Quaint and Tranquil Hermit’s Cove gets spruced up with new accommodation!
This hidden gem of Aloguinsan has surfaced to Cebuanos as one of the greatest beach destinations in the island. The wide beach combined with the characteristic cliffs make for a unique beach experience!
Photo from Instagram Account of jalaagan
Photo from Instagram Account of jalaagan
Photo from Instagram Account of jalaagan
Recently, another attraction sprouted within the charming cliffs of Aloguinsan.
Cliff Houses Inn emerged along Hermit’s Cove, further adding to its uniqueness. The homey attraction features a stunning sea view overlooking the Tañon Strait with a near 180-degree panorama. From the houses, guests get to enjoy a calming vista of the blue sea with the sleepy island of Negros in the background.
Their cozy accommodation is nestled on the cliff of Hermit’s Cove and is elegantly carved into the dense grove of trees and plant life. Its close proximity to plant life and the sea gives the location a fresh air and a distinct coolness.
It’s definitely the place to be for a tropical escape!
Photo from Aloguinsan Beach Facebook Page
Photo from Aloguinsan Beach Facebook Page
Photo from Aloguinsan Beach Facebook Page
Photo from Aloguinsan Beach Facebook Page
Cliff Houses Inn is also an eco-friendly accommodation that makes use of local and native materials. Their creative use of bamboo, nipa, and weaves liven up the place while minimizing environmental impact.
The cozy cliff ambience and the breathtaking view are not all the inn offers. Guests will also have easy access to the natural white sand beach below the cliff. The famed Hermit’s Cove is just a short stair climb away from the houses.
If you’re looking for a unique beach experience to spruce up your vacation, Cliff Houses Inn is the place to be!
Exact location: Barangay Kantabogon, Aloguinsan, Cebu – 2 hours from Cebu City
BY COMMUTE: From Cebu South Bus Terminal, ride a South-bound bus passing by Aloguinsan. Alight at Aloguinsan proper and hire a motorbike to the Hermit’s Cove.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Hermit’s Cove” in Aloguinsan. Parking space is available.
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 21, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 201 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 492 new recoveries, and 12 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 99,825, while the active cases increased to 7,467 (from 7,768).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 39,955 (+65 new) – Total recoveries: 36,118 (+109 new) – Total deaths: 1,330 (+3 new) – Active cases: 2,570
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,100 (+21 new) – Total recoveries: 11,653 (+97 new) – Total deaths: 358 (+2 new) – Active cases: 1,089
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 11,710 (+24 new) – Total recoveries: 10,525 (+61 new) – Total deaths: 359 (+1 new) – Active cases: 826
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 35,060 (+91 new) – Total recoveries: 29,934 (+225 new) – Total deaths: 2,081 (+6 new) – Active cases: 3,045
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 7,467 (from 7,768)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 99,825 (+201 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 88,230 (+492 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,128 (+12 new*)
A total of 3,678 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.
Almost two years in and the threat of COVID-19 still looms, maybe even worse since our government imposed strict lockdowns and other restrictions last March 2020. With daily cases continuously increasing, countless lives have flickered away, front liners are getting exhausted, jobs and business opportunities are lost, the youth are deprived of proper education, and the end, as it seems, is nowhere yet in sight.
Many have argued how come cases are still sprouting by the numbers when we are still maintaining strict lockdowns to this day. How come the COVID-19 situation here is not getting any better, when we are being mandated to wear face shields, the only country in the entire world to do so? How come, when the government procured foreign yet shady deals for PPEs, over local companies that could’ve benefited many Filipinos? How come, when the we are deviating from most countries who have taken a scientific approach to this crisis, which is through the militaristic way? Until when? Until when can we see, at least a glimmer at the end of the tunnel?
Photo from votepilipinas.com website
Photo from pulseasia.ph website
Even before this pandemic began, the current administration has always been controversial. From the failed and well-documented war against drugs which have taken many innocent lives, to the suppressing of large media companies in an attempt to hush dissent, to an ever-increasing debt where the allotment has been questionable, to the misuse of presidential powers, and to the most critical of all, the administration’s stance against foreign countries like China on territorial disputes – all these seem to overshadow the handful of accomplishments the current administration seem to claim. Even the mere personality of the president himself has been controversial too; cowardice, narcissism and a fragile ego in the guise of supposed machismo.
Although, hope may seem all lost at times like these, it is important to be reminded that no administration, both the current and even in the past, is a monolith. No country, even great ones like the USA had an administration that has managed to succumb to power as long as they wanted. Atrocities, though unfortunately most of the time are not accounted, they never go unnoticed. One by one, voices are starting to accumulate. The power of the people will always prevail.
And not all those who work for the government are corrupt and ill-intentioned. While some have publicly displayed their greed over service, some have shown bravely that they are here to serve for the greater good. Cracks are starting to appear, and we can ride this momentum by exercising out right to vote.
Photo from constitutionalreform.gov.ph website
Photo from news.abs-cbn.com website
How did we get into this, one would ask. Well, it all boils down to one persistent crisis in the country: the lack of education and information. While the Philippines has a considerably high adult literacy rate, key societal issues are still a mind-boggling topic for most. Not to mention that there are those who freely attempt to paint past leaders with questionable morals and a globally proven, reported and recognized misdoings into a lighter image, with some going so far that only their “holy” bloodline can restore the “golden days” our country supposedly had. With that said, we still have a bigger work to do with regards to our education system here in the Philippines.
Tyrants are afraid of educated citizens. And who would benefit the most from an educated population? The youth, of course. An educated generation will make sure that the generations that will come after them get the privilege of being rightly educated too. That is why, as a first step, that the youth are encouraged to register and vote.
The youth will make up the majority of the voters for this upcoming 2022 elections. As fate may have it, this could be the motherland’s chance to be liberated once again. Not from foreign colonizers it had decades ago, but from the distorted values that have plagued the higher office for a very long time now. I believe that the Filipino people are ingenious and are definitely the greatest resource the country has, that with a wise, compassionate and great leader, we will surely flourish.
Photo from forbes.com website
Photo from cnnphilippines.com website
Photo from cayman.loopnews.com website
It is high time that we up our standards and elect those who will have the nation’s interests first thing in their minds. We should elect those who are not thin-skinned and will understand that serving in public post comes with it are detractors and critics regardless of how well they do their jobs. Those who will keep in mind that the public office is no place to take personal offense, especially to the highest of seats.
We don’t need another six years of hearing gutter language, toxicity that would potentially be mimicked by children watching and listening. We don’t need another six years of empty promises and vitriols of falsehoods. We don’t need another six years of taking advantage of the gullible and the misinformed to their own greed and ambitions of personal power.
Regardless of who you vote, in this upcoming 2022 elections, voting is no longer a privilege. It is now a responsibility. Each vote will count. Each vote will serve as the voice of the unheard and underrepresented. Each vote will have an impact for the next six years. Each vote will either be a step towards a fresher, cleaner and better Philippines, or towards the same slump that we’ve been experiencing for the past years. Mao na, sa karong umaabot nga eleksyon, #BotarTaBai.
The line, stress, and inconvenience of any government service-related needs might be right on top of the things we all dread doing.
The thing is, we dThe thing is, we do need to do them as functioning adults of the society. And even though we have to visit these places, it doesn’t need to be as inconvenient as we expect it to be. Especially when you can opt to go to visit their service centers in malls where you can get some shopping on the side in the most comfortable and safest way.
Ease your worries though as you can now process applications with these government services just by visiting SM Seaside City Cebu.
It’s more than a win-win situation for mall-goers as all these processing and transactions are available in one location so you won’t have to worry about a commute nightmare.
You can be rest assured that safety protocols are always being implemented in government offices / satellite sites, on top of the intensive sanitation and safety guidelines across the lifestyle mall.
Here are the following Government Agencies available at SM Seaside:
1. PhilSys National ID
The ID that got everyone clamoring to register is now very accessible since almost everyone is done with registration. It will serve as a valid ID to simplify public and private transactions, enrollment in schools and even in opening a bank account. Registering for your National ID will only take you about a few minutes tops especially on a weekday. You can just pop in here and proceed to your other errands inside the mall.
Proceed to the registration center for biometric information on your scheduled appointment.
Wait for your National ID to be delivered at the comfort of your home.
Note: Make sure to bring with you a valid ID, a pen, your appointment slip/appointment reference number and of course your face mask, face shield and sanitizers.
Full details: https://sugbo.ph/2021/guide-national-id/
2. Resbakuna
Getting vaccinated is a choice but there are a lot of perks to vaccinated people you really don’t want to miss out on. Vaccinations done in the mall are even better as you won’t be worrying about the heat, your safety and means of transportation especially on unfamiliar vaccination sites.
Wait for confirmation text/message for time and place of your vaccination.
Visit vaccination site on scheduled vaccination appointment
Fill up documents and get vaccinated.
Note:
Make sure to bring with you a valid ID, a pen, your appointment confirmation text and of course your face mask, face shield and sanitizer.
Other Information:
Opening hours: 8am-4pm (Mon-Fri)
Location: Lower Ground Floor, Cube Wing
3. Voter’s Registration
Exercise your right to vote and register now. We are responsible for our future leaders as much as everyone else. Application forms are available at their website as well as in mall booths.
May it be a student permit issuance, driver’s license & renewal or a motor vehicle registration, a visit to the LTO is a regular occurrence. Which is why you should plan it ahead so you can make the most of your visit. As long as you have complete requirements then your transactions will probably be swift. Everything you might need is in the mall itself so you won’t have to worry if you want to have a quick dash.
Step by Step LTO Services
Complete documentary requirements for specific transactions.
Proceed to Public Assistance and Complaint Desk (PACD) for checking of requirements
Observe sanitary and health protocols in the office.
Note:
Make sure to bring with you a government-issued ID, a pen, printed registration form and of course, always follow the safety protocols of the establishment.
With the pandemic going on, our transactions are being slowly transitioned to as much as possible, a contactless process. We should do our part and finish what can be done online for a swift and easy transaction.
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 P50 OFF on your Grabcar rides to SM Seaside and use the promo code SMSEASIDE50 on your booking.
With the surge of COVID-19 cases recently, Cebu Province and its cities underwent a tightening of restrictions. As the LGUs regained a bit more control over the numbers, the restrictions have started to ease up again.
This means that tourism and leisure activities can resume, as long as health and safety protocols are adhered to. Of course, travel to Cebu has also been reopened. At the time of writing, here’s information on the requirements for non-essential travel:
Cebu Province
Photo from Cebu Provincial Government Twitter Account
All persons, APOR or non-APOR, entering Cebu Province shall be required to present the following:
Valid government issued ID,
Medical Certificate issued by a registered physician, valid for seven (7) days,
For tourists, confirmed hotel booking from any resort/hotel in Cebu Province,
For returning residents, valid ID stating address of residence in Cebu Province; and
Either:
Negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours; or
Negative Antigen Test taken within the last 48 hours.
Cebu City
Photo from wanderlusttourist.be website
Cebu City requires the following:
Valid government issued ID,
Either:
Negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours from scheduled arrival; or
Negative Antigen Test taken 48 hours from scheduled arrival.
A Safe, Swift, and Smart Passages (S-Pass) Registration and Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) or Travel Thru Permit (TTP) QR Code; and
Letter of Acceptance from the destination LGU.
Additional requirement for recovered COVID-19 positive travelers within 3 months from positive swab test results:
Certificate of Recovery from local or an accredited isolation facility duly noted by the Local City Health Officer in Charge.
Note: RT-PCR Saliva Test is not accepted.
Lapu-Lapu City
Photo from destimap.com website
Lapu-Lapu City in the island of Mactan requires:
Valid government issued ID; and
That the individual does not have symptoms, and passes the symptoms screening tests in ports of entry and exit in Lapu-Lapu City.
Note: Individual must adhere to safety and health protocols at all times.
Mandaue City
Photo from isacenter.org website
Mandaue City requires the following:
Valid government issued ID,
Travel itinerary or ticket,
S-PASS,
For tourists: Barangay Certificate of Non-Residency issued by the Barangay here in Mandaue City; and
Negative Rapid / Swab Result.
Remember to keep safe and adhere to health and safety protocols while traveling.
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 20, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 163 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 570 new recoveries, and 44 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 99,628, while the active cases increased to 7,768 (from 8,211).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 39,968 (+62 new) – Total recoveries: 36,068 (+223 new) – Total deaths: 1,330 (+8 new) – Active cases: 2,570
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,089 (+22 new) – Total recoveries: 11,573 (+54 new) – Total deaths: 356 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,160
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 11,714 (+23 new) – Total recoveries: 10,487 (+110 new) – Total deaths: 358 (+5 new) – Active cases: 869
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 34,857 (+56 new) – Total recoveries: 29,616 (+183 new) – Total deaths: 2,072 (+31 new) – Active cases: 3,169
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 7,768 (from 8,211)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 99,628 (+163 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 87,744 (+570 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,116 (+44 new*)
A total of 1,617 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.
If you have come across the infamous Instagram user handle @AntiVaxMomma, I could only hope you have not followed her.
While this handle is mainly about an anti-vaccination conspiracy theorist, wait until you read about how she is making good money because of it.
Jasmine Clifford, a 31-year-old woman from New Jersey has been milking money from people by selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards on Instagram. She was charged in Manhattan court on Tuesday for allegedly selling these documents to unvaccinated individuals.
Photo from bangordailynews.com website
Photo from dailymail.co.uk website
Photo from dailymail.co.uk website
Photo from dailymail.co.uk website
Photo from miamiherald.com website
Some cities in the United States will be requiring everyone to be vaccinated to be granted entry to restaurants, movie theaters, and other businesses. This, is while most employers would also be requiring their employees to be vaccinated as well. Hence, people resort to just buying fake vaccination cards.
There were fifteen people who were involved in the scheme who were charged, including those who purchased the fake vaccination cards themselves.
Fake vaccination cards were sold at $200 on her Instagram page. Around 250 cards were sold through the platform and were paid using CashApp or Zelle.
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 September 19, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 241 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 250 new recoveries, and 54 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 99,465, while the active cases increased to 8,211 (from 8,271).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 39,960 (+84 new) – Total recoveries: 35,892 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 1,324 (+53 new) – Active cases: 2,744
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 13,068 (+22 new) – Total recoveries: 11,527 (+56 new) – Total deaths: 357 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,184
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 11,695 (+32 new) – Total recoveries: 10,383 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 351 (+1 new) – Active cases: 961
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 34,742 (+103 new) – Total recoveries: 29,378 (+194 new) – Total deaths: 2,042 (+0 new) – Active cases: 3,322
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 8,211 (from 8,271)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 99,465 (+241 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 87,180 (+250 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 4,074 (+54 new*)
A total of 3,005 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.
Southeast Asia is full of beliefs and unique culture that others will never understand. From the way we greet people, the way we eat, and even the way we talk, we have our own traits.
With that being said, we have our own way of greeting people, especially our way of incorporating hand gestures.
Once you are in our region, here are the 3 most common types of hand greeting you will come across with:
1. The casual, Western handshake.
Just like everyone else, we also shake our hands. Sometimes we do firm grips and sometimes, we are just delicate. But more than anything else, this is mostly used in business.
Photo from unsplash.com website by Sebastian Herrmann
Photo from thespruce.com website
2. The hand-over-heart greeting.
If you have been in a predominantly Muslim country in the Southeast Asian region, you probably have seen this gesture. However, please do not think that this greeting is exclusive to their faith. This is just a sentimental gesture which means that you are accepting the person you just met.
Photo from dignitymemorial.com website
Photo from asmallworld.com website
Beyond Southeast Asia, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also uses the hand-over-heart greeting, owing to its apparent superiority over COVID-era elbow bumps.
3. Pressed palms and a bow.
This is when you put your right hand over your heart while lowering your head. This is our way of greeting people to respect, not only the elderly, but also everyone else.
Photo from dignitymemorial.com website
Photo from insider.com website
Regardless of one’s way of greeting, we all know that Southeast Asians are warm and very welcoming. There is no need to judge our way of greeting. It just differ per country.
It’s been almost two years since Avengers: Endgame has treated fans as the ultimate MCU film, but things are just starting to pick up as with it starts the Phase Four. One of the most anticipated Phase Four entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the Eternals, a group of Earth’s mightiest protectors.
The upcoming superhero film will be the 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was kickstarted in 2008 with the box-office hit, Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr.
Eternals is directed by Chloe Zhao, who recently became the second female director to win the Best Director award during the 92nd Academy Award with her movie, Nomadland, which also won the Best Picture that year.
The movie will follow the events in Avengers: Endgame, where half of the population, that was previously wiped out, returns and as a result, the “emergence” commences. With this, the “Eternals”, an immortal alien race created by the Celestials, who have been around the planet for over 7,000 years, come together to protect humanity from their evil counterparts known as the “Deviants”.
Here is the complete list of members of the Eternals that will be featured in the upcoming MCU film:
1. Ajak
Known as the wise and spiritual leader of the Eternals, Ajak has the ability to heal and also serves as the bridge between the Eternals and the Celestials. In the comics, Ajak is a man but this was changed for the MCU adaptation to provide a “mother figure” among the group. She will be played by Salma Hayek, who famously played the biopic, Frida.
Photo from deviantart.com website
Photo from stellaadler.com website
2. Thena
An elite warrior among the Eternals, Thena is one of the strongest as she can create any weapons thru cosmic energy such as swords and spears. She is closest to Gilgamesh among other Eternals. Thena will be played by Academy Award-winning actress, Angelina Jolie.
Photo from deviantart.com website
Photo from instyle.com website
3. Sersi
The most empathetic among all Eternals, Sersi is strongly drawn to the human race and her powers include manipulation of inanimate matter, psionic abilities, and illusion projection. Sersi will be played by English actress, Gemma Chan, who previously portrayed another MCU character in Captain Marvel as Minn-Erva.
Photo from marvel.fandom.com website
Photo from graziamagazine.com website
4. Ikaris
One of the most powerful of the Eternals, Ikaris powers include flight and projection of cosmic energy through his eyes. He is also the love interest of Sersi, and their relationship will be tested because as opposed to Sersi, Ikaris is more “disconnected”, considering that the Eternals have lived for a very long time. He will be played by the Scottish actor, Richard Madden, who was famous for playing Robb Stark in the fantasy drama series, Game of Thrones.
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Photo from scoopbyte.com website
5. Kingo
An Eternal who can project cosmic energy from his hands, Kingo, is the most enamored with fame among the group as he also is a Bollywood film star in the film. Aside from his cosmic powers, he is also a skilled swordsman. Kingo will be played Pakistani-American comedian, Kumail Nanjiani, who was famous for the sitcom HBO, Silicon Valley.
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Photo from starwars.fandom.com website
6. Sprite
An Eternal that can project lifelike illusions and cosmic energy projection, Sprite is the ‘young one’ among the group as she possesses a physical appearance of a 12-year-old. She will be played by American child actress, Lia McHugh.
Photo from marvel.fandom.com website
Photo from marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com website
7. Phastos
The intelligent one among the Eternals, Phastos has expert knowledge when it comes to weapons and technology. He is also the first MCU superhero to be depicted as openly gay. He will be played by American actor Brian Tyree Henry, who is popularly known in the hit comedy, Atlanta.
Photo from dualshockers.com website
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8. Druig
The aloof one among the Eternals, his powers include mind manipulation, telepathy and energy manipulation and projection. He will be played by Barry Keoghan, an Irish actor who popularly appeared in the war film, Dunkirk.
Photo from tekdeeps.com website
Photo from tvline.com website
9. Gilgamesh
The strongest among the Eternals, Gilgamesh is also the most experienced in hand-to-hand combat. He also has a deep connection with his fellow Eternal, Thena. He will be played by popular Korean actor, Don Lee. Don Lee also added that he really pursued the role to serve as an inspiration among younger Korean audiences by being the first Korean superhero in a Hollywood movie.
Photo from marvel.fandom.com website
Photo from kprofiles.com website
Aside from the Eternals, other notable characters will be appearing in the film such as Dane Whitman, played by Kit Harrington (Jon Snow from Game of Thrones) as a human in a relationship with the Eternal Sersi. The Eternals is slated to be released theatrically on November 5, 2021, exclusively first in the US.
