One of the things I did during my most recent trip to Cebu City was watch a movie at the brand new IMAX Theater in SM City Cebu. It just opened last July 2010 – much to the excitement of Cebuanos and tourists alike. The IMAX Theater at SM Cebu is, after all, a major project – one that’s been much-awaited for years now. Although the SM Cebu IMAX theater failed to open just in time for the first round of showing of the movie Avatar (this James Cameron masterpiece will be re-released, with additional 8 minutes of footage, according to reports) or Toy Story 3, this didn’t dampen Cebuano moviegoers’ spirits.
My brother, who works in Cebu City (and who’s also a blogger! He owns Tennis Guru), managed to get a couple of freebies during the first few days since the opening of the SM Cebu IMAX Theater, by the way. Here’s a photo of the IMAX giveaways he received:
So anyways, I managed to catch the Leonardo di Caprio flick “Inception” at SM Cebu IMAX. Surprisingly, the ticket price was just P200.00, compared to the P400.00 rate over at SM Mall of Asia IMAX Theater. I’m not too sure if it’s because the movie was 2D or if it was because the theater was just in its early/introductory phase. Can someone enlighten me on this?
Similar to the IMAX Theater found in SM MOA, the IMAX theater in Cebu City also had a lounge-lobby where IMAX ticket holders can sit or order food and drinks. The entire space was carpeted. When I entered the theater, I easily noted that “brand new” smell. The uniformed male theater attendant was also very courteous and offered to lead me to my seat. I declined, said that I often watched movies at SM MOA IMAX and suggested that he helped the other ticket holders who seemed a bit lost and confused (which was totally understandable). He smiled and thanked me.
The SM Cebu IMAX Theater screen was absolutely huge and I guess similar to the size of the screen found at the SM Mall of Asia IMAX Theater. The seats were comfortable, too. Plus I liked the fact that there was a little extra leg room.
Overall – my SM Cebu IMAX Theater experience was good and I highly recommend that you guys catch a film there soon…especially if it’s in 3D!
Or better yet, why don’t you join a contest where you can WIN TWO TICKETS? Check the info below:
LikeGeneral Santos City, Mindanao is set to celebrate the much-awaited Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 to 26, 2010. This, after the Tuna Festival Council of GenSan decided to change this year’s schedule. Normally, the Tuna Fest is celebrated during the first week of September. This year, however, it’s set to happen on September 18 – 26, 2010.
The 42nd Charter Day celebration of General Santos City will also be held on September 5, 2010.
The following is this year’s GenSan Tuna Fest 2010 official schedule of activities:
DAVAO CITY, MINDANAO – It was a nationwide call to prayer. A healing mass for former Philippine President Corazon “Cory” Aquino was held today. It was a mass held simultaneously in various areas in the country including Davao City. The call to prayer mass for Cory Aquino was held at the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague Shrine in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City.
Fr. Tito Caluag celebrated the mass, which he called was a call for healing and prayer for the nation and of the people as requested by the former President herself.
If you wish to leave messages for Cory Aquino and her family, please don’t hesitate to visit this page.
Are you a soon-to-be-bride? Do you know someone who’s interested to look for Filipino wedding photographers? Or do you just want to visit bridal fairs and check out the current rates and some of the best wedding suppliers (especially CDO wedding photographers, of course) in this side of the country today?
Then head on down to the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao from September 3 to 5, 2010 and check out the much-awaited Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2010 bridal fair 
One Happy Story, a duly registered business owned by my absolutely talented brother (who’s a professional wedding photographer, portrait photographer, graphic artist and layout artist) Bon, will be one of the exhibitors And I, as the ever-loving and ever-supportive (ahem, ahem) sister, will also be there to help entertain visitors at our booth.
So if you’re looking for a wedding photography service that’s fresh, fun and funky, please visit our booth (it’s supposedly near the Canon store at the Limketkai Rotunda) and please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself! I would love to meet you
And here’s more… Continue reading →
One of the reasons why this blogger from Mindanao had to spend roughly two weeks in Visayas was a fab, much-awaited weekend in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental with my gal pals Joyce, Iza and Crissa! Although it wasn’t my first time to visit Bacolod City (the renowned City of Smiles and home of the Masskara Festival), it was my first time to spend three days with dear friends whom I all met in Manila. I’ll tell you more about these amazing ladies in the next few posts
For now, I’ll share with you some travel tips should you take the Cebu-Bacolod route soon (the Masskara Festival is just around the corner, after all!) and some of the photos I took at the fairly New Bacolod Silay Airport.
I usually book my flights online using a credit card. For my Cebu City to Bacolod City flight, I had to choose Cebu Pacific Airlines because it had the earliest flight out. You can check the flight schedules, promo fares and available fares over at Cebu Pacific Airlines’ official website. Philippine Airlines also has flights from Cebu to Bacolod but you may notice that the flights come after Cebu Pacific Air’s. PAL’s Bacolod to Cebu flights are also earlier than Cebu Pacific Air’s so if you need to maximize your stay, the most logical choice would only be Cebu Pacific Airlines.
Just a quick detour – here’s a shot of my footwear (yep, that’s my personally customized special edition Havaianas! Remember my recent post about it?) and my oversized Victorinox backpack.
I usually bring this backpack with me since it has a compartment for my Macbook and other gadgets. I also like the fact that it has three ‘layers’ – makes packing and segregating stuff a breeze. Here’s something similar (although way smaller) you may want to buy for yourself:
If you also bring a laptop during travels, you may want to avail of the FREE wi-fi at Cebu Mactan International Airport. No password required but you need to look for a good wi-fi spot. The signal is strong near the stairs at Gate No. 7 (this is the same lounge where you need to wait for your Cebu to Bacolod flight)
So anyways here’s a shot of the plane that I flew in from Cebu City to Bacolod City:
It’s a smaller plane, yes. And just like any other Cebu Pacific Airlines flight, there are no free meals or snacks. Actually, the flight attendants did not even sell us any! I’m guessing it’s because of the very short flying time. From Cebu City to the New Bacolod Silay Airport, it would only take you 25 minutes, give or take.
My brother, who runs the uber famous Philippine-based tennis blog, Tennis Guru, has been raving about this 24-hour place at Asiatown IT Park, Cebu City called Ila Puti. He regularly eats breakfast at this Cebu restaurant and eventually, he has managed to convince a lot of his friends to try ilaputi Cebu as well.
Well, since I’m in the Queen City of the South for a few days, I decided to ask him to take me there as well. So on a bright and sunny Thursday morning, we visited ilaputi’s Asiatown IT Park branch and ordered ilaputi’s “Big Breakfast.”
I was not disappointed. Not at all.
Ilaputi Cebu Asian and fusion restaurant’s big breakfast was a real treat – yummy chorizo, bacon with garlic fried rice, two (!) eggs and marinated pork with rich sauce. The delicious meal was served on a large platter.
Here’s a look at Ilaputi Big Breakfast:
Another photo after the jump!
You can also see a photo of the green tea that we ordered.
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- Cebu: IMAX Theater at SM City Cebu – plus a contest you can join!
- General Santos Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 – 26, 2010
- Please visit our booth at Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2010 bridal fair!
- Photos: New Bacolod Silay Airport
- Cebu: Big breakfast at Ila Puti, Asiatown IT Park
- Off to Visayas!
- Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 MYOH 2010
- Paradise Island Resort Samal Island
- If New York has yellow cabs, Davao City has violet taxis
- 6th Mindanao Film Festival – a call for entries
- Kadayawan Fiesta at the Apo View Hotel Davao City
- Mindanaoan is attending Wordcamp Philippines 2010!
- Kadayawan Festival 2010 | Davao City’s 2010 Kadayawan Festival Schedule of Activities
- Cute vector depiction of the Island of Mindanao
- Inspiration for today
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Sen. Dick Gordon proposes a 9th ray to the sun in Philippine Flag – should Mindanao care?
September 25, 2009
Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, armm, blogging
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Independent Senator Richard Gordon probably has too much time on his hands. This was the very first thing that came to my mind when this Mindanaoan blogger learned that Senator Dick Gordon filed a proposal before the Senate to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag.
Yes, you read that right. A ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag.
According to him, the additional ray will symbolize his “advocacy to champion reforms in Mindanao.”
Now don’t ask me exactly how a 9th ray can make a whole lotta difference but if you ask the senator (who, I think, also has plans to run for president come May 2010), he says this move is part of his many advocacies for “peace and continuous growth and development not only for the Muslim people but also for the whole of Mindanao.”
* photo courtesy of MLQ3
A statement from Senator Dick’s office sent to Mindanaoan also states:
Honestly, I can understand the senator’s objective. I mean, we here in Mindanao would definitely welcome any move or legislation or proposal that can contribute to the progress of this island. No doubt about that. Mindanaoans have longed for lasting peace and development and slowly but surely, we’re getting there. Yes, yes, yes.
What I’m concerned about, though, is the timing of Senator Gordon’s proposal.
At a time when there are just so many pressing matters to attend to, is a proposal for a 9th ray to be added to the sun on the Philippine flag something we all want to hear and discuss these days?
Seriously now.
To quote Lea Salonga — the flag can wait! It really can!
On the other hand, this so-called proposal to “champion Mindanao reforms” may just be one of the senator’s way of attracting media attention. After all, the more odd a proposal sounds, the more attention it gets from the media…and publicity, whether good or bad, is still publicity. And publicity is always part of a politician’s priority list.
On another note – the senator from Olongapo also proposed an act creating the Mindanao Economic Development Authority or MEDA. This agency will reportedly be the implementing office for Mindanao-specific inter-regional and Mindanao-wide programs and projects, including Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.
Question – how will MEDA be different from the existing councils and agencies that oversee ODA and other projects in Mindanao? Will there not be an overlap of duties and responsibilities? What will happen to the existing councils? More importantly — do we really need yet another government agency?
What are YOUR thoughts, fellow Mindanaoan?