TAFT EAST GATE

13/09/2014

Why Cebu is Booming?

Reason # 16

Historical significance.
At the time of the global scramble for exotic spices in the East, a Portuguese navigator sailing for Spain, Fernando Magallanes, came upon Zubu (Cebu) on April 7, 1521. The island then was already a flourishing village with "many sailing vessels from Siam (Thailand), China and Arabia docked at the port" as described by Antonio Pigafetta, Magallanes' chronicler. Then begun the Spanish era in the Philippines. However, it deteriorated upon the death of Magallanes in the hands of the brave local warrior, Lapulapu, only to resurrect with the arrival 44 years later, in 1565, of Miguel Lopez di Legazpi.
Proudly, Cebu has been given the honor as having many 'firsts' in the nation's history. Established by Legazpi in 1571, it became the first city in the Philippines, ante-dating Manila by 7 years. the oldest and smallest fort (Fort San Pedro), with the oldest church (Basilica of Sto. Niño), the oldest school (San Carlos) and the oldest street (Colon).
Cebu can be rightfully called the seat of Christianity in Asia.

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason # 14

Peace and Order
Cebu enjoys relative peace because there is no ethnic rivalry, racial or religious issues. Being an island where ports are secured, movement of people are easily monitored discouraging the entry of organized crimes like carnapping and kidnapping. Also, In 2010, the AFP declared Cebu 100% insurgency-free.
With this environment of peace, business thrives all over the island province.

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason # 15

Export Zones. Mepza 1 started with only 8 locators in 1986, today it is home to more than a hundred export companies manufacturing diverse products from semi-conductors to electronics to furnitures, food products etc. With more than 50,000 workers and a payroll of more than 100M pesos weekly, it has greatly impacted the economy. Today there's Mepza 2 and other export zones in Cebu providing a strong backbone in a highly competitive world of globalization.

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason # 13

Revitalized Mining Industry. Once the largest copper mine in Asia, Carmen Copper Corporation is located in Toledo city (previously operated by its mother company, the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (“Atlas”) from 1955 until 1994 when low metal price forced the company to suspend mining operations.)
Remarkably, CCC ended 2011 with a soaring net income of Php2.54 billion, which makes it a highly recognized top copper mine in Asia.
Cebu has deposits of both metallic and non-metallic minerals. Among the metallic mineral deposits in Cebu are gold, copper, silver, and other non-ferrous metals. Among Cebu's non-metallic resources are dolomite, silica, red clay, phosphate and guano.
Major mining companies in Cebu today....
Alcoy Dolomite Mine/Dolomite Mining Corporation in Alcoy
Apo Cement Corporation/Apo Land and Quarry
JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc., and Quarry s Philippines Inc.
Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc./Solid Earth Development Corporation in San Fernando.

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason # 12

Tourism. Cebu is the number # 1 tourist destination in the country for so many reasons.
From the all-time favorite white sand beaches to unique attractions like whale feeding, edge coaster ride, the country's first helium balloon and submarine tour (also 1st in the country).
Cebu also offers world-class golf courses and diving spots. For adrenalin rush, try spelunking, canyoneering or climb any of the scenic mountains of Cebu.
The choice is endless. Its truly more fun in Cebu where life is a vacation.....every single day!

Watch this video:
http://youtu.be/y7A37oT-flg

Visit http://travelerscouch.blogspot.com/ for MORE TRAVEL DETAILS about CEBU, PHILIPPINES! OFFICIAL "It's More Fun in the Philippines" Department of Tourism ...

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason # 11

Accessibility. With direct, non-stop flights to 29 different cities all over the world, Cebu is never too far for business or pleasure. Or even both.

It is also the jump-off point to neighboring islands and cities with more than 100 vessels departing the ports of Cebu everyday to as many destinations.

Accessible and strategic . The heart of the country right in the center of SEA.

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason number #10

Its Furniture Industry. In 2013, the country's furniture export raked in 300M US dollars, 60% made in Cebu, now touted as the furniture design capital of Asia.

From the living room of Brad Pitt to the reading nook of the White House, from the "CSI Miami" fixtures to the 'Ocean's 13' movie set. They all bear the signature of Kennneth Cobunpue, one of the greatest designers in modern times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Cobonpue

''Timeless in its elegance and sophistication. It also represent the Filipino designer’s eternal search for excellence' summarizes the passion of Cebuano designers in the global market.

http://youtu.be/7q9X1_1wP3s

From Cebu to the world!

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason number # 9

New growth corridors. Metro Cebu's exponential growth has baffled many but here's something not many Cebuanos know. New metropolitan areas are taking shape in other corridors of the island.

1. Metro Bogo- Agglomeration of a city( Bogo city) and five towns(Medellin, San Remegio, Daanbantayan, Tabogon and Borbon) in northern Cebu.
With sea linkages to Bantayan island, Malapascua and the provinces of Masbate and Leyte, a potential market of nearly a million people has attracted major developers like Robinsons (mall and BPO buildings under construction) SM (mall development in the pipeline) and Metro group (one mall in operation since 2013 and another one in the making)
Two condominium projects located within a world-class golf course in Medellin town were sold-out within a month to Korean retirees indicate the existence of a ripe market ready for the picking.

2. Balamban-Toledo city corridor- Shipbulding industry of Balamban and Asia's largest copper mine, located in Toledo city create a vibrant and bustling economy. Development in all areas are just heating up. Expect highrise buildings here in the next 5 years.

3. Other emerging centers of commerce and tourism like Moalboal, Argao and Boljoon are also showing great potential to be the new CBD's in Cebu.

11/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason number # 8

BPO industry. Cebu is ranked # 8 BPO destination in the world (link provided). Around 125,000 are currently employed in this industry pumping in billions of pesos to the local economy of Cebu causing exponential growth to real estate, construction and other industries.

With the statistics indicating a steep upward trend, the future is bright for the country's bestseller city, Cebu.

http://www.tholons.com/nl_pdf/Whitepaper_December_2013.pdf

04/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason number # 7

Its festivals. Cebu has no off-season of surprises. No lean period. It has something to delight visiting tourists any month of the year. Among its top crowd drawers are Sinulog (Asia's most colorful festival), Kadaugan sa Mactan, Kabkaban of Carcar, Siloy of Alcoy, Semana Santa of Bantayan, Sugat of Minglanilla, Hinulawan of Toledo city, Haladaya of Daanbantayan and many others.

02/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason number # 6

Homegrown Entrepreneurs. Cebu market has been known as the test market in the Philippines due to its discriminating taste and high standard. " If you make it in Cebu, you'll make it anywhere" so they say. Some of the homegrown brands that made it big outside Cebu already include Metro, Penshoppe, Island Souvenirs, Bo's coffee, Julie's bakeshop, Rose Pharmacy, Leona's bakeshop, Cebuana Lhuillier and many others.

02/09/2014

Why Cebu is booming?

Reason #5:

(shown photo is one of the largest Balamban, Cebu made ships. MV Paradise island dwarfed the crowd during its inauguration. It is the largest bulk carrier made in the Philippines!)

Its world class shipbuilding industry. The Philippines is 4th largest shipbuilder in the world and Cebu gets a large chunk due to the following reasons:
Advantages for Cebu shipbuilding industry investment

Some of the advantages when establishing shipbuilding is Cebu are the incentives that both domestic and overseas companies can gain. These incentives include income-tax holidays and duty-free importation of capital equipment to any shipyard of the builders, incentives which are approved through the government’s Board of Investments (BOI).

Second, being a country with thousands of islands, you can have very spacious environment for shipyards, thus, providing more freedom to establish or set up shipbuilding facilities and materials compared to the congested facilities in other competing countries.

Third, the shipyards or industrial parks in Cebu are safe from disastrous natural occurrences such as typhoons or tsunami. The province of Cebu is being surrounded by other islands of other provinces protecting it from being directly hit by storm or the strong gush of tsunami waves.

Fourth, Cebu offers very affordable, if not cheap labor to foreign companies. It means that they can afford to hire sufficient number of workers with various skills and knowledge. In addition, foreign companies can easily train Filipinos since they already have the advantage of language skills—English.

Fifth, aside from human resources which the Philippines is able to provide, the basic materials needed in building a ship, such as iron, is available with cheaper price.

Last, among many advantages, is the political stability and ample supply of food and water, and other resources from other islands and provinces. The advantage of Cebu when compared with other provinces is that it is located in the central Philippines and most products from its neighboring provinces are being delivered and sold there.