Netflix has become a kind of a necessity these days and proof of that is the additional 10 million subscribers it gained during the pandemic.
Now, Netflix commits to its largest budget feature film so far with “The Gray Man”. The film will star veteran actors Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans which will be directed by Joe & Anthony Russo who also directed ‘Avengers: Endgame’ two years ago.
A new franchise with a James Bond level of scale with these actors and directors and a budget upward of $200 million is going to be epic.
The film is based on the 2009 Mark Greaney novel which became a bestselling book series that introduced the Gray Man, a freelance assassin and former CIA operative named Court Gentry. A deadly duel between killers as Gentry (Gosling) gets burned by the CIA and is hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans), a former cohort of Gentry’s at the CIA.
“The movie is a real mano a mano between those two great actors who represent two different versions of the CIA, in what it can be, and what it can do.”
– Anthony Russo, Director
This is a lot of faith Netflix is placing on the Russo Brothers, but with their track record in Avengers and Extraction, it will be totally worth it.
On Sunday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) has released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of July 19, 2020.
Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 238 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 74 new recoveries, and 13 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 13,539 while the active cases are at 6,805.
Breakdown of cases:
📍 Cebu City – Total confirmed: 8,072 (+86 today) – Total recoveries: 4,420 (+54 today) – Total deaths: 411 (+2 today) – Active cases: 3,241
📍 Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 1,480 (+45 today) – Total recoveries: 459 (+3 today) – Total deaths: 53 (+2 today) – Active cases: 968
📍 Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 1,460 (+42 today) – Total recoveries: 449 (+4 today) – Total deaths: 60 (+4 today) – Active cases: 951
📍 Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 2,527 (+65 today) – Total recoveries: 743 (+13 today) – Total deaths: 139 (+5 today) – Active cases: 1,645
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 6,805
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 13,539 (+238 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 6,071 (+74 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 663 (+13 new)
According to DOH-7, a total of 1,554 laboratory results were released from the following; VSMCC Subnational Laboratory (582), Cebu TB Reference Laboratory (972) and ARC Hospital (0).
Our health workers and medical frontliners must be facing the toughest challenge at work in this time of health crisis. And they just need all the support they can get, especially those who are working in Cebu City hospitals.
Good news is, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo and team have initiated free shuttle service for the health workers and frontliners in Cebu City.
Sugbo.ph Photo
Here’s an easy guide of the routes and schedule of the free shuttle.
Routes
Currently, there are four (4) routes available + one (1) ferry service.
Route 1: Fuente Osmeña to Gaisano Tabunok (and v.v.)
Route 2: Fuente Osmeña to Consolacion (and v.v.)
Route 3: Fuente Osmeña to Talamban (and v.v.)
Route 4: Cebu South Gen, Naga City to Maayo Hotel Mandaue (and v.v.)
Ferry Service: Angasil Port, Mactan to Olango Island (and v.v.)
On Sunday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board – Region 7 (LTFRB-7) has announced the 10 buses will start plying the streets of Cebu City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting Monday, July 20.
Each bus is only allowed to accommodate 20 persons at a time.
Route 1: Pardo – SM City Cebu (and v.v.)
Pardo – SM City Cebu
N.Bacalso / Emall
Osmena Blvd
Fuente Circle / Robinsons Fuente
Mango Square / General Maxilom
DOLE 7
Robinsons Galleria
SM City
SM City Cebu – Pardo
APM Mall
F. Cabahug
M. J. Cuenco
Landers
Ayala Center
Escario / Capitol
Fuente Osmena Circle
Abellana Sports Complex
Emall
South Bus Terminal
Super Metro
Citi Hardware
Route 2: Pardo – Talamban (and v.v.)
Pardo – Talamban
Shopwise
V. Rama
B. Rodriguez
Fuente Osmena Circle
Robinsons Fuente
Capitol
Escario
UP Lahug
JY SQUARE
I.T. Park
Country Mall
Banilad Town Center
UC banilad
USC Talamban
Talamban – Pardo
USC Talamban
UC Banilad
I. T PARK
JY Square
UP Lahug
DOLE 7
Mango Square
Robinsons Fuente
Abellana Sports complex
SSS
Gaisano Metro Colon
Gaisano Capital
Gaisano Jai-Alai
Supermetro Mambaling
Citi Hardware.
As of this writing, there are only two (2) bus routes available under MECQ.
After five months since the outbreak began in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) has finally given the green signal for the use and mass production of these Filipino-made, quality yet less expensive, test kits.
“After several months of collaboration, we are proud to say, GenAmplify version 2, the country’s very own RT-PCR test kit, is finally ready for commercial use.”
– Department of Health (DOH)
It was last April the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the commercial use of the locally made RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) detection kit, funded by DOST and manufactured by Manila HealthTek, Inc. However, the test kits were recalled after a “very minor defect” was discovered the following month.
DOH has assured the Manila Health Tek team worked closely with their independent laboratory expert panel “in addressing key issues of version 1 of GenAmplify”.
Furthermore, DOH said that the same as the other medical products and devices, performance of the kit will be regularly monitored.
Compared to the foreign-made kits sold at P8,000, these locally-made kits will be sold at only P1,300 per piece.
“We, at the DOH and DOST-PCHRD, are proud of our homegrown scientists who continue to use their talent to benefit not only the Filipino people but the rest of humanity as well.”
Imagine waking
up to the breeze of the sea, a cool breath of fresh air in the early morning
hours, sitting on the tea houses spread along the long stretch of the calm
beach embracing the cerulean sky. Then, you sip your coffee and bask on that
moment of dating nature.
This is how a get-away to Dolphin House Resort will make you feel. Settled in the cooler and serene resort-town of Moalboal, the resort offers its guest a refreshing beach vibe and an advocacy of ecological wellness in the south
Guaranteed to be
the perfect sand escape with a minimal ecological footprint. Refresh
your busy soul. And venture on!
Dolphin House Resort champions the drive for sustainable marine eco-tourism; however, this doesn’t mean the resort is short of fun. Right along the beach stands a Dive College, a set of facilities including a diving center equipped with complete and functional diving equipment.
It also has a bar that serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages oftentimes hosting bio-seminars on marine life.
Activities you can do at Dolphin House Resort:
Dolphin and whale watching
Kayaking
Snorkeling in the resort’s house reef
Excursion trips around the locality
Canyoneering can be arranged
DINING AND
LOUNGING
Dolphin-house
Restaurant
Showcasing a
gustatory brand of Asian and Filipino-Hispanic specialties, it tailors your
dining experience into a culinary delight with an enchanting sea view
architecture.
Dine with nature
in the fashion of the native datus – ancient rulers!
Titanic Lounge
A short stroll
away from the restaurant, is a hospitable construction that houses a panoramic
view of the local surroundings. There is a billiard table, a darts board, a
mini library, and a computer section with a WIFI set-up including the balcony
that offers a rich view of the wide seas.
ACCOMMODATION
ROOM RATES:
Updated as of July 2021.
Panorama Room: ₱3,335 /nightfor a single bed set-up and ₱4,313 /night for a double bed set-up
Deluxe Bungalow: ₱5,032 /night for a single bed set-up and ₱6,039 /night for a double bed set-up
Suite Bungalow: ₱6,130 /night for a single bed set-up, ₱7,430 /night for a double bed set-up, and ₱8,835 /night for a triple bed set-up
All reservations in
the categories above include bed and breakfast.
OTHER INFORMATION
Day Use:
Day use fee: ₱500 per head (whole day), consumable for food and drinks.
Applicable to both adults and kids.
Make sure to call ahead the resort before visiting as they decline walk-ins if there are many guests checking in.
Exact Location: Along White Beach of Brgy. Saavedra, Moalboal, Cebu – a car drive approximately 15 minutes from Gaisano Grand Mall Moalboal and roughly 2 hours away Cebu City Proper.
Other notable tourist spots nearby: 14-minute drive to Panagsama Beach and 45-minute drive to Kawasan Falls.
BY PUBLIC COMMUTE: From South Bus Terminal, ride a bus bound for Moalboal via Barili or Badian. Then ask to be dropped off at Dolphin House Resort, near Tunga Elementary School before Gaisano Grand Mall Moalboal.
Another option would be by van, which is also available at One Citilink Terminal. Travel time is 2-3 hours depending on traffic conditions.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps, and search for “Dolphin House Resort” in Moalboal. There are available parking spaces in the resort.
After four months of closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the local government unit has finally reopened the tourist attractions in Gaas, Balamban now that the Cebu Province has been under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) since July 1, 2020.
However, for now, visitors allowed are the town residents in Balamban and those people who reside in other areas in Cebu Province under MGCQ. Residents from Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City are not allowed to enter the area for leisure purposes yet.
On a Facebook post from one of the owners of Buwakan ni Alejandra, below are the guidelines that should be observed:
NO FACE MASK NO ENTRY
Observe proper physical distancing at all times
NO spitting anywhere
NO littering
Disinfecting and checking of your temperature will be done before entering the premises.
Let us adapt to our new normal and be mindful of our actions. We should always observe proper hygiene and discipline in ourselves so we could still enjoy the beautiful scenery even in this time of pandemic.
Let’s be ready for our new way of living because it’s not going to be the same again. We have to be tough enough to deal with it.
• Activities you can do / Amenities: Swimming with pool slide, Cable Car, Zip Line, Overnight stay, Playground • Entrance: P55 (Adult); P25 (Children) • Room Rates: P1,500 good for 2; P2,500 good for 4; P3,500 good for 8 • Open Cottages: P350 per day • Cable Car – P150 per head • Swimming Pool – P50 per head • Contact details: (032) 272-3409 / 0916-138-5764 / [email protected] / Facebook Page • Exact location: Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, Cebu – across Adventure Cafe (30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway) • How to get there: – PUBLIC: Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at JVR Island in the Sky (just a few meters ahead of Adventure Cafe). – PRIVATE: Parking space available. Just search for ‘JVR Island in the Sky’ in Gaas Balamban, Transcentral Highway via Waze or Google Maps.
Activities you can do / Amenities: Strolling around the flower garden (no food / restaurant available)
Entrance Fee: ₱75 per adult, ₱50 per head for Kids, PWD & Senior Citizen
Operating hours: 7AM to 6PM, Mondays to Sundays – but if there’s a storm, they will close the premises to protect the flower garden.
Exact location: Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, Cebu – across Adventure Cafe (30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway)
How to get there:
PUBLIC: Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at Adventure Cafe (Florentino’s is just right across).
PRIVATE: Parking space available. Just search for ‘Adventure Cafe’ in Gaas Balamban via Waze or Google Maps. Florentino’s is just across Adventure Cafe.
• Activities you can do / Amenities: Chill over the scenic mountain view, eat & drink (soft/hard drinks and food available) • Entrance Fee: P55 per person • Operating hours: 6AM to 7PM, Mondays to Sundays (Best time to go: 6-7AM & 4-6PM) • Corkage fee: None for now, you may bring your own food and drinks. But BE RESPONSIBLE of your trashes. Leave no trace. • Contact details: N/A • Exact location: Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, Cebu – across Adventure Cafe (30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway) • How to get there: – PUBLIC: Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at Adventure Cafe (Florentino’s is just right across). – PRIVATE: Parking space available. Just search for ‘Adventure Cafe’ in Gaas Balamban via Waze or Google Maps. Florentino’s is just across Adventure Cafe.
• Activities you can do / Amenities: Chill over the scenic mountain view & flower garden, eat & drink, Camping, Trekking • Entrance Fee: P55 per person • Operating hours: 7AM to 8PM, Mondays to Sundays (Best time to go: 6-7AM & 4-6PM) • Corkage fee: Yes for food and drinks. There’s a restaurant inside. • Contact details: 0995 428 3762 / 0916 444 0633 • Exact location: Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, Cebu – before Adventure Cafe (30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway) • How to get there: – PUBLIC: Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at EVO Nature Camp (before Adventure Cafe). – PRIVATE: Parking space available. Just search for ‘EVO Nature Camp’ in Gaas Balamban via Waze or Google Maps.
• Activities you can do / Amenities: Dine, Zip Line, Wall Climbing, Stress Wall, Caving, Waterfall Chasing • Zip Line – P150 per person • Climb/Rappel – P100 per person • Caving – P250 per person (minimum of 5 people per group) • Waterfalls – P650 per person (minimum of 5 people per group) • Operating hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, daily • Contact details: 0999 681 2339 / Facebook page • Exact location: Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, Cebu (30-45 min drive from JY square or Marco Polo via the scenic Transcentral highway) • How to get there: (PUBLIC) Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route (P120 per person one-way). (PRIVATE) Parking space available, can be searched via Waze or Google Maps.
• Activities you can do / Amenities: Dine, Overnight Stay, Kiddie Playground, Trekking, 360-degree scenic viewing • Entrance Fee: P55 per person • Room rates: ranging from P4,500 good for 2 to P6,000 good for 6 • Contact numbers: (032) 514-3262 / (032) 520-2633 / 0933 995 3245 • Email: [email protected] • Facebook Page: link • Exact location: Brgy. Gaas, Balamban, Cebu – approximately 30km or an hour drive from Ayala Center Cebu. Only a few meters away (walking distance) from the popular attractions in Balamban like Adventure Cafe, Buwakan ni Alejandra, and Florentino’s. • How to get there: – PUBLIC: Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route. Fare is P120 per person (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at West 35 Eco Adventure Park (just a few meters ahead of Adventure Cafe). – PRIVATE: Parking space available. Just search for ‘West 35 Eco Adventure Park’ in Gaas Balamban, Transcentral Highway via Waze or Google Maps.
• Activities you can do / Amenities: Free overnight (bring your own tent, first come first served), Dine, Chill, Free Tour on old items/furniture inside the house • Operating hours: 7AM to 10PM (lights off) • Location: Brg. Gaas, Balamban Cebu • Contact no: 09062990215 • How to get there: Take a V-hire from the Ayala Center Terminal going to Balamban via Transcentral highway route (P120 per person one-way). The antique house is just right beside the road, only 1klm away from Adventure Cafe. For private commuters, there is a parking space available.
Commuters will now have better transportation with the public utility jeepneys (PUJ) in Cebu Province running on Monday, July 20.
Yes, jeepneys will be allowed but only on interior roads and not on the national highways. They will only take the passengers to the buses running in the national highway. Their regular routes are not allowed yet.
“Pwede nako mag-desisyon sa ato nga level. Maghimo ko og feeders didto sa national highway kun diin asa ang mga buses naghunong. Feeders lang. Dili na necessary kadto karaan ninyo nga rota,”
– Eduardo Montealto Jr., LTFRB Central Visayas Director
These feeder roads will probably start from the barangays or far-flung areas going towards the bus stops.
Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2020-017, public utility buses (PUBs) are the preferred modes of transport during General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
The jeepneys will need to pass the motor vehicle inspection system (MVIS) or road worthiness test to be issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Inspection includes functional breaks, lights, the required partitions to ensure social distancing, and others.
PUJ operators have no need to worry as LTO Central Visayas Director Victor Caindec has assured to send LTO inspectors straight to their doorsteps for the operators’ convenience.
Cebu is home to an extremely diverse fauna and flora and has a rich ecosystem which many of us treasure, love, and protect. This article showcases one of Cebu’s illustrious gems: the Cebu Blue.
The Epipremnum Pinnatum cebu blue, or “Cebu Blue” in short, is an evergreen flowering plant found originally on our island of Cebu, but now has spread all over the world, being in many parts of Asia and South America.
Many adore these vines because of its unique display of hues of blue in their leaves which is perfect as decorative pieces especially when the room pairs well with bluish colors.
Another unique fact about the Cebu Blue among its family Araceae is that it looks completely different between two stages: its juvenile stage and its mature adult stage. The mature adult stage has unique zigzag trails on its leaves along its mid rib, while the juvenile stage has its leaves like normal.
This plant is well sought out because of how it is unique among its more well-known and generic plant, considered the “normal” Epipremnum Pinnatum, which does not give a blue hue at all in their leaves.
Truly, the Cebu Blue is one of the unique plants in the island and yet is not well-known within the island itself aside from gardeners and plant enthusiasts. There are even stores selling it for around 400 to 500 pesos.
The plant also has many names, such as:
Devil’s ivy
Centipede Tongavine
Dragon-tail plant
Blue Pothos
Schindapsus aureum
Philodendron Cebu Blue Plant
Tibatib in the Philippines
Surely, at least one of your elders must have heard these names. This is a reminder to Cebu that our island is beautiful in itself, even on its flora and fauna.
Ephemeral light pillars have appeared again for the second time this year in Daanbantayan, Cebu on Friday night. The first time it was seen in 2020 was last June 24 in the same municipality in Cebu.
The photos were captured by Junie Mar Mayol Lopez of The Adventurer of North, a photographer and vlogger from Tagasa, Bitoon, Daanbantayan.
“Looking for a Milky way and stumble with this candle light like floating in the sky ‘The Light Pillars'”, said Junie Mar Lopez.
Photos from The Adventurer of North
Photos from The Adventurer of North
Photos from The Adventurer of North
Light pillars are an optical phenomenon caused when light is refracted by ice crystals. These lights tend to take on the color of the light source.
“They appear as beams of light to the observer. It is usually caused by street lights. However, any source of light can create a light pillar given proper conditions,”
– AccuWeather Meteorologist David Samuhel
Samuhel said the pillars occur under high pressure without any storm present.
“There is no tie between storms and the pillars,” Samuhel said. “A storm system would disrupt the pillar formation with wind and precipitation.”
