The COVID-19 pandemic has severely effected the tourism and hospitality industry globally. While the easing up of restrictions has allowed more movement, and more establishments to reopen, travel is still very much limited. Having said that, now is definitely the time to support local!
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Temporary Entry Restrictions for International Arrivals at Mactan-Cebu Airport
(Updated as of March 19, 2021) With reference to the clarification on temporary entry restrictions issued by the National Task Force (NTF) through Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021 on March 18, 2021, only passengers under the following classifications shall be permitted entry into the country via Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) during the restricted period starting 00:01 of March 22, 2021 until 23:59 of April 21, 2021:
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I Love Cebu Online Travel Sale to reignite tourism sector
Cebu is ready to welcome you once more with the recent easing of travel requirements to enter the island (check below). The pandemic has made us realize, among others, that more than material things, experiences and memories are more important, and an opportunity to create new moments to cherish has opened with the announcement of the I Love Cebu Online Travel Sale.
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Balik sa Bohol Online Sale to offer massive discounts (Travel requirements to Bohol)
As Bohol reopens its tourism industry, undoubtedly one of its main economic drivers, Bohol tourism stakeholders have collaborated to launch the first ever and biggest selling campaign, dubbed as Balik sa Bohol: Bohol Online Sale, which will run from February 21 to March 14, 2021. Noq is the best time to start planning a visit to the island for those itching to travel once more and enjoy breathtaking beaches, scenic hills, majestic rivers and spectacular dive sites or savor healthy food in an organic farm.
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Updated Arrival Protocols for International Passengers Arriving at Mactan-Cebu Airport
Pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution Nos. 96 and 97, all international passengers arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) shall observe the following arrival protocols starting February 1, 2021.
Pre-arrival Process
Before your scheduled arrival at MCIA, make sure to complete and ensure the following:
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Fiesta Señor 2021 – Sinulog Schedule of Novena Masses at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
The 456th Fiesta Señor is kicking off in a few weeks, Sinulog 2021 will finally be on full swing! With the theme “Santo Niño: The Abiding Presence of the Father in our Journey of Faith”, the religious activities for the annual Sinulog festival will kick on January 8, 2021.
For your convenience, do take note that the Basilica will implement the one-way entry system and other COVID-19 protocols. Only residents of Cebu City are allowed to enter the vicinity of the Basilica. ALL Novena Masses are streamed on their Facebook page. BACKPACKS and other bulky bags are NOT ALLOWED so as not to delay the security inspection process.
Several activities like the Penitential Walk with Jesus, Penitential Walk with Mary, Traslacion (Cebu City to Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City), Fluvial Procession and Reenactment, and Solemn Procession are CANCELLED. As of the latest update, Traditional Sinulog dancing after the last Mass of the day is also CANCELLED.
Check out the full schedule of novena masses below (SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM FOR DOWNLOADABLE PHOTOS OF THE SCHEDULE):
The Sinulog Festival 2021 schedule is also available here.
DAY 1: January 8, 2021 (Friday) – OPENING SALVO
5:30AM – Enthronement of the Image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu
6:00AM – Opening Salvo Mass (Installation of Hermano and Hermana Mayores)
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Sinulog 2021 Schedule of Festival Events and Activities in Cebu
The country’s biggest festival, Sinulog 2021 is back once again this year with the theme: A New Life in Faith, Hope, and Love. One Beat. One Dance. One Vision. While the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected most of the activities lined up to celebrate the Feast of the Child Jesus, there are still several events, physical and virtual, scheduled to keep the festive spirit alive.
See below the full schedule of events and activities for Sinulog Festival 2021!
Meanwhile, you may also check the full schedule of Fiesta Senyor 2021 Novena Masses and other religious activities here.
January 1-31, 2021 – Sinulog One-Stop Shop at Ayala Center Cebu
January 3-10, 2021 – Sinulog Kick-Off “FUN RIDE” Virtual Bike Challenge Continue reading
Binalayan Falls in Samboan, Cebu
There are at least six waterfalls in the southern tip of Cebu, (Oslob: Tumalog Falls, Ginatilan: Inambakan Falls, Samboan: Binalayan Falls, Dao Falls, Aguinid Falls), and if you’re sedentary like me, trekking might not be your thing.
But, Binalayan Hidden Falls in Samboan is definitely worth the little sweat!
How to get there
From the Cebu South Bus Terminal, ride a bus bound for Bato (via Barili). Take note that there are two buses bound for Bato, the other one passes through the eastern coast while the one via Barili takes the western coast. Fare is P175. Alight at Samboan and hire a “habal-habal” to Binalayan Falls.
If you are driving, you can’t miss it as there is a sign by the highway.
“Leisurely Trek”
To get to the Binalayan Falls, one would have to take a 15-30 minute (depending on your pace) “leisurely trek”. Register first at the Visitors Center where you will be assigned a local guide. Tipping is not imposed, but just think of it as your donation for the locals, and the sustainability of the place and activity. After all, the local guide will not only accompany but also offer to take your photographs and assist you along the way.
The trek takes you to a mostly flat coconut grove. Definitely not something that would excite the adventure junkies, but the dirt trail is so peaceful with towering coconut trees. You’ll reach a point where you need to cross three small streams. It’s quite slippery so wear the appropriate footwear. (P.S. I just wore my trusty Havaianas flip-flops lol).
You’ll know that you’re approaching the waterfalls when you start hearing gushing water, and see makeshift swings made of old tires and ropes tied to the trees. Just a few hundred steps more and you’ll reach the main falls.
Sinulog Tribu sa Kabataan 2020 Winners
Formerly called the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and more recently Sinulog sa Barangay, here are the winners of the recently concluded Sinulog Tribu sa Kabataan 2020.
Best in Musicality:
1st Place: Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P50,000)
2nd Place: Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe (P35,000)
3rd Place: Banay Labangon of Barangay Labangon (P25,000)
4th Place: Banay San Nicolas of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P15,000)
5th Place: Banay Budlaan of Barangay Budlaan (P10,000)
Best in Costume:
Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P50,000)
Best in Streetdancing:
1st Place: Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P70,000)
2nd Place: Banay Labangon of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P50,000)
3rd Place: Banay San Nicolas of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P30,000)
4th Place: Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe (P20,000)
5th Place: Pundok Maampoong Cambihanon of Barangay Cambinocot (P10,000)
Best in Ritual Showdown:
GRAND CHAMPION: Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P400,000)
2nd Place: Banay Labangon of Barangay Labangon (P350,000)
3rd Place: Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe (P300,000)
4th Place: Banay San Nicolas of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P250,000)
5th Place: Banay Budlaan of Barangay Budlaan (P200,000)
6th Place: Pundok Maampoong Cambihanon of Barangay Cambinocot (P150,000)
7th Place: Tribu Mabolokon of Barangay Mabolo (P100,000)
Non-winners
Barangay Inayawan
Tribu Kinaiyahan
Barangay Sapangdaku
Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2020 Winners
Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2020 Winners – Of Victories and Comebacks.
The reigning champion of the Sinulog-Based Category in Sinulog 2019 emerged as the top winner of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2020. Carcar City bagged top honors for Ritual Showdown, Best in Costume, Best in Musicality, and 2nd place for Best in Streetdancing.
Last year’s top contingent in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2019, Talisay City, settled for 2nd place for Ritual Showdown in this year’s edition, while also bagging 1st Place for Best in Streetdancing, and 2nd Place for Best in Musicality.
Meanwhile, Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City has successfully made a comeback after a six-year absence in the Sinulog as it ended up as 3rd Place in Ritual Showdown, Musicality and Streetdancing. Check out the full list of winners below.
Best in Musicality:
1st Place: Carcar City (P50,000)
2nd Place: Talisay City (P35,000)
3rd Place: Lapu-Lapu City (P25,000)
4th Place: Bogo City (P15,000)
5th Place: Toledo City (P10,000)
Best in Costume:
Carcar City (P50,000)
Best in Streetdancing:
1st Place: Talisay City (P70,000)
2nd Place: Carcar City (P50,000)
3rd Place: Lapu-Lapu City (P30,000)
Best in Ritual Showdown:
GRAND CHAMPION: Carcar City (P400,000)
2nd Place: Talisay City (P350,000)
3rd Place: Lapu-Lapu City (P300,000)
4th Place: Bogo (P250,000)
5th Place: Toledo (P200,000)
6th Place: Ginatilan (P50,000)