Welcome to ! Cebu is an island province in the and is fondly called the Queen City of the South. Home to white sand and crystal-clear beaches!

At a Quick Glance

Local Currency Philippine Peso (PHP) To and from the airport: Foreign Exchange 1 AUD = Php 34.91 (as of January 2020) • We offer a car service • Local Yellow Airport Cab – This is what I use each No VISA required from Australia, US and UK Citizens time I come to Cebu because it’s quick and easy. It Visa Required? for a visit up to 30 days. If you need to extend your costs approximately AUD$11.50 stay, please contact your embassy. Around the city: • Local Jeepneys Widely accepted VISA and MasterCard. AMEX is • Local White Taxi - make sure the meter turned on. available on selected merchants only. Surcharges Transportation I’ve been through the scenario several times where may be applied for international transactions. the taxi driver pretends their meter is broken, doesn’t tell me, then the taxi driver asks for a flat Recently ING Direct stopped all foreign transaction rate of Php 500. The cost should just be between Credit / Debit Card fees so consider using that account if you are a Php 300 and Php 450 if the meter is turned on. client of ING Direct. • GrabCar (available for download within Southeast Please notify your bank on your travel plans as your Asia only). You need to download the app upon your bank may have an anti-fraud or anti-theft feature arrival because it’s not available for download in which may put a stop to your cards while overseas. Australia

Smart Local Globe Emergency Services On any local phone or mobile, you may dial 911 Telecommunications Sun Barry Vince Lee Mobile: +63 908 880 9384 Office: +03 9069 2099 Check your carrier for international charges. For Email: [email protected] example, Telstra offers International Travel Passes Skype ID: barry_5221 Who to contact while Global Roaming at a cost of AUD$10/day and you get unlimited calls in Cebu? and SMS both locally in the Philippines and to Tina Osorio Australia. Plus, you get 250MB data per day. Mobile: +63 917 703 3557 Office: +03 7019 7581 Email: [email protected] Skype ID: cristina_8164

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?

➢ Travel Documents ➢ Medicines

This includes passport, airline tickets, valid IDs and everything else you If you have medication or prescriptions to maintain, please make sure might need. There are no direct flights to Cebu so you will have a you bring enough during your travel. You may bring your prescription in connecting flight in another city. If you received electronic tickets via case you need to purchase more. email, we recommend printing them out. Please make sure your prescription has the generic name of your It is a Philippine requirement for entry that you have a printed return medication clearly stated. ticket, therefore please have that available in Australia when you depart. ➢ Roaming plan

I’ve been delayed by 30min at Melbourne Airport while trying to find a way to print the return flight itinerary otherwise the airline was not going During one of our Client’s visits, she had unlimited calls/SMS back to Oz to allow me to leave Melbourne. + 2gb of data (every 28 days) which isn’t the case on all plans. For example, AUD$10/ a day for a day pass can add up and it has very Keep your passport safe and accessible. Your passport must be valid limited data and horrendous excess data charges. It would be best to for at least 6 months after the day you will return home. call your Telco’s and ask for a plan that fits best.

Attention! Photocopy all of your documents or scan them and upload it to an online storage such as Dropbox or Google Drive. That way you’ll ➢ Airport Taxes always have access to them and can’t lose or forget anything. You will have to pay P850 in airport taxes (terminal fee) on your way Your Airbnb host or hotel will require a photocopy of your passport so back home. Just make sure to have that amount ready and airport please have one ready. authorities will collect it as you enter the terminal.

➢ Money

I recommend exchanging money at the airport or a local mall. Based on my experience, exchange rates are relatively better in Cebu than here.

➢ Chargers and adaptors • Flip flops (thongs) or sandals

Please do not bring disposable batteries. You may bring rechargeable Suitable clothes for the office: batteries and chargers instead. For Men: Their wall outlets are different than the ones we have in Australia. • Collared or buttoned shirts, jumpers Please take note of the following type of adaptors you need to bring • Pants or shorts below the knee with you. • Black shoes, sneakers

We have plenty in the office and we’re happy to lend you some For Women: adapters as needed. • Collared shirts, jumpers, buttoned blouses • Pants, skirts below the knee • Closed flat shoes, heels

The following are suitable for comfort while in Cebu when you’re out and about:

For Men:

• Cotton and breathable shirts ➢ Sunscreen • Cotton shorts or pants • Comfortable and well-supported shoes The weather can get hot and you can easily get sunburnt. I recommend bringing sunscreen with SPF 50 or above for protection. For Women: ➢ The Right Clothes • Cotton dresses or shirts • Wrap skirts, Long or billowy cotton skirts During your flight, it can sometimes be cold so it’s a good idea to bring • Closed flat shoes/sandals jumper and wear trousers. I recommend a quick change to light • Short shorts (above the knee shorts) – for women summer clothes once you arrive at the airport because as soon as you • Flip flops (thongs) exit the airport doors, the warm (humid) weather will slap you in the face! A note for the ladies: Note that VA Platinum does not have a specific dress code however the building management does not allow the following: If you’re planning for an extended stay, don’t bother packing heels. A couple pairs of flat sandals and a couple pair of sneakers is all you need. Due to the climate, feet may • Sleeveless shirts – for Men swell so do make sure to bring comfy shoes. • Revealing tops – for Women • Short shorts (above the knee shorts) – for Women

WEATHER

The Philippines is generally a warm, wet country with an average The Rainy season (June to November) - Temperatures may reach temperature ranging between 26-30° Celsius (78-86° Fahrenheit) all between 24 °C to 30 °C year round. While there are technically only two seasons, Rainy and Dry, the Dry season is subdivided into Cool and Hot. While the rainfall peaks during this season, it isn't always torrential rain, and days can be hot and sunny, with short, intense downpours. The most rain falls between June and November, but due to its location in the typhoon belt, it is not uncommon to experience prolonged rain The Dry Cool season (December to February) - Temperatures may in other times of the year too. Excessive rain can cause many issues reach between 22 °C to 30 °C including power outages, travel delays, supply issues, and residential Don’t be fooled, the Cool season is not that cool, it is just less hot (well, flooding. from an Australian’s point of view). Typically, it is just a few degrees The Dry Hot season (March to May) - Temperatures may reach between cooler than the Hot season. 28 °C to 32 °C

This season is the equivalent of Summer in many other countries of the world, it is the hottest of the seasons. The sky is at its bluest and the water at its clearest during this time of the year.

Monsoon season Sunny day in the city A crystal-clear day at the beach

HOW TO GET TO VA PLATINUM?

VA Platinum is located at the heart of Cebu IT Park.

Our office building is situated adjacent to the newly opened Ayala Central Bloc.

Office Address: 11th Floor eBloc 5 Inez Villa St, Cebu IT Park, , PH 6000

Using GrabCar or any white taxi, you can simply instruct the driver to have yourself dropped off at Ayala Central Bloc

The entrance to our building is beside the 7-Eleven Store at Ayala Central Bloc.

WHERE TO STAY

Cebu has a wide variety of hotels to choose from all around the city During my visits, I tried all major hotels to make the best however you will find the following hotels the closest to the office at recommendation and here are a few reviews. affordable room rates. ❖ Marco Polo – farther from the office but great service and amenities. Buffet breakfast is equal to the best resorts in the world. Family-

friendly, they also have various kid’s activities. Need to take a taxi or GrabCar to and from the office - about 10min drive

❖ Waterfront – walking distance to IT Park; lots of restaurants. The rooms are slightly dated, but clean and comfortable.

❖ SEDA Hotel – It’s a brand-new hotel that is located at the heart of IT Park right above the Ayala Central Bloc where our office is located.

❖ Quest – the best overall hotel with clean rooms and good internet

❖ Mandarin Plaza Hotel – rooms are a bit outdated but overall spacious.

PS. If your internet isn't good, you can let our Admin Staff know so they can report that to your chosen hotel

GENERAL:

The room and hotel that you choose must have a strong Wi-Fi Things to consider when booking Airbnb connection for your convenience. Cebu’s tourist spots are between 20 mins - 2 hours away and you’ll be spending more Here are some tips for you upon booking your Airbnb: time in the hotel than elsewhere. Always ask the host about the water heaters. You might want to ask the host if the apartment has hot Not all hotel rooms have ironing boards, so you must call the water and if it is all taps. concierge and ask them to bring you one. Some hotels want Ask if the apartment has kitchen utensils e.g. KNIVES. to come and collect the ironing board because they don't If the apartment is advertised to have a dryer, do ask have many of them or when they do the daily clean, they will if it is an electrical appliance or just a clothes airer. It is remove the ironing board. Therefore, make sure you do all your important as you don’t get to change sheets or towels ironing in one go, rather than each day as it may take a day or two for them to dry with the airer. Airbnb can be hit and miss. Even if the Airbnb room is inside a For an extended stay – washing machine is really hotel, the room itself is privately owned and therefore will not handy plus bring coat hangers. have the same amenities or quality as a hotel room. For Ask for the air-conditioning. Cebu could get hot and example, clients that have tried Airbnb have complained of climate control is really important when you’re not water leaks, no ironing board, air conditioning noise, no used to the heat. curtains to block light, etc. For an extended stay, need not worry about bringing large quantities of things such as shampoo, mouthwash, and laundry detergent. These things can You may also book your stay at Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com) be easily bought and probably cheaper than at home. Search within IT Park Cebu. There are many affordable rooms and Register on DFAT, just in case. luxurious rooms available within the area. Prices range from AUD$40 to A tip for smokers and drinkers: Don’t bother with Duty AUD$90 depending on what you would like. Free. 200 smokes worth AUD$21-22 and alcohol is Calyx Residences cheap as long as you aren’t after the top brands. Red horse costs about AUD$1 at Rustan’s while Smirnoff AVIDA Tower Vodka (750 ml) costs about AUD$11-12 at Fooda supermarket. La Guardia Flats

Local delicacies to try during your stay in the Queen City of the South:

Dried Mangoes Chicharon (Chi-cha-ron) - fried pork rind

Lechon – roasted pig Ampao - local sweet rice crackers

GETTING AROUND CEBU

Local white taxi: Base fare of ₱40.00 with an increment of ₱13.50 Requires you to download the app to your mobile device. It’s per kilometer and ₱2.00 per two minutes of waiting time. available for download in any Android or Apple devices. Rates may vary depending on your location, destination and traffic conditions Safest and most convenient mode of transportation Recommended mode of transportation as it’s generally cleaner and you can link your credit card to make payments and can be classified under your business expenses

Local Jeepneys: ₱8.00 base fare for the first 4 kilometers with an increment of ₱1.00 for every kilometer. Routes may vary depending on your destination. Not all jeepneys have the same route around the city. Majority of the locals use the jeepney as their primary mode of transportation and clients give this a go as a novelty.

NO CASH? NO PROBLEM!

All ATMs are available 24/7

Surcharges may be applied for international transactions Please notify your bank on your travel as your bank may have an anti-fraud or anti-theft feature with any of your cards All the below banks/ATMs are within Ayala Central Bloc where the office is located All banks allow clients to pull out cash from their Aussie accounts

WHERE TO EAT?

Fast food chains available within 500 meters of the office locations:

Filipino cuisine around Cebu IT Park Other cuisines available in Cebu:

Although you will probably prefer to try Philippine cuisine, we also have Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

You may speak to a local team member if you need directions as these are not within walking distance from the office.

WHERE DO I GET MY MORNING CUP OF COFFEE NEAR THE OFFICE?

International Brands

Or Local Brands

STRESSED? GET A MASSAGE! Important Note:

While there are many massage parlors around the city, we highly Don’t be alarmed. Massage sessions usually take place inside recommend Grand Royal. They have excellent service at affordable a small or private room. This is to ensure your privacy. rates! In the Philippines, massage parlors are also called spa. It is customary for massage parlors in the Philippines to offer you a pair of shorts or pajamas for you to use during oil massages. This is to prevent any unwanted oil from sticking to your clothes after your massage session. Your therapist may pull down your shorts/pajama’s halfway to your buttocks to massage the Gluteal muscles. However, if you find this uncomfortable, feel free to let your therapist know. For dry massages, you can opt to leave your shorts/pants on during your massage.

(Prices may change without prior notice)

Grand Royal Spa

Address: Grand Royal, Salinas Dr, Cebu City 6000 Cebu Phone Number: (032) 418 4658 Normal Business Hours: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM (Monday to Sunday)

HOW DO I GET THERE?

You can get any white taxi or GrabCar. You can find Grand Royal Spa in front of University of Southern Philippines. The SPA is only 1.2 KM away from the office.

Nuat Thai Foot and Body Massage

Address: Ground Flr. SSY Building (Cor. Salinas Dr. and Wilson St.)

You can get any white taxi or GrabCar. You can find Nuat Thai Foot & Body Massage on the ground floor of the SSY Business Center. The SPA is only 1.4 KM away from the office.

Depending on the type of massage you choose, you’ll be taken to a room with curtain partitions and a massage therapist will ask you to take off your pants and shirt. You will be provided a towel/blanket to cover yourself up.

You can opt for a “soft” or “hard” pressured massage

HOW DO I GET THERE?

You can get any white taxi or GrabCar. You can find Nuat Thai a few meters from the University of Southern Philippines. The SPA is only 1.4 KM away from the office.

MEDICAL NEEDS

Note that not all pharmacies are open 24 hours. Please make sure you make your purchases ahead of time. Normal business hours for pharmacies are from 7:00AM to 9:00PM

Rose Pharmacy is conveniently located across VA Platinum’s office. They are open 24 hours.

Medical Services All local hospitals and emergency services are open 24 hours.

Chong Hua Hospital Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital

Phone number: (032) 255 8000 Phone number: (032) 255 5555

WHERE CAN I DO MY GROCERIES?

The nearest supermarket you can find within VA Platinum Office is at The most recommended supermarket is at Rustan’s Supermarket Metro Supermarket located at the Basement 1 Level of Ayala Central located inside Cebu. Bloc. Note that they open earlier than mall hours (7:00 AM). You may find their entrance right next to Seda Hotel, Ayala Center Cebu

CATCHING SOME SUN, SAND AND BEACH!

Local beaches are only 13 kilometers away from VA Platinum’s office. Depending on the traffic conditions, it would take about 1-2 hours to get there. With GrabCar, it would typically cost 400 PHP ($10 AUD).

Luxury Resorts Local Phone number

Shangri la Mactan Cebu (032) 231 0288 - Punta Engaño Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015

Maribago Beach Resort (032) 402 4100 - Buyong, Maribago Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015

Crimson Resort and Spa (032) 401 9999 - Seascapes Resort Town, Soong, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015

Plantation Bay Resort (032) 505 9800 - Marigondon Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015

JPark Island Resort and Waterpark (032) 494 5000 - M.L. Quezon National Highway, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015

Enjoy a weekend getaway

During A Client’s visit, she highly recommended swimming with the After swimming with the Gentle Giants and still seeking for adventure, Whale Sharks. Canyoneering is for you. It is located a couple of kilometers away from Oslob. Swimming with the Whale Sharks is one of the go-to attractions for tourists when they visit Cebu. It is located in the Southern part of It is a four-kilometer downstream canyoneering course that involves Cebu. trekking, waterfall sliding, cliff jumping, crawling, swimming and floating along the scenic river. Its exact location is Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Oslob, 6023 Cebu

Depending on the traffic condition, it would take 3-4 hours to get there.

We hope you enjoy your stay here in CEBU!