There’s nothing quite like taking the time off from the office and taking a long trip to a beautiful resort in Samboan. Villa Isabella Beach Resort is one of the places to be when you want to unwind by yourself or with family and friends.
When you do manage to find the entrance, the resort itself is a quaint and breathtaking spot as it is nestled along with the stretch of the shorelines of Barangay Ponong, Samboan Cebu that outlooks the horizon; an Instagram-worthy scene if you ask me!
Photo from Villa Isabella Beach Resort Facebook Page
Photo from Villa Isabella Beach Resort Facebook Page
Photo from Alex Estrada Facebook Post
Photo from Alex Estrada Facebook Post
Photo from Alex Estrada Facebook Post
They also have a restaurant where you can order from their menu, from street food, silogan meals, cantons, and even milk tea!
The resort is pretty decked out with hammocks, benches, and chairs to lounge around! Talk about having a cozy time for yourself to nap or hang out with friends, all the while enjoying the brisk outdoors and the ocean breeze.
Should you plan to visit there, why not rest/hang out in their cottage, or book a room ahead to stay in for a night or two! They have different packages for each room.
Photo from Villa Isabella Beach Resort Facebook Page
Photo from The RK Diary Facebook Page
Photo from The RK Diary Facebook Page
Photo from Villa Isabella Beach Resort Facebook Page
Photo from Villa Isabella Beach Resort Facebook Page
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
ROOM RATES:
Single/Double Beds for 2 persons: ₱1,200 per night
Family Room for 6 persons: ₱1,500 per night
Family Roomfor 8 persons: ₱2,500 per night
Note: Contact them via Mobile or Facebook Page, and ensure that the rooms you’re booking are available.
Exact Location: Barangay Ponong, Samboan, Cebu – 3 to 4 hours from Cebu City.
By Bus: From South Bus Terminal, ask to take a bus bound to Bato via Barili. Your drop-off point is at Samboan Medical Clinic and Laboratory, tell the bus conductor that’s your stop. When you arrive at the landmark it’s only a short walk to the resort, you may ask the locals for directions.
By Car: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Villa Isabella Samboan” in Samboan, Cebu. Parking space is available.
On Sunday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of November 7, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 19 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 7 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 103,833, while the active cases increased to 963 (from 953).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 41,152 (+7 new) – Total recoveries: 39,376 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 1,491 (+1 new) – Active cases: 285
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,619 (+3 new) – Total recoveries: 13,084 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 467 (+1 new) – Active cases: 68
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 12,093 (+3 new) – Total recoveries: 11,589 (+2 new) – Total deaths: 440 (+0 new) – Active cases: 64
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 36,969 (+6 new) – Total recoveries: 33,936 (+4 new) – Total deaths: 2,487 (+1 new) – Active cases: 546
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 963 (from 953)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 103,833 (+19 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 97,985 (+7 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,885 (+3 new*)
A total of 1,431 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.
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 November 6, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 36 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 35 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 103,814, while the active cases increased to 953 (from 954).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 41,145 (+19 new) – Total recoveries: 39,375 (+13 new) – Total deaths: 1,490 (+0 new) – Active cases: 280
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,616 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 13,084 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 466 (+1 new) – Active cases: 66
Mandaue City6 – Total confirmed: 12,090 (+0 new) – Total recoveries: 11,587 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 440 (+0 new) – Active cases: 63
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 36,963 (+15 new) – Total recoveries: 33,933 (+22 new) – Total deaths: 2,486 (+2 new) – Active cases: 544
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 953 (from 954)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 103,814 (+36 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 97,979 (+35 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,882 (+3 new*)
A total of 2,571 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.
Since the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have gone over and beyond to formulate a vaccine that would make people less affected of the virus. Moreso are they looking for solutions for these to be painless.
Let us now talk about a good step in revolutionizing medicine.
Painless and ‘needle-less’ medicine could help you and our medical doctors to protect the children and those who have phobia of syringes. This is a win-win situation for science and society.
Photo from newscientist.com
Unlike the normal vaccines, skin patches, as how they call it, do not have cold-chain requirements. These might even heighten vaccine efficacy, as what researchers say.
In the journal of Science Advances, these have showed promising results.
Patches measuring one square centimeter with 5,000 microscopic spikes were used by the Australian-US team, said David Muller, a virologist at the University of Queensland and co-author of the paper.
These spikes are coated with an experimental vaccine, and the patches have applicators like that of a hockey puck.
A “subunit,” as how the researchers have called it, are the vaccines that the researchers used to dot the surface of the coronavirus.
Photo from businessinsider.com
Mice were used as an experiment by Science Advances where both the patch and the syringe were experimented over the course of two minutes.
Results have shown that those who had the patches were able to produce high levels of neutralizing antibodies after two doses. This experiment has shown how patches could outperform syringes.
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 November 5, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 29 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 34 new recoveries, and 4 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 103,779, while the active cases increased to 954 (from 963).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 41,126 (+12 new) – Total recoveries: 39,362 (+12 new) – Total deaths: 1,490 (+1 new) – Active cases: 274
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,614 (+1 new) – Total recoveries: 13,084 (+2 new) – Total deaths: 465 (+0 new) – Active cases: 65
Mandaue City6 – Total confirmed: 12,090 (+0 new) – Total recoveries: 11,587 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 440 (+1 new) – Active cases: 63
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 36,949 (+5 new) – Total recoveries: 33,913 (+19 new) – Total deaths: 2,484 (+2 new) – Active cases: 552
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 954 (from 963)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 103,779 (+29 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 97,946 (+34 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,879 (+4 new*)
A total of 2,917 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.
Capture stunning sunset views and a full view of Cebu’s beauty in El de Granja de Falcone.
El de Granja de Falcone is a mountain-top destination that’s a haven of relaxation with a breathtaking view at a peak in Talisay, Santander.
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
The destination is a bahay kubo resting at the slopes of a mountain and displaying a beautiful scenery of verdant surroundings, natural views, and the glistening waters below. Its vantage point gives it a great panoramic view of the city and makes getaways ten times better.
El de Granja de Falcone is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the natural side of Cebu. It is the best place to be when running away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Its structures have a unique and rustic vibe that is both therapeutic and calming to the nerves. Moreover, just beside it is the Garden of Eden Dragon Fruit Farm that greatly supplements the relaxing and refreshing vibes of the entire place.
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
Photo from El de Granja de Falcone Facebook Page
El de Granja de Falcone, at the moment, is not yet open to the public as they are still doing modifications and adding more facilities for the guests to experience the optimal mountainside vacation. The current project under works is the swimming pool.
The owner of the soon-to-be resort envisions a native glamping that will let guests experience a level of comfort that doesn’t separate their connection with nature.
Exact location: Talisay, Santander, Southern Cebu – a minute walk from Gas and Go.
BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Ride a bus bound for Santander and ask the driver to drop you off at “Gas and Go” in Brgy. Talisay. Be sure to contact the owners before going and ask them to meet you at Gas and Go.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Gas and Go” in Talisay, Santander. Parking space is available in the gas station.
On Thursday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of November 4, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 46 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 44 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 103,750, while the active cases increased to 963 (from 961).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 41,114 (+21 new) – Total recoveries: 39,350 (+13 new) – Total deaths: 1,489 (+1 new) – Active cases: 275
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,613 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 13,082 (+8 new) – Total deaths: 465 (+0 new) – Active cases: 66
Mandaue City6 – Total confirmed: 12,090 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 11,586 (+7 new) – Total deaths: 439 (+0 new) – Active cases: 65
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 36,933 (+21 new) – Total recoveries: 33,894 (+16 new) – Total deaths: 2,482 (+2 new) – Active cases: 557
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 963 (from 961)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 103,750 (+46 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 97,912 (+44 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,875 (+3 new*)
A total of 2,723 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.
Who would ask for a more unforgettable dining experience than the one on top of the mountain with a panoramic view, romantic breezy ambiance and finger-licking good food? We want it.
Top of Cebu, a Filipino restaurant owned by the Pages Group Holdings (who also owns Lantaw, House of Lechon, among others), has been serving its customers for over a year now with tasty Filipino dishes with a modern twist while giving them an amazing panoramic view overlooking the city’s skyline.
Waiting Area with the Cebu map
Top of Cebu’s scrumptious menu leaves you wanting from starters down to desserts. They are also proud to introduce another set of dishes that will complete your dining experience.
Here are some of the dishes that you should try:
Mango Kani Salad
If you’re a vegetable lover and would want chemical-free dishes, Mango Kani Salad is best for you. Made of refreshing salad of mixed greens, locally harvested sweet mangoes and shredded kani crabsticks dressed in Japanese mayonnaise, you will get totally solved.
Price: ₱210 /serving
Pancit de Cebu
Pancit has never been this unique. With their chef’s creative idea, Pancit De Cebu was created somewhere out of the box to satisfy the Cebuanos’ appetite. It is made of spicy pancit canton noodles (just enough spice to tickle your palate) stir fried with a medley of seafood, vegetables and pork, topped with crispy fried noodles, eggs and Cebu chicharon.
Price: ₱340, good for 2-3 persons
Salted Egg Calamares
Made of crispy-fried breaded squid rings, dusted in seasoned salted-egg powder, and served on a bed of crispy flour tortillas would look like the typical calamares sold from other restaurants. But what make this apart from them is their unique flavoring, sided with mango salsa and aioli dip that perfectly match the salted egg calamares.
Price: ₱310 /serving
Grilled Shrimp Salad
On a salad grilled of shrimps, crisp lettuce, tangy supremes of mandarin orange and white onions dressed lighty in a sweet and bright honey-lemon dressing, you’ll get to savor the binocular of semi-vegan taste.
Price: ₱260 /serving
Sizzling Bangus
My favorite among all. On my first glance, I know this would really taste good, and I was right. A simple cooked fish with a satisfying taste. Sizzling Bangus, the locally-farmed bangus served with a spicy coconut cream sauce on sizzling platter. It is served hot where you get to smell its delicious cream sauce once poured on the bangus.
Price: ₱290 /serving
USDA Beef Short Plate
Featuring a tender juicy beef exported from the US, grilled into perfection, it will make you crave for more.
Price: ₱180 /100 grms
Pika-Pika: Filipino Native Delicacies
There’s always room for desserts, especially for these best-tasting Filipino delicacies. I can say their puto, kutchinta (my favorite), budbod, maja, otap, sikwate and many more are tasty and delicious. You can buy them by set or individual. Perfect for snacks and “baon” from top of Cebu down to the city.
Food Menu
OTHER INFORMATION
Operating hours: 11AM to 11PM, Mondays to Sundays
Contact number: (032) 515-0718
Social:Facebook Page – Open for reservations / bookings for exclusive events or private parties.
Online reservation
As of August 2020: Tops of Cebu has re-opened and will be operating daily from 11:00am to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:00pm. To reserve online, click here: https://tinyurl.com/TOC-Reserve
How to get there?
Exact location: Brgy. Busay, Cebu Transcentral Highway, Cebu City – just beside the popular Tops Lookout (20-30 minutes drive from JY Square Mall in Lahug, Cebu City)
BY CAR: (Best option) Spacious parking space available. Just search for ‘Top of Cebu’ or ‘Tops Lookout’ in Cebu Transcentral Highway via Waze or Google Maps. ‘Tops of Cebu’ restaurant is located just beside the popular Tops Lookout.
BY MOTORBIKE: Hire a habal-habal driver (Motorcycle for hire) near JY Square Mall in Lahug, and inform him to drop you off at the said restaurant or at Tops Lookout. Estimated fare is P50 per person (max of 2).
BY TAXI: Hiring a taxi cab is possible but that can be hefty. Most of them won’t give you a metered reading system – hence, they’ll be offering you an estimated fare in going there.
BY GRAB: In most cases, this is not possible. But you may opt to rent a car via SquadPH Tours and Travels.
Good news for the citizens of the United States as the country is the first one to allow the gender designation of “X” – making it another progressive milestone for the land of milk and honey.
As a legal recognition for people who don’t identify as either male or female, the US State Department announced to make the gender “X” option routinely available for non-binary, intersex, and non-gender conforming persons applying for a US passport by early 2022.
Photo from unsplash.com by Levi Ventura
“I want to reiterate, on the occasion of this passport issuance, the Department of State’s commitment to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons,” Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, said in a statement.
It can be recalled that President Joe Biden himself had the LGBTQIA community in mind when he campaigned, and one of his promises specifically included that “every transgender or non-binary person should have the option of changing their gender marker to ‘M,’ ‘F,’ or ‘X’ on government identifications, passports, and other documentation.”
Photo from unsplash.com by ConvertKit
Back in 2015, it can also be recalled when Dana Zzym launched a legal battle against the State Department for refusing to issue a passport that acknowledged they were intersex. It was revealed that Zzym was born with ambiguous sex characteristics, meaning Zzym was born with both features of a male and female genitalia. Zzym’s parents, however, decided to raise him as a boy where eventually they became a Navy sailor.
Later in life, Zzym realized that they were intersex. Thus, the argument Zzym had was correct according to the constitution and the state was at the wrong as they refused to issue a passport that accurately reflects their gender.
Photo from unsplash.com Jose Pablo Garcia
Photo from unsplash.com by Joshua Hoehne
“I’ve been at this fight for so long. I am optimistic that… I will soon receive an accurate passport. One that reflects who I truly am; and that will allow for me to present in person at the several international conferences to which I’ve been invited to present on issues confronting intersex people.” Zzym said in an interview.
Although this may be a progressive step for the United States, the country, however, is not the first to push through this. Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have already included the non-binary option on passport applications.
Would you like to have the non-binary option in passports here in the Philippines?
On October 29, 2021, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia released a memorandum allowing fully vaccinated travelers to only show their vaccination card upon entering the Province of Cebu.
Photo from nbcnews.com
Travelers would no longer need to present a negative RT-PCR or Antigen result. A medical certificate is no longer a requirement as well.
However, this memorandum is only for the domestic travelers. Returning Overseas Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers are still subject to national government policies.
Therefore, traveling to this lovely province should be easier, not only for the Cebuanos, but for the Cebuanos at heart. This is a good call as well for those unvaccinated individuals to get their jabs done so they would also get to enjoy the new normal.
