Virgin Beach Resort Cebu

If you're tired of the noise, pollution, traffic, smell, crowdedness and fast pace of Metro Cebu and are looking for a rural, quiet, easy-going, laid back atmosphere, where traffic is hardly ever an issue and mostly the only noise you will hear are the roosters crowing in the morning, then the Northern part of Cebu just might be for you.

Bogo City is the trading center for agriculture goods coming from all of the northern towns of Cebu plus the island/province of Masbate, Leyte and even Negros.  There are plenty of banks with international ATMs, several department stores that take credit cards, super market, modern meat market, huge daily public market and plenty of Churches of all brands plus 4 colleges etc.  Even if you decide on living as far north as Daanbantayan, you are still only an hour at the most from Bogo City.

Bogo also has a hospital with some of the latest equipment, plenty of qualified doctors, dentists and laboratories.  There are at least a dozen pharmacies and two of them take credit cards.

There are no taxis in Bogo, but there are plenty of tricycles (motorcycles with side car) and tho there is a set rate per passenger per km or parts thereof, just be aware that if you're as big as I am, just consider paying double as you will take up the space of two Filipinos (lol).  Also, please be prepared to pay extra if you are the only passenger as the driver needs to make enough to pay his fuel/expenses for the trip.  Please don't do like some "ugly Americans" and complain that you were "ripped off" because the driver charged you P20 when the regular fare is P5.  For crying out loud, he has to make a living and he is doing it honestly and probably has a dozen mouths to feed at home including his parents and kids.  You might even consider giving a tip to this type of hard working individual.

I love the friendliness of the Bogohanans and I'm always waving and talking to the people.  I have my regular "suki" or people I always do business with and I've found that most people in Bogo are hard working, honest and caring.

Forgot to mention restaurants and eateries.  There is a Jolybee (Filipino version of Mc Donalds) at Gaisano but be prepared for it to be very crowded during lunch as many students will be eating there.  They do not take a credit card there yet, but I've seen in Cebu City some fast food places that take a credit card now.  Carrenderias are Filipino sidewalk food stalls that sell small portions for a small price and there are several of these in Bogo as well as Barbeque places and places that sell lechon manuk or whole roasted chicken.  The local accompiniment for street food is "hanging rice" also known as "puso" which means heart as the hanging rise is kind of shaped like a heart.

There are plenty of Bake Shops that sell snacks also and tho many people prefer a certain one, I have found them all  to have excellent value and good tasting snacks.  Again, prices are more reasonable than in the U.S. both for fast food, sidewalk food, barbeque and bake shops, but remember that the portion is in direct relationship to the price.  Low price, small portion.  We are so used to "supersized" items in the U.S., it is refreshing to have a smaller portion and save on both calories and money.

Will blog more about the Northern part of Cebu later.  Let me know if you have any questions.