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.
Earlier this year, we were blown away by the internet sensation10,000 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.
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.
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:
You’ve probably heard of 10000 Roses Café & More by now. It is undeniably the most popular and most sought-after café in Cebu today after making a huge buzz on Facebook. For sure, at least three days from now, this Korean café will surely be enjoying the hype now and eventually be worrying about accommodating all these curious and excited guests.
Though really, 10000 Roses Café & More is one beautiful place — definitely and considerably a tourist attraction now. AND NO, these are not real roses. These are artificial, LED-powered roses. That’s why it’s best to go there during dusk until night. But what else should we know about this café?
10000 ROSES CAFE details:
• Exact Location: Day-as, Cordova, Cebu (beside Lantaw Floating Restaurant in Cordova)
• Operating hours: 10:30AM to 10:00 PM
• Entrance Fee:None as of the momentP20 per person
How to get there?
• OPTION 1 – PRIVATE VEHICLE: It’s still best to bring your own vehicle so you won’t have a hard time going back to the city. You can use Waze or Google Maps, just type in “10,000 Roses Cafe Cordova”.
• OPTION 2 – TAXI/UBER/GRAB: Taxi/Uber/Grab ride from the city would cost you around P250-300, good for 4 people.
• OPTION 3 – V-HIRE: From SM City Cebu Terminal, ride a v-hire going to Cordova (P40/pax fare) then drop at Cordova Grandmall. From there, ride a tricycle going to Lantaw (P10/pax fare). 1000 Roses Cafe is just beside Lantaw Cordova.
• OPTION 4 – JEEPNEY: From SM City Cebu Terminal, ride a jeepney going to Parkmall (P7/pax fare). From the Parkmall terminal, ride another jeepney going to Lapu-Lapu City. Take the one with Tamiya/MEPZ 2 and Opon Mercado routes (P7/pax fare). Ask the driver to drop you off at SuperMetro just beside General Milling Corp (P10/pax fare). Then ride another jeepney going to Cordova, at Gaisano Grand Cordova and ride a tricycle to Lantaw or 10,000 Roses Cafe (P10/pax fare).
In the hopes of attracting tourism ventures, Naga City has finally opened the Marine Boardwalk, also known as the Naga Boardwalk and Park – a first in the province of Cebu.
The newest attraction graces the shoreline of the industrial city of the south. The P62-million boardwalk, situated just meters away from the Naga City Hall, is still open to the public for free for certain hours of the day.
City of Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong said she wanted investors to put up businesses on the boardwalk. The mayor also plans to put up watersports facilities in the lagoon situated in between the boardwalk and St. Francis Baywalk.
Currently, small kids aged from 2 to 12 years old can play for free at the Children’s Park, open from 6AM to 10PM.
Photo by Enrick Mariñas Tiquil
Photo by Kevin Andrew Gerunda
Photo by Adrian Andrew Banzon
Photo by April Rom Rosales
Photo by Kath Leen
Photo by Gerapel Bactol
More photos
Photo by Marc Jonell Garcia
Photo by Chelsea Siladan
Photo by Michay E.
Photo by Jolyna Bagotsay Licayan
Photo by JM Eleccion
Other information
Operating hours: 5AM to 2AM, Mondays to Sundays
Entrance fee: None as of the moment
Contact information: N/A
Corkage fee: None, but strictly CLEAN AS YOU GO policy
How to get there?
Naga City is 45min to 1hr away down south from Cebu City. But may take up to 1.5 to 2 hours trip during rush hours. So if you plan to get there at night, might as well bring with you your extra patience and some food.
For commuters, you have two options:
From Colon Street, ride a jeepney with routes 09C/F, or 10F/H and drop off at Jollibee Bulacao or Pardo Church (P8 fare). From there, take another jeepney with route 44 to reach to Naga Plaza (P15 fare). There are also some 44 jeepneys from/near CIT University in N. Bacalso.
From South Bus Terminal, ride a bus bound for Bato-Oslob or Carcar. Tell the conductor that you will be hopping off at the Naga Church, which is right along the National Highway.
If you’re bring your own car, just navigate via Waze or Google Maps and search for “Naga Plaza”. Naga City is in between Minglanilla (from Cebu City) and San Fernando (from Southern Cebu).
Every now and then, we all want to be gone for a while and escape from our busy city lives. However, it’s not always easy to find the perfect getaway that is not so expensive.
Casa Blanca by the Sea proves that exclusive stays do not necessarily need to be very expensive, or staycations in relatively beautiful resorts should not always carry a hefty price tag. Casa Blanca offers reasonable package rates that are definitely worth it.
ROOM RATES
ROOM TYPE
RATE PER NIGHT
ROOM AMENITIES
INCLUSIONS
Timber House
Garden View
King-sized bed
Good for 2 persons
Php 5,000.00
Aircon
Hot and cold shower
Bathroom amenities
Coffee & tea-making facilities
Overnight room accommodation
Welcome drinks
Use of resort facilities
Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
Daily turndown/ housekeeping services
10% services charge and 12% government tax
Deluxe Suite
Pool side and sea view
King-sized view
Good for 2 persons
Php 6,600.00
Upgrades
Day Use
Extra person rates include breakfast
Adult (12 yrs and above) Php 1,000-Timber House; Php 1,500-Deluxe Suite
Child ( 2 to 11 yrs old) staying with at least 1 adult in same room, Php 750
Without lunch
Plated lunch
Php 500.00
Php 750.00
RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION
DAY USE
• Day Use (8AM – 5PM): P500 per head / P750 with plated lunch*
• Night Use (5PM – 8AM): P600 per head (you can bring your own tents)
*It’s advised to call them ahead so they can prepare the food. They have a grilling station that you can use for free.
Exact location: Bas Coral, Olango Island, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu
If you want a worry-free trip, you can avail the resort’s transfer assistance. Call them for inquiries and reservations. You can refer to the rates below.
Private banca transfers:
• P1,000 – one way, maximum of 20 persons
• P1,500 – round trip, maximum of 20 persons
BUT if you plan to save on the transportation cost, read on.
– From SM City Cebu, ride a 01K Jeep going to Parkmall.
– From the jeepney terminal at Parkmall, ride another jeepney going to Punta Engaño; fare is P15 (20-30 min travel). Drop off at Movenpick Hotel.
– From Movenpick Hotel, walk a little going to Hilton Port (use Google Maps for directions or ask around).
– Then take a 20-minute public bangka transfer to Santa Rosa Wharf, Olango Island for P15 + a terminal fee of P5.
Synchrony Financial is a premier consumer financial services company with headquarters in the United States. Their roots in consumer finance trace back to the year 1932. Presently, Synchrony Financial is the largest provider of private label credit cards in the United States based on purchase volume and receivables. They have approximately 70 million active consumer accounts. They offer credit products through our partners’ over 365,000 locations across the United States and Canada.
Synchrony Financial strives to provide a great work-life balance for all of their employees. They pride themselves for extending equal opportunities to all, regardless of age, educational background or sexual preference. Synchrony is a place to be yourself. In fact, the company insist on it. Their Diversity Networks help to cultivate an environment of inclusiveness that allows employees to bring their best selves to work every day and contribute to the business in an impactful way.
Synchrony Financial considers the Philippines as a good destination for service centers. The reasons behind are the following – The wealth of talents in terms of workforce that meets the company’s global standards, The ICT (Information and Communications Technology) infrastructure is mature and at par with the US and the Philippine governments’ friendly policies for business processing companies.
If you are looking for a great company to work for, one that has a genuine concern for your well-being as an individual and a valued team member, be sure to visit their website at www.synchronyfinancial.com for a listing of available career opportunities.
Sounds surreal, we are now living in the modern times when we can get most of the things we want at our fingertips. Online information, social communication, online shopping — these are only some of the things we can conveniently access in the internet.
Although there are “side effects” in all this instant gratification concept, it cannot be denied it makes our lives so much easier and more convenient. Interestingly, with the rising popularity of online shopping, a Cebu-based startup company recently introduced CEBU GROCER – the first online grocery shopping in Cebu!
You read it right, ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING that can save you a lot of time — save you from the horrible traffic of Cebu. And they GUARANTEE FRESH FOOD every single day!
Still not convinced? Here are there 8 REASONS WHY you should try this newest breakthrough!
1. Avoid Cebu’s traffic situation.
Driving and/or commuting in Cebu can be stressful especially during peak hours. The dreadful traffic jam makes it a big effort to do grocery shopping. However, doing it online alleviates the need to walk up and down store aisles. And you can log in any time — even at 4am am – and still have the advantage of a fully stocked store. Plus, going the delivery route saves you a trip to the store, which not only saves time, but gas money as well.
2. Cash/Credit on delivery.
Yes, that easy. You can pay through cash or credit card upon delivery of your good. Cebu Grocer also accepts paypal/credit card payments on their website.
3. It reduces unnecessary spending.
Grocery stores are designed to maximize impulse buys. Have you experienced queuing at the counter and finding a chocolate bar? And since it’s near you, worse you are hungry and able to convince yourself it wouldn’t hurt to grab one or two, you bought it by impulse. Sounds familiar?
4. No crowd.
When you are shopping online for groceries, you don’t have to push through the crowd to get yourself to a shelf from where you want to pick something to eat. Shopping online gives you convenience because you can browse all you want without being disturbed by anybody.
5. Same day delivery.
Yes, there are actually items that can be delivered on the same day. Cebu Grocer’s delivery team can deliver as far as Cordova, Consolacion and Minglanilla. You just have to relax and wait for your groceries to be delivered. But there are also items, that can only be delivered on the next day.
Another plus, if there are items not found in their website, just simply request and they can deliver.
6. Filipinos living abroad can buy groceries for their families in Cebu.
The best thing about Cebu Grocer is that they are always ready to send your love through your groceries to your family in Cebu. Not only it saves a lot of the points mentioned above, but they also give importance to family.
7. Guaranteed Fresh Daily.
Cebu Grocer delivers the freshest produce to your table at a very affordable price. Oven-fresh bread and pastries are prepared everyday, too.
8. Convenient Pick-up locations.
Cebu Grocer also has pick-up locations if you are nearby or on the go. No concierge fee. Just choose which location you prefer. Pick-up locations are:
• Robinland Business Center Ground Floor F.E. Zuellig Ave, Mandaue City, Cebu
• Shell Station Katipunan Tisa Labangon
• DIATOMS FUEL INCORPORATED. P Del Rosario Street, Cebu City,Cebu
Try Cebu Grocer today.They offer cash on delivery within Metro Cebu. AND take advantage of their P100 DISCOUNT on your orders with minimum spend of P1,500.
Resorts in Cebu are getting more interesting. And we’re pretty much confident this will go viral. The fans, both the kids and the kids-at-heart, of the well-loved fictional character Hello Kitty will surely enjoy the new Sampan Garden Resort in Danao City, Cebu’s first ever Hello Kitty-themed resort.
Officially launched on November 27, 2017, Sampan Garden Resort is located in Purok 5, Panas Tuburan Sur Danao City. It features a mini playground and a Hello Kitty-themed cartoon-themed swimming pool.
However, Sampan Garden Resort might have encountered copyright issues for their commercial use of the popular Japanese cartoon character. Just last March 2018, the resort renovated its designs, removing all the images of Hello Kitty that made the resort very popular back then.
BEFORE PICTURES
Note, these are NOT the pictures now; hence, tagged as “before” pictures.
RECENT PICTURES
These are the ACTUAL photos of the Sampan Garden Resort now.
Rates and other information
ROOM RATES
Room 1: P2,300 good for 4pax, with jacuzzi
Room 2: P2,000 good for 2pax, with jacuzzi
COTTAGE RATES
Full Cottage: P500
Table and 4 Chairs only: P150
OTHER INFORMATION
Day use: 9AM to 9PM
Entrance fee: P100 per adult; P50 per kid; FREE for 3 y/o & below
Corkage fee: None as of the moment as there’s no restaurant yet in the resort
Sampan Garden Resort – Hello Kitty is located in Purok 5, Panas Tuburan Sur Danao City. It is only 5 minutes away from Danao City proper, and 2-3 hours away from Cebu City. Its nearest landmark is CEBECO.
If you opt to commute, you can ride a v-hire or bus going to Danao City. Drop off at Prince Warehouse Danao City. Then ride a habal-habal going to the resort.
I am a beach bum, but there’s just something about mountain resorts that really attract me. It gives me a different kind of relaxation. The comforting cold breeze, the relaxing lush green overlooking scenery, the peaceful and calm ambiance — the feeling is rejuvenating and this is the kind of unforgettable experience Ibabaw Mountain Resort promises.
Nestled in one of the topmost elevations in Liloan – a 2-3 hour drive from the city, Ibabaw Mountain Resort has been newly renovated to provide its guests the best staycation experience with better swimming pool, revamped cottages and more beautiful rooms.
What sets them apart from other resorts, Ibabaw Mountain Resort makes sure they provide the best / friendliest service and assures the whole place is clean. Other interesting resources include the green environment and native style accommodation facilities.
– Check-in time: 12NN
– Check-out time: 10AM the next day
The Family House
Inclusions:
• Free entrance fee
• Double deck bed
• Good for 6 persons
• Free breakfast
• 1 room and Sala
• Toilet & Shower
• Refrigerator
• Kitchen Utensils (Spoon, Fork, Plates, Glasses, Butane stove w/ 1 Cassette gas, Kettle, Rice Cooker, Tong, Knife, Chopping board, Can opener, Scissor, Pan, Pitcher, Bowl, Cup & Ladle) RATE: P3,500 per night
Bahay Kubo
• Free entrance fee
• Queen size bed
• Good for 4 persons
• Free breakfast
• Terrace
• Toilet & Shower
• Mini refrigerator
• Kettle RATE: P2,500 per night
Airconditioned Rooms
• Free entrance fee
• Good for 2 persons
• Queen size Bed or 2 Single Beds
• Mini Refrigerator
• Electric Kettle
• Veranda
• Toilet and Shower RATE: P1,800 per night
Rates and Other Information
1. DAY USE (8AM to 5PM)
• Adults – P100
• Kids (3-9 y/o) – P50
• 2 y/o & below – FREE
Overnight use: 12NN check-in; 10AM the next day check-out
Corkage fee: NONE. Guests may bring food and drinks from outside.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Ibabaw Mountain Resort is 3 and a half kilometers from the National Road. It would take you approx. 15 minutes coming from eskina Yati, Liloan.
From the intersection in Yati (from the city, before the big RC Cola billboard on your right), turn left near MLhuiller, drive up to San Vicente. You’ll then pass by the San Vicente Barangay Hall; just a few meters after, take the sharp right that will take you to Sta. Cruz. When you reach where the road splits, keep left (don’t take the asphalt road going up the hill). And just opposite to Sta Cruz Barangay Hall, turn left. You will then arrive at the resort after 50 meters. You can either follow the the resort’s tarps posted along the road.
For the commuters, take a habal-habal from the Yati intersection – just a few meters from the entrance of Yati Elementary School. Ask the driver to take you to Ibabaw Mountain Resort. Fare is only P40 good for 2pax – if you’re alone, you still need to pay P40.
The resort also offers official transportation van that can accommodate up to 18 persons.
RATE 1:
– From/To: Cebu City, Mandaue City,Lapu-Lapu City
– Price: P1,500 one-way
– Price: P2,300 return
