My First Time in Cebu

It was my first time to visit Cebu last February 20-24, 2022. It was my birthday gift to myself. My flight was on a Sunday around 7:40 am. I was from Pasig so I left early and went to NAIA. Travel post pandemic is a bit different because there are no more provincial buses plying EDSA. I have to use the EDSA Bus Carousel.

Magellan’s Cross

From Shaw Blvd I walk to the Ortigas Station of MRT, rode a bus to Taft Avenue Station. From there, I rode a jeep with the signage “Nichols” and dropped off at Terminal 3 of NAIA. At 7:20 am we begun boarding our Air Asia plane and by 8:42 am we’re in the air.

We landed in Cebu-Mactan International Airport around 9:42 am. I thought the Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City area is small but the taxi ride from the airport to Colon Street in Cebu City is P500. Good thing I met 2 more passengers going the same route so we paid P150 each.

I walked along Colon Street, which reminds me of Recto and Divisoria, all the way to Carbon Public Market. I roam around the new chapel with a huge Sto Nino on top, to an old building being renovated, until I passed the Magellan’s Cross and walked all the way to Port San Pedro. I had lunch at a nearby Jollibee and rode a Grab Car to AllSon’s Inn in Echavez Street where I stayed. They have a P500 deposit since I booked them via the Agoda app.

In the afternoon, I went to the Cebu Provincial Capitol via cab (like a jeep) all the way to Guadalupe Church. From there, I rode a mini-bus to Ayala Mall Cebu. I rode another mini-bus that passed by AllSon’s Inn. That’s it for Day 1 in Cebu.

Day 2 Monday

I took a Grab Car to the South Bus Terminal for P120. I rode a bus to Oslob although the farthest trip south of Cebu Province is all the way down to Malabuyoc. I left the South Bus Terminal around 3:40 am. The bus fare to Oslob was about P226 and I arrived there around 7am.

Interior of Oslob Church

I roam around an old port, the town’s church, which is beautiful, as well as the Cartel (like an old Spanish quarter) and the municipal hall with a Rizal monument. Whenever I visit a new town, I always make it a point to visit its church, palengke, munisipyo and Rizal monument. The palengke or public market of Oslob is far from the church.

I rode a Ceres bus to the next town of Boljoon. They have one of the best Rizal Monument I’ve seen as well as the church. It’s really beautiful. It reminds me of the church I visited in Nueva Vizcaya a couple of years back. There’s also an old ancestral house near the church established in the 1940s. The municipal hall is right across the Rizal Monument and church. Unfortunately, the palengke is not nearby.

Around 8:14 am I left Boljoon to the next town of Dalaguete. Fare was P40, again by Ceres bus (no cabs or jeeps plying this route). Dalaguete’s church is similar to Oslob, at least the style of having a single belfry. Dalaguete has a nice beach-front plaza and adjacent to it is the municipal hall, Rizal Monument and legislative building. The palengke is not nearby.

Next town on my list was Argao. Church is similar in style to the previous ones. I took a meryenda at a 7-11 and I also notice that there are some ancestral houses along the highway, mostly painted in white. Next to Argao, I stopped by the Simala Shrine. It’s not along the highway and I have to ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) for P200 back and forth. Habal-habal usually rides 2 passengers but there are no other tourist around and it would also be a bit uncomfortable for me.

Simala Shrine is beautiful, although the main church itself is not open to the public during my visit. They’re also strict when it comes to dress code. I was wearing shorts so I have to rent some malong just to cover my knee. I also bought a rose for the Virgin Mary of the monastery. It’s a huge complex and it was raining during my visit. I bought a souvenir shirt because I just soaked in the rain.

Around 12:32 I left for Carcar City. It’s famous for its beautiful heritage houses and it didn’t disappoint. There are around 3-4 beautiful old houses along the highway. The municipal hall, Rizal Monument and town’s church is located on a hill. I also saw a monument to Judas Iscariot here. A first for me. I had lunch at a nearby restaurant although I was disappointed there are no batchoy.

Carcar Church

From Carcar, I rode a bus to Naga. Yes, there’s also a town name Naga in Cebu Province. They even have a Jollibee there. It was a small town with a nice church with 2 belfry. It was somewhat Gothic in design. At this point I’m a bit tired from all the walking so I didn’t bother to look for the Rizal Monument, the municipal hall and public market. Next to Naga is San Fernando.

Just like Naga, San Fernando is a quiet small town. The municipal hall is very simple and small. The church is adjacent to the street so I have to take picture from the other side of the road with all the cables hanging. The church is close just like in Naga but good thing the door is like a metal frame so I was able to take pictures of the interior.

It was late in the afternoon when I arrived in the Tabunok area. I rode a tricycle to Talisay City to see the church. It also has 2 belfry and is painted in all white. The municipal hall is nearby and there are monuments to both Rizal and Bonifacio (rare). From there, I took a mini-bus to Ayala and then back to my hotel in AllSon’s.

Day 3 Tuesday

I took a Grab to the North Bus Terminal. The first trip was 3am and there are vans plying to Daanbantayan (Northern Cebu Province) for P300. I took the bus. We left Daanbantayan around 2:46am. The first stop was at Binongkalan and we arrived there around 4am. I bought Nissin Butter Coconut at P45 with a bottle of water.

Daanbantayan Public Market

At 6:30 am I was at Daanbantayan Bus Terminal. I had breakfast a nearby karinderia who served me with coffee, the traditional (not 3-in-1) way. Bus Terminal is besides the palengke but the church is far. I rented a tricycle for P250 that took me to the church, the municipal hall, a nearby beach and to a friend-of-a-friend’s house. I left Daanbantayan at 8:06 am.

At 9:00 am I arrived at Bogo City. Fare was P70. The church of Bogo City is being painted during my visit so I have no idea if it will be white after painting. I walked around town, taking pictures of their McDo and Jollibee as well as the park with the usual “I Love Bogo City” wordings. There are some well restored ancestral houses in the area as well as repurpose houses. I took a tricycle to the newly constructed central bus terminal for P60. I planned on visiting Borbon but the route of the bus from Bogo City is on the other side. I instead visited the towns of Sogod, Catmon, Carmen and Danao City.

Catmon Church

The churches of Sogod and Catmon are both situated in the “hilly-part” of the town. The church at Sogod is somehow modern just like the church of Carmen. The church at Catmon is nice as well as the one in Danao City. There’s also a port in Danao City but I was tired to look for the municipal hall.

Around 3:45 I was at Liloan Church. There was a nearby watchtower but I forgot to visit it. There’s a replica though located between the municipal hall and the church. Liloan Church has 2 belfry and has this certain aura. I guess this church is famous for weddings. I even visited the nearby San Roque church which I thought was a big church. It was a chapel.

Around 4:35 pm I was at Ayala Cebu and walked around the mall. There’s an ongoing travel fare when I was there but the fares for staying at famous hotels in Cebu Province are very expensive for me.

Day 4 Wednesday

I was back at the South Central Bus Terminal. I thought there’s a bus route going to the west side of Cebu Province from Cebu City going via Carcar City and Barili. But the route I was told that day was via Oslob. The bus left the terminal at 2:46 and the signage is Bato.

Samboan Church

I dropped off at Samboan around 6:20 am. The church here is beautiful. Single belfry and the style is similar to Oslob, Argao and other churches. There’s a life-size stations of the cross around the church. There’s also a watchtower and a sea-side park. They have a museum, which is not opened yet when I was there. Next to it is the municipal hall and an ancestral house.

Around 7:00 am I left for the town of Ginatilan. There’s a nice church here with a huge belfry. The municipal hall is nearby but still no palengke. It took about an hour of wait time before the bus arrived that took me to Malabuyoc for P20. There’s a watchtower ruin near the church as well as a market facing the sea. The municipal hall is nearby.

The Ceres bus stops here at Malabuyoc. I thought they would continue up north to Barili and Carcar City or even Toledo. However, they will go back to Cebu via Santander and Oslob (South). I rode a habal-habal to the quiet town of Alegria for P100. The municipal hall is near the church as well as the park facing the sea as well.

I went back to Malabuyoc, rode a Ceres bus back to Carcar City for P280. Around 2:40pm I arrived at Carcar City, took some pictures of the houses and church (again) then rode a mini-cab to the west side town of Barili.

Barili Municipal Hall

There’s a 7-11 in the quiet town of Barili. Opposite is the municipal hall. The palengke is located somewhere and Rizal’s monument is nowhere in sight. I took a pedicab to the church passing by 2 ancestral houses. The church of Barili is painted yellow (Dilawan) and gives the feeling of sturdiness. I think it’s earthquake-proof. On my way back to the municipal hall, I took pictures of the two ancestral houses. I left Barili around 4:20 PM and arrived in Cebu City around 6:45 PM.

Day 5 Thursday

The famous Sto Niño Church of Cebu opens to the public at 6:00 AM. Before that, I had my breakfast at the palengke near the church. They have lots of kakanin there but I opted for the sikwate (chocolate) and their version of biko.

Interior of the Sto Nino de Cebu Church

The Church of Cebu City is very beautiful. They have a display of images on both sides of the main church. The altar is well lit with chandeliers. It was very bright. From the church I rode a Grab to Taboan Market (P80) where I bought some dried squid, danggit, dried mangoes and some keychains. I have so little money by this time and my baggage may exceed 7 kilos so I only bought a few.

From Taboan Public Market, famous for dried fishes, I rode a mini-bus back to Colon Street then to SM Cebu. There are buses there going to the airport and I arrived there around 8:45 AM. My flight is at 10:45 AM so I decided to visit one more place – the statue of Lapu-Lapu in Lapu-Lapu City. From the airport, I rode a mini-bus the Savemore. From there, I rode another mini-bus to Engaño passing by the landmark.

Lapu-Lapu monument in Lapu-Lapu City

The statue of Lapu-Lapu is huge and the area is besides the sea. There were boats and some mangrove trees nearby. It’s like Fort Santiago in Manila. There’s an obelisk besides the statue of Lapu-Lapu and it’s destroyed by (I guess) typhoon Odette. After a few pictures, I returned to the airport on the way to Manila. By lunch, I was back to the crowded place I called home.

I’ll post more pictures of the places I visited. Hopefully adding more details. Right now I just want to give you a summary of my first trip to Cebu.

Technorati Tags: Cebu City,First Time,Lapu-Lapu,Cebu Province

My Experience of Try and Review

So I stumbled upon a Facebook ad for Try and Review. It’s a company that provides sample products to be reviewed. I’m not new to the concept since it is being done by a lot of celebrities and influencers across all social media.

 

However, this would be my first time to receive a product to be reviewed. So I clicked on the Facebook ad and signed up. It’s pretty much like a survey on the things or products that you would love to review and some stats about my social media accounts.

I’m active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with decent followers. I use Facebook mostly to communicate with family, friends and coworkers and IG to post my photos. I’m a hobbyist photographer and a member of this wonderful camera club and IG is where I post some pictures. I also love to travel locally and get to know the culture of different provinces in the country.

A few weeks after signing up, I was surprised to learn that a package from Try and Review is on its way via Ninja Van. The ones that delivered the products were very nice and fashionable ladies. So my first products were the Colgate Professional and Charcoal Variants. It comes with a letter congratulating me as being among 1,200 testers chosen for the product and some instructions.

 

The product is to be tried for 14 days (1 week each for the varieties or variants as I called it). I’m pretty much a Colgate user but I still find the Professional Clean a delight to use. I feel so refreshed after using it because of its cool effect. I’ll be trying the Charcoal variant in a bit.

I love how they emailed us the reminder to post our reviews on the website. I took some pictures of the products, write a short review and post the same on my Facebook and Instagram. It’s so simple. I’m hoping to influence some of my friends as well and use this Referral Code that I got.

 

Who knows, I might be great at reviewing products not just food products, hotels and places. Wish me luck guys! @tryandreview #TryandReviewAmbassador

What are you waiting for? Head over to their website and use my referral code 1310977

Technorati Tags: Try and Review,Colgate,Professional Clean

Iyo Caruncho Bernardo’s Political Suicide

Pasig City Vice Mayor Iyo Caruncho Bernardo is making a lot of noise lately – in a bad way. I don’t know when his rift started with Mayor Vico Sotto started but it’s all over the news and on Reddit.

 

On the Facebook page of the vice mayor, he posted a video answering the “paninira ni Mayor Vico Sotto sa akin noong nakaraang linggo sa Flag Ceremony”. He further added that Mayor Vico Sotto is tarnishing his family’s name (Caruncho).

So the whole rift started on this news article: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/10/22/vico-sotto-hits-pasig-vice-mayor-for-allegedly-politicking-before-working

Then Mayor Vico Tweeted “May sinabi ba ako tungkol sa pamilya n’ya?” https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/pasig-mayor-vico-sotto-questions-vice-mayor-s-claim-that-he-s-ruining-their-name-may-sinabi-ba-ako-tungkol-sa-pamilya-niya/ar-AASXnIP?li=BBr8RiR&srcref=rss

At first I ignored Iyo’s statements against Vico because I thought he’s not running for mayor of Pasig in the upcoming 2022 election. Only to find out that he did filed his COC as candidate for mayor. I then said to myself “ah kaya pala maingay s’ya lately”.

As a resident of Pasig, I can say that yes, he is so quiet as a vice mayor. I never heard any news of his projects for the city of Pasig. I do know that he presides the meeting of the Sangguniang Panglungsod but that it.

I do know that he is the grandson of a former mayor of Pasig -- Emiliano R. Caruncho, Jr. – who served from 1956-1986. That’s almost as long as the reign of the Eusebios. A Marcos-like reign in Pasig. Like BBM, he’s bragging about the accomplishment of his lolo and not his own.

For now, if Iyo Caruncho Bernardo continues his attacks against Mayor Vico Sotto, he is indeed committing a political suicide. After this election, we think that his political career will definitely end.

His rants against Mayor Vico Sotto is petite and he’s blowing it out of proportion in a bad way. Between Mayor Vico Sotto and VM Iyo Caruncho Bernardo, my vote still goes to Vico.

Technorati Tags: Iyo Caruncho Bernardo,Vico Sotto,Pasig City

ROBA’s Pre-CBT Wraps Up with a Blast

Ragnarok: Battle Academy ends its Pre-CBT after garnering much attention during the 7-day period.

When Ragnarok: Battle Academy (ROBA) launches the Pre-CBT, an overwhelming number of players took the chance to experience the game in its early version. It’s safe to say that the new game with an interesting combination of game mechanics had piqued the interest of both players familiar to the franchise and those who had their first experience with the name Ragnarok.

As the new game was derived from the classic Ragnarok Online, many of the veteran players were excited to see familiar elements of their beloved game in ROBA like the enemies, the classes, and their skill sets. Meanwhile, participants with fresh experience were either familiar with other games of the same genre and was able to quickly adapt to the gameplay. Some others who are entirely a novice still had fun teaming up or going solo in conquering each round.

The team behind the game, EXE Studios under Electronics Extreme Co. Ltd, expresses their heartfelt gratitude to everyone’s participation and anticipation to the game. With the feedback they have received, they promise to strive for improvement of the game, so that it will be even well-received by more players when it will be officially launched.
Did you miss ROBA’s Pre-CBT? Fret not! More updates and news will come your way! Check out the following links from the official platforms. Ragnarok: Battle Academy Official Website: https://roba.extreme.game/

Pre-CBT Events: https://roba.extreme.game/
Ragnarok: Battle Academy Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ROBAExtreme
Download Link: https://exe.in.th/ROBA_Pre_CBT

Electronics Extreme Co. Ltd.
Electronics Extreme Co. Ltd. (EXE) was founded in 2014 with a management team comprised of over 15 years experienced veterans in gaming industry and more than 200 staff who understand the needs of fellow gamers. With their main mission and determination of “providing fun and happiness to our customers with better gaming experience”, EXE has already become a leading online game publisher in Thailand. Not only the operation in gaming publishing, EXE also covers the services of channeling, marketing, and customer service for business process outsourcing with a strategic position in the hub of Southeast Asia.
Electronics Extreme Co. Ltd. (Philippines) brought in as its management team players who helped shape the Philippines’ gaming industry. Currently, it continues to hire empowered and passionate individuals who want to make their mark in gaming. Electronics Extreme Limited Co. Ltd. is poised to make waves in the Southeast Asian market. Our mission is simple: bring the best experience that we can to the gamers.

Technorati Tags: ROBA,Ragnarok Online Battle Academy,CBT

ROBA Pre-CBT Download Available Now

It’s good to know that Electronics Extreme Co. Ltd. releases the game client for ROBA’s Pre-CBT, now available for download.

After the announcement of Ragnarok: Battle Academy’s Pre-Closed Beta Test schedule, the game client to be used for the test is now released. Interested players can download it from Google Play via this link: https://exe.in.th/ROBA_Pre_CBT.

The Pre-CBT will start on December 2 until 8 of this year and will be available to the Philippines, with other regions to follow. As of now, only Android users will experience the game in its Pre-CBT version. Below are the specification requirements to run the test client.

 

 

 

A questionnaire was also prepared to receive the Pre-CBT participant’s feedback and suggestions regarding their experience. They’ve also included FAQs and a list of known issues on the Pre-CBT’s page on Ragnarok: Battle Academy’s official website.

Ragnarok: Battle Academy, or ROBA for short, is a new game by EXE Studio. It joins the fray of Battle Royale games that incorporate RPG elements, deriving from the franchise’s original RPG classic

Ragnarok Online. Both new and veteran players are bound to notice the game’s unique blend of classic RPG elements with a modern gameplay of the Battle Royale genre.

Did it also tickle your fancy? Learn more about the game and its latest events updates via these links:

Ragnarok: Battle Academy Official Website:
https://roba.extreme.game/

Electronics Extreme Co., Ltd.
Electronics Extreme Co., Ltd. (EXE) was founded in 2014 with a management team comprised of over 15 years experienced veterans in gaming industry and more than 200 staff who understand the needs of fellow gamers. With their main mission and determination of “providing fun and happiness to our customers with better gaming experience”, Electronics Extreme has already become a leading online game publisher in Thailand. Not only the operation in gaming publishing, EXE also covers the services of channeling, marketing, and customer service for business process outsourcing with a strategic position in the hub of Southeast Asia.
Electronics Extreme Co., Ltd. (Philippines) brought in as its management team players who helped shape the Philippines’ gaming industry. Currently, it continues to hire empowered and passionate individuals who want to make their mark in gaming. Electronics Extreme Co., Ltd. (Philippines) is poised to make waves in the Southeast Asian market. Our mission is simple: bring the best experience that we can to the gamers.

Technorati Tags: Ragnarok Online,Ragnarok Online Battle Academy,ROBA,Electronics Extreme

Globe is Giving Out Free Seeds and Seedlings

Do you know that Globe Telecom is giving out free seeds and seedlings through their merchant / apparel store 0917 Lifestyle? Yes they are! All you have to do is follow the instructions below and you could have a free delivery of seeds and seedlings (limited to 1 shipping per person).

 

1. Go to https://0917lifestyle.com/products/philippine-native-tree-seeds-and-seedlings?_pos=1&_sid=eeda31476&_ss=r&variant=39547171307606

2. Add to cart 1 plant

3. Click go to cart then check out now

4. Input your shipping details and select free shipping.

5. Input SIMPLEJOYS in the gift card/discount code section and click on the arrow to apply.

6. Important: select cash on delivery (COD) as your payment method.

7. Complete checkout.

Let me know in the comments once you get your free seeds and seedlings. #TeamGlobeOfGood #GDayEveryday

Technorati Tags: Globe Telecom,Free Seeds and Seedlings

With Total of $6000 Cash Prize on the Line, The Last Pillar Battle Arrives

There’s a new mobile Ragnarok Online version but guess what – I’m still playing the old school, PC version of this famous MMORPG. Here’s the latest from Rune Midgard courtesy of RO Extreme:

With Total of $6000 Cash Prize on the Line, The Last Pillar Battle Arrives

Conflict of interests and the desires to win clashed against each other, but only the firmest of all withstood the month-long war. And now, the conclusive battle draws nigh.

 

After the conquest of the castles, Midgard calls for the competitive spirits of those who stood their ground in the war and lasted. All who were crowned to be the pillars of each server will once again prove themselves in the final face-off on the 24th and 25th of July, this year. Yggdrasil will be the first to behold its champion while Valhalla will follow the next day.

Taking the title as one of the pillars was no easy feat as the finalists had to ram their way through numerous obstacles and opponents in order to get the highest points in War of Emperium. In the end, the guild ▪ 322 ▪ led by ³²²Antonette emerged on top in Valhalla while it was ·V·S·O·P·, commanded by ·Boss·Dy·, which took the highest place in Yggdrasil. But this doesn’t mean these guilds can rest easy. The other top 2 to 4 guilds (Valhalla: Valiant [Verz], Imperial Regalia, Blitzkrieg; Yggdrasil: J O K E R, Nocturnal, [ insert Guild Name ]) have a fair chance to victory in the year’s most intense duels that will happen in late July. So, it’s to be expected that the heat of the rivalry will rise more than ever.

 

Are they to be blamed when the stakes are high? Not only will they all vouch for the top crown, the participants are setting their eyes on the prize as well. A cash prize of $1,600 awaits the winner on the top throne of the competition. The 2nd place will get $800 while there will be two guilds who will receive the consolation prize, each amounting to $300 in cash. All of the prize comes with a corresponding in-game money and fancy items. And these are just for one server! Considering the two servers, the total cash prize amounts to $6000. The triumphant don’t only get to flex with their costumes and in-game funds, they also get to win in real life! The effort and struggles to get here were definitely worth it.

 

All the finalists are gearing up and rearing to head into battle, but have you seen the risks they took to deserve a spot in the finals? If not, check out the highlights of their previous battle in Ragnarok Online MSP’s official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RagnarokOnline.com.ph

Don’t want to miss the final battle? Know all the details of the upcoming War of the 4 Pillars Finals in RMSP’s official website and see you in the live stream: https://roextreme.com/msp/news/war-of-4-pillars-final

Technorati Tags: Ragnarok Online,RO Extreme