On Wednesday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of September 8, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 593 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 560 new recoveries, and 65 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 96,024, while the active cases increased to 10,193 (from 10,215).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 38,962 (+158 new) – Total recoveries: 34,352 (+163 new) – Total deaths: 1,216 (+1 new) – Active cases: 3,394
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 12,592 (+92 new) – Total recoveries: 10,997 (+55 new) – Total deaths: 322 (+3 new) – Active cases: 1,273
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 11,323 (+61 new) – Total recoveries: 9,576 (+95 new) – Total deaths: 337 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,410
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 33,147 (+282 new) – Total recoveries: 27,208 (+247 new) – Total deaths: 1,832 (+61 new) – Active cases: 4,116
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 10,193 (from 10,215)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 96,024 (+593 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 82,133 (+560 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 3,698 (+65 new*)
A total of 4,915 laboratory results were released for 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.
During an interview on Cignal TV’s One News Channel, BusinessWorld Live Interview, Adel A. Tamano, Chief Administrative Officer of DITO revealed their plans on expanding in the broadband market in 2022.
DITO group is now working on their broadband services. “Friendly User Test” was conducted to aid their planned rollout, said Tamano.
For 2021, DITO has spent P150 billion for their network buildup and is eyeing to a P250 billion budget for 5 years.
In August of this year, DITO’s mobile services are already accessible across 210 locations in the country while their broadband services are planned to start “early next year”.
Being in the market for almost five months, DITO has now more or less two-million subscribers. This is expected to grow given their plans and growth.
The newest attraction in Borbon will definitely make your dream of sailing away in a big ship. Well, a ship built on top of a mountain that is.
Located in Borbon, Northern Cebu, Master’s Dragon Peak houses the biggest ship perched in the most amazing view of green trees. A spiral path of steps awaits you towards the peak. A beautiful attraction where you can insert an exercise in will make the climb more worthwhile.
Seemingly inspired by a pirate ship, the viewing decks will relieve you of your stress in no time. Take your deserve day off mate and breathe in the fresh air brought by the vast forest surrounding it.
Just like a pirate ship it has many openings and rustic in design. And because of this wooden overall facade it was also dubbed by the netizens as a Noah’s ark lookalike. However you see it, one thing’s for sure, it is a spectacle to behold.
The ship attraction is set to open its doors for every guest wanting to sail away on September 8, 2021 but had it postponed due to stricter and heightened restrictions here in Cebu.
Quoting Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.”, treasures are also experiences. So get those moments and visit the Master’s Dragon peak when it finally opens.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
DAY USE:
Entrance fee: P99 per adult; P50 per child/senior citizen (7 years old and below are free)
On Tuesday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of September 7, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 388 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 999 new recoveries, and 40 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 95,431, while the active cases increased to 10,215 (from 10,863).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 38,804 (+140 new) – Total recoveries: 34,189 (+307 new) – Total deaths: 1,215 (+9 new) – Active cases: 3,400
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 12,500 (+60 new) – Total recoveries: 10,944 (+75 new) – Total deaths: 318 (+1 new) – Active cases: 1,238
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 11,262 (+38 new) – Total recoveries: 9,481 (+331 new) – Total deaths: 337 (+7 new) – Active cases: 1,444
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 32,865 (+150 new) – Total recoveries: 26,970 (+286 new) – Total deaths: 1,762 (+23 new) – Active cases: 4,133
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 10,215 (from 10,863)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 95,431 (+388 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 81,584 (+999 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 3,632 (+40 new*)
A total of 3,895 laboratory results were released for 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.
The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has partnered with the Cebu provincial government for a 100-million project to provide free livelihood skills training to the jobless and out-of-school-youth.
The courses offered include:
Organic agriculture
Production
Cookery
Bread and pastry
Housekeeping
Bartending
Electrical installation
Maintenance
Carpentry
Tile setting
Plumbing
Computer system servicing
TESDA-7 assistant regional director Floro Ringca said that this “Special Training Employment Program” (STEP) is for the Cebuanos who were never given the chance to get a job amidst the pandemic. Furthermore is this for the out-of-school-youth to prepare them for their future.
The beneficiaries who will be chosen for the program will be receiving a P160 daily allowance, P500 for their purchase of face masks and face shields, and another P500 for their load purchase to be used for their online training.
And apart from the issuance of NC II, all of their graduates will be provided with starter tool kits based on their chosen course. This is also to ensure that they are not only prepared for their future employers, but to become their own employers.
“Pananglitan kon ang iyang kurso welding, so pag graduate sa bata, tagsa na sila og welding machine. And then kon bread and pastry, tagsa og oven toaster. And then aduna pa gyud ni siya’y accident insurance during sa training. So simbako ma-disgrasya ang bata aduna siya’y P100,000 nga insurance gikan sa GSIS (Government Service Insurance System),” he said.
It is important for us to preserve our Filipino traditions; they are what defines us and our culture. There are many things that are considered tradition, and the traditional games we played as kids are one of them. If you want to remember the good old days when you used to go outside and play till it was dark, take this trip down memory lane with me.
1. Bato Lata
Bato Lata, also known as Tumba-Lata or Tumbang Preso is one of the most popular childhood games out there. It is played with only a tin can and a slipper. Each player must have a slipper, and the “it” is in charge of the can. The can must be placed at a distance away from the players. The player’s goal is to hit the can using their slippers and then run without getting caught by the “it” by the time they make the can stand.
2. Slipper Game
Many may not have played the Slipper Game, but to those who have played it, it was a ton of fun. All the players must stand a short distance behind the “it”, and the “it” must face away from them. The “it” then throws the slipper behind him without looking and the players must catch it. If not, the players must stand still and not move. Otherwise, the first person caught moving will be the new “it”.
3. Dampa
Instead of Pokémon, children back in the day used to collect colorful rubber bands and play Dampa. There are many ways to play this game, but the general gist of it is to move the rubber bands using your hands by forming them like a cup and slamming it on the ground so that the air coming out from your hands moves the rubber bands. Kids would race with each other’s rubber bands, trade them, and so much more.
4. Apir-apir
There are a lot of games involving clapping hands between four players, such as Bahay Kubo, Leron-leron Sinta, Appear Disappear, Nanay Tatay, etc. These are called Apir-apir games, or Hand-Clapping Games in English. You can look up the full lyrics on the internet.
5. Paper Dolls
If you have a fondness for dressing up games even in your adult life like in the Sims games, it probably is due to the Paper Dolls we played as kids. They were cheap and affordable that we could buy them from stores on the street waysides. There were a lot of varieties too!
6. Balay-balay
Another trait that we got from childhood games and carried over to the Sims games would possibly be Balay-balay. It is when we make imaginary houses out of anything available. Curtains, sticks, stones, the whole deal. We can get really creative and resourceful.
7. Takyan
A takyan is a weighted shuttlecock with, usually, colorful plastic straw ropes attached. With this toy, we kicked it with our friends on the air and suspend it there. The goal of the game was to not let the toy hit the ground.
8. Tagu-taguan
Tagu-taguan is simply hide and seek, but what makes it special here in the Philippines is that the seeker has a special chant to say before finding those who are hiding, with the starting words as “Tagu-taguan maliwanag ang buwan”.
9. Luksong Tinik
Much like the Luksong Baka, Luksong Tinik is about jumping over an obstacle. In this case, the player jumps over “thorns” i.e., the hands of the other players. The more hands get involved to jump over, the harder and higher it becomes!
10. Ubusan Lahi
This is best played in large groups; the “it” needs to tag all the other players so that they become a part of the “it”, kind of like a zombie infecting a player to become another zombie. The “its” will aim to capture everyone usually at a given time until either everyone is captured or the time ends.
Friendships are those unique and special relationships we form as we go through life.
All the way to Cebu south, we discovered an interesting and heartwarming story of two friends, Mr. Jay-R and Lalay. Their adorable friendship will surely touch your hearts and give you a different perspective about friendships and people with special needs.
“Ni chat gyud diay tinuod si Lalay nako uy.
Pero unsaon ko man ni pag tubag tawn. Anhi na gyud masukod akong nahibaw-an sa mga salitang ugat at salitang payak nimo Lay. Imo gyud gipalabad akong ulo ron nga nag malinawon ra man unta akong pagmata.
Ako pa gyoi mu adjust nimo ani ron Lay? “-Jay-R
This is just one example of some of the cutest exchange between Mr. Jay-R and Lalay. Their chat box is a mess and linguistically impossible to understand which is what makes it more fun.
Klay Geraldizo, or popularly known as Lalay, 21, met Mr. Jay-R dela Calzada when the latter was constructing the 2nd branch of his restaurant in Naga City, Cebu. Lalay often goes to that area and helps out in cleaning and assisting other food stores nearby. When the store finally opened, he did the same thing he always does. Noticing Lalay, Mr. Jay-R offered him food which was then followed by an everyday occurrence in the restaurant, helping out and welcoming customers.
Meeting and interacting everyday then made the friendship grow.
Hailing from Naga, Mr. Lalay has a Down syndrome (DS) but is so mischievous and playful that making fun of each other was a common occurrence for them.
Knowing full well of his condition, Mr. Jay-R believes that treating him like everything is normal is the best thing to do. Though he also points out that he is very patient with him and makes it a priority to always listen to him.
“Even when he chats and I can’t understand a single word, I will still reply just to let him know that I am listening and I am reading all his messages.”-Jay-R
As all friendships do, they have their favorite things to do like doing Tiktok dances, eating out and visiting food establishments. They also post some of their funny everyday interactions like random video-calls, videoke, eating out, and driving around or according to sir Jay-R, him being Lalay’s personal driver.
When time came when Lalay cried so hard, Mr. Jay-R turned to a friend who used to teach people with special needs or with down syndrome for guidance. His friend explained that people with Down Syndrome are kind in nature and are very emotional and has even praised Lalay as high-functioning and teachable because he can differentiate jokes.
“I just really think individuals with Down Syndrome needs to be treated just like us. I know they want and they deserve to be valued just like normal people. They deserve our utmost respect, love and affection. So to all of you, when you see Lalay or anyone with DS. A tight hug for Lalay will mean the world to him.”
– Mr. Jay-R dela Calzada
Being there for each other, understanding each other, and just loving them for who and what they are, those are the purest of friendships. And if you ever have one, cherish it.
On Monday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of September 6, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 301 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 794 new recoveries, and 27 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 95,057, while the active cases increased to 10,863 (from 11,380).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 38,674 (+101 new) – Total recoveries: 33,896 (+178 new) – Total deaths: 1,206 (+5 new) – Active cases: 3,527
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 12,443 (+65 new) – Total recoveries: 10,872 (+124 new) – Total deaths: 317 (+2 new) – Active cases: 1,254
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 11,223 (+33 new) – Total recoveries: 9,149 (+69 new) – Total deaths: 330 (+1 new) – Active cases: 1,744
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 32,717 (+102 new) – Total recoveries: 26,684 (+423 new) – Total deaths: 1,740 (+19 new) – Active cases: 4,291
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 10,863 (from 11,380)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 95,057 (+301 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 80,601 (+794 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 3,593 (+27 new*)
A total of 2,100 laboratory results were released for 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.
Photo from kapatiranfellowship.wordpress.com website
One of the popular childhood games among the boys, in this game two sticks, one flat and one short are involved. The short stick is either suspended with two pieces of stone (if the play area is made of cement or asphalt) or dirt (like in most provinces), just enough that the short stick can be flicked using the longer, flat stick. The other player would hit the short stick mid-air where the farther the distance it is thrown, the higher the points. Meanwhile, the opposing team would anticipate and catch the short stick to nullify the points and eventually take turns with the other team.
2. Luthang
Photo from steemit.com website
One of the games where our mothers would definitely be angry at us when we played it, luthang is definitely one of the more dangerous toys ever played when we were young. In this game, a hollow cylindrical piece of bamboo where one end is inserted with a wet piece of paper (the bullet), and the piston, usually made of the same bamboo stuffed with a wood is pushed rapidly at the other end. With air compressed, the bullet made of the wet piece of paper is pushed out with a pop.
3. Sabong sa Kaka
Photo from Wikipedia
In this game, female spiders (yes, live spiders) of various species of web weavers are pitted with another female spider on a stick. Both spiders will try to kill each other unless interrupted by the human handlers. Though very dangerous, kids from the past still play this game, having a collection of spiders of their own nestled in their decorative boxes.
4. Ting-ting cross
Photo from uniminutoradio.com.co
Similar to the America’s hopscotch, this Philippine variation of the game involves of an illustration of six square formed into a cross, where an “ayan” or a stone is thrown to the cross determining the number of steps to be taken to finish the game. Players take turn and the first one to complete the sequence of steps in the cross without touching the rims formed will win the game.
5. Patintero
Photo from akoaypilipino.eu website
Probably one of the most iconic Filipino childhood games, this game is also called ‘harangang taga’ or ‘tubigan’ in other areas in the country. In this game, players are grouped into two teams: an attack team and a defense team, with each team has up to five players. The attack team must try to run along the perpendicular lines from the home-base to the back-end, and return without being tagged by the defense players. The defending team are the ‘it’, and must stand on the designated lines and they can only move back and forth this line. The leader, however, usually in the first row, has the power to go to the middle perpendicular line, intersecting the other players’ lines making it harder for the attack players to accomplish their goal.
6. Jackstone
Photo from festiveiloilo.wordpress.com website
In this game, a small bouncy, rubber ball and a set of jacks or stones are required. To play this game, first, scatter the jacks onto the playing surface. Throw the ball into the air, pick one jack or stone, then let the ball bounce once and catch it. Do this repeatedly until all jacks or stones are collected. If the player fails to pick up the stone on time or the ball bounces twice, a foul is called, and the opposing player starts his turn to complete the set of stones or jacks. As the game progresses, in some places, further actions and signs are designed to make the game even harder.
7. Luksong Baka
Photo from smartboxph.wixsite.com website
Or roughly translated in English as “jump over the cow”, luksong baka is a game where one player crouches while the other players jump over them. After all players successfully jump over the ‘it’ or the crouching player, he/she will gradually change position to the point he/she is almost standing up. This makes it harder for the other players to jump over the it. This game is also a popular variation of another Filipino childhood game, luksong-tinik.
8. Chinese Garter
Photo from flickr.com website
As what the famous vlogger Mimiyuuuh once said, “being a ‘mother’ in Chinese garter makes you a strong, independent woman”. Mostly played by girls, in this game, two people hold both ends of a stretched Chinese garter horizontally while other players attempt to cross over it. The goal of the game is to cross without having tripped the said garter, and by each round, the garter’s height is raised. The game has many rules and variations, including two teams compete where each team is led by the ‘mother’, or the player that can save the other team players who fail to cross the garter.
9. Bahaw-bahaw
Photo from manillenials.com website
This game is generally played as many as ten players, divided into two teams. The objective of this game is to touch the home base of the opposing team without being tagged by the guards of the opposing team. Players can roam around the playing field, either to try to reach the base or catch the ‘bahaw’ opponents, where ‘bahaw’ is defined as those who let go of their home base the earliest.
10. Sungka
Photo from pinoy-culture.tumblr.com website
Mostly played indoors, this board game has lived through many generations. Played using a wooden board with seven smaller holes on each side and two bigger holes on either side, and shells or stones, the premise of the game is to collect more shells or stones than your opponent. The most shells or stones collected wins, and sungka is a two-player game.
You may be one of many Filipinos who dream of going abroad. May it just be for a visit or residence, going to foreign countries like the UK can be a reach. But dread not; getting a UK visa is actually quite easy. But first things first, for those who don’t know, a visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.
In this guide, we will be discussing on how to get that UK visa.
1. Identify your Visa Type
Photos from visareservation.com website
Before entering UK, there are different types of visas to choose from depending on your purpose of visiting the country.
For this guide, however, we will be discussing how to get the Short-Term Standard Visitor Visa which allows tourists to:
Go on holiday
Visit family and friends
Study for up to 30 days
Take part in sports or creative events
Do academic research
Receive private medical treatment
Stay in the UK for up to 6 months
The eligibility requirements for such visa includes the proof of the following:
Temporary stay in the UK
Financial capacity for the entire trip
Proof of business or activities within the UK permitted by the Visitor Rules
Note: The Visitor Rules are a list of permitted activities under the Standard Visitor Visa. You can check the rules here.
2. Accomplish the Online Application Form
Photo from gov.uk
As most transactions and registrations these days, applying for the UK visa is done online. Before you can proceed with the registration online, your email needs to be verified first. Once your email is verified, you can click on the “Apply For Myself” page.
In applying for a Standard Visit visa, you need to select the following under the “Select Visa Type”.
Reason for Visit: Visit
Visa Type: Tourism
Visa Sub Type: Visa – Tourism – 6 months
You will be asked important questions during the application. Such questions may include about intended travel dates, accommodations and contact information in the United Kingdom, estimated cost of the trip, personal information about family, hometown, birthdays, personal income and source of income and many more.
3. Book an appointment at VFS Global and Pay the application fee
Photos from irishtimes.com website
Once you have successfully filled up the application form, you need to select an appointment date at the nearestvisa application center.
For Filipino residents, you can drop by either one of the VFS Global centers’ addresses:
Manila
VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc.,
Mezzanine Floor Unit MO1, Ecoplaza Building,
2305 Chino Roces Avenue Extension
Makati City, Metro Manila 1231
Cebu
VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc.,
9th Floor, Keppel Center, Unit 905, Samar Loop
Cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue,
Cebu Business Park,
Cebu City 6000F
After you chose your desired date and place for application, you will have to pay the application fee, where the Standard Visitor fee costs around £93 or 6,385.36 in Philippine pesos.
4. Prepare the required documents
Photo from workpermit.com
What you need to prepare once you’re in the VFS global are the original and one set of photocopies of the following:
Passports and other travel documents
Current passport
Must be valid 6 months from intended travel date
Have at least two pages for the arrival and departure stamps
Previous passports (if any) for travel history
Photocopies:
Front and back of current and previous visas
Bio page of current visa
Valid and expired visas
Proof of income
Certificate of Employment
Income Tax Return
Proof of Financial Capacity
Bank Certificate
Employee Contract
Payslips from the last 6 months
Sample Itinerary
Provide a run-down of accommodations, activities, and places you’ll be visiting during your visit with corresponding date
Flight ticket reservation
If you’ve already booked both departure and return tickets, you may also include the reservation vouchers in your application
Hotel reservation
If you’ve already booked all accommodations for your trip, you may also include the reservation vouchers in your application
You can also pre-book some of your accommodations visa booking.com. Just find a accommodation that offers free cancellation and temporarily book it to present as part of your application. After, you may choose another accommodation if you change your mind once you have your visa!
Approved Leave Letter
This will help prove that you are currently employed and have reason to return to the Philippines
VFS Global Appointment Letter
After confirming your appointment, you will be sent a confirmation email. Print this out and include this in your application
Just to be sure, consider including these supporting documents in your application:
Details of travel history from the last 10 years
Details of your current residence
Parents: Name, Address, Birthday, Passport Number
Partner: Name, Address, Passport Number
Relative/Friend living in the UK: Name, Address, Passport Number
Details of Criminal Record and Immigration offenses
Make sure that each document is present to ensure a smooth application process while you’re in the global centers.
5. Submission of requirements and biometrics on appointment day
Photo from economictimes.indiatimes.com
On the day of your scheduled appointment, take note of the following:
Make sure to be at the VFS Global Center you’ve chosen on your select date at least 15 minutes beforehand. Entry is restricted and is done per interview time – so best be there early.
Upon entrance, you will be asked to place your personal belonging inside a locker – including your cellular phone. All you need is your application documents and yourself.
Have the original documents and one set of photocopies ready to submit during the day of your VFS Global appointment.
You will be asked if you want to avail of the SMS Service (around P150-P200) which will provide you with a status of your application. Make sure to bring cash!
Wait your turn for the biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
Dress appropriately!
Important note: do not submit the supporting documents mentioned above unless you are instructed to do so. You may, however, feel free to mention you have prepared the said documents, just in case.
6. Wait and collect your passport at VFS Global
Photo from aauw.org website
Now you have done the hard part, you just need to wait around 5 to 15 business days for your visa to be processed and approved. If you are in a rush, these centers offer the Priority Visa Service for a fee of Php 10,000 and shortens the processing time to 3-5 business days.
If you availed of the SMS service, you will be sent updates regarding the status of your visa application, including if it is ready to be claimed at the VFS Global office.
Once you’ve finally got that precious UK Visa, you may now board up that next flight and explore the wonders of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Lots of tourist spots and ancient history can be seen in these beautiful places. And in like most vacation trips, always be careful wherever you go.