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

At a Quick Glance!

Local Currency Philippine Peso (PHP) or (₱)

Foreign Exchange 1 AUD = ₱40.65

No VISA required from Australia, US and UK Citizens for a 30 day stay in the Philippines. If VISA Required? you need to extend your stay, please contact your embassy.

Widely accepted VISA and Mastercard. AMEX is available on selected merchants only. Surcharges may be applied for international transactions. Recently ING Direct stopped all Credit Cards and foreign transaction fees so consider using that Debit Cards account if you are a client of ING Direct.

**Please notify your bank on your travel as your bank may have an anti-fraud or anti-theft feature with any of your cards.

Telecommunication Smart , Globe or Sun Cellular

 GrabCar (available for download within South East Asia only). You would need to download the app upon your arriva  Local White Tax Transportation  Local Jeepneys

Unfortunately, UBER has ceased operations in the Philippines as of 08 April 18.

Typically, it would only take 1 hour from the airport. However, depending on traffic conditions, you may need to allocate 2 hours Distance and cost travel time back to the airport. Please plan between Cebu ahead so you won't miss your flight! airport to VA Platinum office Depending on traffic conditions, a GrabCar ride would typically cost ₱400 to ₱450 ($10 to $11 AUD) to VA Platinum Office.

Emergency Services On any local phone or mobile you may dial 911

Ed Marcus Arguelles: Mobile: +63923 2659970 | +63977 6920092 Email: [email protected] Skype ID: edmarcus.arguelles Who to contact while in Cebu? Barry Vince Lee Mobile: +63908 8809384 Email: [email protected] Skype ID: leebv87

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?

 Travel Documents This includes passport, airline tickets, valid IDs and everything else you might need. Given there are no direct flights between Australia and Cebu, you must have a connecting flight before leaving Australia. Even if you have received electronic tickets via email, we recommend to still print them out. Keep your passport safe and accessible. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you will return home.

Attention! Copy all your documents or, even better, scan them and upload them to an online storage of your preference such as Dropbox or Google Drive. In this way you will always have access to them and can’t lose or forget anything.

Your AirBNB host may also require a photocopy of your passport so please have one ready.

 Money

The exchange rate at Manila airport is fantastic so it’s a great spot to exchange AUD. You can find exchange booths just outside the International Exit doors.

 Medicines

If you have any medications to maintain, please make sure you bring the right quantity during your travel. You also may bring your prescription in case you need to purchase more. Please make sure your prescription has the Generic name of your medication clearly stated.

 Chargers and adaptors

Please do not bring disposable batteries into the country. There is no functioning waste separation system. You may bring rechargeable batteries and chargers instead.

Our wall outlets are different than the ones in Australia. Please take note of the following type of adaptors you will need to bring with you.

 Sunscreen

Our weather can get hot and you can easily get sunburn. We recommend to bring SPF 50 or above to protect yourself.

 The Right Clothes

During your flight it can sometimes be cold. You will appreciate bundling up in a sweater and a pair of trousers. You might also want to quickly change into light summer clothes once you arrive at the airport because as soon as you open the airport doors, the warm tropical weather will welcome you.

For Men:

 Cotton and breathable shirts  Cotton shorts or pants  Comfortable and well supported shoes

For Women:

 Cotton dresses or shirts  Wrap skirts, Long or billowy cotton skirts  Closed flat shoes/sandals

Note that VA Platinum does not have a specific dress code however the building management does not allow the following:

 Sleeveless shirts – for Men  Revealing tops – for women  Short shorts (above the knee shorts) – for women  Flip flops (thongs in Aussie lingo)

AIRPORT REMINDERS!

Luggage

If flying with Philippine airlines and landing in Manila on the way to Cebu... Be sure to grab your bag and take it with you to domestic check in. For some reasons bags do not go through all the way.

Airport Taxes

You may have to pay 750 PHP in airport taxes (terminal fee) on your way back home. The authorities at the airport prefer if you have the exact amount with you and they do not like it when you need to go find some change. You should also have 200 PHP more with you just in case of a short-term increase of the tax.

Airport Food

The food in Manila airport is mostly fast food, so consider bringing your own snacks.

Weather

The Philippines is generally a warm, wet country with the average temperature between 26-30° Celsius (78-86° Fahrenheit) all year round. While there are technically only two seasons, Rainy and Dry, the Dry season is subdivided into Cool and Hot.

Most rain falls between June and November, but due to its location in the typhoon belt, it is not uncommon to experience prolonged rain in other times of the year too. Excessive rain can cause many issues including power outages, travel delays, supply issues, and residential flooding.

The Dry Hot season (March to May) - Temperatures may reach between 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.

The Rainy season (June to November) - Temperatures may reach between 24 °C to 30 °C

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 Dry Cool season (December to February) - Temperatures may reach between 22 °C to 30 °C

Don’t be fooled, the Cool season is not that cool, it is just less hot (well, from an Australian’s point of view). Typically, it is just a few degrees cooler than the Hot season.

Where to stay

Cebu has a wide variety of hotels to choose from all around the city however you will find the following hotels the closest to VA Platinum at affordable room rates:

You may also book your stay at Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com)

Do a search within Cebu. A number of affordable rooms and luxurious rooms available within the area. Prices range from $40 to $90 AUD.

Calyx Residences

Solinea Condominium

The Padgett Place

Avenir Condominium

Avalon Condominium

Apple One Equicom Tower

How to get to VA Platinum?

Address: 14th Floor ACC Tower, Bohol Street, , Philippines.

Using GrabCar or any white taxi you can simply instruct the driver to have yourself dropped off at Bohol Avenue Entrance (H&M Entrance).

Enter Ayala Center Cebu Tower and take an elevator to the 14th floor. Facing the lobby, go to your left and you’ll come across the common pantry. Take a few more steps down and you’ll find our office.

Entrance to our building is in between Mercury Drug and H&M

Local delicacies during your stay:

Dried Mango Chicharon (Chi-cha-ron) Fried pork rind

Lechon (Roasted Pig)

Puso (Hanging rice) Ampao

Best paired with Lechon! Local sweet rice crackers

Getting around Cebu

- Requires you to download to your mobile device. Both are available to download in any Android, Apple and Blackberry devices. - Rates may vary depending on your location, destination and traffic conditions - Safest and most convenient mode of transportation

- Local white taxi: Base fare of ₱40.00 with an increment of ₱3.50 for every 300 meters and ₱3.50 per two minutes of waiting time.

- Local Jeepneys: ₱7.00 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

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 Mall where the office is located

Where to eat?

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

Filipinos enjoy Fast food for their taste and the convenience of having food readily available.

Filipino cuisine (not fast food):

Other cuisines available:

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.

Where do I get my morning cup of coffee nearby the office?

International Brands

or Local Brands

Stressed? Get a massage!

While there are many massage parlors around the city, we highly recommend Grand Royal. They have excellent service at affordable rates!

In the Philippines massage parlors are also called SPA.

Grand Royal Spa

Address: Grand Royal, Salinas Dr, Lungsod ng Cebu, 6000 Lalawigan ng Cebu

Phone Number: (032) 418 4658

Normal Business Hours: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM (Monday to Sunday)

Important Note:

Don’t be alarmed. Massage sessions usually takes place inside a small room private room. This is to ensure your privacy is being protected. It is customary for massage parlors in the Philippines to offer you a pair of short or pajamas for you to use during oil massages. This is to prevent any unwanted oil sticking to your clothes after your massage session. Your therapist may pull down your shorts/pajamas half way 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 leave your shorts/pants on during your massage.

Price list: Massage prices varies depending on the massage parlors, however normally 1-hour massage would only cost you $8.00 - $10.00 AUD. Depending on the level of satisfaction of your massage, you can tip your therapist an average of 50.00 PHP ($1.00 AUD) or more.

**Prices may change without prior notice

How do I get there?

Easy! 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 2.1 KM away from Ayala Center Cebu.

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

Mercury drug pharmacy is conveniently located on the ground floor of VA Platinum’s office. They are open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Medical Services

All local hospitals and emergency services are open 24 hours.

Chong Hua Hospital

Phone number: (032) 255 8000

Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital

Phone number: (032) 255 5555

Where Can I do my Groceries?

The nearest supermarket you can find within VA Platinum Office is Rustan’s Supermarket located inside Ayala Mall.

Note that they open earlier than mall hours (7:00 AM). You may find their entrance right next to Marriott Hotel

Catching some sun, sand and beach!

Local Phone Luxury Resorts number Shangri la Mactan Cebu - Punta Engaño Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, (032) 231 0288 6015 Maribago Beach Resort - Buyong, Maribago Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, (032) 402 4100 Cebu, 6015 Crimson Resort and Spa - Seascapes Resort Town, Soong, Lapu-Lapu (032) 401 9999 City, Cebu, 6015 Plantation Bay Resort (032) 505 9800 - Marigondon Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015 JPark Island Resort and Waterpark - M.L. Quezon National Highway, Maribago, Lapu- (032) 494 5000 Lapu City, Cebu, 6015

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

We hope you enjoy your stay here in CEBU!