Engaging to a regular exercise and eating the right food are among the highly recommended activities to avoid oxygen depletion in the body. During that time, I resolved that I will do my daily morning 1-hour jogging before hitting the books for at least 8 hours everyday.

Photo by TEDDY ESPINUEVA http://www.ceburunning.com

Wanting to keep my early morning jogging exciting I tried several spots.

Abellana / Cebu City Sports Complex
Entrance fee is P15 for regular joggers and P10 for students. Jogging here is less strenuous to the feet because of the rubberized track. This venue is usually packed with more than a hundred joggers.  5 PM after work to 8 PM is its peak hours. For variations, there are also tae-bo, swimming, ball room dancing and belly dancing sessions. Everyone is welcome to join for a very affordable fee ranging from P10 to P50 per session. No changing room but the comfort rooms are clean so you can change there. You may leave your things at one of the secured rooms. An attendant is on duty to look after your things. A major drawback of this place is the fact that the air you breath there may not be that fresh since this area is very close to the major thoroughfares of the City. You don’t want to suffocate your lungs with polluted air while jogging. However, it may not be that polluted as well. So far, I am yet to see a study on how polluted is the air here in Cebu.

The Family Park at Talamban
Entrance fee is P10 to P15. Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, entrance fee is waived. The trees are tall. The birds are singing in chorus and the grass are green. The jogging path is a bit challenging because of its ascending pitch and trails that are not yet cemented. It is rocky and narrow. Fresh air is everywhere but not people. Only a few joggers come here. Most of the time, families come here for picnic, animal watching or maybe swimming.

Asiatown IT Park
There was a time when jogging here is prohibited. Today however, IT park is one of the favorite jogging site especially for the mid twenties to early 40’s crowd. It is clean and hip. Very close to everything. There are free parking on the western side of the area. A cemented pedestrian road can be utilized as your jogging route. No changing room but the rest rooms at The Walk is  a good makeshift.

Cebu Business Park
Less and less people jogs here. It’s a very big area but most of the time one can only cover a portion of it. For me, that area beside Union Bank is best place to jog. The place is secured. There are security guards on duty.  But a heavier volume of vehicles passing the road makes this place less appealing to joggers .

A. S. Fortuna
Although I haven’t tried it here, I observed that there had been several joggers who passed by this stretch from Manduae Highway to Foodland – Talamban. There are a number of vehicles passing on this street, safety is a concern. There are dogs on the road from residents beside the street so this may not be a good idea for those who fear dogs. If you will run going to Mandaue Highway Seno from Foodland, you will face the sunrise on your way.

Plan and enjoy. Happy Jogging!

TIP: To look for more places safe for running/jogging you may want to visit http://www.ceburunning.com/runsafe/ Aside from a very informative cebu running map, the site also contains such data as areas where runners are robbed or attacked. It also indicates which parts of Cebu runners should avoid for being unsafe, especially at night.

For the meantime, I am happy to announce that CBS partnered with Mandaue Chamber of Commerce for this year’s Mandaue Business Month. The activity will kick off with a fun run on August 1, 2010 at 4:00 o’clock in the morning at the West Parking Area of the Park Mall.

Please check poster below for registrations and more info. Lets run and help!

It is a fact that bloggers feel greater belonging to a group of like-minded people with interests and ways of thinking similar to their own. Cebu Bloggers cemented this bond among its members. It has functioned as a safe space where members seek out other for mutual feedback and support – “sometimes even love”, fostering a sense of security and help. It relieved isolation and/or alienation. I for one had a dramatic numerical improvement in terms of social support and friendship networks.

Now, this emerging group is already will be celebrating its 2nd founding anniversary! Dubbed as CBS @ 2: The Cebu Bloggers Society 2nd Anniversary Celebration, the event is envisioned to further strengthen the bond of friendship and camaraderie within the blogging community.

The anniversary celebration will be held Sunday, February 14, 2010, 5-9PM, at the Celebration Hall of SM Storyland, Lower Ground Floor, SM City Cebu.

SPONSORS: Batang Yagit Jehzeel Laurente

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!

Sumilon Island, Cebu, Philippines

1. Get low-airfare tickets from promos of leading airlines. Cebu Pacific is known for giving promos including the P1.00 airfare tickets. Check out Cebu Pacific website for details. You may subscribe to receive airfare promo ads in your email.
2. Formulate a vacation theme. Your summer vacation theme in Cebu is endless, it may be by the beach, metropolitan living, heritage tour, religious pilgrimage or even extreme adventures. Adopting one theme will make vacation planning a breeze.
3. Reserve/Book hotels earlier. Plan where will you stay. Although in Cebu everything is within your reach it would still be advisable if you will plan your hotel/stay to go along with your itinerary and planned vaction theme. I wish there would be a site like that of Accommodation Melbourne where hotel booking is easy and simple. It lets you book your hotels in Melbourne, Australia while just surfing the internet. In addition to that, Accomodation Melbourne also offers discounts for its patron. I wish there would be a centralized Cebu Accommodation website that would replicate Accommodation Melbourne .
4. Plan your day activity but reserve at least 3 hours for some “mindless indulgence”.
5. Try to tap your Cebuano friends for a city tour. Locals are the best tourist guides.

The forum aims to provide the people of Cebu and the Visayas, especially the business community, a chance to meet and hear the presidential candidates and know their positions on issues related to the economy, education, social services, governance, and environment.

Around a thousand representatives from the business community, academe, youth, media and the labor sector are expected to attend. Select political analysts from the state and private universities in Cebu will also be part of the audience.

The forum will be covered live by Sky Cable and will be aired on block time by the ABS-CBN network in Visayas and Mindanao. ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol and radio station DYAB will also cover the event live and will run a text voting/survey and mock election during the forum.

This event is brought to us by the three major business Chambers in Cebu Province namely, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Cebu Business Club (CBC).

Event Details
What: Choices and Voices for 2010: An Encounter with the Presidentiables
Where: Cebu International Convention Center
When: January 22, 2010 (Friday) at 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Ticket Price: Php 250.00 (CCCI is giving it for free but limited seats only)
Contact Person: CCCI through Keishma Arreza / Mark
Contact Number: 2321422-24 local 105/104

Note: Please come on time. Doors will be closed by 4:00 PM

Source: http://www.cebubusinesswebportal.com

Finally, the result for Ms. Cebu 2010 is already announced in a televised ceremony which concluded this prestigious beauty and brain contest. Ms. Cebu 2010 winners were crowned last January 12, 2010 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino which was also aired at Studio 23.

I am delighted that my two favorite candidates were among the top 5 contestants; Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon and Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan. These two lovely and beautiful ladies were my bets, the former being an effervescent and effective host of ABS-CBN Sunday show MagTV and the latter being a student of the University of San Jose-Recoletos where I am part time teaching.

Carole Monique "Blinky" A. De Leon

Rogelie "Rej" A. Catcutan

The following is the List of Ms. Cebu 2010 Winners

4th runner-up: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
3rd runner-up: Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan
2nd runner-up: Candidate #10: Maria Eliza “Liza” R. Zosa
1st runner-up: Candidate #1: Maria Gresa “Gresa” M. Lugo
Miss Cebu 2010 and Kapamilya Star of the Night: Candidate #4: Reena Elena “Reena” A. Malinao

Special Awards:

Miss Friendship: Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan
Miss Photogenic: Candidate #11: Rogelie “Roj” A. Catacutan
Miss Belo Star White Skin: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
Miss Belo Body Beautiful: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
Best in Evening Gown: Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon
Best Evening Gown Designer: Cary Santiago (gown worn by Candidate #8: Carole Monique “Blinky” A. De Leon)
Lifetime Achievement Awardee: Felix Yu

With all due respect to the official result, this author wants to imagine indulgently that the result was supposedly in reversed order. Nonetheless, I convey my highest felicitations to the winners especially to the New Ms. Cebu! Congratulations to Ms. Reena Elena A. Malinao! The name says it all!

Miss Cebu 2010 - Ms. Reena Elena A. Malinao

Would this be another Ms. Cebu controversy or would this silenced Ms. Cebu detractors?

It seems that as I grow older, the more I realized that wandering is not bad after all. More so, that for this vice I was even recognized by some group of popular bloggers as Best Cebu Blogger for 2009. LaagCebu.com (wandering in Cebu) is proclaimed as 2009’s Best Cebu Blog. Maybe Mom will make a paradigm shift if she will know this.

Best Cebu Blog 2009 Badge

This blog was conceived because of my passion in roaming the whole province of Cebu. The journey started at the time I feel the need to step up my blogging habit which I discovered four years earlier. I bought my first domain and hosting last June through the help of an extraordinary kid. This blog aims to inform every traveler, locals and visitors alike of the latest happenings and events around Cebu. This site shall provide them with the necessary general to specific details of the events and must-trys within Cebu.

There were moments where I feel exhausted with these seemingly reiterated journeys. I was at the point of deciding to hang my sandals for good. But, I wish I know how to quit it. Indeed, it is like a bad habit so extremely difficult to break. It is even harder since I had been constantly surrounded with young and enthusiastic bloggers who never fail to inspire me to continue with this foray.

In accepting this award, I am thanking the Cebu Bloggers Society for its unceasing and continuous support to all its members, me included, to come up with quality blogs as we promote our beloved Cebu. It is from this organization that we draw our strength and courage to pursue our paths to online greatness as we lead the way and leave a trail for other bloggers. Let’s keep it up.

My gratitude and appreciation to the organizers of BCB (Best Cebu Blogs) Mark Monta of bugits.com and company. Thank you to the judges Jehzeel Laurente, Nancy Cudis and Ariel Lalisan for their time and indulgence in exploring our humble online abodes.

Winners are:

1. Laag Cebu
2. Hungit Cebu
3. SoloflightEd
4. Kevin Ray Chua
5. iBeejing
6. McBilly
7. PINOYWORLD Philippines
8. d’MusicBox
9. Cebu Festivals
10. Kiatan

What a good start for 2010. Happy New Year everyone. Have a good one!

Here are some points on why LaagCebu.com supports the BRT plan.

Accoding to Wikipedia Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems that use buses to provide a service that is of a higher speed than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling. It is a transport system with its onw right of way. The goal of this system is to approach the service quality of rail transit while still enjoying the cost savings of bus transit.

BRT System

Why BRT?

1. When operating in exclusive running ways or dedicated lanes, BRT systems can run at faster speeds than conventional buses in regular traffic and even as fast as light rail. By offering frequent service and avoiding traffic-related delays, BRT systems can provide riders with a more reliable travel time.
2. Minimum transfers from one mode of transportation to another. BRT is highly accessasble since it will follow same route with the typical jeepneys in the city right now.
3. Lesser amount of investment is required. This means that the BRT is more feasible and practical.
4. Faster implementation since no major road construction required instead roads will just be widened and rails be set up.
5. Through the use of clean and alternative fuel vehicles and the reduction in automobile traffic and congestion, BRT systems can help achieve air quality and other environmental goals.
6. BRT is more flexible compared to LRT, routes maybe change anytime to cater large volumes of demands on certain places depending on the occasion and other contingencies.
7. RT affords a great opportunity for tourist to view the city as if riding a bus. This is a more tourist friendly mode of transportation. BRT systems generally use rubber-tired, low-floor vehicles with wide doorways and aisles that are easy to board and comfortable to ride, most BRT vehicles are designed to provide premium seating and amenities while enjoying the view a city could offer.
8. Cleaner roads. Road maintenance is not duplicated.
9. Provides opportunities to build better sidewalks and pedestrian areas that will improve the life of the commuting public. A good city is not malls but public space and parks not parking lots. Parking is not a constitutional right. A good city should have places for people to walk and to be with other people. It should give people the needed spaces to play and should not make some people feel inferior.

LRT System

Why not LRT?

1. My experience in Manila is that boarding an LRT is tedious and inconvenient especially to the PWD and the advanced in age. LRT Stations are usually 50 to 100 steps above the road with no elevators. Passengers will have to climb stairs and hurdle a steep walk to reach to the ticket booth and ride the train. For PWD’s and grannys to ride the train is almost impossible.
2. After an LRT ride one will have to take another mode of transportation like a taxi or a jeepney in order to reach to his specific destination.
3. Currently, study shows that passenger volume in metro Cebu cities could not sustain maintenance of the LRT. Local government may have to allocate budget for its maintenance.
4. Talisay City to Mandaue City is so short a route for an LRT. This mode of transportation is designed for distant destinations and long trips. LRT speed and convenience is more appreciable on those kinds of trips.
5. LRT does not solve traffic jam problems. In Metro Manila alone, LRT, MRTI and MRTII proved to be inutile in solving traffic problem.

Cebu Yoga Center

They have an on-going 8-session for beginner courses with three schedules:
Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 6:30pm (course takes 4 weeks)
Saturday mornings at 8:00am (course takes 8 weeks)
Sunday mornings at 8:00am (course takes 8 weeks)

The Sunday morning course fits for those who are working and busy professionals. Though each of the 8 sessions is different, you may begin with any session.

The cost of the course is only 1100 pesos total, including healthy snacks served after each session. There are also ongoing promos available like the first 10 students who enrolled would get a rate of only 950 pesos. You may want to inquire now and do so quickly to take advantage of the discounts and privileges.

They also have a center at Pagsabungan, Mandaue an in-patient natural therapy healing center with most people staying about 3 weeks — coming from all over the country and even from other countries. Those coming just for yoga learning simply join the flow.The Capitol Site iss really our Yoga Center, set up for yoga classes.

LOCATION & CONTACT NUMBERS:

The phone number at the yoga center is (32)4124708. The Yoga Center manager is Ms Kripadevi, a Filipino. Her cell number is 0928-9015616.

When walking on Osmena Street from Osmena Fuente toward the Capitol Building, turn left on Jasmine Street at Joven’s Bar & Grill (across Red Ribbon). The Center is located just 50 meters left of Dynasty Tourist Inn on P. Rodriguez St.

Ananda Marga Yoga Center in Cebu
410 Don Pedro Rodriguez Street
Capitol Site, Cebu City, Philippines