So much has already been said about the beautiful beaches jeweling the region of Cebu. While there are those who prefer the lively and the grand, there are also those who love to be calmed by an intimate and refreshing beach stay experience.
Abecon Beach Resort is a breath of a refreshing little escape in the laidback town of Alegria. It is for those who seek a meaningful respite less the big crowd. The resort warmly welcomes everyone with their amenities and ambience so we can rest, dine, swim and celebrate with our loved ones.
Photo by Christian MuthPhoto by Christian Muth
The clear blue waters of Alegria is something we shouldn’t miss at Abecon Beach Resort. We can start the day right with a dive into the waters, then get indulged with some fun action-packed beach activities with friends.
If you want to stroll around, then feast your eyes at their sprawled lush green grasses. It’s perfect for photoshoots and the cool breeze from the sea is a plus as you marvel at the sight of the horizon.
When guests book the resort for exclusive use, the greenery is always the venue for special occasions like debuts, receptions, birthday celebrations and parties by the beach. The resort also hosts seminars and meetings in their Function Hall.
Worried about food? They got you covered. The place has cooking amenities so you can enjoy the beach while crunching on your favorite meal. Cooking food with your family allows the members to spend quality time with one another, right?
Lastly, everyone is assured of a sound and comfortable rest during their stay at Abecon Beach Resort. All rooms are air-conditioned with own toilet, bidet and shower, not to mention that there also rooms with cabled TV. On top of this, each room is equipped with a smoke detector, emergency lights, and fire extinguisher. All these, at a very reasonable price.
Abecon Beach Resort in Alegria is a strategic spot when planning a trip to the south. The town is adjacent to a number of attractions like Kawasan Falls, Malabuyoc Hot Spring, Montpellier Waterfall, Osmena Peak, Casino Peak and lot more. Some places may require you to hire habal-habal to get to the place while others can be accessed via public bus.
With everything that’s going on lately, we need to calm ourselves from all of the chaos. Abecon Beach Resort is a good choice.
Exact location: Poblacion Madridejos, Alegria, southern Cebu (near St. Joseph Parish) — approx. 2 hours away from Cebu City
BY BUS: You can get on a Ceres bus headed to Bato Barili at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Ask the driver/conductor to drop you off at the stopover in Sangri Alegria. From there, you can rent a habal-habal on your way to the resort. If you don’t have heavy baggage, you can choose to walk down the concreted path which can be seen from the stopover.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Abesol Beach Resort” in Alegria. Parking space is available.
The continuous scare of the pandemic has paved way for more business owners to tweak and enhance their business plans. Hence, a discovery of many beautiful cafes and restaurants to look forward to has been observed.
Among the things one looks forward to when they embark in a café or restaurant hunting is the food. But more than just the dishes, there’s another reason for one to come back – the place.
Those two combined together is what this new café and restaurant is all about. Tarima Café and Resto is located in the uphill part of Catmon in Cebu. They are conveniently located atop a hill hence, it promises a view worthy of the adventure. What more could you ask for?
They welcome bikers, riders, and those who are just up for an adventure. Because the journey to your destination is quite an adventure, they surely offer delicious meals and coffee to replace the calories burned off during the journey.
Photo by Carmen Maniniyot
Photo by Carmen Maniniyot
Photo by Carmen Maniniyot
Photo by Carmen Maniniyot
Photo by Carmen Maniniyot
Photo by Carmen Maniniyot
Save the date because they are opening on January 30, 2021. Always remember to practice social distancing while in the vicinity.
Exact location: Binongkalan, Catmon, Northern Cebu (a few meters from KM46) — approx. 2 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From the North Bus Terminal, ride any bus/mini bus to Catmon. Bus fare is ~₱85 /head (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at the new Tarima Café and Resto in Brgy. Binongkalan, Catmon.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “KM 46” in Catmon. Parking space is available.
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 January 29, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 191 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 104 new recoveries, and no new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 26,013, while the active cases rose to 2,273 (from 2,187).
Cebu’s recovery rate is now at 85.83%.
Breakdown of cases:
📍 Cebu City – Total confirmed: 12,327 (+108 new) – Total recoveries: 10,369 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 701 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,257
📍 Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 2,870 (+23 new) – Total recoveries: 2,612 (+25 new) – Total deaths: 112 (+0 new) – Active cases: 146
📍 Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 3,028 (+16 new) – Total recoveries: 2,570 (+7 new) – Total deaths: 174 (+0 new) – Active cases: 284
📍 Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 7,788 (+44 new) – Total recoveries: 6,776 (+71 new) – Total deaths: 426 (+0 new) – Active cases: 586
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 2,273
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 26,013 (+191 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 22,327 (+104 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 1,413 (+0 new*)
A total of 3,518 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 think your childhood love for Harry Potter is over, think again. The wizards might be doing wonders for a possible live-action TV series of our favorite.
Rumor has it that a “Harry Potter” TV Series is in the works at HBO Max as it is reportedly in its early developmental stages. If things go well at HBO, we might just see our childhood favorites doing a comeback.
The Hollywood Reporter executives were told by a reliable source that HBO Max and Warner Bros. are currently working on developing a show based on the iconic Harry Potter of J.K. Rowling.
According to THR; “Broad ideas have been discussed as part of the early-stage exploratory meetings.”
Though Warner Bros. and HBO Max has clarified that “There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform,” Variety said that “multiple conversations have already taken place with potential writers for the possible show.”
Regardless if this works well or not, Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter himself, has already resigned from the character. He has long left for future reboots or versions of the story.
“I’m sure there will be some other version of it; I know I’m not the last Harry Potter I’m gonna see in my lifetime—we’ve already got a few more,”
– Daniel Radcliffe told IGN
Nonetheless, I still couldn’t wait for the wizards to do wonders and for this story to live a hundredfold.
Moalboal will never run out of reasons to attract tourists and locals alike. Aside from the world-renowned diving spots, they are endowed with beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters.
Adding to the already long roster of world-class resorts in Moalboal is the newly-opened Qm Diving Resort. It’s pretty new and the construction is not even near completion yet, but it’s already drawing attention from locals and tourists.
For one, the location of Qm Diving Resort is probably one of its best assets. It has a white sand beach with clear waters and is one the best spots in Moalboal for some stunning sunset view. From the resort, you can already see the nearby Pescador Island.
For now, the resort has Bahay Kubo-inspired cottages that can accommodate a group of 10 persons. One of the most popular spots in the resort is their wooden stairs on top of some limestones that leads to the beach below.
Qm Diving Resort is still on its construction phase, but as early as now, we can say that this will be one of the hottest spots in Moalboal in the coming months and must be on every tourist’s “to watch out for” list.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday: 8AM to 8PM
Saturday-Sunday: 8AM to 10PM
Fees:
Entrance fee: None, but required to avail any cottage
Table with chairs (Day Use): P400 good for 4 persons
Regular Cottage (Day Use): P1,000 good for 6 persons
Family Cottage (Day Use): P2,000 good for 15 persons
Exact location: Bas Gamay, Moalboal, Southern Cebu — approx. 3 hours away from Cebu City.
BY BUS: Ride a bus bound for Moalboal via Barili or Badian at Cebu City’s South Bus Terminal. Fare is around P120 and takes around 2.5-3 hours. Once you get off at Moalboal, ride a tricycle to QM Beach Resort.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Qm Diving Resort” in Moalboal. Parking space is available.
Yes. Your eyes are not deceiving you. For as low as ₱399, Meet Chance Dining offers unlimited Japanese Food. Included in the menu are your the usual Japanese favorites like Ramen, Chicken Teriyaki, Oyako-don, Chicken Katsu and Japanese Curry as well as Filipino dishes like Sisig and Pancit Canton.
Located at 2/F K Building in Lahug, Cebu City (across Tree Shade Spa), Meet Chance Dining is a Japanese restaurant that offers you a chance to have a go at your Japanese food cravings.
Included in the menu are your the usual Japanese favorites like:
Ramen
California roll
Shrimp Tempura
Chicken Teriyaki
Oyako-don
Chicken cutlet
Japanese Curry
As well as Filipino dishes like Sisig and Pancit Canton
Serving Japanese food alongside Filipino dishes, Meet Chance Dining truly is a blended resto. It’s a place where both Filipinos and Japanese can have a chance at dining together and have a good time while filling their stomachs
The relaxing ambiance adds to the experience along with the ideal location a floor above.
Amenities
Free WIFI
Charging Outlets
Free Movie
Parking Space
Other Information:
Opening hours: 11AM to 9PM on Tuesdays to Sundays
Contact number: 0927-889-6832 (They also accept delivery)
Exact location: 2nd floor of K Building, Salinas Drive Lahug — across Tree Shade Spa & Kwikspar, near Cebu IT Park.
BY JEEPNEY: If you’re commuting, you can ride 17B/C from USC Main (near Jollibee) or 04L from Ayala Cebu Terminal. Drop off at Tree Shade Spa. Meet Chance Dining is located just right across.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Meet Chance Dining” in Cebu.
On late 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 January 28, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 183 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 10 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 25,822, while the active cases rose to 2,187 (from 2,017).
Cebu’s recovery rate is now at 86.06%.
Breakdown of cases:
📍 Cebu City – Total confirmed: 12,219 (+103 new) – Total recoveries: 10,368 (+4 new) – Total deaths: 701 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,150
📍 Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 2,847 (+10 new) – Total recoveries: 2,587 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 112 (+0 new) – Active cases: 148
📍 Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 3,012 (+27 new) – Total recoveries: 2,563 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 174 (+0 new) – Active cases: 275
📍 Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 7,744 (+43 new) – Total recoveries: 6,704 (+6 new) – Total deaths: 426 (+3 new) – Active cases: 614
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 2,187
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 25,822 (+183 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 22,222 (+10 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 1,413 (+3 new*)
A total of 3,551 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.
Seafood is a foodie favorite. Those who love exploring the different flavors of the world will surely say the same thing.
In the Philippines especially, seafood is abundant because of the tropical climate that makes its seas habitable for many different underwater species. For that reason, this country is filled with various underwater flavors that seafood lovers can feast on to their hearts’ content.
The island of Cebu alone already has a lot of seaside towns that catch fishes and other seafoods. Although there are many far-flung towns that practice the art of seafood cuisine, there are also a select few within the main city itself that serves fresh and flavorful seafood dishes.
Follow the aroma and flavors of the sea in these must-try seafood restaurants in Cebu.
1. Oyster Bay Seafood Restaurant
Oyster Bay Seafood Restaurant is one of the oldest seafood restos in Cebu that has stood the test of time. It is home to flavorful and fresh seafood and has been serving customers for more than 11 years now.
Being one of the longest-standing seafood restaurants, diners are guaranteed to taste authentic and original seafood recipes that have been cultivated over the years.
Their dishes are well-prepared and loved by many of their customers. With Oyster Bay Seafood Restaurant having the most experience, they deserve to be placed at the top of this list.
Exact Location: Bridges Town Square, Plaridel St., Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, Cebu
STK Ta Bai is one of the more popular seafood and grill restaurants of the metro. Aside from the sumptuous seafood that they serve, STK Ta Bay also has a charming restaurant. Their restaurant is basically a heritage house that was converted into the seafood establishment that it is now. They have various memorabilia of the past dating back to the 1900s that are on display in many rooms of the house which also serve as decorations that add to the overall ambiance of the resto.
Capitol Site Branch
Capitol Site Branch
Capitol Site Branch
This seafood establishment at the heart of the city is the best place to take families and relatives to a lunch or dinner reunion. They serve large servings of mouth-watering seafood that are both affordable and heavy on the stomach.
They usually easily get full during lunch and dinner but fortunately for everybody, they have multiple branches located just within the city so no one will miss out on their delicious seafood recipes.
For families that enjoy eating traditional Filipino dishes in a traditional setting, this is surely the place to go.
Located at General Luna St., Carcar City, Dianne’s Seafood House offers you shrimps, scallops, tuna, squids, and many more. Our seafood addict hearts are shaking.
Dianne’s Seafood House in Carcar City is definitely more than just a gastronomic seafood experience, but also a destination where you can enjoy the relaxing and peaceful ambiance of the restaurant.
Freshly caught seafood is the best. No contest. Which is why Dianne’s Seafood House offers you the ‘Pond to Pan’ experience. The enormous pond is right beside the restaurant. It is clean, aerated and well maintained so you will have no worries there.
Best sellers:
Calamari and shrimp w/ special sauce
Baked scallops
Chopsuey
Menu:
Function Rooms:
Package A
Php 8,000 consumable
Good for 20-30pax
Package B
Php 10,000 consumable
Good for 30-50 pax
Package C
Php 15,000 consumable
Venue extendable to Garden Area
Good for 50 pax and above
Note:
All reservations and agreement are made upon, and are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Dianne’s Seafood House.
All package is only up to 4 hours. Additional Php 1,000/hr charge for succeeding hours
Sound System and projector are for rent for Php 100/hour
Exact location: General Luna St., Tulay, Poblacion 3, Carcar City– approx. 2 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From the South Bus Terminal. Look for the one heading to Carcar City, and ask the driver to drop you off at Carcar City rotonda. From there you can ride a tricycle to Dianne’s Seafood house. The place is relatively new but residents are already familiar with the place.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Dianne’s Seafood House” in Carcar. Large parking space is available.
4. Isla Sugbo Seafood City
Isla Sugbo Seafood City started its first restaurant way back in 1989 but it was still known as Seafood City back then. It was closed in 2004 due to some unforeseen circumstances but reopened with a new name and face in 2015. The name Ïsla Sugbo” serves as an homage to its starting roots: Cebu. Three years after reopening, they brought their seafood specialties to Taguig City and opened a branch in Venice Grand Canal Mall.
Isla Sugbo Seafood City stands out from other seafood restaurants due to their seafood delicacies being served in unlimited plates. This sets them apart from many seafood restaurants and has even helped them garner multiple awards as the best seafood restaurant for three years in a row.
It is well-loved and well-received by many Cebuanos due to their fresh servings of seafood specials that just makes the mouth water. They are the pioneers of the “paluto-all-you-can” method of serving the seafoods wherein customers choose from a selection of fresh seafood that are displayed which are then cooked immediately.
Exact Location: The Grand Convention Center of Cebu, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Lahug, Cebu City
Cebuanos love to eat and that is one of the strongest reasons why Cebu is considered and has become a melting pot of various dishes and cuisines in the south. To be able to satisfy the insatiable hunger of the Cebuanos, the Laguna group launched an addition to their chain of restaurants that gave the Filipinos different traditional and modern flavors.
The sixth restaurant, which was named Parilya, is a special restaurant because it serves various grilled specialties. Cebuano favorites such as lechon, seafood, and grilled dishes are part of their menu which instantly makes them a go-to for Cebuanos.
They have the perfect location to set up a restaurant beside the seaside views of the South Road Properties. The aroma of the seafood they serve pairs well with the salty breeze of the sea and brings forth a unique experience of the sea through the different senses.
Exact Location: Il Corso, City di Mare, South Road Properties, Cebu City Philippines
Co Jordan Consolacion is a family-friendly seafood restaurant that serves great food in their hidden seafood haven in Consolacion, Cebu. This particular restaurant packs the full experience of the sea in their floating restaurant that’s nestled over a lagoon in the municipality.
The lagoon is teeming with fishes that are even available for those who want to go fishing. For those who are lucky enough to catch a fish, they can then request the restaurant to cook the fish they caught.
Mark Arvin Santiago Photography
Mark Arvin Santiago Photography
Mark Arvin Santiago Photography
Mark Arvin Santiago Photography
Co Jordan Consolacion has a very welcoming atmosphere with an open-space dining that’s covered in native designs and bamboo. It’s the place to go for celebrations and reunions with close friends and family because of the lively atmosphere that’s made even livelier by karaoke machines.
A food excursion that’s unique to the Philippines is the culture of sinugba or grilling food. It is loved by Filipinos, especially Cebuanos, due to the unique smoky aroma and deep flavors of grilled food. Parr’t Ebelle is an eatery that specializes in and highlights the flavors of grilled food and combines it with the deep sea flavors of seafood to unlock a much more explosive flavor that foodies will love and remember.
Cebuanos consider Parr’t Ebelles Tinola as home to various Cebuano Flavors that just reminds them of their hometown. It is even recommended to foodies visiting the island of Cebu for them to be able to experience the local flavors that Cebuanos crave.
They serve large servings of fresh fish that’s been grilled over a bed of red hot charcoal. Not only are their servings large, they are also very affordable which makes it budget-friendly and very attractive to the ears and noses of passers by.
Exact Location: J. De Veyra St., Cebu City – North Reclamation Area near SM City Mall
These times, it’s all about the fast-paced life, schedules, and more schedules. We get it, it’s hard to find time for yourself much less for your relationship.
But bear in mind that a relationship is like a machine that needs maintenance, it needs to be taken care of and to be worked on, by both sides.
That’s why a breather, a break from the usual is very important. Date nights from time to time should be prioritized and squeezed-in on our busy lives.
Here are five reasons why and why it should be now.
1. Stress relieving.
Everyone is stressed out somehow. Quarantine blues, work problems and personal anxieties, are not good for a relationship in general. A stress-relieving dinner can surely go a long way in a person’s state of mind. Being outdoors and helping yourself to good food are the perfect combination to chase those stress away.
2. Brings you closer.
Having a garden stroll or just a walk in the park or somewhere quiet while enjoying the view is an experience that will bind you together. There is nothing more helpful to a relationship than being able to hold your loved one and showing affection, smiles and attention.
3. Less misunderstandings.
Having actual conversations leads to a better communication. It hinders wrong interpretations and misunderstandings in a relationship. You can talk about anything and everything over snacks or light drinks. Date nights are almost 80% talking so that is one aspect you’ll definitely ace.
4. Spice of novelty.
Trying new things is an adventure in itself. Having that new experience together, no matter how normal or strange will help strengthen your bond. It’s a relationship builder so to say. It’s not just extreme activities or vacations that will spice it up, for you can find them in those trivial things too, like choosing clothes for each other, trying out a new restaurant or food cuisine, or just admiring furry pets in animal parks.
5. Balances energy.
Having different days and dealing with different things while you’re not together will certainly create a strain or imbalance. Spending time together will get rid of that. Being able to relax together or do nothing together will foster comfortability with each other.
THE AL FRESCO AT SM SEASIDE
Perfect for a garden stroll and a romantic dining venue, SM Seaside City Cebu’s The Al Fresco is located at the Tower Garden.
You can even chill with acoustic performances every Friday and Saturday at 5pm while you grab a bite from your favorite restaurants.
Of course, the Al Fresco is also a place where you can treat and date yourself. Give yourself a pat in the back with a cup of your favorite coffee or good food and a peaceful lounging.
Food and drinks options at The Al Fresco:
Black Pearl
Juice Avenue
Pizza Hut
Sachi Best Ramen
The Mango Farm
Yellow Cab
You can also order food from nearby restaurants: Kuya J Restaurant, Mesa Philippines, Sachi Best Ramen, SEOUL Korean Grill + Cuisine, Starbucks Philippines, Tim Ho Wan PH, and RACKS.
The Al fresco Dining Hours: 10AM to 9PM daily
The Al fresco Food Stalls: 4PM to 9PM daily
Acoustic Nights @ The Al fresco: Every 5PM on Fridays and Saturdays
SM Seaside Mall hours: 10am to 9pm daily
The Al fresco is located at the Tower Garden of SM Seaside City Cebu in South Road Properties, Cebu City.
Seaside Stewards: Tap to buy
SM Seaside doesn’t only make sure you have a safe dining experience, but also a convenient and satisfying one with the new Seaside Stewards, an in-mall digital ordering service.
Even when you are at The Al Fresco, you can still order food and drinks from your favorite restaurants or cafes at SM Seaside and have them served fresh and hot to you at The Al Fresco.
Simply scan the QR code for the Seaside Stewards, scan for your favorite meals available inside the mall, and have your food served to you. It’s that easy and convenient!
Note: For a #SafeMallingAtSM experience, don’t forget to bring your own sanitizer, maintain social distancing and make sure to wear your face mask & face shield at all times.
For more details, follow SM Seaside City Cebu on their Facebook and Instagram Page for more details.
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 January 27, 2021.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 181 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 70 new recoveries, and no new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 25,639, while the active cases rose to 2,017 (from 1,906).
Cebu’s recovery rate is now at 86.63%.
Breakdown of cases:
📍 Cebu City – Total confirmed: 12,116 (+97 new) – Total recoveries: 10,364 (+32 new) – Total deaths: 701 (+0 new) – Active cases: 1,051
📍 Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 2,837 (+19 new) – Total recoveries: 2,587 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 112 (+0 new) – Active cases: 138
📍 Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 2,985 (+12 new) – Total recoveries: 2,563 (+12 new) – Total deaths: 174 (+0 new) – Active cases: 248
📍 Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 7,701 (+53 new) – Total recoveries: 6,698 (+26 new) – Total deaths: 423 (+0 new) – Active cases: 580
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 2,017
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 25,639 (+181 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 22,212 (+70 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 1,410 (+0 new*)
A total of 2,874 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.
