Ayala Centre Cebu 16 Nov 2015

Before coming to Cebu, we did do a research on internet on the shopping malls in the city, Ayala Centre is one of destinations besides Colon Street and SM City Cebu.

Since this was the last night which we would spent at the Cebu City before we move to Mactan Island, we thought that we should at least pay a visit there.

The City of Cebu earned its prestigious title of being the Queen City of the South because of its empowered commercial and cultural arena, among many other sources of pride. For majority of the urban population, the opening of Ayala Centre Cebu marked a significant boost in the City’s industry.

Ayala Corporation opened Ayala Centre Cebu to the public in November 1994. Since then, it has become a premier shopping destination. From just about 24 tenants to begin with, the mall now has over 300 businesses in place.

Among numerous stalls and boutiques found inside the mall, Metro Gaisano occupies the largest space. The Metro Gaisano department store and supermarket takes up six stories of Ayala Centre Cebu which we had visited the branch at the Colon Street. National Bookstore also has a branch inside Ayala Centre Cebu.

I guess there are 2 segments of markets which it targeted. One is the more middle income and the other one would be the high end market. We were attracted the the wing nearer and attached to the Marriot Hotel, we are able to see more international brands.

Among the many boutiques and shops present in the malls are Nike, Manels, Artwork, Blue Magic, Mango, MNG, Penshoppe, Bench, Human, Oxygen, and Odyssey. H&M is soon to open there as we were 1 week ahead from the opening date.

Then, we saw Rustan’s. It was quite a bit curios to us as we never see the brand at Malaysia. Once we approached to the department store then we realise it is a more exclusive stores just like Tangs or Isetan back home in Malaysia.

We went in and immediately all of us were attracted by the shoes. I had chosen a pair of rubber shoes which moulded like a court shoes but very comfortable, and it is a Brazil brand called “Mel”, Annabelle took a purple colour “Jelly Bunny” and Daddy took a canvas shoes.

Ayala is not only for shoppers. The mall also showcases a variety of food choices, from random food stalls scattered about the area to established fine-dining restaurants. The mall unveiled a new and improved food and beverage strip last October 30, 2008.

“The Terraces," as it is fondly dubbed, transformed what used to be a mosquito- and lovers-infested lagoon area to a vibrant strip with landscaping and water fountains.

Among the many occupants of The Terraces are: Bread Talk, Pancake House, TGIF, Lemon Grass, Laguna Garden Café, Shakey’s, Yellow Cab, Vanille, Roma Mia, Don Henrico’s, Hukad, Sunburst, Fully Booked, Postrio, Bigby’s, La Tegola, Gerry’s Grill, Big Mao, Casa Verde, Bistro Ecila, Roma Mia, Mooon Café,  Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Gloria Jean’s, Bo’s Coffee, Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Gelatissimo.

We decided just went to the food court at the top of the Ayala Centre to have our dinner. I guess that is the mix rice stall we choose. 4 plates of rice, together with some the clam soup, fried squids, fried fish, and egg plant fried with egg. Well, I guess we still not get to use with their taste. Overall still a good meal.

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Cebu Sweet Delights ~ 7D Dried Mangoes 16 Nov 2015

After the tartanilla experience, we had our snacks at Gaisano Mall at Colon Street and shopped around their supermarket looking for some cheese, herbs and spices, and dried fish to bring back home.

We took a cab to 7D Mango factory which are located at Mandaue City before we went back to our hotel.

Cebu is famous for their dried mangoes. Colloquially dubbed as such, dried mangoes are bits and pieces of ripe mangoes that were dried out under the sun.

Their chewy texture and sweet taste make dried mangoes so addictive that you will crave for more.  Made from the best Cebu-grown mangoes, dried mangoes are excellent for snacks and desserts.

Dried mangoes are excellent fat-free alternatives to sugary snacks.  With its sweet and non-acidic zest, this dried fruit product is rich in vitamins and made from the best handpicked mangoes of Cebu.  Each bite is guaranteed to be tasty, chewy and full of flavour.

These fruit snacks are perfect for every occasion.  You can serve them as appetizers or desserts in dinners.  You can even bring them to outdoor excursions and outings.  These chewy nibbles are perfect whether you are at work, at play, or simply at home.

Besides dried mangoes, we bought the mango puree too. And, we tried the mango nectar too, it is a ready to drink mango juice. It is really nice!

Tartanilla/Kalesa Ride in the Streets of Cebu City 16 Nov 2015

After our Taoist Temple trip, we came to Colon Street by cab, as all of us were so hungry as we did not take our breakfast at all before we went to the Taoist Temple.

Daddy wanted to come to Colon Street again as we believe there are much more to see after our first trip there on Saturday.

We had our brunch at McDonald’s, just wanted to try out how are the taste difference in each country.

Well, we were a bit disappointed on the food and the price are more or less the same compared in Malaysia, just the taste and variety are not there. We still love our Malaysian McDonald’s.

We were walking and wondering around the Colon Street and we came to see some interesting and new to us in the city. There are horses on the streets!

While I was taking some photos on it, Daddy went up and asked about a ride and price. Local call it Tartanillia or Kalesa.

Tartanillia is one of the oldest mode of transportation not only in Cebu but all through out the Philippines. Tartanilla or kalesa is a horse-drown carriage which still exist in some local streets here in Cebu City.

They roam around the busy street in Boromeo, Leon Kilat and some part of Colon Street.

Since both Issac and Annabelle were so excited wanted to go for a ride, we just on the deal and climb onto the carriage. The carriage is a little bit small, but still can to squeeze 4 persons.

Then the Kutsero (driver of horse-drawn vehicle) brought us roaming around the streets near the Colon Street. We did pass by some public markets, universities or smaller malls, etc. Quite excited too as this trip let us see more as we did not manage to see.

And, a great experience in this part of country! It is quite fun too!

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Subang Jaya Branch Thanks Giving Party 28 Nov 2015

Today is Subang Jaya Branch Thanks Giving Party. Earlier on, we had assigned to do salad for the party. Alvin and I were buying all the needed ingredients for the salad making.

Alvin was thinking of making our own salad dressing with fresh mints leaves together with some orange juice together with some vinegar.

We did buy some lamb chop, beef steak and pork chop as Alvin wanted to mix in the salad as well.

Early morning, we woke up early and pan fried all the meats first before we went out for Jane Yap Atelier – both Issac and Annabelle art class.

After the Saturday art class with the children came back from Citta Mall, we quickly put into action as preparing all the vegetables, slicing all the meats, then pack and we went off heading to PJ chapel for the party.

Once we were there, we met most of the Subang Jaya Branch members. All the sisters were in the kitchen busy cooking, busy preparing all the food.

The party was started at 5.00pm as planned. It was started with the opening hymns and opening prayer, after is the sharing of Elder Smith on the meaning and purpose of Thanks Giving.

Then Elder Dacayanan, Sister Koford and Sister Kautaua too sharing some gospel. I was behind the kitchen helping the sisters on the food arrangements.

Alvin and both kids were in front there participating on the games which were prepared by the Missionary and Brother Benjamin.

Later, I came out from the kitchen and watch the teams playing games. It was really so fun just looking at them.

There were at least 3 games which Elders and Sisters prepared for the evening. I can see both Issac and his daddy Alvin too, enjoying the games so much. Annabelle and I were watching them playing.

After the games finished, there was a session, Elder Smith asked us everyone of us to write a Thank You note for all the branch Missionaries whom are spreading out there: Elder Dunstan Chi and Elder Brian Chi, Elder Marino (Johnny), Elder Rasaratnam (Tanasegar) and Sister Yong (Marion). We have to write a small note to them. I was assigned to write to Johnny. He is serving a mission currently now at Mukah, Sarawak.

After the Thank You note, Brother Benjamin closed the session with a closing prayer and blessed the food. Then, we started our Thanks Giving Feast.

Everything prepared were so nice, there are spaghetti, mash potatoes, roast chickens, etc. The food were too much as all the sisters prepare for 50 people, eventually only 30 people turn up. Our salads also, left over about another tray too.

During the dinner time, we did mingle around with the members and shared with them, on our temple trip experience. They were asking about our trip too. Overall the party ended around 9.00pm, after we clean up the church area, we went back home.

We will going to miss Subang Jaya branch members, as we took really a year to learn and grow at here after our family had been baptized.

Now we have to go back to our home branch – Puchong branch to stay. Both Alvin and I believe that Lord know the best for us, and it is time for us to go back to Puchong and continue to learn His gospel, progress, grow and holding on to the iron rod.

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Cebu Taoist Temple 16 Nov 2015

Monday we continued our Cebu adventure by exploring and went to the Taoist Temple, as it is not really our interest by going to there, but feeling like we have came to Cebu, as it is like we have not fully explored this city.

We took a cab to there, the area is located in the high-end Beverly Hills subdivision in Cebu City, as we passed by the residential areas, we can see a lot of bungalows with huge land area.

The temple was built by the Chinese community of Cebu. The towering, multicoloured tourist attraction has an elevation of 300 meters above sea level and is accessible by three separate winding routes.

The Taoist Temple is open to worshipers and non-worshipers. Built in 1972, the temple is the center of worship for Taoism, which follows the teachings of Lao Tze, an ancient Chinese philosopher.

According to locals whom believe rituals for the devotees to pray to the gods for their wishes to be granted. The ritual also includes the washing of hands, entering the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood.

If both blocks of wood fall face up, then the wish will be granted. If not, then perhaps the time has not come yet for the wish to be granted, and one has to come back to the temple at another time.

Another ritual among the devotees, done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 99 steps to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.

All these rituals are so familiar to us, as it have formed one of our Chinese cultures and customs throughout our growing years, as all these are nothing new to us.

Reaching the top would also reward is a marvellous view of Cebu City and the islands of Mactan and Bohol in the distance.

The temple includes a replica of the Great Wall of China at the entrance, chapel, a library, a souvenir shop, spacious balconies, and a wishing well. Also remarkable is the giant dragon statue.

The temple is constructed in a highly ornate style of Chinese architecture and is topped with a pagoda-style roof. Present in Taoist architecture are structures according to their functions, categorized as palace for oblation and sacrifice, altar for praying and offering, cubby for religious service, and garden for visitors.

The Taoist Temple is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. Travel agencies usually include trips to the Taoist Temple in their tour packages. It also gets frequent visits from students for their field trips.

The Taoist Temple is a beautiful place to meditate and relax. One can definitely do some soul-searching in its sprawling gardens and astonishing view with the benefit of fresh air. Discover and appreciate a taste of Chinese culture in the Taoist Temple, and open yourself up to a brilliant, whole new experience.

It was really a hot hot day as all of us were extremely exhausted after visiting the Temple, and we have to walk down from the hill as the cabs seldom go up there as it is a high end residential area. It was so lucky for us to get a cab which the driver send us down to the hill, and from there we able to get a cab to drive us to Colon Street.

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Kiddos Public Speaking Sessions 26 Nov 2015

During I was fetching both Issac and Annabelle at Mahkota Tuition Centre, Kim Thai showed me the videos of two kids trying their best in speaking in the public and recording at the same time.

It was a surprise that, Annabelle was the first kid whom volunteer to go out first as the ‘first speaker’. All the children been guided by the contents of the speech as like, what they should talk first, name, age, where are they studying, where do they live, and so on.

Kim Thai praised this two little angels really good in presenting themselves. She told me that, I would be surprised to hear that the naughtiest boy in the class that always disturbing other children was the most afraid one, if asked him stand in front of so many people and speak in the public!

I am so blessed that have this two little angels in my life!

SM City Cebu 12-15 Nov 2015

The distance from our hotel to the SM City Cebu actually is not far, as it is just a few minutes of walking distance, and it is kind of easy for us to look for our food when we feel hungry each time. It was the nearest and so convenient for us just to buy and shop anything.

It is near Christmas, thus all around the mall was nicely decorated with Christmas ornaments and trees and lights and stars. There was the first thing we noticed when we were on our way to the Temple on the first day we landed Cebu, we can see some of the stars shape decorations were hanging all over the city.

We were curious what was that, and asked the cab driver on that, he told us that it was for the Christmas decorations. It is so early to us, as now Malaysia is busy celebrating the Deepavali.

SM City Cebu currently is the 11th largest mall on the planet, it is a sprawling four-level complex that features eight world-class cinemas, a department store, a food court, a bowling centre, a traveller's lounge, an 8,000-square meter amusement centre and a 2,000-square meter trade hall. It hosts about 500 retail shops, restaurants and cafes.

SM City Cebu first opened in November 1993, catering more to the broad middle class in comparison to Ayala Centre Cebu, which targets a more upscale market.

To the delight of Cebuano mall-goers, an expansion wing, dubbed the North wing, opened in 2007. The North wing offers two floors of retail shops, restaurants and cafes, and caters more to the leisure market.

SM City Cebu proves that variety is the spice of life. You can find an array of exciting food choices, from fast food chains to elegant fine dining restaurants. You can also experience retail heaven with its many shops such as Oxygen, Penshoppe, Mango, Topshop, Promod, People Are People, The Body Shop, National Bookstore, Ace Hardware, Toy Kingdom, Toby’s Sport and much more.

Movie buffs are also treated to a whole new cinematic experience with SM’s 3-D IMAX theatre, which opened in late 2009. We were thinking of going to watch the movie but most of the movies screening at that time were 18SG, not suitable at all for our children. Then, we just window shopping and see the huge Christmas Tree which is at the Ground Floor Foyer area.

Another thing which draw our attention and impressed us a lot is the security personnel in the shopping mall. Almost every shopping malls either old or new, big or small, until in the individual retail shop alone, we can see smartly dressed security personnel guarding at every entrance.

They looked so professional compared back home here in Malaysia, whereby most of the security guards at the banks, shopping malls are foreigner, either Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Burmese, or Vietnamese. It is so different here in Philippines. They even having a small first aid kit at their back just in case any incident happened.

We were thinking in my mind like: It is really a shame to us Malaysian, as we are so choosy on the jobs, whereby what can I see from Cebu is that Pilipino really building up their nations as all the jobs are fully filled by their own nations, even to the security guards positions!

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