Urbandub in Cebu

It was bound to happen.  Urbandub is coming to Cebu.  Ever since I came to Cebu, I had been monitoring when the band is going to perform here.  I have seen the band at least 10 times in Manila (the last being at the Deftones concert).  I fancy the thought of watching them in their home turf since September.

I also learned today that a guitarist of Fastpitch is an employee of our company.  I commented that's probably why the band has not released a CD in a long time - the guitarist is working overtime!!!  hahaha

WHO: Urbandub
WHEN: January 14 2012
WHERE: Cebu City, Philippines

@ Cebu Grand Convention Center 4PM 350Php Entrance Fee Featuring: Foc Fashion | Sirens | DROP OUT CLUB | March The Sky | Bethany | Urbandub | Faspitch | The Ambassadors | Typecast | Taken By Cars | Salamin | Powerspoons | Curbside | The Line Divides | Who's Next | An Honest Mistake (Malaysia) | Rocket Rockers (Indonesia) | Kelevra | Shuffled | Maria Campbell

Renewed Optimism

Coming to Cebu has given me a renewed enthusiasm and optimism on the Philippines and the Filipino.  Because of my new role, I have the opportunity to talk to the brightest students of Visayas and Mindanao on a regular basis.  I have met many people in Cebu and most of my interactions were really positive.  But the impact of conversations with the students (now our employees) renewed my confidence on the future of our country.

I met a College Editor-in-Chief who said he did not like to write.  I asked him why is he in the school paper then.  He said an EIC is a leader first and foremost.  He does not write, but he provide guidance to the team.  Well his school paper won the SMART award for for best school publication.

I also met a College Student Council President who fired about 100 members because she does not want to work with students who are only in an organization so they could include it in their resume. 

I also met a Student Regent who said he will continue being a people advocate in the company.  A very risky response to an executive from a multi-national company. 

Wi-Fi in Cebu

For those like me who to go a mall or a coffeeshop to get free wi-fi, then you probably already know that the best Coffee for Wi-Fi is Bo's Cafe.  Hands-down if you want wi-fi with your coffee, then go to Bo's.  At Bo's signal is stronger, and access is provided straight-forward.  You buy a coffee, ask for password then like their sugar and creamer...wi-fi all you can.  Oh and their coffee is not bad.

Starbucks wi-fi is not that good.  They tell you to connect to "globe".  Which is possibly the slowest wi-fi connection here in Cebu.  I cannot even launch a facebook page.

At Figaro, wi-fi is also provided straight-forward.  However, their bandwidth is very limited.  So if you chance upon 3 or 4 other users, performance is bad.

Coffee Bean may have to be the worst.  Because unless you have a Swirl Card they would not even give you the password.  Really weird.  One time I was at IT park, and deliberately chose CBTL.  But they asked me for a Swirl Card before they give me the password.  Luckily I saw a friend outside who lent me his card.  Wi-fi speed is really good.  But I do not like that you need a membership card to get their very very encrypted password.

I just realized that i have not seen a Seattle's Best coffestore here in Cebu. 

The Cebuana and Property Ownership

I sure hope they did not sign a pre-nup.

Not backed by a scientific statistical research, but just by observation, my estimate is that the average age gap between a Cebuana and a foreigner is 30 years.  And without a doubt, there are couples with 50+ years age gap.  In our condominium complex alone, I have at least 6 neighbors who are Cebuanas married to foreigners.

Which prompted me to think - if a Cebuana is 30 years old and married to a foreigner of say 65 years old.  Given that they own their condo unit (that's what they told me), life expectancy is on the side of our kababayan.  In a few years, many Cebuanas could be owners of the more expensive properties in Cebu. 

#1) i hope they got married. whether in a church, or in front of a judge.  as long as it is legal and binding
#2) i hope Cebuanas do not sign a pre-nup
#3) then i hope they know how to manage properties well

Leona's Cake and Breads

Since they wanted bread and cakes for the New Year's Eve, I recommended to get some from Leona's.  At around 5pm on Dec 31, there was a queue forming at Leona's near Mabolo.  It seems people had the same idea.

We got banana cakes, the very soft Indonesian bread and this box of cupcakes for 250 pesos.

We just wanted to buy the Red Velvet Cupcake, remembering the tasty treat when our company decided to give each employee one during our anniversary.  But Leona's said if we wanted to buy the Red Velvet we would need to wait for 2 hours.  If we wanted it right then, we need to buy the box of 5.

We did not plan to hang-out at Leona's for 2 hours on New Year's Eve so decided to try the 5 cupcakes.  In the box were 2 Cookies and Cream, 1 Chocolate, and 2 of our favorite Red Velvets. 

The Cookies and Cream and Chocolate were very good.  But nothing compares to Red Velvet.  Which is still our favorite.

I am surprised that Leona's only has 3 branches still.  And it is not widely known outside Cebu. 

Fireworks in the Cebu Sky

Now, I understand why there is a premium at Citylights Garden, Cebu.  On New Year's Eve the balconies at all the 4 Towers transform into a viewing deck to watch the Cebu horizon become a tapestry of lights.

The best thing is that you won't need to strain your neck looking at the fireworks.  It is amazingly within eye-level.  Here are some pics taken few minutes prior to midnight of New Year's.