If there is one gift you can open again and again, that would be a book.
Yup, they say you can never have too many books, and the Big Bad Wolf just heard you! All that you have to do is ensure that you have your online shopping carts ready for the well-loved Malaysian book fair as they try to dominate the Philippines’ bookworms on Lazada.
Because of the pandemic, Big Bad Wolf is not having their usual event. However, there is no need for you to worry because they are bringing your favorite books right at the tip of your fingertips! Yes, they are having their first permanent online store on Lazada. Fret not too, because you do not have to wait longer for the shipping for their books to be fulfilled by Lazada’s warehouse.
Their first flagship store in Lazada which started late of November is open 24/7. They will be introducing 25,000 titles by December 12 – they currently have 20,000 titles available online.
Do you want the icing on the cake? Expect flash deals and discounts from time to time.
It is about time you add books to your collection or ignite someone’s fire to love books too. Get yourselves ready and ‘add to cart’ your favorite books for Christmas.
We are always on our phones and so naturally we are also always charging. Our smartphone’s batteries don’t last for long and the panic sets in.
Calm yourself for your next mall visit will be a breeze with SM Seaside City Cebu setting up FREE wireless charging stations so you can now conveniently charge your smart phones anytime your battery runs out.
Eco- Friendly and Eco-Stylish
The spots of their charging stations are even on another level as they are not on desks or flat surface tables as you’ve seen before but on plant box pots. How cool is that?
Their wireless charging station is located at the 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿, 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘇𝘇𝘇 𝗖𝗮𝗳𝗲.
An icon of a battery charging will guide you along with its reminders:
Please take care of your phone and other personal belongings at all times.
Remove your phone case while charging.
Chargers will work with devices that allow wireless charging (ex. iPhone X, Samsung S8 and other latest devices).
Wireless charging stations explained
The science behind wireless charging is simply explained by these wireless chargers work by creating a magnetic field that your phone and another device can absorb to gain energy.
Surprisingly, there is a small coil in the device which receives and harvests energy from the magnetic field the moment you place it on the surface of the charging station.
Now, wireless charging really is an amazing and hassle-free way to charge your phone. With the technology today, it’s still slower than using a charging cable. Though its benefits are looking better especially as charging cables tend to break eventually.
On Saturday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of December 4, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 9 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 8 new recoveries, and 10 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 104,197 while the active cases increased to 350 (from 347).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 41,236 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 39,632 (+3 new) – Total deaths: 1,522 (+1 new) – Active cases: 82
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,666 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 13,177 (+2 new) – Total deaths: 471 (+1 new) – Active cases: 18
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,132 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 11,672 (+3 new) – Total deaths: 442 (+0 new) – Active cases: 18
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 37,163 (+3 new) – Total recoveries: 34,374 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 2,557 (+8 new) – Active cases: 232
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 350 (from 347)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 104,197 (+9 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 98,855 (+8 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,992 (+10 new)
A total of 1,915 laboratory results were released today.
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.
It’s crazy to think we now have an 8km toll bridge in mainland Cebu that connects to Cordova. This ₱30-billion project from Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation is a long-awaited project that began in June 2017.
And here we are, having the main bridge’s deck finally connected, which is marked as a significant event and historical moment this year.
On October 29, 2021, Metro Pacific Tollway Corporation’s chairman, Manny Pangilinan, led the ceremony announcing the major milestone of CCLEX and its affiliated project team, has achieved. Cebu’s key members and leaders showed to witness the event as they mark the bridge that symbolizes Cebu’s economic growth & prosperity, developing transportation sector and infrastructure.
This also means that you can now register online for an appointment for your CCLEX’s issued RFID sticker installation on your vehicle.
Before signing up, please make sure you have information on your license plate or conduction number if the plate is still not available. Then fill out the registration form.
Pick an available schedule and installation site.
Proceed to the RFID sticker installation areas on your schedule
RFID Sticker Installation Sites
SM Seaside City Cebu in SRP, Cebu City
Landers Superstore in Mabolo, Cebu City
Mactan Newtown, at the parking near McDo
Pueblo Verdo in Lapu-Lapu City (near the PUV Terminal)
Anjo World Theme Park in Minglanilla
Walk-ins are NOT allowed. You need to register online as instructed above and set an appointment.
Photo from SM Seaside City CebuPhoto from SM Seaside City CebuPhoto from Anjo World Theme ParkPhoto from Anjo World Theme Park
What is an RFID?
What is ‘RFID’ you say? It’s the acronym for Radio Frequency Identification which means that this sticker is no ordinary one! It’s capable of electromagnetically transmitting digital data towards a machine/reader. Pretty neat.
For those who still don’t get it, it means the ‘contactless and cashless’ toll process of using CCLEX’s electronic toll collecting system to provide a more constant flow of traffic in the bridge.
Tisa has been keeping a secret chill night hideout from the rest of us.
Dungawan Bistro + Grill located in the Lower South Hills of Tisa is a charming nightlife destination while enjoying a breathtaking skyline view of Cebu City.
Yes. As already clued in by its name Dungawan from the word “Dungaw” which means to look out the window. Only in Dungawan the window is this cute wooden kiosk that looks out the whole city of Cebu.
It is not just Busay that has an amazing view of the city lights at night because Dungawan has a pretty and breathtaking view as well.
It’s quaint in nature which helps with its intimate ambiance that is perfect for romantic dates, chilling with the barkada, parties such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and so much more.
Aside from their kiosk, they also have garden dining areas to the side if you want to be more connected to nature with hanging plants and big trees surrounding you.
The food here are Cebu’s lutong bahay favorite dishes, seafood specials, sizzling offers with some western food as well which are great for family gatherings or barkada pulutan.
And speaking of large portions they offer Boodle servings:
Boodle Barkadahan
Seafood Nigo
Grilled Nigo
Fried Nigo
They also have all kinds of pasta and noodles that you want and servings of vegetables and salads for the health-conscious customers. And of course, a great collection of desserts to cap off dinner.
As the day ends, the dining turns into chilling as the bistro emerges with their variety of drink selection which everyone can drink. They have coffee, frappe, smoothies, cocktails, mocktails and some other alcoholic beverages.
They’ve got it all covered so you won’t have any reason to go anywhere else and why would you when the food and view are already this satisfying.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Menu:
Other Information:
Opening hours: 11AM to 11PM on Mondays to Saturdays; until 9pm on Sundays
Entering its third decade, the M Lhuillier Tree of Hope lights up the entire Cebu from Fuente Osmena, right at the city’s very center.
Rising 10-storeys high, it is made of a solid steel foundation weighing aton and covered with the festive holiday trimmings befitting an iconic structure: 36 oversized acrylic stars, 400 green plastic wreaths, 600 red plastic flowers, 300 styro balls, 600 traditional Pampanga lanterns, 200 raindrop led lights, 300typical parols covered in colored plastic charrol, 200 pieces of LED tubing, and three kilometers of series lights. This year, the tree also features a life- size diorama at the base depicting a nativity scene in honor of the season with custom fiberglass figures, flanking each side are mannequins adorned Sinulog attire to pay tribute to the largest festival in the country celebrated the 3rd Sunday of January, and on the side facing the street, the revered Sto. Nino in a handmade altar, the oldest Catholic relic in the country and Cebu’s Spiritual guardian.
Photo by The Island Nomad
“This year, we light the tree with a renewed vigor and a rekindled purpose,” says M Lhuillier President and CEO Michael Lhuillier. “The year 2020 has only made us appreciate more that it is only through working together as a team that we can weather the unprecedented challenges of a pandemic. As we light the tree on its 21st year in 2021, we look towards a steadily brighter 2022 as we beat Covid-19 and all its challenges as a family.”
At the Pasko sa Sugbo launch and tree lighting ceremony, MLhuillier Chairman of the Board Senorito Michel Lhuillier gathers the workforce of 21local artisans onstage who handcrafted every single detail of this year’s behemoth structure—from the steel foundation to the delicate details of its adornments—as M Lhuillier pays tribute to every part of the expanding company.
WELCOME TO A HEALTHIER CEBU! The iconic M Lhuillier Tree of Hope rises for the 21st year in a row at Fuente Osmena Circle, at the heart of the city.
Headed by Team Leader and main designer of the tree Brendon Cabarrubias, the artisans received an eco-bag filled with Cebu’s signature dried mangoes and other practical daily items as well as a substantial cash gift loaded onto their ML Wallet, the free M Lhuillier app.
“The tree this year is a symbol of our thanksgiving to those whose hands make the brand a true success story,” adds ML Vice President Jude Millares, himself present in the original meeting between the City Government of Cebuand M Lhuillier on putting up a Christmas tree reminiscent of the Rockefeller tree in New York City. With its decidedly Filipino flavor, the Cebuanocounterpart has become just as iconic.
AT THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY on December 1, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama (2nd from left) and Cebu City Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros (2nd from right) hand over the Key of the City, the highest symbol of hospitality, to Her Excellency Laure Beaufils, the Ambassador the United Kingdom to the Philippines. Flanking them are (extreme left) Senorito Michel Lhuillier, Chairman of the Board of M Lhuillier Financial Services and (extreme right) Michael Lhuillier, President and CEO of M Lhuillier Financial Services. Mayor Rama thanked the Lhuilliers for the gift of the tree for 21 years.
The M Lhuillier tree remains lighted from today until January 2022 from 5pm to 5am daily, serving as a beacon of hope in the heart of Cebu City as we all heal from a challenging two years. As M Lhuillier’s Michael Lhuillier sums: “This year, its light shines differently as a renewed economy and society emerging carefully from a pandemic with its best foot forward sparks hope in the air.”
M Lhuillier, the Philippines’ largest and most respected non-bank financial institution, continues to uphold its promise of being the Bridge and TulayngPaMLyang Pilipino with more than 3,000 serviceable locations nationwide. It continuously seeks better and innovative ways to serve its community providing fast, easy, and reliable financial services such as Kwarta Padala, Quick Cash Loan, Bills Payment, Insurance Plan, Money Exchange, Jewelry, ML Wallet, ML Express, ML Moves, and Telco and online TV Loading.
A TRIBUTE to the 21 local artisans who handcrafted the iconic MLhuillier Tree of Hope was made even more significant when Senorito Michel Lhuillier announced that they had pre-loaded their ML Wallets, the free MLhuillier app, with a substantial cash gift for Christmas. Flanking the 21 artisans of MardamSignads led by Marvin Damaolao and tree designer Brendon CabarrubiasareJude Millares, M Lhuillier Vice President & COO, Michael James Lhuillier, Senorito Michel Lhuillier, Michael Lhuillier and Joanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier.
Follow M Lhuillier Financial Services, Inc. on Facebook, or visit mlhuillier.com for more information.
For inquiries, contact Customer Care through its toll-free number 1-800-1-0572-3252 or email [email protected].
On Friday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of December 3, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 8 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 13 new recoveries, and 15 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 104,188 while the active cases dropped to 347 (from 350).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 41,234 (+4 new) – Total recoveries: 39,629 (+2 new) – Total deaths: 1,522 (+2 new) – Active cases: 82
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,664 (+1 new) – Total recoveries: 13,175 (+3 new) – Total deaths: 471 (+0 new) – Active cases: 18
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,130 (+1 new) – Total recoveries: 11,669 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 442 (+0 new) – Active cases: 19
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 37,160 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 34,374 (+8 new) – Total deaths: 2,557 (+13 new) – Active cases: 228
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 347 (from 350)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 104,188 (+8 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 98,847 (+13 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,992 (+15 new)
A total of 1,475 laboratory results were released today.
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.
Sure, Netflix is great when it comes to streaming famous TV shows, movies, anime, K-drama and so much more. The streaming platform is also home to the best documentaries, some of them are self-produced, and that includes documentaries that tackle about music or any icons related. Here are the top musical documentaries that you can watch right now on Netflix Philippines:
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
Photo from NETFLIX
K-pop has really dominated the planet, and it cannot be denied that BLACKPINK are one of the forerunners of modern K-pop that the global audience truly embraced. In this documentary, BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky focuses on the journey of South Korea’s top girl group, Blackpink; from their grueling and exhausting beginnings up to their sold-out concerts everywhere, Light Up the Sky tells the story of the four young girls, their journey and their insights about in life as K-pop idols.
Photo from NETFLIX
Photo from NETFLIX
Photo from NETFLIX
Photo from NETFLIX
Miss Americana
Taylor Swift is indeed the GOAT, and her re-release of her hit albums years ago as a testament of ownership of her works just proves how far the once young country singer has come. While Miss American was released last year (2020), the documentary tackles the singer’s struggle and inner turmoil that she kept from the public. Through interviews, footages, home videos and more media, fans are given a peak of Taylor’s personal life, specifically her eating disorder called body dysmorphia which certainly affected her life.
Photo from NETFLIX
Photo from NETFLIX
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
Among this list, this is the only documentary that doesn’t directly focus on a single artist but rather probably one of the worst events that ever happened in the concert and festival-going industry. Focusing on the infamous failed 2017 Fyre Festival, which was billed as a luxury music experience on a posh private island but things end on a sour note. The film focuses on the events leading up to the failed event, the people involved as well as the consequences.
Photo from NETFLIX
Ariana Grande: excuse me, i love you
Following the events of pop star Ariana Grande’s Sweetener World Tour in 2019, the concert documentary was released on December 2020, exactly one year after the tour’s conclusion. The concert film discusses the singer’s preparations for the tour, her personal insights, fan interactions, behind-the-scene happenings including choreography and many more. The documentary went on to be nominated for MTV Movie & TV Awards as “Best Music Documentary” last 2021.
Photo from NETFLIX and Pride.com
Gaga: Five Feet Two
Released in last 2017, the cinema verité-style documentary focuses on the hit artist and icon, Lady Gaga – her personal life, from meeting her fans, working on new music and personal struggles. The documentary’s timeline leads up to the creation of her fifth studio album, “Joanne”, and also includes her appearance in Super Bowl performance that year as well as in the horror anthology series, American Horror Stories.
Photo from NETFLIX
Bo Burnham: Inside
Probably the most unique entry among this list, Bo Burnham: Inside was recorded in the guest house of his Los Angeles home during the COVID-19 pandemic without a crew or audience. Directed, written, edited, cinematography and music by Bo Burnham himself, the film features a variety of songs, sketches and stories about his day-to-day life indoors, as well as his deteriorating mental health. The documentary was well-received with 93% in Rotten Tomatoes.
Photo from NETFLIX
Shawn Mendes: In Wonder
Chronicling the famed singer’s struggles with anxiety and depression, the 2020 Netflix entry offers a peak of Shawn Mendes’ life in a much raw form. His journey towards stardom as well as his relationship with family, friends, fans and as well as his deep romance with fellow artist Camilla Cabello.
Photo from NETFLIX
Britney vs Spears
Almost everyone knows the conservatorship status of Britney Spears under the clutches of his father; Britney vs Spears focuses on her struggles under this arrangements up to her well-deserved freedom. In this documentary, journalist Jenny Eliscu and filmmaker Erin Lee Carr investigate Britney Spears’ fight for freedom by way of exclusive interviews and confidential evidence.
Bojo, Aloguinsan in Cebu is recognized as one of the BEST TOURISM VILLAGES award in the recent 24th United Nations World Tourism Organization’s General Assembly in Madrid, Spain. The award was announced via YouTube live.
Former Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer and Tourism advocate Boboi Costas shared the news earlier tonight on his Facebook post. He shared “Win or lose, it’s an honor for the men and women of Bojo, Aloguinsan who have surmounted the challenges of rural tourism especially in the time of pandemic and whose courage to persevere became their inspiration on their journey to sustainability.”
Aloguinsan is home to the famous Bojo River tour, also known as the Aloguinsan River Eco-Cultural Tour – an educational adventure ride on the river with local fishermen interpreting the local history, the flora, and the fauna of the river ecosystem.
Photo by Aj Rob
Bojo River | by Aj Rob
Photo by Aj Rob
Photo by Aj Rob
On the UNWTO Official website, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing.
A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:
Cultural and Natural Resources
Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
Economic Sustainability
Social Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
Tourism Potential and Development and Value Chain Integration
Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Health, Safety and Security
All of the 44 chosen villages scored a total of 80 or more points or more out of a possible 100.
List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2021:
Bekhovo, Russian Federation
Bkassine, Lebanon
Bojo, Philippineshe
Caspalá, Argentina
Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico
Cumeada, Portugal
Gruyères, Switzerland
Batu Puteh , Malaysia
Kaunertal, Austria
Le Morne, Mauritius
Lekunberri, Spain
Maní, Mexico
Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman
Miyama, Japan
Mokra Gora, Serbia
Morella, Spain
Mustafapaşa, Turkey
Nglanggeran, Indonesia
Niseko, Japan
Nkotsi Village, Rwanda
Old Grand Port, Mauritius
Olergesailie, Kenya
Ollantaytambo, Peru
Pano Lefkara, Cyprus
Pica, Chile
Pochampally, India
Puerto Williams, Chile
Radovljica, Slovenia
Rijal Alma’a, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Testo Alto, Brazil
Saas Fee, Switzerland
San Cosme y Damián, Paraguay
San Ginesio, Italy
Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
Solčava, Slovenia
Soufli, Greece
Taraklı, Turkey
The Purple Island, Republic of Korea
Ungok Village, Republic of Korea
Valposchiavo, Switzerland
Wonchi, Ethiopia
Xidi, China
Yucun, China
Experience Bojo River Cruise
Bojo River is Aloguinsan’s crown jewel and has thus far been named one of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations in the World on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2016 and Best Community-based Tourism at the ASEAN Toursim Awards 2017.
The Bojo River tour, also known as the Aloguinsan River Eco-Cultural Tour, is highlighted by a ride on the river with local fishermen interpreting the local history, the flora and the fauna of the river ecosystem.
REGULAR PACKAGE:
₱650 per person – Inclusive of tour, lunch, snacks at the Farmhouse, and complementary goodies. Based on advance booking (at least 2 days), minimum of 5pax.
STUDENT PACKAGE:
STUDENT PACKAGE: ₱850 per head for a minimum of five persons. This includes a welcome lei, welcome drinks, lunch at The Farmhouse, snacks along the Bojo River, handicraft demo, river cruise, swimming, and a tour of heritage sites such as the baluarte (heritage park), old stone church, and parola.
From the South Bus Terminal in N. Bacalso Ave., ride a minibus going to bound for Pinamungajan. Ask the conductor to drop you in front of The Farmhouse in Aloguinsan. Bus fare is ₱80 and travel time is 2 to 3 hours.
Another option is to take a Toledo-bound bus and transfer to a minibus or jeepney to Aloguinsan.
If you’re bringing your own vehicle, just navigate with Waze and search for “Bojo River Aloguinsan”. There’s a parking space available in the area.
Christmas is definitely around the corner, and if you’re planning to go on a road trip on the western coast of Cebu island, you may want to witness the Christmas spectacle at the Toledo City Sports Complex.
Toledo City is one of the progressive cities in the province of Cebu, Visayan Region, the Philippines. It is about 2 hours away from Cebu City and is widely known for its huge mining industry.
Toledo City’s Christmas display was officially lit up last December 1, 2021 with the theme, “Pasko sa Toledo 2021: Toledo to the World Lighting Ceremony.” This year’s theme features famous attractions from cities around the world.
