Cebu and Misamis Occidental are now considered as the top tourist destinations in the country, according to the data from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The data showed that Cebu Province has received over 748,006 foreign and local tourists this year and is famous among foreign tourist because of its world-class beach resorts and diving spots.

Misamis Occidental on the other hand is known for its waters and bountiful seafood and it has received 526,367 tourists. It is famous for its Layawan River in Oroquieta City that has been a recipient of national environment award and another place that draws tourists to this coastal province is Tangub City that has a livelier atmosphere during Christmas. PIA

Pitching it as “something new to the traditional Sinulog presentation,” Capitol security consultant Byron Garcia yesterday formally asked organizers to let provincial detainees dance during the Sinulog on Jan. 20.

Garcia wrote a two-page letter to Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., in which he also addressed security concerns.

Meanwhile, Rama is considering the possibility of having inmates from the Cebu City Jail perform too. More…

After the completion of the lagoon development of Ayala Center Cebu, which is expected by March or April, Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) will kick off another expansion plan of the shopping mall area pursuing the original plan of developing the Cebu Business Park’s (CBP) 9.6 hectare super block.

In an interview with CHI president and chief executive officer (CEO) Francis O. Monera, he said that the Phase 2-B project will be pursued by the company next year, starting with a study on how to develop a concept for another shopping mall expansion.

CHI is going to finish its P850 million expansion project of Ayala Center including the completion of the Ayala Center expansion building, and the transformation of its lagoon area to a chic Food and Beverage (F&B) strip. The Freeman

A VIDEO of Cebu prison inmates performing their version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” has landed in Time Magazine’s list of top 10 viral videos for 2007.

“Vincent Price was right when he said, ‘No mere mortal can resist the evil of the Thriller’: The video has been downloaded more than 9 million times,” said Time Magazine on its website. Inq.net

DEVELOPERS of a mall being constructed at the Mandaue City reclamation area are confident that when the first phase of their project opens in February next year, it will attract many people, especially Cebuanos.

The first phase of Parkmall@168 (Parkmall) will include al fresco shops and SaveMore, a supermarket brand under the SM Supervalue Group, said Parkmall business development director Christopher Tio.

Tio told reporters in a press conference yesterday that the entire mall will become fully operational in June next year. More…

Miss Cebu 2008 Online Voting launching will be this afternoon at the
Ayala Center Cebu, 3:00pm.  Visit the www.itsngenius.com/mscebu2008 to
cast your votes.  Vote and check out the top 12 of the next year’s Miss
Cebu 2008.  Be proud to be a Cebuana!

BOOK that showcases images of the best of Cebu was launched yesterday by a guest whose mid-morning visit required tighter-than-usual security at the SM City’s North Wing: President Arroyo.

The President, who signed a copy of the book, told publisher Marissa Fernan that it contained images of Cebu that she has never seen before.

“Cebu: Pride of Place” is a collection of 349 images of the things and places Cebu is known for, chosen from about 12,000 pictures shot by Billy Mondoñedo. SunStar

Here’s why the Pinoy Christmas is the longest season in the world.

The celebration spirit starts early with caroling contests, choral performances in churches and malls, holiday lights, lanterns and a round family reunions and feasts ushering in the most anticipated season of the year.

Get up early to join daily dawn Masses of Misa de Gallo that begin nine days before the Christmas. After, warm the chill with native hot cocoa and puto rice cakes sold in the church grounds.

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A six-star luxury resort will soon be opened in the northern part of Cebu, as MSY Holdings Corporation has started to develop the 12-hectare beach property in barangay Agujo, Daan Bantayan.

This will be the first six-star boutique resort to be built in Cebu that will offer a very exclusive 18-room luxury accommodation.

MSY Holdings Corporation chief operating officer Martin Phillip S. Yeung said that this luxurious exclusive resort named “Kandaya Hotel” will target a very specific niche market. The Freeman

The Freeman

The Sinulog Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the Cebu City Government and Cebu Filmmakers’ Society, Inc. brings you The Sinulog 2008 Short Film Festival! Join us as we move on to a higher level of excitement and opportunities!We’re getting bigger! Be with us in embracing a wider scope of a more challenging experience.

Aside from the Video Documentary Competition, we are now including entries for the Sinulog Short Film! Tell us your point of view, or better yet share your actual personal experience with the Señor Santo Niño’s miraculous power that has affected and changed your life! You, too, can be an instrument in changing other people’s lives!

Visit www.sinulog.ph, The Official Website of Sinulog Festival in Cebu City.

THE world-class entrepreneurial skills of new generation Cebuano businessmen continue to gain recognition.

This, as Entrepreneur Philippines magazine, in its November 2007 issue, awarded world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and Basic Graphics Inc. (BGI) chief executive officer Edmun Liu.

Cobonpue and Liu have been included in this year’s 10 Most Outstanding Entrepreneurs, an annual listing by Entrepreneur magazine. More…

The Freeman

Cebuana Sally Mae Siso lived up to expectations as she swept all titles available in the four-leg 2007 Malaysian junior tennis circuit after ruling both the singles and doubles event in the Langkawi International Age-Groups Tennis Championships yesterday.

Sally Mae had her day after watching her brother Niño also came up with two titles in the boys’ 14-under class.

“Daug gyud ta, pero paningot jud og kumbate si Niño,” (“Yes, we won but Niño had to work hard for it.”), said Sally Siso, the siblings’ mother and coach.