Pamuhuan Festival of Pinamungajan

It’s harvest time! The root crops have grown well and the coconuts are getting older and it’s time to celebrate the bountiful harvest of farming and fishing in Pamuhuan.

The town came to be known later as Pinamungajan. Located in the southern part of Cebu, the town celebrates its annual fiesta through the Pamuhuan Festival as thanksgiving to their Patron Saint Sta. Monica. 

It is the celebration of the town’s history from the past, present and future. But what is a town fiesta without showcasing the natural beauty of Pinamungajan which includes the white-sand beach, 118 caves and also the Sinongkulan waterfalls.

The festival opened with street dancing, passing through the town street and ending up at the sports complex for the ritual showdown. 

Pinamungahan is the pride of Southern Cebu for preserving the culture and tradition of the Cebuano.

Tostado Festival of Santander

Santander is famous for its home-baked cookie called Tostado. As years passed by, tostado has gone from home-made delight to world-class delicacy known for its unique taste and flavor. 

No wonder then that this delicious cookie gave birth to the Tostado Festival in 2006. The festival is celebrated every third Sunday of April as a thanksgiving to their patron Saint Gabriel Archangel.

The recipe for tostado includes flour, eggs, sugar, baking soda and shortening. How all of these ingredients combine into a sumptuous treat is demonstrated in one of the festival’s highlights: tostado-making in the tradition of the Tañonganons.

The event culminated with much festivities amid a grand fireworks display that lit up the sky over the southern tip part of Cebu. 

A Sweet Deal #No Filter

Along the exit road of the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug is a small, bright-looking place called CMYK Café. The moniker comes from the color model (Cyan Magenta Yellow and Black) but has been styled after something sweeter: Chocolate Makes You Kiss.

Vanessa Grace Maliao and Lea Ann Duhaylungsod

The people behind the name are two young ladies. A product of the University of San Carlos with a BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), Lea Ann Duhaylungsod is fond of photography and likes the arts. Her business partner, Vanessa Grace Maliao, a former chef of a five-star hotel,provides the kitchen savvy to the perfect recipe that  is the CMYK Café, which opened last November 28,2012.

The goal is always to become the best in the industry, not necessarily by competing with the best and becoming a carbon copy,but by looking for an as-of-yet untapped niche. Social media sites has given them an idea. Aware of the trend today of people taking photos of their food and drinks and posting them online, the dynamic duo has engineered a one-of-a-kind café targeted to this young and hip crowd.

Green Tea Frappuccino

The café's simple interior design gives hipster vibes and at the same time a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. Savory food and delightful drinks make for easy subjects for costumers trying their hands at rudimentary photography.The menu reflects the café's essentially indie spirit as embodied in the Hamburice- a rice sandwich with beef patty in the gravy sauce zipped with green tea frappuccino.

But CMYK does not get its name for nothing. The café boasts of delicious desserts served with aplomb.They have everything from cakes that combine flavors of mango, caramel, and chocolate to the eponymous Sizzling CMYK, a sweet fudgy brownie topped with vanilla ice cream overflowing with sizzling chocolate sauce. Their drinks also have fun names like Last Tear Drops and Zesty Lemon.

Hamburice

Mango Crepe

As the proverbial new kids in town, Lea and Vanessa are working hard to get  their names out there. Putting up a business is never easy but when you have built your business around a product concept that is unique, you have an edge. Every successful entrepreneur could attest to that.

The CMYK Café is open from Monday to Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. For more info, you can visit their facebook page at : http://facebook.com/cmykcebu


Photo by : Donald Moga

Exploring Badian Island Resort and Spa

Holistic.Wellness. Lifestyle. These three words describe the Badian Island Resort and Spa says owner and designer Hartwig Scholz. If you’re looking for a luxurious place that offers healthy lifestyle living set in an elegant but natural landscape and topped with genuinely friendly service, look no further than Badian Island Resort and Spa.

Badian Island Resort and Spa sits right on Badian Island (hence the name) situated off the coast of Southern Cebu. A three-hour scenic drive from Cebu City will take you to a small pier in the Municipality of Badian where a resort boat awaits. From there, it is about ten minutes by boat to the famous island.

The islet faces the town of Badian and is known to many local fishermen. However, it was not until the end of 1970s that the enterprising Mr. Scholz discovered the islet and saw a business opportunity. The rest, as they say, is history. Badian Island is known the world over as a world-class rustic island resort.

Accommodation

As a well-developed resort, the Badian Island Resort and Spa welcomes feasible methods of adopting a unique and creative infrastructure wherein you can feel the atmospheric comfort, luxury and space. The Thalasso pool villa suites have a distinct Filipino design with native roofs; ceilings are ornamented with dried tobacco leaves. One thing that would give you an unforgettable, relaxing and romantic experience of Thalasso Pool Villa Suites is the ionized sea swimming pool with jet system and waterfalls. While enjoying a dip in the pool you will surely be captivated by the picturesque view of the beautiful mountain and bay of Badian. With vibrant views of the beautiful island surroundings, Badian suites offer an ultimate relaxation with a private balcony, twin bed and marble bath tub and a separate shower. Experience the warm ambience of Junior suites, a fully furnished room with open-air marble bathtub and separate shower, king size bed and a mini bar.

Leisure Activities

Scuba diving is one of the most exciting ocean activities offered. The best diving spots are found in the neighboring Pescador Island in the town of Moalboal. Aside from scuba diving they also have dolphin watching using the Pleasure yacht. Banana boating, kayaking, aqua surfing, windsurfing , and paddle boating are only some of the exciting watersports you must try in Badian Island Resort .For landlubbers, indoor games like billiards, darts, table soccer, table tennis, badminton and volleyball are available. During nighttime they have live bands to serenade people and a cultural show where they will present the Filipino folk dances and songs.

Wellness

Connect with the culture, warm traditions and natural beauty of Badian Spa Village. Experience the Serenity Spa Package through Pure Indulgence rituals that will rejuvenate your body and exfoliate skin to remove dead skin. Also try the Badian Unique Discovery which is a double treat package including Badian Hilot Massage, a traditional Filipino massage, and a Pure Honey Lemon and Cucumber facial that will moisturize for a younger skin. You will surely enjoy the spa package while swimming in Thalasso waterfalls and or relaxing in the Finland Dry Sauna.

“Be professional. Be good and fast for your to way to success. Give good training and education to the staff ,” says Mr. Scholz to his staff on how to provide the best service to the guests.

Organic Food and Drinks

The experience of eating food is very instinctive as it uses our senses to determine if it is sumptuous and palatable to our taste. The Badian Island Resort and Spa offers organic food and organic drink that are harvested in their own organic garden. In serving the guests they bring the best cuisines in the world made from organic herbs and spices. The organic food is not just good in taste but it has more beneficial nutrients in the body. They also have the Lemon Grass drink that is rich in antioxidants and quenches your thirst. Only the highest quality of food and drink are served to guarantee customer satisfaction.