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Cool and cozy at Coal Mountain Resort in Argao

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Coal Mountain Resort Cebu

Many times I realize that Cebuanos are really lucky people. Every time we just need to relieve the stresses away and get lost for a little while with our loved ones, we are given several options that suit our taste and feeling at that very moment whether it’s going for a stroll around the city or driving away from the busy city life.

One of the things I personally love to do to rejuvenate is chill and spend the day & night in a cozy resort with an overlooking scenery of nature. Our recent discovery is the relatively new nature site in Argao — the Coal Mountain Resort.

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Photo by Terence Jan Serencio
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Photo by Louise Mejares
coalmountainresort
Photo by Louise Mejares
Photo by LilMarie Rongcale Guden
Photo by LilMarie Rongcale Guden

 

Rates and other information

ACCOMMODATION

Non-Aircon Rooms
• Room for 4 pax (2 twin beds) no CR and TV – ₱1,000 per night
• Room for 4 pax (2 twin beds) w/ CR and no TV – ₱1,200 per night
• Room for 4 pax (2 twin beds) w/ CR & cable TV – ₱1,500 per night
• Room for 6 pax (common-shared bed) w/ CR & local TV – ₱1,500 per night
• Bahay Kubo (1 twin bed w/ louting) – ₱1,000 per night (w/o CR)

Aircon Room
• Deluxe Room – ₱3,000 per night (with breakfast)
• Standard Room – ₱2,500 per night (with breakfast)
• Standard Room – ₱2,000 per night (with breakfast)

 

Other information
  • Entrance fee: ₱150 per person inclusive of day tour (mini zoo and hanging bridge) and pool use
  • Cable car: ₱100 per person per ride
  • Zipline: ₱150 per person per ride
  • Corkage? None as of the moment. There’s also a resto bar in the area with KTV.
  • Contact info: 0908 778 8701 / 0918 965 6081 / (032) 516-5166 / Facebook Page
HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Brgy. Linut-od, Argao, Cebu – 3 hours or approx. 100km away from the city.

The Coal Mountain Resort offers transport services. The fee for the transport service depends on the pickup point and the number of people going to the resort. These are your options:
• 12-seater non-aircon van: ₱2,500 from Argao to resort; ₱5,500 from Cebu to resort
• 12-seater aircon van: ₱3,000 from Argao to resort; ₱7,500 from Cebu to resort
• 30-seater aircon van: ₱4,000 from Argao to resort; ₱9,500 from Cebu to resort

Going on your own with your private vehicle is possible, though risky, because of the lack of directional road signs and poor road conditions. The resort is about 23 kilometers from Argao, often taking some 30 minutes or an hour to trek.

If you want to commute, ride a bus via Argao from the South Bus Terminal near Emall (~₱100 per person) and disembark at San Miguel St. in Argao. From there, ride a habal-habal (~₱150 per person) going to the resort.

A refreshing treat at JSJS Mountain Resort in Argao

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If you’re looking for a scenic mountain resort and won’t mind too much to travel 2-3 hours from the hustle and bustle of the city, read on.

Situated at the high grounds of Argao — overlooking the sea between Bohol and Cebu Islands, the JSJS Mountain Resort is place where it has a pleasant environment and atmosphere — perfect for your comfort, relaxation and rest.

First considered to be just a rest house, it was then converted to an inland mountain resort. Soon after, plans for the developments and improvements in the surrounding area were initiated. Structures like big function halls, hotel rooms, cottages, restaurant and swimming pools with water slides were constructed. With these added features, the rest house turned resort can now cater and accommodate different outdoor and indoor activities and special occasions like weddings, birthday parties, clan reunions, school retreats, team buildings, galas, debuts, boot camps, homecomings, fundraising events, and many more. Exclusive use of the whole resort can also be accommodated.

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jsjs-mountain-resort-argao

 

Rates & Other information

Room rates

Dorm Room for 10pax: P4,990 / night
– Bed Configuration: 5 double-decker beds
– Recommended room capacity: 10 persons
– Maximum capacity: 15 persons
– Extra bed charge: P 350.00
– Inclusions: Free entrance fees, 10 breakfast set meals and free use of resort facilities. All rooms have airconditioning system, TV set, water heater, refrigerator, shower and toilet, table and chairs and emergency lighting.

Standard Room for 4pax: P3,300 / night
Standard Room for 2pax: P2,000 / night
– Bed Configuration: 1 Queen-size bed and 1 double-decker bed
– Recommended room capacity: 4 persons
– Maximum capacity: 5 persons
– Extra bed charge: P 350.00
– Inclusions: Free entrance fees, 4 breakfast set meals and free use of resort facilities. All rooms have airconditioning system, T.V., water heater, refrigerator, shower and toilet, table and chairs, and emergency lighting.

 

Day Use

Entrance Fees:
– Day Swimming: Adult – P100, Kids – P50
– Night Swimming: Adult – P150, Kids- P75

Cottages rates: P500, 600, 700, 800, 900, P1,200.

Function Rooms
– FUNCTION ROOM 1: P5,000 good for 8 hours; maximum of 100 persons (chairs only), maximum of 60 persons (tables and chairs set-up)
– FUNCTION ROOM 2: P10,000 good for 8 hours; maximum of 300 persons (chairs only), maximum of 250 persons (tables and chairs set-up)
* Rates include the free use of projector and sound system.

 

Other information

Corkage: Yes, varies per food/drink; cafe & bar available
Contact numbers: (032) 511-5681 / 0923-285-1128
Email: [email protected]
Online: Facebook Page / website

How to get there?

Exact location: Sito Dob-dob, Talaga, Argao, Cebu 6021

Going on your own with your private vehicle is recommended. The resort is about 15 minutes away from Argao proper. The parking space in JSJS Mountain Resort is wide enough to accommodate 20 to 25 vehicles, convenient for clients who will hold big events in the resort.

The resort also offers shuttle services. Rates are as follows:
• 10 persons – P 1,000.00
• 12 persons – P 1,200.00
– Farthest pick-up and drop off would be to and from Poblacion Argao and Dalaguete.

If you opt to commute, ride a bus via Argao-Dalaguete from the South Bus Terminal near Emall (P85-102 fare). Just tell the driver/conductor to drop you in Prenza, Argao – the eskinita on the way to JSJS. From the crossing, ride a habal-habal or motorbike going to the resort (P50 fare).

 
PHOTO CREDITS TO THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

2018 Travel Guide: Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls Cebu

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Kawasan-Canyoneering

Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls has to be one of the most exciting and daring adventures not only in Cebu, but anywhere in the Philippines! There are quite a few ways to experience this attraction, but all of them guarantee you have a thrilling day, surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural scenery you’ve ever seen. This makes this tour the ultimate way to visit one of Cebu’s most famous landmarks.

Below you can find a complete guide to taking the Kawasan Falls canyoneering tours, with all the possible information you might need. This is one of the best day tours to try out, especially if you like the outdoors. Even if it sounds a bit scary there’s no need to worry – you’ll be perfectly safe the whole time!

How to get there?

The tour usually goes off from Moalboal, and as soon as you get off the bus at Pangasama you’ll be immediately approached by solicitors. They’ll offer you a tricycle ride to the place where the actual tour stars off from. However, since it starts relatively early (between 8 and 9 AM), it’s actually much better to arrive at Moalboal the night before and book the tour then for the following morning.

It’s also possible to visit the falls as a day tour from Cebu. Most professional tour operators will arrange a pickup, straight from your hotel in the city or Mactan. Pickup time is usually 6AM for Mactan Cebu, and 6:45AM for Cebu City and the price for a private van/sedan ranges between P3,500 and P4,500 per person, depending on the size of your group and the tour operator you choose.

Since these private can be quite costly, there’s a recommended way to save some money. You could book a Cebu tour package from Philippinestravelpackage.com, which will include accommodation anywhere in Cebu, as well as day tours of your choice. This is even more relevant for families and large groups, since by booking everything through the same vendor you’ll be able to enjoy significant discounts.

Who does this tour?

Tour operators for this attraction basically divide into to major categories – locals and foreigners. While the first are substantially cheaper, this also means they use less modern gear and are generally less professional. Most local travel agencies work with the local vendors, except for the one we recommended above – they are the only one who offer you a choice.

Taking the tour with a local should cost roughly 1500P, including a lunch BBQ buffet. We know many people who chose this option and had a really wonderful time, so it’s definitely something you can consider doing. To do so, the only required step is getting yourself to Moalboal and find anyone there who’s willing to take you.

There are also 2 foreign companies doing this tour – Planet Action and Cyan adventures. Out of these two, Planet Action is highly recommended. It’s owned by a German man who has been living in Cebu for nearly 20 years now. He’s the one to actually come up with the idea of canyoneering in these parts, and also design the specific trails everybody use to this day. There’s no one who knows the place better, or has more experience with doing this activity while staying safe and maximizing enjoyment. Planet Action charges 2500P for the standard canyoneering tour – so if you can handle the small increase in price it would really enhance your experience.

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Moalboal Canyoneering itinerary

So now that we covered all the basic information you need, it’s time to finally discuss the fun part – the actual trip! We’ll focus mostly about the standard canyoneering trail to Kawasan, but it’s worth mentioning there are also other, great options such as the Montaneza and Tison waterfalls.

The tour typically start at 9 in the morning, when you all meet at the tour operator’s office and go on a van taking you to Badian. Once there, you’ll have to go through a quick briefing, focusing mostly on safety precautions. Please, make sure you listen to every instruction given, as well as do whatever the guide tells you during the tour itself. Injuries are known to have happened, and even a slight gash can later ruin your entire trip – you won’t be able to dive or swim later on for example.

The canyoneering track starts at around 10 PM and takes roughly 4 hours to complete. It begins with a cliff jump into a deep pool of water – just the perfect way to get your adrenaline pumping right off the bat. You’ll then have to walk and swim through a series of smaller streams and waterfalls, as you make your way down Kanlaob river towards Kawasan Falls. This trail is the easiest of all canyoneering routes, as it doesn’t require any rappelling or climbing. Still, it involves quite a bit of effort, and children under the age of 12 are not allowed to participate.

Around 2 pm is when you’ll finally reach your destination. You will have roughly 30 minutes to enjoy the falls themselves. Over there, you’ll find a series of pools at different heights, and can do some more cliff jumping – a perfect way to end a fun packed day tour. Even though the Kawasan Falls are truly stunning, half an hour is more than enough to enjoy this place. This is especially true when considering you might already be quite exhausted from completing the trail.

Most tour operators offer their lunch at this point, and you will take it right next to the falls. Then, you’ll make your way back to Moalboal where they’ll drop you straight in your hotel. You can expect to finish the whole tour around 3:30 PM.

Book a Tour!

Book an affordable Canyoneering Tour Package at SquadPH Tours and Travels for as low as ₱1,999 per person.

canyoneering

PHOTO CREDITS TO THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

Kampo Grill and Bar, Cebu’s FIRST military-inspired restaurant

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“Home of the brave and the hungry.”

Situated along the busy road of North Reclamation Area beside Cafe Racer, Kampo Grill and Bar – featuring a unique military concept – is the newest go-to restaurant in Cebu and the 10th restaurant brand of the Pages Group of Restaurants that also owns the Lantaw Restaurant, Moon Cafe, Thirsty, Top of Cebu, among others.

Kampo Grill and Bar aims to provide a unique experience to the diners with its military-themed interiors, from a military tent or base as the main dining area with a camouflage roof to the seemingly legit ornaments such as military tanks and trucks, sand bags around the area — even the servers are dressed with cargo uniforms.

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Menu

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BEST-SELLERS: Crocodile Sisig, Dynamite Chicken Skin (super spicy), Sriracha Wings, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Seafood Platter, and the HIGHBLOOD COMBO (Bulaklak, Chicken proven, Chicken isaw, Chicken neck).

 

Other information

Cuisine: American / Western with a Filipino twist
Seating capacity: 250pax
Operating hours: 5PM to 2AM, Mondays to Sundays
Contact information: (032) 516-0718 / Facebook Page
Exact location: Ouano Ave., North Recalamation Area, Cebu City – beside Cafe Racer (before S&R Membership Club)

 
EVENT ALERT! Kampo Grill and Bar is set to have its grand opening on January 12, 2018 at 5PM. Jam with local bands including Day 6, CDMC, Counterpoise Minora, Stellarskin, Ambassador, and Powerspoonz!

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Immersive Virtual Reality Gaming at BG-EX VR Café

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Virtual Reality is the next big thing in the gaming community right now. Imagine living in the game itself, seeing things in the protagonist’s eyes – literally! Who wouldn’t want to experience the monster fights in RPGs firsthand? Or clear away from ghosts in a haunted mansion in the middle of the night? Or try your hardest not to get lost in a labyrinth guarded by a minotaur? Such revolutionary technology is also used as simulations for trainings in different fields such as medical, aviary, etc., but right now, it has fallen into our laps right here in Cebu City for the purpose of leisure and entertainment. That’s right, virtual reality gaming is here!

Located beside the World of Fun on 4/F Elizabeth Mall (Emall) on corner N. Bacalso Ave, Cebu City – near ACT School is the Best Gaming EXperience Virtual Reality Café, or BG-EX VR Café for short. Different stations are separated by cubicles in order to achieve the sense of privacy and resounding the essence of gaming: an alone time experience. The solemn colors of the place give off an aura of relaxation. The café offers over 50 video games of virtual reality goodness that you can choose, with a diverse range of genres: from classical retro to horror and action. Indeed, gamers all over who fancy differently from each other in terms of preference can come together and celebrate this achievement in the gaming community.

Their best-selling games include Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, The Deep, Resident Evil, and Fruit Ninja.

By now, you must be wondering about how much it would cost. Do not fret, because the café is very affordable! The prices range from P10 to P60, depending on the quality and length of the game. However, this does not mean that you are not going to have fun, because all their games are fun!

Personally, out of all the games I played, I really like Rush of Blood. The thrill you experience in the game is extraordinary, as you feel like you are really there with the horrors that will unfold around you. It is such a great game to play in because you are fully immersed in its scariness. I could say that your money would be very worth it if you play it. But don’t forget: there are other great games as well that you can enjoy if you do not like horror games!

The BG-EX VR Café also has its own challenges for its players. For the month of January, they have established three challenges: Shooting Range, Fruit Ninja, and Car Racing (Drive Club). Play to your heart’s content and get as much points as possible.

So, what are you waiting for? Virtual Reality is the next big thing in the gaming community, and it is right here, in Cebu City for an affordable price. Come and immerse yourself in the virtual world in BG-EX VR Café!

Castle-like El Paradiso Resort in Alcoy

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Nestled on the famous white sand beach of Alcoy in Southern Cebu, El Paradiso Resort recently enjoyed the social media limelight, famous for its castle-like accommodation. It features an outdoor poo, sun terrace and some rooms with sitting area to relax in after a busy day with a view of the sea or pool.

However, many are asking for more details of this resort. I tried to Google some information, most especially the rates, but to no luck. No worries though, I found ways to share the things you need to know!

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Photo by Edsel Rosel
el-paradiso-alcoy
Photo by Edsel Rosel
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el-paradiso-resort-alcoy

 

Rates and other information

 

NOTE: The downside here is you have to walk for 10 min to reach Alcoy’s white sand beach.

Day Use
  • Day use (entrance fee): ₱150 per person
  • Operating hours: 7AM to 5PM for day use
Overnight Rates
  • 2 pax: ₱500, ₱600 or ₱700 per night
  • 3 – 4 pax: ₱2,500 to ₱2,800 per night
  • 5 – 8 pax: ₱2,800 to ₱3,500 per night
  • 6 pax: ₱700 per night (seaside backpackers room)
    – No entrance fee for checked in guests.
    – Fan rooms only. Additional foam bed is ₱300 per night.
    – 2PM to 12NN the next day check-in/out time.
Other Information
  • Corkage: None as of the moment
  • Contact details: (032) 483 9065 / (032) 483 9673 / 0956-849-5327 / 0923-956-3071
HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: El Paradiso, Tingko White Beach, Guiwang, Alcoy, Cebu – takes 2.5 to 4 hours or approx. 100km to travel from Cebu City to Alcoy, depending on traffic.

Ride a bus bound for Bato via Sibonga from South Bus Terminal near E-Mall. The bus leaves every 30 minutes. Inform the conductor or driver to drop you off at El Paradiso in Alcoy. If they’re not familiar, just tell them it’s before Tingko Beach. Make sure to navigate via Waze or Google Maps, just search for “El Paradiso Alcoy”.

South Town Centre, the newest lifestyle mall in Southern Cebu

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One of the most evident fiasco of a booming city like Cebu is the heavy traffic. I live in the town of Minglanilla in Southern Cebu, which is approximately 20km from Cebu City. When I was in college three years ago, going to the city would only take me 20 to 30 minutes. Today, it will take me at least an hour to reach to my destination in the city — even longer when a truck breaks down in South Road Properties that happens at least once a week. It really takes extended patience to travel back and forth to the city, especially when we simply want to chill and stroll around a decent mall.

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It was such a good news when South Town Centre fully opened in 2015. A true lifestyle mall, South Town Centre is a 3-storey commercial building right in the heart of the bustling commercial district of Talisay City – easily accessible through various modes of public transportation.

South Town Centre has Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Handyman, Robinsons Appliances and Watsons as its anchors store and ‘Manila Foodshoppe’ and ‘Hukad sa Golden Cowrie’ restaurants. It also has an amusement center, specialty retail shops, bank and other services.

What’s inside the mall?

 

Interestingly, South Town Centre recently opened its food court called the “Kan-anan sa STC” to cater customers who prefer ready-to-eat food.

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South Town Centre also has a Convention Hall that can accommodate up to 600 pax, perfect for huge events like weddings, school or company activities, among others.

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DID YOU KNOW? South Town Centre regularly initiates marketing events and meet-and-greets with the country’s biggest stars. Make sure to like their Facebook Page to be updated!

 
To get the latest mall updates and events, like and follow South Town Centre’s official Facebook Page.

Sugbo.ph’s Top 20 MOST POPULAR posts in 2017

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2017 has been a vibrant year for SUGBO.PH, as colorful and dynamic as the booming tourism of CEBU – the true Queen City of the South. On behalf of the Sugbo Ambassadors, we want to THANK YOU for being part of our success.

With so many NEW attractions/ establishments and newly renovated tourist spots in Cebu, which ones blew away the internet? Check out this interesting list of TOP 20 most popular Facebook posts from SUGBO.PH that went viral.

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Argao’s Garden of Helen with 500 Roses and an Infinity Pool

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Earlier this year, we were blown away by the internet sensation 10,000 Roses Cafe which attracted THOUSANDS of local and foreign visitors. Who would’ve thought, to date, it is now Cordova’s most popular tourist spot. Meanwhile, mid of this year, Buwakan ni Alejandra in Balamban broke the internet which increased its tourist visits of at least 500% after Sugbo.ph featured them. And it seems like we are ending the year with a NEW floral attraction that will be surely embraced by the public — introducing Garden of Helen in Sumaguan, Argao that features 500 colorful LED-powered roses and an infinity pool.

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Rates and other information

Operating hours: 9AM to 5PM for day use; 5PM to 9PM for night use
Entrance fee: P50 per head
Pool use: P100 per head
Kids’ Playground: Free of charge
Cottage: P200 for day use; P300 if extended until night
Corkage: None as of the moment
Contact details: N/A

How to get there?

Exact location: Brgy. Sumaguan, Argao, Cebu – 2-3 hours or approx 65km away from the city.

• It’s still best to bring your own vehicle so you won’t have a hard time going back to the city. Parking spaces are available. Just navigate via Waze or Google Maps and search for ‘Sumaguan Argao’. Upon reaching to the Barangay, you can ask around since the garden is popular in the area.
• If you’re commuting, from the South Bus Terminal, ride a bus going to Argao/Dalaguete. Ask the driver or conductor to drop you off at Brgy. Talo-ot town proper. From there, ride a habal-habal (motorbike) going to Sumaguan.

ALL you need to know about ‘Kasadya sa SRP’ 2018

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Photo by Cenabre Reil

Last year, at least three major mall establishments opened in Cebu. And there are even more lifestyle centers opening in the next two years. This is a good economic development; however, what Cebu still lacks are amusement parks such as theme parks. But not to worry, Cebu Safari and Adventure Park and Cebu Ocean Park are set to fill this gap. For the meantime, Cebuanos can enjoy the seasonal “Kasadya sa SRP”, an annual carnival feast happening every December that features child-friendly adventure rides and fun.

This year, Cebu City’s ultimate fantasy land situated in South Road Properties features 30 modern recreational amenities, including bob and bee ride for kids, one vikings for kids and another for adults, bumper boat rides, spider, mad birds, two ferries wheels, two pirate ships, airplane, moon rocket ship, dragon boat, horror ride, imported UFO ride, bump cars, astroliner, galaxy, two giant inflatables (dry and wet), among others.

Each ride amounts to P30 to P50, while the entrance fee of the carnival ranges from P20 on weekdays and P25 on weekends or holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year.

The theme park also features Sugbo Mercado, 25 barbecue stalls, beer plaza, special items from Mindanao, trade exhibits and weekly entertainment on big events, where one of the performers is Cebuano band Missing Filemon.

Open daily from 4PM to 2AM, the three-month bliss in SRP will end on February 28, 2018. There are free shuttles to pick up passengers from Plaza Independencia and the Mambaling flyover between 6PM and 11PM.

Here are some of the rides you can experience this year:

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Photo by Gibson Rhyle Suminguit

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Photo by Ryan Sypongco

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Photo by Ryan Sypongco

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Photo by Ryan Sypongco

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Photo by Ryan Sypongco

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Photo by Harold Lim

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Photo by Mesh Bencil

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Photo by Melvin Rey Orofeo

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Photo by Melvin Rey Orofeo