For someone who has personally
known Mr. Coyoca, he is a living proof to the adage; “Nothing is impossible if you believe in the beauty of your
dreams.”
John Nicko Coyoca, 25, from Asturias, Cebu, is a senior high school teacher from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR). Much more than being a catalyst of information among his students, he is also among the six finalists of the Most Dedicated Teacher of Cambridge University Press 2020 out of 6000 nominees.
Coyoca, founder of the #GetInvolvedNOWCampaign,
has actively educated and empowered the youth to participate and actively
engage in healthy discussions during the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections.
Moreso, Coyoca is the founder of
#Mathevation by carrying the torch in USJ-R to give importance to Mathematics.
He also organized their school’s first international research congress, Peer
Learning Tutorial Sessions, a programme that allows students to teach other
students about Calculus and General Mathematics. He is also one of the organizers
of Cebu Young Leaders Summit, a programme that empowers young Cebuano student
leaders.
Having personally known Mr.
Coyoca, it is without a doubt that he deserves to be shortlisted in this
prestigious award-giving body. Coyoca is worth emulating because of how he has
surpassed all leaps faith has thrown at him. I remember him telling me;
“You have to be more to do more,” and I am continually striving to be
better so I could do better.
As one of the six finalists, he
will be receiving:
certificate, t-shirt, and pen
inclusion in Cambridge University page for FY19 publishing
invitation to join the exclusive teacher’s panel
a class set of resources up to £500 which he will donate to our hometown’s Child Development Center
his teacher’s story will be inclusded in brand notebooks and inclusion in the University’s 2020 international catalogues
Should he win the award, he will
be receiving an all-expenses paid trip to Cambridge to speak at the annual
conference.
Cast your vote now!
With that being said, we
encourage everyone to please spare a minute of your time to vote for Mr. John
Nicko Coyoca. More than being a founder of various organizations, the world
deserves to witness how a simple man from Cebu could do so much wonders for the
world.
With
so many milk tea shops opening in the Metro, it’s so easy to confuse one with
the other. Perhaps, one is better than the other.
There
are a lot of pioneer milk tea brands in Cebu, but there are new players too.
Brace yourselves for we have spotted three major milk tea brands known internationally for having the best-tasting milk teas.
Yes, these milk tea brands have carved their names in the industry and it will be a no-brainer if their drinks will be top-sellers.
1.
THE ALLEY
If you’re someone who is meticulous about the drink presentation, you need not to look further because this premium tea shop from Taiwan is the answer. Because the founder is a designer, he made sure that their drinks would look too pretty to drink, but once you’ve taken a sip, there’s no stopping. Yes, it tastes better than it looks.
Expected date of opening: Q2, 2020
2. TIGER SUGAR
According
to our research, Tiger Brown Sugar’s signature drink has no tea in it – only
fresh milk, brown sugay syrup and tapioca pearls. However, regardless of the
absence of the tea, we can rest you to the assurance that it’s still at par
with those that has and (maybe) better.
Moreso, part of this drink’s appeal is the attractive stripes of caramel streaking in the insides of the cup, perfect for the gram. Hence, if you want to take that picture-perfect bubble drink, you know where to head on.
Expected date of opening: Q3, 2020
3.
XING FU TANG
Claiming
to be the reason why brown sugar milk has spreaded around the world, Xing Fu
Tang now has more than 40 stores across the Hong Kong, Canada, Philippines, and
Taiwan.
Though we can confidently say that Xing Fu Tang is really also worth the credits, they stir-fry their boba in front of everyone just so you’d know that everything is freshly made. But let us tell you this, the brown sugar is only an icing on the cake because the drink is already deliciously decadent already.
To some, Chinese New Year
preparations begin weeks in advance. To others, they do it days before.
Nonetheless, all preparations, whether big or small, are acceptable.
How you start your new year sets
the tone for the 12 months that follow. Therefore, it is crucial to start off
on the right foot to celebrate a year of luck, prosperity, and good health.
Most Filipinos, especially
Cebuanos, celebrate on January 1 for self-reflection and on setting new goals.
However, Chinese New Year is about having an opportunity for a fresh start.
Fret no more. We have enlisted
long-standing traditions and superstitions on how to prepare for Chinese New
Year.
1. ROLL KIAT-KIAT AND/OR SPREAD COINS AROUND YOUR HOUSE
This is advised
to be done on the night of January 24, before the clock strikes 12:00MN. As
mentioned, Kiat-Kiat or Mandarin Orange is like money, and rolling of this
fruit symbolizes fortune entering your humble abode.
2. FILL IN YOUR CASH BOX AND PUT IN RICE, SALT, SUGAR, AND MILK
Filling in
your cash box would also mean you will be full of luck for the whole year.
3. PLACE PAPER BILLS ON YOUR DOORS AND BEDS
Just like the
rolling of kiat-kiat and coins, this will also attract wealth for everyone at
home.
4. PLACE 12 KINDS OF FRUITS ON YOUR TABLE
To those who
are not yet aware as to why 12 kinds of fruits are needed, it is because each
fruit symbolizes each month of the year. One fruit symbolizes one lucky month.
Twelve fruits symbolize twelve lucky months.
5. WEAR A RED OR POLKA DOTS DRESS ON THE DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
Polka Dots
symbolize money and red means luck. More than wearing the aforementioned during
Chinese New Year, it is also advised to wear Classic Blue more often for the
whole year because it is the color of the year.
6. DISPLAY LUCKY CHARMS LIKE THAT OF AN IMAGE OF A METAL RAT
However,
please be guided not to display photos of anyone from your family who is born
in the Year of the Horse because according to Feng Shui, Horse is the direct
enemy of the Metal Rat.
7. GIVE RED ENVELOPES (ANG PAO) WITH MONEY TO THE CHILDREN
Giving out your
fortune would also enhance your luck for the whole year.
8. CLEAN YOUR HOUSE BEFORE CHINESE NEW YEAR
It is said not to sweep
your clutter and dirt during Chinese New Year because it is believed that luck
will also be de-cluttered.
However, apart from the
aforementioned, we also have to remind ourselves that these are only guides and
practices believed to help us be luckier. It is still within us to practice and
work harder for luck and fate to really be in our favour. May you all have a
prosperous 2020!
Sinulog just ended, but amazing
surprises for Cebuanos just keep on coming.
With the re-branding of the
tourism industry of Cebu, this news would only strengthen the tourist influx in
Cebu.
According to Aviation Updates
Philippines; “The 2019 World’s Best Airline awardee Qatar Airways plans to
resume direct flights to Cebu, Philippines from Doha, Qatar starting April 8,
2020.”
Though Qatar Airways entered Cebu
in 2003, the airline halted its service in Cebu in March 25, 2012. Eight years
later, with the promising tourism of Cebu, Qatar Airways is set to resume
flights this April.
Flights to Cebu will be flown on-board Qatar’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft with 22 seating capacity in business class and 232 seats in economy.
Departure
Arrival
Cebu to Doha
6:30 PM (PST)
11:55 PM (AST)
Doha to Cebu
2:00 AM (AST)
4:34 PM (PST)
Apart from Cebu. Qatar Airways
will also be flying to Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Accra,
Ghana; Trabzon, Turkey; Lyon, France; Luanda, Angola; and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
This exciting news is expected to
contribute to the massive tourism expansion of Cebu. Hence, we are hoping for
everyone to be responsible by keeping our city, our home, a better place to
live in.
Recent reports of the coronavirus arriving
here in Cebu have got us all worried and scared.
This virus comes from a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to more serious infections such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV.
The outbreak in China late last year had the DOH on alert and a 5-year-old who hails from Wuhan China and who tested negative for MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV but tested positive for thenon-specific pancoronavirus assay is now being closely watched. The sample has now been sent to Australia to identify the specific corona-virus strain.
Coronavirus Symptoms:
Breathing difficulties
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Fever
Cough
Feeling of being unwell
*respiratory symptoms
Possibly leads to:
Pneumonia
Acute respiratory syndrome
Kidney failure
Death
How is it transmitted?
Human coronavirus most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
The spray of droplets during coughing and sneezing
Skin to skin contact
Touching objects/surface with virus then touching mouth, eyes, nose
Rarely, fecal contamination
How to protect yourself?
Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Take your vitamin C and stay healthy
Stay at home or indoors as much as possible
Avoid unprotected contact with farm/wild animals
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Avoid close contact with people who have cold/flu
Keep hydrated
Get enough rest
Note: No vaccines available yet
The best thing to do in these situations is to take great care of our bodies for our immune system is our first defense. Eat healthy and take your vitamin C.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if I am sick or am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19?
First, call the local Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice: 0922-397-2334 / 0943-568-3298 / (032) 402-3091 / (032) 402-1269.
Optional but not recommended yet, go directly to the nearest hospital or medical center or see a doctor and seek medical attention.
If I know someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation, will I be infected if I go near him/her?
No. Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people.
What are the best things to do to lower the risk of being infected with COVID-19?
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
– If you just sneezed, coughed, or went to the bathroom, even before and after eating, wash your hands.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
– If you are sick, stay at home.
– Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when sneezing or coughing and throw the tissue in the trash thereafter.
Should I worry about COVID-19?
– Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.
Who is at risk of developing severe illness?
– While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.
Are there any medicines or therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?
– While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings are available.
Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?
– Not yet. To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illness should be hospitalized. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.
Will mask protect me from COVID-19?
It’s best to wear masks at all times when going outside. Your mask cuts own risk by 65%.
Social distancing, face masks and eye protection all appear to reduce the spread of COVID-19, in both health care settings and the general community, according to a new review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Could my pet be a source of COVID-19?
– No. There is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or could spread the virus that causes COVID-19.
How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?
– The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates will be updated as more data become available.
ORATIO IMPERATA for COVID-19
Prayer against COVID-19.
COVID-19 CEBU UPDATES
As of April 21, 2020:
As of April 19, 2020:
As of April 16, 2020:
As of April 16, 2020 at 5PM, there is now a total of 90 confirmed cases in entire Cebu with 20 recovered patients and 6 deaths.
As of April 15, 2020:
As of April 14, 2020 at 5PM, there is a total of 40 confirmed cases in entire Cebu with 20 recovered patients and 6 deaths.
If you’re a fan
of chicken wings, there are a lot of restaurants you could visit. They could
offer the same flavors, but one could also be better than the other.
However, if you’ve been to all the unlimited chicken wings restaurant and has probably tasted all flavors, Wings Republic Unlimited has a new offer.
Get the chance to enjoy your savory chicken wings with Shrimp and Sisig. Yes, you read it right! 5 flavors of chicken wings plus unlimited serving of shrimps and sisig, and 1 cup of rice, is surely the best deal. You could never go wrong.
All the
aforementioned are of unlimited serving so you really can devour. As they say:
“Your appetite is the limit!”
Exact Location: Pardo J. Tabura, Cebu City (same building with Police Station and Three-Sixty Pharmacy) — 1-1.5 hours away from SM City Cebu or Ayala Center Cebu.
BY JEEPNEY: Ride any jeepney going to Pardo/Bulacao. Either ride (1) a 10H jeepney from the SM City Cebu PUJ Terminal, or (2) a 12L jeepney from the Ayala PUJ Terminal, then another jeepney going to Tabunok or Minglanilla. Inform the driver to drop you off at Pardo Church. Cross the street via the sky walk, and you will immediately find the public market. Walk for another 1-2 minutes going a little further, at the back of the market where you can see Three Sixty Pharmacy.
BY TAXI: From Colon, you can hail a cab and inform the taxi driver to drop you off at Wingers Unlimited. You can also opt to tell the driver to drop you off at Pardo Police Station near Three Sixty Pharmacy.
BY CAR/GRAB: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and search for “ThreeSixty Pharmacy – Gabuya St.”.
What lies beyond the southern part of the beloved Cebu is a lot of splendid things, and surely, one of them is Dumaguete City.
Known as the City of Gentle People, Dumaguete City is the capital city of Negros Oriental. It is known for its laidback ambience, and is home to one of the oldest universities in the country, Siliman University.
Quick overview:
Estimated total fare (one-way): ₱360 (₱275 bus + ₱85 ferry/barge)
Estimated total travel time: 5-6 hours (4-5hr Cebu City to Bato + 1hr Ferry)
Departure: South Bus Terminal in Cebu City (near E-Mall)
Arrival: Dumaguete Bus Terminal
Bus schedule:
Cebu to Dumaguete
Dumaguete to Cebu
Frequency
Daily
Daily
Departure
6:00 AM 7:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 11:00 PM
3:15 AM 4:15 AM 5:45 AM 6:30 AM 8:20 AM 9:15 AM 10:15 AM 11:20 AM 2:15 PM 10:30 PM
1. From Cebu South Bus Terminal
This is the starting point of the trip.
There are actually buses bound to Dumaguete, even though it is an island away
from Cebu. For those who doesn’t know, Cebu South Bus Terminal is located near
Elizabeth Mall. From the North Bus Terminal, you can get here by riding 01K
PUJs.
Once inside the terminal, buses bound to
Dumaguete are found under the C11 aisle. Under this aisle, it will say Bacolod
Dumaguete, so before hopping into the bus, ask the driver or conductor if it’s
the one bound to Dumaguete.
Fare
Bus: ₱275 per head (one-way)
Ferry tickets (Barge): ₱85 per head (one-way)
Total fare: ₱360 per head (one-way)
Yes, you read it right, ferry tickets. This is because the bus will be transported in a cargo ship.
2. Simala Rest Stop (side trip)
Going to Dumaguete is indeed a long ride,
and during day trips, Ceres buses take 15 minute rest stops at Simala. This is
for those who wish to take a pee break or get some snacks.
Photo by Syrene Lawan
3. Bato to Tampi
After the rest stop in Simala, the bus will
then proceed to the port of Bato.
Simala to port of Bato estimated travel time – 3 hours
Once the ferry ride has started, travelers
have the option to stay inside the bus or stay at the ferry’s passengers’ area.
This is where a crew from the ferry will be collecting the P70 for the tickets.
Sea travel time – 1 hour
Passengers should already be inside the bus
a few minutes before docking to Tampi so that docking would proceed smoothly.
4. Tampi to Dumaguete City
Once the bus disembarks from Tampi Port, it
will then head on to Dumaguete.
Tampi to Dumaguete travel time –
30 minutes
And after passing by down some streets and
boulevard, you’re finally in Dumaguete bus terminal. From here, pedicabs are
readily available to take you wherever you want to explore in this beautiful
city.
Dumaguete City | Alreena Levy
Dumaguete City | Alreena Levy
Dumaguete City | Alreena Levy
Dumaguete City | Alreena Levy
So that’s it, make sure your itineraries
are ready so that your trip here will be an awesome experience.
We are undeniably a nation of
fun-loving spirits which resulted to the birth of many popular festivals. These
festivals are characterized by a lot of feasting, merriment, dancing, loud
music, grand and colorful parades, which is why tourists flock the country. One
of these is the most famous ‘Sinulog’ festival in Cebu.
A week-long celebration that ends with a spectacle that is the Sinulog Grand Parade, which has a theme this year of, “One Beat, One Dance, For the World.”
So what should we expect? Relax for we are going to walk you
through it and add some of the tips for you to enjoy the “mardi gras” to the
fullest.
STREETDANCE
Around
8 to 9 in the morning is the start of the street dance and Sinulog dance
competition, a colorful parade, which bears a resemblance to the festival in
Rio, Brazil. It shows the creativity of Filipinos through their dance steps,
chants, intricately made costumes, music, and props.
Contingents
do not necessarily come from Cebu City, several groups are from other parts of
the country who wish to offer their performances to Snr. Sto. Niño.
SINULOG
FLOATS
There will be a collection of massive and beautiful floats that
will be present in the parade, each from different big companies and vying for
the best and most creative float.
CELEBRITIES
There will be celebrities present and should be expected to grace
the Grand parade riding on their own floats.
Celebrities expected to come for Sinulog 2020 grand parade to name
a few are:
Dimples Romana, Beauty Gonzales, Andrea
Brillantes, Francine Diaz (Kadenang Ginto)
also known as General Maxilom Avenue. This long street will definitely grant you a clear view of the grand parade, and is also known to be the spot where the dancers usually perform their street dance
Around Fuente Osmeña Circle
The famous circle where everyone and everything takes a turn. Everything and everyone passes here so you won’t miss a thing. Also known to be the best place to spot the celebrities.
Cebu City Sports Center (also known as Abellana National High School grounds)
If you wish to watch at the grand stadium, there’s an entrance fee of P1,000, P2,000, and P2,500. The higher the price, the closer the seat. Payments could be made through partner banks. Make sure to have your tickets signed for validity.
January 19, 2020 Fireworks
SM City Cebu
What: Spectacular Fireworks Show at SM City Cebu
When: January 19, 2020 (Sunday) at 7:00PM
Where: SM City Cebu – Open Parking near the North Wing
No Admission Fee / No Reserved Seat
SM Seaside City Cebu
What: SM Seaside’s PyroMagic Fireworks & Drone Light Show featuring PowerSpoonz
When: January 19, 2020 (Sunday) at 8:00PM
Where: Sky Park – Ampitheater 1, SM Seaside City Cebu
No Admission Fee / No Reserved Seats
Ayala Center Cebu
What: Festival of Lights – Grand Fireworks Display
When: January 19, 2020 (Sunday) at 9:00PM
Where: Cebu Business Park – Ayala Center Cebu
No Admission Fee / No Reserved Seats
January 19, 2020 Schedule of Activities
4AM – Mananita Mass at Basilica Minore del Santo Nino
6AM – Misa Pontifical De La “Fiesta Senor”
7:30AM – Holy Mass at Cebu City Sports Center
9AM – Sinulog 2020 Grand Parade Kick-off
6PM – Globe and TM Republicaravan with Parokya ni Edgar at Plaza Independencia
6PM – Globe Puso Sinulog Event with Sponge Cola at Ayala Center Cebu
7PM – Grand Finale at Cebu City Sports Center
8PM – SM Seaside’s PyroMagic Fireworks & Drone Light Show featuring PowerSpoonz
8PM – Culutral Show at Plaza Independencia
9PM – Pyrospectacular Show at SM City Cebu
9PM – Festival of Lights – Grand Fireworks Display at Ayala Center Cebu
January 20, 2020 – Sinulog 2020 Awarding of Winners (Ticket: ₱150)
Aside from the grand parade, make sure to complete your Sinulog
experience with street parties, exhibits, street fairs, and indulge yourself in
local and other delicacies. And to officially end the celebration, watch the beautiful
fireworks display in the evening. Pit Senyor!!!
Many have witnessed this year’s most breathtaking view in the waters of Cebu today, January 18, 2020 — an annual event held every third Saturday of January (a day before Sinulog).
Hundreds of decorated boats, barges and yachts, a rain of confetti from helicopters, drum beats and the lively cheers are enough to put someone and every Sugboanon in the festive atmosphere.
The fluvial procession is an annual tradition that marks the start of the official Sinulog festival. Although it is a solemn event in sending Sto. Niño to visit his foster father, St. Joseph at the St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue City.
Check out these amazing photos of the Sinulog Fluvial 2020 taken by John Ray Aligato of The Island Nomad:
UPDATE (14-Aug-2020): Romantic Baboy at Cebu IT Park has re-opened and will be operating daily from 11AM to 7:30PM.
The Samgyeopsal craze never ends, and there’s no sign of it ending soon. It has become every Filipino’s favorite Korean food. We just love the grilling dining experience that comes with unlimited meat and side dishes refill over unlimited chikkahan with family and friends.
After the successful debut of the famous Samgyupsalamat in Cebu early this year, comes another renowned Samgyeopsal restaurant that Cebuanos will surely love. Romantic Baboy has opened its first-ever branch in Cebu on January 18, 2020, at the Cebu IT Park — Skyrise 4 Building, near the Garden Row of AyalaMalls Central Bloc.
Romantic Baboy Cebu offers the same unlimited Korean grill it’s known for, with:
Unlimited pork & beef
6 kinds of side dishes
Unlimited rice, and vegetables
Unlimited Gocujang jigae
…all these for ₱499 per head only!
Other Information
Operating hours: 11AM to 3AM (the next day) daily — starting this January 18, 2020 (soft opening)
