Country > Philippines > Cebu > Cebu City
Date > 2014 > Jan
Activity > Peoplescape | Yoga

Jan 1, 2014

Fab People: Vaibhav Rana (Veer)

Location: Cebu City, Philippines

Background
I first heard of Veer as a man schooled in Pranayama - the esoteric process of manipulating the subtle life-force of this universe by regulating the breath. Having experienced the Superman-Effect through a half-day of doing pranayama a few years earlier on my own, I've always been curious what it's like to learn this ancient art from a qualified teacher. I searched for Veer until I started attending his yoga workshops back in 2012. I've only attended 2 of his workshops before I left Cebu, but I knew I wanted him to be one of my teachers. Now that I'm back in Cebu after a year of absence, I am only grateful that he has taken me again under his fold.

The Man
Vaibhav Rana (Veer) is close to being a renaissance man - EFR Rescue Scuba Diver trainer, ex-commercial flight instructor, Red Cross certified Safety instructor, mountaineer, marketing man, fitness coach and yogi. He has several degrees and excels in just about everything he dips his fingers on. As a highly intelligent man, he can articulate his broad knowledge-base from the countless books he has devoured. He has schooled himself in many aspects of yoga - asana, pranayama, bandha, mudra, philosophy, history, etc. What he read, he practiced. His knowledge is equaled by his proficiency in the practice. He is strong - in physical strength, in his conviction, in his discipline and with his sheer presence. When he starts talking at the start of a yoga session, he doesn't stop. He keeps talking. But every word he utters is golden - you couldn't dump anything away. You only hope that you remember all the adages, techniques, tips and information he throws at you.

Controversial
Here in Cebu where he resides, he has become a controversial figure - like him or hate him. You can't stay in the middle. He is admired for his wealth of knowledge (he is practically a walking encyclopedia), his high-level practice and his take-it-to-the-limit style of teaching (which particularly appeals to me). In Cebu's culture of gentle persuasion, he could be too much. His detractors find his off-the-cuff remarks, misplaced. His mattter-of-factly bashing of things that don't make sense to him and his aggressive style of teaching (different strokes for different folks) come on too strong for the local culture's genteel demeanor - Cebuanos are cariñoso (warmly affectionate) by nature. Take it or leave it - he makes no apologies for his uniqueness.

No Sugar-Coating
In this day-and-age of politically-correct posturing, he comes as a fresh sigh of relief. When you ask him a question, he won't give you a 'safe answer'. He'll say it like it is. You don't have to read between the lines. If shit hits the fan, then so be it. I would liken him to the rare individual who say, "the emperor has no clothes". You may not necessarily agree to what he has to say, but you have to give him credit for raw grit and honesty.

Teaching Style
He's the equivalent of a drill sergeant. He'll push you to your limit to bring out the best in you. You'll be humbled at the many things you couldn't do, but you'll feel progress after every session. Your growth is exponential. I never felt that it was about his ego (despite how a few may perceive him). And yes, he's not for everyone. Either you hang on to him or leave in search of a gentler progression. If you are looking for a 'Yang' teacher, you can end your search with him.

Expendability
Veer teaches with planned-expendability but he'll teach you everything you need to know - he is generous. When you have learned enough to be on your own, he doesn't want you hanging around for guru worship. He wants you out to pursue your practice and make room for other students. In his parlance, "I am not your massage therapist." The teaching process renders himself expendable. To me, expendability is the acid-test for a true teacher - ensuring the practice and discipline will outlive him, through his students.

Veer Quotes

don't follow other people's yoga
if you're not engaging your breath and bandhas during asanas, you're not doing yoga, you're doing gymnastics
evolve or perish (if you can't keep up with emergent technology)
there are only 2 kinds of people who cannot learn yoga - the lazy and those who do not want to change anything in their lives

Ending Thoughts
Despite the controversy surrounding him, I maintain that a lot of it is cultural. He could bash one thing and praise it the next for other positive attributes - he has no axe to grind...just calling a spade, a spade (from his viewpoint). You'll be hard pressed to find someone else as good as him, as dedicated and impassioned as him and as knowledgeable as him. With his scheduled return to India, his days in Cebu is numbered. Good riddance perhaps to some, but a tragic loss for Cebu and to those who appreciate what he puts on the table. When that time comes, I will very sorely miss his presence.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Comments about Veer?

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Reader Comments:

Bernadette Wan Pacana
(Jan 10, 2014) I so love this article Gigit!

Rosemarie Canada

(Jan 10, 2014) What an interesting comment on the frequency you operate at, that this is the kind of individual you draw into your world... I'm not surprised.

Giselle Tribaco-Halleux
(Jan 10, 2014) Totally agree! You articulated it well!:) Love him or hate him! One of the best yogi I know in cebu!!:) I am grateful that I met this wonderful being.

Brij Mueller
(Jan 10, 2014) Awesome write up!!!

Dunia Delos Reyes
(Jan 10, 2014) wow!!! breath taking write up Gigit!!!

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Veer (Vaibhav Rana) Blogs

Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014
Leveling Up: Veer-Yoga with the YogiVeers Apr 11, 2014
Yoga Immersion with Veer (Vaibhav Rana) Mar 5, 2014
Hiatus Feb 22, 2014
Demystefying Ashtanga Yoga Feb 13, 2014
Shifting Yoga Paradigm Feb 12, 2014
Abundance in Cebu (Part 2) Feb 11, 2014
Crossroads Jan 20, 2014
Deepening the Yoga Practice in Cebu Jan 12, 2014
Fab People: Vaibhav Rana (Veer) Jan 1, 2014

Cebu City, Philippines

tourist attractions

Tops - hilltop offering panoramic view of the city
Taoist Temple - temple on a hillslope in Lahug with panoramic view of the city

hotel

Hostel Seven Cebu - newly opened, resto/bar, central location, solo/group travellers
Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City
S Hotel & Residences - new hotel, luxury rooms, central location
827 M. Velez corner Andres Abellana St.

resto / cafe / bar

Fujinoya - new and refreshing twists to Western style desserts using Japanese techniques
Wilson St., Lahug, Cebu City - tel. 888.6075
Bad Boys Wingz - Buffalo Wings, unique versions of sauces! Great service, accommodating staff, bad boys vibe
Kasambagan, Cebu City | (032) 415 4811

yoga

Love Yoga World - yoga studio
11/fl, Skyrise 2 Tower, IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Yoga Now - first Yoga and Wellness studio in Mactan offering daily Yoga Classes
at The Yacht Club Mactan

mountain biking

Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure - MTB tours, bike sales and repairs. Bed and Breakfast + Resto Cafe + wifi
1298-b V.Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City | 0942.959.7451

Cebu City to Camotes Island

Cebu City to Camotes Islands

via Poro - from Pier One in Cebu City, take the Ocean Jet for Poro, 2 hours, daily trip - 6am and 3pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).
via Consuelo - from Cebu City, take the northbound bus passing through Danao and get off at the Danao Port. At the Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).

Camotes Islands to Cebu City

Poro - Cebu City (fastest and most direct) - go to Poro and take the 8am or 5pm Ocean Jet to Pier One in Cebu City, P380/pax/aircon, 2 hours
Consuelo - Danao - Cebu City - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only). From Danao, take the Ceres Bus to Cebu City

Cebu City to Dumaguete

Cebu City to Dumaguete by Boat

George and Peter Lines - Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun 10pm, (035)225.4337, 0922.557.1023
Oceanjet - via Tagbilaran, daily 6am, dumticketing@oceanjet.net, 0918.898.2188
Cokaliong - Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 12pm, 6 hours, (035)225.3599

Cebu City to Dumaguete via Liloan (bus, boat, jeep, tricycle)

Cebu City South Terminal - take the southbound Ceres bus to Liloan, P200, 5 hours
Liloan - the bus drops you off at the Liloan Port where you board the Fastcraft to Sibulan, Negros Oriental, P62, 30 mins
Sibulan - at the Sibulan Port, the jeeps wait for Fastcraft passengers to take them to the public market in Dumaguete, P12, 30 mins.
Public Market - at the market, you can take any tricycle to your hotel, P8 for short trips

Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol

Weesam Express - Pier 4, departs 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 2 hours
one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs 6-7-8-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-4:20-6:35PM, 2 hours
Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300
SuperCat (2GO) - Pier 1, departs 08:15-13:30-15:10-18:00-19:40
P 500.00
+63 32 233 7000
Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs daily 12:30pm, 10:00pm and 1:00pm (Mon, Wed, Sat)
Standard (Lying) Php 150, Tourist (Lying Aircon) Php 340
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com.ph / www.liteferry.com

Cebu City to Siquijor by Boat, via Tagbilaran

Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran

Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs M/W/SAT at 1:00pm, 10 hours, economy Php 649 (through barkota.com), layover in Tagbilaran 5:45pm-8:00pm, arrives Larena Port, Siquijor at 11:00pm
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com / www.liteferry.com
Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs daily at 1pm, 5 hours
Open Air P1600
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300

Cebu City to Siquijor by Bus, via Liloan (Santander)

(as of Jan 2023)

Sugbo Urban
There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Leaves Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) at 8 pm (Sundays 1 am), heads south to Liloan (Santander), takes the ferry to Larena Port, Siquijor, docks around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City 10 pm.

Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because when it reaches Larena Port (Siquijor), it continues its trip around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena. It spares you the cost of hiring a tricycle or habal-habal which charges exhorbitant fares. Besides, it's a long trip to the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.