Important Things to Consider Before Renting a House in Cebu City

People rent houses and apartments for different reasons ranging from moving closer to the workplace or upgrading the living environment. When choosing a house or an apartment to stay in Cebu City, there are several factors to consider:

1. Price
• Price may vary according to how big or how small your house requirement is. In Cebu City, house rentals may range from P10,000 up to P100,000 per month. If you find a house that you like, it wouldn’t hurt to haggle with the price. If you are good at it, then you might save yourself a few hundreds per month.

2. Location
• If the reason for renting a house is to be close to your workplace then consider looking for houses within that area. It might come out cheaper than choosing a house with a lower rental yet you pay more for transportation costs.
• Another option is to choose an area near a mall, church, hospital and school. Accessibility is increased since everything is just 5 minutes away. However prices of house rentals for these may be on the high side.
• For others they do not mind the distance as long as the location is near the mountains or the beach. Cebu has many beautiful beaches and houses for rent near the beach.
• Getting a place to stay at the heart of the Cebu City is practical for people on the move. Now if you are the type who prefers to live in a quiet place where you can get all the sleep you want then getting a house within a village or subdivision is you best choice.

3. Type
• Would you prefer to rent an apartment instead of a house? Would you go for a studio type accommodation or would you prefer the whole house. Will your family be living with you or will you be living alone?
• Renting a condo unit would be a convenient choice for yuppies. If your job would entail lots of travelling to different parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, making your condo in Cebu your base would prove to be practical. There are a lots of condo units in available in Cebu City.

4. Number of rooms
• This would be determined by how big you and your family is. More family members would require more rooms. You may choose a single room/ studio type if you live by yourself. Here in Cebu City there are a lot of houses to choose from. Your options range from a single bedroom to a 3 or 4 bedroom house.
• Would you also be requiring more bathrooms? Make sure you include this when you check out some places to stay here in Cebu City.

5. Length of stay
• This is another not so common option available for you here in Cebu City. If you plan to stay for a year or more, I would advise you to rent a house. If you plan to stay less than a year then you may explore some pension houses or budget hotels that allow you to stay with them at a fixed monthly rate. Try to explore this possibility for its practicality and functionality.

Aside from the most common factors to consider in renting a house or apartment, here are two less common but very important concerns to address before finally deciding on a place to stay.

1. PEACE AND ORDER
1. Before you decide on a place to stay make sure you ask around for incidence of crime in the vicinity like robberies, snatching and hold-up. This is not to scare you but to keep you up to speed with what is happening in Cebu City on a day to day basis.
2. You may also want to drive around the area and do some recon. See what type of people live close by. If you are about to choose a house that is located at the end of the road, you might want to visit the place at night and see how safe it is to walk in the evening.
3. It is a wise to check for stores in your area that have videoke machines. They will most likely have a nightly singing spree that might keep you awake till dawn.
4. While doing an evening ocular, you may also check to spot for kids who may gather in front or beside your house. They might be members of gangs and fraternities. You don’t want these unnecessary hassles when choosing a new home.

2. TRAFFIC
1. It is practical to make random visits to the place to check the traffic situation in the vicinity. This will give you a hint on which roads to take at certain times of the day.
2. If you have a car this consideration is very important. If you commute to work then you should know how long it takes you to get from home to work during rush hour.

3. HAZZARDS
1. Check the surroundings for any fire hazards. Is the place near houses built with light materials?
2. Do you have a car shop nearby that spray paints vehicles. If you have lung problems this will be a major concern.
3. Is the house located near a river or in a place with poor drainage? You might have a problem of flooding when it rains.

These are just a few practical suggestions to guide you when choosing a place to stay in Cebu City.

Tips in Getting Internet Services in Cebu City

Growing up in a progressive city like Cebu meant growing up with a little complication compared to growing up in the provincial setting. While life in the province was a little laid back, here in cebu city life was at a faster pace. Development in the late 80’s boomed while the communications industry was still monopolized by PLDT. Phones were difficult to come by back then. When government allowed new players to join the market in the 1990’s, and came the era of cellular phones. Islacom was one of the 1^st players followed by Globe telecom. Piltel and Extelcom were also among those that joined.

Towards the late 90’s, when internet was available in the country dial up connections were provided by Mozcom . All you needed to have was a pc, a phone line and a 56k modem then you can chat on MIRC or go surf online.

Today, a lot has changed in terms of IT in Cebu City. Aside from a very reliable internet infrastructure, which backed the growing BPO industry, faster internet speeds are also available for residences. Listed below are the major players:

• PLDT MyDSL Optional: Bundled with telephone line/ view on demand
• Globe broadband Optional: Bundled with telephone line
• SMART Bro Optional: with router or usb
• Bayan Telecommunications broadband Residential plan
• SKY broadband Available only in specific areas
• SUN broadband Optional: with router or usb

I have tried 3 different internet providers all of them provided the published internet speed but did it in an intermittent manner. What I discovered is that sun provided almost the same service within the city at a much lower cost.

Process for getting an internet service:

1. Gather information – ask around, maybe you have friends and neighbours using internet. Ask them their suggestion based on their experience. Surf the net to get additional information.
2. Visit the internet provider – ask some more information. Verify what you heard or researched. Ask them how strong their signal is in your area. When you come into terms with what has been offered you are now ready to make a decision.
3. Prepare the necessary documents – Internet services like any other utilities would require some documentation to prove that you are living in that location. An important document would be a utility bill under your name. Prepare either a VECO, PLDT or an MCWD bill of your present address.

What if those bills are not under your name, does it mean that you cannot avail of their services. TIP: a work around would be to present the same utility bill and get an authorization letter from the person whose name appears on the bill, authorizing you to install internet services in the location.

4. Visit the internet provider again – On your final visit, fill out an application form, attatch your supporting documents and make sure you include a sketch of your location. Then pay the necessary application, gadget and installation fees.
5. Wait- this is the time you wait for things to happen... Most internet providers require a lead time of 5 days for the installation... If I were you I would give them 7 days lead time. However if you really need the connection badly.. you can always pester them by making calls every single hour.. That should keep them excited to install your gadget right away...

TIPS:

• There are internet providers that require a holding time for using their services. These holding period ranges from two years to two months... Choose the one that best fits your needs.

Learn How To Speak Cebuano

Speaking Bisaya

I remembered my teacher in grade I, Ms. Mangubat, assigning me as the person listing down any student speaking the Cebuano dialect. My list was titled Speaking Bisaya. For every time you get caught speaking Cebuano you get to pay 5 centavos per word.

On the other hand as a traveller it pays to be familiar with the local dialect. So as not to be, as the locals jokingly call it... “ibaligya” meaning you can be sold without you knowing it.

Here are some of the most common expressions and important Cebuano Phrases that may come in handy:

I, Me - Ako.

You - Ikaw.

All, Everbody - Tanan.
Brother - Kuya.
Sister - Ate.
Uncle - Tiyo

Aunt -Tiya
Grandfather - Lolo.
Grandmother - lola.

Good morning maayong buntag
Good day maayong adlaw
Good afternoon maayong hapon

Good evening maayong gabii

Let's eat - Mangaon ta.
Its very expensive - Kamahal.
Its cheap - Kabarato.
Good - Maayo.
That's not Good - Dila na maayo.
Beautiful - Gwapa.

Handsome - Gwapo.
You’re so handsome - Kagwapo nimo.
You’re so beautiful - Kagwapa nimo.

Which bus for Cebu? Unsay sakyan nga bus padung Cebu?
Where is the bus stop? Asa man ta mag atang sa bus?
Where do I catch a jeepney? Asa ko musakay ug jeepney?
Where does this bus go? Asa man ni padolong ang bus?
Where do I get off? Asa ko manaog?
How much is the fare? Tagpila ang plete?

What is your name? - Unsa imong pangalan?
How old are you? - Pila imong edad?
Where do you live? - Asa ka nagpuyo?
What are you doing? - Unsa imong gibuhat?

Where is your restroom- Asa inyong CR?

I don't understand. - Wala ko kasabot.

Can you understand English? - Makasabot ka ug Ininglis? or 'Kasabot ka ug English?

Please say it in English. - Palihug Ininglisa lang. or English lang Palihug.

Please. - Palihug.

Thanks. -Salamat.

Speak slowly please. - Hinaya'g sulti palihug.

Sorry. - pasayloa ko

Yes. - O.

No. - Dilì or Dì

Maybe. - Tingali.

For a while. - Kadalì sà... or Kadiyot sà...

Wait. - Huwat...

I don't know. - Wala ko kahibaw..

What took you so long? - Nganong nadugay man ka?

You're too early! - Sayoha sad nimo uy!

Cebu Cebu!

When travelling to Cebu, for the very first time , there are important facts you need to know. Gathering these information ahead of time will help you enjoy a hassle free stay in the Queen City of the south. If you are travelling from a foreign country or travelling locally, after preparing your travel documents and just before making reservations, it would help to visit your travel guide or gather the information online. Knowing more details about Cebu City will help you in making important choices and travel decisions.

Whenever you visit our beautiful city may it be for business or for leisure make sure you get your facts straight from your Cebu master guide:

Getting to Cebu by Air –

There are several flights daily from the country’s capital, Manila to Cebu. Although they say that it will take you 1 hour and 20 minutes to get here, flying time is about one hour. You have a choice of the following airline carriers:

Cebu Pacific - http://www.cebupacificair.com/

Phillipine Airlines http://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp

Zest Air http://www.zestair.com.ph/

Air Philippines http://www.airphilexpress.com/

NOTE: Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, the two leading airlines, have direct flights from international locations. There are also several international flights from different carriers direct to Cebu. For those travelling from abroad you may also check your airlines if they have direct flights to the Mactan International Airport (MIA).

By sea, Cebu is a 22 hours-sailing time from our capital city, Manila. Cebu is also the shipping hub of the Philippines. The number of shipping companies and agents in Cebu City and the number of ships at the dock is quite incredible. You may come to cebu through overnight boats or conveniently through fast sea crafts to get you to or from other beautiful destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Oceanjet http://www.oceanjet.net/

SuperCat http://www.supercat.com.ph/

Weesam http://www.zimnet.com/weesam/php/booking.php

TIPS: These fast crafts often have ongoing promotions if you book your tickets days in advance. If you can score some tickets online you can get promo’s like low fares or getting your return ticket for free... However if you book your tickets on the day, cost per ticket will be on the high end

Where to stay in Cebu:

There are so many resort hotels in and around Cebu City. In Mactan, Where the Airport is located, you can have a choice of breach resort hotels and inland hotels. If you are more of an action person then any of the Cebu City hotels would be good for you.. Its close to where the action is.

However, if you would still want to enjoy Cebu City on a shoestring budget, here are the not so expensive accommodations in the heart of Cebu City:

Crowne Garden Hotel
Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City
Tel. (63-32) 412-7517, 412-7759, 231-3036, 231-3773, 231-0772
email@crownegardenhotel.com
www.crownegardenhotel.com

Metro Park Hotel
Saint Lawrence St., Lahug, Cebu City
Tel #: (063) (032) 233-2352, 233-3883, 233-3887, 233-3677, 233-0130
email@metroparkhotelcebu.com
www.metroparkhotelcebu.com

Golden Valley Hotel
155A Pelaez Street
Cebu City, 6000
Tel No. (6332) 253-8660
Fax No. (6332) 253-8482
www.goldenvalleyhotel.net

And for budget pension houses I will suggest:

YES Pension House
Junquera St. Cebu City, 6000
Philippines

Tel nos.: 63-32-254-6277, 63-32-266-0656

http://wikimapia.org/2499552/Yes-Pension

La Guardia Hotel
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City
Tel. #: (63-32) 416-7889, 416-7881, 416-7787, 416-7788
email@laguardiahotelcebu.com
www.laguardiahotel.com

Wherever you stay here in Cebu City tipping is a common practice. Whenever you feel like it, you can always tip the waiters, massage therapist, taxi drivers, bellhops, hairdressers, beauticians, guides and porters.

Standard electricity voltage anywhere you stay in Cebu City is of 220 volts. So make sure you bring a hair dryer, phone charger or any other gadget of that voltage.

Next to Cebuano, our dialect, English is commonly spoken when talking with market vendors, taxi drivers, merchants and most of the people you meet in the streets. If you are a native English speaker from the US, England and Australia, it would help to speak a bit louder and just a bit slower than usual. If English is not your native language you may want to brush up with your English speaking skills.