General Reports

[WestCoast1]

I agree on the Trillium's good price and location but do any of them have washers? Mine didn't and the laundry on the ground floor isn't 24 hrs, has a 4 kg minimum and, running up and down every couple of days is a major PITA when you pack as light as I do.

Answer: Have rarely experienced a washing machine in a studio unit, anywhere in phils (twice, once Malate and once Makati, both on the balcony). No dryer; if you wash a sheet, it will spin dry modestly well, but then you have to have somewhere (inside or on the balcony) to hang it to continue drying -- better to take sheets to a lavanderia. OTOH, looked recently at a 1-bedroom unit that had both washer and dryer inside (plenty of room). I pack with 10 days of clothing (not necessarily 10 pieces of everything), so I might jaunt to the laundry every 6-8 days. I have also found that if you can wait a full 24 hours to get your clothes back, most laundries will pick up / drop off your clothes. Other answer: I have regulars in all of my joy-towns. Almost every single girl has volunteered to take my laundry home and bring back the next day (if she lives in the same town), and they never ask more than the going laundry rates, sometimes less. Example, I mentioned the laundry on Escario that works for p160. One of my regular cebuanas will also take it home in the morning and bring it in the evening. Her roomates have a washer, and the neighbor has a dryer. She will give both of them money to use the machine. "Just you give to me 100". Done. "See you tonight 8 pm Westy. Can we Mango Square tonight?" Depends sweetie, how clean and well-folded those clothes are when you get back. Now shake that cute ass down to the jeepney. See you at 8.

[Goferring]

Another block or two up is Trillium Residences (google map the location), where I have stayed before (love the location and price). Will also stay in the area at Sinulog in a condo for p1100/ night (see PG, page 3, #9433, enjoy).

I agree on the Trillium's good price and location but do any of them have washers? Mine didn't and the laundry on the ground floor isn't 24 hrs, has a 4 kg minimum and, running up and down every couple of days is a major PITA when you pack as light as I do.

Cheers. G.

[WestCoast1]

I do agree with Goferring that a condo with laundries / washers is a must during summer.

That's why I love this condo, it has great Internet connection, Dryer / Washer, nice kitchen with microwave, pool / gym, hot water, big TV with cable channels, Queen bed, Electricity / water included, it has everything I'm looking for, and it only cost me 900 php per night for 1 month rent. Very cheap if you consider that I will stay during Sinulog month when condos are very expensive.

For reference to all, behind the PUV terminal at Ayala, are Mandarin Plaza and Quest hotels. They run along Escario street, 1 block from Ayala. About 1 block up on Escario street (west, towards Fuente) on the right side are two laundries, almost side by side (there is a small resto between them specializing in coffee and treats). One of those laundries is 24 hour service, the other (closer to Ayala) offers 4 hour service for p160 for up to 3 kg of laundry. Perfect for a bloody bedsheet. Another block or two up is Trillium Residences (google map the location), where I have stayed before (love the location and price). Will also stay in the area at Sinulog in a condo for p1100/ night (see PG, page 3, #9433, enjoy). Also there is another laundry location, inside Ayala, just next to the Rustan's entrance at the parking garage downstairs, p35/ kilo. I was using the faster laundry on Escario, I'd drop off a 3 kg load at 9 am, and usually by 12:30 pm it would be done when I stopped back (two block walk).

Also for reference, there was a laudrette in the Raintree Mall, on F Rama St, across from Robinson's Fuente (one block up on Rama). Its inside the same mall with Bo's Coffee, in the back. Also there is a dentist there (p500 for cleaning).

[Steve Nash]

Make sure the condo has good WiFi as many advertise it is but then you find not. OF not get a pocket WiFi from Smart or Globe as this is the best option.

The condo has High Speed Internet, the ethernet connection is really fast the owner told me that I can watch Netflix without a problem.

Great internet connection is a must for me since I will be working on my laptop alot. I do have 2 pocket wifi, the tattoo is an old one I think only 3 G, but the last one I bought this year is a LTE Globe Mobile WiFi with speeds of up to 42 Mbps.

Like WestCoast1 mention, I find the internet connection of the condos I stay in Philippines faster than my pocket Wifi.

I do agree with Goferring that a condo with laundries / washers is a must during summer.

That's why I love this condo, it has great Internet connection, Dryer / Washer, nice kitchen with microwave, pool / gym, hot water, big TV with cable channels, Queen bed, Electricity / water included, it has everything I'm looking for, and it only cost me 900 php per night for 1 month rent. Very cheap if you consider that I will stay during Sinulog month when condos are very expensive.

[Steve Nash]

I'm a touch confused by that (bike ride). Did your friend mean riding a bicycle? Or alternately, did he mean you will take a paid motorcycle, similar to taxi or tryke, sometimes referred to as a 'habal-habal'? Or alternately, you will rent your own motorcycle for your time in Cebu? My feeling is that you meant to ride a bicycle, which is never done by anyone in Cebu (or alternately rarely seen in Phils). The streets are both too crowded with vehicles, and both the streets and sidewalks are seriously broken (cement cracks. So many, so large) that riding a bike is not really part of the equation.

She meant motorbike, you know like Grab they have Angkas app for motorbikes.

I always take Grab (BTW there was no more Uber last time I was there in June and July of this year, only Grab).

The only reason I will get a motorbike instead of taxi or grab is because they told me that during Sinulog they close the streets and is better and faster to go to the parade with motorbike. The other days of course I will take taxi or Grab.

I walk from Ayala to Robinson's / Fuente (or vice versa, one way only, not round-trip) 1 or 2 times most weeks (I like to walk), usually after sundown or early morning. WR is correct, at any time of day or year, in any weather, be prepared to be a hot sticky mess just 90 seconds into that walk (that would be the idea for me). The distance is approximately 1800 meters, or about 1 mile, or 1. 8 KM. This distance is driving or walking distance, not as the crow flies. From Ayala to Robinson's Fuente (there is more than one Robinson's in Cebu city), streets would be: departing Ayala, a few blocks down Archbishop Reyes (also called Ayala street) to Gorordo Street (turn left), go a few more blocks down to General Maxilom street (turn right), then the long walk on Maxilom to Robinson's. On your left on Maxilom, you will pass along the way the Viking's group of gogo bars (see Planet X), Fooda grocery store on your right, Vienna Italian resto on the left, and Mango Square (both sides of the road, a series of bars with live entertainment, including Marshal's Irish Pub), then finally the overpass with Robinson's on the left and the Fuente Circle. My time-on-task for my slow / medium walk (lazy) is 20-22 minutes, and my more normal faster walk (to sweat) is 15-16 minutes. On more than one occasion in the late afternoon or early evening, I have beaten traffic going along side of me headed from Robinson's to Ayala (full disclosure: its closer to walk from Robinson's to Ayala than it is to take a jeep, as the jeep must travel farther to get to the PUV terminal at the rear of Ayala than my walking into the closer entrance on Archbishop Reyes St). I don't recommend this walk to anyone. One reason is the sidewalk is right against the street, where there are not only cars in the right lane in the near-constant rush-hour-like traffic, but also the motorcycles weave in / out in the right lane and use the far right side as their own lane, often brushing by as I'm walking (soooo close). Take a taxi or Uber, the cost is about $2.

Cool!

1. 8 km is not much, I'm also a fast walker so 15 minutes of walking is not bad in a hot weather, remember this is only during the Sinulog parade, the other days I will take taxi.

I'm planning to do jogging 3 times a week anyways, but not much 5 to 6 km only, and it will be in the jogging path inside the condo.

[WestCoast1]

Both work on the same technology: cell tower data. Both must be 'loaded'. Neither is better or faster than the other. A cell phone with 4 g (or faster, such as LTE) speed is effectively a pocket wifi. One reason you will see pinoy with both a cell phone and a pocket wifi is that their cheap Cherry Mobile (or such) phone is 3 g-only, while the pocket wifi is 4 g. The difference between 3 g and 4 g is not that much, but its the difference between web browsing (3 g) slowly, and streaming (4 g and faster).

Addendum that might be more applicable to the OP and condo wifi. I have found that in the last 2 years in Cebu city, condo-provided Internet service thru an ISP (ie, PLDT, duh) has considerably improved. Its rare that I get any download speeds slower than 10 mbps, with 20 being more typical. Consistent download speeds of 4 mbps are usually fast enough to stream -- key word: 'consistent'. Manila condos are often in the 20-50 mbps these days. However condo's out in the provinces, even with PLDT, are often in the 4-5 mbps arena (some such airbnb owners now advertise 'streaming Netflix' speeds). When airbnb-shopping, I contact the owner / caretaker in advance to ask about this. They rarely have any good answer to MBPS, but they know if their Internet wifi will stream Youtube and Netflix, and they will tell you if it is 'unlimited' or not. If not, its usually a Globe pre-paid pocket wifi. I decline any owner who says they will pay for the first few GB of data and the customer will load it after (that ain't 'unli' and its a good indication that they don't have a fiber, DSL, or cable hookup.

Having said that, I cannot say that Cebu hotel Internet speeds have improved, as the condo explosion caused me to run from Cebu hotels. I can get a condo studio unit along Maxilom (near Mango Park) or Ayala for under $25/ night with full kitchen and streaming Internet, or a 1-bedroom unit for about $35-$40/ night. Who needs a hotel in Cebu? The only advantage to a hotel that I can see is that they clean the room daily. Hell, I have cebuanas for that.

I walk from Ayala to Robinson's / Fuente (or vice versa, one way only, not round-trip) 1 or 2 times most weeks (I like to walk), usually after sundown or early morning. WR is correct, at any time of day or year, in any weather, be prepared to be a hot sticky mess just 90 seconds into that walk (that would be the idea for me).

Added addendum: The route I mentioned is not necessarily the shortest.

[WestCoast1]

Pocket WiFi? Is that another name for using your phone as a hotspot?

I had a pocket WiFi that offered 4 G before I had a phone that had 4 G capabilities. That is about the only advantage I see to these devices. I might get a 5 G one if 5 G is generally available before I buy a 5 G phone.

I get 4 G on my phone, only have one sim to worry about keeping topped up and one device to keep charged. When I want to use the net from my phone it is right there and if I need to use my laptop I simply turn on the hotspot.

Both work on the same technology: cell tower data. Both must be 'loaded'. Neither is better or faster than the other. A cell phone with 4 g (or faster, such as LTE) speed is effectively a pocket wifi. One reason you will see pinoy with both a cell phone and a pocket wifi is that their cheap Cherry Mobile (or such) phone is 3 g-only, while the pocket wifi is 4 g. The difference between 3 g and 4 g is not that much, but its the difference between web browsing (3 g) slowly, and streaming (4 g and faster).

[WestCoast1]

Only problem is that is not close to Ayala Mall or Fuente Osmena, but still is a 15 minutes bike ride to Ayala Mall my friend said.

I'm a touch confused by that (bike ride). Did your friend mean riding a bicycle? Or alternately, did he mean you will take a paid motorcycle, similar to taxi or tryke, sometimes referred to as a 'habal-habal'? Or alternately, you will rent your own motorcycle for your time in Cebu? My feeling is that you meant to ride a bicycle, which is never done by anyone in Cebu (or alternately rarely seen in Phils). The streets are both too crowded with vehicles, and both the streets and sidewalks are seriously broken (cement cracks. So many, so large) that riding a bike is not really part of the equation.

So basically during Sinulog I will do the bike ride to Ayala Mall and then walk to Fuente Osmena. One question how many minutes takes to walk from Ayala Mall to Fuente Osmena?

I walk from Ayala to Robinson's / Fuente (or vice versa, one way only, not round-trip) 1 or 2 times most weeks (I like to walk), usually after sundown or early morning. WR is correct, at any time of day or year, in any weather, be prepared to be a hot sticky mess just 90 seconds into that walk (that would be the idea for me). The distance is approximately 1800 meters, or about 1 mile, or 1. 8 KM. This distance is driving or walking distance, not as the crow flies. From Ayala to Robinson's Fuente (there is more than one Robinson's in Cebu city), streets would be: departing Ayala, a few blocks down Archbishop Reyes (also called Ayala street) to Gorordo Street (turn left), go a few more blocks down to General Maxilom street (turn right), then the long walk on Maxilom to Robinson's. On your left on Maxilom, you will pass along the way the Viking's group of gogo bars (see Planet X), Fooda grocery store on your right, Vienna Italian resto on the left, and Mango Square (both sides of the road, a series of bars with live entertainment, including Marshal's Irish Pub), then finally the overpass with Robinson's on the left and the Fuente Circle. My time-on-task for my slow / medium walk (lazy) is 20-22 minutes, and my more normal faster walk (to sweat) is 15-16 minutes. On more than one occasion in the late afternoon or early evening, I have beaten traffic going along side of me headed from Robinson's to Ayala (full disclosure: its closer to walk from Robinson's to Ayala than it is to take a jeep, as the jeep must travel farther to get to the PUV terminal at the rear of Ayala than my walking into the closer entrance on Archbishop Reyes St). I don't recommend this walk to anyone. One reason is the sidewalk is right against the street, where there are not only cars in the right lane in the near-constant rush-hour-like traffic, but also the motorcycles weave in / out in the right lane and use the far right side as their own lane, often brushing by as I'm walking (soooo close). Take a taxi or Uber, the cost is about $2.

[Kabul Guy]

Make sure the condo has good WiFi as many advertise it is but then you find not. OF not get a pocket WiFi from Smart or Globe as this is the best option.

.......

Pocket WiFi? Is that another name for using your phone as a hotspot?

I had a pocket WiFi that offered 4 G before I had a phone that had 4 G capabilities. That is about the only advantage I see to these devices. I might get a 5 G one if 5 G is generally available before I buy a 5 G phone.

I get 4 G on my phone, only have one sim to worry about keeping topped up and one device to keep charged. When I want to use the net from my phone it is right there and if I need to use my laptop I simply turn on the hotspot.

[Goferring]

Walk? You sure as hot and sticky for many and you could end up being a sweaty mess fast LOL.

This is why laundries/washers are a must have for my AirBnBs in Cebu. If I'm out and about around town I can easily go through 2 or 3 sets of clothes per day.

Cheers. G.

[Wicked Roger]

Thanks for the advice WestCoast1, 4 k for the Alien Resident is not bad at all! I will get the 59-day extension here in Canada before I travel.

About the condo, I already book a nice condo for a month in Airbnb, price was abit more than the rest of the year, instead of saving 35% I will only save 15% during Sinulog.

Condo has pool and gym and all the amenities I exactly need. Only problem is that is not close to Ayala Mall or Fuente Osmena, but still is a 15 minutes bike ride to Ayala Mall my friend said.

So basically during Sinulog I will do the bike ride to Ayala Mall and then walk to Fuente Osmena. One question how many minutes takes to walk from Ayala Mall to Fuente Osmena?

Thanks guys for all your help about the visa.

Make sure the condo has good WiFi as many advertise it is but then you find not. OF not get a pocket WiFi from Smart or Globe as this is the best option.

Walk? You sure as hot and sticky for many and you could end up being a sweaty mess fast LOL.

Use a taxi as very cheap or similar. Either way is better than walking. I have never walked that far ever in Cebu as easier to taxi (I never Jeepney ever!) but I would say 20-30 minutes depending on route and how long you stop to dry off the sweat LOL.

[Steve Nash]

There are BI offices also in many provinces. The Visa Extension form is correct, and you can also grab one in any BI office and fill it out right there. Using the initial 2-month pre-applied Visa has an advantage: your first visa extension can be longer than 29 days (as in 59 days). If you get an initial 30-day VOA (Visa on Arrival), your first extension will be for just 29 days (59 days or longer on later extensions). Besides having a copy of your passport photo-page, also have a copy of your most recent inbound-stamp page.

After 59 days in-country, you may be required to apply for an Alien Resident (ACR) eye-dee card, whether you want it or not. It takes a month to arrive (must pick it up in the same office, if you even desire it), and its good for a year. It looks a bit like your driver's license. Cost is about 4 k, and you will need to provide 2 new pics of yourself.

Have never applied for a 6-month stay, so can't say the cost. Cost for the 59-day extenstions are: 1-hour passport pickup service is about 4 k, and they offer a 3-day pickup service for 3 k (prices were 1 k cheaper until my renewal this past June).

Sinulog. I airbnb'd looking for a place both at Horizon's Residence (along the parade route) and also the Ayala area, including at places I've stayed in the past, and there is no difference in prices at the time of Sinulog next January than there is now (or my previous stays). I got a studio unit (have stayed in that Residence before) for 2 weeks (one week before and after Sinulog) at under $25/ night, 3 blocks from Ayala. Traffic sucks (even worse) during a festival, so I plan to walk everywhere (walking keeps the juices flowing for the next pinay).

Pic below previously posted in the PG is in that studio unit. She loved holding hands and walking with me over to Ayala to grocery shop in the Metro, then cook for me, f*ck me, then wash the dishes and clean the place while I napped after the bonk. Had trouble getting her to go home when girl #2 was on her way over. The things you have to put up with from the Cebuanas: Prepare yourself!

Thanks for the advice WestCoast1, 4 k for the Alien Resident is not bad at all! I will get the 59-day extension here in Canada before I travel.

About the condo, I already book a nice condo for a month in Airbnb, price was abit more than the rest of the year, instead of saving 35% I will only save 15% during Sinulog.

Condo has pool and gym and all the amenities I exactly need. Only problem is that is not close to Ayala Mall or Fuente Osmena, but still is a 15 minutes bike ride to Ayala Mall my friend said.

So basically during Sinulog I will do the bike ride to Ayala Mall and then walk to Fuente Osmena. One question how many minutes takes to walk from Ayala Mall to Fuente Osmena?

Thanks guys for all your help about the visa.

[Wicked Roger]

Sinulog. I airbnb'd looking for a place both at Horizon's Residence (along the parade route) and also the Ayala area, including at places I've stayed in the past, and there is no difference in prices at the time of Sinulog next January than there is now (or my previous stays). I got a studio unit (have stayed in that Residence before) for 2 weeks (one week before and after Sinulog) at under $25/ night, 3 blocks from Ayala. Traffic sucks (even worse) during a festival, so I plan to walk everywhere (walking keeps the juices flowing for the next pinay).!

I have never Airbnb in the Philippines. Horizon I know and is small. Is also the one which sort of fell down (partially) some time back. Westie what were you doing there LOL.

Hotel prices will rise for sure but if was a condo owner I would keep same prices as that way you can get customers easier and maybe seek a LT one week payment.

For me Sinulog is a time to avoid me being a gentle sensitive soul but YMMV as we say and some love it.

[WestCoast1]

Sinulog for me is a time to avoid Cebu. Hotel prices rise three / four fold and even the most terrible rat infested place asks lots for a room.

I been to Cebu and live there but I am never around for Sinulog.

You can also go to J Mall in Mandaue and there you will find on the top floor a BI office where a lots of foreigners go to get another month or more on their visa status. Go early, have the form filled in with a passport picture and that speeds the process. I would park the car around 815 am and get there very early so I was one of the first in the queue.

http://immigration.gov.ph/images/FOR...0Extension.pdf

There are BI offices also in many provinces. The Visa Extension form is correct, and you can also grab one in any BI office and fill it out right there. Using the initial 2-month pre-applied Visa has an advantage: your first visa extension can be longer than 29 days (as in 59 days). If you get an initial 30-day VOA (Visa on Arrival), your first extension will be for just 29 days (59 days or longer on later extensions). Besides having a copy of your passport photo-page, also have a copy of your most recent inbound-stamp page.

After 59 days in-country, you may be required to apply for an Alien Resident (ACR) eye-dee card, whether you want it or not. It takes a month to arrive (must pick it up in the same office, if you even desire it), and its good for a year. It looks a bit like your driver's license. Cost is about 4 k, and you will need to provide 2 new pics of yourself.

Have never applied for a 6-month stay, so can't say the cost. Cost for the 59-day extenstions are: 1-hour passport pickup service is about 4 k, and they offer a 3-day pickup service for 3 k (prices were 1 k cheaper until my renewal this past June).

Sinulog. I airbnb'd looking for a place both at Horizon's Residence (along the parade route) and also the Ayala area, including at places I've stayed in the past, and there is no difference in prices at the time of Sinulog next January than there is now (or my previous stays). I got a studio unit (have stayed in that Residence before) for 2 weeks (one week before and after Sinulog) at under $25/ night, 3 blocks from Ayala. Traffic sucks (even worse) during a festival, so I plan to walk everywhere (walking keeps the juices flowing for the next pinay).

Pic below previously posted in the PG is in that studio unit. She loved holding hands and walking with me over to Ayala to grocery shop in the Metro, then cook for me, f*ck me, then wash the dishes and clean the place while I napped after the bonk. Had trouble getting her to go home when girl #2 was on her way over. The things you have to put up with from the Cebuanas: Prepare yourself!

[Wicked Roger]

By the way, anybody going to Cebu on January for Sinulog 2020?

One question to the more experience travelers who stay long in Phils, how often do I need to get a visitors visa, I read is every 2 months. Is their a way I can get a visa for 6 months?

Sinulog for me is a time to avoid Cebu. Hotel prices rise three / four fold and even the most terrible rat infested place asks lots for a room.

I been to Cebu and live there but I am never around for Sinulog.

As for the visa extension. G offered sound advice.

You can also go to J Mall in Mandaue and there you will find on the top floor a BI office where a lots of foreigners go to get another month or more on their visa status. Go early, have the form filled in with a passport picture and that speeds the process. I would park the car around 815 am and get there very early so I was one of the first in the queue.

I used to use this form (see link) to extend my stay.

http://immigration.gov.ph/images/FOR...0Extension.pdf