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Johndorf Tower in Cebu City topped off

Johndorf Tower was topped off today, confirming Johndorf Ventures Corporation’s (JVC) legacy and its expansion into the Visayas. The building is the first of its kind in the company’s portfolio, geared towards addressing the increasing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable office spaces.

The topping-off ceremony was held at the project site between Mindanao Avenue and the Biliran Loop of the Cebu Business Park. Leading the event with the company’s executives and project partners were JVC Executive Vice-President Norma Lim and Managing Director Frances Lim.

“The JVC Tower is uniquely attractive and will be completed at just the right time, pointing to an LPC study indicating a surge in demand for office spaces in areas like Cebu as workers return to live work environments,”

SAYS DAVID LEECHIU, WHO HEADS LEECHIU PROPERTY CONSULTANTS (LPC), A MAJOR PARTNER.

According to the 2022 Philippine Property Outlook, non- business process outsourcing (BPO) office deals rose by 2 percent in the first nine months of 2021 compared to 2020.

It also predicted that future-proofing office towers will be important after 2022. In response to the pandemic, office buildings are being built with characteristics such as improved ventilation systems, sanitation stations and better natural lighting.

Its first commercial high-rise, Johndorf Tower will be JVC’s regional headquarters. It will also house the offices of domestic and international corporations, particularly in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry.

Offices will be distributed over 11 of the tower’s 21 storeys. Five other levels are dedicated to podium parking. There will be retail outlets at the ground floor and a service deck for tenants.

“Johndorf Tower is testament to our growth and continuing legacy. It cements our commitment to actively participate in Cebu’s effervescent economy and showcases our corporate values of integrity, innovation, and quality service,”

JVC MANAGING DIRECTOR FRANCES ABEGAIL LIM SAID.

Construction Director Raymond Wilson Lim expressed confidence in the “distinct advantages” of the Grade A building’s “hardware”, namely, prime location, superior construction standards, five passenger elevators, 100% back-up power and water supply, multiple telco providers and top-of-the-line amenities. “Just as impressive,” he added, “are the building’s credentials which include a Gold pre-certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) System of the U.S. Green Building Council, accreditation as a Special Economic Zone of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) and reliable property management.”

The building is positioned at the heart of Cebu City’s central business district, a few steps from The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu. It is built with the combined expertise of trusted names in property development and management, among them Jose Siao Ling and Associates, Monocrete Solutions, Inc., Design Coordinates, Jones Lang La Salle, Inc. and LPC.

LEED certification indicates that the projected 3,000 employees and locators who will be working at Johndorf Tower will have healthier workspaces. It also assures locators of lower carbon emissions and energy efficiency. Such conditions promote higher productivity and cost savings.
Special Economic Zone status, on the other hand, grants tenants tax holidays and duty-free importation of equipment and raw materials subject to PEZA regulations.

JVC has a 36-year history of developing high-quality, reasonably-priced homes in well-planned communities. It first ventured into the economic housing market, later successfully transitioning into mixed-use development.
It has created 30 different communities in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Butuan and Cebu. The company is launching more residential mixed-use projects within the year.

This new, laidback mountain-top Café in Cebu is worth visiting

Retreath houses are very common in Cebu, but if you are looking for one that is the ‘complete package’ and by complete package, has its own standby café 24/7, then this might be for you: MarCia’s in Kamansi Mabini, the newest mountain top house.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

The houses are made up of traditional Filipino materials such as nipa and bamboo. This gives a more homey and comfortable vibes, in addition to the light breeze the place provides as it is located on a mountain top. Bunk beds are available within the sleeping rooms which is ideal for barkada night-outs.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

Staying overnight here is really a good idea because aside with the free usage of their swimming pool, the overlooking mountain view of Mabini is also a good bonus.

Imagine, having drinks with your friends under the night skies and feeling the breeze at the mountain top. That one is surely for keeps. Glamping and bonfire is also available here.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

And because of its exclusivity, intimate occasions like birthdays, reunions, debuts, team buildings and many more. Bonding and exclusive activities are ideal here at MarCia’s because of its unique setting unlike in usual resorts or hangout spots.

The place also doesn’t charge any corkage fee if you wish to bring your own food. You can also cook and grill because they have their own kitchen in the house.

Additionally, a standby café with servings like silog meals, burgers, pizzas, milkteas and many more are readily available in case you want an easy snack.

The café is also open to visitors who do not wish to stay overnight.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

OTHER AMENITIES

  • Free use of swimming pool
  • Free P500 worth of milk tea and frappes
  • Free 6 hours usage of videoke machine
  • Free use of table and chairs
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free grilling and light cooking area
  • NO CORKAGE for food and drinks
  • With 24/7 standby cafe for your other needs

RATES

  • Day Use – P5,500 (good for 50 pax, and P50 per excess)
  • Overnight – P7,500 (good for 14 pax, and P300 per excess)
  • Super Exclusive P11,000 (good for 50 pax during day, good for 14 pax for overnight)

Note: P1,000 off on weekdays (Monday to Thursday)

OTHER INFORMATION:

Exact Location: Kamansi, Mabini 6000 Cebu City, Philippines

BY COMMUTE: Hail a jeep or bus going to Pit-os (62B or 62C).Once you’re in Pit-os proper, which is the end of the route of these jeepneys/buses, you can hail habal-habal or motorcycle taxis going to MarCia’s in Mabini. Fare varies per head.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “MarCia’s Cafe” in Kamansi, Mabini. Parking space is available.

Cebu logs 7 new cases on April 29

On Friday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of April 29, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 6 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 224 (from 249).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,907 (+2 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,127 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 1,699 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 81

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,061 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,531 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 520 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 10

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,434 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,920 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 503 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 11

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,376 (+3 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,413 (+5 new)
– Total deaths: 2,841 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 122

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 224 (from 249)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,778 (+7 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 126,991 (+6 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,563 (+3 new)

A total of 1,170 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

PH secures P12.3-Billion loan from Japan for COVID response

The Department of Finance (DoF) said on Tuesday that the national government has acquired a 30-billion-yen (about P12.3-billion) loan from Japan to help the Philippines recover rapidly from the Covid-19 outbreak and fully return to a path of high and inclusive growth.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Akihiko Tanaka, the new president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), signed the agreement for the second phase of the Covid-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan Phase-2 on behalf of the Philippine and Japanese governments, according to a statement (CCRESL2).

The Philippines’ achievements and plans in vaccinating its target population against Covid-19, as well as expanding the health care system’s capability to meet the challenges of future public health emergencies, were recognized in the second phase of the CCRESL, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

It stated the CCRESL2 package, valued around P12.3 billion or $234.36 million, has a fixed interest rate of 0.01 percent (one-hundredth of a percent) each year, a 15-year maturity period, and a four-year grace period, just like the original 50-billion-yen CRESL.

According to the Finance Department, Dominguez thanked the Japanese people and government for their sustained strong support for the Philippines’ development initiatives and pandemic response efforts.

He emphasized that Japan is the Philippines’ largest donor of official development assistance, with JICA — the country’s foreign assistance arm — being an extremely dependable partner in aiding the Philippine government in implementing its fundamental goals, according to the report.

The first phase, worth 50-billion yen (about P20 billion), was signed by the 2 countries in July 2021.

Cebu logs 6 new cases on April 28

On Thursday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of April 28, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 6 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 12 new recoveries, and 2 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 249 (from 257).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,907 (+3 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,130 (+2 new)
– Total deaths: 1,698 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 79

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,058 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,532 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 519 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 7

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,434 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,920 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 501 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 13

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,372 (+3 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,380 (+9 new)
– Total deaths: 2,842 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 150

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 249 (from 257)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,771 (+6 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 126,962 (+12 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,560 (+2 new)

A total of 1,230 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

This café in Cebu won an award for its Specialty Cake

For years now, Sunstar’s Best of Cebu has showcased a lot of things that Cebu has to offer and can be proud of. Their picks are trusted by the community, so being picked by them in a category is an absolute honor.

Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page

Enter Chef’s Table Café’s Green Tea Mango Avocado Cake, the Best Specialty Cake according to Best of Cebu 2021. Chef’s Table Café in A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City already has a history with Sunstar’s Best of Cebu about their cakes.

According to them, they won the award in the 2019 category, became a runner up in 2020, and won once more in 2021. Their past track record for good delicacies is something you can truly trust with your tongue.

Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page

What is the secret behind their winning cake? Well, avocadoes and mangoes pair well with each other because they are both refreshing and healthy fruits. Many chefs have mixed both these fruits in their creations, and Chef’s Table Café certainly hit the mark on theirs.

If you really want to know why Sunstar picked this, why don’t you try one for yourself and your friends or family?

The best part is that it is not the only cake that the café has to offer! Craving for some sweet Ube? They have Ube Chiffon Cake ready to be served. Perhaps some blueberries are on your mind?

Luckily, they serve Blueberry Cheesecake Cups. They even make cakes for special occasions like Chinese Lunar New Year, Valentines, and more.

Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page

Other Information

Best sellers:

  • Green Tea Mango Avocado Cake
  • Mango Cake
  • Earl Grey Strawberry Lychee Cake
  • Blueberry Cheesecake Cups

Menu:

Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page
Photo from Chef’s Table Cafe Facebook Page

Other Information:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Chef’s Table Café, A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City, Cebu – Google Maps Coordinates: 8WQH+C6H, Mandaue City, Cebu

BY PUJ: Starting from Colon, you can ride a 13C jeepney or bus and make your way to Country Mall. From there, ride any jeepney that will go through A.S. Fortuna St. Rely on Google Maps for accuracy as to where you should drop off.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Chef’s Table Café” in A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.

Cebu Pacific offers International Flights Promo for as low as P599

If you are looking for a sign to start traveling the world (again), this is it!

Cebu Pacific has started offering one-way base tickets as low as P599 on some international flights, available for purchase until April 30, 2022. The travel period is set from May 15 to December 31, 2022.

With Cebu Pacific’s latest seat sale, you may fly from Manila, Philippines to a variety of foreign locations including Kota Kinabalu, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok, Bali, Dubai, Tokyo, and more.

  • Sale Period: April 25 – 30, 2022
  • Travel Period: May 15 – December 31, 2022

Promo fares offered are limited and are non-refundable but can be rebooked several times although fare difference may apply.

To avail, simply go to www.cebupacificair.com to select your travel dates and destination, and follow the steps from there. Hope to see you on board soon!

Cebu logs 7 new cases on April 27

On Wednesday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of April 27, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 184 new recoveries, and 2 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 257 (from 436).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,904 (+5 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,128 (+183 new)
– Total deaths: 1,698 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 78

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,061 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,535 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 519 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 7

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,434 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,919 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 499 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 16

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,369 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,371 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 2,842 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 156

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 257 (from 436)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,768 (+7 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 126,953 (+184 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,558 (+2 new)

A total of 1,625 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

CCLEX, an ‘engineering marvel’ in Cebu, officially opens

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is an engineering marvel that will improve mobility in Cebu and boost the economy of the province, officials said during today’s inauguration led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The 8.9-kilometer CCLEX connects Cordova town in Mactan Island to the South Road Properties in Cebu City. It was built by The Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), in partnership with the Municipality of Cordova and the City of Cebu.

Photo by John Ray Aligato/The Island Nomad

President Duterte said the project underscores the importance of accelerating socio-economic development in the country, especially the Visayas, through sustained infrastructure building. He said this approach is the legacy of his administration.

“My presidential watch will be remembered, among other things, for the expansive network of roads and bridges around the country, which contributed to sustained socio-economic development of the Philippines.”

President Rodrigo Duterte

MPTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said Cebu has started to reap the benefits of the project, which was built at a cost of at least P33 billion.

“We are happy to have been involved in building this piece of magnificent infrastructure for our countrymen in Cebu. It will bring in more investments, stimulate trade and commerce, revitalize tourism, and give a collective sense of pride among its people.”

PTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan

The inauguration was attended by top government officials and executives from the private sector. Joining the President and Chairman Pangilinan are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Department of Public Works & Highways Secretary Roger Mercado, and various officials from the different government agencies.

Also joining the ceremony are Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese P. Sitoy-Cho, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas C. Cortes, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr., Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma among many other Cebu dignitaries.

Photo by John Ray Aligato/The Island Nomad

Also present were Korean Consul General Song Sewon, Denmark Ambassador Grete Sillasen, Philippine Ambassador to Denmark Leo Herrera-Lim, Ambassador of Spain Jorge Moragas Sanchez, and Honorary Consul of Spain Anton Perdices, among other diplomatic dignitaries.

CCLEC was built on the foundation of a strong partnership among MPTC and the local governments of Cebu City and Cordova town.

“Our company is pleased to complete this project and contribute to the economic development of the southern Philippines,” said MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo Franco. Franco noted that foreign direct investments have begun pouring into Cebu City and Cordova.

“The project is an important boost to trade and commerce and we have seen new dynamism in the local business community,” Franco said. He added that Cebu will soon experience an influx of visitors who will be able to enjoy the use of the CCLEX.

CCLEC President Allan G. Alfon encouraged motorists in Cebu to have their vehicles installed with the RFID stickers that are needed to use the expressway. To give time to people to have the RFID installed, toll operators will accept cash during the initial days of its operation.

“We are excited to open the CCLEX to the Cebuanos who have long been looking forward to its opening. The CCLEX, truly an engineering marvel, has become a new Cebu icon that will symbolize a dynamic and progressive province firmly in touch with its history and culture,”

Alfon said.

A study by the Center for Social Research and Education of the University of San Carlos found that the CCLEX “is expected to contribute to the socio-economic development not only of the municipality of Cordova and Cebu City, but also the adjacent cities of Lapu-lapu and Mandaue, as well as cities and municipalities in the southern part of the Province of Cebu.”

The study cited key benefits to include reduced travel time. “Even with a toll fee, motorists are seen to benefit in terms of time saved,” the study said.

The study also said that CCLEX will decongest Cebu City and Mandaue City  and have “positive implications in the movement of products from the various factories in these cities.”

Photo by John Ray Aligato/The Island Nomad

It will also boost Cebu’s economic growth. “The CCLEX will be a catalyst to bring about socio-economic development in their municipality as they would already be accessible without having to pass through Lapu-lapu City and Mandaue City. In fact, land values in their municipality have already started to increase. An updated land use plan has already been approved,” the study said.

Another key benefit of the CCLEX, according to the study, is that it will be a direct link to southern Cebu and its many tourist destinations.

San Miguel to invest P60 Billion for a 600MW LNG power plant in Cebu

San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) power arm, SMC Global Power Holdings will invest in a 600-megawatt (MW) liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant on Mactan Island in Cebu to provide grid baseload power.

Photo by Romeo Ranoco/REUTERS

The project, which will be built in Lapu-Lapu City, will cost between $1.5 and $1.7 million per MW, totaling $900 million to $1.2 billion (Php47.2-Php63 billion). The power plant will be erected on a 26.16-hectare plot of land that has been leased from Keppel Cebu Shipyard Land, Inc. and the National Development Company.

The facility will be built over five years, starting in the third quarter of this year, and testing and commissioning will take place in the fourth quarter of 2023. The first commercial operations will begin in the second quarter of 2024.

According to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Power Development Plan, the country’s power demand would expand 5% per year by 2040, reaching 49,287MW.

SMC Global Power subsidiary Converge Power Generation Corporation (CPGC) said a 600 MW increased capacity would complement the DOE’s program of assuring the Philippines’ steady power supply,.

The project’s goal is to assist meet the growing need for dependable and inexpensive power.” It will contribute to national growth in addition to providing power to people and companies,

CPGC said in a filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

SMC Global Power is also working on a 300MW LNG combined cycle power plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, which is currently being criticized by local stakeholders and energy advocacy groups for its environmental and economic impacts. The multifaceted firm is also working on a Php41.5 billion 600MW LNG plant project in Tabango, Leyte.

Following the government’s embargo on the construction of new coal power stations, the business announced last year that it will focus more on LNG and renewable energy projects.