I do and I know almost everyone does too. A break from everything and everyone in social media is a need nowadays for our peace of mind.
The new revamped Nokia 6310 might just be what we need as it gives us all the old that we want and some of the new stuff of modern technology.
Out with the new and in with the old as it gives us the iconic design of the original. It really gets you the nostalgic feels. Remembering and experiencing what it was like to have this kind of phone in the past.
The Nokia 6310 (2021) features a curved display, larger buttons, zoomed menus, and the option of larger fonts. Yes. All that larger fonts and display might be more suitable for the elderlies but it is the phone’s charm.
See below for its full list of specs.
Nokia 6310 (2021) specs:
2.8-inch QVGA display
Unisoc 6531F CPU
S30+ OS
8MB RAM
16MB ROM
Expandable up to 32GB via microSD
0.3MP rear camera
LED flash
GSM/GPRS 900/1800
Dual-SIM (FF+4FF)
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP
FM Radio (Wired & Wireless)
3.5mm audio jack
micro-USB (USB 2.0)
S30+ OS
1,050mAh battery (Removable)
length: 135.5mm; width: 56mm; height: 14.1mm
weight: 98g
A phone that is just for the necessary and none of the social media chaos. We can drop off the grid without being too unsafe as to not be in contact. And that low-definition image we’ll get might just be what we need to clear up our thoughts.
The Nokia 6310 (2021) has a suggested retail price of PHP 2,490 and can be bought in cyber stores nationwide or online via Lazada and Shopee.
Remember that episode in Netflix’s “Street Food” series which showcased Cebu’s best street food cuisine? As it turns out, it’s actually real and it tastes really good!
Cebu is known to serve the best Lechon in the history of Lechon. It is very popular in Cebu cuisine because of its juicy meat and crispy roasted skin, and Leslie’s Lechon provides that with great quality.
Leslie’s Lechon has a rich history and culture among the lechon world. It placed its roots way back in the 1940’s in Talisay City, Cebu and is now handled by Leslie Enjambre herself.
She
herself calls her culinary art as the “best lechon in the world”, and there
really is no other way to prove otherwise unless one can taste it in their own
mouths!
So, next time you have a birthday celebration, thanksgiving, or just very hungry and craving for some lechon, you know where to go.
Yup. We only have our distant relatives and neighbors who are nosy and get in all of our business but for celebrities, it’s apparently a lot worse.
Beautiful and famous actress Heart Evangelista has had enough of all the inconsiderate comments on her TikTok videos as she directly answered one who asked “Ba’t di kayo magkaanak?”
Photo from @iamhearte | Instagram
This type of comment on her personal life is very common on her videos which might have been the trigger for her to lose patience and respond:
“Ayoko, eh. Didn’t anyone teach you manners? I mean, you know what… if I am not sad about it, why are you even?”
She also added the now-viral “Chill. Not your uterus.” text along with “Being a mom shouldn’t be the only source of happiness. My goodness. What are you going to do when your kids have their own life?”
Inappropriate comments sure haunt celebrities but Heart has always had a perfect response as in September 2021, she responded to a comment that said, “Sayang lang ang ganda ng katawan. Hindi mabuntis ng asawa.”
Now, that one is disrespectful and she fired back with,
“Okay na sana lahat. Stop telling me to get pregnant unless you really want to hurt me. Nobody knows the real struggle. Life is good. People I love are fine and everything else in between is okay. Bonus na lang if I do conceive again. It’s my body.”
Photo from @iamhearte | Instagram
Not everyone might know but Heart revealed she suffered a miscarriage in 2018. Everyone is fighting their own battles. Let us all remain considerate of others no matter what.
Down south is always a good destination for vacations. Beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring waterfalls, and a wondrous underwater scene across many destinations await tourists and travelers!
Plan your perfect vacation with friends and family around this delightful Luxe Bohemian Villa in Poblacion, Santander; a cozily spacious stay with plenty of natural lighting and space for letting loose.
The creatively-designed house is modest yet boasts accommodation with a private pool, a courtyard with garden views, a patio, and a terrace.
Inspired by beautiful Bohemian architecture; the property showcases a mellow mix of modern elements and carefree designs and decorations. The villa’s fixtures and furniture are simple yet elegant, giving off a feeling of spacious clarity.
Relaxing views and restful atmosphere
Perhaps the highlight of the villa is its gorgeous outdoor scene: lush trees and plants surround the property in a verdant embrace and views of the sea greet you from the distance. Guests can enjoy the sights from the patio, the courtyard, the rooftop, or from in the swimming pool.
A light breeze, the harmonious swaying of trees, the warm sun, and the peaceful quiet of Santander altogether create the restful atmosphere within the villa. Bohemian elements splash the property, creating a consistent and cohesive design that lets you breathe easy.
Whether you’re on an adventuring trip to explore Southern Cebu or you’re just on vacation to take a break from the bustling city, you’ll find a tranquil corner here.
Amenities and accommodation
The villa has all the creature comforts to make your stay homey and comfortable. With 3 bedrooms— two of which have queen beds, and one has a double-twin bunk bed, you can rest easy with up to 10 friends and family.
Additionally, private bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a dedicated laundry area will ensure you have a relaxing and carefree stay.
Photo from Booking.com
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Booking.com
In their private infinity pool, one can freely lounge at the edge of the water while soaking in the scenery. The pool also comes complete with lounging chairs and shade, so you can stay cool while lazing in the outdoors. At night, the pool comes to life with warm lighting and string lights making it a magical place to be at any time!
In terms of living spaces, there is a spacious indoor living room with plenty of seating plus a TV with karaoke and high-speed internet installed. Going outdoors, an al-fresco rooftop space is available with a billiard table.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Rates:
Whole Villa rental: ₱11,000 per night, good for 6 people
Inclusions and amenities:
Free self-service breakfast for guests
Exclusive use of whole villa and its:
3 bedrooms and private bathrooms
Living room with TV and karaoke
Rooftop with billiard table and terrace access
Courtyard access and pool use
Use of kitchen and laundry area
Free high-speed internet
Free parking
Check-in time is 3PM and check-out time is 11AM
Massage therapist, personal chef, CPR-certified babysitter, and tour guides are available upon request.
₱1,000 charge for additional guests after 6 persons.
Photo from Steven | Airbnb.com
Photo from Booking.com
Photo from Booking.com
Other Information:
For transportation around the area, pedicab rides can be arranged for an extra fee.
Exact location: Poblacion, Santander, Southern Cebu – 3 to 3.5 hours from Cebu City.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Casa de Estefania” in Santander and take the first right turn beyond that. Luxe Bohemian Villa will be close by on the left side of the road. Free parking is available.
On Monday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of January 17, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 1,020 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 136 new recoveries, and 0 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 5,833 (from 4,903).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 44,367 (+602 new) – Total recoveries: 39,731 (+41 new) – Total deaths: 1,527 (+0 new) – Active cases: 3,109
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 14,292 (+78 new) – Total recoveries: 13,213 (+25 new) – Total deaths: 472 (+0 new) – Active cases: 607
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,784 (+83 new) – Total recoveries: 11,761 (+28 new) – Total deaths: 443 (+0 new) – Active cases: 580
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 38,663 (+257 new) – Total recoveries: 34,551 (+42 new) – Total deaths: 2,575 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,537
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 5,833 (from 4,903)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 110,106 (+1,020 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 99,256 (+136 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,017 (+0 new)
A total of 2,554 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.
Saskatchewan, a Canadian province that borders the United States to the south, is looking to the Philippines once again to fill a staff shortage in its healthcare workforce.
Photo from Getty Images
This year, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recently announced its plans to hire 150 permanent, full-time nursing and laboratory workers from the Philippines to help rebuild a healthcare system that has been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare unions backed SHA’s plans and emphasized that international employees must be supported as well.
“We could not be without our Filipino nurses. They are a gigantic asset and we could not run without them. We just have to make sure that we are taking lessons from the past.”
– Tracy Zambory, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses President
Photo from Getty Images
According to Statistics Canada, roughly 25% of healthcare workers in Saskatchewan were immigrants in 2016 and approximately 30% of such professionals in Canada are Filipinos, with the vast majority of them being women.
In 2008, Saskatchewan sent a delegation to the Philippines to recruit 800 new registered nurses as part of a hiring blitz. Such recruitment drives, according to Naomi Lightman, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Calgary who studies migration and care work, are not unusual.
Photo from Getty Images
According to University of Calgary assistant professor of sociology Naomi Lightman, while Filipino workers are vital to Canada’s healthcare system, Filipinos generally have challenges in having their credentials recognized, which means they frequently accept jobs for which they are overqualified. Securing equivalent accreditations in Canada can be costly.
For more details about the job hiring, head on to their official website here.
The number of active cases in the country have drastically increased in a short period of time. Take for example last January 4, there were just about 5,300 new cases but on January 12 there was more than 32,000The Filipinos are just now starting to experience the Omicron Covid-19 variant but there is yet another variant threat we should worry about.
President Rodrigo Duterte himself said during his Talk to the People that this new covid-19 variant known as IHU which was first detected in France last November will enter the country “whether we like it or not.”
President Duterte during a meeting about the new IHU Covid-19 variant, together with Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) members at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday (Jan. 6, 2022). (Photo by Robinson Niñal | Presidential Photo)
Experts say the IHU variant, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has been monitoring since November 2021, has 46 mutations.
Not to be alarmed though as an update from WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe that IHU covid-19 variant may not surpass the dominant variants, Delta and Omicron. He further shared that this is based on its capacity to dominate in terms of transmission.
Photo from nbcnews.com website
Dr. Edsel Salvana, a member of the Department of Health (DOH)-Technical Advisory Group also shared that this IHU variant may have many mutations but does not show any survival advantage or immune evasion that can be seen in Delta and Omicron variants. The number of mutations also do not always mean increased infectivity or vaccine deviation.
In the event of it entering the Philippines, WHO is still studying the new variant and so far it has been classified as a “variant under monitoring” and seen as “is not a threat at this time.”
Photo from Unsplash
new cases.
We are aware that these variants are like the nth wave of this pandemic but let us all hang in there. Our Covid-19 vaccines have significantly protected us against severe diseases so get vaccinated now and to those who needs the booster shots, have yours scheduled as soon as possible.
On Sunday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of January 16, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 899 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 35 new recoveries, and 0 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 4,903 (from 4,084).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 43,765 (+477 new) – Total recoveries: 39,692 (+27 new) – Total deaths: 1,527 (+0 new) – Active cases: 2,546
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 14,214 (+111 new) – Total recoveries: 13,189 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 472 (+0 new) – Active cases: 553
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,701 (+93 new) – Total recoveries: 11,733 (+5 new) – Total deaths: 443 (+0 new) – Active cases: 525
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 38,407 (+218 new) – Total recoveries: 34,513 (+2 new) – Total deaths: 2,575 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,319
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 4,903 (from 4,084)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 109,087 (+899 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 99,127 (+35 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,017 (+0 new)
A total of 2,486 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.
“To transform fashion from just okay to avant-garde”, a vision set by an increasingly prominent fashion personality in an interview with SunStar Cebu 8 years ago. This individual then took everyone’s eyes and attention with her enthralling ensembles and dresses with depth last 2021.
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
You’ve seen her work: the majestic ‘Mayari’, the captivating ‘Bakunawa’ series, and the iconic, if not controversial, ‘Vessel of Faith’. Her dresses are testament to her skill and creativity, but who is the mind behind these masterpieces?
It turns out, she hails from the Queen City of the South!
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Axel Que, the avant-garde designer
Axel, the 28-year-old Cebuana designer, graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines and then proceeded to the Fashion Institute of the Philippines.
As early as 2013, when Axel was still 20, she had already garnered recognition after winning the first Cebu Young Designers Quest held in J Centre Mall in Mandaue. It was around this time that Axel saw her vision to transform fashion into avant-garde.
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
However, she started out in a different way. In an interview with YouTube channel ‘Philippine Pageants’, Axel reminisced that she used to specialize in wedding dresses and she never imagined to become a national costume designer. In fact, she started this venture just in the year 2020.
The now-renowned icon remembered how it all started: her best friend, Tracy Maureen Perez, joined the Miss Universe Philippines in 2020. Tracy in turn encouraged her to give national costume design a go, and the rest is history of Axel’s quick rise in the industry.
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Breaking the mold in the world of design
Axel’s true artwork, as she calls it, tells a story. She designs dresses not just to look attractive, festive, or bright, the national costumes she created are stories and traditions made into a wearable form.
Photo from Axel Que | Instagram
Photo from Axel Que | Instagram
It’s the first time in recent years that only one artist would design dresses for both Miss Universe and Miss World. Axel Que breaks the mold by delivering high-quality statement pieces in time for both competitions!
Her royal designs have made it to the national and international stages, having been worn by Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 finalist Beatrice Luigi Gomez and instant Miss World 2021 semifinalist Tracy Maureen Perez.
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Photo from Axel Que | Instagram
Inspiration for fashion and art
Axel fondly echoed what her friends call her: an addict to details. Her assistants would say that her pieces had details and the small details had even more details. She also reflects on her dedication to art and to her work, which had developed way back when she was still attending college in UP.
Aside from her incredible attention to detail, Axel sews stories and representation of Filipino culture into her dresses.
‘Mayari’, worn by Tracy Perez was heavily inspired by the moon goddess of Kapampangan mythology. ‘Bakunawa’, adorned by Beatrice Gomez was a spotlight on the giant serpent in Philippine mythology that ate the moon during eclipses. Finally, ‘Vessel of Faith’, one of Axel’s most talked-about works, is a recollection of the Philippines’ history and journey of Christianity.
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
Photo from Axel Que | Facebook Page
In designing these avant-garde pieces of art, Axel Que works passionately to select a new and interesting concept and to experiment with new techniques in each garment. This way, every creation of hers is a masterpiece worthy of the international stage.
Axel is passionate and dedicated to her work. Cebuanos and the whole Philippines can look forward to more of our traditions and mythology being told through fashion and art.
Want to see her works for yourself? Check out the exhibit of Axel’s beautiful creations at the Ayala Activity Area until January 31!
Just in time for the Sinulog Festival celebration held every third Sunday of the year, an eminent figure of the Holy Child – around 30 feet tall – is placed on the chapel roof, watching over devotees and looking out over the Mactan Channel and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
The Santo Niño statue stands on top of the open-air Santo Niño Chapel, which is still under construction. The chapel is part of the Santo Niño Park development replacing the Señor Citizens Park.
The project is part of the soon-to-rise Modernized Carbon Market by Megawide Corporation through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the City Government of Cebu.
The chapel and park are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2022.
The Sinulog Festival is a celebration in honor of Santo Niño (Child Jesus). The festival is done by a dance ritual, in which it tells the story of the Filipino people The word “Sinulog” means a graceful dance– a rhythmic and beautiful forward and backward motion that represents the “sulog” (or current).
The Sinulog Festival has been going around for almost four centuries now. Its rich history dates back to old and truly reflects the humble beginnings of Cebu and the birth and growth of Christianity in Cebu and the Philippines.
Walk with Jesus (Photo by Chang Euldan / Sinulog Foundation, Inc. )Photo by Chang Euldan / Sinulog Foundation, Inc.Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (Photo by Migs Rizarri)
HISTORY OF SINULOG IN CEBU
Historical accounts say that before Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan came to Cebu on April 7, 1521 to plant the cross on its shore and claim the country for the King of Spain, Sinulog was already danced by the natives in honor of their wooden idols and anitos. Then Magellan came and introduced Christianity. He gave the Santo Nino (image of the Child Jesus) as baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Cebu’s Rajah Humabon who was later named Queen Juana. At that time, not only the rulers were baptized but also about 800 of their subjects. Unfortunately, however, shortly after the conversion, Magellan went into a reckless adventure by fighting the reigning ruler of Mactan, Rajah Lapulapu, with only a handful of men. He died in the encounter. That was on April 27, 1521.
The remnants of Magellan’s men were however able to return to Spain to report the incident and the possibility of conquest. It took 44 years before a new group came and started the formal Christianization of the islands. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived in Cebu on April 28, 1565. His ships bombarded the village and in one of the burning huts, one of his soldiers named Juan Camus found inside a wooden box the image of the Santo Nino lying side by side with native idols.
Historians now say that during the 44 years between the coming of Magellan and Legaspi, the natives continued to dance the Sinulog. This time however, they danced it no longer to worship their native idols but a sign of reverence to the Santo Nino which is now enshrined at the San Agustin Church ( renamed Basilica Minore del Santo Nino). Of course, through the years since 1521, the dance was a small ritual danced by a few in front of wooden idols or before the Santo Nino. In fact, at the Santo Nino Church where the image is consecrated, only the candle vendors could be seen dancing the Sinulog and making offerings. During the Santo Nino fiesta which falls on the third Sunday of January, children dressed moro-moro costumes also dance the Sinulog. This was really no big event for Cebu City.
The Sinulog Festival reflects how rich the history of Cebu is, how lively and kind its people are and how blessed in many aspects it is. The festivity became a way of sharing the Cebuano culture to the world.
