Home Blog Page 236

Quick Beach Getaway at Casay Beach Huts in Dalaguete

Located in Casay, Dalaguete, Casay Beach Huts is the newest beach destination down south. Recently opened just this year, the beach resort boasts their iconic “huts” as their main type of accommodation for guests who want to enjoy the waters of Dalaguete’s beaches.

Photo from Mich Rosales

Resembling the traditional Filipino nipa hut, the beach huts here are truly aesthetic as incorporated traditional and modern designs were definitely in mind when the huts were made. Truly stylish and at the same time relaxing, the beach huts here are a refreshing take from the usual villas and cottages most beach resorts offer.

With most beach huts offering an overlooking view of the sea, guests are surely treated with a tranquil and stress-reducing experience. Merely taking a breath of fresh air while in the premises are guaranteed to make anyone’s stress disappear. Surrounded by lush trees and other plants, the natural elements provided by the resort is truly therapeutic.

Photo from Casay Beach Huts Facebook Page
Photo from Casay Beach Huts Facebook Page
Photo from Casay Beach Huts Facebook Page

Speaking of activities that can be done here, swimming Dalaguete’s beaches is definitely number one but the place is also wide enough to allow guests have intimate events such as birthdays, debuts, and even team building activities possible here. If the place is beautiful by day, Casay Beach Huts is actually more mesmerizing by night as they also have balconies and wide space to allow sunset watching and even star gazing.

Their amenities include free use of their barbeque grill station, kayak, paddle boards, snorkel and life vests. While the resort is near the beach, upcoming amenities will come such as swimming pools, picnic tables and many more as they are still under construction. The resort also allows bringing of pets within the premises.

Photo from Casay Beach Huts Facebook Page
Photo from Mich Rosales
Photo from Mich Rosales
Photo from Mich Rosales
Photo from Mich Rosales
Photo from Mich Rosales

RATES

Casay Beach Huts is currently having a soft opening promo (as of this writing) with the following rates:

Overnight Stay

  • Cottage with AC – P2,800.00 (good for 2-3 pax)
  • Beach Huts with AC – P1,800.00 (good for 2 pax)
  • Beach Huts with Electric Fan – P1,400.00 (good for 2 pax)
  • Additional Single Bed – P300.00
  • Pop-up Tent with Single Bed – P500.00

Day Use

  • Cottage with AC – P1,600.00 (good for 2-3 pax)
  • Beach Huts with AC  – P900.00 (good for 2 pax)
  • Beach Huts with Electric Fan  – P700.00 (good for 2 pax)
  • Cliff Open Cottage – P1,500.00 (good for 10-15 pax)
  • Cliffside Cabana – P900.00 (good for 5-6 pax)

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact Location: Sitio Angas, Casay, Dalaguete, Cebu

BY BUS: Head to South Bus Terminal. You can take any bus that will pass by Dalaguete. Since Casay Beach Huts is a famous destination, you can ask the conductor to drop you off in the resort. Travel time is around 2 hours from the city proper with fare amounting to 120-150 pesos.

From Dalaguete junction, you can ride a tricycle to Casay Beach Huts, fare is around 20-30 pesos.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Casay Beach huts” in Casay, Dalaguete. Parking space is available.

GCash now offers Pet Insurance; here’s everything you need to know

On Monday, GCash disclosed that it was developing additional services, including crypto goods, travel insurance, and even cat-specific pet insurance.

two long coated brown and black dogs
Photo by Helena Lopes

The pet insurance service, which was previously only offered to dog owners by the Ayala-led fintech, will soon be extended to cats.

According to GCash Head of New Business Neil Trinidad, pets can get up to P100,000 in medical reimbursement, burial help, owner’s liability coverage, or owner’s protection when legal obligations are incurred as a result of a pet’s behavior, through Pet Insure through the GInsure marketplace.

Users may access the app’s GInsure marketplace to acquire pet insurance, which costs as little as P650.

Photo from Unsplash

FAST FACTS OF GCASH PET INSURANCE COVERAGE

  • Monthly Rate: ₱650
  • Annual Rate: ₱3,200
  • Coverage: Up to ₱30,000
  • Insurer: Malayan Insurance via GCash

Coverage:

  • Medical reimbursement (your pet requires consultation, tests, scans, surgery, hospitalization, and medication)
  • Cruciate ligament injuries
  • Burial assistance (your pet has been put down due to euthanasia)
  • Owner’s Liability (Legal liabilities to 3rd party due to your pet’s actions)
  • Personal accident cover (covers you – the pet owner, in the accidental event)
adult brown and white pembroke welsh corgi near the body of water
Photo by muhannad alatawi on Pexels.com

Requirements:

  • For home pets only. Meaning, dogs used for services like police, military are not qualified.
  • Dog must be six months old up to 8 years old.
  • Dog must have extensive vaccination (e.g. 5-in-1), anti-rabies, and deworming shots.

How to apply?

How to claim?

To claim your Pet Insurance, follow these steps: 

  • STEP 1: Tap on GInsure
  • STEP 2: Tap on My Insurance 
  • STEP 3: Tap on Pet Insure (dog)
  • STEP 4: Tap on your policy and it will direct you to the policy page where you can submit your claims

MORE INSURANCE OPTIONS COMING SOON

The availability of the insurance policy for other pets was also confirmed by GCash, who added that the pet insurance was “very powerful.”

assorted color kittens

Aside from the pet insurance, GCash will soon offer vacation insurance and house fire insurance.

Spotify launches Karaoke Mode with scoreboard

It’s undeniable that Filipinos love to sing their hearts out whether or not there’s an occasion. And oh, we love a little competition (even against ourselves) with that scoreboard.

Photo from Unsplash

Top music app Spotify recently launched its newest feature – the Karaoke mode that allows you to sing along and gives you a score at the end. This can be enjoyed on both Android and Apple devices.

How to get the new Karaoke feature?

Photo from Unsplash

It’s very simple to use Spotify’s karaoke feature. All you have to do is update the app to ensure you have the most recent version.

Once the app has been updated, scroll down and pick the song you want to sing. On the top right of it, there is a “sing” option and the lyrics.

Spotify lets you sing along with the music when you select the karaoke option. You even receive a score card at the conclusion that grades your singing.

Unfortunately, the update is not yet available for everyone as the new feature is still continuously being rolled out. So keep an eye on the app so you don’t miss out.

Ice Skating Rink at SM Seaside City Cebu reopens

The only ice skating rink in the Visayas & Mindanao found in SM Seaside City Cebu is set to reopen on June 30.

Get ready to slide and glide to experience the magic of ice with the promise of unlimited fun all day.

One can avail of a 2-hour pass admission for only P300, or a Day Pass Admission for P450. To those skating for the first time, you may rent out a Polar Bear that you can push around with rental fee at P100 per hour. An ice-skating assist coach is also available for P150 for 30 minutes. Those who need to leave their belongings may avail of a locker for only P50.

For your convenience, one may purchase tickets in advance over-the-counter, or through Metrodeal.

On top of these exciting leisure services, SM Skating also offers learning programs such as basic skating lessons and ice hockey.

SM Skating, with an Olympic size rink and upscale facilities, has proven its value to the market by hosting exciting activities, providing a venue for all types of events to promote not only family bonding but foster camaraderie among friends and colleagues.

SM Skating is located at the 3rd level of SM Seaside City Cebu, and is open daily from 10AM to 9PM.

Checkout SM Skating in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or at SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) for daily updates and promos.

Must-Have Vintage Aesthetic Record Player for Music enthusiasts

Vinyl records are making a comeback.

There is just nothing quite like the sound of vinyl when playing music which is why it has stayed even in this digital age. Music enthusiasts just love them and people of this generation are slowly discovering their magic as well.

Photo from Ben and Bart

Collecting vinyl records though require first and foremost, a good turntable.

Now, turntables are a bit pricey so this hobby isn’t that good for the budget but no worries as we have here a turntable that is not only affordable but has the vintage aesthetic that we see in every trend these days.

Vinyl newbies rejoice as a local brand known for their vintage-inspired finds, Ben and Bart, gives you the ‘Sunny Chicago Turntable’.

Bring on the nostalgia through this record player’s retro look complete with its leather casing resembling a suitcase when sealed.  It’s A for aesthetic indeed when displayed in your bedroom or living room. It is also an A in its being handy when traveling or moving, you just pack it up like a common briefcase, and voila it’s ready.

Photo from Ben and Bart
Photo from Ben and Bart

The new Ben and Bart Sunny Chicago Turntable have various knobs and components as all turntables do but it is user-friendly and a little scan through the instructions and a youtube tutorial and you are good to go.  

First, you plug the player in, then place the record that you want to listen to on the slip mat, position the needle as instructed, and then wait for the magic of music that can only be made by vinyl.

Sunny Chicago Turntable features

  • Built-in stereo speakers
  • you can also opt to connect your own personal sound system
  • Has three different speed settings
  • Has a pitch adjuster (however you prefer)
  • Can be a Bluetooth speaker
  • Connect your smartphone when you don’t own them on vinyl yet
Photo from Ben and Bart

Color plays a big part in choosing your aesthetic vinyl as it should complement your interiors or whatever space you want to place it in.

At a price of P5,250 each Ben and Bart Sunny Chicago Turntable is available in four chic colors: 

  • Sky
  • Cream
  • Olive
  • Black

Now, if you want to start your vinyl record journey, the Ben and Bart Sunny Chicago Turntable is available on Shopee.

‘Flexi-Work’ arrangements in Government Agencies approved

The Civil Service Commission or CSC has approved a memorandum allowing all government agencies to have flexible work arrangements anytime. With the pandemic still looming in, calls from government employees has pushed the commission to have flexible work modes be implemented.

Photo from Philippine News Agency

Promulgated on May 18, the commission has approved such work arrangements with the discretion of the head of any agencies who wish to adapt with the flexi-work setup. Taking effect on June 15, the commission also setup rules and regulations regarding the implementation of the flexi-work arrangements for government entities, including stakeholders should be assured of continuous delivery of services from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the standard office hours for government offices.

The CSC Memorandum Circular No. 2022-6 will cover around 1.7 million government employees regardless of the status of appointment. This means that both regular and contractual (Job Order) employees can be included in the flexi-work arrangement an agency would like to adapt.

“As a parallel policy to the Telecommuting Law of the private sector, the flexible work arrangement guidelines covering 1.7 million government employees regardless of the status of appointment, will certainly change the landscape of work in the country,”

THE CSC SAID IN A RELEASE.

The commission mentioned that the adoption of flexi-work arrangements is part of the anticipated “new normal” in the job industry, not just for private sectors but for those who work in the government as well.

“It serves as a preventive measure to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of government officials and employees while ensuring the government’s continued operations and efficient delivery of public services,”

IT ADDED.
Photo from Unsplash

Flexible Work Arrangements

As per CSC’s resolution, the following are the flexible work arrangements government entities (GEs) can adapt:

  • Flexiplace – Officials and employees may be authorized to render services away from their office
  • Compressed work week – The 40-hour work week could be compressed into four (4) days or less, instead of five (5)
  • Skeleton workforce – A minimum number of workers will be required to report to the office when full staffing is not possible
  • Work shifting – For agencies required by law to operate 24/7 or agencies required to observe workplace health and safety protocols
  • Flexitime – Employees are allowed to report between 7 am to 7 pm provided they complete the required 40-hour workweek
  • Combination of flexible work arrangements – This can be adopted by an agency according to what is appropriate or applicable to its mandate and functions

CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada mentioned that the commission was just presenting several options, stating that no singular fixed arrangement could work for all agencies, thus the proposed options.

The commission also pointed out that agencies who wish to adopt such arrangements must be aligned with their internal guidelines.

“For example, there are certain administrative tasks that [do not require one to] report [to the] office anymore like accounting, research and policy formulation…, it depends on the tasks that the agencies will consider appropriate for these schemes,”

CSC COMMISSIONER AILEEN LIZADA SAID.
Photo from Unsplash

Flexi-work Requirements

The following are the CSC’s requirements before an agency can adopt the proposed flexi-work arrangements:

  • Agencies must be able to formulate internal guidelines that must be submitted to CSC for record-keeping and reference purposes
  • Agencies should ensure that public services, programs, and projects will not be ‘negatively affected, delayed, or hampered.’
  • Agencies must be able to adopt performance standards, timelines, and submissions of accomplishment reports in line with Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Act.

Additionally, employees under the flexi-work arrangements are not entitled to overtime pay unless they physically report for work and render services beyond the normal eight-hour workdays or 40 hours a week.

“Government agencies shall ensure that support mechanisms are in place in the implementation of flexible work arrangements, such as appropriate personal protective equipment to frontline service providers and transportation facilities for physically reporting employees,”

THE CSC SAID.

Airline ticket prices to increase starting July 1

As fuel prices continue to rise, airfares will rise as well starting July 1.

The fuel surcharge bracket was recently increased by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) from level 7 to 11 for the month of July.

In order to meet their rising fuel costs, local airlines in the Philippines submitted proposals to levy increased fuel surcharges.

According to the Inquirer, fuel surcharges are extra fees that airlines levy to assist them recover their fuel expenses. These are not included in the basic fee, which is the price the passenger actually pays for a seat.

Beginning on July 1, airlines in the country are permitted to collect fuel surcharges for domestic flights of P355 to P1,038 and international flights of P1,172.07 to P8,714.84.

A fuel surcharge of P1,172.07 will be applied on flights from the Philippines to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Brunei under Level 11.

The relevant fee for flights to North America, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands amounts to P8,299.85, while it is P1,620.99 for those traveling to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Guam.

Cebu-Taipei direct flights to resume this July thrice a week

It’s time to book that trip to one of Asia’s exciting destinations.

Taiwan-based airline EVA Air recently announced that it will resume its direct flights from Taipei to Cebu starting July 2, 2022, and Cebu to Taipei starting July 16, 2022, thrice weekly.

This is in time as the Philippines and Taiwan have both eased the travel restrictions. However, upon arrival in Taiwan, tourists are required to undergo a 3-day home quarantine and 4-day self-initiated epidemic prevention following the end of quarantine. On the contrary, the Philippines only requires a negative RT-PCR test upon arrival.

Taiwan Travel Requirements

  • Negative COVID-19 Test (RT-PCR) Result from DOH-accredited laboratories valid within forty-eight (48 hours) before departure.
  • Registration to Quarantine System for Entry accomplished within forty-eight (48) hours prior to departure.
  • Mandatory Quarantine: The day of arrival counts as Day 0; a 3-day home quarantine and 4-day self-initiated epidemic prevention following the end of quarantine will be required. The previous 7-day self-health management will be terminated.

You may book your flight through your preferred travel agent or via EVA Air’s official website: www.evaair.com/en-ph/index.html.

Hot Air Balloon Festival organizer teases coming to Cebu

If you are ready to be blown away, wait until this teaser gets into you!

After being halted due to the pandemic, Pampanga’s annual outdoor event just made its return on June 10-11, 2022. The 2-day event was full of food and live music by our favorite performers.

Photo from Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Facebook Page

With the success of this event and have probably noticed Cebuanos wanting to join hence, they have teased the Cebuanos for a possible event in our very own Queen City of the South! I mean, why not, right?

If you are not familiar with the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, here’s what you can expect.

Aside from the world-class hot air balloons, you can also enjoy live music performances as mentioned previously and have a gastronomic experience with a wide array of food concessionaires.

Photo from Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/ClarkHotAirBalloonFest/posts/pfbid02rFo5EbPjdNXxmYa4xD68jLhD9jj7HhTh6YAFmpF8hSPF8cWkDSNZNk4y14uapc3zl?__cft__[0]=AZW4FCV3VNZc06u7mBvASJC24gaTuVqh-qZnFMGYCNggcePjL1XMqiivKGtIg16M37eCqWKC_Ym72rGCWBeTfbnkkg4FAiYVy_-akDtpbbpYu9BRuDnlDxQY1iaWd1Qd6_1_QoLudsoKASltYEu97g7a&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Though we do not have an exact date and details about the event, we could only hope it will be any time this year. But for now, hold your horses, and let’s keep on hoping for a fun-filled one before we close 2022.

A Merry Christmas from the organizers, perhaps? ;)

Photo from Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Facebook Page

Croatia is hiring 51,000 workers for tourism and construction

All job seekers out there, maybe Croatia is for you.

This June 2022, Croatia has issued more than 51,000 work permits for foreign nationals, mostly in the construction sector, followed by catering and tourism and is said to issue at least 100,000 work permits this year.

Split, Croatia | Photo from Unsplash

Croatia is lacking workers due to its tourism sector demands. Tourists are now flocking back to Croatia after the pandemic which is why they are recruiting people in neighboring Balkan countries and Asia to aid the shortage.

Croatia, officially known as the Republic of Croatia, is a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. It is a country famous for its grand tourist spots like the amphitheater in Pula which is the sixth largest surviving Roman arena, the walled city of Dubrovnik and its idyllic coast line dotted with more than 1,000 islands and islets.

With this many famous tourist spots, it is no wonder that tourism plays a big part in the revenue of Croatia which makes the worker shortage situation “alarming” as described by an owner of a restaurant in the tourist hotspot in Croatia.

Dubrovnik, Croatia | Photo from Unsplash

Croatia is already primed for a tourism rebound as they had nearly three million visitors in the first five months of 2022 only and had a pre-pandemic record of 21 million visitors in 2019.

“The desire for travel is big…tourists will come,”

VELJKO OSTOJIC, HEAD OF THE CROAT TOURISM ASSOCIATION,

Since Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, more than 250,000 Croats have left the country seeking a better life in Germany, Austria or Ireland.

One of the reasons for the lack of workers is that the pandemic forced catering and tourism workers to look for jobs in other sectors and some Croats have also searched in other countries entirely like Germany, Austria or Ireland. With better wages and better working hours, they eventually stayed.

Dubrovnik, Croatia | Photo from Unsplash

Pinoy 385 is an employment agency for Filipinos that has already found jobs for our Kababayans in Croatia, you might want to check them out.