Cebu News

25/05/2025

🐔🥚 Cebu Pacific Catering Services Goes 100% Cage-Free by 2030!

Great news for ethical food sourcing and animal welfare, especially if you love to fly with Cebu Pacific! ✈️🥚

Cebu Pacific Catering Services (CPCS), the company that prepares all those delicious meals for your flights, has just announced a big commitment: by 2030, they will only source 100% cage-free eggs for all their operations!

This is a huge step forward and aligns CPCS with a growing trend among international airline caterers to improve animal welfare standards in their food supply.

Why is this a big deal?

Better for Hens: Cage-free means chickens have the freedom to move around in open indoor environments, rather than being confined to small cages. This is a much more humane way to raise them!
Safer Food: Studies, like those from the European Food Safety Authority, have even shown that cage-free egg farms are significantly less likely to have salmonella contamination compared to caged egg farms. This means safer food for everyone!
Global Trend: Many countries and regions, including all of Europe, have already banned caged egg production due to welfare concerns. CPCS's move shows they are keeping up with global best practices.
Sherwin B. Olivar, General Manager of CPCS, said this commitment shows their dedication to global sustainability standards and maintaining high quality in airline catering.

Lever Foundation, a global NGO that works with companies to upgrade food sourcing, praised CPCS for this decision. They believe it will encourage other businesses in the region to adopt similar responsible practices.

So, next time you're enjoying a meal on a Cebu Pacific flight, you can soon look forward to knowing that the eggs were sourced from happier, healthier hens! 🐥

Techlog Center Philippines said it is strengthening its presence in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector with a new

25/05/2025

Big News for Cebu! Techlog to Open New Facility, Bringing 900 New BPO Jobs!

Exciting news for job seekers in Cebu! 🤩 Techlog Center Philippines, an American-owned company, is expanding its operations in the country with a brand-new facility right here in Cebu!

This is a HUGE investment of P877 million for the new Cebu project, which will be located at Bonifacio Business Park. It's part of Techlog's bigger plan to invest over P2.7 billion in the Philippines and create more than 6,800 jobs nationwide!

The best part? This new Cebu facility is expected to hire up to 900 new BPO workers once it's fully up and running! 🎉 They'll be offering both voice and non-voice services, including:

Data analysis
Timekeeping
Document and payment processing
Coding
Workforce management
This new Cebu site will be Techlog's fifth facility in the Philippines, and it's set to begin operations by January 2026.

But it's not just about jobs! Techlog is also focused on being environmentally friendly. They practice "circular economy" principles, which means they refurbish and re-manufacture used mobile phones and PCs. This helps reduce waste and promotes sustainable practices! ♻️

This is fantastic news for Cebu's economy and for anyone looking for a career in the fast-growing BPO sector! Get ready for new opportunities!

Techlog Center Philippines said it is strengthening its presence in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector with a new

25/05/2025

Cebu Shines in Education! Mandaue & Cebu Cities Among Top in Basic Literacy Nationwide!

Great news for our beloved Cebu! 🥳 A new report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that both Mandaue City and Cebu City are rockstars when it comes to basic literacy!

According to the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) released on Friday, May 23, 2025:

Mandaue City ranked 5th among all Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the country with an amazing 95.2% basic literacy rate!
Cebu City wasn't far behind, landing at 8th place with a strong 94.7%!
What does "basic literacy" mean? 🤔
It means being able to read and write simple messages in any language or dialect, and doing basic math. So, these numbers mean that about 95 out of every 100 people aged five and up in Mandaue and Cebu Cities can do these fundamental things! That's awesome!

Other Central Visayas Highlights:

Our beautiful province of Bohol also made the top 10 for provinces in basic literacy, ranking 5th nationwide with 94.22%!
For "functional literacy" (which means a bit more advanced reading, writing, and understanding), Siquijor and Bohol also landed in the top 10 provinces!
This report really highlights the strong focus on education in our region. It also showed that having electricity and living in urban areas often leads to higher literacy rates. And, as expected, finishing at least junior high school significantly boosts literacy!

This is definitely something to celebrate! Keep up the great work, Cebuanos, in valuing education! 📚✍️➕

25/05/2025

Good News for the Philippines! HSBC Says PH Economy Among Fastest-Growing in Asia!

Hey everyone! Got some super positive news about the Philippine economy that you'll want to hear!

HSBC Philippines, a big bank, is feeling really good about how well the country's economy is doing. In fact, they're saying the Philippines is going to be one of the fastest-growing economies in all of Asia this year! 🎉

Even though the first few months of 2025 saw growth at 5.4% (which is still pretty good!), HSBC believes the Philippines will hit an impressive 5.6% growth for the whole year. That's a strong number compared to many other countries in Asia.

So, what's making the economy so strong?

Pramoth Rajendran from HSBC Philippines pointed out a couple of key things:

Shopping Power! A huge chunk of the Philippine economy (about 75%!) comes from us, the consumers, buying things. This strong local spending really helps keep the economy moving.
Young and Growing Workforce! The Philippines has a lot of young people entering the workforce, with an average age of just 25! This "demographic dividend" means more people working and contributing to the economy in the years to come.
HSBC also expects more and more people to join the "middle class" – meaning more Filipinos will have good jobs and more money. They even think the number of adults with significant savings could double by 2030! That's a huge jump!

All this good news makes HSBC super excited about their own business in the Philippines too. They believe the country's focus on local spending helps protect it from some of the ups and downs happening in the global economy.

Bottom line? Despite any challenges, the Philippines is on a strong growth path, powered by its people and their spending! Keep an eye on the positive changes ahead!



Read More:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250458

14/05/2025

☕✨ Top 10 Most Talked-About Coffee Shops in Cebu (with Landmarks!) ✨☕

Looking for your next coffee crawl spot? Here are Cebu’s most buzzed-about cafés — based on tags, mentions, and check-ins. 🧭📍

Drip and Draft – Banawa, near Paseo Arcenas
Specialty coffee meets craft beer. Low-key cool with great vibes. 🍺☕

The Good Cup Coffee Company – F. Ramos St., near Velez College
Serious third-wave coffee. Barista champs, beans from around the world. 🏆

Fili Beans – Nustar Resort & Casino, SRP
Luxe interiors with a local touch. Great for business meets or date days. ✨

Linear Coffee Roasters – Norkis Cyberpark, Mandaue
Minimalist and modern. Great brews, chill ambiance. 📐

Crate Café – Busay, along the Transcentral Highway
For mountain-view coffee sessions. Best at sunrise or sunset. 🌄

Tom N Toms Coffee – The Walk, IT Park
Korean vibes, spacious interiors — perfect for late-night study or chika. 🇰🇷

Yolk Café + Breakfast – Escario Central Mall
Hearty brunch meets specialty coffee. Cozy and Instagram-worthy. 🍳

Café Jasmin – Banilad, across Bright Academy
Dreamy, floral, and calming. Great for journaling or dates. 🌸

Tightrope Coffee – Capitol Site, near Cebu Doctors Hospital
Elevated coffee with a creative touch. Small but aesthetic. 🎨

Good Karma Café – Banawa, inside Raintree Mall
Vegan-friendly, plant-filled, and peaceful. For mindful moments. 🌿

💬 Which one’s your favorite? Tag your coffee date and plan your next sip stop!
📸 Don’t forget to snap and tag us!

14/05/2025

🇵🇭👑 **Meghan Markle’s Dad and Half-Brother Now Living in Cebu, PH**

In a surprising turn of events, **Thomas Markle Sr.**, father of Duchess Meghan Markle, and her **half-brother Thomas Markle Jr.**, have **relocated to Cebu, Philippines**, according to *The Mirror*. The pair now live in a **₱37,000/month apartment**, seeking peace and a fresh start in Southeast Asia.

💬 A source close to the family said:

> “They’re still finding their feet in Cebu… but they’re here together and are firmly supporting each other.”

# # # 🏝 Why Cebu?

The elder Markle, now 80 and mobility-impaired, reportedly chose Cebu for its **warm climate** and **kind people**. He’s had prior travel experience in Asia and described the move as a search for a *“more positive life.”*

# # # 🖋 Book & Documentary Incoming?

Thomas Jr. confirmed he’s **working on a tell-all book** about Meghan’s childhood:

> “When the book gets read, the documentary will follow.”

He has been vocal about correcting what he calls “malarkey” in Meghan’s narrative from her series *With Love, Meghan* — where she claimed a financially unstable childhood.

# # # 💬 Thomas Sr. remains hopeful:

> “My dream is that one day I could bring my whole family together, like a ‘normal’ family.”

📚 Whether the book and documentary will stir up more royal drama remains to be seen. For now, Cebu appears to be their unexpected new chapter.

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14/05/2025

✈️ Cebu Pacific cancels 29 flights due to Mt. Kanlaon eruption 🌋

Heads up, travelers! Cebu Pacific and CebGo have suspended 29 domestic and international flights after volcanic ash from Mount Kanlaon disrupted airspace safety. 🌫️

⚠️ Affected routes include:

Manila ↔ Bacolod/Iloilo

Cebu ↔ Iloilo/Bacolod

Iloilo ↔ Cagayan de Oro/Davao/Hong Kong/Bacolod

📢 Cebu Pacific assures that passenger safety is their top priority and is actively monitoring the situation for further adjustments.

✅ Rebooking options available via the Manage Booking portal:

Rebook within 30 days (no fare difference)

Convert to CEB Wallet

Request full refund

📍 More changes may occur as the situation develops. Stay tuned for updates and check your email if you’re affected. 🙏

14/05/2025

🎤 Cebuano P-pop group VLST debuts this May 17! 🌟🔥

Meet VLST, the rising Bisaya idol group ready to make waves in the P-pop scene with their debut single “Barugi” — a powerful anthem celebrating strength, resilience, and Bisaya pride. 💥🇵🇭

📍 Debut Concert: May 17, 2025
📌 Venue: Fort San Pedro, Cebu City
🎟 Tickets:
👉 P300 (Gen Ad)
👉 P1,000 (VIP w/ photocards + meet & greet)
📲 Ticket link: https://www.cinnamon.ph/explore/ote/rising-harmonys-vlst-grand-debut-concert
🎧 Pre-save “Barugi” on Spotify: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/vlst/barugi

🧑‍🎤 The 5-member group — Aeron, Zyman, Markeu, Gemen & Gab — brings unique backgrounds in music, theater, and dance, and are determined to represent Bisaya excellence in mainstream pop. 💪🎶

💥 Fandom name: HITS — short for the explosive energy they promise to deliver onstage.

Follow their journey and witness a new era of Cebuano P-pop!

Stream and Pre-save Barugi - Distributed by DistroKid

14/05/2025

🎓 UP Cebu launches new Master’s program to combat disinformation! 🧠📱

UP Cebu is now offering a Master of Arts in Communication and Media (MACM) – a graduate program aimed at tackling fake news and promoting ethical, tech-savvy communication. 📰🚫

🟠 Focus areas:
🔹 Media literacy & disinformation
🔹 Audiences and analytics
🔹 Ethical use of communication
🔹 Communication theories & digital platforms

👨‍🏫 Open to non-Comm grads (with at least 2 years’ experience in communication-related fields). Bridge course also in the works!

📅 Application Period: May 5 – June 23, 2025
📅 Registration: Aug. 5–7, 2025
📍 Offered by UP Cebu’s College of Communication, Art, and Design

✅ Designed to empower professionals across all fields in using communication responsibly and effectively.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

13/05/2025

🚨 P20 RICE ARRIVES IN CEBU! 🍚

Just in: 35,000 bags of well-milled NFA rice from Mindoro have arrived in Cebu as part of the pilot run of President Marcos Jr.’s P20-per-kilo rice program! 🙌

📍 Who’s included in the pilot?
➡️ Cebu – 600,000 bags (via Gov. Gwen Garcia’s “BBM Na!” program)
➡️ Siquijor – 40,000 bags
➡️ Southern Leyte – 30,000 bags
➡️ Bohol – 3,000 bags

✅ Joint effort by the Department of Agriculture, Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), and local LGUs
✅ Subsidy of ₱13/kg shared between FTI & LGUs to bring rice to just ₱20/kg
✅ Funded by ₱4.5B from the President’s contingency fund
✅ Rollout runs until December 2025 – targeting seniors, indigents & vulnerable families

More rice centers opening soon via KADIWA ng Pangulo – from 12 locations to 32 by May 15!

📦 Total of 240,000 sacks headed to Cebu by June.
👨‍🌾 NFA buys palay from local farmers at ₱18–₱24/kg.

The National Food Authority (NFA) on Monday started unloading 35,000 bags of well-milled rice in...Read More

13/05/2025

🎉 Cebu City Hall Employees Finally Get Charter Day Bonuses!

CEBU CITY – Over 3,000 City Hall employees are set to receive their long-awaited Charter Day bonuses, following the lifting of the election spending ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

📞 In a phone interview on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia confirmed he has instructed the City Administrator to begin the release of the bonuses.
🕰️ However, no exact time has been confirmed for when the funds will appear in employees' ATM accounts — possibly tonight or tomorrow, the mayor said.

💸 Bonus Breakdown:
P35,000 – For regular and casual employees

P5,000 – For job order personnel

The bonuses were part of Cebu City’s first supplemental budget, approved on March 26, 2025, just two days before the election spending ban began on March 28.

Due to the ban, the bonus release was delayed for over a month, causing frustration among employees awaiting their annual incentive tied to Cebu City Charter Day (February 24).

Mayor Garcia previously sought a clarification from Comelec, but the city did not receive clearance before the ban ended on May 12 (Election Day).

Now that the restriction has been lifted, disbursements can finally proceed.

📰 Stay updated for when the bonuses are officially credited.

THE wait is finally over for more than 3,000 Cebu City Hall employees awaiting the release of their Charter Day bonuses following the lifting of the election sp

13/05/2025

📢 U.S. EMBASSY CEBU ANNOUNCEMENT: SSA Outreach Event on May 28 🇺🇸

U.S. citizens in the Philippines — mark your calendars! ✍️
The U.S. Embassy Social Security Administration (SSA) team will be at the Consular Agency in Cebu on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for an important outreach event.

✅ Services Available:
Discuss Social Security benefit eligibility

Assist with retirement & disability claims (note: can also be done online at ssa.gov)

Help with Social Security Number applications

Address post-entitlement issues like:

Change of address

Report of death

Medicare enrollment

Direct deposit setup

Non-receipt of benefits

⚠️ Reminder:
Bring originals and photocopies of all necessary documents. Originals will be returned after review.

👥 Only SSA reps will be present.
No ACS, VA, or USCIS staff will be available during this event.

For more info:
📧 [email protected]
📞 +63 (2) 5301-6200
🔗 Enroll in STEP for updates
📱 Follow the U.S. Embassy on Twitter and Facebook

Need help with U.S. trade and business in PH? The U.S. Commercial Service is ready to support U.S. companies with:

Market research

Trade shows

Business matchmaking

Product launches

📈 The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies with strong U.S. business ties!



https://ph.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-social-security-administration-outreach-atconsular-agency-cebu/

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