Sunny Hapolsi asked:




Cebu is one of the popular travel vacation destination in the Philippines. This beautiful exotic place is known as Philippines’ “Queen City of the South”. As one of the most develop province of the Philippines, Cebu becomes center of trade, commerce, industry and education of the Visayas. Cebu is also the Convention Center of the Philippines where the ASEAN event was once held in the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). Cebu also has become as the tourism hub of Central Philippines because from here, you can get an easy access to the many beautiful vacation spots and destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Cebu is also known to be the home of beautiful white sand beaches and world-class dive sites. It has numerous beaches that spreads around Cebu but most of them can be found in Mactan Island. Many foreign and local divers come to Cebu to explore the wonders of the underwater world. Dive sites and spots can be found in Mactan, Moalboal, Malapascua and many more and are rich with coral gardens and marine life. Many tourist come to Cebu Philippine to spend their vacation holiday. There are many places to go and many exciting things to do when you are in Cebu. One of the activities that tourist love when they are in Cebu is the nightlife. Cebu Philippines is also rich in history and culture. Some of the these are one of the tourist attractions that visitors want to see and experience.

Cebu is also the home of numerous luxury hotels for a luxurious accommodation. Foreign and local tourists can choose in a wide range of accommodation from 5 star to 1 star. The hotels in Cebu are equipped with modern and state-of-the-art facilities and amenities for the convenience and comfort of its guests.

Cebu is also the home of the famous Sinulog Festival which is held every 3rd Sunday of January. Many foreign and local tourist come Cebu to witness the celebration of the Sinulog Festival. There are also lots of festivities that is celebrated in Cebu.

Travel to Cebu Philippines is easy because this beautiful island is very accessible and can be reached by air and sea.

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Patrick Mcgrain asked:




Cost of living in Cebu Philippines and Camotes Islands Cebu, Philippines. Many expats living in the Philippines are sharpening their pencils and watching their spending habits much more closely as the dollar continues to drop against the peso. Currently the exchange rate is approximately $1.00 to P40.00. That’s a BIG difference from just three years ago when the dollar fetched P56.00. To make matters even worse the dollar is expected to drop to P38.00 and some circles are saying it may go as low as P30.00 within the year. The expats currently living in the Philippines are feeling the lower exchange rate from their monthly retirement pensions and tightening their belts. Expats that have been considering retiring to the Philippines may well be looking else where for a retirement location. To make a bad situation worse the Cebu Hotels are talking about a 10% increase for their rooms. Surely other services will follow the increase and soon the dollar may shrink to an even further all time low in the Philippines.

In 2004 a dollar bought P56.00, so when I exchanges $1,000.00 at a Philippine bank or Money Changer I got P56,000.00. Today $1,000.00 buys just P40,000.00 a P16,000.00 decrease of $286.00 or 29% less. Now add a conservative estimated Philippine inflation rate to the 29% decrease and you are looking at a total loss of about 40% in just three years. WOW! That’s a big hit and a really big hit for a retired guy with a pension of just $1,000.00 There goes the Filipino myth that all foreigners are rich. Instead of living like a king in the Philippines with a pension of $1,000.00 foreigners may find themselves to be a lowly prince and maybe even a pauper with a mere pension of $1,000.00.

Now the questions for those expats living in the Philippines and for those considering the move to the Phillippines is simple, is it worth it? Should I find a cheaper country to retire and spend my pension? Before an expat answers the question we need to consider the big picture and that means what does it cost to live in the Philippines today?

Many things we buy in the Philippines are cheaper than in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. However, many things also cost the same and sometimes more. Building a house in Cebu is still a huge bargain. Buying a condo is also a bargain. A new house in Cebu can be had for $40,000.00 and a nice Condo for about $60,000.00. My little one bedroom house in the VERY rural Camotes Islands cost just about $8,000.00 to build and furnish and that includes the land. At the current exchange rate and inflation the same house, land and furniture would cost about $11,320.00 Yes, That is a big jump, but still very cheap by western standards. My Monthly Budget changes all the time, but here is what I have been spending for just the basics:

$200.00 Food

$50.00 Electric

$20.00 Internet connection

$20.00 Satellite TV

$15.00 Cell Phone

$5.00 LPG gas for cooking

$60.00House maintenance

$20,00 Motorcycle maintenance and gas

$100.00 Monthly Cebu City trip Entertainment, Movies, restaurants

$490.00 TOTAL MONTHLY COST

The following estimated budget is for two people living in Cebu City.

$200.00 House rent In Cebu City.

This would be a nice house. It doesn’t cost much for rent.

$150.00 Food

$50.00 Electric

$20.00 Internet connection

$20.00 Cable TV

$25.00 Phone

$5.00 LPG gas for cooking

$30.00 Maid Live-In $40.00 maximum

$50.00 Transportation, Taxi, Jeepney

$200.00 Entertainment, Movies, restaurants, golf and beaches

$750.00 TOTAL MONTHLY COST

Please note the Cebu City budget does not include a car allowance. It is much cheaper and easier to use Jeepneys and Taxi Cabs.

Both of these budgets still get you in under $1,000.00 a month. By far my rural budget is the cheapest. However, The keyword is RURAL! Not everyone wants to live in the Rural Islands. I love it in Camotes Islands, but there ain’t much in Camotes for those that like the night life, shopping and restaurants. The Cebu City budget may well be a bit conservative. However, it is a good starting point. You may need to adjust for your lifestyle.

REMEMBER!! I did not include visa cost and medical insurance. On average a Tourist visa will cost about $1.00 per day and medical insurance can be outrageous depending on the carrier.
You also need to have enough money for emergencies: trips home, Accidents, theft, and medical emergencies. I recommend you have at least $5,000.00 at any given time to draw from and $10,000.00 is even better. If you don’t have an extra $5,000.00 for emergencies don’t go. The worst thing that can happen to an expat is to be in an emergency situation in a foreign country with no money and no way home.

At the end of the day it appears the Philippines is still a good retirement option. Not as good as it once was, but still a strong option for a place to retire on a modest pension. However, I suspect many expats will want to save their money and consider the rural areas of the Philippines to retire. The rural areas can be very enjoyable for those in good health. However, if you need regular medical care you may find the rural areas lacking in medical facilities. Also, if you want all the frills of a city then the rural areas will be a true disappointment. I think the Philippines may well see a decrease in western Foreigners retiring to the country. Another significant issue is the thousands of OFW’s Oversea Filipino workers. OFW’s are all over the world and they contribute a LARGE portion of the Philippine economy. The OFW’s send money home to their families every month. With the decreased dollar to peso rate I suspect the OFW’s will need to tighten their belts just as much as the expats.

To answer the two questions. Is it worth considering the Philippines as a retirement option or should one consider another country? My answer is both Yes and No. If you have a pension of $1,000.00 yes, but with caution. If your pension is less than $1,000.00 you need to REALLY think it through and maybe consider another country. Still, the Philippines is a pretty good option and a cheap place to live if you can stick to a realistic budget and have at least $5,000.00 for emergencies.

Caffeinated Content

Dan Eggers asked:


Why travel to Cebu, Philippines of all places? What makes Cebu, Philippines special among all other places in the whole country – or the world even? If your travel plans for this year includes Cebu, here are some reasons why we’re certain that you won’t regret your decision on choosing Cebu as your travel destination.

What Makes Cebu Popular

Even if we weren’t to talk about any of the famous tourist spots of Cebu, Philippines, there are still other things that make Cebu so very popular with the tourists. First, there’s the food. If you love those ripe yellow mangoes, you absolutely must go to Guadulupe because their mangoes – served dried or not – can never fail to make taste buds water.

And then there’s chicharon or pork rind; if you’ve never tasted chicharon yet, a good place to start would be at Cebu. Other food to explore in Cebu would be “puso”, the hanging rice, dangit, a dried fish usually eaten for breakfast and budbud, another type of rice.

And then there are the souvenirs or other accessories that you may only purchase in Cebu, Philippine. If you come from a country experiencing all four seasons – people back home would probably appreciate if you give them the beautifully hand woven blankets made from Argao. People with deep faith would no doubt appreciate as well gifts of the Medallions of the Christ Child. For fashion lovers, jewelry made from Mactan stone, corals or seashells are very much popular.

Lastly, there are the guitars. People with fine ears for music can’t help but appreciate the quality of guitars manufactured in Cebu. If you also want to see with your very own eyes the manufacturing process of a guitar, from start to finish, LapuLapu City of Cebu is the place to travel to.

And now finally, we come to the places…

Magellan’s Cross – Since the Philippines began to be of interest to the world thanks to Ferdinand Magellan’s discovery in 1521, tourists might as well begin their travel plans by visiting Magellan’s Cross which is found in Magallanes Street of Cebu City. This place is of much historical value to the Philippines because it’s also where the baptismal rites of the earliest Filipino Christians were held.

Mactan Island – Water sports have always been a favorite activity by tourists when visiting the Cebu and if you’re fond of this as well, make sure that you drop by Mactan Island because the waves there are alike no place else!

Cebu is also the jumping point to other exciting destinations like Dumaguete, Bohol and Sumilon.

Ritu Raj Mishra asked:


Lying between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea and consisting of around 7,107 islands, Philippines is enriched with verdant nature, vibrant culture and various adrenaline pumping activities. Obviously, with all these enticements, this land of beauty has created its niche in the world’s travel map. Keeping a track with the inflow of travelers, the hospitality sector in the country is sprouting day by day. The hotels in Philippines have created a comfort zone for all travelers having different budgets and needs. So, while exploring this amazing archipelago, you will definitely enjoy the caress of comfortability available back at your home.

Mainly, tropical climate is noticed in the country of Philippines, which makes March to May hot, June to October rainy and November to February cold. However, the best time to explore this country is from December to the middle of May. Getting in this country is easier as well. Two major cities, Manila and Cebu have connected Philippines with the rest of the world by air. Even more, it is also possible for travelers to come here by sea from the nearby parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

As a famous tourist spot, Philippines has so many things to offer to its guests. Beguiling beaches and hair-raising beach activities are the prime attractions to the travelers here. Especially, Boracay Island, Mactan Island, Panglao, Samal Island, Negros Island will entice you to get marooned amidst sun, sand and sea. In addition, the country has been adorned with some unforgettable sights. These are like, Banaue, Chocolate Hills, Hundred Islands National Park, Lake Taal & Taal Volcano, Siquijor Caves and so on. So, your itinerary for Philippines mustn’t miss all these places.

Nonetheless, Philippines houses a wide range of hotels sprawling in different parts of the country. Besides Manila and Cebu, other places including Bacolod, Bohol, Boracay, Butun, Davao, Palawan etc. boast a wide range of hotels. All kinds of accommodation ranging from luxury beach resorts to budget hotels are available here. And definitely, it gives an assurance of accommodation to all travelers having different budgets.

Some renowned hotel groups like Intercontinental, Hyatt, Sofitel, Shangri-La, Holiday-Inn, Pan Pacific, Crowne Plaza, Mercure have possessed a number of hotels in Philippines. Accenting on high-end facilities and services, all these hotels offer sheer comfort and luxury to their guests. On the other hand, the budget hotels in the island have catered to necessary amenities and services, with which budget travelers will enjoy their sojourn without comprising anything with their comfort.

Most of Philippines hotels have their official websites, where the briefs of their locations, rooms and amenities are available. Apart from that, other websites also publish unbiased testimonials and travelers’ reviews on various hotels in the country. All these information will enable you to choose your accommodation during your trip to Philippines.

Christine Layug asked:


 

Festivities in the Philippines are celebrated extravagantly and lavishly, especially those festivities celebrated in provincial places such as the Kadayawan Festival of Davao City which is a celebration of life and a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature.

The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.

The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held in honor of the Santo Niño held annually in January concluding on third Sunday, in the town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. It is also the wildest among Philippine fiestas and considered as the Mother of All Philippine festivals.

The Sinulog Festival is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. The festival honors the child Jesus, known as the Santo Niño, patron of the city of Cebu. It is a dance ritual that commemorates the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.

Some festivities are similar in what they are celebrating or honoring, and some are unique especially on how they celebrate their festivity. But apart from its religious similarity, every festival happening in the Philippines, either big or small, a Philippine Lechon is always present.

The Philippine Lechon is a popular Filipino cuisine that is commonly reserved only for special occasion such as festivities or celebrations.

Philippine Lechon is usually cooked during national festivities, the holiday season, and other special occasions such as weddings, graduations, birthdays and baptisms, or family get-togethers. A Philippine Lechon is commonly served with liver-based gravy or sometimes served Chinese style with steamed buns and a sweet plum sauce.

Philippine Lechon is usually the main highlight of festivities or other kinds of celebrations, and it is the most popular dish in the event. Other versions of a Philippine Lechon include the Philippine Lechon kawali which is cooked in a large frying pan and cooked to a crisp.

Apart from its traditional and occasional preference, a Philippine Lechon is also perfect as a gift. Try sending some Philippine Lechon to your families back home with the services that Express Regalo can provide.

Express Regalo was developed and launched to provide Filipinos abroad a fast, reliable, convenient and hassle-free way to shop and send gifts to their loved ones in the Philippines. Express Regalo is owned and operated by eLBC Direct, Inc., an LBC company that is dedicated to providing Filipinos overseas access to products and services apart from the traditional products offered by LBC.

For more information about what services that Express Regalo can provide you, then visit www.expressregalo.com for more details.

Filipina Kisses asked:


Do you want to date a Filipina Cebuana from Cebu, Philippines? If your Filipina girl lives in Cebu Island, one of the Visayas Islands, then your Filipina woman is a Cebuana.

“Cebuanas” is a term used for Filipina girls and Filipina women who grew up and recognize Cebu as their province. While “Bisaya” is a general term used for people living in most of the other Visayas islands and in Mindanao Island.

Cebu is one of the provinces of the Philippines. Cebu Island is a typical tropical island with narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains. Cebuano is the native language spoken by the inhabitants of Cebu, Bohol, eastern part of Negros island, western parts of Leyte and Biliran islands, and southern third of Masbate island. It is also spoken in a few towns and islands in Samar. Cebuano has the most number of native speakers than Tagalog. In Bohol Island, the people are Boholanos and the local language is Bol-anon.

The language spoken throughout the most of Mindanao Island is known as Bisaya. Bisaya language is very similar to Cebuano language and is spoken by many people in Mindanao Island.

There are many beautiful Filipina women, calling themselves as “Cebuanas” living in Cebu. So, how do you court a Filipina Cebuana woman? There are many different ways of course, and Filipina Cebuanas are no different from other Filipina women. They want to be wooed and courted with gifts and loving phrases.

Here are some Filipina dating phrases in the Cebuano language. You can use it to court the Filipina Cebuana woman who lives in Cebu, Philippines!

These Filipina dating phrases are the same phrases you can also use to court Filipina Bisaya women living in most of Mindanao, particularly in Northern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and Southern Mindanao. You can find many beautiful Filipina Bisaya women from Mindanao who are beautiful, educated, and much more old fashioned in their ways than the Filipina Cebuana women who mostly grew up in the city of Cebu.

1) I like you – “Gusto ka nako”

2) I like you very much – “Nakagusto jud ko sa imo”

3) I have a crush on you – “Naka-crush ko sa imo”

4) Take care – “Pag-amping”

5) You take care – “Mag-amping ka ha”

6) I think about you – “Nag-hunahuna ko sa imo”

7) I think about you all the time – “Pirme ko gahunahuna sa imo”

I dream about you – “Nagdamgo ko sa imo”

9) I miss you – “Miss nako ka”

10) I miss you very much – “Miss na miss jud nako ka”

11) I am in love you – “Gihigugma ko ikaw”

12) You are the only one I love – “Ikaw lang ang akong gihigugma”

13) I love you – “Nahigugma ko nimo”

14) I love you very much – “Gugmahan kaayo ko nimo”

15) I want to marry you – “Gusto nako ka pakaslan”

The Cebuano language or Bisaya language can have many other versions and different arrangements of the words used, but the meaning is the same. Each version depends on the situation of the moment the endearment is spoken. Meet Cebuanas from Cebu Island, register in www.FilipinaKisses.com.