The eleventh Regional Travel Fair, staged in Cebu, has effectively put to rest any doubts regarding the recovery of domestic tourism. Surpassing pre-pandemic baselines, the event signaled a robust resurgence across the travel sector. Spanning three days from July 21 to 23, 2023, at SM Seaside City Cebu, the roadshow brought together more than seventy exhibitors—including travel agencies, hospitality brands, and provincial tourism offices—generating a record one hundred ten million pesos in actual and negotiated sales.

There is something deeply compelling about historic residences that have maintained their elegance over the years, or in the case of Casa Gorordo, across consecutive centuries. The lower level of this ancestral property has not only preserved its original structural form completely intact, but it also functions as a museum hosting archival pieces from the prominent eras of Cebu's historic Parian neighborhood, where the estate is situated.

As I paced the rhythm of my steps, having stumbled into a serene trail that ultimately led me to a breathtaking panorama of the sun-kissed shores adorning the island’s eastern flank, my attention was abruptly arrested by a signpost bearing the inscription, “Baluarte (watchtower) 250 meters.”

In a country where memes associate community mothers with “marites culture,” a pun on the phrase “mare, anu latest?” when neighbors catch up on each other with up-to-date news and communal gossip, we frequently overlook that if given the opportunity to thrive on something else, these same mothers can instead weave a different kind of narrative—one that is full of inspiration, empowerment, artistry, and craftsmanship.

Watching Naelah Alshorbaji effortlessly charm the camera with her graceful presence and natural movements, one would believe everything is fine and dandy in her life at that moment. Unbeknownst to the team working on her cover shoot, the 2021 Miss Earth Philippines was carrying an immense weight in her heart.

It’s about time that you reward your hard work by going on a nature escape with your loved ones at some posh hideaway that ticks all the boxes for a leisurely getaway. Get up close and personal with Mother Nature by communing with the picturesque Lake Lumot and engaging in a variety of water activities during the day, then embrace quaintness beneath the stars before capping the night with a soothing massage and a rejuvenating Kawa hot bath. Exciting activities and moments of tranquility abound in this outdoor oasis, which provides excellent value for every peso spent.