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.
The town of Tabogon is relatively unknown when it comes to tourism in Cebu especially with the various tourist spots that can be explored from the northern to the southern parts of Cebu.
Unknown to many tourists and even Cebuanos themselves, Tabogon is an adventurous town hosting loads of aquatic activities such as fishing, diving, and more importantly, delving into the deep blue and encountering various marine life.
Before proceeding to explore the different adventures of Tabogon, it would be a great idea to visit the public beach of Tagasa.
Photo by Jayson Carungay
Tagasa Public Beach is a tranquil beach that compliments the quiet and sleepy municipality of Tabogon. It is famous with the locals and is a favorite hangout spot because of the peaceful atmosphere and the refreshing breeze. The silence of the surroundings and the serene views at the front of the beach is the best place for meditating and being one with nature.
Photo from the Municipality of Tabogon
With the help of the local government of Tabogon, the beach was improved and made more conducive for gatherings. After ridding the beach of trash, its true beauty surfaced and the water glistened in different shades of blue.
Photo from the Municipality of TabogonPhoto from the Municipality of Tabogon
They also installed multiple cottages by the shore to offer shelter to visitors of the improved beach with the hope that it attracts many to its cream-colored sands.
Photo from the Municipality of Tabogon
What’s more, because it is a public beach, it has no entrance fees. Feel the gentle caress of the wind and let it carry your worries away as you lose yourself to the crashing waves of Tagasa Public Beach.
Photo from the Municipality of Tabogon
Photo from the Municipality of Tabogon
Photo by Jayson Carungay
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Entrance fee: None as of the moment
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact location: Tagasa, Tabogon, Cebu — approx. 3 hours away from the city.
BY BUS:From North Bus Terminal, you can hop on a bus bound to Tabogon. Drop off at Tabogon Terminal. Fare is around P70. From there, take a habal-habal on your way to Tagasa Beach.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Tagasa Beach” in Tabogon. Parking space is available.
Now that we have entered the “-ber” months, it is time for the festive holiday seasons to be rejoiced. Adorn each corner with Christmas lights of different colors and put on the stocking and the Christmas tree because it is that time of the year again…except this time, we are in quarantine.
COVID-19 has forced all of us to stay at home to be in quarantine but despite that, it is important to keep the Christmas spirit flowing and going as it is our tradition. One aspect of Christmas is the gifts under the Christmas tree, and now a question is made: how should we continue and proceed with gift shopping now with the pandemic in mind?
Usually, the malls get flooded by people buying up all kinds of gifts like toys for little children, cute and pretty clothes for Manitos and Manitas, or something sticky for the office kris kringle. What is to be expected about gift shopping during the quarantine?
Here are some tips to follow so that you can surely buy a gift just in time.
Buy Ahead of Time
Of course, it is an extremely helpful strategy to buy gifts ahead of time instead of panic buying it during December. Almost everyone has faced a situation such as this where there is no more time to consider because the gifts should be ready by tomorrow so you rush towards the mall and buy something quickly. However, this time it might be difficult to do that because shops will be monitored strictly on how many people can go in and out especially during the holiday seasons.
As early as now, think of gifts to buy and buy them. Check how available your gifts are because due to the pandemic, the availability of certain items and commodities may be affected.
SM Seaside, Cebu’s biggest mallAyala Center Cebu
Create a Shopping List Beforehand
During quarantine, malls will always control the crowds of people who would enter, and that holds particularly true during the holidays.
Many malls would probably put you on a tight time schedule in their establishment to shop, so it is a wise decision to think of the gifts you are going to buy beforehand, put them on a list, and follow the said list once you are inside shopping. It will ease your mind, put less pressure on the time limit and makes you think more of the quality and price of the items instead of what items you are going to buy.
You can use these printable templates:
Think Your Gifts Through
Sometimes the gifts we might be planning to buy or the gifts that we usually buy for our loved ones might not work during the pandemic and may be insensitive or impractical.
Why would you buy something fit for travelling if the person you are giving it to would focus their time now on self-quarantine rather than travelling during this peril? We cannot know what is in store for us in the future, or if the travel bans would become stricter, so it is important to think through.
Online Shop Smartly
Right now, probably the best way to shop for Christmas gifts is to shop online. Do not get intimidated by online shopping if you haven’t tried to do it yet. Just remember to go to online stores that are trusted and online sellers with great scores.
When checking an item online, ALWAYS check the reviews of the items. Even if it is 5 stars, always read what the reviews say. If an item you are going to buy does not accommodate Cash on Delivery as a payment method, you can always avail for a GCash Card which is easier.
One of the best ways to calm the nerves is by spending a day experiencing the countryside vibes of Purita Farms Vacation House. Nothing can be more relaxing than breathing in their refreshing rural air and having an exclusive stay in their farm.
It is located inside a 4-hectare mango orchard in San Remigio. The orchard has been in the town since 1981 so it serves as a small piece of history. The vacation house was then added in 2007 to take advantage of the verdant surroundings and the refreshing breeze of the province.
Vacation House
The vacation house itself is an elevated space consisting mainly of a large pool area and two adjoining buildings that the guests can use.
The pool area has the best view in the whole house, having a 180-degree perspective of the orchard and a modern-inspired design that wonderfully contrasts with the rural background.
It is undoubtedly the best place to relax with its open space and various facilities that provide different ways to spend the day.
Pool and Jacuzzi
Guests may relish the verdant backgrounds while dipping in the pool or jacuzzi. They may also set tables and chairs close to the fence for a more heightened dining experience. Just a few feet away from the swimming pool is a shaded lounging area that’s perfect for reading and morning coffees.
Inside the house is a combination of a rustic and modern interior that sits well with the tranquil atmosphere. It is fully equipped with necessary facilities such as the kitchen, sala, and comfort rooms. The pool area is also easily accessible from the kitchen-sala through a porch and shares the same relaxing view with it.
Celebrations and getaways can be more fun and memorable in Purita Farms especially with its 30-person capacity. Spend a day or two in privacy with all of your loved ones far away from the bustling metro.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
DAY USE:
Exclusive stay: P5,000, up to a maximum of 30 people
Day Use Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Exceeding hours: P600 per hour
Extra Guests: P50 per head
NIGHT USE:
Exclusive stay: P6,000, up to a maximum of 30 people
Night Use Hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Exceeding hours: P600 per hour
Extra Guests: P50 per head
OVERNIGHT:
Overnight stay:
P12,500 per night, good for 25-30 persons
P15,500 per night, good for 40 persons
Check-in: 2:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 NN
OTHER INFORMATION:
Security Deposit: P2000, returned if no losses or damage to property after checkout
Exact location: Brgy. Bangkal, Poblacion, San Remigio, Northern Cebu — 3 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From the North Bus Terminal /Consolacion Terminal, ride any bus going to San Remigio or Tabuelan. You can tell the driver to drop you off at 7-Eleven store. From there, ride a tricycle going to Purita Farms.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Purita Farms Vacation House” in San Remigio. Parking space is available upon arrival.
Oslob is a town in southern Cebu that’s best known as a tropical destination and no one would expect it to have other things than beaches and the whale sharks.
Tulips Valley breaks this expectation by being not only a novel attraction among the sandy shore destinations of the town, but also being an unusual yet refreshingly welcome idea to the tourists of Cebu.
Tulips Valley, nestled just half an hour away from the famous whale shark watching of Oslob, is an interesting tourist attraction that will surely spice up your next visit to the southern reaches of Cebu. Fortunately, this tourist attraction can be easily fit into the schedule as it only goes to life at night and illuminates the dark skies of Oslob with the colorful and vibrant lights of their tulips.
FUN FACTS ABOUT TULIPS VALLEY
An interesting fact about Tulips Valley is that it is a giant artwork sending a message regarding the environment. The “tulips” in here are made up of around 18,000 plastic spoons which were collected by the artist, Mr. Mancini Romares, since 2016.
The spoons were collected from birthdays, weddings, parties and other events that he attended and were then made into the plastic tulips which now inhabit the soils of Gawi, Oslob.
MULTI-COLORED TULIPS AT NIGHT
When visited during the day, the plastic spoons can be easily distinguished from actual tulips as they’re just white pieces of plastic under the sun but at night, they turn into colorful artworks filling the night with red, blue, orange, and other colored lights.
The most visited portion of the attraction is the tulip garden in the shape of two hearts. The other gardens are rows of tulips reminiscent of the 10,000 Roses Cafe in Cordova surrounding the pathways around the place.
CAMPING AMONG THE FLOWERS
Moreover, Tulips Valley allows camping on their grounds for a certain fee. This is for visitors who want to experience the cool night breeze of Oslob and treat their eyes to the playful scenery of the colored tulips. They serve breakfast so their overnight guests won’t worry about getting hungry in the morning.
For those who are looking for new ways to experience the peaceful town of Oslob, Tulips Valley is guaranteed to provide a new type of seaside scenery that adds more reasons to visit the already famous town.
Exact location: Gawi, Oslob, Cebu — 30 minutes away from the Whaleshark Watching in Oslob, 4 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. From there, ride a bus bound for Bato-Oslob. Tulips Valley is just a few minutes away from the Whaleshark Watching and 5 minutes away from Ermi Beach Resort so you may ask the driver to drop you off at Tulips Valley if he knows the place or at Ermi Beach Resort.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Tulips Valley” at Gawi, Oslob. The attraction is just located near the border of Oslob and Boljoon. Parking space is available upon arrival.
