the Mandaue Reclamation Area.

“It is a great honor for Mandaue City to be the home of the soon to rise CICC. I see this emerging landmark as a catalyst for growth, as it brings in more investment and further boosts the economic development of the Province of Cebu, particularly the city of Mandaue,” he said in a statement.

The Mandaue City Government formalized its counterpart for the construction of the CICC in the form of a 3.8-hectare land in the reclamation area worth P500 million, through an agreement with the Province of Cebu signed last week.

The agreement also states that the Province and the City will jointly manage the CICC.

Center

Aside from the CICC, there are other structures that are pending construction on the reclamation area, such as the Cebu International Trade and Exhibition Center, which has already been endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority to the Japan International Cooperation Agency for funding.

Boardwalk

The construction of the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) and the Cebu Boardwalk are also ongoing.

The CDU is designed to accommodate some 8,000 students and staff. The Cebu Boardwalk, on the other hand, is designed to become a mix-use development that will feature a marina.

Other future investments in Mandaue City are the construction of an information technology center for call centers and the construction of the Sacred Heard School in barangay Canduman.

“Investors and businessmen both local and foreign are now taking a hard look at Mandaue City,” Ouano said.

At present, Mandaue is home to over 10,000 enterprises.

“We always want Man-daue to be business friendly, that’s why we always work hard to bring down the cost of doing business in the city,“ he said. (JBN)

^^ nagsugod na diay ang construction sa cebu boardwalk..

mayta daghan na ang magtukod sa NRP tungod ani nila..

additional flights for cebu? wow....this means more tourists

i love cebu! i love cebu!

^^ bai, you had it mixed up. hehehe. 38F Tower 1 will house the 300-rm Crown Regency Hotel, while the 23F Tower 2 will house Club Ultima...




bitaw, mao man na naka butang didto sa ceboom nga site, ako lang gi copy paste...hehe


So the boardwalk mall is ongoing na diay?

@ ilovecebu welcome to SSC.. "lab sad namo ang cebu" :D

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/1708/newsbanner1hw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hosting international conventions
boosts Cebu economy
CDN 14 March '06


Cebu should continue to bid for the hosting of international events and conventions since it would boost the economy as well as add revenues to local companies, according to Robert Lim Joseph, president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agents (NAITAS) and Skal International Makati chapter president.

Joseph said both associations will bid for two major events - the Skal International Asian Assembly and the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention.

He said each foreign tourist spends between US$750 and US$1,000 for a three night-four days stay in Cebu.

He noted Skal assembly is estimated to attract a minimum of 240 and a high of 600 participants, Joseph said. This means that this event alone would pour in between P11 million and P15 million into the local economy.

He also noted that it is important for Cebu to provide a good impression since the Skal assembly delegates are frontliners in the tourism industry.

Because of this, Joseph said, Cebu, if it wins the bid, will have the opportunity to promote Cebu directly to the industry representatives.

He said he and Skal International Cebu chapter president Efren Belarmino, who is also the general manager of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, will be bidding for the event. Skal International national president and Asia area director Charles Lim is also Cebu-based.

Skal International, a worldwide organization of 22,000 members in the travel and tourism industry, has four chapters in the Philippines - Manila, Makati, Cebu and Davao.

Skal is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world and is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry.

Its members, the industry's managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common
interest.

Joseph said NAITAS also plans to bid for the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention.

"We will be going to the 4th Global Filipino Networking Convention, which will be held on September 28 to October 1, 2006 in Hawaii," he said.

The 3rd Global Filipino Networking Convention was held in Cebu City in 2004, which attracted about 1,000 delegates.

Joseph said that Loida Nicolas Lewis, chairperson of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), was impressed with the way the convention was organized here.

However, he urged Cebu's tourism stakeholders to offer additional attractions instead of just depending on its beach and diving.

Joseph said Cebu could develop tourism products by tapping its various industries.

The furniture and fashion accessory manufacturers, he said, could offer plant tours as part of packages, with tourists given the chance to buy the products at the end of the visit.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006
CICC start of boom - Ouano

...Aside from the CICC, there are other structures that are pending construction on the reclamation area, such as the Cebu International Trade and Exhibition Center, which has already been endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority to the Japan International Cooperation Agency for funding.

Boardwalk

The construction of the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) and the Cebu Boardwalk are also ongoing.

The CDU is designed to accommodate some 8,000 students and staff. The Cebu Boardwalk, on the other hand, is designed to become a mix-use development that will feature a marina.


Wow, imagine some 8,000 people flock to Cebu Doctors' University everyday! they should finish the mall just in time for the university to open :D

Boardwalk

The construction of the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) and the Cebu Boardwalk are also ongoing.

I knew it! Cebu Boardwalk project is ongoing. we thought it was put on hold because we haven't seen some vertical progress. but the construction is on-going all along! this is a bit time consuming since they needed to shape up the sea-front for the Marina and yatch club. the construction site will become noticeable soon once they start putting up those tall structures such us the ampitheater and the high-end mall itself :rock: i can't wait!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/cebupics/boardwalk/CBW-CAM_2-3.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/cebupics/boardwalk/CBW-CAM_4-1.jpg

Cebu's version of SM Mall of Asia
Cebu Boardwalk Mall

i love cebu! i love cebu!

i love you ilove cebu! hehe

Welcome to SSC Philippines! :cool:

=============================================
i have updated the list of Metro Cebu Proposals and UC's.
for corrections and additional infos pls let me know guys. thanks!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=7646563#post7646563

I knew it! Cebu Boardwalk project is ongoing. we thought it was put on hold because we haven't seen some vertical progress. but the construction is on-going all along! this is a bit time consuming since they needed to shape up the sea-front for the Marina and yatch club. the construction site will become noticeable soon once they start putting up those tall structures such us the ampitheater and the high-end mall itself :rock: i can't wait!!

Cebu's version of SM Mall of Asia
Cebu Boardwalk Mall

that will be the next mall to watch! one that is different because of the seaside ambiance.

a friend of mine told me that one of the big bosses of cebu boardwalk mall and frontrunners of the cebu plus tourism campaign spoke to them at u.p. the mall will really be pursued. huwat lang daw sila nga modaghan daghan ang taw didtong dapita. ang cebu doc na sigurado.

nah madungagan ug subject ang mga estudyante sa cebu doc, cebu boardwalk mall 101, pareho ra na sa UP-cebu na may subject na ayala 101, bwehehehe

that will be the next mall to watch! one that is different because of the seaside ambiance.

a friend of mine told me that one of the big bosses of cebu boardwalk mall and frontrunners of the cebu plus tourism campaign spoke to them at u.p. the mall will really be pursued. huwat lang daw sila nga modaghan daghan ang taw didtong dapita. ang cebu doc na sigurado.

nice! with the upcoming Cebu Doctors' University, Cebu International Convention Center and Cebu CITEX, there's no reason for Cebu Boardwalk Mall not to go full swing. :okay:

I might go ,with my family, to Cebu for vacation. Where can we go? Any suggestions?

Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand was in Cebu and Bohol today to start her 4-day Official Visit to the Philippines...

The Prime Minister also met with PGMA at the Presidential Office in Plaza Independencia.

^^she attended the The ASEAN INTERFAITH COOPERATION FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN DIGNITY DIALOGUE in Shang Mactan where Australia is one of the co-chair country of the meeting that is known as the CEBU DECLARATION...
gwapa bai :D

bai arnold, kinsa imo kuyog this friday? kuyog ta ko.

Is it true that construction of the Cebu Boardwalk Mall is ongoing? Any pics? I think only CDU is still being constructed at the Cebu Boardwalk.

@Tj-brewed


Where in Mandaue City is the Taft IT Park?

I might go ,with my family, to Cebu for vacation. Where can we go? Any suggestions?

White Sand Beaches and Diving

- Malapascua Island (
- Bantayan Island
- Moalboal (no beaches, for diving only)
- Pescador Island (for diving only, ride an outrigger boat from Moalboal)
- Take a day tour to Bohol too (P250 for a one hour ride via a fastcraft)l; Visit Panglao Island, Baclayon Church, etc..etc..

Beach Resorts within Metro Cebu

- White Sands Beach
- Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
- Other resorts in Mactan Island

Nature

- Olango Island Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary in Olango Island (ride a boat for P20 per head at a docking port near Vistamar in Mactan Island, you may actually need a personal guide)
- Kawasan Falls in Badian, Cebu
- Island in the Sky Mountain Resort (along Transcentral Highway in Balamban, Cebu)

History and Others

- Argao Church (Argao Heritage Tours)
- Carcar Heritage Town
- Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
- Magellan's Cross
- Fort San Pedro
- Taoist Temple

There is another waterfalls in southern Cebu which was recently discovered during the launching of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Program. I forgot where it is located. For more information visit the Cebu Province website, http://www.cebu.gov.ph

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/7240/innove10iu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Is it true that construction of the Cebu Boardwalk Mall is ongoing? Any pics? I think only CDU is still being constructed at the Cebu Boardwalk.

@Tj-brewed


Where in Mandaue City is the Taft IT Park?

Hi arnold! Taft IT Park/Zone is located @ W. Seno St. It is still on its preselling stage and is being developed and marketed by Taft Properties, the developer of Hacienda Salinas and Nichols Park.

The Park will provide world class infrastructure and facilities, such as:

Telecommunications
• 3 Major Fiber Optic Telecom Providers

Power Supply
• Underground power cables, high voltage switch gears and transformers
using 23 kv lines connected to 2 main power grids
• 23 kv, 3-phase underground power supply
• Pad-mounted switch gears and a substation

Sewage
• Centralized sewage treatment plant provided


Water
• Two (2) back-up water deep wells to complement local water supply
with a capacity of 25-30 cu.m./minute each


Road Network and Drainage System
• Main - 30m RROW · Secondary - 24m RROW


Here is project's description i got online :

The Taft IT Zone building rests on a 6-hectare lot located at North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City Cebu. Its strategic location allows easy access to the local seaport (10 mins.) and Mactan International Airport (15 mins.). World class hotels and breathtaking beaches, golf courses, shopping complexes are only minutes away from the zone.

Taft IT Zone is an ideal facility for locators in the information technology; Software Development, Content Development, Hardware Design, Research and Development Services, Computer-based Support Services, Telecommunications and the like.

The First Phase of the building structure covers a total floor area of 5,350 square meters. The site development plan incorporates a green architecture approach wherein sustainable design elements create an atmosphere ideal to its occupants.

The building design also projects an atmosphere that is conducive to business and work. Design elements such as flag poles for corporate flags/banners, space for signage per module, decorative entrances and high glass window curtains enhance the corporate character of the building.

Taft IT Zone is recently registered and accredited with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Taft IT Zone offers special incentives for businesses ready to locate in it.

Taft IT Zone is under the wing of Taft Property Venture Development Corporation. Its extensive background in business, warm, hospitable and competent staff will help you get started in Taft IT Zone.

At Taft IT Zone, we make business pleasurable for you.


:)

Some computer images from its official website www.taft-itzone.com

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/CEBU/_f_walk7.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/CEBU/_f_walk4.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/CEBU/_f_walk1.jpg

And this is the park's map:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/CEBU/taftmap.jpg

^^ from tj's pic:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8752/taftmapcopy3sb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Is it true that construction of the Cebu Boardwalk Mall is ongoing? Any pics? I think only CDU is still being constructed at the Cebu Boardwalk.

a recent article mentioned the Boardwalk complex construction is on-going. i think at this point they're still working on the horizontal development (road network, landscaping, underground cables etc.). evidently the pace is quite slow. so that explains there are no signs of the mall construction yet. for those who didn't know, ground-breaking for this project was initiated some time last year. let's all hope for the best :D

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/8679/y32jr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Pope extends term of Vidal
The Freeman 03/15/2006

Pope Benedict XVI has rejected the resignation of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, paving the way for the 75- year- old prelate's continued stay as archbishop of Cebu. Vidal himself announced the pope's decision in a Mass he celebrated yesterday afternoon at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. MORE (http://www.philstar.com/philstar/Freeman200603151801.htm)

_ _ ____ ___ _

Fuente Towers: Cebu’s Tallest Skyscrapers Complex


Sitting on one of the high-elevation areas in uptown Cebu, Fuente Towers will be the tallest structures to ever grace the city skyline.

Located in the commercial hub and the prime business address of Cebu, Fuente Towers are within the commercial and residential mega-complex that is set to become the prime business and residential addresses of modern Cebu. The tri-towers complex is set to dominate the city skyline when completed in late 2007.

The Fuente Tower 2, at 38 stories high, will easily become the tallest skyscraper in the city eclipsing its sister Tower 3 which is two stories shorter at 36 floors. The shortest, Fuente Tower 1 will have 23 floors and will house the largest and most exclusive club membership in southern Philippines, the Club Ultima. Tower 1 will house the 300-room Crown Regency Hotel. The Tower 3, on the other hand, will be a 342-unit residential condominium to be constructed on a 2,000-square meter area next to Tower 1.


When completed, the Fuente Towers mega-complex will become the biggest home-office-entertainment-food center in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Guys, it says Tower 3 will be constructed next to the 38-storey tower. i'm still figuring out where they'd build it.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/club%20ultima/club_ultima_towers.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/club%20ultima/img04792lr.jpg
^^ guys, what's this white building behind EMSU? is it occupied?? i'm guessing they'll put up the third tower there!

Tower 3 floor details:
Basement 1 – car park
Basement 2 – car park
Ground Level – office/commercial
Level 2 – office/commercial
Level 3 – car park
Level 4 – car park
Level 5 – car park
Level 6 – car park
Level 7 – office/commercial
Level 8 – office/commercial
Level 9 – residential and bridgeway to Crown Regency Tower
Level 10 to Level 36 – residential

and another thing, recent article defined the site as "mega-complex" of J Kings Inc. so i dont think the site of Tower I and II is the boundary area. could the EMSU bldg and lot behind it be part of the "mega" complex?

^^ the white building is the rear continuation of EMSU. From Ramos St. standpoint, EMSU looks massive...

im also guessing that Tower 3 will rise from the EMSU since there are no other 'bigger' space available.


about Tower 1 [Crown Regency], they are now working on the 20th floor...

a recent article mentioned the Boardwalk complex construction is on-going. i think at this point they're still working on the horizontal development (road network, landscaping, underground cables etc.). evidently the pace is quite slow. so that explains there are no signs of the mall construction yet. for those who didn't know, ground-breaking for this project was initiated some time last year. let's all hope for the best :D

the boardwalk mall is one project i've been waiting to see because this will open faster development of the seaside part of NRP. i hope they have started the horizontal development already because it's over two years now since they announced the project and no more news about the investors that will take part of the project.

the white building is the rear continuation of EMSU. From Ramos St. standpoint, EMSU looks massive...

im also guessing that Tower 3 will rise from the EMSU since there are no other 'bigger' space available.

^^the weird thing is, the article mentioned a bridgeway will be on the 9th floor to establish direct access to Crown Regency's swimming pool and other amenities. and if we base it on the renderings, the pool area is on the other side facing metrobank tower. question: is there a possiblity that the existing structure beside metrobank plaza will be demolished? :? i find this more realistic.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/club%20ultima/img04871wp.jpg

IMO: putting up the tower from the existing EMSU will be costly and impractical. for one thing, they have to demolish the building completely to excavate just for a two-level basement parking.

^^ Now that's even better! At first i thought that area is not big enough for another tower but i think it is. And since they have long been planning for the complex, maybe they already bought that lot there, starting the construction as soon as tower 1 will top-off.

^^ Now that's even better! hehe. at first i thought that area is not big enough for another tower but i think it is. And since they have long been planning for the complex, maybe they already bought that lot there, starting the construction as soon as tower 1 will top-off.

most likely it will. i find it very disappointing though. tower 3's east wing view will be totally blocked by Crown Regency Tower. i mean, unit owners on that side will not have any view but glass, concrete and hotel occupants in action. :hilarious if it's intended for residential use, they should have at least build it where views are maximized coz that's the selling point for investors/buyers (like me) :lol:

^^ but then again, we are just speculating. :D.

Now i know why you wanna get a unit bai, because of the adjacent hotel occupants in action. :hahaha: [or maybe ur used to it already with ur everyday sight there in ur ortigas condo] :hahaha:

^^ but then again, we are just speculating. :D.

Now i know why you wanna get a unit bai, because of the adjacent hotel occupants in action. :hahaha: [or maybe ur used to it already with ur everyday sight there in ur ortigas condo] :hahaha:

:lol: :lol: :lol: may tama ka! need not to elaborate. haha

if i'd get one, i'll choose the Capitol side unit rather than facing downtown/harbor. :D if all things go well, i might consider not moving out of the country nalang. i hope so! :cool:

^^ whichever unit will do bai, basta pasudla sad tawn me mga forumers ha para maka piktur-piktur. hehehe :rofl: but i think bai a corner unit is best, so that you will have a view from the capitol, mango, cbp, north recla, and the harbor...

Wednesday, March 15, 2006
More BPOs find Cebu attractive - DTI chief

Cebu is a preferred destination of call centers and other business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, according to Trade Secretary Peter Favila.

Favila said call center companies are encouraged to locate in Cebu because there is not enough space in Manila. Leasing an office is also more expensive there, he added.

Favila spoke yesterday during an economic briefing hosted by the Philippine Government’s economic team and officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Call centers

There are 15 to 16 call centers currently located in Cebu with roughly 4,000 seats, he said.

He also revealed in his speech that during a recent economic managers road show in Japan, a company expressed interest in participating in airport projects in the Philippines including the expansion of the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

“I have invited this group to come over for more serious discussions. That should be a big boost to improve future flow of traffic of goods and people to Cebu, especially as we showcase the province with our hosting of this year’s Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit,” he said.

Products

In an interview, he said Cebu is “really known” for a lot of much-needed products, like furniture and processed food, by neighboring countries.

“And there’s also no question about your tourism. Cebu is a preferred destination. That’s why I’m glad to (see) new hotels here and new resorts and other facilities,” he said.

^^ i believe that company is Orix Corp. of Japan. Sana nga their talks will be successful to jumpstart the construction of the airport's new terminal. Mr. Favila said ORIX is looking at infusing equity into the Cebu airport upgrade, estimated to cost $8.8 million. The existing proposal to expand the Mactan-Cebu airport involves four new air bridges to handle expected growth in the number of passengers.

^^

It's possible that Fuente Tower III will be built between Metrobank and Crown Regency, (or at the site of Abuhan Dos?). Maybe King has already paid the property owners there.

That's a more practical solution rather than embark on an expensive one which is to buy out the entire EMSU Complex only to have it demolished to pave way for a skyscraper.

what's EMSU?

^^ EMSU is the 8-storey building beside crown regency with circular windows and that houses the McDonald's..

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/418/img04816bd24kv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
pic by sugbuanun.

^^

It's possible that Fuente Tower III will be built between Metrobank and Crown Regency, (or at the site of Abuhan Dos?). Maybe King has already paid the property owners there.

That's a more practical solution rather than embark on an expensive one which is to buy out the entire EMSU Complex only to have it demolished to pave way for a skyscraper.

I thought Tower 3 be built at the back of EMSU building along roadside.

I thought Tower 3 be built at the back of EMSU building along roadside.

the article mentioned a bridgeway from the upcoming Tower 3 connecting to Crown Regency's pool area. and that pool area is on the side facing Metrobank Tower.

EMSU looks good with all those holes and everything...

^^

EMSU Hotel looks like the Jardine House in Hongkong

http://www.12hk.com/area/Central/JardineHouse_PHOT0284.jpg

^^ if EMSU were taller, it would really be a copycat. hehehe. bai, naa bai intellectual property rights for building designs?

^^

Naa bai, pero dako man kaayo ug difference ang EMSU and Jardine House in terms of height, shape, etc..

I think ma sue if exact jud ang copy..

I got this aerial photo from another forum:

Photo by WindShear...

This was shot last February 6.


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/rsdorado/cebu2.jpg

Population, Health, Environment Conference in Cebu
March 15, 2006

Cebu City is becoming a favorite venue for national and international conferences and conventions in recent years owing to its excellent peace and order situation and state-of-the-art world-class facilities.

On March 15-17, the premier capital of the south is set to host the 2nd national conference on Population, Health and Environment (PHE) that will take place at the posh Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug. With the theme “PHE: Creating our Future”, it aims to gather together key players from the population, health, and environment sector from different parts of the country and some prominent personalities from selected UN agencies and US universities.

Continue... (http://www.ngkhai.net/cebu/2006/03/15/population-health-environment-conference-in-cebu/#more-765)

Here's another one:

Just click on the link because the dimensions of the pic are so large.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/rsdorado/Cebu1.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/rsdorado/Cebu.jpg

I got this aerial photo from another forum:

This was shot last February 6.


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/rsdorado/cebu2.jpg

wow beautiful! do u think there is still enough space for parallel runway II at Mactan International Airport?

^^

I really don't have any idea how they're going to do it. Part of the plan is a reclamation in Barangay Ibo at the northern part of the runway.

Notice too rusty18 that MCIAA's taxiway looks like a parallel runway too... Hehehehehe

ang Bigfoot Film Academy sa mactan kay IT park naman diay no? SO ang Lapu Lapu naanay IT park.

ang Bigfoot Film Academy sa mactan kay IT park naman diay no? SO ang Lapu Lapu naanay IT park.

ngano man di na diay na film school ?

National tourism groups help push Cebu as convention hub
By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman 03/16/2006

National tourism bodies are now helping Cebu to become an international convention hub, as National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAs) and Skal-Philippines are jointly pushing two international conventions to be held in Cebu.

Two huge international conventions may be held in Cebu in the next two years, if NAITAS in cooperation with Skal International-Cebu will be able to convince organizers of these events to consider Cebu as their host.

The Skal International Asian Assembly and the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention may be held in Cebu in 2008, both are expected to attract thousands of foreign delegates, said NAITAS president Robert Lim Joseph in a recent meeting with NAITAS members in Cebu.

The Skal International Asian Assembly alone could draw around 3,000 to 5,000 delegates including their spouses and other family members, Joseph said.

Skal International-Cebu president Efren Belarmino will lead the bidding for this convention to be held in Cebu, with the help of NAITAS, Joseph said.

According the Joseph, NAITAS believes that Cebu has the charm to attract huge international participation because of its enchanting location, which offers all-in-one benefits, business and leisure.

Each participant is calculated to spend at least US$750 to US$1,000, for a three-night, four days stay in Cebu.

Also, Joseph stressed that NAITAS is also strong pushing for the holding of 5th Global Filipino Networking Congress in 2008. On September 28 to October 1, this year, NAITAS and other Filipino participants will be going to Hawaii for the 4th Global Filipino Convention.

According to Joseph, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) through its chairperson Loida Nicolas Lewis was very happy of the good turn out of the 3rd Global Pinoy Congress held in Cebu last year.

Joseph who is based in Manila, but had long been an "adopted son" of Cebu, said "When you come to Cebu you are honored, when you leave Cebu you are a friend, when you come back to Cebu you are [part] family," he said.
The Global Pinoys he said are the wealthy individuals, who earn in dollars, they are expected to spend more in shopping, and dining, entertainment, and other packages Cebu can offer.

While the participants of the Skal-International Asian Convention are the front liners in the travel and tourism industry, these include international hoteliers, media, tour operators, shipping line owners, international airline operators, among others, these people are good tools to promote Cebu in their respective countries, Joseph stressed.

NAITAs is an association of small and medium travel agents and operators in the Philippines, it has over 900 members nationwide.

^^ Surely our bid will become stronger after the CICC gets built.

ngano man di na diay na film school ?

Film school ghapun bai. but maybe because of its IT-wise equipment and facilities, gitawag na siya ug IT park.

ngano man di na diay na film school ?

Film school gihapon and it is also about Informatin Tech that's why Arroyo declared it as an IT park, proclamation 989 by pres arroyo :okay:

An aerial of a portion of the South Coastal Road in SRP from The Freeman:
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5376/aerial1zb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

An aerial of a portion of the South Coastal Road in SRP from The Freeman:
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5376/aerial1zb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

is there a space along that road beside the sea that can be planted with palm trees like the one near malacanang? that would be like Roxas blvd. if they'll plant trees along that stretch.

^^ unfortunately bai wala. its pure concrete seawall. but it is possible if they will just put soil on top of it. :D

pero that stretch from SUGBO building upto that curved bridge in Talisay vicinity, it will be planted palm trees like that near malacañan sa sugbo and it will be converted as a seafront park with fountains, foodstalls, bright lamps etc. It will be an exact version of Roxas blvd here in Cebu but the difference is that the distance from the road upto the seaside is quite wide compared to roxas blvd which only few meters from the road.

Thursday, March 16, 2006
CH hopes to raise P575M from lot sale to pay SRP debt
By Gingging A. Campaña
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

Cebu City Hall will bid out some 4.6 hectares of its property in the North Reclamation area to help pay for its loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to build the South Reclamation Project (SRP).

If it sells about 46,000 square meters at P12,500 per square meters at the minimum, the City can earn close to P600 million by the yearend.

The payment should be made in cash.

“What’s the problem? That’s a fact. It’s not a misinterpretation. I got PEA’s (the Public Estates Authority’s) approval for us to sell it. It was due to be sold. We ran into a so called deficit because we did not sell it,” Mayor Tomas Osmeña told a news conference yesterday.

Osmeña also announced that the “Cebu South Coastal Road is certified to withstand more load than any road in Cebu except that of the Mactan runway.”

He said the road can carry 40 tons.

The mayor was reacting to reports that vibrations can be felt whenever a heavy cargo truck passes the SRP.

“It is rated for 40 tons even with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Even the viaduct, you fill all the lanes with trucks nothing is going to happen. There is no risk at all,” Osmeña said.

“There is a possibility that you would feel some vibration when a heavy truck travels at a hundred kilometers per hour, which they travel sometimes, but it’s not going to collapse. It’s very hard for a road to collapse,” he further said.

The City Government is paying P600 million in amortization this year to the Land Bank of the Philippines, JBIC’s conduit, for the SRP loan.

For the 12.292-billion yen loan that was obtained almost a decade ago, Cebu City has to pay P6.3 billion, at today’s exchange rate.

Last February, the City paid 581 million yen or P267 million to the Land Bank of the Philippines before its due date.

According to Land Bank’s loan amortization repayment schedule until 2025, the payables could hit P10.16 billion, including the interest and guarantee fees.

But if City Hall is able to pay in advance a huge portion of its principal, its payables might amount to less than P10 billion by 2025.

By the time the City Government sells the lots at the North Reclamation Area, all the offices of the City’s extension offices will have to be transferred, including the Department of Engineering and Public Works, the Department of Public Services, the Mobile Patrol Group, the City’s depot and garage.

That’s why the mayor wanted to include in the terms of reference that City Hall be allowed to use the property for two years even if it is already sold and transferred to the buyer’s name.

This way, the City will have enough time to transfer its offices.

^^ Whatever happened to the negotiations with Bigfoot? Bigfoot is still in “serious” negotiation with the Cebu City Government for a possible expansion at the South Reclamation Project, said John Joseph Mercado, CEO of Bigfoot Global Solutions Inc, Cebu.

Investors’ interest in CV up, indicates bullish ’06
From P2.9B in 2004 to P17.7B last year
By Aurelia l. Castro
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

The Board of Investments (BOI) foresees this year to be “bullish,” saying the level of interest in investment in Central Visayas is high even this early.

“We already have 22 investment leads gathered from January to early this month. They have inquired and are now in the process of applying for incentives,” BOI Cebu extension office chief Ernesto Pintac told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

Hotel

Three of the 22 investment leads he mentioned are resort and hotel investment projects in Cebu that would have an estimate project cost of P1.5 billion to P2 billion.

“There were also eight investment leads for resorts and pension houses in Bohol,” he said.

The biggest prospect is from a British investor, which plans to put in some P250 million to P300 million in a resort project in Bohol, he added.

He said other prospects include an expansion project in the furniture industry worth P150 million to P200 million and a shipbuilding investment of about P150 million to P200 million.

The BOI gives incentives like income tax holidays, tax and customs duty exemptions on capital equipment and spare parts and net operating loss carryover to qualified firms.

Attractive

Pintac, however, stressed that BOI incentives only serve as “bonus” for the investors.

“Cebu, with or without BOI incentives, is an attractive place to invest in. The huge demand for services and products in Cebu is one reason investors come,” he said.

The boost in the region’s tourism is one reason there are a good number of investors that will invest in resorts and hotels in Cebu, he said.

Back in business

In a forum yesterday organized by the Philippine Information Agency at Bigfoot Building, Pintac reported a total of P17.7 billion worth of investment projects in Central Visayas last year, 90 percent to 95 percent of which were poured in Cebu.

“We are happy to announce we’re back in business,” he said.

In 2004, BOI registered only P2.9 billion in investment projects.

The P17.7 billion in 2005 is the highest record of investment in six years since the Asian crisis, Pintac said.

John Joseph Mercado, chief executive officer of Bigfoot Global Solutions Inc., said Cebu’s human resource, telecommunications infrastructure and accessibility made the company choose Cebu as investment location in the country.

Bigfoot group of companies, one of the firms that registered for BOI incentives, had invested around $25 million to $30 million in five years since its operation in Cebu, he said.

The firm hired about 600 Cebuanos since 2001 and now has a monthly payroll of P10 million to P15 million, he added.

“We constantly have plans for expansion,” he said.

Bigfoot is in “serious” negotiation with the Cebu City Government for a possible expansion at the South Reclamation Project, he added.

National tourism groups help push Cebu as convention hub
By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman 03/16/2006

The Skal International Asian Assembly and the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention may be held in Cebu in 2008, both are expected to attract thousands of foreign delegates, said NAITAS president Robert Lim Joseph in a recent meeting with NAITAS members in Cebu.

The Skal International Asian Assembly alone could draw around 3,000 to 5,000 delegates including their spouses and other family members, Joseph said.

Wow! year-on-year, Cebu is always on the spotlight. :okay: grabe, Cebu is a very strong contender. any idea guys what other destination bidding for the events? for hotel accommodation, Cebu has been addressing the room shortage issue.

Major Metro Cebu Hotels expected to open within year 2006
5-star Marco Polo Plaza – 335 rooms
5-star Coral Reef Resort Mactan – 1000 rooms
Parklane International Hotel – 220 rooms
GV Hotel Downtown Cebu – 100 rooms
Vistamar Condotel Mactan, Phase I – 126 rooms
Plantation Bay Mactan expansion

Major Metro Cebu Hotels to open in year 2007
5-star Crown Regency Hotel, Fuente Towers Complex – 300 rooms
5-star SM Hotel (Former Sheraton) – 220 rooms
5-star InterCon Hotel Towers Mactan – 700 rooms
EGI Cebu Mactan Condominium Hotel – 177 rooms

In just two years, there'll be a total of 3,000++ new hotel rooms in addition to the present 7,000+ hotel accommodation in Cebu, as we speak. How's that? ;)

^^by the way
Skal International 32nd Asian Assembly 2004 - Kathmandu
Skal International 33rd Asian Assembly 2005 - Guam
Skal International 34th Asian Assembly 2006 - Phuket Thailand
Skal International 35th Asian Assembly 2007 - Mauritius
Skal International 36th Asian Assembly 2008 - Cebu???

65th Skal World Congress 2004 - Durban, South Africa
66th Skal World Congress 2005 - Zagreb, Croatia
67th Skal World Congress 2006 - Pattaya Thailand
68th Skal World Congress 2007 - Turkey
69th Skal World Congress 2008 - ???

^^

I really don't have any idea how they're going to do it. Part of the plan is a reclamation in Barangay Ibo at the northern part of the runway.

Notice too rusty18 that MCIAA's taxiway looks like a parallel runway too... Hehehehehe

hmm.. that photo was like taken from Google.Earth :D i can't wait for the second runway to get built. and of course, MCIA Terminal II :okay:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/ASEAN/12Summit.jpg
Here's my contribution for the ASEAN Summit :D -Rusty™

^^by the way
Skal International 32nd Asian Assembly 2004 - Kathmandu
Skal International 33rd Asian Assembly 2005 - Guam
Skal International 34th Asian Assembly 2006 - Phuket Thailand
Skal International 35th Asian Assembly 2007 - Mauritius
Skal International 36th Asian Assembly 2008 - Cebu???

65th Skal World Congress 2004 - Durban, South Africa
66th Skal World Congress 2005 - Zagreb, Croatia
67th Skal World Congress 2006 - Pattaya Thailand
68th Skal World Congress 2007 - Turkey
69th Skal World Congress 2008 - ???

i hope cebu wins those two conventions. like thailand, kanang duha jud.
Go Cebu.................... :cheers:

Investors’ interest in CV up, indicates bullish ’06
By Aurelia l. Castro
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

The Board of Investments (BOI) foresees this year to be “bullish,” saying the level of interest in investment in Central Visayas is high even this early.

“We already have 22 investment leads gathered from January to early this month. They have inquired and are now in the process of applying for incentives,” BOI Cebu extension office chief Ernesto Pintac told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

Hotel

Three of the 22 investment leads he mentioned are resort and hotel investment projects in Cebu that would have an estimate project cost of P1.5 billion to P2 billion.

“There were also eight investment leads for resorts and pension houses in Bohol,” he said.

The biggest prospect is from a British investor, which plans to put in some P250 million to P300 million in a resort project in Bohol, he added.

He said other prospects include an expansion project in the furniture industry worth P150 million to P200 million and a shipbuilding investment of about P150 million to P200 million.

The BOI gives incentives like income tax holidays, tax and customs duty exemptions on capital equipment and spare parts and net operating loss carryover to qualified firms.

Attractive

Pintac, however, stressed that BOI incentives only serve as “bonus” for the investors.

“Cebu, with or without BOI incentives, is an attractive place to invest in. The huge demand for services and products in Cebu is one reason investors come,” he said.

The boost in the region’s tourism is one reason there are a good number of investors that will invest in resorts and hotels in Cebu, he said.

Back in business

In a forum yesterday organized by the Philippine Information Agency at Bigfoot Building, Pintac reported a total of P17.7 billion worth of investment projects in Central Visayas last year, 90 percent to 95 percent of which were poured in Cebu.

“We are happy to announce we’re back in business,” he said.

In 2004, BOI registered only P2.9 billion in investment projects.

The P17.7 billion in 2005 is the highest record of investment in six years since the Asian crisis, Pintac said.

John Joseph Mercado, chief executive officer of Bigfoot Global Solutions Inc., said Cebu’s human resource, telecommunications infrastructure and accessibility made the company choose Cebu as investment location in the country.

Bigfoot group of companies, one of the firms that registered for BOI incentives, had invested around $25 million to $30 million in five years since its operation in Cebu, he said.

The firm hired about 600 Cebuanos since 2001 and now has a monthly payroll of P10 million to P15 million, he added.

“We constantly have plans for expansion,” he said.

Bigfoot is in “serious” negotiation with the Cebu City Government for a possible expansion at the South Reclamation Project, he added.


For Bisaya stories from Cebu

Investors’ interest in CV up, indicates bullish ’06
From P2.9B in 2004 to P17.7B last year
By Aurelia l. Castro
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

Bigfoot group of companies, one of the firms that registered for BOI incentives, had invested around $25 million to $30 million in five years since its operation in Cebu, he said.

The firm hired about 600 Cebuanos since 2001 and now has a monthly payroll of P10 million to P15 million, he added.

“We constantly have plans for expansion,” he said.

Bigfoot is in “serious” negotiation with the Cebu City Government for a possible expansion at the South Reclamation Project, he added.

additional report about this article about bigfoot.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=shbMKeA1s40


i hope cebu wins those two conventions. like thailand, kanang duha jud.
Go Cebu....................

The Skal International Asian Assembly and the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention may be held in Cebu in 2008, both are expected to attract thousands of foreign delegates, said NAITAS president Robert Lim Joseph in a recent meeting with NAITAS members in Cebu.

does this mean we still have to bid or we will already be the one to host these 2 international events this 2008?

So with these international conventions that Cebu is hosting and will host, IMO, Cebu will excell internationally and the Philippines' representative worldwide. The moment they hear CEBU, it is peaceful, progressive, attractive, a must visit, breathtaking, beautiful and a lot more positive notes in their minds :D eventhough it is a province of a chaotic Philippines.... it is because Cebu is compared to other places here in the Philippines like Manila or Mindanao... there is on a contrary or a clear contrast between Cebu and other places here in the country, like it will be compared to Manila which is chaotic and in contrary it will be marked in their minds that Cebu is peaceful (like comparing white and black or dagul and yao ming) that is a + factor for Cebu hehe. The ASEAN summit will be held here in Cebu this December and I know their (PM's and foreign delegations) question "why will it be held in Cebu, there is a bigger and more capable Manila?" and they will answer in 'maybe'... MAYBE CEBU is a peaceful city that's why, MAYBE CEBU is also equal to Manila interms of capability when we speak of convention hostings that's why, MAYBE CEBU can give us more than what we want like leisure activities that's why etc... Curiousity about Cebu will make Cebu shine more and excel in many factors GLOBALLY. Cebu is already becoming more famous outside the Philippines...:okay: kung sa artista pa, murag niapil og PBB kay nag hinay hinay og nag paspas paspas og kasikat :D

reading this thread makes me really believe that there REALLY is an imperial cebu. i understand davao, being a smaller market, too provincial, less sophisticated and offers a bit less fizz, the gap between cebu and davao is getting wide. i just dont see it good for cebu getting all this developments. there are a lot more cities and areas that are in need of this developments and i believe negros and siquijor are already griping about the situation. cebu is like sucking all the resources and investments down south. its BAD, and its not GOOD! i think il just settle with manila and the 4th city, whatever that 4th city is.

reading this thread makes me really believe that there REALLY is an imperial cebu. i understand davao, being a smaller market, too provincial, less sophisticated and offers a bit less fizz, the gap between cebu and davao is getting wide. i just dont see it good for cebu getting all this developments. there are a lot more cities and areas that are in need of this developments and i believe negros and siquijor are already griping about the situation. cebu is like sucking all the resources and investments down south. its BAD, and its not GOOD! i think il just settle with manila and the 4th city, whatever that 4th city is.

i think davao's market is the same or if i'm not mistaken bigger than cebu's, considering that nearby provinces can easily go to the city. same is true with CDO :)

^^ yeah i understand. but the thing is i think cebu is just starting to re-vitalize itself from the slump of '97. we believe that we have the potential to become even more progressive (just as what other cities are trying their best to achieve). maybe the investors are happy with how things are working here. manila is indeed getting crowded by the day, thats why they are looking for alternatives, and cebu maybe is on top of their list. but i think once they become well-established here, they will then look for another place to invest. every market has its own saturation or over-saturation point, and that will definitely happen to cebu.

Everything has its place and time in the sun, and Cebu's time is now. Oppurtunities come, and we grab it. We are offering what we have now, and we are pleased with the response.

We just want to prove our worth not as a great city, but as a city that can provide and sustain a good life to its citizens and investors.

I hope you will be happy for cebu bai, just as we are happy for the developments in davao, cdo and other cities. :)

OT: Are you aware of this ILOVECEBU forumer?

^ Who's he and what has he done ?

@valium, I understand your concern but to be honest with you, I don't think Cebu deserves the 'imperial' status. Because Cebu has NEVER been selfish to anyone and every Cebuano is a witness to that.

So please tell them that we will do our best to have a new AIRPORT on our own.

Imo, Cebu is not yet imperial. Compare it with Manila, it still has a long way to go with its roads, transportation, infrastructure, EVERYTHING! I agree with MarkiiBoi. Cebu is just standing up from the 1997 Asian Crisis.

reading this thread makes me really believe that there REALLY is an imperial cebu. i understand davao, being a smaller market, too provincial, less sophisticated and offers a bit less fizz, the gap between cebu and davao is getting wide. i just dont see it good for cebu getting all this developments. there are a lot more cities and areas that are in need of this developments and i believe negros and siquijor are already griping about the situation. cebu is like sucking all the resources and investments down south. its BAD, and its not GOOD! i think il just settle with manila and the 4th city, whatever that 4th city is.

whether you like it or not the progress of cebu has something to do with its location, history, hard working people, and the beauty of the islands.

additional report about this article about bigfoot.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=shbMKeA1s40

The Skal International Asian Assembly and the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention may be held in Cebu in 2008, both are expected to attract thousands of foreign delegates, said NAITAS president Robert Lim Joseph in a recent meeting with NAITAS members in Cebu.

does this mean we still have to bid or we will already be the one to host these 2 international events this 2008?


Cebu still has to bid for the hosting of these events thru the help of Skal International, Makati chapter and the National Association of Independent Travel Agents (NAITAS) according to Robert Lim, the president of the association. Hope these events will be held in Cebu at CICC.

imperial? aw empire na diay ning cebu karon, toinks! seriously, i dont think cebu can be tagged as imperial, because like other provinces in mindanao and visayas, most of the taxes we pay here in cebu goes to manila's infrastructure and other projects. you can call cebu imperial if money from other provinces are being spent solely for cebu's infras. and cebu has been a big bro to other provinces in visayas and mindanao. cebu offers as a better alternative to manila, and it would cost them less to work in cebu than in manila. and most of the provinces has an affinity with cebu, its more than the laguage because as it is, cebu is also viewed as a probinsya, and this sterotyped view has an effect on other provinces kay makasulti man sila na "see, cebu, being a probinsya, pareho nato, had astronomical progress, makaya sad na nato" and cebu and its people is a living testament that a mere probinsya can bite manila's tail.

another thing why i dont see cebu as imperial because what progress cebu is having will also translate to other provinces progress, its like a ripple effect. cebu's progress is the countryside's progress. foreigners see the philippines as manila, what they dont see is there is more to the philippines than manila, and if they only see the other side of the philippines beyond manila, i think we will have a brighter future, some developments in manila are great, but we have to admit, manila's image is very much tainted abroad, that it would take other places in the philippines to reverse that image, cebu being one along with davao, CDO, bacolod, iloilo, clark/subic, baguio, la union, palawan and boracay.

and lastly, why i dont see cebu as imperial

many years ago, decades i think, cebu was swept away and literally parang winalis (my father saw this damage from an aerial view through a plane) ang cebu, this was typhoon ruping. and cebu didnt recieve any support from the national government because wala nay kwarta ang gobyerno tungod sa mt. pinatubo disaster. cebu kept quiet while doomsayers are saying that it will be the end of cebu, that cebu will take two years to recover. but as we all know it didnt happen, and cebu is back in two months. why im telling this? cebu experienced this massive damage brought about by ruping, and they know what a great blow it is when is happens to a place. so when the great flashflood in ormoc happened, even before the manila press and the national government were able to blink an eye, cebu was there to help ormoc. the first rescue team in ormoc came from cebu. the first relief efforts and donations came from cebu city and provincial government. this was replicated again in ginsaugon. and cebu was there to morally support davao city when davao was bombed. representatives of the city government of cebu along with mayor osmeña came to davao city wearing t-shirts printed with cebu loves davao. i know this is not the right place to brag about what cebu has done to other places and good deeds are better left unannounced, but saying cebu is imperial makes me spill all this stuff. and i hope you our dear friend valium, will get a big wake-me-up-slap in the face after reading this post. i have been reading other threads, and none of your posts says anything positive about anything. and i dont want you to bring your dirty tactics in this thread, and as your trademark dear valium, CIAO CIAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bigfoot plans expansion
Firm to invest millions in another
soundstage if conditions are met
Published: 16 March 2006

by Irene R. Sino Cruz

THE Bigfoot Group of companies plans to invest in a multimillion-dollar expansion of the International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT) facility in Mactan.

Joe Mercado, Bigfoot Communications president, said the Bigfoot group is considering expansion of its Mactan facility as well as set up another soundstage in the South Road Properties (formerly South Reclamation Project) if the company reaches an agreement with property owner, the Cebu City government.

"We have huge plans - medium term plans and scaled up plans," Mercado said. Aside from the proposed sound stage project, he said, the company is looking at the possibility of building a marina at the South Road Properties (SRP).

"We sent a team over from Hawaii to do a study for a world-class marina," he said.

He noted that the company would like to set up a sound stage at SRP but with an option to have adjacent space for expansion if the demand goes up.
The company spent about US$10 million for the completed sound stage, which is about 300 square meters, in the Mactan facility, Mercado said.

The proposed sound stage to be built at the South Road Properties is about 3,000 square meters, according to Bigfoot Entertainment chief operating officer Matthew Lubetich.

Lubetich said the company would need between three to four stages of this size, since this is the required size to enable film companies to build indoor sets.

Having the 3,000-square-meter sound stage would enable Cebu to attain Bigfoot's vision of making it ideal for location shoots of feature films, he said.

Lubetich said making Cebu a venue for location shoots would benefit Cebu in several ways.

First, he said, Cebu would be given exposure, through the foreign actors and production staff.

The acquisition of the Philippine franchise of FashionTV would also expose Cebu since Bigfoot has to produce one-hour programming to be featured on an international network, Lubetich added.

"We would like Cebu to become more of a Phuket of Thailand," he said.

For his part, Mercado noted that the shooting of films here will pour in huge sums into the local economy.

"For every dollar spent on the film, another US$8 is poured into the local economy," he pointed out.

Because of the impact on the economy some countries like Singapore subsidizes dollar for dollar location shootings, Mercado said.

Aside from hiring locals for production work, Lubetich said, film companies would need suppliers of costume to be used by the actors, food and transportation, among others.

The Bigfoot group has invested between US$25 million to US$30 million in Cebu since it established operations here in 2000, Mercado said. He placed the company workforce at 500 to 600 and the monthly payroll at P10 million to P15 million.

"but i think once they become well-established here, they will then look for another place to invest. every market has its own saturation or over-saturation point, and that will definitely happen to cebu."

The determining factors for this saturation point will depend on the sustainability of powers delivered from Negros and Tongonan, Leyte as well as the availability of water Inabanga River from Bohol. Of course, it is a quid pro quo. That's why Cebu is trying to show it is helping its neighbors for fear that it is going to be a one way affair. Once the bridges connecting Bohol and Negros to Cebu are built then Cebu's tentacles are going to get even bigger.

i hope cebu will grow as organized as singapore does.. :)

reading this thread makes me really believe that there REALLY is an imperial cebu. i understand davao, being a smaller market, too provincial, less sophisticated and offers a bit less fizz, the gap between cebu and davao is getting wide. i just dont see it good for cebu getting all this developments. there are a lot more cities and areas that are in need of this developments and i believe negros and siquijor are already griping about the situation. cebu is like sucking all the resources and investments down south. its BAD, and its not GOOD! i think il just settle with manila and the 4th city, whatever that 4th city is.

reading this thread made me convinced that while most say the Philippines has not grown, Cebu in contrary has grown exponentially. How could it become imperial if the National Gov't is way up there in Manila? Is it Cebu sucking resources or being sucked by southern counterparts? come on, foreign investors choose to invest in Cebu. who's marketing Cebu? nobody else than the local government itself, as opposed to Manila which obviously is powered by the whole Philippines. so while Cebu's growth is unstoppable, it is and it will remain as the envy of the Philippine islands! kiddin :lol:

another thing why i dont see cebu as imperial because what progress cebu is having will also translate to other provinces progress, its like a ripple effect. cebu's progress is the countryside's progress.

very well said pau :okay: the potential of our neighbor cities will remain undiscovered if it weren't for Cebu. and that's one hell of a fact.

"but i think once they become well-established here, they will then look for another place to invest. every market has its own saturation or over-saturation point, and that will definitely happen to cebu."

The determining factors for this saturation point will depend on the sustainability of powers delivered from Negros and Tongonan, Leyte as well as the availability of water Inabanga River from Bohol. Of course, it is a quid pro quo. That's why Cebu is trying to show it is helping its neighbors for fear that it is going to be a one way affair. Once the bridges connecting Bohol and Negros to Cebu are built then Cebu's tentacles are going to get even bigger.

this situation was carefully studied... If experts see this scenario will happen soon regarding the water and power problem, they would have told everyone to avoid investing in Cebu coz they have scarcity of power and water but that fact that investors continue to invest here in Cebu coz they found out that Cebu can give and can sustain everything from power supplies to human resources.


mga bai, CEBU IS TRYING TO SHOW IT IS HELPING IT"S NEIGHBORS
pakitang tao lang pala at hindi bukal sa loob ang pag tulong ng mga Cebuanos sa iba... okay, cguro, maybe... hehe. Sakto bai, tag singko ra :D

^^what's a city with all the resources pero without INVESTMENT quality or star quality? :? i mean, South Korea is a rich city with no natural resources. Singapore and Hong Kong have limited resources too. wtf?

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/ASEAN/12Summit.jpg
Here's my contribution for the ASEAN Summit :D -Rusty™

Nice! :okay: I'm so sure that the Marcelo Fernan Bridge will be full of flags during the ASEAN Summit.

thanks mike! yeah, Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the longest center span cable-stayed bridge in the world. world-class lagi ang Cebu noh? maka afford man gud.

ya right... the article posted by sinjin bout the Ayala Cebu expansion was very promising. Im wonderin what brands are they gonna bring to Cebu? Like the one in G4? (take note, they said its gonna be more than greenbelt)... :)

"what's a city with all the resources pero without INVESTMENT quality or star quality? i mean, South Korea is a rich city with no natural resources. Singapore and Hong Kong have limited resources too. wtf?"

Let's try and close the Johore and Guandong aqueducts and see if the luster of the INVESTMENT quality will still be there. Everything is part of the whole picture. Singapore and Hong Kong won't be viable without the assistance of its neighbors, Johore and Guandong, respectively. No man is an island.

mga pips ask ko f kinsa na naka dungog ninyo sa banda nga Missing Filemon? Cool au ang "suroysuroy" nga song kay all about Cebu. Bisdak ni cla nga banda.

ya right... the article posted by sinjin bout the Ayala Cebu expansion was very promising. Im wonderin what brands are they gonna bring to Cebu? Like the one in G4? (take note, they said its gonna be more than greenbelt)... :)

Yeah, more than Greenbelt. So what will it be equal to? Siam Paragon? :cool:

^^^ wtf! ya i went to siam paragon last week (one hr flt from Laos, where I live) ... and wtf..... its just a bigger greenbelt.... with all the high end shops.. fit for Bangkok. :)

"what's a city with all the resources pero without INVESTMENT quality or star quality? i mean, South Korea is a rich city with no natural resources. Singapore and Hong Kong have limited resources too. wtf?"

Let's try and close the Johore and Guandong aqueducts and see if the luster of the INVESTMENT quality will still be there. Everything is part of the whole picture. Singapore and Hong Kong won't be viable without the assistance of its neighbors, Johore and Guandong, respectively. No man is an island.

you're right. but what i'm trying to point out is, what's wrong with Cebu getting power and water from neighboring islands? the local gov't is paying for it anyway. that "one-way affair" will not happen. Cebu needs them and they need Cebu's money. and accusing Cebu as "nagpapakitang tao lang" with its neighbors for fear of "one-way affair" is baseless and irrelevant.

^^^ wtf! ya i went to siam paragon last week (one hr flt from Laos, where I live) ... and wtf..... its just a bigger greenbelt.... with all the high end shops.. fit for Bangkok. :)

We'll still have to wait 3 years. Sigh. So, that'll be 2009 yet?!? SM said that it's annex building will be operational mid next year but I don't think so because the construction is not going on schedule.

^^ ya right @sinjin, I am very excited to hear all these... :)

Bigfoot plans expansion
Firm to invest millions in another
soundstage if conditions are met
Published: 16 March 2006

^^ this article is referring to the South Road Properties expansion. on the other hand, Bigfoot's Mactan campus has been officially declared as I.T. park. this one reminds me few months ago when all of us panicked about the alleged CANCELLATION of the BIGFOOT MACTAN CAMPUS PROJECT. i was so upset. now we have all the reason to celebrate :drunk: ang sa masuya lang! hahaha

Mactan to host new IT park
Published: 16 March 2006
CEBU CITY -- The Bigfoot Global Solutions, Inc., property that hosts the International Academy of Film and Television in Mactan has been declared as an information technology (IT) park. Proclamation No. 989, which was issued on February 6, covers four parcels of land with a total land area of 19,167 square meters.

Matthew Lubetich, Bigfoot Entertainment chief operations officer, announced that they would proceed with their expansion plans.

"We plan to construct four soundstages which will accommodate as many as 1,500 people," Mr. Lubetich said in a forum yesterday. One soundstage has been completed while the second is 50% complete.

International Academy of Film and TV
Bigfoot Global Solutions, Inc.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/IAFTV/campus_small.jpg
Soundstage 1 is operational
Soundstage 2 - 50% complete
Cassanova Inn (dorm) - operational

Mactan campus expansion plan:
Soundstage 3
Soundstage 4
Condotel

South Road Properties, Cebu City
Bigfoot (IAFT) expansion plan:
World-class marina
Soundstage 1
Soundstage 2, 3, 4 - tentative

Cebu Coastal Road vibrations 'normal'
Published: 16 March 2006


Cebu Daily News

PUBLIC works officials yesterday assured that the P6-billion Cebu South Coastal Road was structurally sound and built "according to the highest international standards."

Nilo Pamaylaon, director of the Metro Cebu Development Project, said the road was thoroughly inspected by the Department of Public Works and Highways before it was accepted by the government.

Pamaylaon said the coastal road could accommodate 40 tons of load like other world-class highways.

He said "vibrations" in the concrete structure was natural and should not cause alarm among motorists.

The main carriageway of the road was also certified to be in top form, according to DPWH inspectors.

"That is why we put iron frames in the concrete, to give the structure flexibility. If it's too rigid, it would just break. Even the (Marcelo) Fernan Bridge (which spans Mandaue City and Mactan Island) vibrates," Pamaylaon said.

Nigel Paul Villarete, manager of the South Reclamation Project, also defended the highway, which cuts through the 290-hectare Cebu City property.

"Vibration is a natural phenomenon. That road was designed to accommodate trucks at high speed. Naturally, there should be vibrations," Villarete said. "The road was designed for 40 tons. You can't even find any 40-ton vehicle in the Philippines right now."

Only three of the five major segments of the 12-kilometer highway have been turned over by Japanese contractors to the national government.

The offshore ramp of the viaduct, which connects the highway to the Carbon Market in downtown Cebu City, is still undergoing final stages of construction, while the 1.2-kilometer subway is still in the bidding process.

^^ ya right @sinjin, I am very excited to hear all these... :)

ei ashton! howdy...chrizzy said hello...and jyla as well...when will u be back daw?

Anyway, niadto ko ayala kanina ba...hapit na mahuman ang sales office sa Tower Palace while nag start na pud ang pagkalot sa towers fronting ACC and Pag-ibig Towers. Ang Parklane Hotel kay hapit na jud mahuman....complete na ilang manpower. nakahire na pud sila! new constructions, new investments, new jobs! :banana:

^^ this article is referring to the South Road Properties expansion. on the other hand, Bigfoot's Mactan campus has been officially declared as I.T. park. this one reminds me few months ago when all of us panicked about the alleged CANCELLATION of the BIGFOOT MACTAN CAMPUS PROJECT. i was so upset. now we have all the reason to celebrate :drunk: ang sa masuya lang! hahaha

Mactan to host new IT park
Published: 16 March 2006
CEBU CITY -- The Bigfoot Global Solutions, Inc., property that hosts the International Academy of Film and Television in Mactan has been declared as an information technology (IT) park. Proclamation No. 989, which was issued on February 6, covers four parcels of land with a total land area of 19,167 square meters.

Matthew Lubetich, Bigfoot Entertainment chief operations officer, announced that they would proceed with their expansion plans.

"We plan to construct four soundstages which will accommodate as many as 1,500 people," Mr. Lubetich said in a forum yesterday. One soundstage has been completed while the second is 50% complete.

International Academy of Film and TV
Bigfoot Global Solutions, Inc.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/cebupics2/IAFTV/campus_small.jpg
Soundstage 1 is operational
Soundstage 2 - 50% complete
Cassanova Inn (dorm) - operational

Mactan campus expansion plan:
Soundstage 3
Soundstage 4
Condotel

South Road Properties, Cebu City
Bigfoot (IAFT) expansion plan:
World-class marina
Soundstage 1
Soundstage 2, 3, 4 - tentative


ei rusty!!! musta!! by the way...bout FTV of Bigfoot - diba they will be handling classes there sa MActan facility nila?

Currently, they have a booth inside Ayala. They have been recruiting future Cebuano/na models na rin! And based from what i noticed kanina - the booth is a big hit! daghan kaayo naglinya for inquiries! :)

ei ashton! howdy...chrizzy said hello...and jyla as well...when will u be back daw?

Anyway, niadto ko ayala kanina ba...hapit na mahuman ang sales office sa Tower Palace while nag start na pud ang pagkalot sa towers fronting ACC and Pag-ibig Towers. Ang Parklane Hotel kay hapit na jud mahuman....complete na ilang manpower. nakahire na pud sila! new constructions, new investments, new jobs! :banana:

How about the new Ayala Jeepney and VHire Terminal? I saw it being unfenced last week. Musta na today, operational na?

How about the new Ayala Jeepney and VHire Terminal? I saw it being unfenced last week. Musta na today, operational na?

hi sinjin! nope...its aint operational yet. But the area is open na. remember last week? jeepneys will have to go through that small opening fronting the City Sports Club and Cebu Holdings? Now that area has been closed and jeepneys now go through a different opening fronting the future TOWER PALACE CONDO.

^^ Oh, the South Surface Parking entrance?

ya too bad after installing my YM voice she logged out....

but ya im still having imaginations about how the new Ayala Cebu would like like after the expansion... and the high end shops? I am not really brand conscious but would very glad to see in Cebu these stores lining up one after another..... :)


ei ashton! howdy...chrizzy said hello...and jyla as well...when will u be back daw?

Anyway, niadto ko ayala kanina ba...hapit na mahuman ang sales office sa Tower Palace while nag start na pud ang pagkalot sa towers fronting ACC and Pag-ibig Towers. Ang Parklane Hotel kay hapit na jud mahuman....complete na ilang manpower. nakahire na pud sila! new constructions, new investments, new jobs! :banana:

reading this thread made me convinced that while most say the Philippines has not grown, Cebu in contrary has grown exponentially. How could it become imperial if the National Gov't is way up there in Manila? Is it Cebu sucking resources or being sucked by southern counterparts? come on, foreign investors choose to invest in Cebu. who's marketing Cebu? nobody else than the local government itself, as opposed to Manila which obviously is powered by the whole Philippines. so while Cebu's growth is unstoppable, it is and it will remain as the envy of the Philippine islands! kiddin :lol:

Bai, this valium whether in Cebu or Davao threads tends to post something for the host to refute. Why not he create a thread for his 4th city, whatever, so he can discuss development projects of his city positively, rather than stir arguments among users of this thread from irrelevant issues hard to digest.

How can Cebu be imperial to other provinces without power over them? Cebu doesn't have control even to taxes withheld from its people. The fact is that Cebu spends less from what it earns. They said Cebu now has thousands of employees from Mactan, Balamban, malls, call centers, etc. but the taxes withheld goes to Manila. BIR, Customs, Airports, Casinos, etc., the local government has nothing from these except for business taxes, permits and licenses from people doing business and from real property taxes from it's residents.

Atlas in Toledo City for example, remits P542,000 to the national government annually and with the reopening of Atlas in 2007 Neda 7 estimates that it will increase to P306.252 million. This is the real score of Cebu's development.

^^ That's why Federalism is really needed. ;) Cebu will benefit from its own income, Manila will benefit from its own, Davao from its own, etc.

^^ wow. that is a very intelligent idea!

OT: gi bully nasad ang Cebu sa istorya ni jerx d buang....

one thing is for certain when you hear people criticizing you...
ENVY!
i think cebu's growth is attributed to the cebuanos' hardwork. if they want to make there city grow, work for it. why bully on others? it'll never change a thing. we are one country soooo divided.

mga pips ask ko f kinsa na naka dungog ninyo sa banda nga Missing Filemon? Cool au ang "suroysuroy" nga song kay all about Cebu. Bisdak ni cla nga banda.

ako paborito nila kay "inday" ug "kamagayan"..

:banana:ANOTHER huge CRUISE SHIP DOCKED CEBU THIS MORNING.:banana:
It's destination is from SYDNEY, 2nd stop is BALI, 3rd stop is CEBU.
More than one thousand passengers from the luxury vessel toured Cebu today and one foreigner said, Cebu is much bigger, much nicer than they've expected :banana:

more here http://youtube.com/watch?v=NRoynkrNasE
caution: news reporter in cebuano language ;)

^^ the ship is very visible from our school building.. this morning on my way to school i saw 3 buses filled with caucasian tourists.. i think they're the passengers of the cruise ship.. its the 2nd cruise ship to dock cebu this year

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/444/untitled2copy4qp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Malls expand to sustain brisk retail momentum
By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman 03/17/2006

As major shopping malls in Cebu registered encouraging sales performance despite the struggling economic situation in the country, operators have taken advantage of the active retail momentum by spending millions of pesos to expand their respective mall facilities.

Both Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu are now starting to construct the expansion building of their existing malls in Cebu in order to accommodate growing number of businesses wanting to open shops inside the mall.

"We can no longer accommodate additional tenants in the main mall. There are many emerging brands in Manila that want to come to Cebu, we can't service them as of the moment," said Marissa Fernan, SM Supermalls senior assistant vice president for Visayas and Mindanao.

For his part, Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) president Rene D. Almendras said ACC has to build the three-story building as part of the mall's expansion to provide more shopping options especially to the discriminating and sophisticated market in Cebu.

SM City Cebu reported a double-digit sales performance last year, while ACC also grew by larger percentage in 2005 compared to that of its sister malls located in Metro Manila.

In the next few months ACC's new three-story building will offer a 2,000 square-meter Supermarket facility that is not expected to compete with the existing Metro Gaisano supermarket, but a complementary supermarket addition.

Almendras refused to divulge the supermarket operator, only said that it will be managed by a very strong retail operator in the country.

This new building Almendras said will also bring in fresh retail brands that is not present in Cebu, including those international signature brands, among others.

The construction of the mall expansion to house more tenants is part of CHI's P800,000 to P1 billion expansion investment to be completed in the next three years.

SM Cebu on the other hand, is initially spending about P200 million to P300 million only for the ground works for the building expansion that will be interconnected with the existing main mall.

In an earlier interview with Gaisano Country Mall president and general manager Alex Gaisano, he said that the mall is also investing on re-designing the interior of the department store, including the Supermarket, to fit in with the new breed of middle to high-end strollers and shoppers.

In terms of the Country Mall's structural lay-out, Gaisano said there is no need to re-design the exterior part of the facility, as it is one of the most beautiful mall lay-outs in town.

Like, ACC and SM Cebu, Gaisano Country Mall is also registering good sales performance.

"The mall's business is brisk nowadays," Gaisano said.

Cebu exports post 32% rise in 2005
Sunday, January 15 2006 @ 08:44 AM GMT
business


Cebu exports rose from US$ 1.412 billion in 2004 to US$ 1.867 billion in 2005, posting an increase of 32 percent, according to the Bureau of Customs (BoC) Cebu District.

Cebu Customs Export Service Division chief Jessie Llanos said records showed that exporters here shipped out a total of 5.5 billion kilos of goods in 2005, which is 35 percent more than the previous year.

more (http://biz.balita.ph/html/article.php/20060115084409693)

and this news article is very timely, since the issue about cebu and other provinces was the topic a while ago...

Growth in Bohol tourism not bad for Cebu - DOT

“There is no competition between Bohol and Cebu. Each is complementing the other. It has always been Cebu-Bohol. Bohol, like other provinces in the region, needs Cebu (which is) the gateway of the region. Cebu, on the other hand, needs Bohol to enhance itself as a tourist destination,”

more (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/03/17/bus/growth.in.bohol.tourism.not.bad.for.cebu.dot.html)


btw guys, i checked the birthday reminders on my friendster account, and birthday diay ron (mar17) ni rusty boy! :hi:

:cheers1: HaPpy BirThdaY rust!!! :cheers1:

Friday, March 17, 2006
Osmeña offers SMEs factory bldgs. at SRP

SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Cebu have many business opportunities, according to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

They just have to “put their ears on the ground” and find them, he said during the national conference and business opportunity meeting organized by PUM (Programma Uitzending Managers)-Dutch Senior Experts early this week.

“We’re the leader in the country in furniture and other exports like gifts, toys and housewares. The City Government of Cebu looks at creative ways how to strengthen our SMEs,” he said.

Buildings

He added that as support to the SMEs, the City Government is “willing to invest” in putting up standard factory buildings at the South Reclamation Project (SRP), which will serve as “incubators” that SMEs can lease.

He explained that the factory buildings in SRP will cater to the need for space of small enterprises that cannot locate in Cebu’s economic zones where firms are required to rent at least 5,000 square meters for 25 years.

These are among the requirements that SMEs can’t possibly afford, he said.

“But at SRP, you can lease even just 50 square meters and you can expand later on if you need to. And you will not be bound to a 25-year-lease commitment. We are flexible,” he said.

Jan Röben, chief executive officer of PUM-Dutch Senior Experts, said in his presentation that a healthy country promotes a healthy private sector and develops its SMEs.

Jobs

SMEs help a country grow economically because they are the ones that create and offer jobs and actually pay taxes, he said.

“I don’t envision the next generation of Cebuanos to be laborers and waiters, but I see them as entrepreneurs,” Osmeña said.

He said Filipinos are generally conservative.

“Most of us won’t like to venture into high risk business. There’s lack of motivation. But Cebu is an exception,” he said.

He challenged business leaders and SME representatives present in the meeting, though, to “look at the market first before starting a business.”

Research

“Come up with products and services according to the need of the market and not according to what you want or like. Market research is indeed very important,” he said.

Osmeña also cited the example of Taiwan’s economy where its SMEs are considered among its strengths.

“They might not have all those big, giant companies but Taiwan’s small operators build up their economy. They export everything from flashlights, shower curtains and all those other little things,” he said. (ALC)

Happy Birthday Rusty! =D

Happy Beerday Resty! :cheers: Hilom-hilom ra da. sagdi lang bai mudawat man me ug late nga bangka. magpaabut me inig balik nimo diri cebu. hehehe.

_____________




Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter! Hapi Birthday!


_____________

Happy BirthDay!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Resty :cheers:... May Cebu have more highrises to come :D

wow. happy birthday. :)

happy bday!

happy birthday resty! kanus-a?

happy bday resty boy!!!! :cheers:

http://www.cebucity.gov.ph/Images/Home/MainPict.jpg

happy birthday resty! kanus-a?

Karun 17 Mach.

Happy Birthday!! :cheers:

http://www.cebucity.gov.ph/Images/Home/MainPict.jpg

The Cebu City Hall old building btw is scheduled for renovation, 76 million pesos is allocated this year for it's exterior renovation. It's interior will be scheduled on 2007 with a total budget of more than a hundred million pesos. :okay:

^^ its high time that they renovate city hall bai. hugaw na kaayu ang gawas ug ang sulod. hasta gani ang first floor sa new building, mas nindut pa man ang amung municipal hall ato. hehehehe


based on thier website, four months lang, mahuman na ang renovation. :okay:

^^ Nice development. Basig this is one of the moves for Cebu to be promoted as a Special City?!?

anyway OT: wala diay nahinayun ang roadtrip karun?

based on thier website, four months lang, mahuman na ang renovation. :okay:

What website? CebuCity.gov.ph?

^^ yup. it stated 120 days ang duration sa contract [though i dont know if its the same building renovation.]

@slerz: is it the City Hall Legislative Bldg that will be renovated?

^ Offline na siya. :D

Cebu Declaration approved by 15 nations at Interfaith meeting
By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

MACTAN, Cebu –- Representatives of 15 nations in the Dialogue on Regional Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, Development, and Human Dignity yesterday signed the Cebu Declaration that calls on governments to support interfaith dialogues and on religions to delink themselves from all forms of terrorism.

The adoption of the Cebu Declaration, which contained specific plan of actions and projects to promote peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region, was the highlight of the three-day conference participated in by delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Malaysia, and Fiji Islands.

The more than 150 delegates from the 15 countries deliberated on the content of the four-page Cebu Declaration that acknowledges the importance and contribution of interfaith dialogues and cooperation in promoting peace, security, social and economic development in the region, and in upholding the principle of the inviolability of human dignity; the crucial role of education in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation; and the influence of the media on interfaith and intercultural understanding.

Bishop Efraim Tendero of the Philippines Interfaith Commission said the Cebu Declaration contains practical action plans that aim to promote peace in the region and a call to governments, media, and other institutions to support interfaith dialogues to build understanding, goodwill, and relationship among religions and peoples.

"Conducting more interfaith dialogues is very important as we aim to take religion off the different acts of terror," said Tendero, adding that problems in Mindanao and in countries involving terrorism were not bred by religion but by socio-political problems.

"The Cebu Declaration might contain action plans that are hard to measure quantitatively and qualitatively, but rest assured the content of the declaration will be implemented in my country," said Dame Carol Kidu, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Community Development.

In the Declaration, the participants agreed, among others, to hold local, national, and regional forums to build knowledge, respect, and understanding and to provide opportunities for dialogues to deepen the relationships and friendships among faiths and enhance interfaith cooperation, and call on governments to uphold freedom of religion and belief.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSTY!!! One of the pillars of CEBU THREAD!

ei rusty!!! musta!! by the way...bout FTV of Bigfoot - diba they will be handling classes there sa MActan facility nila?

Currently, they have a booth inside Ayala. They have been recruiting future Cebuano/na models na rin! And based from what i noticed kanina - the booth is a big hit! daghan kaayo naglinya for inquiries! :)

yup TJ, they're holding classes in Mactan facility but i dunno if some classes are still held in Ramos bldg.

about FashionTv recruitment, my friends over there are texting me regarding this. and guess what, model friends of my friends are going there in Cebu for audition! of course, this is one huge opportunity since Cebu will have Asia's first FTV modelling school. basin ikaw pud jech ni apil pud ka linya diha? hehehe aminin!

Thank u guys. 19 na gyud ko! ulitaw na. :lol: isn't it the celebrant getting bday presents? where are my gifts? :?

wishing for long life, more friends and best in career. hehe ni login lang ko to check things out. i'll be out in a while. see u guys!

Happy Bday bai Rusty!!!

^^thanks bai. :D inom unya ta ninyo tanan puhon. around december. hehehe

no i think the one that is constructed in front of the Pag-ibig Tower ba, it will be connected daw to the Ayala Expansion. The whole lagoon area will be demolished and used for the expansion, while the former jeepney terminal will be used for a building just like Metro daw pero it will cater to the different market... ( ambot unsa kaha pud nga market, seguro mga Martians or mga taga Venus, hehehe)

And according to my friend sa Cebu Holdings, there are still five applications pa daw for a high rise building diha sa Cebu Business Park which is under evaluation by the management.
Morag exciting na kaayo diha no, mora na jud na Makati in the next three years.

Yes, dugay na man na ang Taft IT Park, mga Gaisano man tag-iya ana, unya not just an IT Park, daw, morag mixed use commercial area, in fact the plan is also to construct a Metro Gaisano in the area.

^^according to him (from other forums), there are 5 more applications pending for "high-rise buildings" in Cebu Business Park. what could be better news than this? :cool:

i have pics sa cruise ship that docked here in cebu, i shot this last nyt on my way to Iligan pag monday nlng nako i post kay wala pa nako na upload. Dako au kay nigamay gud ang superferry pag tapad nila.

cool! i can't wait to see those photos :okay: 1,000 tourists in one day is awesome. :cool:

In relation to that:
-----------------

1 hurt as cruise ship visits Cebu
But tourist passengers 'fall in love'
with city, request extension of visit
Published: 17 March 2006

by Wilfredo Rodolfo III and Jolene R. Bulambot

AN American tourist who arrived on the visiting cruise liner MV Statendam yesterday got a taste of Cebu's bad side when he got hit by a pickup.

While crossing a pedestrian lane on S. Osmeña Ave. near the road's intersection with Kaohsiung St., Ian Cohen, 59, was hit by a white pickup, throwing him to the pavement.

"A car from the outer lane stopped to allow me and a few others to cross (but) maybe he did not see me because he just came right straight at me and hit me," Cohen said.

Witnesses said the motorist in the pickup - with registry plate LCA 213 - attempted to speed away, but passersby and security guards from nearby establishments, including those from the Building, blocked the road, forcing the driver to stop and come out of the vehicle.

"He asked if I was okay. When I said I was, he went away," Cohen said.

Then he got a taste of true Cebuano hospitality.

Another motorist immediately stopped and offered to bring Cohen to the hospital.

While the American declined the offer, CDN employees took him in to make sure he was uninjured until a passing policeman, PO1 Edilberto Cabucas of the Regional Mobile Group, brought Cohen to the nearby Mabolo Police Station and Cebu City Traffic Police to report the incident.

Cohen a native of Boston, Massachusetts, works for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The American, however, assured that the incident would not affect his perception of the Philippines and of Cebu.

"It happens. These things even happen in Boston," he said.

Rosario Torres of the traffic police desk told CDN that Cohen left his e-mail address in case authorities here find the responsible driver and his vehicle.

She said the police would cite the driver for hit-and-run, since it was witnessed by a traffic enforcer.

Extended stay

Despite the incident involving Cohen, passengers of the MV Statendam - 1,200 in all, mostly Europeans - requested to extend their stay in Cebu after saying they "fell in love" with the city.

The cruise ship, which had just visited Australia, docked at the Cebu International Port (CIP) at 7 a.m. yesterday, and was scheduled to depart at 6 p.m. The passengers, however, requested an extension of at least five hours.

Col. Oscar Lopez, manager of CIP's Department of Security, Safety and Environmental Management, said the passengers first visited local malls and the beaches of Mactan Island in the morning.

"Then I received a call from the chief security officer of MV Statendam that the tourists wanted to extend their stay even just for several hours," Lopez said. "I was told they love Cebu, and that Cebu is a great city."

"Radja Tours accommodated them. They had a city tour and an island tour. I was told they had fun and enjoyed their time here."

From Cebu, MV Statendam is scheduled to go to Manila before departing the country for Hong Kong, Lopez said.

Commander Manolito Malig-on, station chief of the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu, said MV Statendam is the second cruise ship to visit Cebu this March.

Last week, the MV Delphin Renaissance, which carried more than 300 European tourists, also visited Cebu.

Happy Birthday resty, bangka nya inig balik nimo on August! Hahaha

Here's some good news:

- Parts of Club Ultima are already occupied, resty assert your right! Hehehe.
- Yesterday, I saw a bellboy (I can recognise from his uniform and cap) standing at the ground floor of the still u/c crown regency.. hmmmmmmmm

^^cool! bro, P3,000 a night for non-Club Ultima member is really a bargain. once it's fully operational, only members or with endorsement can check in. by the way, do u notice a billboard for the Tower III renderings? i hope fundraiser can give us more info regarding this since he has connections with the Kings. :)

_____________________________________________________________
Darn, being hit by a truck is something i cannot tolerate. Mr. Cohen's reaction to the incident is something i didn't expect. Hats off to that guy. :okay:

Despite the incident involving Cohen, passengers of the MV Statendam - 1,200 in all, mostly Europeans - requested to extend their stay in Cebu after saying they "fell in love" with the city.

The cruise ship, which had just visited Australia, docked at the Cebu International Port (CIP) at 7 a.m. yesterday, and was scheduled to depart at 6 p.m. The passengers, however, requested an extension of at least five hours.

"Then I received a call from the chief security officer of MV Statendam that the tourists wanted to extend their stay even just for several hours," Lopez said. "I was told they love Cebu, and that Cebu is a great city."

"Radja Tours accommodated them. They had a city tour and an island tour. I was told they had fun and enjoyed their time here."
Wow, i noticed Cebu is now levelling off with Manila for cruise destination in the Philippines. It is a big plus for the whole tourism industry. pogi points :)

cool! i can't wait to see those photos :okay: 1,000 tourists in one day is awesome. :cool:

hope some of these tourists go back and do business in cebu.