Goodbye Kopi Roti CEBU

It's amazing how the world begins to change through the eyes of a cup of coffee!

~ Donna A. Favors

In my case, its a cup of KOPI.

Today, Kopi Roti CEBU officially closes.

Its hard to say goodbye to something you've grown to love. Its hard to let go of something you've become so used to. Its hard to leave a place that has become your second home.

Its been almost 3 years since I entered Kopi Roti Cebu. I went on a journey that comprises very important chapters in my book of life. And now, as that journey is about to end I can't help but thank the Lord for a wonderful experience  of being the manager of a place so loved by many.

I can just recall all the merry happenings - how I realized my passion for coffee, how I met wonderful people that have become good friends, how many souls found love in our cozy little coffee shop, how my CEBUano Tours team brainstormed all day, how students studied and how businessmen met and greeted clients all with a cup of kopi and a tasty morsel at hand.

One most significant part - how I professed my faith in Jesus.

This blog cannot contain my whole Kopi Roti Cebu experience. I have tons of photos with family and friends as we enjoyed the shop's singaporean specialty beverages and breads. Allow me to say, that Kopi Roti offers delightful treats and a unique dining experience all at a reasonable cost. 

Believe me when I say that this is the only place in Cebu where I can think straight. Every time I enter the shop, my brain just suddenly bursts with ideas and thoughts. Must be the aroma of brewed coffee; plus my favorite chair! :3

So I guess, this is goodbye?

This place made me who I am now. All the hard work paid off! I believe everything happens for a reason, and that all things work together for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV). It may be sad to say my last farewell, but altogether my heart knows that Kopi Roti Cebu's closing is the right circumstance at the right time. 

I wish my Kopi Roti family good luck to our future endeavors! 

© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More

6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Cebu

February 6, 2012 - A day to remember

It was an ordinary Monday morning for me and for the rest of the people in Cebu, probably. The usual Monday traffic jam as Cebuano's rush to school or work and run errands around town, the usual Monday meetings with my team, and the usual Monday blues as the weekend comes to an end.

Who would have thought that THAT USUAL MONDAY would turn into something UNFORGETTABLE - something that you would remember for the rest of your life.

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Cebu and Negros.

It was around 11:45am that day when the ground trembled and shook. I was in a middle of a comprehensive meeting that time that it took a while for me to react to the shaking. We were just so engrossed in the meeting that we thought we just needed a break. But as the shaking continued, we were finally able to realize that it was an earthquake - a strong earthquake that almost shattered the glass walls of Kopi Roti and led everyone outside the building. I have never experienced an earthquake that strong in my 21 years of existence. Nevertheless, it happened in a place where i least expected it to be - CEBU.

What's worse, a tsunami alert was raised.

Just when I thought the worst was over, something worse happened. We couldn't even quite get over the quake when a commotion stirred up all over Cebu. Everybody was running for their lives because a tsunami was about to take place. People ran as far as they could, some left their vehicles on the road because it was so traffic that cars couldn't even move an inch, jeepney drivers left their jeeps and the passengers did as well, some cried because they thought it was the end - it was a havoc! Seeing everyone running around and shouting "A tsunami is coming" or "The water is already downtown" and "Get to higher ground" jolted my brain. I panicked. There was no room to think at that time. Plus, the weather wasn't so cooperative, it was such a gloomy day. The whole incident looked like dooms day, or the 2012 movie. I really thought it was the end for Cebu. It ended up that the whole thing was a false alarm. 

It wasn't something to laugh about. February 6 was a day to remember. Lives perished, hearts have been broken, fear was ignited - there was just so much trauma for all those who experienced it. As shock after shock jolted Cebu and Negros, one can't help but feel anxious about their loved ones well-being and safety.

As for me, I put aside fear and rest in the confidence that my Lord will protect His children. 

For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by Psalms 57:1 NKJV

© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More

CT- Invading Danasan

"I am not an adventurer by choice, but by fate" - Vincent Van Gogh

What a way to kick off the year 2012 for CEBUano Tours, invading a place the team never knew that existed for quite some time already. A midpoint between two astounding municipalities of Cebu.

A place so-called Danasan. 

And there, in the heart of that wilderness area is a park created to fill one of the missing pieces of our existence - a little piece of adventure.

This trip was planned during the 3rd quarter of the year 2011 when I met Ryan, the managing director of Danasan Eco Adventure Park. Apparently, because of time constraints, the trip didn't push thru until January this year after a handful of arrangements. 

So finally, the CEBUano Tours team together with RCTV's Make My Trip Travel TV team made its way to Danasan Eco Adventure Park.

Getting there was actually the beginning of the series of adventures the team was about to experience. A 3-hour drive from the city with lots of twist and turns, and postcard perfect views of the naturally mountainous province of Cebu, we braced ourselves for what was about to take place.

I never knew I had it in me - that inner adventurer me. My explorations of Genesis never needed that much adrenaline rush. Most of it was just stupefying because my simple mind could never comprehend my God's creativity. Looking at mountains, climbing waterfalls, cruising down rivers - and now, a majestic adventure coupled with an adrenaline rush-fix in the great outdoors, i can't help but wonder, what's next?

Bong, RCTV's camera man was shooting me zipping to the other end with lots of screaming and  shouting. :))

All geared up and ready for adventure! 

The first ever wake boarding facility in the Visayas Region can be found in the park. Surf, spin and zoom around the lake! I didn't try it though coz i reserved all my energy for caving and waterfalls trekking. :))

Horseback Riding on a muddy and rocky terrain. Thats something! 

Sumptuous lunch with the team was one of the highlights of the trip.

Riding on a tractor was the funniest as everybody held on the edges of the truck because it was one uberly bumpy ride. You should've seen our faces soaking wet as the rain poured hard on us and still managed to laugh our hearts out because of that tractor experience. 

Spelunked like a PRO!

Even through wounded knees, cuts and bruises, caving was the best part of the trip! It was my first time to go spelunking. For the love of Genesis, I just had to see those stalactites and stalagmites with my very own eyes! Oh it was just beautiful. I wish words were enough to describe how it looked and felt like being inside that cave - how we climbed up to go deeper inside while fighting the strong current of water from a natural spring, how I realized I am claustrophobic, how we crawled and rolled through the narrowest space to reach a part where you can see the stalactites and stalagmites glowing magnificently as our lighting gears lit up the area and how I felt, as I grasped for air, to be out of my comfort zone.

"C" for CEBU!

One day wasn't enough to explore and try out what the park had to offer. Our main purpose : to shoot and create a package for the world to see, and we were indeed able to take great shots and clips! You should go and try it out yourself! Take my word for it :)

CEBUano Tours can do the bookings for you! Same rates, same great experience!

© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More

Paperless Year

One resolution I have for the year 2012 is to go paperless.

Paperless - less paper usage as I define it.

I wish I could go all out indeed, but that's easier said than done. Growing up with a teaching to take down notes in school and to record everything that's going on in your life thru paper - then suddenly you stop and switch, that's HARD. Coz if there's one thing that I despise most, its the change of my everyday routine. I am obsessive compulsive, everything has to be laid out and organized properly or else i go loco (I'm still flexible though, I still like surprises and I'm still spontaneous most of the time - its just with my schedule and routine that I'm OC). I tend to stick to what I am used to, tend to be obsessed with my routine making it hard for me to adapt to change, especially when its out of my comfort zone. 

This year, Im doing a drastic change with how I take down notes and plot my schedules. I got myself a Samsung Galaxy Note with an optimistic perception and determination to help save mother Earth. By using the S Planner to manage my complicated schedule and S Memo & S Pen to write my notes - I am actually more productive because I am on it anytime, anywhere. Though there are times that I feel the urge to revert back to a plain old organizer (paper & pen) , there's this voice inside me that keeps reminding how many trees are cut down just to produce paper. In my country, I've seen the negative effect of barren forest and I think if we continue with our lifestyle now, its a disaster waiting to happen. I am not trying to be a hero, I just want to make a change thru my own little ways, and hope to inspire others as well. I know technology has its own pros and cons, but as I see it, integrating my lifestyle with technology has a bigger chance for sustainability. 

Its time for me to get out of my comfort zone and stretch myself. 

I'm not techy, but I'll try my best to stick to this advocacy of mine.

Reduce.Reuse.Recycle - Go Sustainability.


© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More

New Year '11

Is it too late for me to say 'Cheers to a New Year!' ? 

11 days passed since 2011 bid goodbye. I say, it was a pretty good year for me. A lot happened - good and not so good stuff but at the end of the year, all things worked together for my good (Romans 8:28) and I thank Jesus for that. 

Allow me to thank my God, my Jesus for everything! You are my love, my savior, my redeemer, my everything - for apart from you I am nothing.

To my ever supportive family, friends, classmates, workmates, colleagues - to everyone who made my 2011 a blessed year - You are in my life for a purpose, you were in my life and served the purpose and I'm grateful. 

To my new love, 2011 was just the beginning ;)

Another piece of my being was put into place during 2011 and now ...

I am but excited to discover what the Lord has in store for me.

Cheers! 

Let me share to you how i spend the last days of an epic year


December 25 - Tajimaya with the boys

Happy Birthday Jesus - I'm so glad its Christmas <3


December 30,31 - New Year with my whole family

 

 

good music, good food, good life ~

 

 

 

 

This is one GOOD SISIG PIZZA from Cafe Marco!

a sweet treat from Marco Polo - Thank You!

Countdown 5,4,3,2,1 ...

In with the NEW ~


HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I declare 2012 an AWESOME year!


CHEERS!

© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More

CT- Sleepover (like no other)

CT Team: Simply stated, it is less me and more we.

I say, this is not our first overnight together as a team. We had a few sleepless nights indeed, making our never-ending reports and feasibility studies. Our 'venue' was always my place, same old couch and dining table as our bed.

This time, everything was new - from the bed sheets to the lighting, it just ignited a whole new overnight experience for us. I call it a sleepover like no other.

I never thought we'd be finally able to do it. For months we've been planning to go on one of our tour destinations and actually spend the night there as guests, not as coordinators. But we never had the luxury of time to do so. With my lightning fast mind [took me days to plan this out - :)) ] I planned for a 2-day trip down South to finish up our projects and suggested it to them. Of course, with a 2-day trip, we had to stay somewhere for the night.

Though it was still considered a business trip, again, who says you can't have fun (lots of it) while working? :))

So, after a sizzlin' hot day going around in Samboan, we travelled back to the town of Boljoon. Finally, a breather!

"We, as a team, didn't start out as best of friends. We were just old block mates from first year college. But through time, we learned to trust each other not just with our roles and responsibilities in the company, but as real friends. Someone who rejoices in truth, listens to all your rants, accepts your imperfections, mourns with you in sadness and encourages you to become a better person. This is something I thank God for everyday, a friendship like no other. "

Hannah and I - we were supposed to sleep in one bed but i ended up sleeping on the floor :))

The photogenic Danica, the ever charming Sheena and sleepy-head Christine on the other side of the room.

Our signature pose - with Danica! There's just something about this letter. #Happyhearts

Look at these two lovely ladies and the pretty colorful bed linen! Oh love!

The warm yellow light in our little room. It gave us that homey feeling.

That night was just special and extraordinary. We slept late, talked about anything under the sun and had a good laugh! It didn't matter what our eye bags would look like in the morning with only a few hours of sleep and considering the work that we had to accomplish the next day, what mattered most was the bond and the strengthened friendship.

"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters."
- Thomas Jefferson

I just love these ladies as much as I love my job!

Mia, Sheena, Hannah, Danica ...

and Christine ....

Individually we are one drop, but together we are an Ocean!

© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More

CT- Lovely Samboan

While everybody is busy preparing for the most awaited season of the year,

Mama Mia is out in the wild, pretty much busy exploring Genesis.

What a way to spend the Christmas season - exploring lovely Samboan

All thanks to CEBUano Tours, i get to see another side of Cebu.

Yes I know its my job, but who says you can't have fun while working?

It started with a 4 hour drive to the south with my trusty-old jazz, some 5 minute trek and ...

Hello, my little piece of heaven!

"C" for CEBU! - truly an awesome place!

Of course I traveled with the whole team. We met someone new too! Hello Kim and thank you for joining us! ~ I'm pretty sure he had the time of his life, traveling with 5 lovely, uber talkative ladies *wink*

crystal clear waters - something you don't get to see a lot these days

So we go climbing .. and woah

will you look at that!

A beauty to behold in every twist and turn! This multi-faceted waterfalls is a creation beyond comprehension.

For a moment, I was just speechless...

...

But seriously, I can't believe I climbed a waterfall * Mama Mia, the damsel in distress at that time, was assisted by Sir Nic and Noy Jerry *

There's much more than just waterfalls in Samboan.

We also had a glimpse of their Marine Sanctuary.

This shore boasts of a rich biodiversity of corals, fishes and other marine life.

On that particular day, i was obsessed with brittle stars which belongs to the starfish family, i think (not so sure about that x.x)

Our trips are never complete without heritage walks around town

"C" for the CEBUano Tours team! Behind us is a watchtower believed to have been erected during the 1700's.

The view while standing around the town plaza.

An understanding of the natural world and what's in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfillment ~ David Attenborough

Our lovely Samboan expedition ended with such a spectacular view ..

© Mia Huang (All photos are by her unless otherwise stated)

Read More