The Department of Tourism – Central Visayas (DOT7) and the Archdiocese of Cebu have designed a pilgrimage to Jubilee churches in the scenic southern countryside of Cebu province.

The Southern Cebu Jubilee Churches Tour, a two-day itinerary, is recommended for the upcoming Holy Week observance.

The Southern Cebu Jubilee Churches Pilgrimage takes pilgrims: Boljoon’s Patrocinio de Maria Church.

Entering through the Holy Door at five (5) of the seven (7) churches in the itinerary is a key feature of the pilgrimage. Plenary indulgence, a special blessing for the total removal of one’s sins, is granted with the performance of a prescribed act such passage through the Holy Door at any of 500 Jubilee Churches in the Philippines within the Jubilee Year 2021-2022, together with confession, receiving communion and praying for the Pope.

The pilgrimage takes guests to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, churches in Carcar City, Argao, Dalaguete, Boljoon and Barili, as well as to the St. Gregory the Great Parish Church in Ginatilan, where San Pedro Calungsod, the teenage second Filipino saint, is said to have his roots. Pilgrims, together with their chaplain, will pray at the Holy Doors before entering the churches.

The tour takes off from the historic Basilica Minore, center of the celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. The church is the oldest in the country and the only basilica in the Visayas and Mindanao. The group joins the Mass at the Basilica and tour the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center and its museum.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar City is one of the best-preserved heritage churches in the province and stands out for its byzantine-influenced architecture with Moorish onion-shaped domes crowning twin belltowers. The city itself is a heritage zone showcasing Spanish and American period structures. 

The Southern Cebu Jubilee Churches Pilgrimage takes pilgrims: Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

Stops will also be done in Argao, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Michael, an imposing structure that houses one of a few pipe organs still being played for Masses, and Dalaguete, at the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church, another prized heritage site renowned for its distinct artistic quality and serene atmosphere.

The climax of the pilgrimage happens in Boljoon. The town’s Patrocinio de Maria Church is a National Cultural Treasure and National Historical Landmark in the tentative list of sites for nomination as a World Heritage Site. The baroque structure hosts a pseudo baroque-rococo retablo. The church complex includes an expansive plaza and a two-storey convent with a museum on the ground floor.

The Southern Cebu Jubilee Churches Pilgrimage takes pilgrims: San Guillermo de Aquitania Parish Church in Dalaguete (top) and Sta. Ana Parish in Barili.

The pilgrimage is punctuated with a stop at the Sta. Ana Church in Barili, also a Jubilee Church. This is the only parish in Cebu dedicated to the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was the first to be run by secular priests.

Aside from immersing in guided, faith-based activities, pilgrims will experience the culture and savor the culinary offerings of Cebu’s southern towns in the pilgrimage. Integrated in the itinerary are stops at a torta maker’s shop and canyoneering in Badian.

Visitors are advised to contact DOT-accredited tour operators.

Students and fresh graduates know that every purchase must offer bang for their buck. This also applies to smartphones. Because of limited resources, they make sure that the device they buy is packed with features they can use for school, work, and even their downtime. The Samsung Galaxy A03 remains to be their top choice in the budget category because of its awesome features at prices within reach.

Here are times when the smartphone proves it’s the go-to device for students and first-jobbers:

When doing modules, assignments, and reports

These days, smartphones do double duty as devices for work and play. Many students and fresh graduates choose to do their modules, assignments, and work tasks on their phones because of the educational and productivity apps available, such as notes where they can keep track of all of their important school and work tasks and Google services. Now it’s easy to write reports or analyze spreadsheets on a device that can be held in just one hand.

The Galaxy A03 has huge storage that can keep any school or work file virtually. There are three internal storage variants available: 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, and they are all expandable up to 1TB, providing them with enough space for important files and even videos, games, and personal apps.

When they want to make memories

With the popularity of social media, it makes sense that students and fresh graduates would want to create content and share them on different platforms. Some enjoy recording themselves doing TikTok dance challenges, while others want to share appetizing shots of their food. There are also those who are just happy taking photos with their friends and family and share them on social media.

The Galaxy A03 has a dual-camera system composed of the 48MP main camera and 2MP depth lenses. Photos and videos are always high-quality, while the depth camera adjusts the background and foreground focus for that artistic blur. The 5MP front camera also has the bokeh effect for that creative blur for selfies.

When they want to relax after a long day

A long day of classes or work should be rewarded with leisure time in the evening. Since smartphones are multi-purpose devices, they are also used for entertainment, such as streaming movies and TV shows, browsing social media, and playing games.

The Galaxy A03 has a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery life, which can last the whole day perfect for leisure activities after a day of online classes or meetings.

The Galaxy A03 is available in all authorized Samsung Stores and online at the following prices:

Galaxy A03 (3+32GB) - PHP 5,490 SRP

Galaxy A03 (4+64GB) - PHP 6,490 SRP

Galaxy A03 (4+128GB) - PHP 7,490 SRP

This smartphone is also available for as low as PHP 660 per month for up to six months at 0% interest via Home Credit until June 30. Customers who purchase the Galaxy A03 until June 30 will also receive a one-year free subscription to VIU Premium worth PHP 999.

With these prices and offers, the Galaxy A03 is one of the top budget smartphones in the market packed with awesome features. For more information about the Galaxy A03, visit samsung.com/ph.

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.

To find the nearest Samsung Experience Store, visit samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

Cebuanos, it have arrived!

Be part of the full Levi’s Experience when you visit the newly opened Levi’s branch in Cebu City.

Located at Unit A280, Second Floor, North Wing, SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Mabolo Cebu City, this relocated Levi’s store, designed to be the ultimate expression of the Levi’s brand, opened its doors last March 24, 2022.

Levi’s Strauss Philippines, Inc. allows you to experience the full expression of the brand, and all the premium products that Levi’s can bring as you shop our latest collections as well as the classic Levi’s originals, available for mixing and matching as is – or have them customized at the store’s Tailor Shop. This enables you to add pins and patches, fabric applique, and also offers more traditional customization such as hemming.

(Right) Jeffrey Lo, SVP and Business Unit Head of Signature Lines, Inc. (SM Retails Inc.) and Jamie Perez, Assistant Training Manager of Levi Strauss Philippines Inc. (Left)

Featuring a tailoring service and larger fitting rooms, this store is really all about experience and inspiration – not just that, though. It’s also about helping the consumer find the right fit. Said Tailor shop is the first-ever in Cebu allowing our audiences to be able to wear their denim in their own styles – enhancing and expanding the consumer experience even further.

With the store’s opening also comes an exclusive gift for its customers: a free Levi’s string bag for a minimum purchase of ₱3500 net of discounts from March 24-April 10, 2022.

To shop your Levi’s haul, drop by at:

Location: Levi’s® SM City Cebu, 2nd Floor, North Wing Store Phone Number: (032) 2381871

Opening Date: March 24, 2022 Operating Hours: 10am to 9pm

Experience Levi’s and head on to SM City Cebu today!

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeanswear. The company design and markets jeans, casual wear and relates accessories for men, women and children under the Levi’s®, Dockers®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™, and Denizen® brands. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries and worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 3,000 retail stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Straus & Co.’s reported fiscal 2019 net revenues were $5.8 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com

About the Levi’s brand

The Levi’s brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi’s jeans have become one of the most recognizable garments of clothing in the world—capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s brand portfolio continues to evolve through relentless pioneering and  innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeans wear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s brand, its products  and stores, please visit http://levi.com.ph

The Carbon Public Market will soon have another source of produce – direct from a solar farm! Cebu2World (“C2W”) signed a memorandum of understanding on March 1, 2022 with Citicore Power Incorporated (“Citicore”), a sister company of Megawide, jumpstarting the Pilot Farm-to-Market Project in Barangay Talavera, Toledo City, Cebu.

C2W is a subsidiary of Megawide, the country’s leading engineering and infrastructure innovator. Meanwhile, Citicore is a vertically integrated renewable energy company that owns and operates nine solar power plants in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, with a combined generating installed capacity of 170 Megawatts - one of the largest in the country.

Representatives from LAMBO Carbon and the Talavera United Farmers Association (TUFA), together with its host barangay, also committed to the partnership and signed the MOU. LAMBO Carbon is an alliance of groups within the Carbon Public Market comprised of vendors, karumateros, barangays, and other community members promoting the sustainability of their livelihood as the the Carbon Modernization Project progresses.

The Carbon Modernization is being undertaken by C2W and the Cebu City Government under a 50-year joint venture agreement.

Farm-To-Market CSR

"We want to pilot first one hectare, so we will know how to replicate this in the other hectares that we plan to use," AgroSolar sustainability consultant Joy Onozawa said in an interview. She said marginalized TUFA farmers who are interested to join the pilot batch will be prioritized. 

Arch. Onozawa also highlighted the overarching objective of C2W is to leave no one behind in this livelihood project. Their next steps include more detailed discussions with both Carbon and Citicore stakeholders so that the project can become sustainable.

Citicore’s AgroSolar project

Community-Focused Renewable energy provider Citicore pioneered the AgroSolar Project in the Philippines, a global innovative approach that relies on the dual use of a solar power facility with agriculture—a concept of combining solar power generation with farming that could change the way food is produced in the future.

 The project provides opportunities for farmers to practice non-conventional crop growing methods under solar panels to generate income-creating alternative yet sustainable livelihood to small farmers to spur rural development. This also ensures that farmers and other stakeholders are not displaced by renewable energy, but rather nurtured and supported, as they remain integral to the country's economic growth and development.  

“Our collaboration with Cebu2World will promote countryside development and support our farmers not only in the production stage but more importantly in the market-making” said Citicore President and CEO Oliver Tan.

He also shared that they have already launched five pilot AgroSolar projects in Luzon since 2021: two in Tarlac, one in Bulacan, one in Bataan, and another in Clark, Pampanga. He added that among the company's nine operating power plants nationwide which includes the Solar Rooftop in Bataan, Citicore Solar Cebu is currently the largest, and is next on their list for the AgroSolar initiative.

Synergy between Farm and Market

C2W director Cristina Angan emphasized that close collaboration with TUFA farmers in Barangay Talavera and LAMBO Carbon is essential to the project’s success. Ambulant vendors from the Carbon Public Market are envisioned to be the off-takers of the produce.

 Apart from providing livelihood opportunities and augmenting the income of farmers and vendors, the farm-to-market project will also establish for these groups a working relationship with the Department of Agriculture and better market linkages.

"Through this project, naa nay laing direct link from farmers to Carbon market, and we are hoping to make adjustments based on the pilot batch, especially in terms of what other crops the farmers can plant and how we bring them to Carbon market vendors," Angan said in an interview. "For sure, we will tap LGUs and agencies that can help both the farmers and the vendors."

Angan shared that they are initially looking at planting ginger and turmeric in the pilot phase of the solar farm. Once the choice of crops will be harvested, LAMBO Carbon can help facilitate market distribution so that Carbon vendors will be able to sell them in the market.

"We want to figure out what else they need in terms of support so that it will be more efficient. We are even considering the idea of converting biodegradable waste from Carbon into fertilizer for the solar farm. Through the synergy between the two areas, we can make it more productive. We should not stop on just paper, aron ang livelihood nila mo-LAMBO gyud," Angan added.

Additional Livelihood for Carbon Vendors

Meanwhile, LAMBO Carbon representative Pastor Zosimo Potot expressed their support for the pilot farm-to-market project. Potot is also the president of LAVO Seaside, the vendor association currently selling at the Carbon Bagsakan portion along ML Quezon Boulevard, Cebu City.

He said the alliance of various groups under LAMBO Carbon will help ensure that small businesses in the public market continue to thrive.

"Mao nay usa sa atong mga goal, makahatag tag panginabuhian sa mga tawo sa Carbon aron di lang dinagko nga negosyo (ang makabenepisyo), kon dili uban sab ang mga ginagmay," Pastor said in a separate interview.

 (Part of our goal is for livelihood opportunities from the Farm-to-Market project to reach people in Carbon so that they, too, can benefit.)

RB33T307026/TC via Samsung

When putting together a home, it usually comes down to deciding whether to prioritize function or style as it may seem like these two do not belong together. But with creativity and help from Samsung Bespoke Appliances, combining practicality and aesthetics in the home is an easy feat. With each appliance’s customizable features, homeowners can keep their place functional while expressing their personality and style.

1.  Bespoke Bottom Mount Freezer Refrigerator

No matter the kitchen aesthetic — be it minimalist or industrial, the Bespoke Bottom Mount Freezer Refrigerator can keep up. Different colors and finishes, including Cotta, Glass, and Satin are available in order to create a kitchen that fits every unique style.

This can be used as a single module with one door or seamlessly combine two modules and customize the number of doors if there is a need for more storage space in the kitchen.

2. Bespoke Pink Microwave

Also available in Glass White, the stylish Bespoke Pink Microwave not only matches personal tastes, but also cooks food even better. Its Triple Distribution System distributes microwaves in three different directions, reaching every corner and ensuring that the food is cooked more thoroughly and evenly.

MS23T5018AP/TC via Samsung

3. Bespoke AirDresser

Every stylish home also houses fashionable clothes that need the attention of Samsung’s fabric care machine. The Bespoke AirDresser has a number of attractive functions, including the JetSteam that sanitizes and refreshes clothes without the need for washing. Through infusing high temperature steam deep into the fabric of clothes, 99.9% of viruses and bacteria are eliminated.

4. Bespoke Metallic Silver WindFree Premium Plus Inverter

Elevate the home’s indoor aesthetic while staying comfortably cool with the Bespoke Premium Inverter Air Conditioner. Its replaceable air conditioner panels come in different sleek hues allowing every homeowner to find a color that best fits the room.

Photo via Samsung

With Samsung’s Kick-off Sale promo, homeowners can now upgrade to its customizable appliances including the Bottom Mount Freezer Refrigerator, AirDresser, Microwave, and WindFree Premium Plus Inverter Air Conditioner on their own terms! Enjoy convenient payment options from straight cash discounts up to 35% off, 12-month 0% installment plans, and a low monthly interest via Home Credit and In-house Financing. Promo runs until March 31, 2022.

Know more details about Samsung’s Kick-off Sale promo by liking SamsungPH on Facebook or visiting samsung.com/ph/offer/offline/2022/kick-off-sale/.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.