Furthermore, a city wide free wifi zone can be a reassuring gesture to tourists so that will feel very comfortable within the city. The network may be configured that upon login users are directed to specific government offices page/s which they may contact in case of emergency . It may also provide for a good feedback mechanism which will receive their complaints, suggestion and even appreciations. Through this facility they can be in contact with their friends or relatives and perhaps advertise our city for free to them. Surely, this will be appealing to tourists.

The City’s main challenge is perhaps in finding a partner for this endeavor. However, I am quite positive that there are a number of providers who may be interested in this proposal.

Making free wifi access available only to select shops would be to encourage table-hoarding antics of loiterers. Small businesses are likely to suffer lost of sales from these wifi squatters. The last thing merchants want is that some loafers would make their shops an office away from home. How should this be dealt with? I have no particular suggestion for merchants. However, making every place and nook a wifi zone would definitely discourage squatting. A quintessential example would be SM Malls.

For the meantime, here is an abridge list of free wifi zones within Cebu City area:

• Bo’s Coffeee (All Outlets)*
• Caltex Convenience Store Foodland*
• Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Ayala, IT Park)*
• Coffee Dream (Gorordo and Parkmall)*
• Coffeecat (IT Park eBlock)*
• Da Vinci Pizza (I only tried Parkmall)*
• Figaro Coffeeshop (SM, Ayala, IT Park)*
• MACBay Café*
• McDonalds IT Park (Supposedly all McDonalds outlet has free unsecured wifi)
• Offroads Cafe near Sykes*
• Pier One (Parkmall)*
• Siam (Terraces, Ayala)*
• SM City Cebu (Free unsecured Wi-fi inside the mall)
• Most of the high-end restaurants of Cebu offer free wi-fi when dining inside.

*Free secured Wifi when you order a product from them.

February 10, 2010, the first concept store – shopToshiba at SM City Cebu was opened. This store is aimed to increased Toshiba’s market visibility in the retail of premium Toshiba Laptops in the Visayas. High quality and stylish laptops with the latest and emergent technology from Toshiba are showcased in the new shopToshiba Concept Store which brings together the complete notebook PC line into one.

During its opening, the hand gesture / hand motion user interface (HGUI) system was the head turner.

Imagine this, you are cooking and your hands are dirty, the hands-free enabled phone rang and it was your boss asking if you already read his email, you wanted to turn the volume down of the music playing in your laptop and check your boss’ email. Pretty messy right? Don’t worry, Toshiba Qosimo got it covered. You can now control your computer without dirtying your hands or the reverse. Toshiba has developed the HGUI system. Different hand gestures let you click, start, stop, pause, advance and rewind for example a video playing on a laptop.

We actually had some trouble getting the used of the controls but I’m sure we’ll get the hang of it. This awesome technology may still have a long way to go before they’re ready for primetime but surely its a milestone in laptop designs.

Me trying the latest Hand Gesture User Interface

Finally, this shop also comes with a service center. Customers may now have their notebooks checked while they stroll around the mall, or relax while they wait in the cool lounge area of iServ located within the shopToshiba Concept Store. This Service Center is a service location fully endorsed by Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd., where service personnel are fully certified by Toshiba and service parts used are originals supplied by Toshiba.

Photos by: Sinjin.ph

2. Don’t ignore lose coins and bills. If you will be commuting, you badly need those coins and bills. If riding a taxi, the driver would only demand for the exact amount reflected on the meter. Nevertheless, a tip is always welcome though. Cebuanos love generous tourists.

The Famous Magellan's Cross at Cebu City, Philippines

FASHION
3. Cebu weather is almost the same all year round. It’s hot in here, literally. Cebu crowd would always wear comfortable clothes, almost like in a vacation mode everyday. Flashy attires are reserved for late evening parties on the hippest bars within the City. During day time, people at the malls are usually in their jeans or shorts paired with updated tops or vintage shirts. Trendy and sexy accessories is a must if you want to make a statement. Fashionable and shimmering bib necklaces is a sure head turner. If in doubt go for something simple and classy – two adjectives that best describe Cebuano fashion.

TIME MANAGEMENT
4. Except if you have an earlier appointment in your itinerary, waking up time should be 8 or 9 in the morning. Malls and tourist spots usually open at 10 in the morning. However, if you are staying in a hotel with a good beach, enjoying the 6 to 9 a.m. sun for a little bronze effect on the skin is a must.

PAMPERINGS
5. Vacation in Cebu is couldn’t be defined without self pamperings. Bestow upon your self an indulgence of a Cebuano touch. Get your self a relaxing massage in the comfort of your hotel room in SPA scattered in every nooks and corners of the City. Body Massage services ranges from P150 to P300. For a luxurious treat, you may try Chi Spa at the Shangrila Mactan Resort Hotel.

Happy Cebu Summer Vacation!