Klook returns to Cebu with more out-of-this world travel deals

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES - August 2019 - Filipinos have been bitten by the travel bug, thanks to more affordable fares, loosen visa requirements, and the game-changing offerings of Klook, a world leading travel activities and services online  platform that has revolutionized travel activities space. Whether it’s to discover the temples of Japan, the night markets of Taipei, the amusement parks in Singapore and Hong Kong, or just about anywhere else that travelers’ desires take them, Klook has allowed tourists to go on hassle-free vacations with its packages that cover just about everything that travelers need – be it airport transfers, tours, WiFi services, and everything else that matters.

As it marks its second birthday in the Philippines, Klook has lined up amazing plans to outdo itself and bring even better travel deals and experiences to those eagerly planning their next trip.

Indulge in out of this world deals, promos, and activities in Cebu

Among the things to look forward to is the upcoming first ever Klook Travel Fest 2019 in Cebu  on September 7 - 8, 2019 at the SM City Cebu North Wing.  The first and only mobile-led travel festival in the country is now on its third run in Manila and first in Cebu. Even bigger and better, Klook Travel Fest 2019 promises out-of-this-world deals like huge discounts on popular attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan that will surely have you reaching for your phones in an instant!

“We’re glad to know that Klook has been warmly received by Cebuanos travelling both locally and to other destinations around the world. With the travel market growing quickly, Klook will definitely expand its presence and offerings in the Philippines as we evolve together with traveler’s needs and continue to provide value-laden, one-of-a-kind deals that people will enjoy,” said Michelle Cruz, Market Lead of Klook Philippines.

Not only can you get amazing deals on tours, attractions, and activities, but you can also enjoy low fares with an exclusive Cebu Pacific sale happening during the Klook Travel Fest!

“We have always been a firm believer of making travel more accessible and affordable to every Juan. Our partnership with Klook enables us to provide our customers a 360 experience - beginning with our affordable flights, up to activities and attractions at budget-friendly prices that can be done at their chosen destinations,” said Michelle Lim, Corporate Communications Specialist of Cebu Pacific.

To join the biggest, and most out of this world Klook Travel Fest 2019, sign up at https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/26253-klook-travel-fest-ticket-cebu/.. For more details, you may also check out Klook’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/klookph/. (PR)

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ABOUT KLOOK PHILIPPINES

Founded in 2014, Klook is a world leading travel activities and services booking platform. Klook provides travelers with a seamless way to discover and book popular attractions, tours, local transportation, best foods, and unique experiences around the world on its website and award-winning app (consecutive Best of Year awarded by Google Play and Apple App Store). With Klook’s innovative technologies, travelers can book on-the-go and redeem the services by using QR code enabled e-vouchers. Each day, Klook empowers countless travelers to indulge in their wanderlust and spontaneity through over 100,000 offerings in more than 300 destinations.

With a team of more than 1,000 across over 20 offices worldwide, Klook's services are available in 9 languages, supporting 41 currencies. It has raised over US$520 million investment from world-renowned investors including Sequoia Capital, Softbank Vision Fund, Matrix Partners, Goldman Sachs and TCV. Get inspired by Klook at www.klook.com, the company blog or @Klook.   

NakakaLOKAL Festival by Grab in support of SME’s

Grab, the leading super app in Southeast Asia, joins Cebu in celebrating the Buwan ng Wika by bannering the unique flavours of Cebu through local food merchants that are featured in the NakakaLOKAL Festival.

A campaign that brings together homegrown businesses and Grab’s super app services to celebrate the unique flavours and traditions of Cebu, NakakaLOKAL Festival is Grab’s way of strengthening it’s support for local small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) that stay true to their roots as Cebuanos.

Cebu has a rich cultural heritage with an abundance of delicious food. With a dynamic food culture owing to the diverse influences of various nationalities that the natives had traded with during the pre-Spanish era, Cebu is home to different treats such as puso, chorizo, lechon, and tuslob-buwa.

This unique culture is highlighted by local SMEs that pass on traditional recipes and maintain local values in their business models. These merchants, according to the Asian Development Bank, are considered as the backbone of Asian economies, and in the Philippines, these business make up 99.6 percent of establishments in the country.

“As the leading super app, we are in a unique position to give SMEs their chance and empower them to grow. GrabFood, for instance, has successfully helped food merchants to expand their operations outside their establishments. We are happy to launch the NakakaLOKAL Festival in Cebu to strengthen our commitment to helping local SMEs to thrive, “Grab Philippines President Brian Cu said.

In celebration of Buwan ng Wika this August, Grab steps up as a proud supporter and enabler of local SMEs in the Philippines through a month-long celebration of businesses that keep the Philippine culture alive.

The Nakakalokal Festival will run for the whole month in the Grab-app and during Fridays and Saturdays of August at The Market by Sugbo in Mandaue City, Cebu. Open  publicly to all Grab users, the festival features a culinary and crafts adventure with GrabFood’s most popular homegrown food brands.

Holding this festival is Grab’s way of contributing to the preservation of Cebu’s cultural heritage. As we continue to put the best interests of the Filipino people at the forefront of our business, we will reamin steadfast in bannering proudly-Filipino SMEs to the public,” Cu added.

Local food adventure

At the festival, visitors may embark on a culinary adventure across the different food spots in Cebu.

Visitors may enjoy the grilled tuna panga of Kuzina Guadalupe, the tasty pork barbeque of Barbix, the various turo-turo finds of Apurado, and the sweet-tasty fresh seafood of Seabu.

They may also enjoy the refreshing lemon juice of The Lemon Co., the soft serve classic mango float of Swirl Dessert Corner, the sweet mango shake of Ally Mango, and the signature halo-halo of Joanna’s.

NakakaLOKAL Festival will also feature food and drinks from Tropic Fruit Bar, Hebrews Shebrews, Cribs, Charred, Cheatday, MO2 Bar, Pasta Hut, Luljille’s Kitchenette, Delfa’s Tungolan, Sushi Fresh Daily, and Big Catch.

Each one offers a unique taste bud experience that will satisfy the cravings and hunger of Sugbuanon and other visitors.

Rewarding experiences and exciting prizes

To celebrate the introduction of the NakakaLOKAL Festival, Grab is also introducing NakakaLOKAL MVP, a featured in-app challenge for its users throughout August until the first week of September. The NakakaLOKAL MVP challenge includes:

·       For the first time GrabPay users in Cebu : Get Php 100 cashback when they activate their GrabPay wallet and make at least one regular transaction with a minimum amount of P200 pesos on GrabCar, GrabExpress, in-store transaction via scan-to-pay, or online payments using GrabPay.

·       For existing GrabPay Users in Cebu: Get Php 100 cashback when they do at least two regular transactions on GrabCar, GrabExpress, in-store transaction via scan-to-pay, or online payments worth at least P200 using GrabPay.

Users who complete the NakakaLOKAL MVP will automatically qualify to exciting raffle promos such as:

• 3 winners of travel packages for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (including flight and hotel accommodation)
• 17 winners of 2 flight tickets each viaMabuhay Miles to any Philippine destination
• 50 winners of Good Shepherd Baguio Gift Set.
• 50 winners of Lechon from Rico’s  Lechon Cebu
• 50 winners of Auro Chocolates from Davao.
• 25 winners of Rent By Grab Mountaiin Tour
• 1000 winners of Karton Gift Boxes with different featured products from its partner SMEs
• 150 winners of Unilab Malasakit Bundles

The NakakaLOKAL MVP challenge runs until September 8. Winners will be announced in the second week of September.

“We have always been inspired by the power of technology when used for good, and we at Grab would like to harness that asset to empower more Cebuanos to live better lives everyday,” Cu said.

Putting additional 1000 merchants on the map

To help local businesses thrive and succeed, Grab also aims to put at least 1000 SMEs on the map. This will allow businesses to be discoverable in-app so that consumers and driver-partners can easily locate them on Grab related transactions.

Anyone can nominate local businesses by filling out a form at the booth or by simply replying to Grab’s social media channels. Votes will be accumulated until the end of the festival on August 30.

“We are opening our doors to more SMEs in the Philippines who wish to be part of Grab’s ecosystem. Our goal is to tap more local businesses and help them reap the benefits of our connected superapp services, which has already empowered thousands of entrepreneurs and enterprises to date,” Cu added. “We have always been inspired by the power of technology when used for good, and we at Grab would like to harness that asset to empower more Filipinos to live better lives everyday.”

About Grab

Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app  has been downloaded onto over 150 million mobile devices, giving users to access to over 9 million drivers, merchants, and agents. Grab has the region’s largest land transportation fleet and has completed over 3 billion rides since its founding in 2012. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food and package delivery services, across 336 cities in eight countries.

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale Cebu 2019

Cebu City, Book lovers can enjoy non-stop book hunting adn shopping as the World's Biggest Book Sale officially launches is Cebu and opens its door to the public from August 16 until August 26, 2019 at IEC Convention Center, Cebu City. ENTRANCE IS FREE!!!

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is bringing over a million book across multiple genres at 50% to 90% off the recommended retail price. Genres include children's books, fiction, non-fiction, and premium books to cater to readers of all ages. The Sale will be open for 24 hours throughout its 11-day run to accommodate shopper's schedules and give readers more time to browse through the variety of books and genres offered.

The Sale will also be offering more titles of Magical Books with augmented reality technology for toddlers and preschoolers. It uses cutting-edge technology to help kids interact, play and learn as they watch the characters come to life. This year, the Sale offers 12 Magical Book titles ranging from fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs to educational books such as Let's Learn Alphabet ABC.

Joining the Sale for the second consecutive year, local books from Adarna Publishing are also available and book signings from local authors are scheduled during the Sale. Readers can purchase books using cash, credit or debit cards including BPI credit cards and PayMaya. Shoppers are encouraged to drop by multiple times during the Sale, as books will be constantly restocked throughout the whole duration.

"Big Bad Wolf Books is not just Book Sale. It is an organization that advocates reading and English literacy. Our mission is to change the world one book at a time. Filipinos are avid readers, they love books, they understand the value and power of books however there's a lot of people out there who don't have access to books due to the pricing. For someone who has never had a book, that could be the one thing that could change his life and it is our role to provide access to affordable books. A book could inspire and empower readers with knowledge, " said Jacqueline Ng, Founder of the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale.

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale has always been a firm believer that everyone should have access to books and learn, regardless of their status. The Book Sale's Corporate Social Responsibility arm - the Red Readerhood will be partnering with its partner organization, Gawad Kalinga (GK) to furnish GK partner communities, public schools and libraries with books. The Book Sale has pledged to donate 500 books and shoppers can also join the initiative by donating books for Big Bad Wolf Book Sale's Red Readerhood corner during the Sale.

During the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale Cebu 2018, a total of 5,000 books was collected from customers visiting the Book Sale and it was donated to Gawad Kalinga's community libraries in Badian, Dumanjug, Bantayan and Ticad, public schools in Bago, Bicol and providing books to over 1,000 families.

This year, Big Bad Wolf Books celebrates its 10th year of providing readers with high-quality English books and great discounts. Besides organizing Book Sales in Malaysia, the Malaysia-based Sale has travelled across several countries to Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, South Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan and Sri Lanka.

Big Bad Wolf Books debuted in the Philippines with its Manila Sale in February 2018, followed by Cebu in July and Davao in November. It made its way back to Manila last February and Pampanga last month.

Customers can also stand a chance to win vouchers daily and a bookshelf filled with books by the end of the Sale when they participate in the Book Sale's social media contest. All they have to do is share photos of themselves at the Sale of their book hauls on Facebook & Instagram with the hashtags with the hashtags #BBW19LovesCebu to be in the running win!

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MoonCake Festival @ Tin Gow

MOON CAKE HISTORY

Mooncakes have played a central role in Moon Festival traditions. Once, according to Chinese legend, mooncakes helped bring about a revolution. This took place during the Yuan Dynasty when the invading Mongolians from the North subjugated the Han Dynasty.

According to one Chinese folk tale, a Han Chinese rebel leader named Liu Fu Tong devised a scheme to arouse the Han Chinese to rise up against the ruling Mongols  to end the oppressive Yuan Dynasty.

He sought permission from Mongol leaders to give gifts Liu would distribute would spark a national upbringing.

These gifts were round mooncakes. Inside, Liu had his followers place pieces of paper with the date the Han Chinese would strike out in rebellion-on the fifteenth night of the eight month.

Eventually, Liu got his word to his people, who when they cut open the mooncakes found the revolutionary message and set out to overthrow the Mongols, thus ending the Yuan Dynasty.

Today, far from the exotic and heroic legends, Chinese communities all over the world make and consume moon cakes during the traditional Autumn Moon Festival.     

Tin Gow allows to make your tradition more tasteful with delicious mooncakes made especially by Chinese Master, Chef Low.

Available starting August 15 - September 30, 2019. 

Php. 250.00 / mooncake

Promo: Buy 5 Get 1 Free 

Address: TIN GOW Restaurant, Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Lahug, Cebu City

“Merienda Makeover” Chef Dave Daryl Gelaga Hosts Talk On Revamping Cebuano Meriendas

In celebration of July as the Nutrition Month, the Casa Gorordo Museum has invited pastry chef, Dave Daryl Gelaga, to host a CGM Talk on elevating the preparation and presentation of well-loved Cebuano merienda dishes last July 27, 2019, at the Casa Gorordo Museum’s Azotea. 

This month’s CGM Talk aims to promote Cebuano food by sharing knowledge on how they are prepared thereby encouraging the public to appreciate Cebuano and Filipino food even more. “These are street food that you find every day, by preparing it in a different way, we get to elevate its taste. By focusing on street food or traditional Cebuano snacks, we are trying to also promote their nutritional value as much as we are trying to make the public aware that merienda food can be prepared and presented In different ways,” stated Florencio Moreño, curator of the Casa Gorordo Museum. 

The CGM talks is one of the many programs of the Culture and Heritage Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. that promotes Cebuano culture and heritage. 

Casa Gorordo Museum is the centerpiece project of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.’s (RAFI) Culture & Heritage focus area. The Culture & Heritage Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-CHU) through its three flagship programs – Casa Gorordo Museum, Research & Publications, and Gabii Sa Kabilin – aims to develop a strong sense of cultural identity among local communities by promoting awareness of their heritage and enabling them to articulate their story.

Taste the authentic flavors of Singapore at Waterfront Cebu with Chef Alan Chan

(Singaporean Chef Alan Chan)

On August 9 of this year, Singapore, known to be Asia’s Lion City, commemorates its independence after separating from Malaysia in the year 1965. And in one with the country’s 54^th Independence Day celebration, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino delights its guests with a special feast at UNO restaurant with its “Singapore National Pride” promo. 

Starting from August 3 to 11, guests will be in for a gastronomical experience like no other as the hotel’s talented culinary team, headed by their very own Singaporean Chef Alan Chan, will serve authentic Singaporean cuisines.

(photo above: Chili Crab)

For only PHP 1,250.00 nett/person, guests will enjoy dishes such as the famous chili crabs, Hainanese chicken, and so much more. The feast will surely be much more memorable and fun when you bring your family, friends and loved ones with you.

And to give a little sneak peak of the promo, Waterfront Cebu invited its friends from the media for a live cooking demo with none other than Singaporean Chef Alan Chan wherein he showed the media how to make one of Singapore’s world-renowned chili crab dish. He was assisted by Executive Sous Chef Francis Manelab.

Other authentic Singaporean dishes were also served during the event including the braised pork trotter in black vinegar sauce, beef rendang, chicken curry, and laksa.

To taste the rich flavors of Singapore, make your way now to the center of it all this coming August 3-11 and be sure to call (032) 232-6888 for inquiries and reservations.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino is one of the well-known landmarks in Cebu City and is the premiere venue for events and conventions in the country. The latest updates are at www.waterfronthotels.com.ph, www.facebook/WaterfrontCebu and @waterfrontcebu on Twitter and Instagram. For more information, the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino can be reached at (032) 232-6888.

About Us

Waterfront Hotels & Casinos under the Waterfront Philippines, Inc. is the country’s largest Filipino-owned and managed first class hotel chain. In Cebu, it operates the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. Visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph or call 1-800-10WFRONT8

The Market by Sugbo Mercado

The Market

It was around this time last year when the Sugbo Mercado group launched the very first "containerized" outdoor food market in the province with the opening of the The Market by Sugbo Mercado along Mantawi International Drive in Mandaue City. With the establishment of the The Market, the people behind Sugbo Mercado have further elevated the food market scene in Cebu through its acceleration program for its foodtrepreneurs. 

The Market has served as a "level-up" platform for Sugbo Mercado tenants who have found much entrepreneurial success at the Garden Bloc in IT Park. More than just serving as a hub of incubation, the Sugbo Mercado team has always sought to provide ladders of acceleration for its roster of entrepreneurs to reach even heights than initially imagined.

As part of its acceleration and expansion efforts, the Sugbo Mercado team also opened its third branch in Lapu-lapu earlier this year. Sugbo Mercado is very proud to announce that 11 (eleven) entrepreneurs from the Garden Bloc branch have been accelerated onto The Market adn Sugbo Mercado Lapu-lapu. Moving forward, the Sugbo Mercado group is looking into establishing branches in various food hotspots all throughout the province.

In addition to the team's efforts to serve as a venue for mentoring and incubating foodtrepreneurs, the Sugbo Mercado group also seeks to shed a spotlight on the institutional street food of Cebu to further showcase the culture and identify of the Cebuano. Through its tried and trusted methods, the Sugbo Mercado team will be looking to place Cebuano street food back on the gastronomical map of foodies in the Metro. Starting with strategic venues like Ayala Center, Cebuanos are going to be afforded more accessible opportunities to partake in a culinary experience that is truly their own. Watch out for the opening of Street Food by Sugbo Mercado and other Sugbo Mercado projects coming soon.

And we're only just beginning.  

THE MARKET by Sugbo Mercado

Open every Tuesday to Thursday from 4pm to 12mn and every Friday to Sunday from 5pm to 1am. Located at Mantawi Drive, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City.