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7 Attractions in Balamban reopen under MGCQ

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.

Attractions in Balamban

1. JVR Island in the Sky

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2017/jvr-island-in-the-sky-cebu/

jvrislandintheskycebu

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• 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.

2. Buwakan ni Alejandra

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2018/buwakan-ni-alejandra/

Photo by Ram Mancelita

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

  • 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.

3. Florentino’s Little Tagaytay of Cebu

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2019/florentinos-balamban-cebu/

Photo by Rian Chiong Lapiña

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• 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.

4. EVO Nature Camp

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2020/evo-nature-camp/

• 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.

5. Adventure Cafe

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2017/adventure-cafe-cebu/

adventure cafe balamban cebu2
Baguio feels at Adventure Cafe Balamban

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• 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.

6. West 35 Eco Mountain Resort

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2017/west-35-eco-mountain-resort/

west35-haven-cafe
Photo by Melvin Rey Orofeo

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• 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.

7. Balwerto ni Alfredo (Antique House)

Complete details: https://sugbo.ph/2017/d-village-antique-house-balamban/

dantiquehouse-balamban

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• 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.

Jeepneys now allowed in Cebu Province roads

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 Blue’: What to Know of Cebu’s Native Plant

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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.

‘Light pillars’ spotted again in northern Cebu

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.

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.”

https://www.facebook.com/sugboph/posts/3263068167102223

Over 400 inmates in Cebu City recover from COVID-19

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More than 400 inmates at the Cebu City Jail who tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have already recovered following interventions by the jail management and the Cebu City Government.

A total of 427 inmates at the Cebu City Jail tested positive for COVID-19.

The City Jail has not reported any new case for over a month now.

Cebu City Jail Warden Superintendent Julius Aro said the early detection, isolation, and treatment of those infected with the virus helped control the further spread of the infection.

“Almost 400 to ang amuang mga confirmed cases of COVID diri sa Cebu City Jail. So, after the period of two weeks or 21 days, na declare na sila sa DOH na clinically recovered,”

– Cebu City Jail Warden Superintendent Julius Aro

Aro said the City Government led by Mayor Edgar Labella provided help through measures and interventions for the sick inmates.

“The donations like alcohol, PPE, and other items that the City gave was a big help to us in addressing the problem. Dako usab ang natabang sa early monitoring sa cases sa city jail through the City Government. Dako sad og tabang ang pagpagawas og EO ni Mayor Labella nga ipa test ang mga incoming and outgoing PDL sa jail facility,”

Last April 27, Mayor Labella issued Executive Order No. 71 requiring all persons deprived of liberty (PDL) to undergo COVID-19 testing before admission into or release from the Cebu City Jail.

The latest case of COVID-19 in the city jail was recorded on June 12, 2020.

Last April 19, the Cebu City Jail under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region 7 (BJMP) reported its first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case. Mayor Labella immediately instructed the City Health officers and doctors to conduct mass testing and contact tracing of inmates and jail personnel.

In just two weeks, the number of COVID-19 patients in the city jail reached more than 300 cases.

Inmates found positive for COVID-19 were immediately transferred to the jail’s new annex building that served as an isolation center.

Mt. Mauyog: Balamban’s Highlands of Tranquility

Mountain trekking is one of the Cebuanos’ most favorite hobby. With Cebu’s magnificent peaks from north to south, trekking enthusiasts have lots of options. Each peak has their own unique beauty, and the one in Balamban, Mt. Mauyog, is not an exception.

Photo by John Vincent Sande

Towering at 1,027 meters above sea level, Mt. Mauyog maintains to be one of the most popular hiking destinations in Balamban. While various peaks like Mt. Manunggal are also located in this province, Mt. Mauyog is popular due to its rock formation, similar to that of a human brain.

For those who have conquered its heights, Mt. Mauyog is not for the likes of beginners. The steep and narrow path uphill requires lots of endurance. Experienced trekkers may still find it difficult along the trail but it depends on your level of preparedness as well as the gear needed to trek.

But despite the difficult trail, Mt. Mauyog certainly rewards those who are patient and brave enough as the view from halfway down is remarkable. Once atop, climb on the edge of those rocks and be thrilled and amazed by all that green around and below, trees, vast fields, and that gentle breeze. Taking a hike on Mt. Mauyog is surely a treat for adventure seekers out there.

Fees:

  • Entrance fee: ₱30 per head
  • Guide fee: ₱200-300 per group (optional)

How to Get There?

Exact location: Balamban, Cebu — approx. 2.5 hours away from the city. Just about 1.5 kilometers after West 35, right turn to Brgy. Sunog.

BY COMMUTE: From Ayala Terminal, hop on a v-hire and tell the driver to be dropped off at the corner towards Mt. Manunggal. Estimated fare for the v-hire ride is Php 120.00. Once you reach there, habal-habal drivers or motorcycle taxis are available from the Barangay Outpost and they can take you to the jump-off of Mt. Mauyog at Php 100.00 per head.

RENT: Avail an Uphill Cebu Package Tour (9 Destinations in 1 Day) for only P999 at SquadPH Tours and Travels.

Cebu logs 262 new cases, 31 deaths on July 16

On Thursday 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 16, 2020.

Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 262 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 129 new recoveries, and 31 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 12,808 while the active cases are at 6,492.

Breakdown of cases:

📍 Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 7,782 (+97 today)
– Total recoveries: 4,219 (+78 today)
– Total deaths: 405 (+16 today)
– Active cases: 3,158

📍 Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 1,373 (+28 today)
– Total recoveries: 441 (+8 today)
– Total deaths: 50 (+4 today)
– Active cases: 882

📍 Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 1,360 (+57 today)
– Total recoveries: 442 (+20 today)
– Total deaths: 56 (+4 today)
– Active cases: 862

📍 Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 2,293 (+80 today)
– Total recoveries: 572 (+23 today)
– Total deaths: 131 (+7 today)
– Active cases: 1,590

Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 6,492
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 12,808 (+262 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 5,674 (+129 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 642 (+31 new)

According to DOH-7, a total of 1,794 laboratory results were released from the following; VSMCC Subnational Laboratory (638), Cebu TB Reference Laboratory (1,156) and ARC Hospital (0).

https://www.facebook.com/DOH7govph/posts/916776728790833
https://www.facebook.com/sugboph/posts/3263111003764606

ALSO READ: Cebu City now placed under MECQ until July 31

‘Online barter’ for personal transaction not illegal: DTI

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has clarified his recent statement that ‘online barter’ is illegal, saying exchanges of goods for personal transactions, not as business, is allowed.

This came after he released a statement on Tuesday, July 15, said that online barter trade is illegal and encouraged online sellers to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“Outside those areas, barter trading across borders is not allowed. This is what I meant as illegal if done in other areas, or if done online and cross border and as a regular business, in (the) course of trade and not registered, not taxed,”

– Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez

In barter trade, participants in a transaction directly exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using money.

During the community quarantine period, there is a resurgence of barter trading — the world’s oldest form of trade by exchanging goods and services with no money involved in the transaction — but it is now done in social media.

Lopez said local barter trade is subject to regulation. It should be registered and is subject to tax if done in the course of business.

Cebu City now placed under MECQ until July 31

President Rodrigo Duterte approved on Wednesday the recommendation of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to place Cebu City under “modified enhanced community quarantine” (MECQ) from July 16 to July 31, 2020.

There are no changes on the quarantine classifications for other towns and cities in Cebu. Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Consolacion, and Minglanilla are still placed under GCQ while the rest of the Province of Cebu remains under MGCQ.

  • Cebu City – Modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ)
  • Mandaue City – General community quarantine (GCQ)
  • Lapu-Lapu City – General community quarantine (GCQ)
  • Cebu Province
    • Talisay City, Minglanilla, Consolacion: General community quarantine (GCQ)
    • Other areas in Cebu Province: Modified general community quarantine (MGCQ)

Under MECQ:

  • Limited movement within the zone for obtaining services and work
  • Maximum of 50% operations of selected industries will be allowed
  • Limited transportation for essential goods and services
  • Limited transportation for those going to work and for essential services
  • Suspension of physical classes in all levels

MECQ Guidelines:

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella just released the new Executive Order No. 84 with the specific MECQ Guidelines.

Number Coding:

Mon, Wed, FriTue, Thu, SatSun
Cebu CityEnding in:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in:
2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
No Vehicles & Motorcycles Allowed
Mandaue CityEnding in:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in:
2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
12:00AM-11:59AM (ODD)
12:00NN-11:59PM (EVEN)
Lapu-Lapu CityEnding in:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (ODD)
Ending in:
2, 4, 6, 8, 0 (EVEN)
5:01AM-11:59AM (ODD)
12:00NN-9:59PM (EVEN)

NOTE: Numbers above refer to the last number of the vehicle’s plate number.

ECQ vs MECQ vs GCQ

MGCQ Guidelines

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has recently issued Executive Order No. 20 on July 9, 2020 specifying guidelines for the movement of people and opening of businesses in the Cebu Province under the new modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status.

Read the MGCQ guidelines here.

Entire Cebu logs 182 new cases, 17 deaths on July 15

On Wednesday 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 15, 2020.

Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 182 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 114 new recoveries, and 17 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 12,546 while the active cases are at 6,389.

Breakdown of cases:

📍 Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 7,685 (+96 today)
– Total recoveries: 4,141 (+82 today)
– Total deaths: 389 (+1 today)
– Active cases: 3,155

📍 Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 1,345 (+21 today)
– Total recoveries: 434 (+4 today)
– Total deaths: 46 (+3 today)
– Active cases: 865

📍 Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 1,303 (+12 today)
– Total recoveries: 422 (+3 today)
– Total deaths: 52 (+3 today)
– Active cases: 829

📍 Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 2,213 (+53 today)
– Total recoveries: 549 (+25 today)
– Total deaths: 124 (+10 today)
– Active cases: 1,540

Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 6,389
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 12,546 (+182 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 5,546 (+114 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 611 (+17 new)

According to DOH-7, a total of 1,513 laboratory results were released from the following; VSMCC Subnational Laboratory (525), Cebu TB Reference Laboratory (828) and ARC Hospital (160).

https://www.facebook.com/DOH7govph/posts/916029872198852
https://www.facebook.com/sugboph/posts/3260234080718965