Some international flights in Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have been suspended since August due to the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four months after, Cebu Province and Lapu-Lapu City have both agreed to re-open the airport for international arrivals. A visit from Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has prompted Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to support his plan to re-open the airport.
The Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is considered to be the country’s second busiest gateway. This gateway is set to welcome visitors and home-comers from the other countries to Cebu.
“We’ll send word to the entire world that we’re open for business,” Garcia said.
Governor Garcia is the first to re-open the tourism activities in the island of Cebu last July 2020. This was done after the grueling fight of the economy with the COVID-19 crisis.
Both Garcia and Chan have agreed to present a cohesive and coherent guidelines on this. This plan has also gained the support of Shalimar Tamano, Tourism Regional Director.
Aloguinsan is never short of pristine white sand beaches. Hidden Beach Resort is indeed a hidden unspoiled piece of nature.
It stretches a kilometer of white sand shoreline in the southwestern part of Cebu. The resort is full of coconut trees that provide a natural shade for the whole day.
Although it doesn’t offer anything luxurious, the place can be a good spot to reconnect with friends or contemplate about life with your loved ones. You can choose to either stay in their rooms or set up a tent and bask in the wonders of the starlight above as you get through the night.
Because it is a private resort, it is surrounded by bamboo fences all around the beach property making it relatively safe from outsiders.
Cassy Sanchez
Cassy Sanchez
Cassy Sanchez
Cassy Sanchez
Cassy Sanchez
Cassy Sanchez
Rates & Other Infromation
NOTE: For now, overnights are only allowed for those who booked a room accommodation.
DAY USE:
Entrance fee:
Adult: P50 per head for day use (P70 per head for night use)
Child (7-10 y/o) and Senior Citizen: P25/head for day use (P35/head for night use)
Exact location: Bonbon, Aloguinsan, Southern Cebu — approx. 2.5 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From Cebu South Bus Terminal, you may hop on a yellow Sepo bus plying to Aloguinsan, tell the bus ticketer to drop you off at eskina Hidden Beach. Fare is P80 with 2 hours travel time. From there, you can ride a motorcycle to Hidden Beach.
BY CAR: You can navigate the resort via Waze, just search for “Hidden Beach Resort” in Aloguinsan.
Experience the Asian-inspired attraction of the Tan Family that will make visits in their resort much more unforgettable.
The Grove by Serenity is a quarantine project and the product of the creative minds of the Tan Family. What started as a vacation house in the mountain of Busay during the quarantine period has now become an enchanting Bamboo Grove Park decorated with dazzling lights that makes nights more magical.
At the setting of the sun, the lights in the grove start to dance around the leaves of the bamboo and light up the night sky with pretty colors. The Bamboo Grove Park is reminiscent of Japan’s famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Singapore’s Symphony of Lights with elements from both being combined to form this Busay spectacle.
This wonderful grove of bamboo adds to the collection of beautiful facilities to explore in the Serenity Farm and Resort.
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Photo by Henry Almendras II
Aside from the beautiful lights and breathtaking groves, this attraction also serves a variety of food to compliment the enticing view. They serve boodle food, street food, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for the guests to feast on. Additionally, they also have occasional movie nights in the grove for those who want to stay and chill.
The Grove by Serenity is definitely a unique attraction that locals and tourists should visit when climbing the mountains of Busay.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
MENU:
RATES:
Entrance fee: ₱200 per person (₱100 is consumable for food and drinks)
Movie Nights (Mon – Wed): P250 per person, with buttered popcorn
Exact location: Sitio Tiguib, Brgy. Malubog, Busay, Cebu — approx. 20-30 minutes away from the main road.
BY CAR: (Best option) Parking space available. Just search for ‘The Grove by Serenity’ in Cebu Transcentral Highway via Waze or Google Maps.
BY HABAL-HABAL: (Not available under community quarantine.) Hire a habal-habal driver (motorcycle for hire) near JY Square Mall in Lahug, and inform him to drop you off at Mak’s View. Estimated fare is ₱100 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. You can also rent a car via SquadPH Travels.
The merriest season of the year is here and Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan is preparing a mouth- watering selection of holiday favorites to make the family’s dining traditions a memorable one. Guests can expect a grand feast from three of its dining outlets that will feature some holiday classics and favorites.
Azure Beach Club
For an intimate holiday feast by the beach, one can head to Azure Beach Club for a seaside dining setting that’s perfect for dinner with family and friends available on December 24 and 25, 2020.
Azure Beach Club Main Dining
To kick off your holiday celebrations in Azure, try this fresh and vibrant appetizer that is scallop and octopus ceviche with pickled cucumber and charred corn.
For seafood lovers, you will be excited to try this grilled tiger prawns with coriander gremolata and ginger-lime Beurre Blanc sauce for the main course; and for a hearty option, this braised and glazed beef short ribs with soy and vinegar served with roasted veggies and mashed potato will be the star of your Christmas feast.
This set dinner menu is at Php 1,750 net and is also available in ala carte starting at Php 350 net.
Enye by Chele Gonzalez
The resort’s Spanish restaurant Enye by Chele Gonzalez is also adding a few festive and very indulgent traditional Christmas dishes that will be the center of any holiday dining conversation.
Enye by Chele Gonzalez Main Dining Area
The special 5-course menu will feature dishes like Ventresca Escabechada, Ensaladilla de Camotes Tuna Belly Escabeche, Camote Salad for starters, and Pulpo Frito, Berengena Escabechada, Cruditte de Champiñoes Y Trigueros, Aioli Citrico Fried Octopus, Pickled Eggplant, Mushrooms and Asparagus Crudités, Citrus Aioli for the entrée.
For the first and second course, we will serve Verdelen en Adobo Filipino, Pure de Patatas y Verduras Mackarel Adobo, Potatoes and Mashed Vegetables and Ternera Wagyu, Terrina de Patatas, Foie Gras y Salsa de Hongos Grilled Wagyu Beef, Potato Terrine, Foie Gras, Porcini Mushroom Jus. And for dessert, indulge in this decadent Tarta de Queso y Chocolate, Macaroon de frambuesa y Helado de Platano Cheese and Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Macaroon, Banana Ice Cream.
This tempting holiday special is at Php 2,200 net.
Saffron Café
If you are looking a buffet option, Saffron Café will satisfy your carvings with an elaborate spread of all-time holiday staples and classics. Serving a mix of Asian and International dishes, expect nothing but delectable goodness from appetizers to dessert.
The charcuterie and cheeseboard section will carry all your favorites while the carving station has all the meaty goodness – turkey, pork belly, and whole jack fish. Indulge in this mouthwatering holiday dining offer at Php 2,100 net per person.
Saffron Café’s Christmas Dinner, Azure Beach Club’s Festive Christmas Specials and Enye by Chele Gonzalez’s Indulgent Holiday Celebration is available on December 24 and 25.
For inquiries and reservations, call (032) 401-9999 or email Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan at [email protected].
The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (DTI-7) recently concluded its Digital Marketing Strategies for MSMEs webinar series.
The series was held via Zoom and Facebook Live. With the goal to help local businesses thrive in the new normal, the online learning for entrepreneurs consisted of 8 sessions.
To rewatch the webinars under this series, you may click on the following links:
The learning continues in the year 2021 as the agency prepares more webinars for entrepreneurs and consumers. Stay tuned for updates by liking the DTI 7 Facebook page and subscribing to the agency’s Youtube channel.
The next time you visit Mactan Island several years from now, make sure you bring extra words. You might probably go speechless with the newest eco-fun destination hub that is soon to rise in this part of Cebu.
Seagrove is the newest seafront resort and commercial development in Lapu-lapu City fronting the Magellan Bay that will carry the first-of-its kind resort and retail features, fresh dining concepts, and a full range of experiences and services for travelers and locals.
Fronting a 40-hectare Mangrove forest, this hub will also offer a wealth of natural attractions that will provide new adventures to everyone who frequent the island.
Real estate giant Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and its subsidiary Cebu Holdings, Inc. (CHI) have joined forces with the Gaisano-led Taft Properties for this P35B project positioned as a “seafront resort and commercial development unlike anything Cebu has seen before.”
“We are very excited about this partnership and this project. This will be our 24th estate to date, adding to our strong track record of building sustainable communities. Seagrove brings various attractions that will also help boost Cebu’s tourism economy even further and we foresee it being a main tourist attraction for generations to come,”
– Meean Dy, Ayala Land, Inc.
This 14-hectare leisure development is expected to generate 13,000 jobs for the local economy. The completion of the whole project is eyed in 10-15 years starting November 2017 when the groundbreaking ceremony was held.
INITIAL PHASE
The initial phase of the project pegged at P4B is planned to open this year.
It will consist of the boardwalk, support restaurants and shops, a portion of the lagoon, an events ground and the pedestrian corridor. It will also feature the entry of global hotel chain, Holiday Inn, which will operate their very first resort hotel in the country under their Holiday Inn Resort brand.
KEY FEATURES
This newest project will boast key features that will rev up the game for leisure estate developments in the region. It’s a well-balanced mix of boardwalk retail fronting a lush mangrove forest, commercial developments, complemented by social institutions.
Holiday Inn Resort
With nearly 1,200 hotels worldwide today, the Holiday Inn brand stands proud of being the largest and most recognized hotel brand in the world and will be a welcome attraction to Seagrove.
The Seagrove Boardwalk
This 500m seafront promenade will bring an existing and fresh mix of retail and entertainment concepts to Cebu. It will treat travelers with top retail and dining options—from luscious Cebuano cuisines, to iconic handicraft shops, to top global lifestyle and adventure brands.
Various theme-park attractions are also set to open. That’s on top of the fish-feeding pool, lively entertainment arcades, street performances, confectionaries, and Cebuano culinary stops also await visitors.
Seagrove Lagoon
The Seagrove Lagoon brings new adventures in fun with its network of interconnected nature inspired themed pools. This watercourse of pools, streams, and ponds will run through the center of Seagrove and will serve as the focal point of the estate.
It will contain exciting sports pools, ambient lounge pools, mineral springs, rock pools, and fishponds to tickle a wide range of interests.
Mangrove Forest
Seagrove will also highlight a full display of the panoramic Magellan Bay and its lush mangrove forest. Set amid the bay’s clear blue waters, this water-woods of aquatic trees, seagrass, and coral reefs is a fitting backdrop to Seagrove’s focus on nature and biodiversity.
But more than a scenic background, the mangrove will allow visitors to kayak, kitesurf, paddle board, and snorkel to fully appreciate this majestic stage of aquatic wildlife and biodiversity.
Pedestrian Corridor
Retail therapy takes on a cool island vibe at Seagrove’s Pedestrian Corridor. The corridor begins at the Entry Plaza, with its 40-meter frontage facing a four-lane tree-lined road.
From here, travelers can step into a 15-meter Pedestrian Spine that cuts across the entire estate. This will lead to various pathways of retail clusters, all blanketed and embraced by canopies of trees and various island blooms.
Seagrove takes on a good seat at the heart of a busy city with burgeoning tourism and economic potentials. In the next few years, the island is surely set to elevate the standards of urban lifestyle no amount of descriptive words and phrases can ever suffice.
Exact location: Brgy. Punta Engaño, Lapu-lapu City – fronting Magellan Bay
BY COMMUTE: Ride a 01K Jeepney to Parkmall from SM City or E-mall. In Parkmall, ride a jeepney that passes through Punta Engaño Road and let the driver know that you’re dropping off at the junction to Mactan Seagrove. Then, ask locals the way to the place. Alternatively, you can also book a Grab ride or hail a taxi from Cebu straight to the place.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Seagrove” along Punta Engaño Rd in Lapu-lapu City. Parking space is available.
People with a sweet tooth will come running when they hear about the new sugar wonderland in town, Makan Seaview Cafe. Following the footsteps of Makan Uno and Makan Dos, Makan Food Kiosk has now expanded the food on their menu with a new collection of sugar rushes.
Makan Seaview Cafe is the sweeter counterpart of Makan Food Kiosk, serving a variety of drinks and desserts coupled with the refreshing sea breeze in their open air diner in Pilapil Park Resort. Have a refreshing weekend on their native and rustic diner while munching on desserts and basking in the cool breeze of the sea.
Every type of sweet tooth is welcome in Makan Seaview with a wide range of choices from local to international treats. Their sweet treats range from cakes and pastries such as cakes, cookies, and brownies, to local kakanin such as puto, maha, and biko.
They also have an array of sweet refreshments such as coffee, juice, milk tea, and many more. Customers will also get to mix and match their drinks and sweets with their promo of P199 for unlimited desserts and drinks. Lastly, let out your inner frappe connoisseur with their “Make your own Frappe” and try over a dozen frappe combinations from their menu.
Rush over to this sugar wonderland experience the unique combination of ecstasy from sweets and the comfort of the sea. Whether you’re a kid or a kid-at-heart, as long as you’ve got a penchant for sweets then Makan Seaview Cafe is the place to visit.
Exact location: Landing, Catarman, Liloan, Northern Cebu — an hour away from Cebu City
BY JEEPNEY: Ride a jeepney bound for Liloan, Compostela, or Danao City. These jeeps pass by the National Highway in Mandaue. Ask the driver to drop you off in 7Es Pilapil Park Resort or the nearest stop to the bridge going to Catarman. The nearest landmark to the bridge is 7-eleven or the Liloan Church.
BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu North Bus Terminal. Ride a van/bus that’s bound for Carmen/Catmon/Sogod. Ask the driver to drop you off on the nearest stop to the bridge going to Catarman. The nearest landmark to the bridge is 7-eleven or the Liloan Church.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “7Es Pilapil Park Resort” in Liloan, Cebu. Parking space is available upon arrival.’
There’s always that distinct relaxation vibes that only the province life can provide. If you’re living in the heart of Cebu City as of the moment and you wish to relive that probinsyano/probinsyana life for a day or two, La Provinziana in Camotes Island might be the place to give you that much needed break.
Hailing from the “Lost Horizon of the
South”, Camotes Islands, this new eco staycation house has recently made a buzz
in social media due to its nipa huts or bahay
kubo-style rooms available for rent.
This affordable accommodation in Camotes is
a good alternative for the common hotels and resorts that you might want to
visit once you’re in the island. It is budget-friendly and you get to be more
in touch with nature.
Laying under the palm trees during the day, being outside near the beach while stargazing or maybe laying inside the nipa hut with your loved one, these are just some of the things that you can do while staying at La Provinzia.
Rates & Other Information
Day Use:
Entrance fee: ₱10 per head
Pool use: ₱50 per head
Rates:
Kubo/Nipa Hut: ₱500 for 24 hours, good for 2 pax
₱100 additional person (1 max)
There are 3 nipa huts available
White Room: ₱1,000 for 24 hours, good for 4 pax (standard room-sized with air conditioning and CR)
₱200 additional person (2 max)
Kamalig: ₱700 for 24 hours, good for 2 pax
₱200 additional person (4 max)
Exclusive use: ₱5,000 for 24 hours (all rooms, kitchen, pool and mini gym, good for 12-15 pax)
Exact location: Sitio Bagacawa, Brgy. Mercedes, Poro, Camotes Island, northern Cebu — 1 hour land travel from the city, another 2 hours sea travel from the mainland.
You need to ride a boat in order to get to Camotes Island, and an Oceanjet Fast Crast is recommended. The travel time going there is estimated to be an hour and a half.
You have three (3) options going to/from Camotes Islands:
OPTION 1: OCEANJET FAST CRAFT – Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes – Cebu Port: Pier 1, Cebu City – Camotes Port: Poro, Camotes – Advantages: Take this option if you want to arrive faster, and you live/stay near Pier 1 or SM City Cebu or you’re from Southern Cebu.
OPTION 2: JOMALIA RORO/EXPRESS – Travel Time: 2 hours – Cebu Port: Danao City Port – Camotes Port: Consuelo, Camotes – Advantages: Take this option if you want to save 50% on transportation, if you’re willing to travel or you’re from/near Danao City.
OPTION 3: JOMALIA FAST CRAFT – Travel Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes – Cebu Port: MACTAN WHARF of Island Central Mactan Mall – Camotes Port: Consuelo, Camotes – Advantages: Take this option if you want to arrive faster, and you live/stay near Mactan.
The town of Santander in the southernmost part of Cebu is probably the last stop for all buses with routes from Cebu going to the south. Its location at the southern tip makes it the less travelled since most groups, if not all, prefer to travel to nearer tourist destinations like Badian, Oslob, or Moalboal.
But Santander’s popularity has increased in the past few decades with the increasing rate of developed resorts and beach houses in the town – one of which is the Santander Beach House.
Santander Beach House in Brgy. Canlumacad, Santander offers nothing but a comfortable and relaxing stay by the beach. The lush tropical greenery of the place, the sea view, and the soothing breeze of the air all make a tranquil experience of a lifetime.
This exclusive beach house is complete with amenities that’ll make your money and effort all worth it. The holiday home features 3 bedrooms, a dining area and a separate living room with sofa. It also comes with a fully equipped kitchen – there’s a stove, fridge and water dispenser. Laundry facilities are also available. What more can you ask for?
The terrace and the balcony of the bedrooms greet its guests in the morning with a calming view of the sea. You can cook your own food but if you want to maximize time, breakfast, lunch and dinner can also be arranged.
What’s so good about the place is that it’s constructed with a bow to Filipino tradition making it homey– sak-sak roof, mahogany wood, and rattan furniture and cabinets. All three bedrooms have AC units.
While in the place, you can enjoy the life underneath the waters through snorkeling and diving. You can also try to do hiking activities or get on a motorbike or car rental for a tour within the town.
Santander Beach House is within 15 km to Dumaguete City. The hotel can organize a dolphin watching excursion at Bais, whale shark watching at Oslob, and shopping in Dumaguete.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
ROOM RATES:
This house is only available for exclusive rent. It is good for 9 persons.
Rate: P4,000 per night, good for 9 persons (minimum of 2 nights)
BY BUS: Hop on a bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato-Oslob or Bato-Oslob via Dumaguete buses. Get off right in the municipality. From there, take a habal-habal on your way to Santander Beach House.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Santander Beach House” in Santander. Parking space is available.
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but now more than ever, we need to feel the spirit of Christmas in our hearts. Now is the season to kindle the warmth of caring, friendship, kindness and concern to those around us.
This Christmas, SKY invites its subscribers to share ideas on how they can #BeTheSpark of hope and joy to others, and bring inspiration, light and love this holiday season.
From December 9, 2020 to January 3, 2021, subscribers can simply visit mysky.com.ph/bethespark to send their answers. Lucky subscribers have the chance to win exciting prizes fit for the season such as motorcycles, tablets, smart phones, hygiene and health essentials, grocery packages, as well as surprise treats from HBO and SKY.
“We simply want to have our subscribers feel a sense of optimism and joy this holiday season despite everything that has happened this year. We encourage them to share and inspire others through their ideas showing their expression of love and thankfulness for what we have today”
– Claudia Suarez, Head of Consumer Products Group
SKY will also bring inspiring content and heartwarming shows as it opens more channels to subscribers at no additional cost starting December 18, 2020 until January 1, 2021.
“Through television, families can still bond and create a festive mood despite these uncertain times,” added James Dumlao, SKY Head of Programming.
SKYcable subscribers can catch Chef Jamie Oliver share his delectable recipes for the holidays as “Jamie’s Quick and Easy Christmas” premieres on Metro Channel this December 19, 8pm. Viewers can also seek the guidance of Chef Giada De Laurentiis in preparing for a fun Christmas party as the fifth season of “Giada’s Holiday Handbook” premieres on Food Network.
A holiday celebration wouldn’t be complete without films that touch the heart and inspire wanderlust. Families can begin their movie marathon session on December 24th, 5pm as they tune in to All Day Christmas movies on Lifetime, with “This Christmas Hotel” being the main film highlight. They can also opt to imbibe the holiday spirit earlier as CinemaWorld takes viewers to a virtual travel adventure experience through their themed films starting December 20, 9pm. Young adults will surely enjoy the channel’s first feature film, “Dear Lemon Lima.”
Fans can also follow their favorite talent show, “The Masked Singer” season 4, on Blue Ant Entertainment as it highlights the countdown to the most-awaited finale. Meanwhile, a special glimpse of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree can be seen in the “The Today Show” on TAP TV every 8pm.
Kids get to learn and enjoy interactive game segments in MIAO MI’s “Find with Miao Mi”. Along with their parents, they can geek out on Discovery Channel’s “Rocket Around the Christmas Tree,” wherein they can spectate the most outrageous rocket-powered Christmas tree competition starting this December 23, 9pm.
There are many more channels to choose from and there is bound to be a show that will warm and captivate the hearts of everyone in the family this Christmas.
SKY hopes that through these initiatives, its subscribers will be inspired to pay it forward and truly #bethespark of hope and joy to others this season and beyond.