Cebu City Side Trip » Bantayan Island Getaway at Sta. Fe Beach Club Ogtong Cave Resort

I don’t know why these first few months of the year always gives me extra stress. Maybe it’s because of that nagging desire to accomplish more, to plow the field early to avoid the afternoon burnout. Fresh start is not always easy as rebooting a laptop. The whole shebang gives me headache, and the energy surge always nearly bursts my sanity bubble.

This is the time of the year when I badly need an awesome beach. Yep, just give me sunset and a beach and everything will be fine.

Fortunately, we spent the extra day of our Cebu City business getaway on a side-trip to Bantayan, an island said to be the next Boracay at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu province. We checked-out at GV Tower hotel early morning and took a three-hour drive going to Hagnaya port.

Dark clouds threatening our Bantayan Island escapade -- but the mighty sun proved he's king 

The three-hour road trip was fantastic because you got to see Cebu’s countryside – lots of greenery, mini chocolate hills and an occasional glimpse of the beautiful Cebu island coastline which adds up to our excitement. Luckily we catch the Ro-Ro in Hagnaya port just in time leaving for Sta. Fe. It’s really convenient because you can actually bring a car or your SUV from Cebu city to Bantayan Island.

The ferry (Ro-Ro) that took us to Bantayan Island

I felt like I was going to my hometown in Mindoro because the pier and the scenery are very similar to our Abra de Ilog pier in Occidental Mindoro. The ride was a bit nostalgic because it was a long time since I spent my vacation in Mindoro.

Smooth Ro-Ro ride going to Bantayan

Cute kid playing peek-a-boo with me during our ferry trip.

I’m expecting something like the Island of Tingloy in Batangas, quaint and mountainous. However, I found out that Bantayan Island is many times larger than Tingloy with many barangays and also a bit populated.

Sta. Fe Beach Club – Ogtong Cave Resort

Sky is really different at the beach

After about an hour Ro-Ro (ferry) ride, we headed directly at the Ogtong Cave Resort. You can instantly feel the relaxing atmosphere of the resort. No high rise buildings and noisy vehicles on the highway – just the trees and the soft sound of the beach.

The resort is set in a wide-open space with nice looking summer cottages in manicured garden. 

Ogtong Cave Resort Cottage

There is also a mini zoo, but that doesn’t catch my interest. Like I said before, I’m not a fan of caged animals. I’m not an animal activist but I don’t see the point of putting them in cages as pets or worst, putting them in a beach resort as attractions.

"In praise of the blue sky"

"Graceful Death"

Disappointing Cave

Ogtong Cave at the Sta. Fe Beach Club - Bantayan Island

I thought Ogtong Cave is the main attraction of the resort, hoping that it is more exciting to explore than the Hinagdanan Cave in Bohol. But to my disappointment, the cave is just like a pit with stairs – it is just a small dent in the Sta. Fe landscape. There is nothing exciting at the cave except for the small water lagoon. Also, they no longer allow swimming at the cave so we immediately abandoned it.

Serene beach

Sandy beach in front of the Ogtong Cave Beach Resort

What makes me excited was of course, the awesome beach! The sand was not as fine and white like those in Boracay but there is serenity here – no fancy tourists, loud bars and zooming jet skis. Maybe we are just lucky because there are only few guests staying at the resort that time. 

"Si Bantay sa Bantayan Island"

It was not in our plan to stay overnight at the resort so we didn’t rent a beach villa. Instead we just rent a small kubo (nipa hut) perfectly located near the beach. We only have the whole afternoon to enjoy the beach, hence after our awesome seafood lunch, we immediately disturbed the serene water.

Intricate rock cavities along the Bantayan Island beach

Unlike other beaches with wide shoreline, Ogtong Cave Resort has notable intricate rock cavities carved just a few meters from the shoreline, which is typical in rocky islands. It gives the beach a scenic touch together with nice palm trees and manicured green grass.

the backpackers

For more details regarding accommodations, facilities and services, contact details and how to book, at the Sta. Fe Beach Club – Ogtong Cave Resort, visit their website at http://www.ogtongcave.com. It has useful information although it seems they are not updating it.

Ready for battle again

We didn’t have the chance to visit other cool beaches and tourist spots in Bantayan Island due to our very limited time (actually we just sneak in there), but we did had a good time in Cebu. We also had a quick evening visit at the Kota Lighthouse and did some crazy barkada gig there before having our ritual booze-and-videoke night.

"The Thinking Man"

Over-all, our Cebu trip was quite memorable. A quick visit to Bantayan island was really de-stressing. The trip was a nice early treat for me before summer (and everything hot and stressful) kicks in.

"Fly High"

Definitely a quick trip to a sunny beach never fails to re-boot my system – ready for battle again!


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GV Tower Hotel Cebu City Review » Cheap rates that will give you second thoughts

Sharing this GV Tower hotel experience during my recent Cebu City trip is my novel answer to my perpetual blogger’s dilemma of “what shall I write today?” No, I am not a hotel connoisseur but I’m writing this review as a friend. Maybe you are planning your trip to Cebu City and now inquiring for cheap hotels to stay. You don’t know me and I don’t want to let you down – but I have to be honest, I only give praise when it's due, and criticism when warranted. Here’s my review.

I was assigned in Cebu City to conduct the MSAP 2011 last February 10 – 12 and was billeted at the GV Tower Hotel courtesy of our host school, the SCSIT (in short, it was a semi-business, 70 % leisure trip). We took the early morning flight and checked-in directly at the hotel for breakfast.

The Arwana receptionist 

 

The hotel is located at the intersection of Osmeña Blvd. and Sanciangko St., the two busy streets in downtown Cebu and the only temporary parking space they can provide for arriving guests is their basement which can hardly accommodate three cabs at the same time. 

GV Tower Hotel main entrance

Unlike other hotels, the basement serves as the main entrance to the elevator and not directly to the reception area. Yes, the hotel’s reception area is located at the 7th Floor of the building. Also, expect no bellhop to help you with your luggage.

I'm trying to be less petty and more constructive here but I can’t help but be more critical because the only smile we received here is from the large Arwana at the basement. Hotel staff seems always so busy they didn’t have time to greet you with a smile – rather unusual for a establishment under the hospitality industry.

The lobby and other facilities

The main lobby and reception is located at the seventh floor, which is quite unusual and inconvenient with only one small service elevator. Also, there are only three small sofas available at the waiting area, so the adjacent bar and restaurant is also used as lounge by waiting guests.

Main lobby and reception at the 7th floor

The hotel bar and restaurant at the seventh floor is serving breakfast, lunch and dinner but it is closed at midnight. I hardly saw any diner maybe because they prefer the nearby restaurants, which is more convenient. It is also interesting to note the mini sari-sari store beside the reception area where you can buy cup noodles, chichirya, shampoo and other stuff – quite convenient but out-of-place.

Bar and Restaurant

We inquired if we can go up the City View Function Hall at the 17th floor to take pictures but the hotel staff said it is only available when there is an event – guests are not allowed to go up there. Therefore we just took pictures of the Cebu City skyline from the 7th floor.

According to their official website, GV Tower Hotel is the newest and tallest landmark in downtown Cebu. I’m excited when I learned about it but to my disappointment, it is true a few years ago. Currently, it no longer has that status. 

Annoying keycard

Hotel technician fixing our door

We had a full dose of a real bad customer service after returning from our evening Cebu City tour. We can’t open our room using our keycard so we asked the receptionist for help. She checked our keycard and said it should be working – like it’s our fault. We go back to our room at the 16th floor but still we can’t open our room so we go back again at the 7th to ask for help. This time I insist that somebody should assist us. During that time, there was only one receptionist and you have to ring the bell to call her. Without being sorry (like it’s a usual thing there) the sleepy receptionist asked us to wait while she calls for a technician.

Imagine it was past midnight and we are really sleepy and very tired. The technician was trying to open the door with a coin and a screwdriver? While saying “yawa-man, yawa!” (or something like that!) obviously irritated because we interrupted his midnight siesta.

We waited about an hour before they got the keycard working. Thank goodness!

The hotel is at its worst during the night. They are turning off some lights probably to save on electricity, thus giving an eerie feel to the narrow alley going to your room - like those in the horror films.

The Obama Room

See the picture in the frame?

If there was something notable about their Deluxe Room, it was the picture frame not the panaview. I really can’t understand why they cut a grinning picture of Barack Obama from a magazine and put it in a large picture frame making it the centerpiece of the room. I don’t know if it is their idea of attracting foreign guests or it’s a joke. Perhaps the hotel's interior designer is an Obama fanatic.

Our Deluxe Room with the view of Sanciangko Street

Their Deluxe Room has basic amenities such as cable TV, a few hangers, aircon and a roll of tissue paper. However, their cable TV has very few channels and there is no remote control for the aircon because it’s an old type unit, probably second hand. No matter how we tried adjusting the dials, it cannot make the whole room cool enough.

The hotel comfort room

The comfort room with the shower area is too small for an average size guest. The rooms also doesn’t have the standard “Do Not Disturb/Please make-up this room” door sign and they don’t have the regular room cleaning such as changing of bedsheets and cleaning of CR. I guess you have to specifically request for those services.

The pillows are also too small with very visible numbers stamped like those in prisons. The room was void of comfortable atmosphere and furnishings.

The neighborhood 

GV Tower Hotel along Osmeña Blvd.

Safe for lazy late night stroll? No! GV Tower Hotel’s immediate surrounding is not safe for late night stroll. We tried going out for a late night snack and we saw lots of hookers in the dark alley just a few meters away from the hotel’s entrance. There are also lots of beggars and homeless children sleeping along the alley together with vendors selling pirated DVD’s and stuff. It’s like a mini Quiapo, you will not feel safe especially if you don’t know how to speak and understand their local dialect.

GV Tower Hotel plus factor

Cebu City view (Osmeña Blvd.) from the 7th floor lobby

The hotel’s location is very convenient due to the main street intersection which is directly adjoining easily reachable and convenient transport links. It’s just a few meters away from the Colon-Osmeña intersection, the major arteries of Cebu’s transportation route.

Also within the area are major fastfood chains and the Gaisano Mall. The location is also within walking distance from the Basilica of Sto.Nio, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia, Magellans Cross, Elizabeth Mall.

A note to fellow first timers

If you are traveling to Cebu City, whether for business or for leisure and you really want to enjoy your whole stay, you might want to check other nearby hotels first for comparison and to really the got the value for your money.

However, GV Tower hotel is perfect if you are traveling in Cebu and just want a very affordable and cheap room to stay overnight. The hotel is also your budget saver if you are on a tight budget and looking for cheap hotel to stay in Cebu City.

Due to its very accessible location, GV Tower hotel is also very convenient if you are just doing some business within Cebu City.

Summary

Observations

• Hotel reception at the 7th floor may cause inconvenience, there should be a receiving bellboy at the basement entrance.
• No slippers available
• Comfort room is too small with no toilet water sprayer hose (we Filipinos prefers washing our butt than just wiping it with tissue paper) so ask for a tabo.
• Very few TV Channels
• Unsafe neighborhood for a late night stroll
• Friendliness and helpfulness is rare
• Need improvement on staff competence in handling complaints
• Lacks homey atmosphere and furnishings

Good points

• Generally clean
• Very affordable/cheap room rates
• Good proximity to shopping areas and other famous City destinations

Quick Hotel Information: 

GV Tower Hotel – Downtown Cebu City

Address: Cor. Osmena Blvd. and Sanciangko St., Cebu City Philippines

Contact Number: +63 32 416-0000, +63 32 253-6518

Fax: +63 32 253-6518

Email: info@gvhotelgroup.com

Website: http://www.gvhotelgroup.com/

Room Rates: 

(May vary depending on tourist peak season or discounts and promos may be available)

Single Room : 850.00 Php

Standard Room : 1,100 Php

DeLuxe with Panaview: 1,300.00 Php

VIP with Terrace: 1,700.00 Php

Family with full view: 2,250.00 Php

(Above rates are based on my inquiry with the hotel as of February 2011 – Please call the hotel for updated/discounted rates)

Enjoy your Cebu trip!!!

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Images » Mobile Things To Do While in Cebu City

The Griffin at the Cathedral's pediment

This is my noob attempt at phontography and SGS photowalk during our recent Cebu City visit. Although SLR camera is still the best at capturing images, always carrying it around is a real drag. We are now living a high-tech world where “convergence” is everywhere. Gone are the days when a point-and-shoot camera was a camera, an MP3 player was an MP3 player, a mobile phone was a just a phone.

I got some savings for a DSLR camera last year, but I end up buying a smartphone because I realized I need it more than an SLR. However, I’m planning to buy one if I have that extra budget again - I’ll try phontography in the meantime. They say phontography is the next generation revolution in point-and-shoot photography because every second somewhere in the world a picture is being clicked using a mobile phone and being immediately uploaded on the Internet.

I was browsing the net on this subject and came across “Cellular Obscura,” the mobile phone photography blog by Shawn Rocco, photojournalist for the News & Observer in North Carolina. The blog is emphasizing the notion that it's not always the quality of the camera that counts, but the artist behind it. Really inspiring!

I want to dig on this subject on the coming weeks. Now here’s my first attempt at phone photography using my Samsung Galaxy S featuring the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral »The Bishop’s Throne

Ancient church tradition dictates that the local ordinary or bishop wields his power from his throne, the seat of the archdiocese. This was reflected in the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, which has a “throne” or seat made of marble located on the left side of the altar for the politically powerful His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

Aside from entailing authority the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is the symbol of unity of the church, the “unifying factor” in Cebu province.

"Seat of Power"

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is shaped into a cruciform with thick walls that were built to withstand typhoon and other natural calamities. Inside the church, a large dome sits upon the pillars of the transept, accenting the barrel vaulted ceiling. The convent now has balustrades to resemble Spanish era architecture.

"Cathedral Sentinel"

The church was almost completely destroyed during World War II. The remaining original structures are the belfry and the facade.

"Holy Grandeur"

The cathedral is a typical example of a baroque colonial church. When you enter, you will see an old design but it is devoid of ceiling murals typical in old Bohol Churches. 

"Mute Belfry"

During World War II, much of the cathedral was destroyed by Allied bombings of the city. Only the belfry (built in 1835), the facade, and the walls remained. It was quickly rebuilt in the 1950s under the supervision of architect Jose Ma. Zaragosa.

"The Power of the Golden Orbs"

The cathedral also underwent a 30 million peso renovation for the 75th anniversary celebration last April 28, 2009.

"Lungkot-lungkutan"

That's it! These photos are all from my Samsung Galaxy S phone. I used some built-in phone camera adjustment and scene selections while capturing these  images and do some light and color enhancement in photoshop. 

I'm a real noob at photography and I want to learn the basic tricks so I will be busy reading phone photography articles in a few weeks.

Also if you can help me in any way, I'll appreciate that. Please share your inputs or suggested readings on the comments section.

Thanks in advance!!!

.   

Cebu City » A Quick Peek at the Queen City of the South

“Sail away, sail away, sail away...

From Bissau to Pilau - in the shade of Avalon,

From Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony,

From Peru to Cebu, feel the power of Babylon”

[Orinoco Flow] – Enya

Aside from dried mangoes, it was actually the song Orinoco Flow by Enya that got me curious about Cebu. I got this dreamy idea that maybe there is really some Celtic mystery on this part of the Philippines that it is worth mentioning together with other powerful places like the Isles of Ebony, Fiji, Tiree and Babylon.

In many ways and based on my prior inquiries, Cebu is an idyllic place, rich in history and home to the Philippine Musae, the goddesses of music and voice. However, to be honest, a week before flying to Cebu, I was feeling a bit tired and jaded about traveling to another city. When you’re going to another place, with same scene, same noise, same scent, the spark of newness fades and travel can feel like a worthless, pointless drag, just a continuation of bullshit on different archipelago.

Nevertheless, this is a sponsored business trip, a proctoring gig for MSAP 2011

so there’s no point on expecting grandeur and pleasure. I just go – it’s my first time to visit Cebu anyway and it’s an all expenses paid trip, so why complain. I consider this trip to be more than the seeing of sights; it is an opportunity for me to take a quick peek at the famous Queen City of the South. 

The Queen’s Past

Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, Cebu then known as Zubu (or Sugbo) was an island inhabited by pagan, and islamic people who traded with other Asian civilizations.

Lapu-lapu soldiers waiting for Magellan army's revenge --- Here on 27 April 1521, Lapu-lapu and his men repulsed the Spanish invaders killing their leader Ferdinand Magellan. Thus, Lapu-lapu became the first Filipino to have repelled European aggression

It was the first Spanish settlement created in the Philippines. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, found Cebu in April of 1521, but failed to claim the island after he was killed twenty days later.

"On this spot, Ferdinand Magellan died on April 27, 1521. Wounded in an encounter with the soldiers of Lapu lapu, Chief of Mactan Island. One of Magellan's ships, the Victoria under the command of Juan Sebastian El cano sailed from Cebu on May 1, 1521 and anchored at San Lucar de Barramedaon September 6, 1522, thus completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth"  - 1941 Text from the site historical marker

There are lots of monuments and markers of Spain and Catholicism in Cebu. These sites are often visited and the many stories of Magellan and Lapu Lapu are passed on to new curious generations. Too bad we didn’t got the chance to visit the famous Magellan’s Cross due to our mixed-up schedule.

Cebu City is Manila minus the mayhem

Cebu has always been a major population center, primarily due to its key location astride the achipelago’s main trade routes. It serves as the hub around which the Visayas revolves and has profited greatly from this favorable location, thus attracting migrants from all over the Visayas and Mindanao region.

View of Osmeña Street from GV Tower Hotel 

Based on my quick assessment and observation of the City, Cebu is Metro Manila minus the mayhem. There is road traffic and, yes it is also chaotic but it is not insane. Cebu City’s size and layout is a little organized and can be understood rather than endured.

Colon - Osmeña Intersection - Cebu City Downtown

Cebuanos strictly follow pedestrian rules. I remember an incident while crossing Colon Street and Osmeña Intersection where Aldan and me hurriedly crossed the street even when the pedestrian green light signal was off. We are surprised because nobody from the crowd is crossing the street even if there are no vehicles passing – only the two of us did (just like in Manila) and they are staring at us probably saying “Manileños, pisting yawa!” 

Downtown Cebu afternoon skyline

Yodz afternoon emo shot

 I can also generally conclude, from the four taxi rides I took, that hardly any taxi drivers in Cebu metropolis are employed by Satan. They will not ask you for “dagdag” (additional fare) unlike in Metro Manila. Cebu City has achieved the metropolis status without coming to resemble the final circle of hell. I just hope it stayed that way.  

The City’s dark side

Although Cebu City, the Queen City of the South, boasts of famed Cebuano hospitality and faith, economic activity, competitive administration and renowned scenic spots, don’t get your hopes up. With apologies to the few western foreigners and the like, if I were to draw a portrait of the average foreigner here, it would be of a divorced middle-aged man on shorts with unkempt hair, probably on drugs with a much younger brown-skinned Filipina on his arm. Familiar eh?

Cebu City downtown at dawn

When we tried a short walk at downtown Colon around midnight for snack, I felt like the place is very similar to Recto Street in Quiapo. There are lots of hookers, bugaw, beggars sleeping on sidewalks and other elements of city decay. Still, the safest city I’ve been is Davao.

Coin operated drinking stations

I keep on noticing this videoke like stations everywhere we go, at schools, along sidewalks, sari-sari stores and other public areas. I later learned that these are coin operated water drinking stations distributed across the city. Really convenient and cool business I must say. But we haven't tried drinking from it.     

It is interesting to note the difference between uptown and downtown Cebu. I gather from our small chitchat with our host that uptown Cebu around Fuente Osmeña is the place where the rich Cebuanos and Tsinoys reside. They said it’s like the Beverly Hills of Cebu. On the other hand, downtown Cebu (where we are billeted) have such completely opposite character which seems like it’s a different city. Downtown along Colon Street is older, dirtier, more impoverished and more vice strewn than uptown.   

Cebu City isn’t Metro Manila, but that doesn’t make it a place I’d want to be spending out my holiday – with exception to the Sinulog festival of course. 

P.S.
More of our Cebu Trip on my upcoming posts. I'll be featuring our food escapades, GV Tower Hotel not-so-good experience, our visit to the Cebu Cathedral and camwhoring at the Top - Busay Hills and the best part of our trip, our visit to Bantayan Island.

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Header Image Source: "Queen of Temptation" digital art by Durango