Cebu City and Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 59

sugbuanon

July 21st, 2006, 04:06 AM

Tomas to hire inmates for SRP

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has found a way to temporarily solve the congestion problems at the city jail: hire some of them to work at the South Reclamation Project (SRP).

Osmeña said his idea will not only decongest the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC) during the day, it will also give
inmates an opportunity to earn.

In a news conference yesterday, the mayor said the City Government is not capable of helping manage the jail facility at this time, as suggested by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter.

“We are not going to support BJMP because of the corruption in their system. What we have to do if we’re going to take over is that we’re going to take over the entire operations, and I don’t have the internal management capability to do that,” he said.

The IBP suggested that the City Government take over the management of BBRC after seeing that the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), which is managed by the Capitol, is faring better in terms of management.

But Osmeña said the BBRC cannot be compared with CPDRC. Unlike the governor, he said he doesn’t have the time and capability to look after the inmates because of several other facilities and issues he has to worry about like the city hospital, public markets and the vendors.

Taking over the BBRC will only cause problems for the City Government and will strain City Hall’s internal capabilities.

He added that it’s easier for Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to help manage CPDRC because in managing the Province, she has all the municipal and city mayors to help her.

“She doesn’t get involved in the nitty-gritty of things and she has the luxury and capability to look at these problems. In my case, I still have problems with other things,” he said.

Also yesterday, the mayor announced plans to hire some inmates to do manual labor at the SRP in the coming months.

If the plan pushes through, the City will pay the inmate P100 for a day’s work and provide them with meals.

He said, though, that the plan will take several months to be implemented as everything will depend on whether the judges will allow them to work.

“Under this concept, we’ll be selecting prisoners who only have few months left to work, the ones who are considered low risk.

At least they have the opportunity to save so that when they are released, they’re not zero balance. This will at least bring down the congestion during the day,” he told reporters.

The mayor plans to have the inmates make sandbags that will be used as base for the internal roads at the SRP.

sugbuanon

July 21st, 2006, 04:08 AM

Foreign investors eye Cebu’s tourism sector

Representatives of a Canadian company are here in Cebu to search for investment opportunities in the province.

Mike Lathigee, chairman and chief executive officer of Freedom Investment Club (Club FIC), said the company has allocated some $30 million of its venture capital funds to be invested in Southeast Asia.

Of the total sum, $10 million will be invested in the Philippines in the next two years, he said in an interview at the City Sports Club last Wednesday.

Tourism, furniture

Club FIC is one of the largest investment group in North America with existing investments in Canada, China and the United States. Its investment funds come from its more than 4,000 members.

The group is looking at the tourism and furniture in Cebu as possible areas to invest in, said Jay Aldeguer of the Aldeguer group of companies, a member of Club FIC.

Club FIC is looking at companies in the business process outsourcing sector in Manila.

He said small and medium-sized resorts and hotels in Cebu are potential targets for investment.

The investment group aims to start pouring funds in its first project in the Philippines by the end of October. The group, however, did not reveal which company in the country will receive the investment.

Lathigee said they made Philippines their first stop in Southeast Asia because of Aldeguer and another Filipino member, Enterprise School of Asia co-founder Joel Santos.

“We believe in the capability (to choose companies worthy of capital infusion) of these two because both have proven track records in their respective fields,” he said.

Confident

The group said it feels confident in the Philippines due to the country’s high level of education and English proficiency.

In choosing a company to invest in, Lathigee said Club FIC is more particular on the quality of management of the company and its business and profit model.

“We are not interested in investing in an already large company. But it has to have a dollar-based revenue,” he said.

Lathigee agreed, adding that Cebu’s tourism potential is strong.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful place to go to. I’d rather come to Cebu than Manila,” he said.

sugbuanon

July 21st, 2006, 04:15 AM

Thai actor to open mini mall in Cebu

One of Thailand's celebrity actors is considering Cebu as a good market for Thai products.

Cebuano-Thai actor Poompong “Jim” Hiranpruck said he was willing to give up his showbiz career to venture into a million-peso “mini mall” in Cebu early next year.

“It would showcase goods from Thailand. Cebu has a huge market for Thai products,” said Hiranpruck in an interview.

Hiranpruck, who is co-managing Krua Thai restaurants with his brother Anthony Ballreich and Vietnamese-themed restaurant Hai Phong, said the family-owned restaurants have been receiving good market response here in Cebu.

Aside from the foreign cuisine, however, the restaurants' Thai items for sale are also getting warm patronage from Cebu's local market.

This emerging demand prompted Hiranpruck to consider putting up the mini mall, which would be under the family company Thai-Phil Inter Trade.

Some of Thailand's novelty and grocery items will be sold in the planned two-storey mini mall, Hiranpruck said.

Home decor, textile, ready to wear goods, cosmetics and fashion accessories would be among the items to be showcased in the mini mall.

Hiranpruck's father is a Thai national married to a Cebuana businesswoman.

Aside from putting up the Thai mini mall, he also has to help the family in its booming themed-restaurant food business in the country and abroad.

Krua Thai is expanding outlets abroad starting with Japan as its first international outlet next month.

Hiranpruck, who has been working in Thailand for six years doing TV commercials, soap operas and action movies, said he now needs to focus his attention in the family business.

Starting the Krua Thai family business in 2000, Hiranpruck has been in charge of buying supplies needed in the restaurant including supervising the restaurant's Thai chefs.

With his brother Ballreich overseeing Krua Thai's operations, Hiranpruck will now look into strengthening promotions and expanding Hai Phong, which opened last year at Crossroads in Banilad.

Hiranpruck said he would replicate Krua Thai's success in Hai Phong by improving new dishes and drinks, and eventually opening it for franchise.

sugbuanon

July 21st, 2006, 04:24 AM

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/972/19400322524a3526a7abpc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6909/19399436969d01dba32beq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8397/19400497032782e4aefbad7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the newly renovated magellan's cross

photos by: lenardpo

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 04:30 AM

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6909/19399436969d01dba32beq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ang ganda ng cross ah. :D

rage@cebu

July 21st, 2006, 04:30 AM

official tshirt nalang ang wala :)

mao gyud... pag-design na lagi mo... or ako na lang mag-design...
ako lng i-post ug ganahan ba mo...
unsa kaha lindot nga theme sa?...
any ideas?...
tingbon lang nako kuha ang t-shirt ha...

brodix

July 21st, 2006, 04:41 AM

if you want to go island hopping, there are lots of boat rentals around maribago. pangutana lang mo diha dapit. pwede ninyo i-rent for the whole day...

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 04:44 AM

^^ bitaw show us your design na lang bai.

rage@cebu

July 21st, 2006, 04:48 AM

maghimo pa ko sa design bai...
wa man problema sa ink, kay ang sobra sa Intrams T-shirt sa UC man ako gamiton...
problem lng ko sa oras...
busy man gud kaayo ko bai... mao na ug mag-design ko mura ug dugay pa nako ma produce...

rage@cebu

July 21st, 2006, 04:51 AM

dir ra gyud ako free time.. 1 hour...
samtang paabot sa akong ero...
mag-presentation na pud gani ko unya...

rage@cebu

July 21st, 2006, 04:55 AM

nag- collect lng ko ug pics from previous cebu threads...
ako lang i-edit.. kung ok ra ninyo bai?...
inyoha baya ni pics...

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 04:55 AM

ok lang bai, mag wait lang me.
basin naa pa lain mo contribute ug designs.

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 04:56 AM

if you want to go island hopping, there are lots of boat rentals around maribago. pangutana lang mo diha dapit. pwede ninyo i-rent for the whole day...

yeah arnold said that there are rentals in the kilid-kilid. :D

rage@cebu

July 21st, 2006, 05:02 AM

yeah arnold said that there are rentals in the kilid-kilid. :D

Try sa USC marine-bio center...
naa may mga Jet-ski rental dha nga barato...
basta carolinian ka naay discount...

sugbuanon

July 21st, 2006, 05:03 AM

unsa man nindot na design ky medyo libre nasad ko ron.. pwede ko maka design2 sa tshirt..

rage@cebu

July 21st, 2006, 05:10 AM

unsa man nindot na design ky medyo libre nasad ko ron.. pwede ko maka design2 sa tshirt..

kaw bhala bai... go.go.go... ( mas ganahan ko atong Cebu: an island in the pacific) nga theme... unya naay untay logo ang SSC- Cebu...

sugbuanon

July 21st, 2006, 05:10 AM

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1628/untitled2ai9.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5351/untitled4hb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/4742/untitled5nm3.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5991/untitled6on5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7960/untitled7is5.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3079/untitled8ma7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hidden Valley is a resort located in Barangay Lamac, Pinamungahan, Cebu, which is about 2 hours from the city. It is 8Km from Lutopan, Toledo, Cebu and 14Km from Poblacion, Pinamungahan.

"Lamac" comes from the Visayan word Lamacan which means swampy area.

Among the 26 barangays of Pinamungahan, this Barangay is the smallest in terms of land area but one of the progressive and the third largest in terms of population. The main livelihood of the people is farming.

This was the venue of our Department Team-Building. The resort is located between the mountains and the road going to the resort was rough and bumpy . The place really seemed remote and far from "civilization" until we arrived in Lamac. We were surprised to find many houses and people in such a remote place. My officemates were all saying "No wonder it's called Hidden Valley!".

The resort is owned and managed by the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) and it kinda amazes me because seldom you will see a resort being owned by a cooperative put up the residents in the Barangay (of course with some financial help from the government and external sources).

photos and text by wantet

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2006, 05:57 AM

^^ Is that a new resort? Wonderful. ;)

john_3:16

July 21st, 2006, 06:45 AM

slerz

July 21st, 2006, 06:59 AM

SSC Cebu outing, island hopping this Sunday (July 23) sponsored by Sir Butch (d'transporter)

:okay:MarkiiBoi-------Tisa, Cebu City--------------0906-3103113
:okay:Arnlodsa-------Guadalupe, Cebu City--------0926-8548160
:okay:Slerz-----------Pardo, Cebu City------------0926-4285435
:okay:Sugbuanon----Punta Princesa, Cebu City----0916-4811073
Rusty18-------------Lapu-Lapu City--------------0917-3241312
Sinjin----------------Lapu-Lapu City-------------0917-3254193
:okay:Rowell_sk-----Lapu-Lapu City--------------0927-2740311
:okay:fundraiser-----Lapu-Lapu City--------------0920-8791994
:okay:SayBooMyBoo----Labangon, Cebu City------0927-5673124
:okay:tj-brewed-----Lahug, Cebu City------------0922-4011418
Wind Shear -------- Basak, Lapu-Lapu City-------09067893588
rage@cebu--------- Apas, Cebu City-------------09268852438

kinsa pa mokuyog?

ic3man25

July 21st, 2006, 07:05 AM

habagatcentral1

July 21st, 2006, 09:40 AM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/mactan.jpg

La lang...

rustyboi

July 21st, 2006, 09:43 AM

Sir Butch a.k.a. D' Transporter... you already know what I will say ;) :okay:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/limux.jpg
aaay, kanindot sa karton... para ni imo marvs, ang karton...hehe:D :jk:

WOW a DigiCam for SSC Cebu! :cheers:

ka generous ni pareng butch :D many thanks! i expect more photos kanang naa diha sa cebu in the coming days ha :rock:

Jefferyi

July 21st, 2006, 10:09 AM

:applause: What a highly commendable gesture gyud kanang pagdonate ni D'transporter /Butch ug digicam! Kinahanglan tagaan gyud na siya ug plaque ug certificate na gipirmahan ni Tommy. So, mga Maniniyots, attack!!:D

ic3man25

July 21st, 2006, 10:59 AM

^^ Roger on that...

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2006, 11:35 AM

Update on Vidichi I.T. Complex across Mactan Marina Mall: Gipatagan na ug limestone :D

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 12:00 PM

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6282/194549469071e2a13d9xp6.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/9344/194549468b9bacfa4cbkp2.jpg

from flickr.com by icanbeyourkitty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45986239@N00/194549469/in/pool-sugbo/)

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2006, 12:14 PM

rustyboi

July 21st, 2006, 12:16 PM

^^reminds me of Alabang :)

LordCarnal

July 21st, 2006, 01:34 PM

^^ Nice kaayo ang new passenger terminal sa Ayala... :D Anyway, I went to Ayala kanina for groceries and passed by the South Surface Parking Area... Partially closed ra lagi siya and dili ang tibuok area ang gifence... Unsa man to, un-ato ra kadak-a ang annex building or gi-anam-anam lang nila ug close?

The one being fenced bai, mao ra tu ang annex building, not necessarily the entire Marriot and surface parking areas.. It would have been nice though if the expansion building will occupy the entire space in that area..

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 01:40 PM

iCatchIT and ACTfirst! Synergize in Cebu to Bring BPO Service to Australia and Help Develop the Indirect Channel for ACTfirst!

(PRLEAP.COM) Cebu Philippines, 21 July 2006 – iCatchIT CEO Jonathan Corners announced today that Sage CRM distributor in Australia, ACTfirst!, will partner with iCatchIT to provide BPO services to their market in Australia. The agreement culminates extensive negotiations between Mr. Corners and Mr. David Gill, General Manager of ACTfirst! for the Asia-Pacific Region. This much anticipated move puts both companies in better position to develop the Australian-Asian market.

ACTfirst! markets ACT! 8, a Contact Management application produced by Sage Software. ACT! 8 provides total solutions for the SMB Enterprise. From leads management to contact information management and customer information handling, ACT! 8 enables a business to administer the entire customer relations status of a company from just one seat. Aside from selling the product, ACTfirst! also provides consulting, software customization, database repairs, and technical support to their customers.

Newly appointed iCatchIT Operations Manager for Australia, Cecil Casas shares her enthusiasm over the project. “We’re both anxious and excited with this project. Anxious because of the immense responsibility and excited because this is an awesome opportunity for us to shine.” Jonathan adds, “This is another milestone landed by iCatchIT. I am very proud of the quality of service that we offer.”

David is confident that the newly formed iCatchIT team, Team Australia, can deliver the market’s requirements. “I chose iCatchIT mainly because of the success of the networking project that Jonathan implemented for us some time ago. When I finally made an on-visit to the Cebu site, I only expected Filipino sunshine but I was pleasantly surprised to see infrastructure and up-to-date technology and a lot of very talented people,” remarked David.

brodix

July 21st, 2006, 02:02 PM

Partially closed ra lagi siya and dili ang tibuok area ang gifence... Unsa man to, un-ato ra kadak-a ang annex building or gi-anam-anam lang nila ug close?

i-plot kuno palihug sa google earth bai ang area sa ilang gi-fence...

LordCarnal

July 21st, 2006, 02:03 PM

^^

Construction of the internal road networks are ongoing. As what I saw in the news yesterday, sandbags have been already been set-up.

LordCarnal

July 21st, 2006, 02:07 PM

By the way, now that we have an official digicam, please contribute more photos at the Visit Cebu 2007 thread in Travel and Geography..

Thanks.. :)

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2006, 02:14 PM

i-plot kuno palihug sa google earth bai ang area sa ilang gi-fence...

Wala koy Google Earth diri nga PC... Anyway, imagina ang South Surface Parking Area (kanang atbang sa Turista Fiesta shops), kana ang gi-fence, dili pa jud ang tibuok area

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 02:21 PM

edit

LordCarnal

July 21st, 2006, 02:37 PM

Here, I'm not sure if I got it correct.

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

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2006, 02:55 PM

^^ @Arnold: Your enclosure lacks the South Surface Parking Area... Kanang parkinganan mismo, apil but dili iyang whole, murag 2/3

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 02:55 PM

This one?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/46/ayalacopyau2.jpg

brodix

July 21st, 2006, 03:11 PM

^^kagamay gud! di kaha nga ang basement parking pa ilang giuna ug kural?

Sinjin P.

July 21st, 2006, 03:15 PM

Yes @Markii... @Brodix: Ambot lang, basin nagdigging pa siguro sila sa basement parking, we'll see in the days to come

rowell_sk

July 21st, 2006, 04:13 PM

@slers - unsa pa man lain details sa island hopping karon sunday? ie.. time, where to meet..etc.

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 04:17 PM

^^ text slerz lang bai for more info. tentatively will meet at 9:30-10:100 in ayala.

rowell_sk

July 21st, 2006, 04:31 PM

tank u mark for the info.

gee

July 21st, 2006, 04:38 PM

brad pitt's bed is made in cebu, check this article!

Given its associations with decaying hill stations and hippy hovels, rattan furniture has not traditionally had good press. But in Philippine designer Kenneth Cobonpue, kennethcobonpue.com, the material may have found its first great virtuoso. The 37-year-old alumnus of New York City's Pratt Institute has been garnering kudos—most recently a 2005 Design for Asia Award—from his studio in the sun-splashed city of Cebu (a place better known for its azure ocean and impossibly sweet mangos). Now the big time beckons. Brad Pitt recently bought Cobonpue's Voyage bed, pictured; Warner Brothers asked Cobonpue to furnish a casino set for the forthcoming Ocean's Thirteen; and distributors from Spain to Singapore are clamoring to stock Cobonpue's sexy, curvaceous designs, most of which are consummate expressions of rattan's versatility. The skin of the lowly vine is used as a weaving material and for binding (some fastening techniques are borrowed from traditional boat building), while rattan's surprisingly sturdy core forms the structure.

"Each piece I design has a character and soul born from the inspiration and design process," says Cobonpue, adding that his ideas come mostly from the natural richness of Cebu. One exception is his award-winning Lolah chair, which Cobonpue says was inspired by a softly dented can of Coke. Talk about turning base metals into gold.

http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501060724-1215001,00.html

MarkiiBoi

July 21st, 2006, 05:21 PM

^^
http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/5862/chairss1.jpg

@rowell: walay sapayan bai. :D

slerz

July 21st, 2006, 05:30 PM

This one?

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/46/ayalacopyau2.jpg

gamay ra kaayo na bai, napay kuwang...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ayalaexpansionmod.jpg

gee

July 21st, 2006, 05:45 PM

all about cebuano artists, designers, entrepreneurs and other personalities...

gee

July 21st, 2006, 05:46 PM

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6728/bellanecklace2sp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Born Diane Monique Lhuillier to French, Spanish/Filipino parents, Monique was raised in the southern part of the Philippines called Cebu. As a child, Monique was very influenced by her mother's glamorous sense of style and was exposed to the importance of style because the family traveled extensively. Her favorite destinations were always Paris and Los Angeles. At the early age of 15, Monique left home to attend the prestigious Chateau Mont-Choisi boarding school in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was while she was in Switzerland that she decided to pursue her dreams of becoming a designer. She decided to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) and move to Los Angeles.

At FIDM, Monique excelled and received a merit-based scholarship to attend the advanced program. During her studies, she decided to focus on the luxury market and specialize in bridal and evening gowns. It was also during this time that Monique met her husband, Tom Bugbee.

When Monique graduated and began looking for a job, she realized there were very few couture quality companies based in Los Angeles. Unwilling to leave for New York, Monique took a design and production position at a small French firm that specialized in better eveningwear and separates.

Shortly after her engagement, Monique decided to take some time off to plan the wedding. During her dress search, Monique's focus on the wedding business was reborn. She was determined to be part of it and to do it better.

In 1996, Monique launched her first bridal collection. It was very well received by retailers and by magazine editors. In the next year, Tom took control of the company and turned Monique's vision into reality. The collaboration has proved to be very successful. In 2001, Monique designed her first evening collection, which has now developed into a complete ready to wear collection.

Monique received the 2001 Glamorous Bridal Designer Award, the 2002 Avant Garde Bridal Designer Award and the 2003 Designer of the Year Award from Wedding Dresses Magazine and the bridal industry members. In 2003, she was also inducted as a new member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/index2.html

gee

July 21st, 2006, 05:47 PM

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/3862/headercobonpue1is4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Kenneth Cobonpue Wins Design For Asia award

Acknowledged furniture design leader Kenneth Cobonpue gives the Philippines a reason to be proud. Once again, he has highlighted the country on the map of the highly competitive world of design. Him being granted the prestigious 2005 Design For Asia Award is a fierce statement that Filipino creativity is indeed world class.

The Design for Asia Award (DFAA) is the most prestigious design award given in Asia. An invitational international competition organized by the Hong Kong Design Center, it is dedicated to promoting design excellence and aims to raise awareness among businesses and the public that good design makes good business and improves quality of life. Awards are given to companies whose designs reflect or move the Asian Lifestyle. Criteria for judging are based on design, impact on Asian lifestyle and influence in Asia, and commercial success.

After a series of deliberations, 17 judges from around the world narrowed the more than 500 entries to a small selection of 11 winners. Kenneth Cobonpue’s design, the Lolah Chair, bested competitors from 22 countries and regions. The Lolah is a furniture collection that is made from rattan poles and strips fastened together with glue, nails and nylon wire in a process reminiscent of traditional Asian shipbuilding. The judges praised the design for its simple structure, sculptural form and innovative use of material.

Other prominent designers and companies who garnered awards are fashion designer Vivienne Tam, Nokia Corporation, and Sony.

Known for combining traditional materials with innovative production methods and a modern aesthetic, Kenneth has gained design prominence through various awards such as the Japan Good Design Award (7 time winner), the Grand Prize at the Singapore International Design Competition, 2 awards for Best Seating at the 2005 Las Vegas Hospitality and Design Show and Best Outdoor Chair given by HOME Magazine at the 2004 High Point Furniture Show.

Kenneth is a Cebuano whose passion for design triggered his temporary move to the West. There, he studied Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, New York and took up Furniture Marketing and Production in Germany. He briefly worked in Munich and in 1996 returned to Cebu to manage Interior Crafts of the Island, Inc., a family-owned furniture design and manufacturing company. Kenneth regularly gives presentations and lectures around the world from Japan to New York and is an active member of Movement 8, a select group of Filipino designers. (PR)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/01/08/life/kenneth.cobonpue.wins.design.for.asia.award.html

gee

July 21st, 2006, 05:51 PM

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/3213/peopleasiaqc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Jay Aldeguer: Success is in the Souvenirs

People Asia Magazine 07/20/2006

More often than not, when we speak of a successful man, we think of someone overwhelming, sometimes even intimidating. That man is perceived to be someone who wields power over his peers, and exhibits an almost ruthless determination to achieve what he wants.

Yet, Jonathan Jay Chiongbian Aldeguer, currently the president of the Aldeguer Group of Companies, is miles away from that image. A TOYM awardee at the age of 27, Aldeguer actually has every right to be that intimidating, overpowering man. But he's not. His success was brought about by his unwavering optimism about his country, unbelievable determination, and a highly creative mind, tempered with a realistic outlook in life.

Aldeguer (yes, a nephew of the '70s dance icons Terry and Lally Aldeguer) recalls his beginnings as a businessman, which started during his college years at the Ateneo: "I engaged in several businesses when I was still in school. I'd be going around in my backpack, selling T-shirts to my classmates," he shares. He says that coming from Cebu and moving to Manila to study had him looking for ways to augment his allowance.

But his business acumen would bear fruit shortly after he graduates. "I went backpacking in Europe and started collecting T-shirts from the different places I'd visit. And then, after Europe, I went around the Philippines as well, and I wanted to do the same thing. And I found out that in the Philippines, there weren't attractive souvenirs. They were all old school native stuff, which, for a young college grad, wasn't appealing at all. So I thought, there's an opportunity," he recounts.

And he didn't waste any time. Just a few months after thinking of the concept, he set up shop in Cebu and opened Islands Souvenirs. He quickly turned his and other tourists' problem into a business opportunity. He took an old idea, which is the souvenir industry, and put a new spin on it.

"We're known for native handicrafts, and we have beautiful handicrafts, but they're all native and dark and wooden. I felt that the Philippines, being a tropical island, was not properly projected in our souvenirs. I felt it would be best to project the fun, colorful, sunny, tropical island," he says of his jump-off concept for Islands Souvenirs. And true enough, entering any Islands Souvenirs store transports you to a sunny and bright atmosphere, no matter how stiff the mall can be.

From Cebu, Islands Souvenirs expanded to other provinces. Aldeguer describes the company's first year as "phenomenal," as it reached a 400 percent increase in sales, which is no mean feat for a start-up business. In the store's third year, Henry Sy loved the concept and immediately installed Islands Souvenirs in every SM outlet in Manila. Today, there are over 100 outlets of Islands Souvenirs in the country, including stores and kiosks. Aldeguer has also expanded globally by putting up branches in Okinawa, Japan, Singapore, and Macau.

And this Cebuano does not intend to stop there. Today, using Islands Souvenirs as his jump-off point, he has developed a new concept of the pasalubong center: a small department store-type setup, which includes all the pasalubong that hails from that certain province. He has opened an outlet featuring this new concept in Cebu.

"For instance, in Cebu, we have everything from guitars to chicharon, otap, of different brands. That way, we elevate the retail experience of pasalubong shopping, and at the same time, we've been able to help young entrepreneurs and small businesses by putting them in a more professional setting," he explains. And he hopes to create this concept in other destinations as well.

This is a man who was able to successfully establish a business that has been running for 14 years now, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Now, how does he do it? He says one of the reasons for his success is innovation. "I think what I did, which many people have done as well, is that they found a business concept, and reinvented it. We hit the nail right on the head when we came up with the concept," Aldeguer states. "It's more significant more than ever in this ever-evolving world to constantly innovate."

He also acknowledges the hard work of the people behind Islands Souvenirs. "I always believe that you have to trust people. Other people can actually do some things better than you can," he declares. "I don't think you can ever expand your business if you feel no one else can execute it other than yourself." He believes that a business thrives because of the talents of its people.

And because of these principles, Aldeguer has received quite a number of accolades. He has been the proud recipient of the TOYM award, the Agora award, the British Council Design Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and recently, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Small Business. Islands Souvenirs has also brought him to the Retailer of the Year Hall of Fame, as he was able to bag the prize three times.

But even with those awards, Aldeguer maintains a modest stance, and pronounces that work is just one aspect of his life. When asked how he is able to balance his time between his personal and professional affairs, he quickly replies, "That's never been a problem. Ever since, work never defined me. There's more to life than just work."

When he is not wrapped up in his business, he tries to squeeze in as much leisure traveling as possible. In fact, his passion for travel is what spurred his successful business venture. He cites Bantayan Island, an island off Cebu, as one of his favorite places on earth. "I love that place. I keep kidding around that I might even retire there one day," he says with a smile. He shares that he enjoys the water, and tries out as many water sports as he can. Right now, he's looking into trying kiteboarding, and also hopes to visit El Nido sometime soon. Of international destinations, he cites Oia, Santorini, in Greece, as his favorite getaway spot.

In his travels, he also loves to take snapshots of people engaged in decisive moments. "I've always been a frustrated artist. The problem was, since I'm a very visual person, I have an idea of how I want to execute it, but for some reason, it doesn't come out the way I envision it. It got really frustrating, so I shifted to photography," he shares. He has been taking photos for five years now, and is planning to put up an exhibit this year.

And of course, aside from these passions, he devotes a lot of his time to his family, especially to his children. He has three children who are rapidly growing up, and he spends as much time with them as he possibly can. "Relationships are most important. I like to nurture relationships, whether it be with my family, my children, or my friends."

Aldeguer clearly manifests an incredible zest for life, not letting anything get in the way of his passions. He has managed to build a business empire without compromising his time for his family. Quite an unusual sight to see in today's fast-paced world. In fact, when asked to speak to young, aspiring entrepreneurs, his advice does not involve business principles or money-making schemes. "Start young. We have what it takes to be great entrepreneurs, and the environment's so conducive for the young. I think they should exploit this opportunity," he says. "More than business advice, I really try to instill hope in our country, because a lot of us have become hopeless. We're all looking to leave the Philippines, which is understandable. I know there are great opportunities abroad, but I love the Philippines. I believe in its people."

And with someone like that at the helm, the country is sure to be in good hands. - Djong Tan

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/People200607218001.htm

gee

July 21st, 2006, 06:10 PM

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/7157/kimsoyzr2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Kimsoy Yap (Jose Yap Jr.)

Educational background
High School: Collegio de San Jose Recoletos
College: BS Architecture, Cebu Institute of Technology

Exhibits
1966 - One Man Show, United States Information Service
1968 - Philippine Gallery Art Awards
1970 - United Information Service
1993 - Two-Man Show at CAP Art center
1976 - American Watercolor Society
1977 - Pastel Society( New York City)
1988 - National Academy of Design Annuals( New York City)
1993 - Kolor Sugbo ( Germany)
1994 - Kolor Sugbo ( New York City)

Awards
1970 - 3rd Prize- South East Asian Art Competition (Singapore)
2003 - 2nd Prize, On-the Spot Painting Competition, Sibonga,
2004 - 2nd Prize Painting Competition , Liloan, Cebu
1973-1987 - Numerous Awards from National Academy of Design School Of Fine Arts
1974 - James Suydam Bronze Medal 1976-Louis La Beaume Prize
1978 - Mary Hinman Carter Prize 1079- Alice G. Melrose Prize
1981 - Julius Halgarten Prize 1982- Elliot Silver Medal for Drawing
1987 - Leon Neckhamen Prize Member Organizations: Kolor Sugbo

gee

July 21st, 2006, 06:14 PM

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/4935/pix3zo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Msgr. Virgilio R. Yap entered the Catholic seminary in 1951 at the age of 11 years. The Church, realizing his artistic potentials, later sent him to study at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila on a scholarship grant where he finished Bachelor of Arts. He was futher sent to study at the Monkato State University, Ohio State University and Notre Dame University where he finished Bachelor of Science in Art and a Master's Degree in Fine Arts.

When he returned back from America in 1969 he assumed the post of coadjutor at the Sto. Rosario Church in Cebu. It was during this period when he conducted a series of lectures on Fine Arts to a bunch of young Cebuano artists at the Sto. Rosario convent. At that time there was no course on Fine Arts offered in Cebu.

The artists in that group included among others the brothers Jun and Godofredo Mendoza, Kimsoy Yap, Gig and Ramon de Pio, Manuel Pañares, Tony Alcoseba, Carlota Abellana, Arsing Abella and Fred Galan. Most of them have now established a name for themselves in the local and national art scene.

Towards the middle of the 70s, he taught Humanities at St. Theresa's College and Fine Arts at University of the Philippines-Cebu which opened up the development of non-objective art in the island long known for its traditional style of art. It was also during this period when he mounted a solo exhibition at the United States Information Service (USIS) Center in Cebu.

Sometime in 1975 a turning point was reached. Finding himself to have little time in his hands to devote to painting because of his priestly duties, he requested Cardinal Rosales to grant him a vacation of one year. But the good Cardinal politely turned down his request.

The Church's gain was the loss of Cebu art world; shortly thereafter he disengaged himself in his painting and wholeheartedly devoted all his time to his priestly duties.

But towards the last few months of his life, he turned back again to painting. He prepared several canvases and resurrected his oils and acrylics long gathering dust in his attic. He left several unfinished works.

His health and vocation may have failed him as an artist but he made sure that somebody else will carry the torch. He wrote in his will that all his art materials--oils, acrylics, brushes and empty canvases would be given to poor and deserving artists.

http://cebu-online.com/cai/mvyap/classic/the_artist.html

paulkrps

July 21st, 2006, 07:13 PM

anybody know jayvee villacin or manuel panares? favour lang, basig kabalo mo sa ilang mga email address or phone numbers, paki-pm na lang ko, salamat.

slerz

July 22nd, 2006, 12:50 AM

Final time tomorrow's meet sa Ayala is from 9:30-10:00am. Ang maawahi kay late:D

MarkiiBoi

July 22nd, 2006, 01:06 AM

Cebu Recruiting FilAm Surgeons
AsianWeek.com (http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=e58d55348516394e29b8b90c9ebe5dfd)

CEBU CITY, Philippines — U.S.-trained, board-certified, Filipino American or American surgeons, licensed in the United States, are being recruited for the proposed American Specialty Hospital in Cebu.

Cardiovascular Hospitals of America (CHA) owns and operates four hospitals in the United States and is now expanding to the Far East. Its alpha site, the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, is a highly successful cardiovascular hospital owned and managed by CHA and its majority physician-investors.

“The idea is to build a world-class medical center, replicating a state-of-the-art American hospital in every aspect, much like the CHA hospitals in the United States,” explained Philip S. Chua, M.D., vice-president of CHA.

The American Specialty Hospital in Cebu will be mainly staffed by U.S.-trained surgical specialists, who are currently practicing in the United States, together with some well-credentialed specialists in this Paradise and Queen City of the South, the Pride of the Philippines.

sugbuanon

July 22nd, 2006, 03:18 AM

hey guys... naa ko update sa larsian...
my sis works for coke as marketing and this morning she had a meeting with the gov. daw kay finalize na sila sa deal sa new larsian nga site they are sponsoring...
according to her, the present larsian has 21 BBQ stalls, the new one will have 42... and if the deal is final, it will be operational within 3 months so it can still be transfered before the ASEAN summit.

ok thanx for sharing john.. any idea where it will be transferred?

^^ text slerz lang bai for more info. tentatively will meet at 9:30-10:100 in ayala.

sila windshear ug ragecebu na textan naba.. kuyugon to nato ang wala pa nakakuyog sa ato mga outings.. si sir tommy natextan naman nako basin mo apas lang daw siya kuyog ni mike rama..

Skyblue_Navyblue

July 22nd, 2006, 03:23 AM

wala lang! silip lang! :cool:

sugbuanon

July 22nd, 2006, 03:32 AM

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/4764/pix0401wj6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9391/pix042wn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bigmao @ ayala center

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/5669/pix0560ut2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1747/pix0530gb7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4712/pix055bo4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bigmao @ crossroads

MarkiiBoi

July 22nd, 2006, 04:04 AM

^^ mura this 2006 wala pa jud ko kaanha ug crossroads. tsk tsk.

Sinjin P.

July 22nd, 2006, 04:44 AM

At P471M, public market costs almost P18T per square meter
By Rose O. Versoza
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

WITH a total floor area of 2.4 hectares, the proposed Mandaue City Public Market is estimated to cost nearly P18,000 per square meter.

Based on the computation released by Mayor Thadeo Ouano's office, the project's total cost is P471.2 million.

Of this, P35.5 million accounts for the planning, design and site development cost. The remaining P435.7 million is for the building cost.

Ouano earlier defended the price, saying that while it appeared to be higher than the P375-million budget for the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), it is understandable because the market is bigger than the CICC.

The two-story market has a total area of 24,386 square meters while CICC only covers 16,000 square meters.

The ground floor, with an area of 14,250 square meters, has 1,412 wet and dry stalls, an air-conditioned food court, ice maker and cold storage, six public toilets, three garbage rooms, a police station and a loading and unloading area.

Parking space

A roof deck parking space that can accommodate 240 cars, an air-conditioned restaurant with viewing deck and toilet facilities will occupy the 9,983-square-meter second floor.

The facility also has a mezzanine for the administration office and the dry section storage, among others.

It will also have a 156-square-meter jeepney terminal with a passenger waiting area.

The cost already covers the architectural and detailed engineering plan and design, foundation and concrete works, cistern tank facility, electrical and mechanical facility, plumbing system, fire protection system.

Also included is a water treatment facility that has a sewage treatment plant with a 1,452-cubic-meter volume capacity, a grease tank and a chlorine chamber.

However, work on the market has been suspended due to lack of funds.

Completed so far is the market's foundation, which already costs P100 million.

The City negotiated for a loan with two banks to finance the completion, which needs more than P370 million.

The Land Bank of the Philippines has approved a P377-million loan for the project and Ouano is amenable to the bank's offer.

However, the loan agreement has yet to be finalized and the mayor still has to ask the City Council's authority for him to enter into a contract with Land Bank.

Sinjin P.

July 22nd, 2006, 04:47 AM

New terminal for Mandaue PUJs approved

Cebu Daily News
Last updated 11:22am (Mla time) 07/21/2006

A NEW public transport terminal will be established at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) which would cater to Mandaue City jeepneys, which are still haggling with the Cebu City government for their routes.

The Cebu City Council on Wednesday gave Mayor Tomas Osmeña the authority to enter into an agreement with the management of the North Cebu Consolidated Terminal located near White Gold at the NRA.

The terminal would fit well with the plan of the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) which is bent on banning Mandaue PUJs from entering Cebu City's major streets including Osmeña Blvd.

According to a Citom plan, the Mandaue jeepneys will enter the city through by MJ Cuenco Ave., then turn right at Gen. Maxilom Avenue towards Pier 4 and White Gold. The jeepneys then pass by NRA back to Mandaue City.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera has tried to pass an ordinance which is supported by Mandaue City drivers. Her plan is to allow Mandaue PUJs into Cebu City's downtown area but keep them out of the busiest portions of Osmeña Blvd.

Pesquera, however, is still in the US with Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Procopio Fernandez for an official trip.

She was not able to join the discussion on the new North Cebu Terminal. Her proposed ordinance was also deferred by the council.

The management of North Cebu Terminal plans to give the city government a 15 percent share of its income.

MarkiiBoi

July 22nd, 2006, 05:21 AM

Mandaue City is really gearing up. :okay:

Wind Shear

July 22nd, 2006, 06:25 AM

ic3man25

July 22nd, 2006, 06:41 AM

can i join the outing? :) hehehe

sugbuanon

July 22nd, 2006, 07:28 AM

^^ kuyog ta ugma bai ky sige lang raba ka solo flight.. :D

ayala 9:30-10:00..

ic3man25

July 22nd, 2006, 07:42 AM

okies, my number 09214561550. where particularly in ayala?

sugbuanon

July 22nd, 2006, 08:01 AM

wala sad raba ko kabalo.. patxtan lang tika ni slerz..

dive-cebu

July 22nd, 2006, 08:31 AM

mao gyud... pag-design na lagi mo... or ako na lang mag-design...
ako lng i-post ug ganahan ba mo...
unsa kaha lindot nga theme sa?...
any ideas?...
tingbon lang nako kuha ang t-shirt ha...

suggested theme: in cebu's urbanity, we trust!

sugbuanon

July 22nd, 2006, 08:55 AM

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5346/img0530ji3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8936/img04704pchr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9982/img0527ko0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2547/keppel001ms6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8660/keppel007ud4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5695/116828641f167524fd3oik9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1426/116828642a3937331cborj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7584/img04743jwwl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/5551/img04316quck7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/65/img04289dchv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

repost.. cebu business park

Sinjin P.

July 22nd, 2006, 09:05 AM

^^ The buildings in CBP are really pretty and unique... :applause: Thanks to the architects and developers of these buildings... :master:

slerz

July 22nd, 2006, 09:08 AM

sa bo's entertainment diay ta mag kita og kung sira pa gani ang ayala, sa new jeepney terminal lang ta kita, ok ra ninyo?

dive-cebu

July 22nd, 2006, 09:13 AM

^^ pictures lang ang ako mga bai!

dive-cebu

July 22nd, 2006, 09:19 AM

@d'transporter, thanks for the camera!!!

@brodix, just inform the rest of the guys who pledged for the (other) camera so we'll have one for bai slerz... :)

Sinjin P.

July 22nd, 2006, 11:19 AM

I didn't know that it was D'Transporter's birthday not until I saw it on the main page.

Happy Birthday D'Transporter!

:dance:

brodix

July 22nd, 2006, 11:28 AM

grabeng laag sa ssc da! thanks and happy birthday to d'transporter...

pictures dayon ha!

Wind Shear

July 22nd, 2006, 12:31 PM

Guys, if you have time, can you help contribute the Cebuano phrasebook (http://wikitravel.org/en/Cebuano_phrasebook) from Wikitravels.org?

cebulife

July 22nd, 2006, 01:02 PM

They need beautiful pix of cebu guyz, please help....tnx

please click => cebuliving.com (http://www.cebuliving.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=42)

Starring si Markiiboi didto!heheh

dive-cebu

July 22nd, 2006, 01:50 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sad diay, D'TRANSPORTER!!!

habagatcentral1

July 22nd, 2006, 03:02 PM

Pwede mi moapil sa inyo? Kay giinvite ko sa workmate nako (TJ Brewed) sa Shang. Hulaw man ko kay newbie ra ko...

sugbuanon

July 22nd, 2006, 03:11 PM

^^ kuyog tang tanan ky matod pa ni sir butch mas daghan mas maayo..

birthday diay ni sir butch.. pakals diay ni ugma.. busog nasad marvin boi ani.. :D

dive-cebu

July 22nd, 2006, 03:18 PM

^^ pictures lang marv, ay kalimti ug gamit ang bag-ong camera!

slimer

July 22nd, 2006, 04:14 PM

i suggest mosayo mo'g kita kay if molakaw mo by 10am, bitin na kaayo mo sa lingaw2. hehehe... nindot jud ra ba mag-island hopping. nag-island hopping sad diay mi 2 weeks ago. if you start from cordova area, you have to be back before 1pm kay maghunas. hinuon naay small boat kasakyan nga human-powered. as in maglakaw ra ang moduot sa bangka. ing-ana ka hunas nya layo-layo sad.

slimer

July 22nd, 2006, 04:18 PM

about sa katong across park tower 2 nga activity, dumping area diay to sa ma-excavate nga mga materials from rustan's construction/diggings. lagoon area rehabilation will commence by oct-nov daw.

slerz

July 22nd, 2006, 04:19 PM

^^bai, kahibaw ka asa daghan moparent og motorboat? kanang 20 ang capacity? unsa nga resort bai?

N Bacalso cor Leon Kilat street traffic jam this afternoon. This area is getting worst.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jul22b.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jul22d.jpg

ASEAN summit preparations... N Bacalso ave.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jul22c.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jun22e.jpg

habagatcentral1

July 22nd, 2006, 04:21 PM

Pwede me kakuyog bisan newbie?

slerz

July 22nd, 2006, 04:27 PM

kuyog gyud bai kay ato ning tanan... uban bai plzzzz.

habagatcentral1

July 22nd, 2006, 04:29 PM

kuyog gyud bai kay ato ning tanan... uban bai plzzzz.

OK. Kay ang nag-hagad man sa akon (invite) murag dili kaadto kay naa work pero ingon man nya nga basi moapas sya.

How can I contact ya?

habagatcentral1

July 22nd, 2006, 04:35 PM

Cebu is way better than Manila when it comes to traffic.

Suggestion lang unta butangan na nila ug flyover/underpass ang ff;
1.) Corner Bacalso/Del Rosario and Jones/Osmeña Blvd
2.) Corner Gorordo Ave and Mango Ave
3.) Corner Archbishop Reyes and Gorordo Ave
4.) Basi pwede man ang V.Rama and Bacalso
5.) Mandaue City roads...Grabe kaayo ang bottleneck situation dira, especially during rush hours.

Grabe lang talaga ang traffic sa Mango every afternoon and at Gorordo before Escario.

This is Berniemack from Trapik.com Cebu, back to you Cebu SSC! :)

slerz

July 22nd, 2006, 04:39 PM

just txt any of these nos bai... assembly time is 9:30 sa Bo's entertainment center sa Ayala. thanks

MarkiiBoi-------Tisa, Cebu City--------------0906-3103113
Arnlodsa-------Guadalupe, Cebu City--------0926-8548160
Slerz-----------Pardo, Cebu City------------0926-4285435
Sugbuanon----Punta Princesa, Cebu City----0916-4811073
Rowell_sk-----Lapu-Lapu City--------------0927-2740311
fundraiser-----Lapu-Lapu City--------------0920-8791994
SayBooMyBoo----Labangon, Cebu City------0927-5673124
tj-brewed-----Lahug, Cebu City------------0922-4011418
iceman--------Cebu City-------------------09214561550

rowell_sk

July 22nd, 2006, 05:44 PM

have you seen this I love Cebu video taken by koreans?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMjpnKm7zWk

slerz

July 22nd, 2006, 06:40 PM

P del rosario street asphalt overlaying...

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jul22g.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jul22h.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/jul22f.jpg

sugbuanon

July 23rd, 2006, 02:36 AM

^^ ka crispy sa mga pics..

have you seen this I love Cebu video taken by koreans?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMjpnKm7zWk

ah lab shebu.. :D

^^ pictures lang marv, ay kalimti ug gamit ang bag-ong camera!

try lang nako div basin dili ko pahulmon ni slerz sa bago na camera nato.. :D

JAMAICUS

July 23rd, 2006, 01:50 PM

Korean investors to put up P3-B hotel-resort in Cebu
By Conrado M. Diaz Jr.
The Philippine Star 07/23/2006

MACTAN, Cebu – A group of Korean investors will put up a 7.5-hectare hotel-resort complex in Cebu at a cost of about P3 billion, the single biggest Korean investment in the country’s tourism industry.

During the ground breaking last Friday for the project – called the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa – Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said this initiative would significantly impact not only on the hotel and tourism industry but also on Cebu’s domestic economy.

"This would lead to a virtuous cycle – it would bring in tourist volume and create more demand, leading to additional investments to expand capacity, thus attracting more tourists," he said.

The project will be undertaken by Phil BXT Corp., a newly-formed Korean-led group chaired by Park Jong Hwan, on a beachfront property within a designated tourism zone in Lapulapu City, where several other resort/beach hotels are located.

Upon completion in two years’ time, the project will showcase a 616-room world-class AAA resort consisting of six medium rise hotel buildings, three townhouse clusters and 40 fully-furnished villa units each with a private pool. The entire complex will also include a waterpark, swimming pools, tennis courts and clubhouse with a ballroom.

"Hopefully, this project would help raise the standards of the country’s hotels where only 15 percent of the total 65,000 rooms available for occupancy are of world-class standards," Durano said.

Phil BXT has tapped the services of Seoul-based Imperial Palace Hotel to run and manage the resort. One of Korea’s finest hotel networks, Imperial Palace has expanded operations across the globe through Summit Hotels and Resorts. The Cebu project will be their first venture in the Philippines.

Aside from the hotel-resort complex, Phil BXT will also simultaneously develop a 27-hole golf course just four kilometers away from the Imperial Palace Hotel. Designed by golfing legend Arnold Palmer, the course will rise on a 100-hectare lot, a portion of which will be reclaimed land, to cater to members as well as hotel guests. Plans are also underway to build a retirement haven within the golf course, but catering mainly to Korean retirees.

The Koreans are, in fact, fast dominating the tourist landscape in Cebu - one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. Data from the Department of Tourism - Region 7 office showed Koreans made up a third of foreign tourists in Cebu in the first five months of this year, outpacing the second-ranked Japanese with a substantial 31 percent growth during the period.

Korean visitors totaled 61,280 in the five months to May, followed by the Japanese with 49,496 and US arrivals at 21,804.

Durano said with the inflow of more tourism-related investments into the country, the target of three million tourist arrivals in the Philippines this year is well on track as visitor arrivals already grew by 11 percent to 1.5 million during the five-month period.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200607230701.htm

slimer

July 23rd, 2006, 03:36 PM

Today in the papers...

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/4787/clubultima1va6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4338/clubultima2uj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

dive-cebu

July 23rd, 2006, 03:42 PM

^^ nice one bai! which one is the crown, and club ultima from the picture above?

rustyboi

July 23rd, 2006, 03:46 PM

nice! thanks for the images slimer. Crown Regency Hotel (right), Ultima Residences (front), Club Ultima (behind Ultima Residences).

dive-cebu

July 23rd, 2006, 03:51 PM

^^ thanks bai resty...

slimer

July 23rd, 2006, 03:57 PM

it states there that completion will be on 2009!

dive-cebu

July 23rd, 2006, 04:00 PM

cguro ang whole traingle, 2009 pa... na una na man ang club ultima, next would either be the hotel or the ultima residences...

dive-cebu

July 23rd, 2006, 04:09 PM

edit

philwily

July 23rd, 2006, 06:58 PM

Salamat kaayo sa SSC Cebu, most especially kay D'Transporter, pero thank you gihapon sa mga big-time SSC Cebu - arnold, mark, marvin, slerz, iceman, pau, rowell, tj, and berniemack.
Lingaw kaayo, next time ulit. :okay:

Translation :lol: : Thank you very much to SSC Cebu, most especially to D'Transporter, but thank you also to the big-time ssc-cebu peeps = arnold, mark, marvin, slerz, iceman, pau, rowell, tj, and berniemack.
It was really fun. Next time again. :okay:

rowell_sk

July 23rd, 2006, 07:14 PM

just came home from ssc cebu island hopping and drinking at c24.. pics! pics!! pics!!

@philwily - dalia gud ka internet bay...

cge tulog sa ko ha..thank u to D' Transporter!

MarkiiBoi

July 23rd, 2006, 08:06 PM

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/9854/untitled3copyww8.jpg

Jimbu

July 23rd, 2006, 09:07 PM

Monday, July 24, 2006
SM’s expansion wing to copy Mall of Asia

SM City Cebu aims to target the upper class market with its expansion building dubbed, the Northwing.

Marissa Fernan, SM Prime Holdings vice president for marketing said the 10.9—hectare Northwing, which will replicate the ambience of the SM Mall of Asia in Manila, is scheduled to open in May next year.

“We are very excited. SM will try to exude the same kind of ambience in the Mall of Asia in Cebu. The interiors of the Northwing will be done by a Singapore-based designer. SM will be putting up features not seen in Cebu yet,” she told a press conference last Friday.

With regard to the hotel constructed by SM next to the mall in Cebu City, she said the Sy’s are constantly looking for partners willing to infuse investment to complete the hotel’s construction.

Fernan denied the rumor that the reason for the stoppage of the hotel’s construction is the mall management’s misunderstanding with the contractor due to errors in construction.

Nothing wrong

“There is no truth to that. There is nothing wrong with the construction of the hotel. In fact, our employees have been using the basement as parking area,” she said.

Despite its failure to complete the hotel, Fernan said SM will pursue its commitment of helping Cebu attract both foreign and local tourists through completing their shopping experience in Cebu at the SM Southwing, or the main mall, and in the Northwing.

The Northwing, which will have a net leasable area of 17, 677-square meters, will feature higher-end tenants such as Junior Anchors, Ace Builders, Our Home and Al Fresco Dining. Branded retail and specialty shops, a comfort lounge, concierge and entertainment area, will also be found in the annex building.

“Many tenants have already expressed intention of locating in the Northwing,” Fernan said.

The Northwing will have some 1,946 parking lots—three levels of covered parking and one level roof deck parking.

Fernan said the north reclamation rehabilitation and beautification project initiated by SM, in cooperation with the Cebu City Government, will enhance the atmosphere that the mall would like to radiate in the Northwing and the entire shopping complex. (JBN)

slerz

July 24th, 2006, 12:45 AM

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/9854/untitled3copyww8.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/1-1.jpg

THE CREW
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/theTEAM.jpg
tjbrewed[taking the pic]-markiiboi-iceman-sugbuanon-arnoldsa-berniemacksouthcentr-
fundraiser-slerz-philwily-rowell_sk-gerald[captains son:okay:]-d'transporter[the captain:okay:]

THE SAIL
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/thesail.jpg

and our message to the captain
THANK YOU VERY MUCH

loads of pics to follow ;)

brodix

July 24th, 2006, 02:07 AM

cool huh!!! suya kaayo! wala na lain pics? :D

ic3man25

July 24th, 2006, 02:24 AM

Thank you so much D'Transporter and SSC Cebu.. It was really a great day!! :)

Sinjin P.

July 24th, 2006, 02:33 AM

^^ Hala kagrabe gud sa inyo meet, makatulo-laway! :lol:

sugbuanon

July 24th, 2006, 02:43 AM

grabe hantod ron busog paman gihapon ko.. maygani wala ko gi urom gabie.. :D

salamat butch, arnold ug brodix.. ug sa tanan nanguyog..

tj_brewed

July 24th, 2006, 02:46 AM

ei....just woke up from a deep sleep due to our exhausting yet worth remembering SSC-Cebu Maiden Voyage! :) :) :)

kul-baan jud ko sa waves gahapon....perting dagkua...d baya ko kabalo molangoy!

D'Transporter! Butch....Thanks po sa lahat kahapon! ehehehehehhe.....i'll consider that as a birthday gift as well! ahahahahah toinkz..... 24 na jud ko today :scouserd: :scouserd:

To the gang, sorry wala ko nakabalik sa C24! Around 12am ko nihawa sa Pardo. I hope to hangout with ya soon again! t'was FUN and INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING! :)

sugbuanon

July 24th, 2006, 02:49 AM

^^ oi happy birthday tj.. ehem walay ka.on? :D

tj_brewed

July 24th, 2006, 02:54 AM

^^ oi happy birthday tj.. ehem walay ka.on? :D

Mao na to gahapon! ahahahahahahhaha..... :scouserd: :scouserd: kiddin..u guys free tonight?

Thanks marvin.

brodix

July 24th, 2006, 03:13 AM

happy birthday tj. pwede moapil sa kaon? :D

sugbuanon

July 24th, 2006, 03:19 AM

Mao na to gahapon! ahahahahahahhaha..... :scouserd: :scouserd: kiddin..u guys free tonight?

Thanks marvin.

free? basta free ang kaon free sad ko..

philwily

July 24th, 2006, 04:30 AM

^^ oi happy birthday tj.. ehem walay ka.on? :D

hehe... wa nagsaba-saba si tj kahapon na birthday niya. hehe Happy 24th birthday tj_brewed! :cheers1:

Sinjin P.

July 24th, 2006, 04:33 AM

Happy Birthday Mr. Brewed, TJ! :dance:

LordCarnal

July 24th, 2006, 04:57 AM

happy birthday TJ.. so there's a part 2 tonight.. haha..

LordCarnal

July 24th, 2006, 05:07 AM

tj_brewed

July 24th, 2006, 05:22 AM

ehehehe :) Thank you all!!!! ;)

fundraiser

July 24th, 2006, 05:57 AM

SSC-CEBU july 22 meet, thanks d'trans (sir butch)!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/july22_24.jpg
our taxi
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/july22_6.jpg
happy birthday tj! kay birthday man nimo, ikaw muna ang starring sa pics, wakekeke
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/july22_2.jpg
(l-r, berniemack, iceman, philwilly and birthday boy TJ!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/july22_3.jpg
with markiboi (left) and philwilly (center)

more pics coming soon.

slerz

July 24th, 2006, 05:59 AM

hain naman tong si Iloilo boy, kay magriwas ta...hehe...
@bernie, thanks for the healthy debate...:)

Sinjin P.

July 24th, 2006, 06:00 AM

Hey guys, can you post the links to the threads, Flickr accounts, photo blogs having lots of photos of Cebu? Someone's asking kasi, thanks

habagatcentral1

July 24th, 2006, 06:10 AM

hain naman tong si Iloilo boy, kay magriwas ta...hehe...
@bernie, thanks for the healthy debate...:)

Well appreciated Slerz! Hubog ba ko last night? hehehe! :)

[dx]

July 24th, 2006, 06:21 AM

birthday pala ni tj_brewed.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :cheers1:

habagatcentral1

July 24th, 2006, 06:27 AM

TJ, ayaw magpanago! Pangitaa ta ka unya sa Bay2! Libreha! bwahaha! Happy Bday!

To sir Butch, madamu guid nga salamat sa treat kahapon sa mabalud ugaling masinadyahon nga Olango-Mactan tripping. Nalingaw guid kami tanan!Kasadya sang ulupdanay. (daghan salamat sa treat kahapon biskaln mabalud kaso malipay nga Olango Mactan Tripping). :)

tj_brewed

July 24th, 2006, 06:28 AM

Thnx dxpsycho! Thnx sa pix fundraiser! Thanx sa cool .gif banner posted sinjin. Thnx sa greetings brodix, Arnold, Sugbuanon, Philwilly and BernieThank you all! Thnx sa ssc-gang :) :) :)

- ah! it feels like accepting an award sa Oscars! ehehehehhehe :)

LordCarnal

July 24th, 2006, 06:35 AM

Jump-off point
- We rented a boat for P2,500 which was good for the entire day. The pier was just beside Hilton Hotel.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan05.jpg

- All aboard
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan03.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan04.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan01.jpg

Lunch was at a restaurant on stilt off the coast of Olango Island.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan06.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan07.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan08.jpg

The waves were kind of rough that day so we just requested the boat operator to follow Mactan island's so-called "golden mile."
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan09.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan12.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan10.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan11.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan13.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan14.jpg

-Some private enclaves
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan15.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan16.jpg

Sinjin P.

July 24th, 2006, 06:35 AM

Thanx sa cool .gif banner posted sinjin.

Ha? What? Where? I don't remember posting any. :D

EDIT: Oh, you mean this, :dance: ?

tj_brewed

July 24th, 2006, 06:36 AM

:dance:
this dancin' gif! :)

habagatcentral1

July 24th, 2006, 02:38 PM

Finally, after 2 hours of waiting for SSC to go back again...Yahoo! Its back..

La Lang!

TJ HAPPY B-DAY

flesh_is_weak

July 24th, 2006, 03:20 PM

Today in the papers...

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/4787/clubultima1va6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4338/clubultima2uj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

kaluoy pud sa club ultima...murag ma-etchapwera na iyang beauty...lol...ngano pud kaha hilabihan ka sikit na daghan pa man ta bakante sa cebu...ila lang pud tingali nang style... :) :) :)

slerz

July 24th, 2006, 04:38 PM

Lunch @ Olango island

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce7.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce9.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce4.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce6.jpg

tj, hinay hinay lang:D
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce5.jpg

the thrill
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce2.jpg

relax and enjoy
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/ssce91.jpg

flesh_is_weak

July 24th, 2006, 05:27 PM

kalingaw pud ana inyong outing...unsa naay nibangka or kanya-kanya ra? suya pud ko da...

echeverriavy

July 24th, 2006, 05:42 PM

walay thread about cebu bars, clubbing, and entertainment?

slerz

July 24th, 2006, 06:12 PM

through the waves...
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_57RwU6gBiE"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_57RwU6gBiE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

LordCarnal

July 24th, 2006, 07:32 PM

kalingaw pud ana inyong outing...unsa naay nibangka or kanya-kanya ra? suya pud ko da...

It was D'Transporter's treat bro. Sayang you weren't able to join but there's a tentative meet this August with Brodix so you should be able to attend.. Hehehe.. :horse:

Jimbu

July 24th, 2006, 07:50 PM

Internal problems impede Coral Reef hotel disposal
By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman 07/25/2006

The Philippine National Bank is close to clenching a deal with a China-based group on the acquisition of the idle 20-hectare Coral Reef Resort property in Mactan, this according to Department of Tourism (DoT) secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

In an interview, Durano said the Chinese group is planning to build a medium rise hotel and resort development with a convention center, and develop the 9-hole golf course of Coral Reef.

He said the buyers' initial plan, name withheld upon request, is to build 1,000 rooms, sensing the big shortage of rooms in Cebu.

However, the Cebuano DOT chief added that the negotiation may take a little longer, as there are still a number of internal problems that need to be ironed out, although the buyer and PNB had already agreed on the price.

There are past claims of unpaid employees, and those who bought shares, and a claim that a Japanese buyer has already given a down payment for the property to its former owner.

"They [PNB and the buyer] have to marry these all together and solve these problems first," Durano said.

If the problems will be settled in the next few months, Durano said this is one of the few new tourism-related projects that Cebu can brag about this year.

PNB has foreclosed the Coral Reef property few years ago, due to ballooning loan exposure.

Durano hopes that both PNB and the Chinese buyer would be able to resolve the internal problems, in order to start another hotel/resort project in Cebu.

If this project will push through, this will be the biggest resort project ever built in Cebu, in terms of number of rooms.

Even if Cebu will be able to add over 1,000 rooms in the next few years, Durano said this will not solve the problem of room shortage, as demand is also expected to triple.

This year, the Philippines is projecting to reach the level of three million foreign arrivals. In the last five months, the country already registered 1.5 million foreign arrivals in the Philippines.

"We are a little ahead of target, we have to achieve about 10 percent more," Durano said.

Durano believes that if Cebu will be able to build more resorts in the next few years, demand for rooms is also expected to grow tremendously.

He said the need for Cebu now, is not so much on business hotels, but on resort facilities, especially with triple A accommodation, or five-star.

Aside from the multi-billion pesos Imperial Palace WaterPark Resort and Spa, an ongoing project is currently constructed by Filinvest Development Corporation, the P4 billion- Seascape resort town also in Mactan Island.

rustyboi

July 24th, 2006, 07:55 PM

wow! you guys had so much fun! wish i was with u pipz. :rock:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan11.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/ssc_mactan14.jpg

^^PINK isn't really bad after all... it's giving u that "Bahamas" feelin' :cool:

by the way, the recent SONA highlighted Cebu's Convention Center for the ASEAN Summit. i think that wuz just about it. CEBU, The Queen City of Central Philippines ;)

rustyboi

July 24th, 2006, 08:47 PM

Happy Birthday diay TJ Brewed :D

ic3man25

July 25th, 2006, 03:05 AM

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/998/image074kf6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Tnx TJ for the pizzas last nyt, I really enjoy the conversation with you guys :)

Ady001

July 25th, 2006, 03:36 AM

kaluoy pud sa club ultima...murag ma-etchapwera na iyang beauty...lol...ngano pud kaha hilabihan ka sikit na daghan pa man ta bakante sa cebu...ila lang pud tingali nang style... :) :) :)

Mahala oi... that Condo is so ngilngig....

fundraiser

July 25th, 2006, 03:56 AM

some more pics, our lunch last sunday was at olango island, tapos ang dinner sa tides resto in mactan shangrila.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0418.jpg
menu pa lang ni sa mga cocktails pero murag mulugwa na akong mata sa presyo, wakekeke, pero thanks again to sir butch!

fundraiser

July 25th, 2006, 04:04 AM

if you happen to go inside mango square lately, naay korean section na soon to open, i just dont know why korean has to be spelled with a C. invasion naman ni sa mga kimchi!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/Photo-0419.jpg

habagatcentral1

July 25th, 2006, 05:59 AM

Thanks TJ sa treat!
Belated Happy bday

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/Image_073_.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/BernieMack_89_.jpg

And hinay hinay lang sa pagkaon...hehe!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/BernieMack_95_.jpg

dive-cebu

July 25th, 2006, 07:31 AM

^^ guys, after that fun-filled meet, i think it's high time to think of our t-shirt's design... todohin na natin to!!!

rowell_sk

July 25th, 2006, 11:35 AM

kayasa wa nuon ko kakuyog sa birthday party ni tj-brewed da! saon way offline skyscrapercity.com paguli nako..belated happy birthday na lang @tj-brewed!

habagatcentral1

July 25th, 2006, 11:47 AM

^^ guys, after that fun-filled meet, i think it's high time to think of our t-shirt's design... todohin na natin to!!!

who's gonna take care of it? Naghimu na si Slerz ug "banner". Kinsa naman mohimo ug SSC Shirt? Any volunteers?

habagatcentral1

July 25th, 2006, 11:49 AM

snpeters

July 25th, 2006, 12:29 PM

snpeters

July 25th, 2006, 12:58 PM

Koreans living and doing biz bigtime in Cebu = hardcore :D

habagatcentral1

July 25th, 2006, 01:02 PM

Koreans living and doing biz bigtime in Cebu = hardcore :D

Anyong! Mahal ko po kayo Cebu! :wave:

LordCarnal

July 25th, 2006, 02:14 PM

Mactan Island: Golden Mile

Hilton Resort and Hotel
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_17.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_21.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_15.jpg

A boat
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_12.jpg

Pirates?
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_14.jpg

LordCarnal

July 25th, 2006, 02:20 PM

Mactan Island: Golden Mile

Shangri-La
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_24.jpg

Vistamar
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_23.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_22.jpg

Seascapes
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_18.jpg

tj_brewed

July 25th, 2006, 02:25 PM

kayasa wa nuon ko kakuyog sa birthday party ni tj-brewed da! saon way offline skyscrapercity.com paguli nako..belated happy birthday na lang @tj-brewed!

Thanks Rowell! :)

Happy Birthday diay TJ Brewed :D

Thanks Rusty!!! :)

LordCarnal

July 25th, 2006, 02:27 PM

Mactan Island: Golden Mile

Banana ride
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_25.jpg

Jetski "drag race" ?
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_13.jpg

Sail away
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_16.jpg

A private enclave
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_20.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_11.jpg

rustyboi

July 25th, 2006, 02:58 PM

nice shots!

Seascapes
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Olango_Field_Trip/new_resize_18.jpg[/FONT]

that is actually Coral Point Resort and Residences. Seascapes is still under construction. :)

dive-cebu

July 25th, 2006, 03:06 PM

^^ so this is the one which was foreclosed by PNB bai resty?

rustyboi

July 25th, 2006, 03:14 PM

Nope. you must be referring to Coral Reef Village. they'll reopen with 1000 5-star hotel rooms end of this year. :)

snpeters

July 25th, 2006, 03:14 PM

bai, is it Coral Point Resort? or Coral Reef Resort, the PNB has foreclosed a few years ago, due to ballooning loan exposure..

snpeters

July 25th, 2006, 03:16 PM

ahh ok.. so may coral point and iba naman yon coral reef..

dive-cebu

July 25th, 2006, 03:16 PM

Nope. you must be referring to Coral Reef Village. they'll reopen with 1000 5-star hotel rooms end of this year. :)

ahh, okay! quite confused with the CORALS there! hehe...

dive-cebu

July 25th, 2006, 03:24 PM

Venture capitalists eye $10M for RP

CEBU’s vibrant tourism industry has attracted a Canadian-American venture capital firm to pour in some of its $30-million fund in the Philippines.
Freedom Investment Club (FIC), while searching for potential investments in Southeast Asia, has found itself in the country recognizing its “world-class” and growing business process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism industries.

“The Philippines is one of the emerging economies in the world. It has a high level of education with English as a universal language,” said FIC chairman and chief executive officer Mike Lathigee.

FIC has been on the lookout for new and existing firms to invest in in Southeast Asia that have huge growth potential.

Aside from the BPO and tourism industries, Lathigee also said that the investment company is also willing to pour capital into other “US dollar-based industries” like the furniture industry.

Around $10 million in capital fund is estimated to go to the Philippines, Lathigee said, who just arrived in Cebu last Wednesday.

He added that Cebu would be the focus for tourism-related investments while BPO ventures will be focused in Manila.

Lathigee also said that the investment company is targeting to develop a resort hotel for the island booming tourism.

Moreover, FIC included renowned Cebuano entrepreneur Jay Aldeguer as one of its board of advisers together with venture capitalist Joel Santos of the Entrepreneur School of Asia.

Aldeguer and Santos would play a vital role in the company's investment decision-making.

FIC is currently looking at linking with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in specifically finding a potential business venture.

Lathigee said that the FIC is willing to fund businesses with world-class management with up-to-date financial statements.

FIC is targeting to release funding for its first project by the end of October, Lathigee said.

Aldeguer, on the other hand, said that peripheral business in the tourism industry is being eyed for the venture capital.
FIC operates in Canada, United States and China. It has over 4,000 shareholders in Canada and US alone.

According to its website, the Freedom Investment Club is an investment concept where all members are shareholders.

The club manages several specific investment pools (referred to as "funds"), and investors are able to purchase shares in each of these funds.

When an investor purchases shares, they become a shareholder and member of that fund, and then have the right to participate in meetings and votes related to that fund.

dive-cebu

July 25th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Cebu Designer gets International Accolade

Kenneth Cobunpue, Cebu designer, has been featured and hailed by Time Magazine (Stylewatch section July 24, 2006 issue) as the rattan’s first true virtuoso designer.

Kenneth won the 2005 Design for Asia Award, and his Voyage bed design has been bought by Brad Pitt. He has also been asked to design the furniture set of the upcoming movie, Ocean 13. He and his designs has been featured in various publications like USA Today, Newsweek, Architectural Digest, International Herald Tribune, Vogue, Tropical Living, International Design Yearbook and other prestigious publications.

Kenneth Cobunpue and one of his world-class furniture designs
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/div-cebu/thumb_features_31.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/div-cebu/thumb_0705_fixturing_kenncob11.jpg

rowell_sk

July 25th, 2006, 04:27 PM

Cebu biz leaders happy with PGMA's SONA marking tourism as Central RP competitive edge

Cebu City (25 July) -- Cebu business leaders are quite happy with Pres. Arroyo's State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) yesterday afternoon as she acknowledged the competitive edge of Central Philippines which is tourism. Cebu falls under the Central Philippine Mega-Region and has been the top tourist destination of foreign visitors particularly Koreans and Japanese.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Francis Monera agreed with the President that Cebu's strong asset is on tourism as he lauded Pres. Arroyo's plan to establish more nautical highways since the more tourist areas are made accessible, the better for the growth of the tourism industry.

Joel Mari Yu, managing director of the Cebu Investment Promotions Center said, "the economic future of the Philippines is on services and tourism. Since we do not have a distinct advantage for manufacturing and agriculture, this country should develop tourism more."

Monera said building airports in Bohol and Romblon will be good for Cebu's tourism as well being the hub as there is a need to improve accessibility to tourist areas. Bohol together with Cebu is also a favored tourist destination.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said they are targeting 3M tourists by yearend with Koreans still the top foreign tourists frequenting the country with 33.25 percent of the total tourist arrivals from January to April, this year.

Durano said that for the first five months, tourist arrivals grew by 11.5 percent, which is close to 1.5M tourists with the bulk of the travel market coming from Korea. The Dept. of Tourism (DOT-7) meanwhile, recorded 49,852 Korean visitors from January to April, 2006, up by 35 percent compared to last year's 36,924.

Japanese visitors are the second largest tourist market in the country at 26.76 percent followed by Americans at 11.62 percent. A total of 40,157 Japanese and 17,422 Americans visited Cebu during the first fours months of this year. The figures also rose compared to the same period of last year with only 308,004 Japanese and 13,912 American tourists, according to the DOT-7 record.

Durano added that a big batch of tourists from China will be vacationing in Cebu, Manila and Boracay for approximately 10 days next month. The 2,000 expected Chinese tourists will come in batches of four, Durano further said.

sugbuanon

July 25th, 2006, 05:01 PM

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/236/p1000337ja6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/4822/p1000346ze0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

EGI resort

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/3971/p1220004ac1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/9533/p1220006pm2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

coral point resort

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4533/p1000383eg3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/3642/p1000226ff1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

hilton mactan

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/9159/p1000380fd1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9895/p1220022bb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

shangrila mactan

rowell_sk

July 25th, 2006, 05:11 PM

nice quality pics bay marvs..

sugbuanon

July 25th, 2006, 05:20 PM

^^ hehe siyempre bago gud ang camera.. :D

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4358/1979804342a4b3a1c41beb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

photo by: acemarc

slerz

July 25th, 2006, 05:58 PM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/sscsh2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/sscsh1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/sscsh3.jpg

KiBeN

July 25th, 2006, 06:05 PM

^^ wow! grabe yung meet nyu, ang saya naman! :D

tj_brewed

July 25th, 2006, 06:06 PM

^^ wow! grabe yung meet nyu, ang saya naman! :D

Kaya join ka next time :)

sugbuanon

July 26th, 2006, 03:49 AM

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9558/p1220009gh8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

hilton mactan

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3416/p1000340ln8dy7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

EGI resort

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/166/p1000357ie8ba3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

costabella resort

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4339/p1000369tu8jl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

residencia de vistamar

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7268/p1000317ua0cn4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ocean pearl / blue reef resort

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3665/p1000378ae6dt9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

shangrila mactan

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/6803/p1000364nh4tz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

skyline of mactan island

dabert

July 26th, 2006, 03:53 AM

^^ shoot, mactan will surely be world-class in 2010! malupigan na gyud ang dubai ani.. hehehe... makalaway jd inyung island hopping da.., tinuud jd ang saying nga 'the best things in life are for free'.. waheheh.. :D

sugbuanon

July 26th, 2006, 04:04 AM

Sidewalk vendors struggle with deadline

Stiffer rules were imposed on sidewalk vendors in Cebu City, as they continue to struggle to beat the deadline the mayor set for them to clear sidewalks and pedestrian lanes.

The vendors have yet to clear the 14 areas identified as having traffic obstructions, and less than a week before the deadline, City Hall imposed more rules for them to comply with.

Vendors will no longer be allowed to cook and sell food in downtown Cebu City. They will also be banned from within a one-meter distance from traffic signposts.

Maria Pino, chairperson of the Cebu City United Vendors’ Association (CCUVA), said it is difficult for them to comply with Citom’s requirement to clear at least two meters of the sidewalk for the pedestrians.

“This is very difficult for us, but we will do our best just to avoid getting driven away. We just hope the mayor will consider what we’ve changed and call off any demolition,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.

CCUVA claims to have cleared 70 percent of the areas identified to have traffic obstructions, but City Hall officials have not seen any improvement in the sidewalks.
Urban poor consultant Gerry Marquez said nothing has changed, especially along Colon St.

He said, though, that it is still too early to tell whether or not a scheduled demolition next week could be aborted.

“Kon ang akong nakita karon maoy ilang giingon na na-clear na nila, dili gyud ni kapasar. Padayon man na naghuot ang mga vendors sa sidewalk, dili gihapon kaagian. Muingon sila nga naay kausaban, wala ko’y nakita. Ang Citom na lang ang bahala nila (The vendors continue to monopolize the sidewalk. They say there have been changes, but I haven’t seen any. Citom will just have to deal with them),” Marquez said.

He cited certain areas on Colon St. and Osmeña Blvd.

Vendors will not be allowed to occupy one meter of both sides of traffic signposts and corners of streets.

The use of cooking stoves and gas burners will also be prohibited to discourage vending of foodstuff, which contributes to sanitation problems in the area.

“Instead of clearing and cleaning the sidewalks, the vendors were given uniforms and painted their stalls, but that’s not what we asked of them,” Marquez lamented.

When Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s two-week deadline ends this Monday, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) Executive Director Arnel Tancinco said they will be ready to give the mayor their recommendations on which stalls would have to go.

Like Marquez’s observation, Tancinco said sidewalks in the 14 areas they identified still have not been cleared.

“As far as our office is concerned, we didn’t see any movement of the vendors’ stalls in most areas. But we’ll still give them a reasonable period to comply with our conditions,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Citom is finalizing a design layout of sidewalks in the city, which would indicate the specific areas that have to be cleared and areas where the vendors can stay.

The layout will be ready by tomorrow and will be given to the vendors for them to follow, Tancinco added.

Gibb

July 26th, 2006, 07:16 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/sscsh2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/sscsh1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/slerz3/sscsh3.jpg

Lamia sa kaon ah!

habagatcentral1

July 26th, 2006, 07:50 AM

^^ wow! grabe yung meet nyu, ang saya naman! :D

Join ka next time. Based ka sa QC? Then go south and enjoy the sun (wa bagyo). :)

rage@cebu

July 26th, 2006, 08:00 AM

Lamia sa kaon ah!

suyaa nako oi!
lingaw gyud kaayo mo da...
wa man gud ko dri Cebu gud last week..
adto ko sa Negros gud kay gihilantan man ako bebe...
wa pud ko ni log-in didto... kay wa man net, layo man sa city...

Naa pay lain Guyz?... kuyog ko ha...
bag-o pud ako number diay... nag smart ko.. 09283116574

rage@cebu

July 26th, 2006, 08:02 AM

asa naman diay tug T-shirt design bai?...
pila kabook...

rage@cebu

July 26th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Lamia sa kaon ah!

Tides na sa?...
Dra man to nag work ako classmate sauna...
graduate man to cya culinay arts... pero naa na cya London...
wa na man ko kadungog ato niya...

habagatcentral1

July 26th, 2006, 08:13 AM

Sin-o ma-volunteer sa t-shirt design? Asa na diay gali..

Sa Tides gyud na. Medyo libog ulo sa price sa menu. Tanan 3 digits. Apil pa sa nagkaon ang tag-iya sa Shangrila,hehehe!

rage@cebu

July 26th, 2006, 08:18 AM

It was D'Transporter's treat bro. Sayang you weren't able to join but there's a tentative meet this August with Brodix so you should be able to attend.. Hehehe.. :horse:

kuyog ko bai!...
lingaw gyud kaayo mo bai sa...
sayang...

rage@cebu

July 26th, 2006, 09:22 AM

kuyog ko bai!...
lingaw gyud kaayo mo bai sa...
sayang...

sa sunod mag-uniform na bai....

gee

July 26th, 2006, 09:28 AM

ANTON QUISUMBING

Anton Quisumbing is known for his miniature facades of Philippine churches, which are bas-relief replicas carved in Mactan stone. Using resin and plaster to complement other meticulous details, Anton finishes the miniatures with a patina of simulated antiquity.

Anton, is a Fine Arts graduate who majored in Sculpture from the University of the Philippines. Currently he is involved in a family-owned furniture manufacturing company, the Loran Industries.

He tackles a variety of projects ranging from monuments to commissioned works of art meant for corporate identities. Since November of 1990, Anton Quisumbing has displayed his artwork in several exhibits in the Philippines and Malaysia. He also took part at the Seville World Exposition.

slerz

July 26th, 2006, 09:36 AM

Ei STEWART, thanks for visiting SSC forum specially our thread... Join us bai kay pariha raman sd diay tag kalaki, mag cg og update sa development sa cebu...
di nuon ikalalis bai nga gwapo mi, kay murag obvious man kaayo...waaaa :D
dri nalang ko reply bai kay hutdan ko load...hehe

btw, about sa t shirt, kinsa na nag himo sa design... kinahanglan nana tay t shirt before molarga si butch kay mo hatag tag duha niya para niya og kang gerald, for remembrance ba. sa man?

gee

July 26th, 2006, 09:39 AM

Romulo Galicano
Grand Prize Winner, 2005 International Portrait Competition
organized by the Portrait Society of America in Washington, D.C.

Born in Carcar, Cebu, Galicano found a natural inclination with the arts at a young age. He produced sketches when he was small. In his teens, he trained under Martino Abellana, one of Cebu’s top realist artists. He also imbibed the artistic discipline from Sugboanon painter Sofronio Mendoza.

When he went to pursue a Fine Arts degree at the University of the East in Manila, Galicano found himself strapped of cash. He tried to save money as much as he could, eating only bread for his daily meals and wearing one uniform throughout the school year. He didn’t finish the course, however. He took apprenticeships and, after trading a few paintings, flew to Europe to visit museums, read books and brush elbows with top artists.

check the whole story:
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/may/30/yehey/life/20050530lif1.html

habagatcentral1

July 26th, 2006, 09:45 AM

ic3man25

July 26th, 2006, 10:35 AM

rowell_sk

July 26th, 2006, 11:41 AM

guys, d nato buhatan ug thread atong island hopping sa samahan section?

rustyboi

July 26th, 2006, 11:48 AM

Chinese businessmen eyeing Coral Reef property
By Regina Aguilar
Cebu Daily News
Last updated 02:15pm (Mla time) 07/26/2006

A group of businessmen in China is interested in a foreclosed 20-hectare Coral Reef property on Mactan Island.

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano has said the Philippine National Bank (PNB), which foreclosed the Coral Reef property, is currently clinching a deal to sell the idle resort-hotel property with a China-based company, which could be a major investor coming from one of the country's primary tourism markets.

The company, which the tourism chief refuses to name yet, is also into hotel and resort management.

“PNB and the buyer from China, so far, have agreed on the purchase price,” he said.

The deal promises Cebu a 1,000-room medium rise hotel with a convention center and a golf course.

“If we can ink the deal, it could be another project to brag about this year,” said Durano.

PNB and the buyer, however, are still ironing out internal problems of the foreclosed property, Durano said.

He said there were past claims from unpaid employees and shareholders that needed to be settled.

PNB, which is owned by businessman Lucio Tan, foreclosed the Coral Reef property a few years ago due to a ballooning loan exposure.

Durano, however, is hoping the bank and buyer would settle the internal problems to start another hotel project in Cebu.

The tourism chief was in Cebu last week to grace the groundbreaking of the P3-billion Korean hotel project on Mactan Island.

Although recent hotel openings and developments would not solve hotel room shortage in Cebu, Durano remains optimistic with the tourism industry projecting increased tourist arrivals in the country.

“Having a 1,000-room capacity would surely bring in more tourists, which would eventually create more demand for room accommodation,” said Durano.

He added that demand for tourism infrastructure would further increase as these hotel investments from Korean and later Chinese investors, who are the country’s major tourist market, would push promotion of the country particularly Cebu as a premier holiday destination.

Kinsa mohimu? I volunteer but not guaranteed. Sina MarkiBoii ug uban pa nga kabalo mag-design. Dapat naa na ta t-shirt before sila molakaw.

Unsa'y design, murag sa Island Souvenir?
^^bro u may post your design here so we can vote or suggest some changes. dapat tanan mu submit ug entry hehe. si slimer pud maayo design.

kinsa gani volunteer mo na print sa shirts? nice kato ang embossed print. :)

LordCarnal

July 26th, 2006, 11:57 AM

@Slerz

Why don't you just copy the design from your little flag?

rustyboi

July 26th, 2006, 12:01 PM

Monday, July 24, 2006
SM’s expansion wing to copy Mall of Asia

With regard to the hotel constructed by SM next to the mall in Cebu City, she said the Sy’s are constantly looking for partners willing to infuse investment to complete the hotel’s construction.

Fernan denied the rumor that the reason for the stoppage of the hotel’s construction is the mall management’s misunderstanding with the contractor due to errors in construction.

Nothing wrong

“There is no truth to that. There is nothing wrong with the construction of the hotel. In fact, our employees have been using the basement as parking area,” she said.

wait a minute, the SM hotel has a basement parking area? considering that it's 22-storey high, sits on a reclaimed land and just a few meters from the Cebu Internat'l Port. :D

brodix

July 26th, 2006, 12:39 PM

wait a minute, the SM hotel has a basement parking area? considering that it's a reclaimed land and a few meters from the Cebu Internat'l Port. :D

is there really truth to instability of tall buildings especially those with basement levels built on reclaimed land? in other countries, there are lots of reclaimed areas and most of these have really tall buildings with multi-level basements under them. taller buildings need deep basements to make them more stable. one good instance is the hotel burj al arab in dubai is also on an artificial island.

i don't think our reclamation areas are that substandard and too fragile. besides, reclaimed land is still on bedrock.

habagatcentral1

July 26th, 2006, 12:41 PM

Lagi...Pwede man ang sa "banner" ni Slerz,hehe!

LordCarnal

July 26th, 2006, 12:46 PM

^^

@brodix

I remember Two IFC in Hongkong (88 storeys) has a multi-level basement which includes a subway station. Before Two IFC was built, the area where it is standing now was still a part of the sea.

But I think there's an added cost for such buildings..

rowell_sk

July 26th, 2006, 12:46 PM

P3B resort facility to rise in Mactan

27-hole golf course on nearby island of Cordova

A Korean P3-billion hotel development venture in Cebu is drawing bright prospects for the country’s tourism industry.

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano foresees a spur of tourism investments as the country’s biggest Korean hotel project recently breaks ground on the island of Mactan.

“Investment and (tourist) volume would now be a virtuous cycle for the tourism industry in the country,” said Durano during the groundbreaking ceremony of the future Imperial Palace and Waterpark Resort and Spa last Friday.

The 616-room resort hotel will soon rise in the 7.5-hectare property located along M.L. Quezon Highway, Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Durano explained that increasing the capacity of the country to accommodate more tourists would boost tourism arrivals in the country.

The influx of tourists would then again encourage more investment for tourism infrastructure, he said.

Korean company Phil BXT Corp., owner and developer of the resort hotel, reveals that the project will consist of six medium-rise and three low-rise buildings and 40 single units complete with amenities.

Complete recreational facilities will also be included, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, a ballroom and a water park.

Durano said the five-star resort hotel, which is targeted to fully operate in 2009, is anticipated to help address room accommodation shortage of the booming tourism industry here in Cebu.

Durano also anticipates an increase in tourism arrivals from Korea with the establishment of the resort hotel, which carries the name of one of South Korea’s successful and popular independent hotel chains.

The Imperial Palace Hotel, which is one of the world-class luxury hotel chains in Korea, would help promote the Philippines to its vast global network, Durano said.

In fact, Imperial Palace Hotel chief executive officer Shin Chul Ho noted the vibrant tourism industry of Cebu, a tropical island that has become a popular holiday destination among Koreans.

“The hotel business in Mactan promises a rosy future to all of us more than ever. The bigger the hope, the bigger leap we will take in every step,” Shin said in a message read by Imperial Palace senior director for international business development Armando Hhuh Cha.

Cebu Imperial Palace is the first overseas expansion of the South Korean hotel chain.

The resort hotel project is currently in the process of finalizing agreements with one foreign and four local contractors to start construction, project manager Jefferson Lim revealed.

The hotel would also develop a 27-hole golf course on the nearby island of Cordova to complement facility of resort hotel, Lim said.

“We’ll also build a retirement village facility in the golf course,” Lim said. The construction of the resort is set to be completed two years from now.