Miguu Expeditions entices Cebuanos to an African Safari

CEBU CITY -- Miguu Expeditions – Africa, a Tanzania-based safari company founded by Filipino and Tanzanian partners, Gordon Alan Joseph and Charles Mpanda borne out of a passion for adventure and photography, is a premier provider of safari adventures, enticing Filipinos, especially Cebuanos to a new appetite for unique travel adventures in Africa.

“This is the first time a Cebuano or a Filipinos invested in Tanzania, especially in the safari business. It all came from a love for adventure travel and a love for photography. if you're a photographer or even an Instagram photographer, you will love coming to some of the most one of the most beautiful places.  Love for nature, love for adventure, love for photography, and fall in love with Africa,” said Joseph at a side interview during the 3-day Cebu Travel Catalogue International expo, February 13-15 at Ayala Center Cebu.

According to Charles Mpanda, Miguu offers fun safari adventures that go beyond travel.  Miguu, in Swahili means “Feet” or “Steps” serving as a reminder that every great story starts when your feet touch the earth. It also means “Friends” in the Philippines, reflecting the bond that started the company—a connection to the Philippines.

The partnership started when Safari Expert Charles Mpanda met Dondi and Corinne Joseph-an adventurous. photography-loving couple-during a 2018 safari in the Serengeti.  Their friendship grew through years of safaris and shared photography. even through the pandemic, leading to the creation of Miguu Expeditions Ltd in 2023.

The team began curating experiences that go beyond simple travel by connecting guests to wildlife, culture, and purpose because Miguu focuses on supporting local communities across Tanzania, placing people at the heart of every fun-filled expedition.

Miguu wants to share the wonder of the ultimate safari experience with fellow Filipinos. In addition to Tanzania, Miguu now offers safaris and adventure trips in Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and Mongolia.

Explore exclusive 2026 and 2027 safari packages with Miguu Expeditions and learn about the annual Great Migration, the largest and most spectacular wildlife spectacle in the natural world. The Great Migration happens exclusively in the Serengeti in Tanzania. The Serengeti has been crowned the World’s Leading Safari Destination at the World Travel Awards 2025 (WTA) for the 5th time in a row.

Miguu offer various tour packages, including a seven-day safari for $3,000 and a 10-day package for $5,800, both excluding international airfare. The company specializes in personalized safaris, emphasizing small group sizes and high-quality photography opportunities.

Joseph highlighted the great migration in Tanzania, particularly the crossing of the Mara River in August and September. The company also organizes lodges and owns specialized safari vehicles, catering to a growing market with over a million annual visitors in Tanzania.

Mpanda mentioned that Miguu showcases the founders’ passion for photography and the desire to share these experiences with others.  The goal is to encourage people to choose nature and safari experiences over city travel, highlighting the unique and enriching experience of being in nature.

Joseph described the great migration in Tanzania, which involves two million wildebeests and zebras moving from the south to the north, with significant events like crossing rivers.  He detailed the different tour packages available, including a seven-day safari package for $3000 and a special package for the major crossing of the Mara River for $5800.

“The high season for the migration is August and September, which is reflected in the higher prices during these months. We organize tour packages with smaller groups, ideally 4-16 people to ensure a personalized and comfortable experience,” Joseph said.

He also mentioned the different levels of safari lodges and camps, from mobile camps to more luxurious options.  The company aims to provide a curated travel experience, with a focus on personalized service and small group sizes.

Mpanda, one of Tanzanias most respected safari specialists and wildlife guides, brings years of experience guiding travelers across the stunning national parks in Africa and Tanzania to ensure authentic and safe wildlife encounters. (Photos: MBCNewman)

Cebu Province inks MOA for medical scholarship, medicine residency training program

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Provincial Government with governor Pamela Baricuatro signed two landmark memorandum of agreements (MOAs) with the Cebu Normal University (CNU) in consortium with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) to establish the Provincial Medical Scholarship Program and a Practice-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Program that aims to build a sustainable and community-centered medical workforce across Capitol-run hospitals in Cebu.

“The agreements establish the forming a two-pronged strategy to produce new doctors while upgrading the competencies of those already serving in government hospitals.  For example, a student supported for four years will serve eight years in provincial public health offices or Capitol-run hospitals upon passing the Physician Licensure Examination,” Capitol Public Health Consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan told media during the Ato Ang Sugbo, Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Night” held on February 13, at the Capitol.

Dr. Catalan said that beginning academic year 2026–2027, the Provincial Government will fund additional scholarship slots, covering full tuition and other academic fees to expand scholarship opportunities for qualified but financially disadvantaged Cebuano medical students.

“The scholars will render two years of return service in Cebu Province for every year of scholarship received,” Catalan bared, adding that this is a strategic move to address physician shortages and reinforce hospital-based healthcare services for Cebu Province.

The Province will provide funding, assist in screening applicants, and coordinate return-service deployment. The academic consortium (CNU-VSMMC) will select scholars and monitor their academic performance.

The program directly addresses the long-standing challenge of physician distribution, particularly in geographically distant municipalities and underserved areas, while creating a structured pipeline of doctors committed to serving Cebu, Catalan added.

Residency Training for Provincial Doctors

The second MOA establishes a Practice-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Program for doctors assigned to Cebu Province’s provincial and district hospitals.  Accredited by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians and implemented by Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center with oversight from the Department of Health Region VII, the program allows provincial doctors to undergo structured residency training while continuing hospital service, Dr. Catalan explained.

The training includes lectures, supervised clinical work, case discussions, and regular evaluations.   Governor Baricuatro said the Province will maintain salaries and benefits for participating physicians while ensuring compliance with training standards. VSMMC will design and oversee the curriculum.

Dr. Catalan noted that the program is designed to strengthen primary care capacity, improve chronic disease management, and bring specialist-level primary care expertise closer to communities, particularly in rural and island municipalities.

“This is a long-term investment in health system sustainability.  We are strengthening our pipeline of future physicians while upgrading the competencies of doctors already on the ground, ensuring that quality care is available across all levels of our provincial hospital network,” Dr. Catalan emphasized.

According to Catalan, the twin initiatives signal the Cebu Provincial Government’s commitment to institutionalizing durable solutions to physician shortages and improving service delivery across Cebu’s healthcare system.

With these agreements, Dr. Catalan said that Cebu Province adopts a comprehensive human resource development strategy, producing future doctors through scholarship support while simultaneously elevating the expertise of those already serving in government hospitals. (Photos: Google Images)

 

 

 

 

 

DSWD-7 launches Safer Internet Campaign 2026

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7(DSWD FO7) launched the “Safer Internet Campaign 2026” highlighting responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on February 9 at the weekly Convocation program at the office.

“DSWD-7 is actively monitoring and responding to reports of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the proliferation of Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). We continue to reinforce laws and intensify efforts to combat these issues. We also encourage parents to take an active role as the first protectors of their children in ensuring the safe and responsible use of the internet,” said DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Lucero.

Lucero said that the office continues to strengthen the implementation of laws and policies that promote the responsible use of the internet to ensure the safety and protection of children in Central Visayas.  She emphasized the critical role of parents as the primary guardians in protecting their children from online dangers.

Lucero bared that Proclamation No. 417, s. 2018 declares the second Tuesday of February of every year as Safer Internet Day for Children in the Philippines. DSWD serves as the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Violence Against Women and Their Children (IACAT-VAWC-7) and as the chairperson of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC).

DSWD-7 Children Sector Focal Person Ligaya Dael said that month-long campaign highlights the importance of promoting a safer digital environment for children and strengthening awareness of online protection mechanisms with a series of webinar sessions on internet safety for children until February 26, which is the culmination of the campaign. (Photos: DSWD7/FB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baricuatro strengthens comprehensive healthcare systems for Cebu

CEBU CITY – Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro advances and strengthens a comprehensive healthcare system for Cebu for a quality, accessible and compassionate care reaching even the most remote communities.

“Our goal is simple: no Cebuano should be left behind when it comes to health.  We are building a system that delivers care where people live, especially in areas that have long been underserved,” Baricuatro said.

The governor recognized that is both deeply personal and a vital public responsibility hence, must be prioritized and upgraded especially the district hospitals and rural health units across the province.  These improvements include enhanced medical equipment, expanded service capacity, and better support for frontline health workers ensuring that families no longer need to travel far for essential treatment.

She also strengthened access to affordable medicines, maternal and child care, and mental health services, areas that saw growing demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs now focus not only on treatment, but on prevention, early detection, and community-based wellness initiatives shaped by lessons learned during the global health crisis.

For residents like Maria L., a mother from a coastal barangay in northern Cebu, the improvements are already life-changing. During her recent pregnancy, she was able to receive regular prenatal checkups at her local rural health unit services that previously required hours of travel.

“Before, we had to borrow money just to go to the city for checkups.  Now the care is here. I felt safer knowing someone was looking after me and my baby,” she shared.

Similarly, expanded mental health consultations have begun reaching young people and workers seeking support closer to home, reflecting the administration’s commitment to treating health holistically.

Baricuatro emphasized that strengthening healthcare is not just about infrastructure, but about restoring trust and dignity in public service.

“The pandemic taught us that resilience begins with a strong health system.  We are turning those lessons into lasting policies investing in facilities, people, and programs that will protect Cebu for generations,” the governor noted.

Through sustained investments, community partnerships, and patient-centered policies, Baricuatro is working to ensure that healthcare in Cebu is not only more responsive but more humane, inclusive, and within reach of every Cebuano. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

Baricuatro strengthens grassroots presence, inclusive governance

CEBU CITY – Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro champions an approach to leadership anchored on inclusivity, accessibility, and constant engagement with communities, ensuring that governance is shaped not from offices, but from the lived realities of Cebuanos across the province.

“Inclusive governance means listening first before acting.  The best policies come from the voices of our farmers, fisherfolk, women, youth, and grassroots sectors who understand their communities better than anyone else,” said Baricuatro, in one of her press conferences at Capitol.

The governor has since made it a priority to regularly visit far-flung barangays, island municipalities, and geographically isolated areas, bringing her presence on the ground allowing her to personally assess local conditions, respond to immediate concerns, and build direct relationships with community leaders and residents.

She bared that through listening tours, consultations, and community dialogues, she has institutionalized a participatory approach to policymaking to ensure that programs are based on real needs rather than assumptions.

These engagements have helped shape initiatives on livelihood support, disaster preparedness, access to basic services, and local economic development, she added and local stakeholders have welcomed the governor’s presence, noting that her visits signal a leadership style that values consultation over top-down directives.

“Makita gyud namo nga ang gobernador maminaw ug motubag sa among panginahanglan. Dili lang siya moanhi para sa seremonya—moanhi siya aron makig-istorya ug masabtan ang sitwasyon.” (We have seen that the governor listens and answers to our needs. She does not only come here for the ceremony, but she comes to really talk to us and understand our situation.) shared one community leader during a recent island consultation.

Baricuatro emphasized that inclusive governance is essential to building trust in public institutions and ensuring that development reaches every corner of Cebu.  “Our goal is simple: no community should feel forgotten.  When government is present at the grassroots, solutions become more responsive, more humane, and more sustainable,” she added.

The governor said that her administration continues to position participation, transparency, and community partnership at the heart of provincial leadership—strengthening a model of governance where every Cebuano has a voice in shaping the province’s future. (Photos: Capitol PIO/Pam Baricuatro-FB)

DOT-7: Cebu’s tourism sector continues to grow, rather than a restart

CEBU CITY—The Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region VII bared that Cebu’s tourism sector is thriving, with significant passenger numbers and new international routes, indicating continuous growth rather than a restart, emphasizing the industry’s
resilience.

“I commend the Cebu Travel Catalogue International, the reunion aspect of the event and the collective experience and contributions of the industry professionals present with their resilience through various seasons and disruptions.  The event is a space where Cebu's strengths in connections, creativity, and confidence are showcased,” said DOT-7 regional director, Gelena Asis-Dimpas, in her message at the opening of the Cebu Travel Catalogue International (CTCI) 2026, February 13 at the Ayala Center Mall Cebu.

More than 80 exhibitors composed of travel agencies, airline companies, hotels and resorts, travel and tour operators and banks gathered at the Center Stage of Ayala Mall Cebu for the 3-day, February 13-15 Cebu Travel Catalogue International (CTCI) 2026, celebrating 10 years of endless journeys under the theme, “Wander Beyond Borders.”

CTCI 2026 chair and Cebu Travel & Tours Association (CTTA) Vice-president, Angelita Dy shared that over the past decade, CTCI has evolved from a regional travel showcase into a trusted industry platform. It continues to connect businesses and travelers to their dream destinations, while strengthening Cebu’s presence in both local and international tourism networks.

“Now that we have reached ten years of Endless Journeys, we reaffirm our commitment to building global connections. We believe travel experiences should go beyond borders.  CTCI 2026 is open to the public at Ayala Center Cebu while industry stakeholders and travelers continue shaping the future of travel. As the world comes closer, the journey continues,” Dy said.

Dimpas on the other hand, went on to emphasize the importance of valuing both outbound and inbound travel movements, highlighting the role of travel agencies in navigating shifting preferences and new destinations.  Outbound travels keep Cebuanos present and expose travelers to new cultures and inspirations.

She highlighted the role of travel agencies and tour operators in guiding families, first-timers, returning OFWs, and young people choosing tourism as a field of study, Dimpas mentioned the increasing number of students enrolling in tourism courses, indicating a positive outlook for the future of the industry.

“Inbound travel uplifts communities, sustain jobs, support local businesses, and diversify the tourism portfolio.  The full support of the province and local government units, including the mayor, in hosting the ASEAN tourism forum and the Philippine tourism travel expo, reflects on the positive momentum and strong confidence seen in the 1.3 million passengers MCIA handled in January 2026, a significant increase from previous years,” Dimpas noted.

The launch of the Cebu MICE manual and the Philippine MICE manual at various events is a sign of growth and expansion and encourages travel agencies to strengthen ties with partners abroad to ensure Cebu remains competitive and visible in the global tourism landscape, Dimpas added.

The challenges and opportunities in tourism depend on how to navigate shifts and weather changes but the sector is still optimistic about the positive figures and expanding routes, the importance of travel agencies in maintaining connections and ensuring Cebu's presence in global conversations, Dimpas reiterated the role of travel agencies in partnering with agents abroad and keeping the region competitive and compelling.

“Book your flight now and be ambassadors of Cebu and the many reasons why visitors should come to the islands of Cebu, Bohol and the many islands in the Philippines,” Dimpas concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

Baricuatro advances crisis leadership, disaster readiness to protect Cebu communities

CEBU CITY – Cebu governor Pamela Baricuaro pushes for crisis leadership reinforcing a governance approach centered on preparedness, rapid response, and coordinated action ensuring that every Cebuano is protected before, during, and after disasters.

Baricuatro placed disaster readiness at the core of provincial leadership, shifting from reactive emergency measures to a proactive, data-driven strategy designed to minimize risk, safeguard lives, and accelerate recovery.

“Our duty is to make sure Cebu is ready not only to withstand crises, but to emerge stronger from them,” Baricuatro said, adding that disaster preparedness is ultimately about protecting livelihoods, sustaining economic activity, and ensuring that families can recover quickly and with dignity.

As climate risks intensify across the region, Cebu Province continues to strengthen its systems, partnerships, and leadership to safeguard communities and build a culture of preparedness that endures beyond any single storm as Cebu continues to face the realities of stronger typhoons and floods.

“Disasters should never catch us unprepared. Our responsibility is to anticipate, act early, and stand with our communities every step of the way,” the governor said.

Baricuatro has directed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to strengthen its use of real-time weather intelligence, hazard mapping, and predictive data analysis to guide early warnings and pre-emptive evacuations in high-risk areas.

She bared that local governments are now equipped with clearer protocols, faster information flows, and synchronized response systems ensuring that decisions are made based on science, not urgency alone.  This shift enables Cebu to move critical resources ahead of landfall, reduce exposure in vulnerable communities, and avoid the delays that historically complicated disaster response.

The governor has prioritized seamless coordination among LGUs, national agencies, and uniformed services, creating an integrated response network that activates even before severe weather hits.  Joint planning and regular inter-agency simulations now align provincial teams with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, and national disaster authorities allowing rescue, relief, and clearing operations to begin immediately when needed.

“The goal is simple: no duplication, no confusion, just unified action.” Baricuatro maintained a hands-on presence during severe weather events, personally overseeing emergency operations, monitoring evacuation readiness, and ensuring that frontline responders receive the logistical support required to act swiftly.

Political observers said that her leadership model emphasizes clarity, calm decision-making, and direct engagement with affected communities strengthening public confidence during uncertain moments.

Beyond emergency response, the provincial government is investing in long-term resilience measures, including strengthened early warning systems across municipalities; pre-positioning of relief supplies and emergency equipment; Climate-resilient infrastructure planning in coordination with national agencies; capacity-building programs for barangay-level disaster response teams and continuous risk assessment to guide land-use and development decisions.

These initiatives aim not only to respond to disasters but to reduce their impact over time as climate patterns evolve for a safer, more prepared Cebu. (Photos: Capitol PIO)