Summer must have started here in the Philippines. Welcome sunshine!

Summer time is here and for sure beaches and vacations always come to mind during these times. Bantayan is an option for those who find Boracay too expensive or too far. Though, I personally haven’t been to Bantayan yet, I have been to Boracay though for a couple of times. But this place sure is in my wish list of places to visit.

As what I have heard Bantayan is almost like Boracay less the commercialized atmosphere. Same powdery, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters which is ideal for snorkelling or diving. There are also caves and dive spots to visit, just hire a boat to get you to the destinations you wish to visit.

By land, one can take the two-hour bus ride from the northern bus terminal in Cebu City up to San Remigo or drive your own vehicle. From there, inter-island ferries to Santa Fe in Bantayan Island and to Malapascua are available. For those who have their own vehicles the ferry charge is somewhere around P1,000++. There is also a night ferry from Cebu City to Sta. Fe; travel time is about nine hours.

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Saudi royal family to invest in Bohol resort - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Saudi Arabia’s royal family is buying up a chunk of Panglao Island in Bohol, where they intend to put up a six-star resort.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself disclosed the news in a speech at the Bohol Youth Day celebration on Saturday at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex here where she also rallied support for Team Unity senatorial bets.

The President made the disclosure to prove “the Philippines has regained world confidence because of its growing economy and stabilizing politics.”

Ms Arroyo said the Saudi Arabian royal family, through its Kingdom Holdings, expressed their intention to invest $150 million in Panglao through a tie-up with Ayala Land.

Kawasan Falls
Badian, SouthWestern Cebu, the Philippines 

Now tell me, is this beautiful or what? Kawasan is definitely a must-see place here in Cebu..it’s about 2-2.5 hrs from the city by vehicle  You can also go hiking from Osmeña Peak to Kawasan falls which can take about 4-6 hrs. For me, it’s the best place to unwind here in Cebu. When you get to Badian which is located on the southern part of Cebu island, you will have to hike some 20-25minutes before reaching the first falls. You’ll be amazed when you get there and I’m very sure after the long walk you would want to go for a dip immediately.

Some 5-10 minutes treak going up above the first falls, you’d be able to reach the other 3 sub-falls and also the source.  See more of Kawasan Falls pics here..

Beautiful as always… i hope they can really preserve this place.

THE coming in to Cebu of an international traditional and alternative healthcare system will strengthen Cebu’s bid to attract medical tourists to the province.

“Intercare (Integrated Systems Inc.), being a global brand, has patients abroad, especially Europe. Their presence here (in Cebu) could encourage their patients to have their treatment here, as it would be cheaper, while enjoying what Cebu has to offer to tourists,” Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said in an interview. More…

Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa announce the appointment of Stefano A. Ruzza as its Director of Operations, with effect from 4 September 2006.

At the international hospitality chain’s first and only Hilton Worldwide Resort in the Philippines, Ruzza will provide direction for all of the hotel’s operational departments including Front Desk Service, Food & Beverage/Kitchen, Housekeeping, Engineering, Security, Purchasing among others. At Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa, Ruzza’s responsibilities include ensuring the smooth operation of these departments with a focus on maximization of revenue and profit, staff training and implementation of international Hilton service standards. Ruzza will also be in charge of all preparation for the forthcoming ASEAN Summit for which Hilton Cebu is one of the official hotel partners responsible for hosting the delegates which include Heads of States and Prime Ministers, and international media. More…

OCTOBER is the month devoted to senior citizens of the land and the best person to talk about them is Dr. Amparo T. Florida, who has been making them her focus for over a decade. While connected to the city health department, she took a course on gerontology at the Philippine College of Gerontology and Geriatrics, becoming a diplomate and fellow, when she finished the course in 1992. More…

Cebu City (August 18) — Cebu is strike-free this year!

In fact, the entire Central Visayas has a record of zero-strikes as showed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) data.

The same data also showed that strikes nationwide went down by 44 percent for the first seven months this year having only nine labor-related strikes reported compared to the 16 strikes of the same period last year.

DOLE cited industrial peace and harmonious relationship between workers and employers as the reasons for the low strike rate. More…

Department of Tourism (DOT) Usec. Phineas Alburo bared over 2,500 Cebu taxi and car rental drivers will undergo training on how to be customer-friendly with thousands of foreign delegates and visitors flocking here for the upcoming 12th Asean Summit.

In a program dubbed ‘Visitors-Friendly Taxi Service for the Asean Summit,’ Cebu drivers will be oriented for two hours that will cover providing essential information such as tourist destinations, hotlines, religious and cultural sensitivities and road safety. Another two hours will be on personal hygiene and work values orientation. The start of the training program is on September 4. More …

The Provincial Capitol grounds will once again be alive and festive starting Monday as the Province celebrates its 437th Founding Anniversary with a weeklong celebration.

As in past celebrations, a trade fair and exhibit, a photo exhibit, a fashion show of probable uniforms for next year, a sports competition consisting of badminton, table tennis and chess, a production number contest and the Governor’s Night are among the highlights of the affair.

Some nightly activities are also being worked out. So if you need some entertainment and other wholesome fun (and perhaps, some wise buys here and there), why not drop by the Capitol when you have enough time (and money too)?

Here are more Cebu Festival Songs:

- the theme song o fthe sarok Festival of consolacion.
- theme song of the siloy Festival of Alcoy
- the theme song o fthe Tostado Festival of Santander.
- theme song of the Mantawi Festival of Mandaue
- theme song of the Palawod Festival of Bantayan
- theme song of the Sadisad Festival - Oslob Town.

The Parish Museum of Bantayan Island is holding an exhibit on the Passus of Bantayan.
The exhibit, which will run until April 22, is in celebration of the first anniversary of the parish museum.

Pls click here for more.

Have you been to Kishanta?

Kishanta is a place where everything is at peace with nature. Kishanta is living with nature. It is where everyone will experience the philosophy of living in Zen.

It is not a magical place or a fancy place you find in any children’s book. In fact, Kishanta is not a mythical place but a real one. It is found in Lagtang, Talisay. It is only a few miles or at least 20 minutes drive from Cebu City’s central business district passing thru the South Coastal Road. One wouldn’t expect a paradise so near the city.

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