Sumilon Island, Cebu

Sumilon Island Beach


Sumilon Island Clear Water


Aerial view - Sumilon Island


Sumilon Island Beach


The serenity surrounding tiny Sumilon (meaning "take refuge") is a graceful invitation to open air seclusion. The island's breathtaking ocean views, lush tropical environment, and tranquil seas give you the space and peace to unwind. Clear blue waters with varying aquamarine hues, shifting white sands and the popular coral gardens of its marine sanctuary provide that unique ambiance.

The 24-hectare coral island, located on the southeastern tip of Cebu, is home to Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort.

HOW TO GET THERE

CEBU CITY TO SUMILON ISLAND
There are daily flights between Manila and Cebu City. From Cebu City, guests can take a scenic drive through the southern coastal towns of mainland Cebu. The ride offers glimpses of both Filipino urban and rural life, as well as its historical past that help form the local culture. Once outside the city limits, a relaxing trip begins through a tree-canopied highway with breathtaking views of the eastern seashores. The following are towns and places of interest along the way:

Carcar
Location : 46.3 km.South of Cebu City
Town Fiesta : November 25
Patron Saint : St. Catherine of Alexandria
Places of Interest:
-Balay’ng Tisa (Don Ramon Sarmiento’s Manor, built Feb. 2, 1859)
- Spanish Kiosk
-17th century church
-Villadolid Watchtowers
-Monument of Leon Kilat
- Caves in Barangay Mainit

Argao
Location : 66.9 km. South of Cebu City
Town Fiesta : September 28 - 29
Patron Saint Michael Archangel
Places of Interest:
-Beaches (Mahayahay, Mahawak, Kawit,Sunshine, Looc)
-Cave Lantoy (with streams, lake and spring inside it)
-Cave Kahilum (Bats live inside)
-Balay ug Colon Cave

Dalaguete
Location : 85.1 kms.S of Cebu City
Town Fiesta : February 9 - 10
Patron Saint : San Guillermo
Places of Interest:
-Centuries-old church
-Mantalongon Market
-Osmeña Peak
-Beach resorts

Boljoon
Location : 103 km South of Cebu City
Town Fiesta : 2nd Sunday of November
Patron Saint : San Patrocinio de Maria
Places of Interest:
-Centuries old church with separate belfry
-Eli - natural barrier against Moro raids Watchtowers

Oslob
Location : 117 kms. South of Cebu
Town Fiesta : December 8
Patron Saint : Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepcion
Places of Interest:
-Old Spanish cuartel ruins
-1788 church belfry
-Spanish era gazebo
-Nigad tree - centuries old legendary tree
- “Mainit” medicinal hot springs
-Sumilon Island - Marine Sanctuary, ideal for deep sea diving
-St. Joseph Church - Nueva Caceres








Source:

Distributor of food supplements based in Cebu to introduce more products

CEBU CITY — Food supplement distributor Uniherb Corp. plans to introduce 12 more products over the next three years.

Slimming product Slima and male potency supplement Hardman will be launched later this year. Athan, which is for vertigo, was recently launched. Nine more new brands, including a cure-all supplement, are in the pipeline.

Jonathan Guardo, Uniherb president, said the food supplements market has not been affected much by the economic slowdown because more consumers are becoming health-conscious.

The Cebu-based Uniherb, which is owned by the Guardo family, currently markets Arthro to manage arthritis, Diabet for diabetics, anti-cholesterol Heartvit, Kidney Care and Eye Berry.

"We are very confident because the people now prioritize their health. There’s a slowdown but it’s not as prominent as in other sectors. All players are still launching new products," he said.






Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/BW072709/content.php?id=046

University of San Carlos

University of San Carlos logo

University of San Carlos - South campus (formerly Girls High)
Address: Corners J. Alcantara St., P. Del Rosario Ext. and V. Rama Avenue.


University of San Carlos-North campus (formerly Boys High)
Address: Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City


Talamban campus (TC - Technological Center)
Address: Talamban, Cebu City


University of San Carlos-Main Campus
Address: P. del Rosario St., Cebu City


The University of San Carlos is an education institution in Cebu City. It is the oldest school in the Philippines, established by Spanish Jesuits in 1595, and it is a Roman Catholic school of higher learning governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.

As the business and tourist hub of Southern Philippines, Metro Cebu provides Carolinians (as USC students are called) with a cosmopolitan setting where malls are just a few minutes away from the beaches, heritage towns, or mountain resorts.

With its four campuses housing all levels of educational programs that include eight colleges and 27 departments, USC is truly a “universe-city” in its own right. International linkages now External Affairs and a steady influx of foreign students and visiting professors have made USC a multicultural academic community bonded by the common pursuit for global standards.

Course Offered:

• Doctor in Business Administration
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Management
• Master of Arts in Business Administration
• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Arts in Education in Educational Administration
• Master of Arts in Elementary Education
• Master of Arts in Philosophy
• Master of Arts in Teaching
• Master of Education
• Master of Engineering
• Master of Management
• Master of Science in Information Technology
• Master of Science in Management Engineering
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Arts in English Language
• Bachelor of Arts in Library Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Elementary Education major in English
• Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Filipino
• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Banking and Finance
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Economics
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Marketing
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Economics
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Information Management
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Office Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Tourism
• Bachelor of Secondary Education
• Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Biology
• Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English
• Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino
• Bachelor of Secondary Education major in History
• Associate in Accounting
• Associate in Computer Office Administration
• Associate in Computer Technology
• Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Associate in Tourism
• Diploma in Small Business Management

Campuses
Main Campus, Talamban Campus, North Campus, and South Campus.
How to get there

By Land Travel

New students and visitors from outside Cebu coming for the first time may reach USC by every available means of public transportation. Taxicabs available at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and at the Cebu Port area are the easiest and most convenient way to get from those entry points to the Main Campus in downtown Cebu. All taxis in Cebu are air-conditioned and metered. Flag-down rate is P30 and P2.50 for every 300 meters traveled thereafter.

For getting around the city, the cheapest way is the jeepney, the colorful “mobile folk art” first invented when some enterprising guys extended the US Army jeep into a minibus right after World War II. Jeepneys have fixed routes indicated on the sides of the vehicle. Fare ranges between the minimum of P6 and P10.
For example, the route from the Main Campus to Talamban Campus is P10. Jeepneys with code numbers 13B, 13C, 62B, or 62C ply this route. For the minimum fare, O1A jeepneys take you from the Main Campus to the South Campus, and those coded 04C will shuttle you to the North Campus. It’s a must for students skimping on their allowance and foreigners looking for exotic cheap thrills.
back to top


By Air Travel

Students benefit greatly from the recent boom in cheap air travel for both domestic and international routes. As the country’s second largest facility, the MCIA is a busy hub for major international and local airlines. Located in Lapu-lapu City in Mactan Island, the international airport is only 15 kilometers away from Cebu City.

The following is a list of airlines serving the MCIA:

Domestic

* Air Philippines (http://www.airphils.com/)
* Asian Spirit (http://www.asianspirit.com/)
* Cebu Pacific (http://www.cebupacificair.com/)
* Philippine Airlines (http://www.philippineairlines.com/)
* South East Asian Airlines (http://flyseair.com/)

International

* Asiana Airlines (http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/US/en/index)
* Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com)
* Cebu Pacific (http://www.cebupacificair.com/)
* Korean Air (http://www.koreanair.com/)
* Malaysia Airlines (http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/)
* Mandarin Airlines (http://www.mandarin-airlines.com/)
* Philippine Airlines (http://www.philippineairlines.com/)
* Qatar Airways (http://www.qatarairways.com/)
* Silkair (http://www.silkair.com/)

By Sea Travel

With its fine harbors, Cebu City is also the hub for local and international shipping. A number of ships with a capacity of 2,000 to 4,000 passengers ply the more distant routes such as Manila, Davao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro. They offer slow but cheaper and more luxurious travel, complete with disco, arcades, restaurants, souvenir shops, karaoke and live entertainment on board.

Smaller inter-island ferries and fastcrafts also ply most routes from Cebu to the provinces. Cheap travel by boat delights local students going home to nearby towns and cities, and foreign ones eager for a change of scenery during the sembreak and summer vacations.

Contact Nos.

Main Campus
Connecting All Depts. 253-1000
Academic Affairs-Vice President 254-6694
Fax 253-7989
Administration-Vice President (Telefax) 253-8895
Admissions Office 255-8392
ALF Verbum Design 255-8154
Arts & Sciences, Dean (Telefax) 253-7193
Canteen,Steyler 256-2824
Carolinians Inc. (Telefax) 253-7507
Catholic Trade Cebu, Inc. 254-2884; 253-7867
Center for Religious Education (CREED) 253-9832
Commerce, Dean (Telefax) 253-3166
Credit Union (Telefax) 255-4208
DYDW Radio Station-FM 253-8183
DYRF radio Station-AM 253-8846
Finance-Vice President 253-1012
Purchasing (Telefax) 253-7699
Information Resource Management
IRM-ACS (Telefax) 254-6025
IRM-TNS & HDS 254-6644; Telefax 254-7268
International Linkages Office (Telefax) 253-7183
JPIC/IDC 254-7459; 253-325; Telefax 256-3463
Library System, Director (Telefax) 254-0432
President 254-1006; Fax 255-4341
Registrar (Telefax) 256-3305
Research Office (Telefax) 254-7742
Scholarships Office (Telefax) 253-5495
Testing Center (Telefax) 255-2433

North Campus
Connecting All Depts. (Telefax) 233-3145; 231-4012
Accounting 231-8706
Canteen,Steyler 234-1146
Clinic/Regitrar 233-7703
Elementary PTA 231-0273
Pricipal 232-4095
Steyler Inc.-Accounting 231-1013
Steyler Inc.-manager (Telefax) 231-8723

South Campus
Connecting All Depts. 254-0117; Fax 261-9586
Canteen,Steyler 255-1557
IRM-TNS & HDS 255-1284
Montessori 254-9385
Student Affairs Services-SGS 235-0760

Talamban Campus
Connecting All Depts. 344-3801
Admin TC, Telefax 346-0351
Arts & Sciences (CAS) 419-3004
Bursar 346-7939
Canteen,Steyler 345-1327
Chemical Eng'g., Chair (Telefax) 344-6783
Chemistry, Chair (Telefax) 344-6715
Civil Engineering, Chair (Telefax) 346-4615
EE/ECE, Chair (Telefax) 346-1099
IRM-TNS & HDS 346-7930
Maintenance & Calibration (Fax) 346-7920
Office of the Population Studies (OPS) 346-0102; Fax 346-6050
Physics, Chair (Telefax) 346-4614
Retreat House 419-7520
SMED (Telefax) 344-3512
Water Laboratory 345-3811
Water Resource Center 346-7941; 344-0523; Fax 346-0583




Source: www.usc.edu.ph

Fort San Pedro

Entrance - Fort San Pedro



One of the cannons that lined the battlement of Fort San Pedro


the marker on the wall near the entrance at Fort San Pedro


museum

Fuerza de San Pedro is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu. It is located in the area now called Plaza Indepedencia, in the Pier Area of Cebu City, Philippines. The smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was built in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. In turn, it served as a stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries near the end of the 19'th Century. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. The fort is triangular in shape, with two sides facing the sea and the third side fronting the land. The two sides facing the sea were defended with artillery and the front with a strong palisade made of wood. The three bastions were named La Concepcion (SW); Ignacio de Loyola (SE), and San Miguel (NE). It has a total inside area of 2,025 sq. Meters. The walls are 20 feet (6.1 m) high, 8 feet (2.4 m) thick and the towers are 30 feet (9.1 m) high from the ground level. The circumference is 1,248 feet (380 m). The sides are of unequal lengths and the one fronting the city is where one may find entry into the Fort. Fourteen cannons were mounted in their emplacements most of which are still there today. Work first started on May 8, 1565 with Miguel Lopéz de Legazpi breaking ground.


Little was known about the activity of the fort from the time it was built until two centuries later in 1739 when the King of Spain, Philip II desired information regarding the island of Cebu, Governor General Tanon, who was the Spanish ruler of the Islands at the time made the following reports: Fuerza San Pedro, the fort is described as built of stone mortar with a terraplein where guns are mounted. The fort contains the necessary buildings. The largest of these buildings was the "Cuerpo de Guardia" where the personnel that manned the fort lived. Adjacent to it was the "Vivende del Teniente" which was the living quarters of the lieutenant of the Fort. In between the aforementioned buildings is a well. At one corner attached to the walls of the bastion San Miguel (NE) was the "Alamazaros del Rivera" (powder magazine where the fort's supply or arms and gunpowder from Manila were stored).

How to get there

The easiest way to get there if you’re taking public transport is by riding a taxi. All cab drivers know where it is. From the uptown area, it’s a 70 pesos taxi ride. If youu’re taking the cab from Lapu-Lapu City, the ride may cost you 180 pesos.

If you want to go there Pinoy style, take the Philippine icon of mass transportation, the jeepney. Several jeepneys have routes that pass the place. Look for jeepneys with Pier 2 or Plaza signboards in their windshields.

Magellan's Cross

The Magellan kiosk that houses the cross


A plague below the Magellan's Cross


The Magellan's Cross


Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 21, 1521.

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street (Magallanes being the Spanish name of Magellan), just in front of the city hall of Cebu City. A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers.Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines.

Magellan's Cross is a symbol of Cebu, and the chapel's image can be found in its city seal. It is also seen as the symbol of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.

How to get there

Shell and woodcraft vendors outside Magellan's CrossMagellan’s Cross is right in front of the old Cebu City Hall building, which is now being renovated as a legislative building, in downtown Cebu near the port area. The easiest way to go to the area is to take a taxi, all drivers know where it is. If you’re from the uptown area, the taxi ride may cost you around P60. If you’re coming from Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island, the taxi fare may be around P200.

If you feel adventurous and you want to tour Cebu City via public transport, you can take one of the many public utility jeepneys with routes passing near the area. Just check the jeepney’s signboard, usually on the windshield, if it says City Hall or Basilica (for the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, which is right next to Magellan’s Cross).

Source

Camotes Islands

Camotes Islands Beaches & Resorts



Camotes Island Beach


The Camotes Islands are a group of islands that form part of the province of Cebu, in the Philippines. The island group is located east of Cebu Island, southwest of Leyte Island, and north of Bohol Island.

The Camotes is composed of the following five islands and municipalities:

* Poro: the municipalities of Poro
* Tudela.
* Pacijan: the sole municipality of San Francisco.
* Ponson: the sole municipality of Pilar.
* Tulang: part of the barangay of Esperanza, which is part of San Francisco.

The islands of Pacijan and Poro are connected by a paved road. Ponson is separated by the Camotes Sea, lying about four kilometers northeast of Poro. Tulang is located off the northern tip of Pacijan.

The Camotes are low-lying islands. There is only one hill on Pacijan and another hill on Poro. These hills are used by a telecommunications company for relay stations. Pacijan has a fresh-water lake around two kilometers in length. Palm trees are the dominant plant on the islands. There are also numerous native varieties of fruit trees and other plants.

Origin

The word camotes is Mexican for sweet potatoes.

Languages

Porohanon or Camotes Visayan is spoken in the town of Poro only. The dialect is very similar to the dialect of Cebuano which is spoken in the rest of Camotes Islands and throughout the province of Cebu, Northern Mindanao and other parts of the Visayas. Porohanon is distinguished by the way the locals substitute the /y/ sound for /z/. Example: Maayong buntag (good morning) in Cebuano would be changed to Maazong buntag in Porohanon. Na-a diha (in cebuano), Ara dira ( in porohanon )

Camotes Island Transportation
Access to the island is by boat. There are daily boats from mainland Cebu to Camotes Island.

E.B. Aznar Shipping:
The travel time is a leisurely 4 hours on a clean and comfortable large boat. The boat docks at Poro Island port. You can board on this boat at Pier 2 in Cebu.

The Aznar boat leaves daily at 9:00pm from Cebu and arrives in Camotes Island at 1:00am. From Camotes Island, the boat leaves at 11:00am and arrives in Cebu City at 3:00pm.
Fares from Cebu to Camotes Island and vice versa:
Tourist: P280.00 pesos
Economy: P220.00

However, if you miss this boat, you will have to travel north of Cebu to Danao City, which is about an hours' drive north of Cebu. There are other smaller outrigger boats, which takes you to the island, in 2.5 or 3 hours depending on the sea's temperament. This is not the most comfortable ride, but i can sure you, a very interesting one. You will have an opportunity to sit next to chickens, cows, and pigs,, and people retching out of nausea, and motionsickness !

Camotes Island Pumpboats to Camotes Island:
From Ouano Wharf, Mandaue City daily at 1:00pm/
Fare: P200.00
From Danao City to Camotes Island/
Fare: P 180.00

From Ormoc, Leyte to Tudela, Camotes Island:
Pumpboats departs at 09:00AM and 01:00PM
Travel Time - 3 hrs.

Camotes Island light and water
The two major sources of lighting is power and kerosene which are utilized by 43.9% and 55.5% of the sample house holds, respectively. Common source of water on the island is the community water system consisting of public faucets and individual (private faucets), at 40.6% and 23.8% respectively. Around 16.1% indicate tube/pipe well as a source of water; a 0.3% dug wells; and 5.2% spring. A 220V. The power depends on Camotes Electric Cooperative (CELCO) that energizes the mainland Camotes spring water by gravity. Jetmatic and deepwell pumps are great source of water. Some parts of the island, don't have water supply. They keep big water container jars and collect rain water during the rainy season.
camotes rain

Camotes Island communication
A postal service office and telecommunication offices provide communication services. Otherwise, a cellular phone is accessible in all parts of the island. Landlines are also available for business and residential purposes which is powered by Globelines communication.

Since there are landlines like globelines, a dial up service is available. Smart offers WIFI in Camotes, but they need to come up with more customers before they can offer the service to the island. Not many people in camotes owns a computer so it may take a while for SMART to offer this service.PLDT(Philippines Long Distance Telephone) offers a wireless internet connection that would be applicable to all the islands all over the Philippines.

Mactan Island

Shangrila Hotel & Resort


Shangrila Hotel & Resort


Resort in Mactan Island


Aerial view - Mactan Island

Mactan is an island located a few kilometers off Cebu, in the Philippine Islands. The island is part of the Province of Cebu, and is divided into Lapu-Lapu City, and the municipality of Cordova. The island is connected to Cebu by the two bridges one of which is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, and the Mactan Bridge.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the country's second busiest airport, is located on Mactan Island.

The only aquarium attraction in the Visayas is also located on the island.

Mactan Geography
Location: South East Asia
Archipelago: Visayas
Major islands Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, Samar
Country: Philippines island.
Largest city Lapu-Lapu (217,019)
Demographics
Population: 251,051 (as of 2000)
Ethnic groups: Visayan (Cebuano)