The Queen City of the South, Cebu City

Welcome! We just have landed at Mactan International Airport, still echoing in my ear as we touched down at MIA – Cebu City. Cebu City is the erstwhile capital of the Philippines. It is one of the most popular destinations in all of the Philippines for foreign visitors. It offers white sand beaches as well as historical sites that reflect its multicultural past. The language spoken in Cebu is Cebuano also known as Bisay.

We planned this trip early January 2013 when Cebu Pacific Airlines offer peso fair promo and choose the date of September 28 – October 1, 2013 for this. I am always taking advantage of promotional fares of Airlines, as its price is half lower than its original amount.

We touched MIA half hour later than our ETA, it’s not new in CebuPac by the way. Following Janine’s note (from her officemates who’ve been to Cebu many times) we chose the two-ride to Mandaue town proper via minicab, it’s the cheapest ride going there or for a hassle-free you may hire a taxi, which is a little expensive if you are travelling alone, as Mandaue was located far from airport adding the traffics throughout the way.

We reached SM Cebu at past 8:00 in the morning, and waited Danilo (technician in our Cebu Branch) for about 30 minutes, the one who will accompany me to the 2Go Ticketing Office. You can save up to 70% if you reserve your ticket ahead of your departure date. We met up in the hotel after then. 

We stayed in Sampaguita Suites located a few steps away from the historical Basilica de Sto. Nino and the famous landmark of Cebu the Magellan’s Cross. (http://www.sampaguitasuites.com/plazagarcia/index.php) But since that we are too early for the check-in time of 2:00 PM, we just leave our belongings in their baggage room and we proceeded to our excursion.

First Stop: Magellan’s Cross

Is a Christian wooden cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu on April 21, 1521.

It was not that fascinating as we thought during our Sibika & Kultura/Social Studies class before, but seeing this personally for me, was a FULFILLMENT. It satisfied my little dream and answered my query “How it’s truly looks like?”
There’s a lot of candle vendors around Magellan’s Cross who will offer you to buy in exchange of prayers. It's not the usual prayer because they are dancing while praying.. Haha. Truly, only in the Philippines!

Second Stop: Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Church

The famous church of Cebu, located just a few steps away from the Magellan’s Cross. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church built in the country, houses the image of the Santo Niño de Cebú, a statue depicting the Holy Child Jesus. This image said to be the same statue given by Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon as a gift for his baptism to Christianity.

We asked the lady guard at the main gate of the Basilica for direction going to Fort San Pedro. I got curious and at the same time afraid when they told us “Sa guard lang kayo magtatanung!” But why? Maybe because there were people who will try to give some wrong direction. 


Third Stop: Fort San Pedro

One of the tourist spots in Cebu, where the well-preserved Spanish artifacts may be seen. Situated in the area now called Plaza Independencia in the Port Area of Cebu. Fort San Pedro is a military defense structure built by the Spaniard and Cebuano laborers. The fort is triangular in shape, with two sides facing the sea and the third side fronting the land. There are three bastions named La Concepcion, Ignacio de Loyola and San Miguel. Fourteen cannons were planted and most of which are still there today. The fort was surrendered by the Spaniards to the Cebuano revolutionaries when the Spanish era ends in the Philippines.

Upon entering you need to pay Php40.00, and you can request for a tour guide who will accompany you inside, much better if you do because they are more knowledgeable about the history of the past. Back to the old times, actually I really learned a lot.

We do missed to stroll around Plaza Independencia, it was too hot that time and we haven’t anything for protection against the sun.

We had our brunch at the AA’s Barbeque located just right beside Plaza Independencia. One of the recommended dining place of Janine’s friends. Nothing much in this eatery, but like a typical “Kainan” AA’s Barbeque offers a full array of choices.

Fourth Stop: Metropolitan Church
The architecture of the church is typical of Spanish colonial churches in the country.  The facade features a clover-shaped pediment, which is adorned with carved reliefs of floral motifs. We passed it by while walking toward the Casa Gorordo.

Fifth Stop: The Heritage of Cebu 

It was exactly a monument featuring the most significant people and event of the past in Cebu.

Sixth Stop: Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

Few steps away from Heritage of Monument was the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, there was nothing much to see inside it was just an usual old house where you will expect to see antiques, but the warmed welcomed of the guardian  made us comfortable.

The keeper served as the tour guide and photographer at the same time. Located at 155-Lopez Jaena corner Mabini Street. The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House considered to be one of the oldest existing houses in the Philippines.

Seventh Stop: Casa Gorordo

Casa Gorordo is also another old house located along Lopez Jaena Stree, a few steps away from Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. (Turn right from Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House). The home was constructed in the mid-19th century by Alejandro Reynes Y Rosales and bought by Juan Isidro de Gorordo. Four generations of the Gorordo family lived in this house, including Juan Gorodo, first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. It was restored and later opened as a public museum.

Eighth Stop: Shamrock


A favorite one-stop pasalubong shop in Cebu. Shamrock is well-known for its Otap and other baked specialties.

After that we went back to the hostel. I am actually disappointed when the management didn’t allow us to check-in even if it's late half minute for 2:00 PM. And because we were exhausted from the long walk around the city adding the lack of sleep from the early flight, we fell asleep on the sofa in the reception area. It’s nearly 15 minutes late for 2:00 PM when they let us in to our room, and at that time we took advantage of finding some rest before we steer to our next point.

Ninth Stop: Taoist & TOPS

Much to our disappointment, heavy rain poured down when we about to climb the TOPS.  We wait for the rain to stop and decided not to push through this trip instead we went to AYALA Center Cebu.

Tenth Stop: Ayala Center Cebu

Ayala Center Cebu was the first Ayala Shopping Center located outside Metro Manila. We amble around the mall and got our dinner at CASA Verde.

CASA Verde was a famous rib restaurant in Cebu. We tried their must-order “Brian’s Ribs” a huge swing for only Php208.00 and can be shared by 2-3 persons. The only problem was you have to queue at least an hour of waiting. 
After savoring the taste of Brian’s Ribs we went to One Mango Avenue right away. One Mango Avenue was placed on General Maxilom Avenue, once known as Mango Avenue.

One Mango Avenue gives you the ultimate experience in dining and entertainment. Majority of the karaoke hub was crowded, we landed at BEAT a small/simple karaoke hub behind, but the most important was we enjoyed a lot and cherished the night. It was a night full of happiness, pleasure and foolishness. Haha.
One Mango Avenue gives you the ultimate experience in dining and entertainment. Majority of the karaoke hub was crowded, we landed at BEAT a small/simple karaoke hub behind, the only important was we enjoyed a lot and cherished the night. It was a night full of happiness, pleasure and foolishness. Haha.

(Second Day: Bohol Trip)

 

We reached Cebu Port at lunch time, and went directly to SM Cebu and dine at CNT Lechon. Cebu was the home of the best lechon makers. The word “lechon” originated from the Spanish term “lechon” refers to a roasted suckling pig. It was a popular food throughout the year for any occasion. CNT Lechon is one of those, tag as the crunchiest of Cebu Lechons. We had a very bad experience dining at CNT, the lechon they served was no longer crispy and we were so disappointed.

Eleventh Stop: Mactan Shrine

For the continuation of our trip to Cebu, our eleventh stop was Mactan Shrine, located in Mactan Island, a must see destination for people who were interested in Philippine history. It honors the Battle of Mactan way back 1521. It also contains two important shrines --- the Lapu-Lapu Shrine and Magellan Shrine. 

The Lapu - Lapu Shrine was a bronze statue depicting the warrior Lapu-Lapu holding a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left hand. It was built to honor Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino hero who leads the native forces to oppose the invading Spaniard, and the one who killed the Spanish leader Ferdinand Magellan in the historic Battle of Mactan. 

The park also includes Magellan Shrine, and houses a huge mural painting of the Battle of Mactan. The Magellan Shrine was a large memorial tower built to honor Ferdinand Magellan.

Souvenir shops were also available inside the Mactan Shrine. A strip of local stores selling all kinds of souvenirs and pasalubongs from Cebu including quality guitars proudly made there.

 

Twelfth Stop: Tabo-An Market

The dried danggit was one of the well known pasalubong from Cebu aside from their famous dried mangoes. Danggit was a small, thin salted dried fish, also known as rabbitfish or spinefoot fish in English. You can buy this at Tabo-an Market for Php450-480 per kilo. Aside from danggit Tabo-an has a various choice of dried seafood delicacy, they also have dried shrimp, squid, and a variety of dried fish.

As expected, we smell like a fish after our Tabo-an trip, we’re so lucky that we hailed a taxi back to the hostel because they say that a lot of taxi driver will refuse to take you in because of your scent.

This end our Cebu & Bohol Leisurely Tour. We actually threw a great quality time together and it was indeed a memorable one.