Bantayan Island Cebu

For Loquito's vacation in Cebu, we did a road trip around the whole province,  South first and then went up North looking for the best white beach we could set our foot on and perhaps do some scuba diving in the area while we're at it.  The north of Cebu is usually Bantayan Island that would come to mind first, although there are other places along the way and also islands around but Bantayan island is easier to get to and offers more accommodations for those like us that comes without reservations.

farmers transporting coconuts

We drove from Mactan Island early morning so we could get to Hagnaya Pier in San Remegio - almost the tip of Northern Cebu to catch a ferry that would take us to Bantayan Island.  It was like island hopping really...only - we were using a car instead of a boat.  The drive was long, from 8am to 11.30am we were on the road with mostly greeneries and massive sugarcane plantations stretched towards the horizon.  We saw farmers transporting their produce, either vegetables, fruits, sugarcane or coconuts. It was my first time driving there with only goggle map to rely on, as if I really know how to take directions from a map!!! I wasn't really sure if we took the right road most of the time.  Luckily, we only got lost once!  The funny thing was, when we realized we were on the wrong road, we stopped to asked for direction with the only person we saw by the road side and it was an Italian guy who hardly spoke English let alone tell us where we are and how to get to where we should be.  We laugh most of the way, we flipped the car and head back to the main road, and as per goggle we were actually on the right road, little did we know that there were two piers that caters for Bantayan Island.  One with ferry shuttles and one with local pumpboats that you can privately hire.  And we head to the latter, but we realized it soon enough so we took the other road that leads to the right pier for us.

little girls selling budbud (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves) on the road

When we got to Hagnaya Pier almost at lunch time, the ferry was leaving in 15 minutes and we had to decide whether to take the car or leave it at the pier.  There were covered parking available for P125 overnight as oppose to paying for the car P2,500 each way aboard the ferry, it was a cheap no-brainer decision.  At the pier while parking the car there was an annoying drunk guy trying to help me park the car as if I just learned to drive yesterday, only to find that he wanted  a tip more than 20 pesos for his unsolicited assistance.  Not only he demanded more money but he also asked for imported chocolates, seriously?!! I just glared at the guy like my eyes was barking at him. But at the same time I was worried he might do something with the car, so I let it go without a fight.

on the ferry leaving Hagnaya Pier

We hurriedly bought tickets, there were about 5 men trying to help me get to the ticket booth as if it was the most difficult thing to do and then all of them surrounded me while I was buying the ferry ticket and they told me to pay the pier terminal fee.  I really don't know why they were acting the way they did.  I could have known this easily, there is only one way to get inside and whether you like it or not you have to pay the terminal fee or they don't let you in even if you have the ferry ticket.  We were told that the boat ride was an hour and half - this wasn't true - it took more, the sea was not that rough but it was not calm, however, the ride was bearable except that it smelled like smoke as if the boat was built like belching machine and the sound of the engine was like a steady hammer poking your head.  It was difficult to relax or even read a book so, we decided to stand on the side of the boat to have fresh air and less with the hammering noise.

a ferry at Bantayan Pier

When we arrived Bantayan island it was around 3pm, however since we didn't have a room reservation, we didn't know where to stay. Luckily or unluckily - there were an overwhelming crowd of persistent motorbike drivers and owners that will do anything to get you to rent a bike with them but somehow gave us an idea where to go.  So, we rented a bike from a guy named Kulot (this is a local word for curly hair), although he had a spiky blonde hair but there were some stubborn curls on the side, so perhaps thats how he got his name. After, exchanging phone numbers with Kulot, we drove around the place.

Sugar beach - Bantayan Island

We went to about 4 or 5 resorts before we found one with a room available, we took it without even bargaining for the rate since it was getting dark.  We dumped our bags in the room and drove to Bantayan City proper, it was about 20-25 minutes non-stop on a dangerously dark road with only the light from the vehicle to rely on and it was raining on and off.  We were dripping wet when we got to the city, only to find out there was really nothing else to do.  The place was deserted, locals sleep early and there was no single place for entertainment.  We drove around their Plaza and discovered a bakery that sells the best hot bread with melted chocolate on this trip we ever had - to this day I still dream about.  We drove back to the resort since there was no other place we know or open that serves dinner, as we got back to the resort we were already dried - the rain stopped somehow along the way and Loquito was driving like we were participating in a race. At least we got back to the resort in one piece, not even lost along the way and ready for dinner.          

Apple One Banawa Heights

Live like you're in SAN FRANCISCO...

the electric and zesty life cannot thrive in crowded living spaces. This is why the newest project by AppleOne Properties, Inc. sprawls on a 2.8-hectare development in Good Shepherd Road, Banawa where three residential concepts are available to match your exclusive taste.

Our three-sotrey Mansionettes, four-storey walk-up Villas, and twelve-storey Towers are divided into private clusters such that on each floor, you will only have two to five neighbors. With dedicated amenities for each type of home offering, generous and expansive landscapes, AppleOne Banawa Heights is a distinctly themed gated subdivision that truly changes the face of metropolitan living in Cebu. 

AMENITIES:
70% open spaces, which include a fully landscaped subdivision with generous walkways, jogging trails, and pocket gardens
Keyless Access Control – a first of its kind in Cebu
5 Swimming pools
Multi-function Gazebo
Grand Fountain Grand Entrance Gate
Parks and Playground
Basketball Court
Gym
Boutique Shops
Alfresco Café
Convenience Stores & other retail establishment to answer the needs of the residents
Underground electrical system

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How much is the reservation fee? *P 25,000 (NOTE:  The Php25,000.00 reservation fee is applied on the 20% Down payment if all required documents are submitted within 30 days from Reservation Date. However, if the required documents are not submitted within 30 days, the reservation fee is forfeited.)

What are the requirements for reservation?          
*Buyers Info Sheet (BIS)2 Valid IDs
*Signed Computation Sheet
*Reservation Agreement
*Paystub for the last 3 months, applicable only for Pag-ibig Financing
(NOTE: Buyers are only given 30 days for the completion of requirements. Otherwise, reservation fee will be forfeited.)

What are the payment options?
*Deferred Payment- 24 mos. at 0% interest
*Bank Financing- BDO and BPI
*PAG-IBIG Financing

Where are the parking units located?
*All parking areas are located at the basement of each building. There are also Towers with second floor podium parking.

How many parking units can I buy? *Each Buyer can purchase up to two (2) parking units.

How much is the Association Dues? *To be determined and to be announced later.

Can we have adjoining units? *Yes, all units are modularly designed.

Can a foreigner buy a unit? *Yes, all foreigners can buy a condo unit of not more than 1,000Sqm. All titles are Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT).

How big is the road inside the subdivision? *10-meters wide road network.

When is the turnover of the unit?
*The Towers - turn over will be on the 25th month (upon full payment of DP)
*The Villas - turn over will be on the 37th month (upon full payment of DP)
*Mansionette - turn over will be on the 49th month (upon full payment of DP)

What would be the First Batch of units to be sold?
*The Tower (6 Private Cluster) 12-Storey
*The Villas (3 & 2 Private Cluster) 4-Storey
*Mansionette (2 Buildings) 3-Storey

FOR MORE CONCERN OR INFORMATION & SITE VIEWING, PEASE FEEL FREE TO Contact US!

Moalboal

Moalboal is one of those place that happen to come out of nowhere. It is a small town on the west coast of Cebu Island. It is about 2 - 3 hours drive from Cebu City. There are buses available every hour too, you can choose from aircondition bus or just an open air bus. The aircondition is more than the open air bus, however it is still the cheapest way to go if you dont have your own car. And you will never be lost, the bus conductor will tell you when you reach Moalboal and some will eventell you where to go or even put you to a tricycle to get to where you will be going after getting off the bus.

Twenty years ago, Moalboal was a "back-pack" resting place, a small fishermen community along Tanon Strait. A foreigner from the Netherland "BJ" Schaap realized the potential of the place. There were beautiful reefs in the area and there were no facilities back then, snorkeling was the only thing they could do.  Schaap built his Sea Quest Scuba Diving Center there and soon others followed. Gradually the place developed and today there are about 500 beds available, ranging from Php 300 for a simple nipa hut to Php 3,000 for an air-con room with balcony and sunset view of Tanon Strait.

Today, Moalboal is a major dive destination in the Philippines. It caters mainly, but not exclusively to European divers - they catered to me!!!! hahahaha.  My favorite dive operator is Ocean Safari, they were recommended by a friend and she was right about them, they are fun to dive with and the cheapest in the area.  So, I usually dive with them when I'm there.

There are a few restaurants offering European cuisine and a few simple bars for the after dive activities. Moalboal is a cozy affair, its main street can hardly handle a car, but in fact that is not necessary because distances are so short that you can just walk.  Unless if you want to go to the town center, then it is a very far walk, however habal-habal (motorcycle that takes up 4-5 passengers) - im not kidding on this! Its not the safest but it is the fastest way to go and they are available everywhere. You can also opt to go via a tricycle, this is safe however, you need to bargain for the fare, specially if you are a foreigner, the drivers can be adamant with their over priced rate. So, bargain well!

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort is a 30 minutes drive from Cebu City and about 15 minutes from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. This upscale resort has all the comforts and water sports anyone wants. The guest rooms are brightly decorated and the rooms are furnished locally made rattan furniture. It has a great swimming pool and the beach is snowy white.

There is also a small islet just in front of it which is part of the resort you can stay and sleep under the sun.

If you love scuba diving they also have a resident dive centre. A must visit when you are in Cebu, the price a bit pricy but you will for sure love the beach and sun.