During the pandemic, it was made clear that the place to see and have a vacation on would be New Zealand.
New Zealand | Photo from Unsplash
We were fed by how beautiful it really is through the travel videos and tv series and movies during our quarantines. Hold on to your seats my fellow Filipinos as that New Zealand dream might just be happening this year.
In case you missed it, Filipinos can now travel to New Zealand. It recently reopened its doors to people from the Philippines on August 1 after being on strict travel restrictions for too long.
Now, as a tourist, we still need to apply for a visa to enter New Zealand (NZ). No worries though as we have here listed the necessary travel requirements to get you there swiftly.
1. Valid passport
Your Philippine passport must be valid. It should not expire for at least three months beyond the date you intend to depart New Zealand.
Photo from LJay Manayon
2. Apply for Visa
After you have the passport or if you already have a valid one on hand, you can start your visa application.
Photo from Unsplash
3. Acquire a Vaccination Certificate
NZ requires visitors who are over the age of 17 and not a New Zealand citizen, resident or Australian citizen who lives in New Zealand, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. So, to enter NZ, prepare your vaccine certificate or another form of electronic or paper document from a government health authority. For the Philippines, you can get it here on this link. https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph/#/
Note: Children aged 16 years and under do not need to be vaccinated.
Photo from Davao City Government Website
4. Get a Travel Insurance
You may not see this as necessary or have never really done this for all your past trips but post-pandemic, it has now been a requirement and the New Zealand government isn’t different. It strongly encourages visitors to get travel insurance and even made it a condition for getting a visa.
Photo from Unsplash
5. Sign the Traveler’s Declaration
We are no strangers to declaration forms ever since covid hit us so this one will be so easy. The New Zealand Traveler Declaration, will also ask to upload proof of vaccination status so just ready yours and answer their needed info truthfully.
Photo from Unsplash
These requirements are true as of this writing but there may be changes in the New Zealand government so better to be aware and always check their websites.
With the uncertainty the pandemic and the global economy crisis is bringing to us, investing is a smart move to do these days if you can. One of the best things to invest in is land or real estate. If you are interested in buying land, whether it be as an investment or you just want a decent piece of land to live in, here are the steps you need to take to make sure that buying such property is smooth and a success.
Photo from Unsplash
Step 1
First and foremost, if the agent, or particularly called ‘real estate agent’ or the landowner comes to you and says they are selling land, the first thing you should ask for is the ‘Copy of the Title’.
Photo from Unsplash
This is what you will have to look for at the Register of Deeds. You should have a xerox copy of the title of the land, and you need to investigate if the property is ‘okay’. And by okay, the property should not be currently mortgaged, or is being claimed by others. It is important to make sure that the property that you are trying to buy has no existing problems. One common problem most buyers face is the land they bought has an identical title to the Register of Deeds’ copy. In short, the land is already entitled to someone else.
Before proceeding to the following steps, buyers should be vigilant and do their due research about the land that they are trying to buy.
Step 2
Hire a Geodetic Engineer to do a “relocation survey” on the boundaries. Their task is to determine if the actual ground is adequate or if there are no structures or fences in the other lot that exceed beyond your actual prospective purchased property.
Photo from Unsplash
Step 3
Once it is determined that there is no problem in terms of boundaries, you can then execute the next step which is called “deed of sale”. When you execute a “deed a sale” or “sales contract”, both of you, the seller and also the buyer, will sign and notarize it. It is very important that this is notarized by an attorney or any individual legally allowed to notarize.
Photo from Unsplash
Step 4
Within 1 month from notarization, pay the first payment which is technically called “documentary stamps”. Important to remember is that these documentary stamps should be paid after the month of signing the mentioned notary.
Photo from Unsplash
Step 5
After all that, the seller will also pay what is called the ‘capital gain tax’. Because the seller is the one who earned by selling the property, he/she should pay the BIR the said tax.
Once the capital gain tax is successfully paid, BIR will then issue the “Certificate of Authority to Register”. A certification that says in the Register of Deeds that all taxes have been paid and you can officially transfer the name of the title to the buyer.
Photo from Unsplash
Step 6
As long as you have seen the Certificate of Authority to Register physically, you can then bring it to the Register of Deeds. This is the last stage of buying land. The Register of Deeds will then say, the final payment, including the Transfer Fees. Once that’s paid, the Register of Deeds will take everything from there.
Photo from Rico Tuñacao
The Owner’s Copy of the title will be surrendered, and you will have to wait it will be turned over to you. It is advised to follow-up the Register of Deeds from time to time as this process might take some time.
From a crowded market to a park for free speech – this is what the Cebu City Government plans to idealize as they open the newly restored Freedom Park in downtown Cebu.
The historic park will be uncovered this October, with its proposed design having tree-lined pathways and a 15-meter-high obelisk, according to its private developer Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W). The new Freedom Park will rise across the main campus of the University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJ-R) on Magallanes Street.
Photo from Cebu City Public Information Office
HISTORY IN THE REMAKING
For a long time, the Freedom Park and the Warwick Barracks in Ermita have been widely known to present-day Cebuanos as a market for dry goods, vegetables, and flowers. They used to make up two of the five markets in the Carbon Public Market.
But that would change under a supplemental agreement to the joint venture agreement, signed by Mayor Michael Rama and Megawide officials last July 31. According to the supplemental agreement, Freedom Park is recognized as a significant part of Cebuano culture and heritage. A critical component of the project was preserving it at its original site, right at the Carbon Market.
Moreover, Mayor Rama wants the park to be restored, considering that it is part of his vision of making the city Singapore-like: clean, green, and progressive.
The project is currently worked on by C2W, a subsidiary of Megaworld Construction Corp., where they bring back the former glory of the place into a park it used to be.
A GLIMPSE INTO ITS PAST
Back in the day, though, the park originally used to be where political rallies and public debates, especially on religious issues, were held. It stood as a spirited setting for gatherings and exchanging ideas among individuals.
One of the most noteworthy political rallies in the park was that of Jose P. Laurel, when several unidentified goons arrived as he was making his speech. The incident happened while he ran against Elpidio Quirino, the opposition party’s presidential candidate.
The Freedom Park also used to be where Cebuanos also bravely gathered to voice their sentiments against the biased and unfair policies of the then-governing Americans in the metropolitan.
Who would’ve thought that we’re able to see the words Techy and Eco-friendly together?
Photo from Adidas
Finally the world is healing! Meet the self-charging adidas RPT-02 SOL headphones. The newly unveiled audio-to-sound transducer that doesn’t need a plugging to keep the music going.
The solar-powered headphones from Adidas only needs natural and artificial light to charge. This device also includes a control knob to control your audio, answer calls, and the more like any other advanced wireless headphones.
Adidas RPT-02 SOL Wireless Headphones includes:
Headphone
On the Ear
Wireless Headphones
Bluetooth
Microphone
20Hz (Min) – 20KHz (Max) Frequency Response
Inline Remote
Deep Bass
Other than that, the device is IPX rated for sweat and water resistance, so you dont have to worry about sweating when jogging around the town with a music on.
For only $230, that is 13,110 in Philippine pesos, you can have a pair of self-charging Bluetooth audio with Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cells built right into the recycled plastic headband and is said to have around 80 hours of reserved battery life.
Photo from Adidas
Music and light give us the energy to stay on the move. Let the light from the sun motivate you to reach your full potential.
Craving for more chicken, seafood, and milk tea but can never get enough of it? Worry no more because Unlimited City has got you covered, with its offerings of unlimited chicken, seafood, milk tea, and more at a very affordable price!
They offer menus with many dishes, ranging from barbequed meat slices to sizzling plates to their equally delectable flavored chicken and mixed seafood. You’re surely in for a treat here!
MOUTH-WATERING, GRATIFYING CHOICES
The Unlimited City comprises four diners: Wingettes, SebuCha, Pulutan, and Pastel. That’s four eating places for you to choose from, with each having a wide array of food you can try out!
Wingettes offer their best-selling unlimited flavored chicken wings, mixed seafood, and sizzling sisig topped with eggs. Included with the chicken wing orders are unlimited servings of chicken wings also, rice, potato chips, and milk tea.
Sebu Cha, widely known for its milk tea varieties, also proudly offers their extensive set of refreshing beverages, both hot and cold.
At Pulutan, you can order alcoholic drinks with your friends or opt for non-alcoholic beverages. They also have sizzling plates and pulutan choices that complement any drink you get.
Lastly, Pastel also serves cold desserts and beverages, such as halo-halo and shakes. The stall also has food and snacks such as pizza, a sisig superbowl, and chicken lollipops that you can eat with their deserts.
MORE THAN JUST FOOD
Aside from the delicious food they serve in Unlimited City, the place also has a lively vibe, perfect for get-togethers with family and friends.
The place also has a live band during the night, specifically at the Pulutan diner, setting the mood for patrons and entertaining them while they eat and drink.
Exact location: San Isidro St., Talisay City (across Jetti Gasoline Station beside Bas Bucao clinic)
BY CAR: You may navigate with the help of Waze or Google Maps. To get exact directions from your app, set your destination to “Unlimited City” in Talisay City, Cebu. When you’re already in the area, you may ask locals about the location of “Unlimited City.”
Planning to go to Siquijor but worried about possible high rates for your trip? Worry no more because the Ceres Bus Liner company recently added a new route for passengers: the Cebu City-Siquijor-Cebu City route.
Siquijor, Philippines | Photo from Unsplash
By taking this route, you’ll have to travel south of Cebu, then climb aboard a ferry bound to Siquijor. This option will save you money, as it is the most affordable option!
Here are the things you’ll need to remember when planning to take the trip:
Suppose you’re currently in Cebu City; you may head to the South Bus Terminal and take a bus to Liloan Port. The port is situated at Santander, a province in the southern part of Cebu.
Take note that the bus you’ll be boarding must have either “Liloan Port” or “Bato via Oslob” on its signboard, as these buses are only the ones that can take you to the port. Tickets will cost you around ₱400, and the trip may last around five hours.
Once you get to Liloan Port, the bus will climb aboard a ferry bound to Larena, Siquijor. The ferries depart at 2:00 AM every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The buses will pass through the towns Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, and Siquijor, then back to Larena Port. From there, you can choose where to get off the bus, then take a tricycle to your final destination in Siquijor,
Photo from Local Government of Maria, Siquijor
Trip Schedule
Cebu City to Siquijor:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:00 PM
Sunday at 1:00 AM
Siquijor to Cebu City:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 1:00 PM
Sunday at 3:00 PM
For your convenience and other passengers, you may book a trip before your planned departure at the Ceres Bus garage located at Rajo, Kinsang-an, Pardo, Cebu.
Support and Service are the words that best describe a business process outsourcing (BPO) company. And they are qualities that greatly complement a Cebuano, which is why BPO companies are spread throughout Cebu.
But what if you want an upgraded version of BPO? Worry not, as you won’t have to look far as one who offers global service and diverse support can be found here in Cebu.
Fusion BPO Services is bringing brands closer to customers, with innovative technology and the power of human connection through myriad BPO services. And they sure are not new to the game as they have been continuously growing and innovating for the past 33 years.
What does Fusion Do?
They aim to take your business ahead through a blend of manpower, technology, research, and analytics. Some of their diverse range of call center services that assure you going forward are:
garnering potential customers
managing data efficiently
troubleshooting technical problems
administration issues
How is Fusion different?
Fusion BPO Services does all these services differently, passionately, and with fervor. They have designed services in the best possible way to serve the customers.
● Customized contact center solutions
They have designed this to better serve a specific industry as we all know they have different needs. Among their long list of industries are – Healthcare, Banking & Financial Services, Insurance, Retail & Ecommerce, Technology, Start-Ups, Telecom, Energy & Utility, Travel & Hospitality
● Very Diverse Support
There is nothing more comforting than having inclusivity which is why Fusion has over 12,000+ strong support experts working across 27 locations in 14 countries: United States, UK, Albania, Morocco, India, Philippines, Colombia, Canada, El Salvador, Jamaica, Thailand, Mexico, Kosovo, and Indonesia.
● Human Connection
This BPO company does not just talk but tries to connect with each interaction, making it personal. They thrive to have a human connection that allows them to keep customer concerns in focus and attend to their needs with mutual understanding and a culture of collaboration.
Get Hired and Be a part of Fusion
Eyes here for those looking for a job as they are on the lookout for the following positions:
● CALL CENTER AGENTS: Customer Service Representatives, Sales Representatives, and Technical Support Representatives for healthcare, retail, and sales account.
● NON-AGENT POSITIONS: Sr. Quality Analyst (Japanese), HR Business Partner, Employee Relations Officer, Recruitment Specialist, IT Personnel, Helpdesk Staff, IT Officer, Site Lead, Workforce Specialist, Workforce Real Time Analyst, Trainer, Senior Operations Manager, Account Manager, and Operations Manager.
What’s in it for YOU?
Work and grow in a familial environment
Competitive salary package, benefits, perks, and commissions
HMO + FREE dependent
Note: Send your resume to [email protected]. Walk-in applicants are accepted from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Cebu has some of the best aesthetic coffee shops serving quality coffee and food. From big franchises to starting coffee shops, Cebu is full of choices when you want to sip some good coffee. Most coffee shops around Cebu are designed in a modern way and give the best aesthetic that will look good on your Instagram feed.
From hundreds of coffee shops, we’ve narrowed it down to five aesthetic coffee shops in Cebu that are either well-known coffee shop names, starting café businesses, or newly opened branches.
One thing that they all have in common is that they are aesthetically pleasing, they serve quality drinks, they serve delicious foods like pasta, sandwiches, desserts, entrees, and many more, and they have a great café ambiance.
Now, let’s get on with the list.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Ayala Central Bloc | Photo from Ayala Malls Central Bloc Facebook Page
1. Coffee Project – Starmall Talisay
Coffee Project, located at Starmall Talisay, Cebu, is one of the most Instagram-worthy cafés due to its unique and cozy aesthetic. This café has different dining seats and tables that are still cohesive and make the place look really top-tier.
Coffee Project used modern industrial designs like the use of bricks, modern paintings, unique chandeliers, and bicycle parts designed to look aesthetic. Together with the modern furniture and decoration are refreshing and colorful flowers that give the café a relaxing vibe.
This café is not only aesthetic because of its decorations. Coffee Project offers a variety of coffees, frappes, teas, fruity drinks, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, and savory dishes that are served beautifully and tastefully. Other than their beautiful place and quality food and drinks, Coffee Project is also known to be a great place to meet with friends, to have some “me” time, or to just enjoy a good cup of coffee.
Together with its great coffee, food, ambiance, and location, this cozy and aesthetic café is surely one of the must-visit coffee shops in Cebu that you should never miss.
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
Photo from Coffee Project (Talisay) Facebook Page
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Best sellers:
Kitkat Coffee Chiller
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Mondays to Thursdays and 7:00 AM to 12:00 MN on Fridays to Sundays.
Exact location: Sea Views Heights, Lawaan 1, 6045 Talisay, Cebu, Philippines – approx. 25 minutes away from the city.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Ride any jeepney going to Minglanilla or Naga, and drop off at Starmall in Talisay City. You can also ride a MyBus from SM City (going to Lawaan).
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Coffee Project” in Cebu City. Parking space is available.
2. CBTL Central Bloc
CBTL, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, has it all. This coffee shop is one of the most aesthetically pleasing in Cebu, and even the country.
CBTL uses large glass windows and doors, arched ceilings, with modern furniture and decorations. They have indoor seats as well as fresco seats that every customer can choose from. Like classic cafes, CBTL is both modern and cozy. This aesthetic café is not only pleasing for its appearance but also for the quality of its served foods and drinks.
CBTL has it all when it comes to the variety of drinks and foods that they serve. This café serves a selection of savory breakfasts, Filipino breakfasts, hashbrowns, omelettes, toast, soup, starter, salad, sandwich, entree, pasta, side, coffee, espresso, non-coffee drinks, tea, tea latte, pizza, and dessert. Other than great food and drink, this café also offers a variety of merchandise that everyone can enjoy.
Together with their quality products, amazing locations, cozy ambiance, and aesthetic space, this coffee shop will surely satisfy your coffee craving and your eyes. Pay this place a visit, either solo or with your friends, and you will definitely enjoy this place and their menu.
Photo from Ayala Malls Central Bloc Facebook Page
Photo from Ayala Malls Central Bloc Facebook Page
Photo from Ayala Malls Central Bloc Facebook Page
Photo from Ayala Malls Central Bloc Facebook Page
Photo from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Facebook Page
Photo from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Facebook Page
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: 12:00 NN to 8:00 PM on Mondays to Sundays.
Exact location: 1st Level – Garden Row, Ayala Malls Central Bloc, V. Padriga St., Cebu IT Park, Cebu City, Philippines – approx. 15 minutes away from the city.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: If you are from around the city, just ride a public utility vehicle, jeepney or bus, and ask them to bring you to Ayala Central Bloc.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “CBTL Central Bloc” in Cebu City. Parking space is available.
3. Starbucks Mactan Newtown
Starbucks Mactan Newtown is one of the most aesthetic coffee shops in Cebu. Designed like usual Starbucks cafés around the Philippines, this one in Mactan is also designed with modern architecture, decoration, and furniture, and uses the coffee shop’s classic colors.
Starbucks in Mactan Newtown used modern designs such as white-colored brick walls, along with 3D and painted leaf accents, to create a cozy and aesthetically pleasing environment. This coffee shop has big glass windows, and they have indoor seats as well as outdoor seats.
In front of the outdoor seats are aesthetic trees, which give a cool and relaxing vibe to the place. Just like the usual Starbucks café, this one also serves a selection of coffee drinks, including espresso, tea, frappuccino, freshly brewed coffee, cold brew, milkshake, dessert, and many more.
They also allow custom orders so customers can enjoy their favorite Starbucks drink. Through this Starbucks in Mactan Newton, Starbucks coffee lovers near Mactan can easily purchase their favorite drinks in this café and enjoy their purchase together with the great aesthetic of this coffee shop. Once you pay a visit to Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, you can now stop by this aesthetic Starbucks store to enjoy the place and their classic drinks and desserts.
Photo from Starbucks Philippines Facebook Page
Photo from Starbucks Philippines Facebook Page
Photo from Jino You
Photo from Jino You
Photo from スタバカ
Photo from Leonides V. Peña
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Mondays to Sundays.
Exact location: The Mactan Newtown, M. L. Quezon National Highway, Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines – approx. 40 minutes away from the city.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: If you are from around the city, just ride a public utility vehicle, jeepney or bus, and ask them to bring you to Mactan Newtown, Starbucks.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Starbucks Mactan Newtown” in Cebu City. Parking space is available.
4. Bo’s Coffee – Banawa Branch
Bo’s Coffee in Banawa is definitely one of the most aesthetic cafes in Cebu, or even the country. This café has a modern architectural design on both its exterior and interior. The café used the colors black, white, brown, and cream to give the “coffee” aesthetic, representing the coffee shop. Bo’s café has wood dining tables and chairs that are good for solo or two diners, as well as wooden long tables that can seat up to 10 customers.
The whole interior used cream, white, black, and yellow colors. That goes well with the wooden decorations, furniture, and pour-over counter. Furthermore, the interior is also full of paintings and pictures of some landmarks here in our country, as well as creative modern paintings that show the Filipino culture.
On the other hand, the café’s exterior shows a modern café, with fresco seats on the side, huge windows, a lot of light, and asymmetrical roof cuts. Together with the café’s aesthetic design, this coffee shop also offers some of the best coffee, tea, fruit drinks, sandwiches, pasta, cakes, and pastries in Cebu.
Bo’s Coffee is definitely one of the cafés around Cebu that you should never miss. This café is a good place to visit to not only enjoy its drinks, food, and aesthetic, but to also appreciate the Philippines when it comes to harvesting coffee beans, culture, landmarks, and beauty. Pay a visit to their Banawa branch to get the full experience of their café and their delicious products.
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
Photo from Bo’s Coffee Facebook Page
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Best sellers:
Cold White Brew
Iced Creamy Latte
Hot chocolate
Iced Chocolate
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Mondays to Sundays.
Exact location: R. Duterte St., Banawa, Brgy. Guadalupe, Cebu City, Philippines – approx. 1 minute away from the city.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: If you are from around the city, just ride a public utility vehicle, jeepney or bus, and ask them to bring you to Bo’s Coffee, Banawa Branch. The place is very near from the city, so taking a walk if you are from around Cebu City is also a choice.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Bo’s Coffee” in Cebu City. Parking space is available.
5. Tightrope
Also, one of the most beautiful cafes in Cebu is Tightrope. This café has a modern industrial interior design with the use of concrete and gray tones that looks aesthetically pleasing to everyone. Its interior has a minimalist aesthetic.
They used wooden chairs on both indoor and fresco seats, a pour-over counter, and every decoration and interior color in the black and white tones. Additionally, dried flower installations and word art are displayed within their café’s walls. On the other hand, Tightrope’s exterior also uses black, gray, and white tones and shows modern industrial design.
They have large glass windows with blinds, and the fresco seats are on the side and front of the café. More than their aesthetically designed café, this café has it all when it comes to the selection of drinks and dishes that are served. Tightrope serves quality coffee drinks, non-coffee drinks, pasta, breakfast meals, desserts, different side dishes, and a variety of main courses for lunch and dinner.
According to their regular guests, Tightrope serves quality, freshly brewed coffee and dishes that are delicious and served aesthetically. They even said that Tightrope has one of the best white cold brews in Cebu City. Tightrope has two branches that you can visit, one along F. Cabahug and the other at Velez Medical Arts. Both branches are certainly aesthetic and serve quality foods and drinks that you can enjoy. Be delighted by Tightrope’s ambiance, location, food and drinks.
Visit this aesthetic café, and you will recognize their quality café service.
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
Photo from Tightrope Coffee (Cebu City, Philippines) Facebook Page
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Best sellers:
Spanish Latte
White Cold Brew
Hibiscus Cold Brew
Beef Shortrib Sandwich
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: F. Cabahug Branch- 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Mondays to Sundays
Velez Medical Arts Branch- 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Mondays to Sundays
Exact location: M. L. Quezon Avenue, F. Cabahug St, 6000, Cebu City, Philippines- Approx. 15 minutes from the city.
Velez Medical Arts, Cebu City, Philippines- Approx. 10 minutes from the city
BY BUS: Ride any PUJ or beeps that will pass by F. Cabahug in Cebu like 17B, 17D. Tell the driver to drop you off at F. Cabahug. The same direction for those who wants to go at the branch in Velez Medical Arts.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Tightrope Coffee” in Cebu. Choose among the two branches. Parking space is available.
For someone who enjoys being in a laidback place to unwind during this pandemic, the closest you could go is Anahaw Beach in Barili, southern Cebu. You’ll get all the Siargao feels with the beach and the accommodation.
Formerly known as Sanraka Beach, Anahaw Beach has now re-opened to welcome new guests to their humble abode.
Not your typical hotel-ish type resort, but is definitely something worth visiting. We all would love to experience being in a place that’s cozy and laidback. Especially with the lockdown, we all deserve to breathe one with nature.
As of this writing, Anahaw Beach has a combinatiin of 8 small and medium cottages for your overnight stay, but foams and pillows are not provided for use.
Since they are still on soft-opening their air-conditioned rooms with beds are still under construction. Don’t fret though, because you can never go wrong with a fresh air ambiance.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES:
Big payag promo rate: ₱3,000 per day (max of 10 persons)
Medium open-air cottage: ₱1,000 per day (max of 10 persons)
Small open-air cottage: ₱500 per day (max of 10 persons)
BY BUS: From Cebu South Bus Terminal (temporarily situated at Lantaw SRP), take a bus heading to Barili and ask the driver to drop you off the center of Barili. Take a motorbike and tell the driver to send you to Anahaw Beach, formerly Sarnaca (near Japitan fish port).
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Japitan Fish Port”. From there, ask around that you’re heading to Anahaw Beach (Sarnaca).
One way of traveling is by living like the locals, which means doing their daily rituals, eating their comfort foods, or simply living their life for a short period of time. Here in the Philippines, each region or even province has different food specialties that are uncommon for foreign or even Filipino visitors.
Along the corners of this country lie the exotic dishes that may not be pleasing to everyone, but were originally discovered and made by our locals. They could be in the form of a dish, soup, dessert, or street food, and all of them are uniquely ours and represent a part of our country’s culinary world and culture. With these exotic dishes being prominent and popular among travelers, they are becoming a staple every visitor (or even the locals) must try.
Photo from LJay Manayon
A lot of Filipino and foreign travelers love exploring new and exotic dishes when they visit certain places. From eating bugs, unusual animal parts, or uncommon seafood, they are going to try them all to get the full experience of being a local in the place that they traveled to.
Cebu is one of the places in the Philippines that offers a variety of exotic foods that are not only “unusual” but also really delicious, healthy, and some are even aphrodisiac.
From the numerous exotic dishes in Cebu, we’ve narrowed it down to 5 of the craziest eats that you must try in Cebu. These foods are unique, popular among the locals, quite tasty, surely surprising, and definitely exotic. If you are a food explorer, I can assure you that these dishes will give you the satisfaction of trying something new and fulfill your travel experience.
Now, let’s get on with the list!
1. Skewered Saang
Photo from The Sibutad Tourism Office Facebook Page
Photo from The Sibutad Tourism Office Facebook Page
Photo from The Sibutad Tourism Office Facebook Page
Photo from The Sibutad Tourism Office Facebook Page
Saang (Lambis scorpius), also known as spider shells or scorpion conch, is a gastropod shellfish that is being sold as a skewered street food around Cebu. Street food vendors prepare this exotic food by boiling the shells, taking the meat inside, and skewing them on a stick.
With saang shellfish being very abundant in the oceans around Cebu, a lot of vendors took the opportunity to sell them after realizing that they have edible and delicious meat inside. Vendors sell Skewered Saang for around Php 25.00, and the price varies depending on the size. This street food is relatively new, especially for tourists from other countries or even for those who are from other cities and provinces in the Philippines.
At first, it would feel strange to try this food, but after probably trying one or two, one can already appreciate its delicious taste and interesting texture. Skewered Saang is best served with a vinegar dip or soy sauce dip filled with onions, garlic, and pepper, and this food can be eaten as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
This street food is readily available around coastal towns, near fish ports, and also around the city proper of Cebu, where cart merchants sell it as well. Once you visit Cebu, never miss trying this “crazy” but tasty and unique street food. Skewered Saang is an original and very Filipino street food that any visitor should try to fully submerge in the Philippines’ culinary world.
2. Taguangkan
Photo from mikelmedallo on Instagram
Photo form Steemit Website
Photo from Gimmerose Website
Photo from chasingpotatos Website
A famous and unique skewered dish served in Bantayan Island, named Taguangkan, is a grilled chicken large intestine with undeveloped eggs, wrapped and twisted on a stick.
This exotic dish is called Taguangkan, which is from the words ‘tagu’ which translates to as ‘womb’, and ‘anak’ or eggs for chickens, meaning “an undeveloped egg from a chicken’s womb/ovary”. With the abundant supply of chicken and eggs from the numerous poultry farms around Bantayan Island, this dish has become a delicacy and exotic food that every visitor to the island must try.
The dish looks like a chicken leg with no bones, and tastes like a normal grilled unsalted egg. For a day of swimming and different island activities, this dish is a great source of protein so that your energy will remain high until the end of the day. The food may seem strange and foreign at first, but with its delicious taste and surely edible origin, one can surely eat and enjoy this exotic delicacy.
Once you pay a visit to Bantayan Island or other nearby islands, try Taguangkan, a crazy but very delicious dish that will seal your stay in the islands.
3. Tuslob Buwa
Photo from Jed Manayon
Photo from Elvie’s Tuslob Buwa Facebook Page
Photo from Elvie’s Tuslob Buwa Facebook Page
Photo from Jed Manayon
Photo from Jed Manayon
Photo from Jed Manayon
Photo from Jed Manayon
Tuslob Buwa is a popular street food around Pasil, Ermita and other parts of Cebu that every group of friends, family, or even strangers, enjoy and share around an eating table.
This street food became a staple in Cebu’s modern culture, to the point that even restaurants started serving this dish with their own twists and incorporations. This street food’s chief ingredients are pork liver and brain, which are sauteed with onions, garlic, chilies, and shrimp paste. Sometimes, they add shrimp meat and soy sauce for added flavor.
This dish has a greasy consistency. It is watery at first, and after being cooked, it changes into a thick, bubbly stew. “Tuslob Buwa” roughly translates into ‘dip in bubbles’ meaning you can dip a rice ball into the bubbly stew to enjoy this street food. Among vendors, they sell the rice wrapped around coconut or pandan leaves, called puso, for only Php 5.00 or more, and then allow the customers to eat them together while dipping them in the cooked bubbly stew. Tuslob Buwa is an original Filipino street food that every local and foreign visitor should try.
4. Bakasi
Photo from Entoy’s Bakasihan
Photo from Entoy’s Bakasihan
Photo from Anna Samson Ollada
Photo from Lans Piret
Bakasi is one of Cebu’s exotic foods that every local and foreign visitor should try. Bakasi is the Cebuano term for reef eels, and this exotic seafood is quite abundant in the coastal areas of Cordova, Cebu.
Bakasi is usually served in kinilaw or nilarang style, but some eateries cooked it by frying or grilling the eels. Their skin is slimy, they have white meat and a backbone that goes from their head down to their tip. Due to its appearance, especially when cooked with soup or served raw, not all people are brave enough to give this dish a try.
This exotic food is delicious, and once you try one eel, you will want to get more of it. For starters, trying the fried eel would be advisable because they don’t look too unpleasant, and you can easily eat the Bakasi, including its bones. After that, you can try the kinilaw-style or nilarang-cooked Bakasi to taste the seafood and fresh taste of the eels. Bakasi is even believed by the locals to be an aphrodisiac, giving them unexplainable body heat after eating the eels.
Bakasi is available at several carinderias around Cebu, and one of the most famous Bakasi eateries is Entoy’s Bakasihan, which is even featured in a popular Netflix series. You can get a taste of Bakasi for only Php 30.00 or more. This food may not be for everyone due to its unpleasant appearance, but if you are not a faint-hearted, this is definitely a must-try and a great way to explore Filipino dishes.
5. Lansiao
Photo from PANLASANG MAMAMAYANG YouTube Channel
Photo from PANLASANG MAMAMAYANG YouTube Channel
Photo from PANLASANG MAMAMAYANG YouTube Channel
Photo from PANLASANG MAMAMAYANG YouTube Channel
Photo from PANLASANG MAMAMAYANG YouTube Channel
Lansiao is a commonly found Cebuano carinderia soup made from bull’s, or sometimes horse’s, testicles. The word lansiao is said to be from a Chinese dialect that literally translates to “dick”. This dish is also known as Soup No.5 in some areas of the country, and these perfectly boiled testicles with other tasty ingredients are popular as an aphrodisiac food among Cebu locals.
The nutty and earthy taste from the nether region of these animals, together with their gummy or rubbery texture, is a treat that every local and visitor enjoys and savors. Lansiao is usually cooked with pieces of meat, membrane, other internal organs of bulls, and, of course, the penis, and this soup is boiled for a long period of time to get the pieces soft and the soup quite tasty.
Lansiao is not for everyone, especially if they are aware of the main ingredient, but once tasted, at least the soup, they return for more. This exotic Cebuano dish is served at many carinderias around the city and province, and this is a popular dish that one should try when paying a visit to Cebu.
