CEBU CITY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (Part 3)

Going to the other part of Cebu is Lapu-Lapu City. It’s an hour ride without traffic. Let me take you to Mactan Shrine to fully engage in our Filipino history. It is where the battle between the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and Mactan Island chieftain Lapu-Lapu happened.

Lapu-Lapu Shrine

Mactan Shrine

You can also find the newly added attraction popularly known for its 10,000 LED roses which lights up at night, the 10,000 Roses Cafe. 

Mactan Island is well known for its fine white sand beaches. Among those beaches were the ones in my bucket list. These are some of my favourite beaches in the island of Mactan based solely on my wonderful experience with them. 

First is my go to resort “Crimson”. I’ve been here more than 5 times with my family and the service is nothing but exceptional. The kids and I love it here not only for the scenic view but as well as the staff’s hospitality. Not to mention their mouthwatering dishes. No wonder it’s considered a five star resort. They offer a day use rate of Php2,500 with lunch buffet inclusion. 

Crimzone Pool

Infinity Pool

Crimzone Playground

Crimzone Playground

This five star hotel also known for it’s pristine sandy white beach and crystal clear water should be in your bucket list. My favourite part is their Chocolate Hour once the time sets at 3 in the afternoon. I’m Drooling 🤤. Introducing Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island. They offer day use rate of Php2,500 on weekdays and Php3,000 on weekends with lunch buffet. 

I would also recommend going to Costabella Beach Resort for I had an amazing experience with my family and friends back in  2014. 

The resort although is relatively small compared to the other resorts I have been but this resort is very competitive. Their food is excellent and the pools are well maintained. It has an affordable day use rate of Php1,650 per adult and Php990 nett for kids 10 and below. 

Shangri-La Mactan. This is by far the most expensive resort my family and I have indulged. This was during my husband’s birthday. I had saved up and prepared for his special day. The place is huge. Considering the amenities and the royal treatment my family has received, I strongly believe it was all worth it. It was worth every penny. 

ALL PICTURES ARE MINE. 

CEBU CITY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (Part 2)

Once I get to visit the church of the said place, then I am ready for my adventures.

I always go to which is the nearest from my first destination. In Cebu City, the closest to Basilica Minore Del Sto Niño are as follows: Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independencia, and Fort San Pedro. They are just walking distance from the church.

Magellan’s Cross

Next on the list is Taoist Temple going to Lahug. From there, you can go directly to Busay for the breathtaking view of Cebu City. I suggest you start your uphill mountain tour in the afternoon so you have a clear picture of the area. In Busay, you can visit Temple of Leah, Mountain View, Tops, Terrazas De Flores, SIRAO Garden. I prefer to take my guests to Mountain View than at Tops for practical reasons: affordable entrance fee plus a bigger space with unlimited view. Tops is small but has a wide area and entrance fee is double compared to mountain view.

Taoist Temple

Temple of Leah

Temple of Leah

Tops

Terrazas de flores

Terrazas De Flores 

Terrazas De Flores 

SIRAO (second one)

SIRAO (second one)

SIRAO (first one)

SIRAO (first one)

There are two SIRAOs to which I’ve been to both. The first one does not only have a cheaper entrance fee but it also has a lot of intragrammable stuff in every corner,  “The Hand” to name one. While the other one, has a lot of beautiful flowers. The wide place complements the ambience.

Don’t worry when you get hungry as there are food stalls right across or if you fancy heavy meals, you can visit the restaurants along Tops Road like Delice, Balay sa Busay, La Vie in the Sky, and Top of Cebu.

ALL PICTURES ARE MINE. 

CEBU TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (Part 1)

Motherhood really hit me with a hard realisation and made me like a caveman (away from civilization. LOL). Now, I am back for now to show my love for writing.

I am very interested in traveling and finding out what's good for me and my family.

Since Semestral Break is coming, it's time to think of fun and exciting ways to spend your precious time away from home. So I will be sharing with you, my dear readers, the most famous attractions you can do with your five senses in my hometown "CEBU" Yaaaaaay!!!!!

In every place I go to, I never exclude visiting the place's well-known churches. In Cebu, we have a lot, and one of them is the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino. Just recently, I started attending Friday masses with my kids at Sto Nino. I have been to a lot of churches, to different places and attended masses but so far, I consider Sto Nino church by far the most generous especially when it comes to the last part of the mass.

I would also like to invite you to visit the miraculous castle church: Simala Shrine.

I have experienced miracles during my visits and it never seizes there. Let me share with you my first-hand experience with the miraculous Birhen sa Simala.

I have encountered countless of challenges and failures in my life. I came to visit Simala the first time back in 2009. I failed my Licensure Examination for Teachers the first time and you could just imagine the embarrassment and humiliation I received especially from my own family. I secretly signed up for another examination and went to ask the Virgin Mary in Simala to let me pass my board exam for the second take. Surely, she heard my prayer and I passed.

The second time I asked for another miracle was together with my husband in 2016. After so many failed attempts to conceive a child, our last resort was to go and visit the miraculous Virgin Mary in Simala. This time, I got an immediate answer. it was a "NO...NOT YET." I had my first day of menstruation just as we were about to leave the church. I was so devastated and pressured since I only have a month left before my husband departs to the US for work. I admit, I lost a bit of hope but it didn't stop my faith. A month after, I got pregnant. Another blessing I could not keep. You see, the greater you believe despite the trials the more you are rewarded. Trials are always there to keep us away from our faith but only a few who remains loyal. Remember: "Many are called, but few are chosen."

I have been to this church before but this is the first time that I have intentionally made a prayer in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help - The Redemptorist Church.

I just recently attended the 8:30AM Wednesday Mass at Redemptorist Church with my family. It was not intentional until she granted one of my prayer intentions despite visiting her again for the first time in over 5 years. I have only asked her this specific prayer intention among all the saints. I was so surprised. I went back the next Wednesday to thank Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She is truly miraculous as my mother told me. 

I am sharing with you this Thanksgiving prayer for a favor received. I learned from the priest's homily that when praying, it should be God-centered and not me-centered. In everything that we do, do it in the name of our Father.

ALL PICTURES ARE MINE. 

SLEC: Extended Culture Test

OCTOBER 8, Tuesday

2:22PM — Just got a call from SLEC that they will be extending my culture test for another 9 days. No reason stated and I did not dare to ask.

I’m supposed to come back on November 19. After the extension, I ought to come back on November 28, 8AM.

After the call, I had a temporary mental breakdown and forgot what was said. I sent a message to their email address and still waiting for a reply.

I am still nervous and my legs are still shaking from the call. Never ending stress and suffering 🥺😭

SLEC US Visa Medical Exam 2019

Hi, I just want to share with you my experience with my IR2 during our US Visa medical examination at SLEC. 

SEPTEMBER 16

5:00AM — My IR2 and I arrived at SLEC. It was raining and we were forced to form a line or else we will not be given a priority number.

5:30AM — Started to queue on the left side of the building where applicants were asked to form a line for their number. IR2 and I were number 24 and 25.

6:00AM — We got inside the ground floor where we waited for our numbers to be called. Went to cubicle C were Finger print, Photo capture, and Medical Fee taken. We were instructed to go to 4th floor for my phlebotomy test and urine.

6:30AM — Went to 3rd floor for my X-ray.

7:00AM — Went to 2nd floor for our immunisation interview. Doctor asked to proceed to IGRA for IR2.

7:30AM — Went to 5th floor for Vital signs and Physical Examinations. IR2 had his first with a male doctor. After him, I was called to room 6 with a female doctor.

8:00AM — I was asked to repeat X-ray. This time I had a different way instead of the usual PA (Posteroanterior) radiograph. We were done before 10AM and asked to come back tomorrow at 2PM for the result.

SEPTEMBER 17, TUESDAY

12:30PM — Arrived at SLEC. Handed the guard our receipts. Had stamps “4th Floor Laboratory”. I was instructed that I have to undergo a three day sputum. Good thing I can start as early as September 18. No breakfast, no lipstick (for female). Sputum is from 6:30 — 8:30AM only.

1:00PM — Went to third floor for IR2’s X-ray. Waited for 30 minutes for the result. IR2’s X-ray came out normal. He passed. However, he cannot proceed with his immunisation without the principal applicant which is me. He has to wait for me to finish my sputum (3 days) and culture test (8 weeks).

I called the USEM to cancel our appointment. The agent told me that there is no way to cancel appointment. However, not showing on your scheduled interview appointment is understood that applicants are asked for further laboratory tests or treatment.

SEPTEMBER 18, WEDNESDAY

5:00AM — I arrived at the building with a grey gate next to SLEC. That’s where applicants under sputum and DOT enter.

I was number 19 (red colour). Numbers with colour green are for senior citizens or applicants with illnesses such as diabetic.

6:00AM — the guard started calling applicants in batches. 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 and so on. I was called at 6:30AM and was done at 7:00AM

SEPTEMBER 19, THURSDAY

4:30AM — I got earlier than the first day. I was number 5. This time, I found an easier way to cough out sputum. Just drink more water and don’t cough out the entire night before so you can extract enough sputum the next morning.

I was done at 6AM and was asked to come back tomorrow for my third and last sputum. They will also tell you when to come back for your Pulmonary Evaluation whether or not you will start with your 6 month treatment.

SEPTEMBER 20, FRIDAY

My last day of collecting sputum. I arrived at 4:30 AM. I was number 3 (red colour). They started a little late compared on my second day of sputum. I finished at 6:30 AM and asked to wait outside for my Pulmonary Evaluation schedule. I was supposedly scheduled for September 24 but I requested if I can have it earlier since I already have my plane ticket back to the province on the 24th. They changed my scheduled to September 23 at 8:30 AM.

September 23, MONDAY

I went to SLEC at 6:00AM. The guard at the lobby took my slip and instructed me to wait on the second floor. The staff started calling out names at past 8AM. I was the first one to be called since I was the first one to arrive.

During the Pulmonary Evaluation, the doctor pointed out the reason for undergoing a three day sputum due to the white spots seen in my right lung. Honestly, even when the doctor already zoomed it in the part where he pointed at the white spots, I still couldn't see it. 

I tested negative in the sputum smear. However, the real exam is the culture. I was instructed to wait 8-10 weeks. If anything happens in between those weeks, they will immediately notify me. If I don’t receive a call from them after the 10th week, I should come on the schedule date (November 19) they have set for my vaccinations.

Thanks God and to all the saint for hearing my prayer. Thank you to all who offered their sincere prayers for me. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

DFA Cebu

The first time I made a blog on how to get a passport for my minor son was 3 years ago. This is just an update since I recently applied for my other two kids.

DFA Cebu is located at Pacific Mall in Mandaue. A very convenient way is to ride the Sugbo Tour bus in South Bus Terminal with a fare of Php40 each. Wide and airconditioned. The good thing is that they don't wait for the bus to get full of passengers.

We didn't have to get an appointment online since my kids are under 7 years of age. However, I looked at DFA's website to check on the requirements and see if anything has changed. Primarily requirements needed are:

1. Accomplished application form (open link or you can ask for the form from the security guards)
2. PSA birth certificate (of the minor applicant)
3. Marriage certificate if only one parent is accompanying the child
4. Passport of Valid ID of either parent
5. School ID (if started schooling)

Please prepare a photocopy of all the documents needed to avoid possible delay. Make sure to carry with you a black pen for the forms. In case you missed to produce a copy of your documents or forgot to bring your black pen, don't fret. There are stalls selling pens at Php10 each and photocopy costs Php5 per page.

When we got at the entrance of DFA, I immediately went to the guard and ask for the form. After filling in the necessary information, I handed him back the form and was told to wait for my name to be called.

It didn't even take 10 minutes when my name was called. I went inside and asked to take a seat at the courtesy lane. The same lane for PWD and Senior Citizen.

During my turn, (as expected the male staff acted rudely. Sorry for generalising but there was really no instance that they were not politely since the very first time I applied for a passport, to renewals, down to my three kids and even up to my parents. We all have the same experience about how staff at DFA were establishing a tone which sounds awkwardly unpleasant.) I was asked for my two children's PSA birth document both original and photocopy, and an original and photocopy of my passport. Basically, the staff took everything including originals except for my passport. I wrote down my signature three times in the two copies of my passport and lastly, I filled out my children's name, birthdate, gender, and birthplace on a piece of paper. It probably took me less than 10 minutes in that section.

After that, I went to the next stage which is the payment center, I was told that I have no other options but to get the express processing (Php1,200) and did not even state a valid reason. I was fine with it since I have decided beforehand to get the expedited process anyway. It only took less than 3 minutes after I handed the cash to the female staff, and proceeded to the final section which is the picture taking.

At the cubicle, I was asked to take off the children's earrings and make sure that hair ties are not visible. My youngest went pretty quick but my other one was a bit taking time because she can't seem to hide her teeth when seeing a camera. lol. However, it took no more than 10 minutes. There you go! :) I am very happy to hear your thoughts about this blog. Any comments and suggestions I would happy to see below! God bless :)

POLICE CLEARANCE in CEBU

Hi, Guys! I apologise for taking a long rest from posting. I got busy with my three children. Anyway, I would like to give you an update on my recent task which is to renew my police clearance after two years. I found out that their office has been moved to Camp Sotero Cabahug headquarters of the Cebu City Police Office in Gorordo Avenue. I went to register online like last time but there is no more online appointment available for getting a police clearance in Cebu as of yet. 

I went to Camp Sotero at 8:00 in the morning thinking that it’s already crowdee and has a long queue. When I reached the entrance, the police staff asked me to surrender one of my valid ID before they can let me in. After I handed him my ID, he then instructed me to the area where I could request for the said clearance.

Not far from the entrance, you will see a small tent with chairs and tables places in the area. First step is to log in yoir name and time you arrived. When done, the staff will give you a form to fill in. Submit the form together with the basic requirements. Please see below.

Primary requirements in getting police clearance are photocopy of the following: 

1. PSA Birth Certificate/ Baptismal Certificate/ Valid ID

1. Latest Cedula

1. BARANGAY CLEARANCE

You will then be directed to a door leading to the payment and picture taking. Payment is different for every purpose of getting a police clearance. I paid Php40 plus another Php200. I found out that aside from the clearance, you now have a valid police clearance ID good for 1 year. Isn’t it fantastic? 😂