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)

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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)

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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)

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