Quick Facts - CEBU

Cebu and Language: Cebu Province has a total population of approximately 4 million. Cebuano is the native tongue. While Filipino is commonly understood and spoken, the English language is widely used in business transactions and education. Weather: Cebu is best from December to May when the weather turns dry. It is coolest from December to February, hottest from March to May. Temperature can rise as high as 37°C in the summer. The rainy season begins in July bringing torrential downpours until November. Dress/What to Bring: Natural-fiber clothes, lightweight clothing. Bring bathing suit, insect repellent, flashlight, sun block cream, comfortable shoes for walking, rubber slippers for the beach. Electrical Appliances: Most areas in Cebu are supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles. A plug with 2 flat parallel prongs is the norm. Money: Philippine currency is peso, divided into 100 centavos. Most foreign currencies can easily be changed at banks, hotels and authorized dealers. Major foreign credit cards may be accepted only at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins. ATM – Automatic Teller Machine is strategically located. Business: HoursBanks-9am to 3pm Monday to Friday; Government agencies and offices-8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; Department stores-10am to 8pm Monday to Sunday. Tipping: Bellhops expect a tip, as do waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, beauticians and porters. Tipping 5-15% of the bill is appropriate if no service charge is included. Public Transport Getting around Cebu , one may take a colorful jeepney or a bus at a minimal fare. Taxicabs are widely available. Some DO'S AND DON'T'S in Philippine Society The most important initial step in gaining insights about the local resident is to understand him in his own setting. The following are just some general statements intended to help you in your behavior in the local community:

*Avoid wearing sandals when attending special occasions in the local community-wearing shoes is a sign that the event is important to you.

*Do invite people at least three times. Local residents are taught that it is proper to refuse the first time or two. To them, insistence is a clear sign that the offer or invitation is genuine.

*Do give the local residents a way out of the situation so he can save face, thus avoiding embarrassment, Embarrassment him will cause “hiya” or loss of face.

*Don't use the common sign of OK-in the local community, its means money. You may use the new sign OK. This is the thumbs-up sign which has been commonly seen on television.

*Don't use your forefinger upward to call a local resident. It is considered somewhat degrading. One way of calling is to beckon with the hand in gentle downward motion. “Pssst” is another popular way to get someone's attention. As a rule however, it is even better to use nicknames, because these are reserved for close friends.

*Smiling is a form of friendship and a form of greeting.

How to get to CEBU, PHILIPPINES

There are two ways to go to Cebu.

1. The first, and the easiest, is by direct flight. At present international airlines offer direct flights to Cebu from abroad: Hong Kong, Singapore, Nerita- Japan, Kinabalu- Kuala Lumpor, Doha-Qatar, Pusan-South korea, Incheon-South Korea, Osaka Kansai-Japan, Taipei-Taiwan, Koror-Palau.

• www.cebupacificair.com/ · Inter Airlines flights · Qatar Airways flights · Philippine Airlines flights · Asiana Airlines flights · Silk Air flights · Air Philippines flights · Cathay Pacific flights · China Airlines flights · Korean Air flights · www.asianspirit.com/ · Malaysia Airlines flights

Via Middle East. Gulf Air flies from Cebu to the Gulf. Flights are carried out with an Airbus 340 and offer excellent connections to Europe, Africa and America. Philippine Airlines also offers daily its ‘Cebu Express’ program, linking Cebu and other cities of the Philippines and directly with 14 international destinations.There are airlines which fly Manila-Cebu and back. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Zest Air, Asian Spirit , flies on several times a day from Manila to Cebu./ 2. The alternative of a direct flight is to fly to Manila and take a domestic flight to Cebu, or take a boat trip from Manila to Cebu an overnight travel by sailing on a luxury liner through the Philippine archipelago is an adventure in itself. Sailing on time, clean, organized and equipped with restaurants and entertainment, the ship made the passenger easily forget the 20 hours. Today, there are Superferries. Superferry 2 and 5 sail between Cebu and Manila, the others have different routes. But the major shipping lines have changed their perception of inter-island shipping. All ships offer a wide range of accommodations. There are special two person suites and staterooms but also there are much cheaper first and economy class cabins. Food is often included in the ticket, all ships have restaurants, coffeeshops and or bars and discos. Upon arrival at Mactan International Airport, there are a lot of rent a cars who service passengers going to Mactan, Cebu City to your resorts and hotels and pensions. Approximately cost 250 to 35o pesos around 8 US dollars. Taxis are also available.

CEBU "Island Paradise" - Philippines

The country’s most favorite tourist destination and jump off point to the neighboring Islands of the central region of the Philippines. It has a narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, all characteristics of a tropical island. It has gained with idyllic white sandy beaches and pristine clear waters and the popularity for its fantastic diving grounds evidenced by the proliferation of resorts which offer luxurious accommodations.

Cebu with 167 islands with a population of almost 4 million and land area of 5,088 sq. km., with a rich culture and historic past. Cebuano are extremely proud of their cultural and historical heritage, a legacy which has endured thru centuries from the time of the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan first planted the Cross on the Cebu shore.

Time has been kind to Cebu, from Zubu, the fishing village and busy trading port; it has evolved a highly urbanized Metropolitan Center which now serves as a focal point of growth and development of Southern Philippines. It has eight cities and forty eight smaller towns and the traditional products are copra, mango, sugar and banana. And the nontraditional products are electronics, computer software, semi-conductors, watches, components, clothing, accessories, woodcraft and furniture’s. Currently it has six economic zones and industrial product. It is one of the biggest outsourcing in Southeast Asia.

PHILIPPINES "Pearl of the Orient"

7,107 islands, the PHILIPPINES, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila, as its capital city. It is divided into three groups of islands, LUZON, VISAYAS and MINDANAO, with a population of 91 million with 11 million overseas Filipino workers worldwide. The climate is tropical with two season; Wet Season from June to November and Dry Season from December to May. The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, average humidity is 70% and average rainfall is 58 inches. The topography of the Philippines is mostly Mountainous and hilly with narrow coast line. Highest peak is Mount Apo 9,600 feet and Philippine depth Ocean is 25,400 feet second in the world. The Philippines is a former colony of Spain and United States, and predominantly Roman Catholic. With multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the islands. With Malayan ancestry and its culture in due time modified by the contacts of China, India, Arabia, Spain and America. Ecologically, the Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in the world.