July in Cebu kicks off with the test run of the DOST e-train. A new domestic flight route plus a new campaign for southern Cebu destinations make the province even more attractive to local and international tourists. Completing the mix are food finds one can eat on the spot, or take home as gifts for friends and family.
E-train test run and free rides
There will be free rides on the e-train this July. (Image: Cebu Property Coach)
The commuting public can expect free rides at the hybrid electric road train (e-train) this month as it begins its experimental run. The train will ply the SM City Cebu-Plaza Independencia route and will be operated by drivers trained by the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas (DOST-7).
The train can accommodate up to 240 passengers, has five coaches, and is powered by battery consoles and diesel fuel. The PhP45-million e-train project was designed by engineers from the DOST Metal Industry Research and Development Center.
Ramen for the rainy days
The best-selling miso ramen from Akita Japanese Restaurant (Image: AKITA Japanese Restaurant)
For the rainy days ahead, diners who want something hot can enjoy ramen at Akita Japanese Restaurant. Their miso ramen (PhP260) is their best-selling item, but their butakimchi miso ramen has become a customer favorite, too. The owner, Toshiro Ishihara is known to mingle with restaurant customers. Akita is open for dinner at 5:30 to 12:30 AM on Mondays to Saturdays.
Kandungaw Peak: another mountain to conquer
The climb to the top of Kandungaw Peak in Maloray Dalaguete (Image: Rosalie Aldren)
Dalaguete is famous for Osmeña Peak, but there is another mountain peak to climb in the area for hikers and adventure seekers. Kandungaw Peak in Maloray, Dalaguete is home to verdant rolling hills with a camping site at the foot of the peak. Aside from trekking, visitors can also visit the small Kandungaw Cave just below the peak.
To go there, one can ride a bus bound for Dalaguete from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, then ride a habal-habal (modified motorcycle) from the Mantalongon Public Market to the jump-off point going to the peak.
Montenegro’s Silvanas in original flavor (Image: Montenegro’s Silvanas)
Silvanas (frozen buttercream cookies) are usually associated with Dumaguete, but this sweet treat can be enjoyed in Cebu as well. Montenegro’s Silvanas, located in an unassuming residential house in No. 20 Dr. Tojong St., sells silvanas in original, mocha, and ube (purple yam) flavors. Their silvanas retail at PhP488 for 20 pieces and PhP388 for 15 pieces. Aside from silvanas, proprietor Nena Montenegro also sells cinnamon rolls, different kinds of breads, and chorizo (pork sausage).
Local artists will showcase their work inspired by Studio Ghibli (Image: Sketchbook Challenge Cebu)
The Sketchbook Challenge Cebu will stage the Ghibli Tribute Exhibition from July 1 to 4 in iioffice Cebu, Arlinda V. Paras Bldg, Don Gil Garcia St., Cebu City. Local illustrators, graphic designers, and artists will showcase their artwork in honor of Hayao Miyazaki, creator of Japanese animation film company Studio Ghibli.
In addition to viewing artwork, exhibit visitors can also buy merchandise and Japanese food from various concessionaires. Tickets are priced at PhP100 and can be bought from handlers through ticket meetups.
Daily flights to Tagbilaran from Cebu
PAL launches new Cebu-Tagbilaran route (Image: Philippine Airlines)
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is now operating its new Cebu-Tagbilaran route. Opened last June 22, the route is the first domestic link to Bohol outside Metro Manila. PAL Tagbilaran-bound flights from Cebu leave at 3:30 PM daily, while PAL Cebu-bound flights will leave Tagbilaran at 7:00 AM daily. Travel time takes approximately 30 minutes. With the new route, locals and tourists can head to 12 domestic destinations from the Queen City of the South.
Tableya, one of the cottage industries in Argao (Image: Writer)
Locals and tourists may soon experience southern Cebu in a new way. Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito “Boboi” Costas unveiled a video teaser over social media of The Big 5, a cluster of community-managed travel destinations in the south of Cebu. These include a birding and nature trek in Alcoy, a farm-to-table tour in Alegria, the Bojo River Cruise in Aloguinsan , a heritage walk in Boljoon, and a culinary journey in Argao. The destinations will be packaged as a three-days, two-nights tour which will cost less than PhP1,000.
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About Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon
Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon is the current content supervisor for the Visayas region of ShoppersGuide Marketing, Inc. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from UP Cebu. She has previously worked for a business process outsourcing company, a community newspaper, and a global technology company. When not writing, she putters about in the kitchen, baking or testing new recipes.
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