Welcome to the new Cathay Pacific!
I guess Cebu is a low yield route so that is why the meal offering is poor.
Taipei is even worst with only a boxed rice/noodle with a boxed drink (Oolong Tea).
TPE is a short flight, so I can understand that beverage service is difficult to conduct, but MNL/SGN/CEB is different. Some kind of beverage service should be offered - even pre-poured juice/soft drinks/hot tea/coffee!
However, compared to other Asian airlines, CX actually often goes minimal with the crew, so that is why catering suffers. F/As are also not motivated to serve you some drinks.
Regional PE - I guess we keep on arguing the needs for CX to step up its meal offering on regional PE cabin, but with no real competitions, CX will not do anything. If SQ offers a premium economy cabin on those regional flights with upgraded meals, I am sure CX will match immediately! But for now, CX is sort of the only Asian carrier offering a PE cabin on these intra-Asian flights. So when you fly CX regional PE, don't expect better catering and you will be happier!
Carfield