This year the Best Cebu Blogs Awards celebrates its 14th year in acknowledging the best Cebu Bloggers and Social Media Influencers in the beautiful island of Cebu. The list of winners was announced via their official Facebook Page and website. This year's edition is supported by our Gold Sponsors namely PLDT Home, Bank of the Philippine Islands, PayMaya and Xiaomi Philippines with Silver Participation of AIA Philippines.

Situated in the northern tip of Cebu, Carnaza Island is another "Visayan Gem" less traveled. This turtle-shaped island deserves our attention especially this Summer. If you read blog articles about it and recommending you to stay at Eco-Park, then you should read this article further as Carnaza Island is not just about the said park. During the long weekend, I was able to visit and experience the amazing Carnaza island together with Cebu Bloggers Society Friends. I gained friends from the Local and explored the "Buhis buhay" tourist spots in the island.

Carnaza Island, Northern Cebu's Unsung Paradise

CBS Bloggers Mark Monta, Lloyd Chua and Etienne Chantal. Laid Back vacation!

Here's the complete vacationers!

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Special note, some photos were taken by Huawei P9 and Oppo F3 but not edited so that viewers cannot set a high expectation during their stay. But trust me when I said that these spots are amazingly instagrammable. Enjoy Carnaza guys!


1. Liog-Liog Beach

Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

FaceCebu Blogger, Mark Monta at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Mark Harolds, IG User at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Lloyd Chua of LloydandBehold at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

Etienne Chantal Codina at Liog-Liog Beach, Carnaza Island, Cebu

2. Donna's Cave - When we visit there, it has no name per the locals so we started  calling it Donna's Cove. Donna is the beautiful little girl who accompanied us to this amazing view which is part of Liog-Liog Beach.

Donna's Cave, Carnaza Island, Cebu

3. Angel's Pool (Mini-Lagoon) - Just like Donna's Cave, we call this Angel's Mini-Lagoon from our local guide, Angel.

Summer has just started at Carnaza! . . . . #FaceCebuTravels#GumagandaAngArawMo#Cebu#WhenInCebu#forumsession#pinoyhunk#pinoyhottie#asianhunk#pool#vscocam #halloween #Summer #asianboy #beach #likesforlikes #Follow4Follow #victorsguild #grammersph #grammerph #sicebu#vscodaily #igers#lifeofadventure #btsarmy#vscocam #vscophile#carnazaisland#angelpool

A post shared by Mark Monta (FaceCebu.net) (@mmonta) on Apr 9, 2018 at 1:49am PDT

Angel's Mini Lagoon, Liog-Liog, Carnaza Island

Come get me bebe. 😘 We christened this as #AngelPool at Liog-liog Cove #Carnaza #Lagoon

A post shared by iAn of Freedom Wall (@freedomwall) on Apr 9, 2018 at 4:21pm PDT

4. Liog-Liog Rock Formation

Panorama View : Liog-Liog Rock Formation, Carnaza Island, Cebu

5. Ka-Ilina Beach

This place deserves a selfie!

With my partner, Timex Chronograph.

6. Skull Cove/Beach

Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Panorama View: Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Cave: Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Skull Cove, Carnaza island, Cebu

Shy pose!

Jump Shot!

Chill!

Ready!

7. La Manok Islet

Bloggers Summah feels!

Feeling grateful to experience one of the best islands I’ve ever been. To the destination with tons of destinations: CARNAZA “Carnasâ” ISLAND. #summer2018 #grammerph #cebu . 📸: @deeannjelly

A post shared by Lloyd Chua (@lloydandbehold) on Apr 8, 2018 at 8:44pm PDT

Hottie Etienne and Mark!

My usual Pose! Sorry!

Side view!

Itoma na nako wew. 📸: @lloydandbehold

A post shared by etienne chantal codina (@etiennechantal) on Apr 8, 2018 at 10:03pm PDT

8. Dakit-Dakit Islet

It was fun swimming in the beach and lying on the sand, but it was also another experience to just stand still, watch & listen to the waves crash. Alternate caption: Rly thinking bout that burger I’ve been craving for since yesterday :((( Hahaha. Carnaza, you’ve been nothing short of amazing. Til the next! 😌 pc: @lloydandbehold

A post shared by etienne chantal codina (@etiennechantal) on Apr 9, 2018 at 6:53pm PDT

Dakit-Dakit Islet

My Friend Dian in her pa-andar pose! LOL

Flex it beach!

Ready!

Splash!

One of the reasons that keeps me traveling are these spectacular sunsets. I already mentioned Carnaza Island is one of the best islands I’ve been in. This right here is the Dakit-dakit Island. . #Live2Wander #TrueWanderer #WranglerPh #summer2018 #grammerph #cebu

A post shared by Lloyd Chua (@lloydandbehold) on Apr 9, 2018 at 7:11pm PDT

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April 07 (Saturday)

05:30 AM : Take the first trip of Ceres Bus to Maya ( Fare: PHP 219) If you come from any part of Cebu, take a cab or jeep going to North Bus Terminal of Mandaue City.

10:00 AM : Arrival in Tapilon Port

10:30 AM : Boat to Carnaza Island ( Fare: PHP 200 )

2:00 PM :  Late Lunch (Contact Councilor Gigi Camino to get a cheap yet affordable Carenderia in the Island. Budget: PHP 100-150)

3:00 -5:00 PM : Tent set-up at Ka-Ilina Beach ( Space Payment : PHP 100/head)

5:00 -6:00 PM : Siesta time and Beaching.

First Day Expenses: PHP 619.00

Dakit-Dakit Islet, Carnaza Island, Cebu

April 08 (Sunday)

7:00 - 8:00 AM : Breakfast ( Go to Psalms Restaurant for a fast yet affordable breakfast. PHP 100.00)

10:00 - 12 Noon : Carnaza Island Tour ( Motorcycles are available everywhere with a fare of PHP 300, you can tour three different spots in the island which includes Liog-Liog Beach, Skull Cove and Ka-Ilina. But if you're staying at Ka-Ilina, then you can just pay PHP 250 for a motor ride. )

12:30 PM: Lunch at Psalms Restaurant (PHP 150)

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Island hopping ( Book a boat for a group of 6 (PHP 1, 700) and Hop to La Manok islet and Dakit-Dakit. This means PHP 285 each person)

Second Day Expenses : PHP 785.00

Barrio!

April 09 (Monday)

6:30 - 7:30 AM : Breakfast ( Go to Psalms Restaurant for a fast yet affordable breakfast. PHP 100.00)

08:00 AM  : Book a Boat for your group (6-7 people) to Tapilon Port ( Fare should be PHP 2000 which means 285-300 each person)

11:30 AM : Arrival in Tapilon Port

11:45 AM - 12 Noon : Take a Tricycle to Daan Bantayan Bus Terminal (Fare: 12.00)

12:15 PM : Lunch Time ( Go to Sto. Nino Carenderia. PHP 50-100)

1:00 PM : Bus to Cebu City ( Fare: PHP 219.00)

Third Day Expenses: PHP 681.00

TOTAL EXPENSES:   PHP 2,085.00

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CONTACT : For your needs such as where to stay, food, drinks, hot water, boat for island hopping and others, please contact our new found friend, Councilor Rego "Gigi" Camino at 0918-547-5143.

TIPS:

1. On your first day, take the first trip from North Bus Terminal To Maya (6:00 AM is the best and ideal time to travel)
2. If you travel alone, wait for more passengers at Tapilon Port for a cheaper fare. Also, while waiting, you can grab a lunch at any Carenderia in the area.
3. Ask for a big plastic bag from the Boat operator so that you can secure your personal belongings or bags inside it.
4. While taking the boat to Carnaza island, better choose the rare part (near the driver/operator) so that you will not/less wet your things or yourself. 
5. Upon Arrival, look for Councilor Gigi and asked to arrange a place at Ka-Ilina Beach. Note, it will just cost you PHP 100 per person for three days and two nights stay at beach front. 
6. For Breakfast and Lunch, you can go to Psalms Restaurant (across a non-Catholic Church and near Ka-Ilina Beach). Their menu is cheap and they can cook fast. 
7. For Dinner, contact Councilor Gigi and asked to arrange a dinner with his sister-in-law who has a mini-carenderia.
8. There is a solar electricity in the island so it is best for travelers to bring Power Bank and Flash lights during the stay. But in the morning, you can go to Psalms Restaurant to charge your electronics gadgets while eating. In addition, the owner who is a pastor is very friendly that you can take a shower in just PHP 25.00 and use their bathroom for free.
9. During your Motor Island Tour, do not include ka-Ilina in your itinerary and choose only Skull Cove and Liog-Liog Beach for just PHP 250. But if you have a partner, you will just pay PHP 125 each in one trip of motor ride.
10. During Motor Island tour, spend more time at Liog-Liog Beach as it has all the instagrammable spots that Carnaza Island can offer.
11. During your visit at Skull Cove, you can take a dip with friends there after visiting the famous Cave with skulls and other scary stuff.
12. During Island Hopping, look for Councilor Gigi or look for locals boaters who can give at least PHP 1,700 fare for La Manok and Dakit-Dakit Islets.
13. During your quick visit at La Manok, don't forget to take a swim and take a lot of shots. The islet is beautiful.
14. During your quick visit at Dakit-Dakit Islet, make sure to watch your steps because there is a number of "Walo-Walo" or Sea snakes which are dangerous. But the place is not scary. In fact, it is good for Pre-nup photoshoots.
15. For Sunset shots, you can stay at Ka-Ilina and grab your cameras.
16. Do not travel alone, better with partner or the more the merrier. And this means, cheaper expenses.
17. Lastly, do not book a tent at Eco-Park, not worth it. Most people who stayed at Eco-Park have expressed their "WOWs" at Ka-Ilina Beach. So, you know what to do.
18. For Data Connection, Smart and Sun are intermittent but during midnight and early morning, 4G is available at Ka-Ilina Beach.
19. Enjoy Carnaza Island!

It's a beautiful world. . . 📸@mmonta

A post shared by Dee Gelz (@deeannjelly) on Apr 8, 2018 at 10:16pm PDT

Having a 10-year relationship with someone means a lot to us. It carved something special to our heart and it gave wonderful experiences in our life. I know there is no perfect relationship, sometimes you failed your partner's expectations and sometimes your partner commit mistakes. But at the end, you never give up on each other. This is what I experience with my unique relationship with Cebu Bloggers Society. After all, this premier Blogging organization in Cebu was born on a love month, February 14, 2008, specifically. And on March 3, our grandest appreciation event will be held at Cebu Parklane International Hotel on a formal Gala night. Exciting my loves!

Cebu Bloggers Society celebrates 10th Anniversary at Cebu Parklane International Hotel for their Gala Night.

CBS at 10 Sponsors and Partners

In this very special article, I am featuring my friends and members of Cebu Bloggers Society who made it up to this year. Indeed, it was a rocky ride but we made it through the rain. I'm sure with these pillars, CBS will live long. So I asked them, "Why did you choose to remain as a CBS member for 10 years?"

Xerxes Bernadez, a member of CBS for 10 years

Xerxes Aaron Bernadez of obnoxiousqueer.com


"So easy. I'm part of the core formation group in its infancy until it has become the premier blogging organization of the South up to this very day. It's hard to let go when you found a lot of friends sharing the same passion, blogging. This group which serves as my family is unbeatable and has been tested through time. It's so far my "longest" relationship than any partner. :)  "

Agnez Jimenez and her family. Agnes has been with CBS for 10 years already.

Agnes Jimenez of empressofdrac.com


"I stay loyal to CBS because it helped me further my career in freelancing. I learned a lot of things in the organization when I was still an active member and I am forever grateful. I hope it will continue its reign as Cebu’s premiere blogging group and will continue to help more people better their lives and career through blogging."

Gerrymie Tampus, a 10 year member of CBS

Gerrymie Tampus of cebucityfied.com

"As one of the fortifying bloggers in CBS' infancy years, it's each member's commitment that'll foster of what is CBS now. I'm committed to stay and help, as the organization grows, we, members are also part of it."

Sinjin Pineda, CBS president

Sinjin Pineda of Sinjin.PH

"10 years after, why am I still a member of the Cebu Bloggers Society? I joined in August 2008 as a shy high school graduate that was new to blogging and wanted to be with like-minded individuals. Indeed, the group, especially the pioneering members, helped me out, and together we faced the obstacles that challenged us, given that it was a new form of media and self-expression. But as the days passed, this organization became family. I grew up with CBS and the group has helped me step out of my comfort zone and achieve personal milestones. From someone who was shy and reluctant, I have developed renewed confidence, as my role for the group continues to grow. Today, the Cebu Bloggers Society remains to be the most trusted and this is reflected by the members' confidence in CBS as the premier blogging organization in Cebu. Padayon, CBS!"

Atty. Ethelbert Ouano, CBS legal adviser

Atty. Ethelbert Ouano of NindotKaayo.com

"Cebu Bloggers Society believes in the sets of principles that I personally subscribed to as essential values in developing the blogging and content creation community in Cebu. Making a choice directly stemming from what is truly important is always easier since CBS and I hold the same core beliefs. It is through the organization I am able to capably contribute to the promotion of Cebu and its lifestyle. CBS has effectively produced top notch bloggers as harbingers of the good life in Cebu."








The success of CBS is nothing without its members. And of course, new members have contributed a lot to the organization too. Do you want to know their inputs? I shot them one question, "As a new member of Cebu's premier blogging organization, Cebu Bloggers Society, what have you learned so far from the group?"

CBS New Member and Vice-President, Margaux Camaya

Margaux Camaya of www.thevisualtraveler.net

" Getting to know like-minded individuals helped me improve my blogging skills. it also introduced me to the world of Cebu Events and Entertainment which I never knew existed even after living in the Island for the past 10 years. It's not all fun and games. There are deadlines to meet. Commitments to fulfill. Research to be made. These are the things that resonated when I joined CBS."

CBS treasurer, Lyssa Amor

Lyssa Amor of lyssaamorblog.wordpress.com

"My membership application to Cebu Bloggers Society has approved February of 2016. I was blogging for 8 months already that time but it was nothing compared to others who are in the industry for 8 years. I am so grateful that they accepted me despite the lack of experience. I learned a lot from them, and for the first time in a long time, I felt that I belong. It’s good to surround yourself with people with the same interest and goals. I learned so much about blogging technically with the free workshops that the organization provide, and from the experiences as part of the organization. I also learned about friendship, not just having fun but deep relationships with my co-bloggers from CBS, I know I can count on them. I love this family, and I am so happy to be here now to celebrate its 10th year anniversary. Congratulations to the founder, Mark Monta and to the people who are here since 2008."

Facebook Sensation and CBS member, Neil Jed Castro

Neil Jed Castro 


"I have learned that there’s real beauty in diversity. I mean we have different personalities and we tackle different niche, but all together we create difference and change. And I think that is really beautiful."

Best Cebu Style Blogger of 2016, Lloyd Chua

Lloyd Chua of LloydandBehold.com

"I had doubts before applying to any blogging organization before because I want to start my blog from scratch but I was encouraged to join by Libotero (now Sinjin.Life) 😂. So I said, “Why not?” Now, I don’t regret that 2-year-old decision. There may be issues, frenemies, and misunderstandings (a thing that blogging/ influencer world will never run out of) but there are also to be gained and acquired best friends and connections. I wouldn’t have met my Besties (Guada, Mark, Lyssa), BIBES and Beshie Etienne. It would be a lie if I say my blog did not grow bounds because of Cebu Bloggers Society and I’m eternally happy and thankful for that. So, cheers for the AUTHENTIC 10 years of the premiere blogging organization: Cebu Bloggers Society! #CBSForever"

Kerr Quevedo, New CBS Member

Kerr Quevedo
of withkerr.wordpress.com


" Being with CBS is a continuous learning experience but something that stood out for me was I learned to co-exist with people who share the same craft as me - who, in their own ways, better themselves with each and every output they produce. There will come a stage where you would look at it as a competition on who gets a spot on this event or who gets invited by this PR or who's better at this particular niche. But, in the end, it will not always about that. I learned that I am a member of CBS because I love the craft of blogging and not the act of competing against one another. Because of that, I came to appreciate the people who love it just as I do. I learned to share what I know and the best reward is that I learned from other bloggers, too. "

Best Cebu Photo Blogger of 2017, Glister Del Socorro

Glister Del Socorro of chasingpotatoes.com


"I am honored and proud to be one of the members of Cebu Bloggers Society. In this group, I am able to expand my connections and widen my horizons. I have been exposed to the things that are out of my comfort zone. With that, I am able to express myself in an artistic way and share my passion and knowledge creatively very much better than before. I am truly grateful to be part of this group."

Best Cebu Food Blogger of 2016, Mimi Gonzales

Mimi Gonzales of chasingbleu.net

"I've been with the group for some time now, and I've built not just my blog, but friendship among other members as well. I've learned how to grow my blog and establish good blogging practices. I've had the opportunity to attend events that were also contributing to my blog's audience. I couldn't be more grateful for this family who has given me no less than love and support in my every endeavor. Viva CBS!"











Overall, I still believe that when we work together, we can do everything and we can overcome every obstacle. I hope that the old members will still support the organization in every strength and intellect they have. And I believe that new members can still show their leadership and talent to the organizations which for sure help them nurture to a better person. I'm so happy of what I built out of love and I wish for a better Cebu Bloggers Society in the future.

Mark Monta, Cebu Bloggers Society Founder. instagram.com/mmonta

- - Cebu Bloggers Society 10th Anniversary Press Release - - 

The last ten years have been a long rollercoaster ride full of ups, downs and in-betweens for the Cebu Bloggers Society. Those years were filled with memories, challenges, learnings, and growth. As CBS marked its 10th anniversary last February 14, we will be celebrating such a wonderful feat this Saturday, March 3 at the Cebu Bloggers Society 10th Anniversary Gala Night.. This event will be our largest event yet, and this wouldn't be possible without the support of our members, and the brands, PR agencies, companies and everyone who continued to trust and believe in the Cebu Bloggers Society.

Co-Presenters

The Cebu Bloggers Society 10th Anniversary Gala Night is co-presented by Cebu Parklane International Hotel, our official venue partner, AirAsia, our official airline partner, SkyWaterpark Cebu, our official waterpark partner, and Oppo, our official smartphone partner. Have some cravings? You can now order your food and groceries online with https://www.honestbee.ph/en/. Just download the app and have them delivered at your doorstep.

 

Patron

We thank our patron sponsor, BigSEED PR and Events for introducing the Cebu Bloggers Society to their partner brands.

Gold Sponsors

Megaworld, the country's leading real estate developer and No. 1 business process and outsourcing (BPO) office developer and landlord in the Philippines PLDT Home, home’s most powerful broadband Ayala Center Cebu, the premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination in the South

Silver Sponsors

McDonald's

Bronze Sponsors

Starbucks Havaianas This event is powered by Smart. For more updates on the CBS 10th Anniversary Gala Night, check out our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , using the official hashtag, #CBSat10.