Summer here is one of the most exciting seasons for Filipinos. It is a time for fun vacations in some of the most wonderful destinations in the country. From globally-renowned tropical getaways like Cebu, Boracay and Palawan to cold destinations like Baguio or Banaue, summer is a season to bond with friends and family.
FEATURED BEVERAGES
To make summer more exciting and refreshing, Starbucks is introducing a new Frappuccino® flavor and will bring back a well-loved flavor from last year. This summer, get ready for an unexpected throwback as Starbucks brings together two of our childhood favorites—popcorn and pretzels—in one delectable drink. Pop’zel Coffee Frappuccino® Blended Beverage is blended with delicious popcorn and pretzel syrup and topped with real caramel popcorn and salted pretzel over whipped cream.
A returning favorite, the Roasted Marshmallow S’mores Frappuccino® Blended Beverage is flavored with vanilla, layered with smooth marshmallow whipped cream, indulgent chocolate sauce, and graham crumble. This delicious concoction is then finished with whipped cream and more graham crumble on top. Both flavors will be available for a limited time only starting April 18.
For a different kind of refreshment that is perfect to be enjoyed during hot summer days at home, Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee has you covered with its flavor profile defined by hints of citrus and a caramelly-smooth finish.
For those who prefer brewed coffee as a delightful start of your day or as a way to unwind during sweltering summer afternoons, the Starbucks Kati Kati Blend is perfect with its balance of citrus and spice notes from Kenya and floral aromas and crisp acidity from Ethiopia. Speaking of exotic coffee destinations, Starbucks Reserve® Nicaragua La Roca and Starbucks Reserve® Costa Rica West Valley Yellow Honey will bring you to a journey of flavors.
FEATURED FOOD ITEMS
For those who want something filling and can be perfectly paired with either a Frappuccino® or a cup of brewed coffee, there’s the Banana Chocolate Danish, a baked pastry filled with chocolate and banana. For a savory option, you may try the new Roast Beef Deli on Ciabatta Bread, sandwiched between tender rosemary ciabatta are slices of slow-roasted beef, button mushrooms, tangy and sweet pickles, and finished with horseradish spread.
STARBUCKS NEW CORE FOOD ITEMS.
FEATURED STARBUCKS CARDS
STARBUCKS FRAPPUCCINO® CARD. There is a Frappuccino® suited for every mood and adventure, a perfect canvas to express your style. Available for an initial activation amount of ₱1,000 per card. Purchase limit of two (2) Frappuccino® Cards per customer, per day (any design). Available in all stores starting April 18, 2017.
STAY COOL CARD. Stay cool on hot summer days this season! Take our Stay Cool Card with you on your next adventure. Available for an initial activation amount of ₱300 per card. Purchase limit of two (2) Stay Cool Cards per customer, per day. Available in all stores starting April 18, 2017.
With summer already here, there are more and more reasons to keep refreshed and ready for whatever fun and adventure the season holds. And as temperatures continue to rise, Starbucks will be with you throughout summer to help you cool down and unwind.
There’s just so much to see in the province of Cebu, especially with developed attractions opening here and there. One is Terrazas de Flores, the Philippines’ first and only flower terraces.
Terrazas de Flores is a flower garden where local flowers are meticulously arranged on a mountain slope to form flower terraces. It has over 120 species of plants and flowers, also flaunting other beautiful art and fascinating poetry.
The cozy cabanas are the perfect spot to relax, unwind and listen to nice music, while the cafe is situated at the top with a good overlooking view of the flower terraces.
Exact Location: Malubog, Cebu City (20 minutes away from JY Square and approximately 1km from the La Tegola / Tops Lookout – Busay road). Its garden gate is just right across Malubog Integrated School.
• 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.
• You can ride a v-hire or van going to Balamban from Ayala Cebu Terminal.
A night of kilig, comedy, and hugot awaits Cebuanos as ‘Pusuan mo si Vice Ganda sa Cebu’ hits IC3 Convention Center in Cebu City on July 15, Saturday.
Vice Ganda will take fans with him on a rollercoaster ride as he emotes and celebrates love with a mix of song and dance numbers, monologues, and heart-felt spoken word poetry he himself wrote. The show follows a string of successful productions in Manila and the US, Vice Ganda where he captivated audiences with his emotional hugot-filled performances, helping people get over heartbreak, and helping them heal, be happy, and be hopeful again.
Set to join him in the Cebu leg of the tour are fellow comedians MC and Lassy, who also starred alongside Vice in his hit blockbuster movie “The Super Parental Guardians,” as well as Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand Champion Noven Belleza.
It’s no wonder Cebuanos will get giddy about the grand opening of the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen, another tourist spot that will surely attract a lot local and foreign visitors and boost local tourism especially in the town of Carmen.
Cebu Safari Zoo, a 170-hectare property owned by Cebuano pawnshop tycoon Michel J. Lhuillier, features more than 100 species including lions, giraffes, camels, tigers, zebras, among others.
• July 18, 2018 – Lunch is NO LONGER included in the admission fee. You can avail their buffet lunch @ 300 per head, or order set meals based on the menu provided. There’s also a new BIRD SHOW (included in the entrance fee) every Wednesday to Sunday at 1:45PM.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. Are we officially opened? – Not yet, we are still in our soft opening stage and some construction works are still happening inside the park.
2. What are the pre-opening days? – Wednesday,Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
3. What are the operating hours? – We open 8am up to 5pm but last entry/ticket selling is up to 2pm only since the tour requires at least 3 hours to complete.
4. What are the rates? – Admission is P800/head, kids 2-3ft are 50% off while kids below 2ft are free of charge. Senior Citizen and PWD discounts are available.
5. What are included in the admission fee? – There’s a new bird show already included in the admission.
6. What are the attractions that can be seen in the park? – What we offer are the beauty of nature by showcasing flora and fauna and the majestic mountains of Carmen.
7. How can we get there? – Once you hit the National Road in Carmen, look for the Carmen, National High School. Turn left if you came from the south and right if from the north, follow the road signs and you will reach our place after 8kms. of up hill climb. You can also use Google Map or Waze by looking for M Lhuillier Cebu Safari.
8. Do we need a reservation to visit or we can just walk-in? – Better to have a reservation to guarantee your slot. At the mean time we are limiting our visitors to just 2,000 per day, if you walk in and we are already full, we will not allow entry.
9. Where can we make our reservations? – Email [email protected] to book your dates. We don’t accommodate reservations via cellphone or this facebook account, just email us.
10. How long before we can get confirmation of our reservation? – We process email request first in, first out and we are getting hundreds of emails per day. So please be patient.
11. How can we make payment? – Once booking is confirmed, you will receive an email for the payment instructions.
12. Can we bring food and drinks inside the park? – Sorry, but we don’t allow outside food and drinks to be brought inside the park. Don’t worry, there are food outlets around the park.
13. Do you have transportation service from Mandaue, Cebu City or Carmen National Highway. – There is none yet from Cebu City or Mandaue, but from Carmen Municipal Plaza to safari there is at P100 per head, one way.
14. Are the adventure rides already open? – Not yet, we will make an announcement once the adventure rides are already available.
15. Do we accept credit cards? – For the mean time, we only accept cash.
For convenience, it’s recommended to bring your own vehicle or rent a van/car. You may just simply navigate via Waze or Google Maps and search for “Cebu Safari and Adventure Park”. Cebu Safari is located approx. 8km away from the highway. The landmark is the Carmen National High School — if you’re coming from Cebu City, make a left turn before this school. There are signages along the road to guide you.
If you are to commute, you may ride a north-bound bus at the Cebu North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City. Ask the driver to drop you off at Carmen Public Market. From there, you may ride a habal-habal to Cebu Safari.
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Do you already have plans for your special someone? Or are you just going to hang out with your barkada? It doesn’t really matter (or does it?) whether you’re in a relationship or you’re enjoying the single life — Valentine’s Day is for everyone! And we’re here to help with some ideas on where and how to spend this special day with your love one. Of course, also considering it will fit to your budget.
City lights at TOPS
1. Amazing Tops – Witness the amazing city lights of Cebu City. Embrace the cold air breeze at the top of the city and appreciate the lights of the island’s edifice. You may want to bring your jacket to minimize the freezing of your hands, but if you’re quite naughty, a tight cuddle or holding hands with the partner will do.
Location: Barangay Malubog, Busay, Cebu City How to get there:
• There’s a habal-habal motorcycle that can be found at JY Square Mall in Lahug.
• There’s a shuttle available at Dessert Factory, SSY Center (across Watsons / JY Square Mall) going to Temple of Leah, Tops Lookout and Lantaw. It’s P120 per person for a round trip ride. Check Go To Tops’ Facebook page for details. Entrance Fee: P100 per head Food: Yes, there are food stalls available in the area.
DISCOVERING TEMPLE OF LEAH
Photos by Rock Paper Scissors Photography
2. Temple of Leah – Know the history of the undying love of a husband to his wife. The temple was constructed year 2012 and has been polish until now. The temple has an art gallery, museum, and a library where all of the favorite possessions of her wife are placed. At the top, there’s a spectacular view of the city and more exceptional scenery as you walk through the temple. Enjoy the astonishing view of ala Greece concept in Cebu as you explore the whole exquisiteness beauty of the Temple of Leah.
Location: Roosevelt St., Brgy. Busay Cebu City How to get there:
• There’s a habal-habal motorcycle that can be found at JY Square Mall in Lahug.
• There’s a shuttle available at Dessert Factory, SSY Center (across Watsons / JY Square Mall) going to Temple of Leah, Tops Lookout and Lantaw. It’s P120 per person for a round trip ride. Check Go To Tops’ Facebook page for details. Entrance Fee: P50 per head
A GETAWAY TO ALCOY
Who says all you can do on Valentine’s Day is just stroll around the whole day? Why not make the most out of it and getaway from all the hustles and bustles in the city? Alcoy has one of the best white beaches in Cebu, and is just 2 hours away from the city!
Location: Alcoy, Southern Cebu How to get there:
• You can commute by riding a bus going to Alcoy from the South Bus Terminal. Recommended resorts/inns (on a budget): Tingko Beach Resort, Bodo’s Bamboo Bar Resort Alcoy, Meili Beach Resort, Kai Nani Pointe
UNWINDING AT MOUNTAIN VIEW
4. Unwind at Mountain View – Breathe fresh air while enjoying a romantic and clean park vieled at the mountains. The place is much more enough to offer camping sites, a mini zoo, cottages, children’s park, swimming pool, picnic tables, hanging bridges, viewing decks, a canteen and a mini-restaurants, gardens, and many more. Sight-see the inspiring craft of nature as both of you gaze the mountainous place and spend precious moments together.
Location: Busay, Cebu City How to get there:
• Ride a jeep or a habal-habal motorcycle found along JY Square Mall in Lahug and let you drop off right exactly at Mountain view, or
• There’s a shuttle available at Dessert Factory, SSY Center (across Watsons / JY Square Mall) going to Temple of Leah, Tops Lookout and Lantaw. It’s P120 per person for a round trip ride. Check Go To Tops’ Facebook page for details. Entrance Fee: P50.00
Chilling at La Vie Parisienne
5. Wine Dining at La Vie Parisienne – A perfect place to take a sip of wine with its quixotic ambiance. La Vie Parisienne means ‘Parisian Life’ in English. It has a French bakery inside with interesting and delicious pastries, plus a few collections of wines displayed on the other station. The place is surrounded with pink trees resembling cherry blossoms and white furniture that makes the setting even better. Bring your date here, surprise her with a bouquet of flower and enjoy the night with a good conversation over a great wine.
Location: 371 Gorordo Ave. Lahug, Cebu City How to get there:
• You can ride a jeep with the route no. of 17B, 17C, 04B, and 04C.
• Parking lots also available for private cars.
• Take a cab or use UBER. You can use the Uber promo code ‘SUGBOPH’ to get 2 free rides.
No entrance fee. All you have to pay is your ordered drinks and food.
Lovers at the Lighthouse
6. Gugma sa Parola – When one says parola in Cebu, people would immediately think of the lighthouse in Liloan. It’s one of the most popular destinations in Cebu. Believe it or not, this lighthouse existed for more than a hundred years already. This is not to scare you but to inspire you that a strong relationship is like a lighthouse, no matter how old it gets, no matter how time passes by, as long as it’s firm it will surely remain standing. This is also the perfect place to witness the sunset while making kilig moments with your date or having a small picnic on the Bermuda grass.
Location: Barangay Catarman, Liloan Cebu How to get there:
• Get on the northbound bus or jeepneys and drop off at the town center. From there, you can ride a motorcycle for hire to the lighthouse itself.
Do you have other date ideas to share with everyone? Leave a comment below.
In its first month in Cebu, Wunder Carpool app is proving that it’s possible to increase the convenience of commuting without adding new vehicles to the road and increasing congestion.
Wunder simply connects car owners who drive an empty car to the office each day so that they can share rides and split the cost of gas. In short, Wunder magically combines 2-3 cars on the road into one!
Kuya Mac is Cebu’s top driver as of January 2017.
Many Cebuanos seem to agree that Wunder can have positive impact on their daily commute. Only a few short weeks after launching, Wunder is already growing 2x faster than Metro Manila, claims Sam Baker, COO of Wunder. “Driving any empty car to work is not only expensive for the owner it’s also costly for the city, it’s people and the environment. A recent study in Metro Manila found that an average car has 5 seats but only 1.5 of them are filled in a typical trip.”
Wunder is widely used in Cebu including towns and cities such as Naga, Minglanilla, Lawaan, Talisay, Cebu City, Banilad, Talamban, Mandaue City, Lapu Lapu City, and Liloan among others.
New technologies like Wunder are an important reminder that each citizen can play their part in improving congestion. It’s a win-win for car owners and commutes alike.
While walking down the corridor, napansin mo ba ang pamilyar na amoy na yun? Yung kaisa isang amoy na nakakapangiti sa iyo agad. Have you tried eating in the cafeteria and suddenly the only spot that’s left is the spot where the both of you used to stay? Tapos naalala mo buti pa yung spot na yun nandiyan pa pero relasyon niyo natapos na.
Well, I’ll be sending you my condolences because until now you haven’t recovered yet, yung puso mo din kasi patay na… patay na patay pa rin sa kanya. Masakit pa rin ba? Does it hurt the same? I guess you’ve come to the right page as this may help you to alleviate the pain or to live with the pain. Sometimes, moving on and accepting how things change are the only options you have. You don’t need to go to Sagada to move on, because Cebu can offer you a lot of beautiful places para mag maoy or makalimot. The only question is, ready ka na ba?
1. Overseeing the city lights and the pain in my eyes kasi namatay na yung ilaw at spark natin.
Since I was no longer on top of your priorities, let me feel how is it to be on top again or for the last time. Let me enjoy the city lights and the stars as they shine in my darkest times. As I remember your dark brown eyes sparkle every time you looked at me before. The cold breeze at night, as cold as you when trying to give me that one last hug. And tears suddenly started to fall — I just let it fall until there was nothing left. Paminsan minsan maranas ko din naman paano maging una, hindi man sa priority mo kung hindi sa mundong aking ginagalawan — sa bago kung mundo.
Suggested places in Cebu: Tops, San Carlos Heights, Tisa Heights, Mountain View, Ayala Heights
Tops in Busay, Cebu City | Photo by vigattintourism
2. Open area to open your heart, again. Para sa iba, hindi na sa iyo.
Once again, I tried not to think of you but in the end, it made me think of you even more — even the smallest thought of you suffocated me. I had the urge to be in an open area, I always wanted to be in an open area to think and calm myself and not in a four-cornered room where every memory of us dances in each corner. I thought I needed air as much as I needed you but I realized I just need a big space — the same space that you asked when you left. I’m going to start counting every car that passed by and I’ll be wishing that I could forget you as fast as each car runs. Di ko lang din mawari sa likod ng pagiging bukas ko sa lahat, sa pagbigay ko sa lahat ng aking makakaya humantong pa rin tayo sa katapusan. Katulad ng malayong distansya na aking natatanaw ay kasing layo na rin ng pag-asang maibalik pa ang nakaraan.
Suggested places in Cebu: SRP, Sky Park, Abellana Sports Complex
Cebu City Sports in Complex in Abellana – Photo by wikimapia
The Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu | Photo by jazperjay.wordpress.com
3. Walk with me? Will you? Bago ka tuluyang lumisan.
I walked as far as I can; I walked to where my feet would bring me. It doesn’t matter how miserable I’m feeling right now, how I badly want to stay in that intersection and would gladly thank the car that would hit me. I keep on walking but as much as I want to take another step, I’m already tired. I get tired and I couldn’t do anything about it, that moment I realized that even though how much I tried to keep “us” going, it takes two people to keep the journey going, I was just prolonging the agony not only for myself but also for you, maybe I’m making it too hard for you.
We all get tired — I got tired, you got tired, you stopped fighting for me, I stopped letting you fight for me, fight for us. It is clear now, maybe we should start walking once again, but right now, we’ll walk together to go to different paths. Walk with me will you? Before we part our ways? Bago ka tuluyang magbago at bago pa ako tuluyang mabago, hindi na natin hawak ang panahon hindi na natin alam kailan liliko ang isa sa atin, kahit anong pilit ganun parin, pagwawakas parin ang hantungan. I tried to walk again and it was different now, you are no longer standing beside me, you are no longer holding my hand, you already left me.
Suggested places in Cebu: IT Park, The Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu
IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City | Photo by wikimedia
The Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu | Photo by jazperjay.wordpress.com
4. Get a spa treatment. Di gaya ng pagtrato mo sakin.
You have to take it off. You have to take everything off except for that one last cloth that is the usual protocol in a spa. But, the rest that a spa can give me is an exact opposite from you. First, it’s on how you treat me the spa can make me feel at ease completely different from the feeling you gave me. Second, they will ask you which would you prefer, Soft, Medium, or Hard. Depends on how much pain I could handle, but you? You give me the pain that I couldn’t imagine exists. I felt the most painful pain because it comes from the person I least expect to give me. Lastly, di katulad sayo ang sakit na binigay ng masahe ay panandalian lang hindi katulad ng sakit na binigay mo, pangmatagalan.
Suggested place in Cebu: Serendipity Spa in Mandaue City, Cebu
5. Unplanned roadtrips with friends. Hindi katulad ng plinanong mong pang-iiwan.
You may think that you’re too unlucky with your life but you know what, I’m telling you: YOU ARE WRONG. After these unbearable heartbreaks and heartaches, there will always be someone who’s more than willing to catch you when you fall (kaso tatawanan ka muna nila bago tulungan). Familiar? Apart from your family, it’s your friends who are always willing to back you up and push you to whatever opportunity that life may offer you. Let them be your source of happiness, strength, and meaning. So, kamusta ang pakiramdam na sa wakas naging tama ka na rin? Masaya di ba? Kasi nga kahit anong mangyari hindi ka magiging mali sa mga mata ng mga tunay mong kaibigan. And spending time with them will never be a waste of time and a travel with them will be the best — especially getting lost with them.
Suggested places in Cebu: Go Round-South, Go Round-North, Go Around the City
6. Mall hopping and shopping kasi I’m still hoping.
Keep yourself busy if you really want to forget and move on. It is possible to get that person out of your mind — go for a shopping, have some fun. Reward and treat yourself, be hooked up to more things and to where you can spend your time for a change. But before that, samahan mo muna ako dito sa mall na maglakad-lakad hanggang sa di mo mamalayang dumaan kana dito, bumalik kana sa daanang ito. Kagaya ng pag-papaikot ikot niya sayo, kagaya ng pagsasayang mo ng oras sa kanya lahat yun hindi mo namalayan.
Suggested places in Cebu: SM Cebu, Robinsons Galleria, SM Seaside City, Ayala Center Cebu
SM Seaside City | Photo by haute-affair
Ayala Center Cebu | Photo by istorya.net
7. Stress-eating because you’re hurting.
Just like how most people deal with depression. I tell you, this is one of the effective ways to keep yourself busy and to forget all the pain you’ve been feeling right now. Eat it up until the pain you will be feeling is only the pain in your stomach. Ice cream, cakes, pasta, pizza, and all other delicious dishes that will surely improve your mood and boost your euphoria. Treat yourself once in a while. Kasi nga kung naghahanap ka talaga ng true love, ayan na oh namatay sila para lang mapaligaya ka. And look around Cebu, andaming Eat-All-You-Can buffet just to please you. Ang mga kinakain natin ang tunay na martyr.
Scape Skydeck in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Toast Cafe in Cuarto Hotels, Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City
8. Join and watch poetry nights para malaman mong it’s time to let go and accept things.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve come this far and it means that you’re really eager to move on, aren’t you? Well, this may be the last part of the article but I hope the message here will last in your mind and stay in your heart. So here it goes… Have you heard about the different poetry nights held in Cebu nowadays? There’s a lot of poetry nights in Cebu that allow your poetic soul to give those last words you want to tell him/her — the things you always wanted to tell them for the last time.
This will also make you realize you are not alone. That it’s time to move-on and to learn to ACCEPT what you’re in right now. Kung kusa na talaga siyang bumitawm bitaw kana din bes. Naghihintay ka lang sa wala. Tanggapin mong WALA NA KAYO, HINDI NA IKAW. MINAHAL KA MAN NIYA PERO MAS MAHAL NIYA YUNG ISA. The pain will be unbearable in the beginning but eventually you will learn to cope with the pain, to dance with the pain and to live with the pain until it no longer hurts. Give yourself a break. Give yourself more time. You deserve more than just your wet pillow and your four-cornered walls. Explore and open your arms for the comfort that nature could offer, that Cebu could offer to someone like you who want to move-on and to find their selves back.
Suggested places in Cebu: Coffee Prince Capitol every Thursday night, Cebu Literary Festival (Nov. 26, 2016) at the Ayala Activity Center
Oy! Mata’g sayo kay mubiyahe pa ta’g layo
Higop na ug sikwate, andama na ang lechon ug puso
Ayaw kalimti’ng sinugba ug goso
Una ta mulaag, dagkot ta’s Sto. Nino
Sunod, Cross ni Magellan ug Shrine ni Lapu-lapu
Suroy-suroy ta bisag asa pa
Discover Sugbu you and I together
Ginahawa’g lawm kay dungan ta’ng mu sawm
Pahayahay gamay diri sa Sugbu bai
Pagtagbaw tawn muhapdos man ang nawng
Pagpainit dyutay diri sa Sugbu dai
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Ato gud ni
Oy! Pagkaanindut magpadagit sa balod
Ayaw lang ko itukmod kay dili ko maayo mulangoy
Mupadaplin nalang ko’g managhoy
Buntag, udto, gabie
Hurot atong pamilite
Pwede palang mag zipline
Liloan to Barili
Mag island hopping ta o canyoneering ba?
As long as I’m with you, I’ll go wherever
Kung giuhaw, hala magpabugnaw!
Tambay diri’s lantay, halo halo ta bai
Kung mulantaw gikan sa ibabaw
Mag hiking ta’s Busay, diri sa Sugbu dai
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Ato gud ni
Chicharon sa Carcar
Ug liempo sa Balamban
Baonon sa biyahe
Bantayan to Badian
Butanding sa Oslob
Ug tin-aw nga Kawasan
Tanan sa Pinalanggang Sugbu
Ginahawa’g lawm kay dungan ta’ng mu sawm
Pahayahay gamay diri sa Sugbu bai
Pagtagbaw tawn muhapdos man ang nawng
Pagpainit dyutay diri sa Sugbu dai
Kung giuhaw, hala magpabugnaw!
Tambay diri’s lantay, halo halo ta bai
Kung mulantaw gikan sa ibabaw
Mag hiking ta’s Busay, diri sa Sugbu dai
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Lalala Lalalove Sugbu
Ato gud ni
—-end—-
‘Lalalove Sugbu’ by Keith & Kyra can also be streamed and downloaded on Spotify and SoundCloud. The primary video can be viewed on our Facebook page.
FULL CREDITS:
Performed by Keith Jonas Margaja Dinauto & Kyra Quiñanola
Music and Lyrics, Strings and Native Instruments by Keith Jonas Dinauto
Published by ICO Music Publishing
Drums and Bass Guitar by Dave Gonzalez
Vocal Recording, Mixing, and Mastering by Brian Sacro of Kalye Musika
Other Contributors by Leonette Quiñanola, Junelene Arenas, Susan Seredrica
Poster graphic design by Arcel Espinosa
Lyric Video concept, design, and animation by Donald Onde
On its 9th year, Best Cebu Blogs Awards (BCBA) has been continuously recognizing the efforts of Cebu-based bloggers across different organizations including the pioneering Cebu Bloggers Society, then the Cebu Blogging Community and Cebu Fashion Bloggers. Luckily, SUGBO.PH is one of the very few bloggers who made it to the finals this year for the Best Cebu Entertainment Blog category.
This is the second time Sugbo has been nominated in this prestigious award-giving body for the same category, although we didn’t win the title last year. But being merely recognized was already enough for a then-baby blog like ours.
There’s a lot that can happen in one year — I can attest to that. On its 2nd year (celebrated last October 5, 2016), Sugbo has transformed to more than just a blog. It has become a go-to online community on everything Cebu with thousands of followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
In more than 2 years, Sugbo has been supported by well-known companies and organizations in Cebu, including:
Without these institutions, Sugbo would’ve not carved its own name in the industry.
But what is Sugbo without the passionate people behind it?
During events or casual conversations, we are sometimes asked — what sets Sugbo apart from other Cebu-themed blogs? On top of our minds, we say: maybe, in the youthful way we engage with our readers in our social media channels? Or the way we present our articles? The crazier things we do in Cebu? But really, the honest answer is we don’t know.
We don’t exactly know how different we are compared to other blogs. Because truth be told, we never considered anyone as a “competitor”. We may share the same advocacy or theme, and that’s okay for us. At least everyone is also trying to help promote our beloved Cebu. We don’t mind them because all we want is to just look natural or genuine in what we do. Because we are direly passionate on how we do things. We came up with Sugbo to be a one-stop city guide or a go-to online blog on everything Cebu. We don’t mind being the preferred blog or the alternative. We’re here to do our thing. And we are grateful that people are starting to appreciate that.
That’s why personally, in my 7 years of existence in the blogging industry (before Sugbo happened), I have always appreciated what Best Cebu Blogs Awards has been doing to my fellow Cebu-based bloggers. It was never about showing off, or competing head-to-head. It’s about pushing ourselves to be better every time, creating camaraderie with and at the same time sharing respect to other individuals, and paying it forward to the community. So hats off to the BCBA organizers — Mark Monta, Agnes Jimenez and Geezelle Tapangan!
It’s the time of the year again we’ve all been waiting for! Can you already feel the holiday breeze?
Starbucks Philippines is once again surprising us this holiday season with its variety of limited edition goodies that we will always love — from the premium 2017 Starbucks Planners to the 2016 Holiday Cards, food & beverages, and merchandises. And as what Sugbu always does, we are giving you the ultimate guide as what to expect from Starbucks starting this November 2, 2016.
2017 Starbucks Planner
The Blue Siren Planner
The Coffee Stains Planner
Starting from November 2, 2016 to January 8, 2017, you can avail of a Starbucks® Christmas Traditions Promo card with no purchase required. And for every purchase of a handcrafted beverage, one sticker is awarded. Holder must accumulate a total of 18 stickers — 9 Holiday Featured Beverages (see below pictures) and 9 handcrafted beverages of your choice — to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2017 Planner.
2016 Starbucks Holiday Cards
The Starbucks holiday collection features warm and vibrant designs to usher the colors of the season. This year’s Snowman and Holiday Tree Cards have a backdrop of wintery scenes in a hand-painted finish, while the Happy Holidays Card decked with mistletoes and holiday holly will be offered for the first time here in the Philippines.
Available for an initial consumable load amount of ₱300 per card.
2016 Holiday Featured Beverages
Santa Hat Dark Mocha (Hot) – ₱160, ₱170, ₱185, ₱200
Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino – ₱170, ₱185, ₱200
Peppermint Mocha (Hot) – ₱160, ₱170, ₱185, ₱200
Toffee Nut Latte – ₱160, ₱170, ₱185, ₱200
Toffee Nut Frappuccino – ₱170, ₱185, ₱200
Santa Hat Dark Mocha Frappuccino – ₱170, ₱185, ₱200