Sunburst Fried Chicken SM

We usually dine at Sunburst specially after an exhausting spree at the mall. Sounds like spending millions. I have not tried their other food offerings as we usually ask for the chicken Sunduo and Solo. These are chicken combo meals served with some sliced potato usually in three and a coleslaw. The difference between Sundou and Solo is just the number of chicken parts served. Well, you can ask for which part or parts to be served as I usually go for the drumstick and the thigh.

Food preparation will take about 10 to 20 minutes but we don't have any complain as the chickens are served right from the pan. It is served in oozing glory with the aroma of chicken's cholesterol but its ok as I do practice balance diet. To prep up our starving stomach while waiting for the main course, sometimes we ask for a mushroom soap which I guess decent enough to taste like mushroom. Hey, Im not an expert on food but they are served just as fine. Its not a gastronomic delight but good enough to fill your empty stomach.

The interior design is acceptable as the wooden chair and tables somehow complements with every other fixtures within the restaurant and that includes the waiters' uniform. Yellow is their color theme like the "sunburst" of course.

The only thing that I can't stand with Sunburst SM is the slow service particularly on billings. At their Mandaue branch the bill arrives in just a matter of seconds since they have a fully automated ordering and billing system. Why couldn't they implement it at their SM branch which I guess is serving greater number of customers.

Strange but True

Cebuanos really excel in performing arts where ever or who ever they are. I could not hold my amazement when I stumbled upon a foreign website that features the story of 1500 prisoner from Cebu Provincial jail doing the Michael Jackson's thriller. Truly, I am dumbfounded.

This video from youtube is gaining global attention as I did a search which ended with a lot of weblinks relating to it. It generated a lot of buzz and some witty comments like these; "This is even better than my Oops... I Did It Again video.,"Oooohhh! What a bunch of "Smooth Criminals!" and this "Just, wow. What with the U.S.'s burgeoning prison population and the popularity of So You Think You Can Dance-type reality shows, I see a lot of potential here!". Just watch it.

Channel 36 RCTV

There a lot of Cebu based local cable channels and one them is Real Cebu Television or RCTV for short. Not much of a choice though as I am not fond of watching their shows except for some strange one like "Smol Tym" of Budoy.

There's nothing much to say except that their programming is geared towards commercials rather than a regular show. That is why I could not last more than two minutes without changing to another channel. One of my friend once told me that watching RCTV for an hour can make you buy a memorial park lot. Their major advertisers are park developers though. Anyway, we have to understand that because thats their only way to earn a living and I think they still need the support of the Cebuano populace to keep going. Perhaps in the future they will rehash their programming once advertisers are coming in. Thats it.

OutPost

I was invited by a friend of mine to witness his band perform in a restobar aptly called "The Outpost". The place is nice as it was once a residence and so it doesn't look and feel the same as with other restobars in town. They have different setting area to choose from. You can choose to watch a band perform inside, an enclosed place, with a loud head banging sound or you and your friends can have it outside where a japanese style table awaits you. I am not sure if it was a Japanese kind as I have only observed some people are squatting or setting in a yoga position while having a booze. Just watch for the rain though they have a covered area if you simply want to eat and savor their foods. I haven't tried their restaurant yet as I have only ordered a glass of tea which tastes like tea. Maybe soon I will.

I prefer the exterior because I still can hear the band playing in a muted tone without damaging my sensitive ear. A nice place to wash your boredom away. By the way, Outpost is located at Nivel Hills.

A word caution though as it has a limited parking area. Just don't park your vehicle on the street as it might get towed. Lucky me, I was able to get on time while the towing crew of CITOM is about to pull my car away.

Spice Fusion

Spice Fusion, the only restaurant in Cebu that I have known to satisfy my craving for delicious Asian food. There's a lot to choose from as there are wide varieties of meat food to seafood being served. Likewise the food serving is generous. The ambiance is not that cozy but is just right for everyone who comes for the food and not for its architecture. The price is reasonable enough considering how the food is being prepared and served. If you plan to visit the place be there as early as possible as it is usually attacked by some hungry mob and might run out of table.

I could not describe how the food tastes but it is on the tip of my tongue. Just pay a visit and try it yourself. You will never regret it. I'll be back there soon.

Next: Outposts

Eksena.Net

There's only one Cebuano website I know that religiously support the Visayan Rock Music Scene. Eksena.Net is the name. The guy or people behind it must be full of zeal and enthusiasm as reflected by the way the site is being kept and maintained. I am deeply inspired by these people. Though some efforts can be seen by having it supported with online ads but I guess these are not enough to cover the expenses of maintaining this one of a kind Cebuano website. Perhaps in the future this site will earn what it deserves to.

I have not meet the guy or guys behind Eksena but I'm sure his or their sheer passion for Cebuano music, culture and art is what makes them tick. However, I have this vision that in the near future Eksena.Net will become one of the forerunners of Revolution. The Revolution of Visayan Music and Arts. Their effort will never go unnoticed.

5 Stars and Two Thumbs Up for the people or person behind Eksena.Net

Western Union

Western Union service as provided by M.Lhuiller is really excellent. Just imagine being able to receive money from different parts of the world in minutes. And you have the option to receive it in local currency or from the currency of which the money is sent from. Likewise, it is faster to process and receive the fund as it would only take about 15 minutes though they require a valid Identification Card.

To make us feel good, Western Union customers are provided with an air conditioned room for safety and convenience. The service charge is reasonable enough as it is only about 12 percent of the total fund being transferred.

Ayala On Stage

For the best theater experience in Cebu nothing beats Ayala On-stage. The comfy seats and nerve wracking Dolby system surround will give you the most value for your money. Likewise, the excellent seating configuration can make everyone enjoy the movie in its wide screen glory wherever they are seated inside the theater. Its is clean and smells good.

My latest experience with On Stage was during the screening of Die Hard 4.0. Though In my opinion the movie has not provided a very good climax but nevertheless the theater's supercharged sound system has given us the necessary adrenaline rush to keep our attention focused on the movie's action scenes.

Ayala Cebu On Stage

Parking at the Malls

Of the two big malls in the city, Ayala and SM, I think SM is more generous in providing their customers with ample parking space and that is for free. Likewise, their customer service is excellent not only they provide transport facilities to ferry customers from the parking area to the mall's entrance. They also have "umbrella people" on standby specially during heavy downpour. These people provides shelter from the rain while accompanying you from the mall's exit to where your vehicle is located. It is really a nice thing to know that we are pampered and that SM management should be commended for this. We know that SM expansion is not yet finished but they have not neglected their customers as they are still able to provide the best service they can afford. A basement parking is included in the expansion project and we don't know yet if they will be charging for parking fees. Another review for that soon.

Ayala on other hand, is not that sensitive enough to provide their customers with accessible free parking area. Yes, there are free parking space, two areas are designated for free parking, but its not that convenient as it is located far away from the mall's main entrance. Not to mention that it can only accommodate a limited number of vehicles. And they don't have those "umbrella guys" either nor a transport facility as provided by SM. Ayala's basement parking facility is good but it will cost you 20 pesos.

"Two Thumbs Up" for SM's excellent parking service.

Images are sourced from their respective websites:
http://www.smprime.com/Supermalls.php?MallsID=21
http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/content/cebu.asp

Everything Cebu

Cebu is getting big and no question about it. We have international facilities here such as the Cebu International Convention Center. We have malls. We have world class resorts and five star hotels. Even renowned international corporations have started to relocate here. The city has a big potential to become one of Asia's business and tourism hub.

And so it is just about time to have a site that provides a first hand review of products and services that are offered and which can only be found in this lovely and vibrant city of ours.

You can make some contribution too.