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 January 14, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 630 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 20 new recoveries, and no new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 3,206 (from 2,550).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 42,850 (+301 new) – Total recoveries: 39,649 (+14 new) – Total deaths: 1,527 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,674
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 14,001 (+69 new) – Total recoveries: 13,188 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 472 (+0 new) – Active cases: 341
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,473 (+83 new) – Total recoveries: 11,697 (+5 new) – Total deaths: 443 (+0 new) – Active cases: 333
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 37,935 (+177 new) – Total recoveries: 34,503 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 2,574 (+0 new) – Active cases: 858
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 3,206 (from 2,550)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 107,259 (+650 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 99,037 (+20 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,016 (+0 new)
A total of 2,290 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.
In case you still don’t know, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City opened its Drive-Thru & Walk-Thru swabbing test center for SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) since July 2020.
This is a program of their Subnational Laboratory (SNL) in line with the expanded testing guidelines per DOH Memorandum 2020-0258-A.
Although they have temporarily closed when Typhoon Odette hit the island, VSMMC re-opened their free RT-PCR Testing service on January 14, 2022. Yes, you read it right — the testing is FREE and is open to the public for drive-thru or walk-thru but online booking is required.
Be festival-ready and come prepared for a safe malling experience this Sinulog 2022 at SM Seaside City Cebu!
Sinulog is more than just a festival – it is a tradition and a whole cultural celebration for the Cebuanos since the 1980s. Before the pandemic, it usually attracted millions of visitors from around the world. Now, the celebration is much more personal and spread out, giving way to creative and secure ways to celebrate it.
This year, one way to celebrate Sinulog is to head out to SM Seaside City Cebu and experience AweSM like no other. Huge discounts await at the AweSM Cebu Sale and to complete your Sinulog experience, join exciting challenges and witness #AweSM exhibits. You also don’t want to miss a gastronomic feast at Cebu’s 1st roof deck food park – Sugbo Mercado at the SM Seaside Sky Park!
Kickstart your new year by visiting SM Seaside City Cebu and indulging in the safe AweSM Cebu celebration with deals and discounts while still prioritizing your safety.
1. EXPERIENCE AWESM
Enjoy your favorite Lechon from different municipalities, shop for local products, groove to the upbeat rhythm of the drums and take photos at the Glowing Music Box for an all-in-one stop at the Mountain Wing Atrium from January 13 – 16.
Sugbo Mercado is a known name if you want a gastronomic feast. Taste the local flavors of Cebu in the 1st roof deck food park in the South at the 3rd Floor, The Sky Park!
Photo from SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) | Facebook Page
Photo from SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) | Facebook Page
Photo from SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) | Facebook Page
3. AWESM TIKTOK CHALLENGE
If you want to dance your way into the festivities then duet to the AweSM Tiktok Dance at the Glowing Music Box located at the Mountain Wing Atrium. Not only do you get to enjoy dancing your heart out but you also have a chance to win SM Shopping Money and a doughnut voucher from Krispy Kreme. Promo runs from January 13 – 16.
See and be amazed as this Art Exhibition features the works of 24 of the most brilliant visual artists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the benefit of the Typhoon Odette victims. The exhibit runs from January 15 – 31 located at the Lower Ground Floor, Mountain Wing Atrium
6. SANTO NINO: GASA SA KATAWHANG PILIPINHON
Sinulog is first and foremost a celebration of the Holy Child, Sto. Nino. Every Sinulog before the pandemic happened, devotees bring a variety of images and statues of Santo Nino at the Basilica del Santo Nino dancing and chanting “Pit Senyor” .
Witness the exhibit of various images of the Holy Child Jesus that are all owned by Cebuano devotees from January 13 – 31 at the Upper Ground Floor, Cube Wing.
After viewing the different images of the Holy Child Jesus, head on over to the Lower Ground Floor, Seaview Wing and hear the Novena Mass.
Live streaming of the Sinulog Novena Mass is being broadcasted from the Basilica Sto. Nino de Cebu to ensure a safe and secure Fiesta celebration.
Novena Mass schedules:
11:00AM – 12:30PM
12:30PM – 2:00PM
2:00PM – 3:30PM
3:30PM – 5:00PM
5:00PM – 6:30PM
6:30PM – 8:00PM
Don’t forget to also #DiscoverAweSM activities this January at SM City Cebu, head over to their page to learn more!
Happiness should be our priority this year along with being healthy and safe. Celebrate Sinulog in the safest way you can and visit the AWESM festivities in SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Cebu now.
HOW TO GET TO SM SEASIDE?
Exact Location: SM Seaside City Cebu in South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City.
BY MYBUS: You can take a FREE MyBus ride from/to BDO Fuente Osmena from 8:20am to 10:00pm. You can also ride any MyBus from SM City Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue City, Parkmall and any Cibus to get to and from SM Seaside city Cebu Drop-off point is at the City Wing Entrance.
BY CAR/TAXI: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “SM Seaside City Cebu”. Parking space is free.
BY GRAB: Get P70 OFF on your Grabcar rides to SM Seaside and use the promo code SMSEASIDE70 on your booking.
With the devastation brought by super typhoon Odette and the threat of the Omicron variant in Cebu, it’s a virtual celebration of Sinulog yet again.
But do you remember all the fun and memorable things that happens only during Sinulog before covid-19 happened?
Stay with me as we reminisce all the most epic and nostalgic things we missed during the Sinulog.
1. Human Barricade (NSTP students)
Whoever it is that didn’t get to experience this, have missed out on all the pushing and pulling, the never-ending complaints, the hunger, the too much sun exposure, and yet the most fun thing a student gets to experience during Sinulog. With Cebu being a center for learning and home to big universities, there is no shortage of students to become human barricade in the procession.
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
2. Street Parties
Colors, costumes, music, dancing, and all the smiling faces are what make a street party. The people celebrate Sinulog like they celebrate being alive which is one scene to see in your life. Remember what it felt like to feel happy just by watching people just enjoy themselves?
3. Music Festivals
The crowd and the hype of music festivals were unmatched as everyone just chant to the music and of course to “Pit Senor” and “Sinulog”. It was loud, energy-filled, chaotic and the most exhilarating thing to be a part of.
Sinulog Idol (Sinulog Foundation, Inc.)
4. Fluvial Procession
This is a sight to behold indeed. A painting perfect scene as a variety of boat sails through the sea. Like the voyagers in the past, the travel of baby Jesus is accompanied by thousands of people. The morning sea breeze, the rising of the sun, and the festive yet solemn atmosphere are what we missed the most.
Sinulog Fluvial 2020
Sinulog Fluvial 2020
5. Grandest Fireworks “Showdown” from different major malls in Cebu
Remember the perfect end to everyone’s Sinulog? The direction that everyone seems to go to the moment it gets dark bringing cars, tents, food, and music. The picnic of all picnics gazing to the sky awaiting the most amazing fireworks, every year grander than the last.
Sinulog Fireworks at SM Seaside | Photo by Marc Go
Photo by Magik Moments
6. Joyously “Pit Senyor” whoever we bump into
During Sinulog everyone is your friend. Yes, there were no introverts during the festival. You can never take 10 steps without someone shouting Pit Senyor! even strangers. And if you bump into a friend? It’s whole (beautiful) chaos right there with all the hugging, jumping, and joyously shouting Pit Senyor!
7. Chanting “Pit Senyor sa mga ____ kini” every after the Novena Mass
Shouting, chanting to almost everything that we can add to that phrase was the highlight of every mass. It was a joyous praying which is what makes Sinulog very unique indeed. We dance and sing and laugh and pray at the same time.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (Photo by Migs Rizarri)
8. Long walks for the Procession, rain or shine
Millions of people on a solemn walk may it rain or shine. It’s not even a joke. It was millions of people praying. Devotees of Sto. Nino from all over the country come together all at once to give praise and gratitude. It’s the number of people together we will never see again if the pandemic won’t end.
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
9. Sinulog Grand Parade with Creative floats and their accompanying Celebrities
Sinulog had the grandest parade broadcasted nationwide. The colorful costumes of the Sinulog dancers, festival queens, amazing street dance choreographies and gigantic creative floats were there all day long. And let’s not forget part of why you were standing and waiting all day in those barricades is for the celebrities.
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
Photo from Sinulog | Facebook Page
10. Simply enjoying the festival
Sinulog was an event that entails walking several kilometers with no transportation, planning ahead for all the meetups because there will be no signal, and dancing and chanting our hearts out. The festival was always fun however we celebrated it.
You do realize the value of things when they are gone. Like how epic, fun and awesome Sinulog was. We wish for this pandemic to end as soon as possible to get the grandest festival back in Cebu again.
Typhoon Odette has shakened the lives and destroyed the houses of our brothers and sisters in Visayas and Mindanao. Houses were torn down hence, re-building is what is necessary.
If you are afraid to break your bank or does not have enough to restart, take a cue from this couple who only spent P280,000 to build their own home – AB Magtulis and Hazel Garcia.
Photo from Hazel Renneth Villanueva Garcia | Facebook Page
AB and Hazel, who have been working from home, both wanted to have their own personal space. Practically speaking, they did not want to splurge on a condominium unit. Hence, they have decided to build their own tiny home.
Photo from Hazel Renneth Villanueva Garcia | Facebook Page
Photo from Team ABH | Youtube
Photo from Team ABH | Youtube
Their humble abode is situated across Hazel’s family home. With only P280,000, they were already able to build their two-storey home. Their abode nestles AB and Hazel’s workspaces, a living room, bathroom, and a bed that’s accessible through the staircase.
Photo from Team ABH | Youtube
Photo from Team ABH | Youtube
Photo from Team ABH | Youtube
Photo from Team ABH | Youtube
Though it only expands to a tiny 6-square meter floor area, mind you, it has a 15-feet tall foundation securing the rooftop. If the couple needs a downtime, up they go.
So, if you’re on a tight budget and is looking to rebuild or build your own home, take this as a cue and score a tip or two.
Meet the trending taxi driver that has been offering free rides on his birthday for the third time now. The driver is Abdon Verdida from Barangay Labangon, Cebu.
Photo from Lu DCruzPhoto from Lu DCruz
According to Ms. Lu DCruz, who encountered his service, Kuya Abdon has been doing this for the past three years every December 23 just as a way of sharing his blessings. But due to Typhoon Odette that hit Cebu last December 16, he rescheduled it to January 12 this year.
Not only that, but Kuya Abdon also gives away 200 Pesos to the first 25 passengers during his special day.
“While we were talking, he handed me an ampao with P200 inside as his gift. He said mag save siya P20 everyday a year which he will give to his passengers during the free ride. I was so touched that at this very difficult time I’ve met a kind-hearted ordinary person who is generous enough to share a little of what he has. Sige lng jud ko ug Thank you niya kay of all people ako jud naka timing niya.”
– Ms. Lu DCruz
Kuya Abdon rents his taxi cab for 900 Pesos a day. He allocates a major portion of his sales for the day for his family while he also saves 20 Pesos a day for a year for the cash gifts he joyously gives away to the passengers during his birthday.
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 January 13, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 658 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 23 new recoveries, and no new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 2,550 (from 1,897).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 42,549 (+359 new) – Total recoveries: 39,658 (+6 new) – Total deaths: 1,527 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,364
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,932 (+61 new) – Total recoveries: 13,194 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 472 (+0 new) – Active cases: 266
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,390 (+73 new) – Total recoveries: 11,695 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 443 (+0 new) – Active cases: 252
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 37,758 (+165 new) – Total recoveries: 34,516 (+17 new) – Total deaths: 2,574 (+0 new) – Active cases: 668
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 2,550 (from 1,897)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 106,629 (+658 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 99,063 (+23 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,016 (+0 new)
A total of 2,686 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.
The 20-Piso New Generation Currency (NGC) coin has been named as one of the finalists for the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA)’s “Best New Coin or Series Category: Excellence in Currency 2022 Awards,” according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
BSP released the bi-color 20-Peso coin in 2019 that featured Manuel L. Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, on the front; and the Malacañan Palace, BSP Logo, and Nilad plant on the reverse side.
The finalists were chosen from 39 concepts submitted by teams representing 20 central banks, three commercial banknote issuers, nine banknote industry suppliers, and one banknote distribution system organization.
The winners will be announced on February 22, 2022.
1,000-Peso Bill
The BSP sparked outrage in December when it unveiled a new design for the P1,000 notes, with the Philippine eagle replacing portraits of World War II patriots Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Vicente Lim on the front side.
The new bill will be released in April 2022, but the present P1,000 bill will still continue in circulation, according to the BSP.
Yes, that same kangkong we can grow in the backyard is the main product of the business run by a 17-year-old from Cavite.
Josh Mojica a.k.a. Jhelo sold Kangkong Chips with a starting capital of just P3,000 at a young age and made it into a stable business without any coaching or direction from anyone.
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
The Kangkong Chips were his Tita’s recipe made for his Lolo. This treat of Kangkong chips are so crispy and tasty that he thought of selling it so he posted it on Facebook and gained one loyal customer.
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
As all teenagers did at one point, he got distracted by video games and stopped in 2021 but after his Lolo died in June 2021, he decided to get back up and take things seriously this time.
The young entrepreneur does his own promotion of the products on social media together with his mother who handles the finances. He also now has a larger kitchen and ten staff in the production of Kangkong Chips which are also his friends.
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
Mojica sells 1,500 to 2,000 bags of Kangkong Chips which costs P110 on Shopee and Facebook every month so that’s roughly P165k to P220k of earnings a month.
He learned a lot by creating and growing the business on his own and when asked what advise he would give he said, “Move fast! Nasa inyong mga kamay ang pag-asa na maging stable ang life niyo. I’m young, but I strive for stability, and I think that should be the mindset of the youth. Move fast, especially in business.”
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
Photo from Josh Mojica | Facebook Page
Well, this is an inspiring story for all the young ones out there, it is not too early to start and not too late either.
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 January 12, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 443 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1 new recovery, and no new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 1,897 (from 1,455).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 42,191 (+223 new) – Total recoveries: 39,663 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 1,527 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,001
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,871 (+62 new) – Total recoveries: 13,197 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 472 (+0 new) – Active cases: 202
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,317 (+33 new) – Total recoveries: 11,698 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 443 (+0 new) – Active cases: 176
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 37,593 (+125 new) – Total recoveries: 34,501 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 2,574 (+0 new) – Active cases: 518
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 1,897 (from 1,455)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 105,972 (+443 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 99,051 (+1 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,016 (+0 new)
A total of 2,461 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.
