WISE or Wideworld International Services, Inc. Immigration and Study Services recently concluded their 1st International School Caravan on November 26, 27, 28 & 28 strategically planned to cater young Filipinos especially under the K-12 curriculum and their parents about the possibilities and opportunities they will have when studying in Canada as an international student.



WISE Immigration and Study Services is a Philippine-based visa consultancy agent that has been serving Filipinos nationwide for almost seven years, during the Caravan they are joined by the following schools and entities:

Canadore Colege Representative Fairlane lnso
Centennial College Representative Rodel Sta. Ana
Durham Catholic District School Board Representative Beverly Justine Verallo
Fleming College Representative Emmanuel Gerodias
Georgian College Representative Junie Bandala
Niagara College Representative Divine Grace Lacuna
St. Lawrence College Oliver Bata
Nova Scotia International Student Program Cheryl Eve Salingay
Thompson Rivers University Representative Charise Manabat
Trade Commissioner Ms. Angel Cachuela of the Canadian Embassy


WISE is in partnership of Ten Canadian Schools, 11 local Cebu schools, and a special participation of Trade Commissioner from the Canadian Embassy Philippines Ms. Angel Cachuela and Assistant Trade Commissioner Ms. lvy Mendoza, giving you more reach in exploring your child's future. An international student is not only limited to K-12 students; young professionals and any aspirants may become one as well.


WISE Immigration and Study Services Cebu head office is located at 3rd flr., Dacay Building, 72N Escario St, Capitol Site, Cebu City, Philippines in case you want more details upon the processes and requirements, or should you wish to join next year’s caravan.

WISE Immigration and Study International School Caravan posted at Cebu Events Blog

Did you know that a person who specializes in collecting coins or paper money is called Numismatist? They are collectors, specialist dealers and scholars who use coins in their researches. If you have the passion of a Numismatist have or simply has the curiosity to learn new things out of History, then the Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) Museum and Library is worth your next visit.



Opened in 2011, the BPI museum and library showcase a rich collection of old coins and bills, the first official currency of the Philippines more than a century ago. Truly a celebration of Filipino culture set on the grounds of the Queen City of the South as home to the bank’s third branch in 1924 and have been part of BPl’s efforts to promote financial education and inclusion for every Filipino. It also highlights BPl’s 167-year history as the first bank in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.



SO as promise, here are 10 Reasons you should visit the BPI Museum and Library:

• On display at the museum are gold coins that started circulation in 1861, 10 years after the establishment of El Banco Espahol Filipino de Isabel II, which we know today as BPI

• The museum also carries the first ever Philippine banknotes issued by BPl on May 1, 1852. These were the first banknotes in the country and even in Southeast Asia. At that time, they could be redeemed for gold or silver Mexican coins.

• There is a collection of coins of varying denominations from the last 50 years of Spanish rule: 10 cents, 20 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 5 pesos.

• There are coins issued during the reign of King Ferdinand Vll counter-stamped with “Y ll” for Isabel ll, his daughter and the only female monarch of Spain in modern times.

• The museum also has a leather-bound bank journal from 1855. The escribientes or writing clerks who wrote on this journal had to be trained to do the task using the accepted script.

• There are banknotes from 1904 in six denominations and with the text in Spanish: cinco (5), diez (10), veinte (20), cincuenta (50), cien (100), dos cientos (200).

• Govemment-issued coins from 1903 to 1908 that were designed by Melecio Figueroa. They were the signature coins of the American colonial period.

• You‘ll find the book that details the bank’s purchase of the corner lot where the BPl building now stands along Magallanes and P. Burgos streets. The Bank bought the lot from the Augustinian friars for only 65,610 pesos.

• The library itself is an architectural landmark, a neo-classical building designed by noted architecttuan Arellano. The high ceilings and tall glass windows serve as a repository for shelves of reference books on economics, finance, management, and trade, including a section especially dedicated to Cebu culture and a designated reading area for children.

• The BPI's Library concept and design were patterned after the Filipinas Heritage Library, with access to the University of San Carlos' vast library system. It has become valuable, unparalleled resource for Cebu's current and future business leaders, and it serves as a venue for regular workshops for topics related to business and finance.

We celebrate the most wonderful season of the year with our customs and traditions that complete our  holiday experience such as caroling, shuffling the Christmas playlist, home decor with the brightest lights and the December trees. These traditions spent with loved ones become our most cherished memories.



The Starbucks 2019 Planner aims to capture the authentic expression of handcrafting whether it be on art or on Starbucks beverages. Each page will inspire you to handcraft & illustrate your year. Available in Espresso and Milk colors, each cover features a canvas finish with metallic gold and copper stamping and comes with a Canvas Pouch and a limited edition Starbucks Card. The 2019 Starbucks Travel Organizers is the newest addition to the Starbucks Christmas Traditions, the new 2019 Starbucks Travel Organizers comes with a classic design and a zipper closure to keep your valuables safe. Available in Dark Teal and Sienna and comes with a Special Edition Starbucks Card.



Availing the Starbucks 2019 Planner and Travel Organizer is getting more easier as any Tall, Grande or Venti Starbucks handcrafted beverage purchase will earn you 1 sticker, you must accumulate a total of 18 stickers to redeem either of 'em. Stickers may be collected until January 7, 2019. A registered My Starbucks Rewards customer can also participate by opting-in the promo through the Starbucks Philippines Mobile App. The Starbucks for a Year Promo is also open to all Starbucks Philippines customers who own any of the Starbucks Christmas Traditions Starbucks Card included in the 2019 Starbucks Philippines Planner or Starbucks Travel Organizer. Visit starbucks.ph/coffeehouse/promotions for more details.

Starbucks welcome the season with delicious beverages that deliver the holiday cheer in each sip, this year, the blend is the magic - it’s where all the things we love about the season come together to make our Christmas experiences extra special.


Starbucks is serving classic holiday beverages such as returning favorites; Toffee Nut Crunch Latte and Peppermint Mocha. These Christmas beverages will be available in hot, iced and blended format. The newest holiday treat, the Snowy Cranberry White Mocha which is a blend of roasty espresso, velvety steamed milk, toasty white chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream and cranberry sugar sprinkles.

The Starbucks Christmas Blend and Starbucks Christmas Blend Espresso Roast is also here fill your homes with Christmas flavors. The Christmas Blend has expertly roasted and blended aged Sumatra beans and lively Latin American coffees that make for a sweet cup balanced with its cedary spiced layers while the Christmas Blend Espresso Roast is customized for espresso with a deeper sweetness and a hearty spiciness.



Speaking of perfect match, these Starbucks featured food goes perfectly with the Starbucks holiday beverages, the soft Choco Peanut Butter Bun filled topped with crushed roasted peanuts and a chocolate and peanut butter drizzle is a contender. Also in the menu are is the Almond Matcha Doughnut and Baked Cheese Tart. Breakfast delight just got richer and creamier with Cereal Milk Pudding. Meatier options includes the Mexican-style Chicken Fajita Roll, the Cranberry Pistachio Turkey Flatbread and and the Baked Burrito.



Chocolate-loving guests will enjoy returning favorites like the seventeen-layer Chocolate Crepe Cake with Belgian chocolate cream filling, the moist Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf, New offerings like the Chocolate Oat Cheesecake, milk chocolate and vanilla white cheesecake and Christmas Barks.


The chiffon-light Vanilla Blueberry Cake finished with milky cream frosting and blueberry cookie crumble is such a mouth watering for its kind. Holiday cookies like the Choco Chip Overload Cookies and Chocolate Cracked Cookies covered in confectioner’s sugar.


The 2018 Starbucks Holiday Gift Card Collection is a series of cards depicting lovely Christmas moments to spread the joy of the festive season. Three designs on your gift giving starting with the Snowman card, the Holiday Tree card, and the Maligayang Pasko card with initial amount requirement of 300 pesos.

Every Christmas traditions at Starbucks posted at Cebu Events Blog

Allianz, represented in the country by Allianz PNB Life, one of the leading global insurer embarks on a long-term investment in Cebu as it opens at the seventh floor of Buildcomm Center right at the Cebu Business Park. Allianz agency expansion in Cebu is a boost for the thriving business in Cebu, especially that it is the insurance sector leader for initiatives directed to climate change, human capital development, information security, tax strategy, and financial inclusion.

Allianz PNB Life Brand Communications and Digital Director Rei Abrazaldo said as the world’s number one insurance company acknowledged by Dow Jones, Allianz is here to be the responsible insurance partner worthy of the trust of every Cebuano. Allianz’s long-term commitment here is to be your responsible partner in making the best sound financial decisions to grow your financial portfolio and secure your family’s future.

The Insurance Commission (IC) data showed total premiums of the life insurance industry grew at a healthy rate of 28 percent, reaching Php116.14 billion in the six months ending June 30, 2018 from Php90.79 billion in the same period in 2017.

Allianz PNB Life Chief Finance Officer Efren Caringal Jr also said they are proud of the company’s achievement since they are able to reach out to more Filipino families in providing them insurance protection and investment opportunities. Their performance is only possible due to the continuing strong engagement from their employees, intermediaries, and various partners. Caringal cited in particular the very solid contribution from its key bancassurance distribution partners, Philippine National Bank and HSBC.

The Allianz PNB Life performance last year had made it the fastest growing life insurer in the Philippines, according to the official IC statistics. The company is primed to repeat its success story. It has been expanding its business regionally, addressing the need for quality insurance and financial products in various provinces across the Philippines. More than 700 entrepreneurial-minded professionals have joined its newly established agency distribution network.

Allianz PNB Life Chief Executive Officer Dr. Olaf Kliesow attributed its success to the rising per capita income of Filipinos backed by the country's strong economic growth. The country's GDP grew six percent. Kliesow believes the country's sound macroeconomic fundamentals will also support the growth of the insurance industry.

In the next three years, Allianz PNB Life aims to sustain its growth by expanding its customer base and providing the insurance needs of around 100,000 Filipinos by 2020. Currently, it covers the insurance of more than 60,000 Filipinos. Caringal remarked that “more needs to be done in the area of expanding financial inclusion since majority of Philippines remain either uninsured or under-insured”.

The threats brought about by the lack of accessible financial security of a good number of Filipino families is an opportunity for Allianz to position itself as a partner of Filipinos in their journey towards financial prosperity and well-being. “We are doing this through the expansion of our agency channel, and the Visayas is an important growth engine for us. Through our Life Changer program, we are able to offer life insurance career opportunities for millenials and mothers. Our portfolio of products have been well-designed to cater to a wider market of Cebuanos” Abrazaldo adds.

The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers where its customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance.

90% of property market searches are being done online, this is a hint for sellers and developers alike. At the recently concluded two-day Lamudi Housing Fair held at the Ayala Center Cebu last September 8 and 9, 2018 gathers property developers, brokers, bank representatives, and buyers, led by Lamudi Managing Director and CEO Bhavna Suresh Chathambeth also in the ribbon cutting ceremony on the first day.


Project developers and other exhibitors anchored the Cebu Housing Fair and each had their own expertise, projects, and products to showcase to those in attendance. Experience Ortigas & Company their model units onsite using virtual reality (VR) technology. Titling tips and services imparted by the Land Registration Authority. Banks such as RCBC Savings Bank offered housing loan products while UnionBank actively held an auction. Brokers who wanted to expand their presence in the industry had Keller Williams Philippines to consult. This was complemented by PAREB-CESOREB, whose Cebu real estate broker membership has been growing since 2015.

Megaworld and Robinsons Land being the most active developers in the country already staked out Mactan through their respective projects, Mactan Newtown and Amisa. Ayala Land had its Amaia arm present the Amaia Steps development while Avida offered special discounts for its Riala project. Quadruple A contractor DMCI also went all out in marketing its Pasig-based Satori Residences and had hopes of having their first Cebu property soon.



Homegrown developers Gaisano-led Taft Properties partnered with world-class development group Hong Kong Land to create Mandani Bay, a beautiful waterfront township project. King Properties presented their home office concept Meridian, set to be located within Cebu City’s Golden Triangle. Primary Homes also had visitors considering its award-winning condo development, Brentwood in Lapu-Lapu City. Other Cebu-based property developers were Softouch Property Development Corp., AboitizLand, Inc., Contempo Property Holdings and RDAK Land, Inc. Event sponsors such as Food Panda, Zalora, and Lazada also made the event more engaging for the attendees.

UnionBank’s Asset Recovery Group headed by UnionBank Vice President Edzel Babas energize the mood and gave a short background talk on the team’s role, as well as the auction procedures. The special auction’s pace was systematic: items sold fast as each went to sole bidders in a matter of seconds. All properties that were bid upon were purchased at their indicative prices. UnionBank also gave special discounts to successful bidders.


It's Unionbanks's fifth Lamudi event and turned out to be successful too. Mr. Babas shared that Unionbank were able to dispose of a total of 27 properties, he also commended the partnership with Lamudi as the number one online portal in selling properties and very happy about the partnership.

Lamudi’s Senior Account Manager for Visayas and Mindanao Jeff Canonigo shared some insights on Cebu’s property market. According to him, pre-selling properties would quickly get sold out, especially those coming from local developers. He also noted that Cebu Business Park is the city’s rental condominium hotspot.

Lamudi heads the pack in its industry as the leading online real estate platform. It has grown from 2014 to now 2018 which has 1.5 million website visits every month delivering over 100,000 monthly leads for its subscribers. Its new Lead Management tool only makes selling much easier for brokers, property developers, and owners alike. New subscribers are welcome by the Lamudi team and brief with the process at the event. Online marketing courses were also provided by the Lamudi Academy for the 2-day Housing Fair. Converting online leads to sales , Delivering excellent customer service and Top channels to use online are some of the classes delivered by Lamudi’s Learning and Development Coach Nadine Pacis.

The great turnout of Lamudi’s Cebu Housing Fair signifies Cebu's property market is set out to be one of the country’s next real estate center. An insight to look for are influx of waterfront developments that has the potential to raise property values in the metro and even brighter prospects for City’s progress.

Successful Lamudi Housing Fair Cebu 2018 posted at Cebu Events Blog