Every once in a while, a restaurant surprises me. May it be a particular dish, their interior, quality service, or by sheer ingenuity. This time, for the first time for so long, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by my all around experience at Casa Buenas. Yes! It is a dining experience one should try.

As you enter Casa Buenas, you are greeted with stunning ‘Bahay na Bato’ inspired interior design. Stunning, even, is an understatement. In my opinion, it was breathtaking. Having studied Architecture and not being able to research about the restaurant before we dined, I was literally in awe!

The really nailed the subtle modern take of their inspiration. It was a feast for the eyes with minute details worthy of praise and conversation. There are somewhat different themes in every corner. However, they were still able to make every part of the restaurant coherent to the nostalgia that is classic Filipino ancestral home. Of course, taken to a whole other level.

It’s virtually impossible for you to order the wrong dish, soup, dessert, and what not. Everything on the menu is an explosion of flavor each with its own gastronomic identity. This is where ingenuity comes in. They perfectly put in their own twist, just enough, to create a fresh take on Spanish influenced Filipino cuisine. After which, you are immediately drawn back to a familiar taste that we all love to savor.

I must say, they serve food that has been crafted close to perfection. I took one single bite of the ‘Shrimp Isaw’ and I knew that these dishes weren’t offered on the menu without thorough research and development. I’m quite sure that even the most discerning palate will enjoy the flavors of Casa Buenas.

As of writing, they only offer three desserts. Being one of the biggest sweet tooth around, I had to try all three! So you can trust me when I say, “They only need three desserts to leave you craving for at least one of these.”

I am not the biggest fan of cheese on desserts but Casa Buenas’ Ube and Cheese Souffle is an absolute exemption! They harmoniously married the two flavors together. A heavenly soft souffle which melts in your mouth and turns into this creamy ube and cheese goodness!

The Emperador Strudel is, no question, my favorite! I could eat five of these. It’s a combination of creamy, a little crisp, and a refreshing flavor all throughout. Amidst all that, it manages to give you a little kick with that brandy infused cream.

“The reason why our menu is small is so everybody can concentrate on the standard of the food,” Laforteza said.

I am all praises and compliments to Chef Godfrey Laforteza! He created a new standard for Filipino food. It maybe a small menu but it is big on flavor. Casa Buenas, like a said, is an experience. A feast for the eyes, the ears, the nose, and the mouth!

Casa Buenas is open daily from 11AM to 1AM. They are located at the Ground Floor of Newport Grandwing, Portwood St., Newport City. You can contact them through +63 (2) 7908-8988, +63 917 878 8312, or Email them at casa.buenas@rwmanila.com

Cebu Pacific Air launched a sustainable tourism advocacy called “Juan Effect” two years ago. This is to educate and encourage travelers and locals alike to help preserve the environment.

Tourism is one of the Philippines’ major economic driver. More than just presenting and showcasing what our country has to offer, tourism generates employment opportunities and creates an atmosphere conducive for businesses to thrive. This means a huge chunk of our fellow Filipinos have tourism as their main source of income. Take note, ‘main’ source of income.

We simply cannot afford to just let our beautiful destinations degrade. This is where Cebu Pacific Air’s “Juan Effect” advocacy comes in. It’s quite simple yet makes a huge impact if we all join the bandwagon. The idea is to do at least one simple daily habit done consistently. May it be throwing your trash accordingly in trash bins, or bringing your own refillable tumbler, or bringing an eco bag and refusing single use plastics. One small act done collectively makes a huge difference.

Ofcourse, Cebu Pacific Air, the Department of Tourism, and partner establishments is here to help us. They started with Boracay in 2018 which was followed by Siargao in 2019. They have put up recycle signages for us to be mindful and they have also installed trash bins in famous tourist destinations. These are just a few of their “Juan Effect” initiatives.

This year, it’s time for Bohol. We are so blessed that most of our islands and tourist destination are still very well kempt. Bohol is definitely one of those islands. It is also one of CEB’s most popular destinations. Still, that is no reason for us to be complacent. There is still time for us to preserve this beaut.

Juan Effect Bohol launched with an information campaign through signages installed in Bohol’s most popular tourist attractions like the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary, and the Loboc River Cruise. These multi-lingual signages, made out of recycled wood, carry reminders of simple things to do or behaviors to observe while visiting these attractions.

“It is important to strike a balance between growing the tourism industry and preserving the very assets that attract tourists,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific. “Bohol has seen its tourist arrivals grow in the past year. We are adopting it as a Juan Effect site to do our part in reminding our travelers to conserve its ecological and cultural treasures.”

Join Cebu Pacific in keeping the Philippine islands clean and beautiful by making a pledge at www.juaneffect.com.

Albeit a very expensive acquisition CebuDoc is committed in bringing the latest diagnostic technology for the Filipinos. With the pursuit of providing excellent healthcare in mind, CebuDoc is the first in the country to install Ispectral CT Technology with Ambient Experience that helps in reducing patients’ stress and anxiety. Also, rates for the Spectral CT Scan is the same as that of the current conventional CT Scan. With that said, they will decrease the rates for the convention CT Scan.

“Since then, CebuDoc has always been committed to bringing the latest healthcare technology for the Filipinos, especially for the Cebuanos. This is just one of the many efforts we do to boost our diagnostic confidence for a more reliable and credible diagnosis,” said Dr. Potenciano “Yong” S.D. Larrazabal, III, CebuDoc Group President and Chairman of the Board.

In some cases, this is literally a life saver. With such technology, the diagnosis will be faster, follow-up scans will be lesser, and data integrity is improved. This also saves you time and money as you will no longer need to get a CT scan for the second time. The images and visualizations produced by the Philips IQon Spectral CT Scan at CebuDoc are significantly clearer than those of conventional CT scans.

“With the healthcare challenges that the world is facing today – an aging population, the rise of chronic diseases and resource constraints – the healthcare industry needs solutions that deliver extraordinary diagnostic quality, empowering clinicians to improve clinical confidence and make the right diagnosis in the first scan,” said Ashwin Chari, country manager, Philips Philippines Inc.

CebuDoc commits that every scan is spectral without compromise. The IQon Spectral CT aims to easily accommodate a wide range of patient sizes from pediatric to bariatric and that they will have an improved visualization and characterization of tissues resulting in diagnostic certainty that will lead to better patient care.

“We’re very happy with this Philips solution, which supports our endeavor to bring quality healthcare closer to all Cebuanos. With the Philips IQon Spectral CT we can deliver more confident patient diagnoses in the first scan, representing a revolution in CT performance here in CebuDoc,” concludes Dr. Yong.

When it comes to our health, we all deserve the best. The Philips IQon Spectral CT Scan with Ambient Experience at CebuDoc is truly a bang for the buck. It makes sure that you get exactly what you pay for and more. Hey, that ambient experience makes me want to get a CT scan even when I don’t need to get one.

For inquiries, you can visit CebuDoc Radiology Department or call (032) 255 5555 local 110.

I have never been to a medical spa and I literally had no clue what medical spas are for. Aside from that, I had no idea where these are in Cebu. Lucky for you, I found the best one… or, I think, they found me!

Bodyworx Medical Spa is has been in the industry since 2017. Their pursuit for excellence really shows once you have experienced their services. This might be my first time at a medical spa but I can immediately tell that this is no ordinary medical spa.

When I stepped in, the interiors already made a very positive impression. For me, that is important. Why? Because it shows how committed the establishment is to providing you with the best that they can offer. Upon knowing that they reached out to Arch. Kathrynn Dawn Sy to do the interiors. I knew I was in for a treat! I mean, the spa was designed by one of Cebu’s best designers!

I got to talk with Dr. Sugar Mantilla and Dr. Andy Mantilla, the owners of Bodyworx Medical Spa, and thought that the conversation is too good to be true. Honestly, I was skeptical but as the conversation progressed my thoughts to shame. They will monitor your progress. They will be present to check up on you during your appointments. They will be present to supervise and even perform the procedures themselves. That is what sets Bodyworx apart from the rest. They go beyond quality service. In my own opinion, this is where expectation really meets expectation.

My skin was first assessed through this machine called Visia before I got to try out one of their signature facial. That way, they would scientifically know what’s best for my skin and what steps should be done in order to improve my skin. Also, you will learn a lot from this process as they will inform you the necessary details for better understanding of your skin!

The facial lasted more than 2 hours and that’s their average. The duration of the facial is dependent on your skin condition. They make sure that they cover what is needed to be done in one session. I think it’s the first time that I ever felt so relaxed during a facial. I even fell asleep! Hahah No joke!

As one of the ordinary men out there who has no idea about skin care, going to Bodyworx is like a needle in a haystack. You just have to book an appointment, show up, and they will tell you what needs to be done. That’s it! You don’t have to be blindsided and get bombarded with services that you have no clue if those even work for you. With Bodyworx, you won’t end up wasting your time and money. Yes, they have countless offerings and services like a number of Signature Facials, Mesobiolift, Laser Treatments, Chemical peels, Multivitamin drip, Slimming, Hydra dermabrasion with dermal infusion, Permanent laser hair reduction, and so many more. You don’t have to worry because they will handpick a treatment plan tailored only for you.

I seriously can’t wait to try out their other services and share with you how these will turn out. I’ve only tried out one of their signature facials and I already fell in love with Bodyworx.

Book an appointment now via (032) 479-2081 or +63 966 3777 8935. They are located at Unit 1, Solinea Tower, Cebu Business Park.

Now, let’s address the biggest question in our heads. What is this Hyperbaric Chamber? I am not going to lie. I had no idea what it is, how it looks, how it operates, how it looks, and what benefits it will bring to our bodies. When I attended the press launch and got to experience it myself. I was way beyond amazed!

How it looks!

Well, I’m sure the photos above are self explanatory. Haha! Seriously, though, there is more to it. This is a multi-person hyperbaric chamber. Yes, there are single-person hyperbaric chambers out there and just imagine how claustrophobic that would feel. Anyway, you do not have to worry about that with CebuDoc having acquired the latest multi-person chamber hyperbaric machine. It can now accommodate more than seven (7) patients at a time.

“No longer will the patients have to squeeze in and out of the mono-chamber. Just go in, take a seat, wear the headgear and that’s it… Precautions will also be exercised to avoid any accidents,” said Nurse Gako.

How it operates?

This is where the science comes in. I can’t explain this part myself so here’s a quote from one of the hyperbaric nurses.

“The hyperbaric chamber is filled with pressurized air to simulate the required depth. An individual hood is then utilized to supply oxygen to every person inside with different levels of oxygen supply as prescribed by a hyperbaric physician.” – Mr. Kevin Nosdo

Ofcourse, the chamber is operated by a team of experts and highly-trained professionals led by Dr. Hilario S. Cabaitan II, a distinguished member of the UHMS (Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society) who trained for HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) course.

“The doctor and nurses in the Center are professionally skilled in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support). For us nurses, updates on our trainings relative to our areas of expertise should be a requirement. We have to update our skills before we start our treatments”, said Leisel Gako, nurse supervisor at the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine.

What are the benefits?

Hyperbaric medicine has been in existence for centuries, aiding men and women in recuperating from a wide array of conditions. I myself have mild scoliosis and have been experiencing some a little back pain for weeks now. However, just 30 minutes inside the chamber made a world of difference. The pain was gone! I even felt refreshed and more energetic.

More than just healing those with existing medical conditions. The concept of HBOT also aims for prevention as it oxygenates every cell in the body leaving the patient feeling great! Just like I felt right after the therapy. It also improves memory for adults! Some of the conditions that HBOT can heal or treat are serious infections, patients and/or children with autism, wounds that won’t heal as a result of diabetes or radiation injury, bubbles of air in your blood vessels, decompression sickness (a hazard of scuba diving), and so much more!

“The basic concept of HBOT is to oxygenate every minute cell of the human anatomy. By doing so, it improves the circulation of blood, oxygen, and other vital elements necessary for human life; thus, providing a general sense of well-being,” Kevin Nosdo, hyperbaric nurse, explained.

HBOT is 100% safe for the allowed patients. Just to be sure, you will be checked before you will be allowed inside the chamber. This also helps the doctors determine the treatment/therapy suited for you.

“Comprehensive screening for all patients will be undergone before treatments because patient safety is our top priority”, said Nurse Gako.

“We will provide patient’s safety first, cost effectiveness, and their security”, Nurse Nosdo added.

The regular rate is Php 8,000 per session. However, they have promos from time to time so you can experience this at a discounted rate. You can visit them or contact them for more information. The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine is located in Cebu Doctors University Hospital in Capitol, Cebu City. For inquiries, call Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at (032) 255-5555 local 185 or 607.