Local Information

VENUE

The 22nd Conference of the Oriental COCOSDA will be held at the Michael Richartz Center Hall, University of San Carlos (Talamban Campus), Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City, Philippines:

The University of San Carlos (USC or colloquially shortened to San Carlos) is a private Catholic research university in Cebu City, Philippines which is administered by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionaries since 1935. It has five campuses and is one of the oldest universities in Asia - first established in 1595 as Colegio de san Ildefonso.


CEBU

Cebu is an island province situated in the heart of the Philippines, with Cebu City being one of the highly urbanized cities in the country. Also known as the “Queen City of the South”, Cebu City is the center for trade and commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao (2 of the 3 main island groups in the Philippines).

Having a major city, Cebu is not only about fascinating infrastructures and businesses sprouting everywhere and the merry-makings at night, it also brags wonderful sites - both man-made and natural. There are many waterfalls and springs in Cebu you can visit if you want to get away from the bustling city and the mundane life we’re experiencing.  Many resorts, white sandy beaches and islets are scattered around the island.  Cebu also has beautiful and warm people who will welcome you and introduce you to delicious Filipino cuisines and delicacies.

Language
Filipinos are known to be multilingual and fluent English speakers.  Cebuano, Filipino, and English are mainly used in Cebu.

Currency
The official currency of the country is the Philippine Peso.  1 US Dollar = 53 Philippine Peso.

Electricity
The power sockets are of type A (USA). The standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

Weather
The Philippines is situated in the tropical zone and has 2 seasons, the wet or the rainy season and the dry or the summer season.  October is the end of the rainy season and the temperature is between 22 and 29 degrees Celsius.

Local Transportation
Cebu City is accessible via air through the Mactan–Cebu International Airport (website: link), which is located in Lapu-Lapu City (30 minutes away from Cebu City).  Upon arrival, the following are available transportation options to Cebu City:
In the city, transportation is provided by jeepneys, buses and taxis.

Route from the airport to the venue:


ACCOMMODATION
Several hotels are available for the attendees (n.b., some hotels require a minimum deposit during check-in).

4 stars
3 stars
5-star beach resorts in Mactan island
Map of nearby hotels:


GOLF

TOURIST SITES
  • Ayala Center Cebu. Located inside Cebu Business Park Complex, Ayala Center is a large mall visited by tens of thousands daily.
  • SM City Cebu. A seven-level complex with 8 cinemas including one IMAX theater.
  • SM Seaside Cebu. Located away from the city overlooking the sea, SM Seaside is the 3rd largest shopping mall in the Philippines.
  • Basilica del Santo Nino. Catholic church dating to the 1500s, rebuilt in the 1700s, known for its statue of Jesus as a child.
  • Temple of Leah. Built in 2012, this elaborate Roman-style temple is dedicated to Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.
  • Taoist Temple. Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision. The temple was built by Cebu’s Chinese community in 1972.
  • Museo Sugbo. It is the Cebu Provincial Museum located in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, four blocks from Plaza Independencia.
  • Fort San Pedro. Fuerte de San Pedro is a military defense structure in Cebu, built by the Spanish during the colonial period under the command of Miguel López de Legazpi, first governor of the Captaincy General of the Philippines.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

For invitation letters and inquiry on local information, contact Glenn Pepito at gbpepito@usc.edu.ph or through +(63)(32) 2300-100 local 158.
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