Country > Philippines > Cebu > Cebu City
Date > 2014 > May
Activity > Traveling

Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014

Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time

Location : Cebu City, Philippines

Yoga
When I was still in Compostela Valley and received a text from Jeanne Torrefranca saying, "come to Cebu, let's do yoga everyday", I didn't think I'd be staying in Cebu a good 7 months. Many things happened, but the one overiding activity is definitely yoga. Not since I took my 200-hour Empath Yoga teacher training with Erica Boucher have I immersed myself in yoga. For some stretches of time, I was thinking, living, dreaming and waking up to yoga. Yoga became the black hole that sucked me deep into its inner bowels. It was a fix, an obsession and a passion.

Yoga with Jeanne Torrefranca
Through Jeanne's friendship, I smoothly transitioned into teaching yoga to many of Cebu's yoga studios, resorts and hotels. Jeanne was my benefactor who made things happen - introduced me to her community and friends, provided a roof over my head (and not accepting my rent money), taught me how to teach Ashtanga Yoga (I didn't finish it) and tagged me along her many gigs. We would be engaged in long, sometimes heated discussion about everything under the sun. Indeed, Cebu would be a radically different Cebu to me if not for Jeanne and her magic wand.I would affectionately refer to her as the Dragonfly Goddess (and us, as her Warriors of Light). Thank you Jeanne. I am always grateful.

Yoga Training with Veer (Vaibhav Rana)
(Dec 6, 2013 - Mar 14, 2014) When I resumed his class again after more than a year of absence, it reaffirmed that I found the teacher whose teaching style and yogic philosophy I could subscribe to. I learned a lot from Veer. My practice grew exponentially. Every session was a level-up from the last. I was pushed beyond my comfort zone. I learned new approaches to yoga, it's history/mythology, I learned mudras and bandhas, meditation, pranayama and kumbhaka, etc. By the time I left, I had a vast overview of yoga, I could connect several difficult poses on arm-balances using bandhas, kumbhaka, etc. I learned how to enhance a pose given our human anatomy and more importantly, knowing what a pose is supposed to do. Even if I didn't stay long enough in Cebu until he would return back to India (~Aug 2014), I feel that I could more or less blueprint my path into the bigger yogic landscape he painted for us, my beloved YogiVeers (the same people who show up consistently to attend his classes). For everything I learned from him, I will always be profoundly grateful. Thank you, Veer!

Handstand
The handstand has been my burning passion in Cebu. This has been the most elusive of them all. For years now, I'd been trying to perfect my handstand. Even though my longest recorded handstand is 13 seconds, I was never into a steadystate. I would still be walking my hands all over the place. Nearly all my yoga injuries resulted out of my handstand practice. I have developed the strength to support my body weight on a handstand and I have developed the technique of throwing myself up for a vertical pose...but I can't achieve a steady state that would allow me to hold it long enough as a meditative mudra.

Cebu Activities
I dipped my fingers on a few regular activities during my stay. They simply added dimension to my Cebu experience.

PechaKucha Nights - I just learned about this new presentation format that works - PechaKucha. This event happens at GILT every 2nd Tuesday of the month. I was even a presentor once and talked about my Burning Man experience. Even if it's not PechaKucha Night, GILT remains a great place to hangout with friends.
Theosophical Society - they have a Saturday meeting where they expound on a topic relating to 'meaning of life', higher evolution and mindful existence. It's non sectarian and open to people of all pursuits and religion. They are attended to mostly by seekers coming from different types of persuasions. I met people there who became friends, some have become colleagues too. I was a regular until the last few meetings.
Zen Meditation at Chu Un Temple - We would have a 30-minute meditation followed by a tea ritual. There would be small talk after. It's a good place to meet people cut from the same fabric. I used to be a regular.
Couch Surfers - I attended one of their gatherings and met some interesting people outside my usual yogic circle.

Real Estate
Apart from yoga, many things were reintroduced to me in Cebu. When the hotel deals dried up, I realized I had to find a more reliable way to put a roof over my head. Of course, I usually meet magnanimous people who offer their homes for me to stay at, but that's more of an unexpected surprise. It would be a cheat if I rely on that - or to even be accustomed to that. If land developers continuously renew their subscription to my website, then that tells me they are selling properties out of it. So, instead of having a fee-based web subcription from them, why not be an agent for them? For the same work, I stand to make more. I won't have to knock on developers' doors to sell them a webpage subscription (something I don't like doing), but instead, develop a realestate website on my own and sit back, relax, and let the powerful search engines do the selling for me - to a global audience. It's just a game of numbers anyway. The more properties I develop on the web, the increased likelihood I'll get inquiries. At least that's the plan.

Online Trading and BMWs
An unexpected Cebu surprise was attending Online Trading talks and test driving BMWs. In my renunciate paradigm, these are relics from my distant past - a failed attempt to own a Lamborghini through online swing trading. Sadly, I have neither the money nor the desire for either. But I think it's an affectionate curve-ball my benevolent universe throws at me as a practical joke. In my thought bubble, "nice try :)". Here in Cebu, Kaye Luym-Salas (otherwise known as the Director of Possibilities for A~List Events), keeps me in her short list of invitees to essential events here in Cebu (like online trading talks, fashion shows, art openings, etc.) - thank you, Kaye.

Ending Thoughts
Leaving Cebu came to me as an unexpected curve-ball. I thought I would settle here. My yoga practice with Veer was going strong. I was thriving. I found yoga practitioners within the community I could resonate with, I was beginning to expand my social horizon as I continued to meet new and interesting people, I shifted business direction requiring a more stable residency...I had "Cebu" practically tattoed to my forehead. I had an open invite for a beachfront resort in Boracay but I chose to remain in Cebu. An invite to pursue advanced scuba diving in Apo Island with hotel stays in Dumaguete but again, I chose to remain in Cebu. But in the rare episode of energy discord (yes, I am trying my best to be vague here), a new path was once again blazed for me. It was a choice - stay in Cebu and continue what I've started, or choose the uncertainty life is putting on my plate. It was another case of Red Pill vs. the Blue Pill. As a seeker, I had to choose the red pill and allow life to take me where it takes me. But given how life has been unraveling for me as I follow its bidding in full compliance, I take faith that there is something else in store for me outside Cebu. For all the abundance, the generosity, the warmth and the bliss...daghang salamat, Cebu and to all the wonderful people who call it home.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Jeanne Torrefranca, Private Yoga Classes

Blogs about Insight on Cebu

The Benevolent Cebu City Oct 28, 2015
Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014
Hiatus Feb 22, 2014
Abundance in Cebu (Part 2) Feb 11, 2014
Crossroads Jan 20, 2014
Abundance in Cebu July 19, 2012
Cyber Monk May 19, 2012

Veer (Vaibhav Rana) Blogs

Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014
Leveling Up: Veer-Yoga with the YogiVeers Apr 11, 2014
Yoga Immersion with Veer (Vaibhav Rana) Mar 5, 2014
Hiatus Feb 22, 2014
Demystefying Ashtanga Yoga Feb 13, 2014
Shifting Yoga Paradigm Feb 12, 2014
Abundance in Cebu (Part 2) Feb 11, 2014
Crossroads Jan 20, 2014
Deepening the Yoga Practice in Cebu Jan 12, 2014
Fab People: Vaibhav Rana (Veer) Jan 1, 2014

Blogs about Jeanne

Cebu City Peoplescape Dec 4, 2022
Ashtanga Primary Series Yoga in Cebu May 5, 2017
3-Night Cebu Stopover Apr 6-9, 2017
Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014
Aqua Yoga with Jeanne Torrefranca at Dragonfly Pool May 4, 2014
SUP Yoga with Jeanne Torrefranca at Plantation Bay Mar 23, 2014
Jeanne's Community Outreach Program Mar 2, 2014
New Year Yoga at Dragonfly Yoga Studio Jan 1, 2014
Fab People: Jeanne Torrefranca (Yogini) Dec 25, 2013
Cebu Yoga Immersion Nov 14, 2013

hotel

Hostel Seven Cebu - newly opened, resto/bar, central location, solo/group travellers
Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City
S Hotel & Residences - new hotel, luxury rooms, central location
827 M. Velez corner Andres Abellana St.

resto / cafe / bar

Fujinoya - new and refreshing twists to Western style desserts using Japanese techniques
Wilson St., Lahug, Cebu City - tel. 888.6075
Bad Boys Wingz - Buffalo Wings, unique versions of sauces! Great service, accommodating staff, bad boys vibe
Kasambagan, Cebu City | (032) 415 4811

yoga

Love Yoga World - yoga studio
11/fl, Skyrise 2 Tower, IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Yoga Now - first Yoga and Wellness studio in Mactan offering daily Yoga Classes
at The Yacht Club Mactan

mountain biking

Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure - MTB tours, bike sales and repairs. Bed and Breakfast + Resto Cafe + wifi
1298-b V.Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City | 0942.959.7451

Cebu City to Ormoc by boat

SUPERCAT - 3 hours, 5:30 am | 9:00 am | 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm
Business Class: Regular 1500, Student 1,200, Senior/PWD 1,071
Tourist (Aircon) & Economy (Non-aircon): Regular 1100, Student 880, Senior/PWD 785
OCEANJET - 3 hours, 5:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:30 am | 12:00 pm |1:00 pm | 4:30 pm
Open-Air (OA) 1100, Tourist Class (TC) 1100, Business Class (BC) 1600

Cebu City to Bantayan Island

The best and fastest way is by Ceres Bus at the North Bus Terminal, adjacent to SM City. The bus takes 4.5 hours going north until it reaches Hagnaya Port. From there, you pay the ferry company separately. The bus boards the ferry until it reaches Sante Fe Port (1.5 hours) in Bantayan Island. From Santa Fe, the bus goes to Bantayan Poblacion and then to Madridejos.

Ceres Bus - PHP 260 (to Santa Fe), 4.5 hours to Hagnaya Port + 1.5 hours by ferry.

Schedule: according to the dispatcher, trips begin at 6 pm (this arrives Hagnaya around 10:30 pm but the first ferry leaves at 1 am...that's a 2.5-hour wait at the port), leaving every hour until 1 pm the following day (I speculate that 1 pm is the last trip to avoid rush hour traffic along Consolacion). This doesn't match the ferry schedule so the bus simply waits until a ferry departs. e.g. the 6 pm trip arrives 10:30 pm and waits for the 1 am ferry. The last trip, 1 pm, arrives 5:30 pm, in time for the ferry's last trip.

Bus arrives at terminal 30 mins before departure. Luggages are P150/pc if no passenger.

Alternatively, you can get off the bus at Hagnaya Port and take the ferry independently. There are 2 ferry companies:

Super Shuttle Ferry
PHP 359 + 25 Terminal fee, 1.5 hours

Island Shipping
PHP 350 + 25 Terminal fee, 1.5 hours

Cebu City to Dumaguete

Cebu City to Dumaguete by Boat

George and Peter Lines - Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun 10pm, (035)225.4337, 0922.557.1023
Oceanjet - via Tagbilaran, daily 6am, dumticketing@oceanjet.net, 0918.898.2188
Cokaliong - Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 12pm, 6 hours, (035)225.3599

Cebu City to Dumaguete via Liloan (bus, boat, jeep, tricycle)

Cebu City South Terminal - take the southbound Ceres bus to Liloan, P200, 5 hours
Liloan - the bus drops you off at the Liloan Port where you board the Fastcraft to Sibulan, Negros Oriental, P62, 30 mins
Sibulan - at the Sibulan Port, the jeeps wait for Fastcraft passengers to take them to the public market in Dumaguete, P12, 30 mins.
Public Market - at the market, you can take any tricycle to your hotel, P8 for short trips

Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol

Weesam Express - Pier 4, departs 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 2 hours
one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs 6-7-8-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-4:20-6:35PM, 2 hours
Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300
SuperCat (2GO) - Pier 1, departs 08:15-13:30-15:10-18:00-19:40
P 500.00
+63 32 233 7000
Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs daily 12:30pm, 10:00pm and 1:00pm (Mon, Wed, Sat)
Standard (Lying) Php 150, Tourist (Lying Aircon) Php 340
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com.ph / www.liteferry.com

Cebu City to Siquijor by Boat, via Tagbilaran

Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran

Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs M/W/SAT at 1:00pm, 10 hours, economy Php 649 (through barkota.com), layover in Tagbilaran 5:45pm-8:00pm, arrives Larena Port, Siquijor at 11:00pm
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com / www.liteferry.com
Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs daily at 1pm, 5 hours
Open Air P1600
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300

Cebu City to Siquijor by Bus, via Liloan (Santander)

(as of Jan 2023)

Sugbo Urban
There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Leaves Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) at 8 pm (Sundays 1 am), heads south to Liloan (Santander), takes the ferry to Larena Port, Siquijor, docks around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City 10 pm.

Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because when it reaches Larena Port (Siquijor), it continues its trip around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena. It spares you the cost of hiring a tricycle or habal-habal which charges exhorbitant fares. Besides, it's a long trip to the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.

This is also the slowest. The bus arrives Liloan Port around 12:30 am but the ferry leaves 2:30 am (2 hours of waiting time). The ferry trip is a slow 4 hours (this should only take 1.5 hours with Montenegro or Alesson), arriving Larena around 6:30 am. This 4 hour voyage offers no comfortable sleeping - you stay upright on your seat or sleep on the floor on a cardboard. The boat waiting/voyage takes 6 hours. Altogether, the entire trip takes 11.5 hours until the bus reaches Lazi.

Cebu City to Camotes Island

Cebu City to Camotes Islands

via Poro - from Pier One in Cebu City, take the Ocean Jet for Poro, 2 hours, daily trip - 6am and 3pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).
via Consuelo - from Cebu City, take the northbound bus passing through Danao and get off at the Danao Port. At the Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).

Camotes Islands to Cebu City

Poro - Cebu City (fastest and most direct) - go to Poro and take the 8am or 5pm Ocean Jet to Pier One in Cebu City, P380/pax/aircon, 2 hours
Consuelo - Danao - Cebu City - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only). From Danao, take the Ceres Bus to Cebu City