Residential Places in Cebu

Cebu has a number of upscale gated communities that the locals call villages or subdivisions.  These gated communities are often fortified by a surrounding wall around the subdivision or village with a security guard at the gate.  Residents often form an association to provide a communal venue for addressing the upkeep of their community.  Empty lots and various housing units may be found in these subdivisions and villages. Some of Cebu’s affluent gated communities located north of the Cebu City are Beverly Hills in Lahug, Maria Luisa Estate Park in Banilad near the Gaisano Country Mall, Northtown Homes in Talamban, and Ayala Heights, near PTA Kang-irag Golf course, which was developed by the same corporation that had developed Manila’s prestigious gated communities of Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, and Ayala Alabang.  These prime subdivisions are located on a hill or an elevated area, providing a breezy living environment and stunning views of the city.   Situated on level ground, on the other hand, is the subdivisions of Doña Rita, Santo Niño village, Paradise Village and St. Michael's Village, which are all found in Banilad.  The last two subdivisions are both near the Cebu Country Club Golf Course.  Also on level ground is Silver Hills in Talamban.  South of the city in Guadalupe are the prime residential neighborhoods of Maria Luisa South, South Hills Subdivision, Guadalajara Subdivision, and Nichol's Park.  Also in south is Paseo San Ramon in Banawa, Altavista Residential Estates, and Newtown Estates which are both found in Pardo near the South Road.

Hospitals and Universities of Cebu

Cebu is one of the Philippines’ educational centers with its 9 universities and dozens of schools and colleges. One of its major universities is UP-Visayas which is a regional unit of the University of the Philippines (UP).  UP is acknowledged as the country’s leading tertiary educational institution.  UP-visayas has a satellite campus in the city’s Lahug district, which is the UVP-Cebu College (UPCC).  UPCC offers undergraduate degrees in fine Arts, Mass Communication, Political Science, Psychology, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Business Management.  Graduate programs include diplomas in Governmental management, Science Teaching, and Urban and Regional Planning, as well as masteral degrees in Computer Science, Environmental   Science, Business Management, Public Management, Integrated health Services management, Educational Management, Education, and Nursing. Another notable university in Cebu is the University of San Carlos which is a Catholic university established in 1595.  It had produced many prestigious alumni including Sergio Osmeña, the second president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the NASA-acclaimed Filipino astronomer, Christopher  Go, who had discovered Jupiter’s new red spot, and Filipino Tycoon    John L. Gokongwei Jr., who ranked 34th among Asia’s 40 richest people in 2005.  Also notable are the Cebu Doctors’ University, Cebu University, and Cebu Normal University. 

Healthcare and Medicine 

Commercial Establishments in Cebu

Cebu has many shopping malls, with the Ayala Center Cebu being the most upscale of these malls.  It is owned and developed by the same corporation that had developed the most upscale malls in Manila, such as the Glorietta, Greenbelt, Serendra, and Market Market.  It features specialty stores that carry local and international brands, cinemas, two supermarkets, and dozens of cafes and restaurants.  In 2002, Ayala Center Cebu was declared by the Philippine Retailer’s Association and the Department of Trade and Industry as a finalist for the Best Shopping Center of the Year. Another shopping mall in Cebu is SM City Cebu which is the biggest in the city and located at the North Reclamation Area.  It is a four-level shopping structure with a large department store, a supermarket, cinemas, and over 200 shops and restaurants.  SM City Cebu is part of a mall chain developed by the SM Prime holdings.  Robinsons Place-Cebu is another large shopping mall in Cebu located in Fuente Osmeña.  It is also part of a large shopping mall chain by the JG Summit Holdings.  The Mango Square, Gaisano Country mall, and E-Mall are smaller, older, but just as notable malls.

Restaurants and Nightlife in Cebu 

Service Establishments of Cebu

Telecommunication services in Cebu are provided by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT and Globelines of globe Telecom. PLDT offers fixed line services and internet connection via DSL or broad band.  On the other hand, Globelines offers internet connection via broad band, aside from fixed line services.  PLDT has a branch office on Osmena Blvd (known as the Jones branch).  Globelines has service centers located at the Ayala Center and SM City.  Another internet service provider in Cebu is Mozcom which has its office located at the Metrobank Plaza on Osmena Boulevard One of the companies that provide mobile services in Cebu is SMART Communications, which is a subsidiary of PLDT.  It offers postpaid and prepaid subscriptions, 3G, SMS, MMS, GPRS, Mobile Banking, and broad band connection.  It also offers a lower rate prepaid subscription through its brand Talk N’ Text.   Globe Telecom provides cellular telephony through its mobile brand Globe Handyphone.  It provides the same services as SMART.  Globe’s lower rate prepaid subscription in the other hand is Touch Mobile. 

Government Owned Facilities and Service Providers 

Embassies in Cebu

Most foreign embassies are located in Makati City in Metro Manila.  However, a number of consulates have their offices in Cebu City, particularly along Gorordo Avenue in Lahug.  Among these are the American Consulate at the PCI Building, Honorary Consuls of Belgium and Slovakia at Insular Life Building, Honorary Consul of Mexico at Wee Building, and the Honorary Consul of Sweden. The other consulates located in the city are the Honorary Consuls of Denmark and Japan at Keppel Building in Cebu Business Park, Honorary Consul of Austria at CRM Building on Escario Street, Honorary Consul of Canada at Andres Abellana Street in Guadalupe, Honorary Consul of Chile at F Cabahug Street in Mabolo, Chinese Consulate at Julio Llorente Street, French Consulate on Juan Luna Avenue in Mabolo, Honorary Consul of Great Britain at Maria Luisa Park in Banilad, Honorary Consul of  Norway at Aboitiz & Co. Building in Banilad, Honorary Consul of Panama at Plaridel Street, Honorary Consul of Spain at Molave Street in Lahug, Swiss Consulate at Diplomat Building in F Ramos Street, South Korean Consulate in the University of Cebu Banilad Campus , Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Turkey at Plaridel Street, and the Honorary Consul of Thailand at Eastern Shipping Lines Building along MJ Cuenco Avenue.