It is such a shame to be a stranger to your own hometown, right? It was a pleasure being a host to visiting friends from Manila and Bacolod, because I got the chance to explore and tour Cebu City and its neighboring towns. So I thought I'd compile the interesting places in my hometown that I myself have set foot on.
WHAT TO SEE:
1. SINULOG! Every third Sunday of January, Cebuanos celebrate the feast of Sr. Sto. Nino with a mardi gras. The street party is flocked by locals and tourists and it's the most feastive season in the island.
2. BASILICA MINORE DEL SANTO NIñO is the country's oldest church and the only basilica in the Far East. It contains the image of the Holy Child given by Magellan to Rajah Humabon's wife. Look up and you'll find fine artwork on the ceiling. (A block away is Cathedral Church.) Don't forget to say your prayers, miracles do happen!
3. Right next to the Basilica is MAGELLAN'S CROSS, an octagonal shrine with a red-tiled roof that have paintings depicting the events of Magellan's visit on the ceiling. The original cross in encased with a wooden cross to preserve it.
4.
In the middle of downtown Cebu, next to the Pari-an Fire Station, stands a bronze sculpture showcasing the "HERITAGE OF CEBU", commemorating the historic events that unfolded since the arrival of Spanish conquistadors and the battle that ensued between Ferdinand Magellan and Lapu-Lapu. I finally came up close to this masterpiece, I pass by it everyday on my way to work.
FORT SAN PEDRO, the smallest and oldest Spanish fort in the country that served as core of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. (Feel free to request the guard on duty to take your pics, he'll gladly take your photos and direct your pose!) Adjacent to the fort is a public park, Plaza Independencia (Freedom Square).
6. TOP, high on top of cool Busay hills offering breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Best to visit on a clear night when the fog won't block the view. Entrance fee is pegged at P100, or find a local who has a discount card and pay half the price (they give that out for free on your first visit, but you have to ask for it)!
9.
Further drive along the coastline takes you to the next town, BADIAN. Visit Kawasan Falls, Badian for a refreshing bath in this ice cold three tiered cascade of crystal clear mountain springs. Rent a raft for P300 and go under the falls for a HARD massage. U can also take a plunge off the cliff next to the falls as high as 50 feet or trek up the mountain to the source.
10. You must know Cebu's two major malls which are SM and Ayala. If you want to experience something different and local, visit PARKMALL. Parkmall is located along Ouano Avenue, Mandaue City. Parkmall's charming al fresco dining experience in zen garden offers a wide range of restaurants featuring Cebu's finest restaurants. Mooon Cafe, Chika-an, Manila Foodshope, Joven's Grill, You Bar, Tandoori, Da Vinci's Pizza, Shabu Way, Bo's Coffee, Postrio, Ice Castle, Saigon Quan, Tsiboom, Veranda, Orange Brutus and more. It also features the largest kid's indoor playground called Playmaze.
11. Get over the edge with Crown Regency Hotel's Sky Experience Adventure. Located right in the heart of uptown Cebu, view the city and conquer your fear of heights on the 38th floor, with a thrilling ride on the Edge Coaster or the sky walk. Check their website for details.
12. Get wet and slide at Imperial Palace Resort's waterpark. It's located along the coast of Mactan, Cebu (right beside Hadsan Beach Resort).
Then there's also Taoist Temple, Bantayan Island, Balamban, Tuburan, Pinamungahan and wherever you go around the island, there's always good food, food and food!
I've been to more places than I thought! I'm a stranger no more to my own hometown Cebu. :D the adventure continues... I'm proud to be a Cebuano, there's no place like home.
PS. am lovin' my sony t-100 with underwater casing! ;)
WHAT TO SEE:
2. BASILICA MINORE DEL SANTO NIñO is the country's oldest church and the only basilica in the Far East. It contains the image of the Holy Child given by Magellan to Rajah Humabon's wife. Look up and you'll find fine artwork on the ceiling. (A block away is Cathedral Church.) Don't forget to say your prayers, miracles do happen!
3. Right next to the Basilica is MAGELLAN'S CROSS, an octagonal shrine with a red-tiled roof that have paintings depicting the events of Magellan's visit on the ceiling. The original cross in encased with a wooden cross to preserve it.4.
In the middle of downtown Cebu, next to the Pari-an Fire Station, stands a bronze sculpture showcasing the "HERITAGE OF CEBU", commemorating the historic events that unfolded since the arrival of Spanish conquistadors and the battle that ensued between Ferdinand Magellan and Lapu-Lapu. I finally came up close to this masterpiece, I pass by it everyday on my way to work.
FORT SAN PEDRO, the smallest and oldest Spanish fort in the country that served as core of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. (Feel free to request the guard on duty to take your pics, he'll gladly take your photos and direct your pose!) Adjacent to the fort is a public park, Plaza Independencia (Freedom Square).
5. JUMALON BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY AND ART GALLERY the home of the late Prof. Julian Jumalon has the country's oldest butterfly collection from around the world and a display of his lepido mosaic art collection, so called because it utilizes butterfly wings as its medium.
6. TOP, high on top of cool Busay hills offering breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Best to visit on a clear night when the fog won't block the view. Entrance fee is pegged at P100, or find a local who has a discount card and pay half the price (they give that out for free on your first visit, but you have to ask for it)!
7. Diving and island hopping in MACTAN ISLAND. Mactan is a coral island famous for scuba diving where beach resorts of international standards like Shangrila Mactan Resort and Plantation Bay Resort are located. Go island hopping in outrigger boats and take along Cebu's specialty - lechon baboy (roast pig) and puso (hanging rice) for a hearty lunch at sea.
8. Two and a half hour drive from the city via the South Reclamation Project and detour at Carcar Market, takes you to MOALBOAL. Panagsama Beach, Moalboal has a strip of dive shops and restaurants, the tip off point to diver's haven like Pescador Island. A long stretch of white sand and live corals at White Beach is an option for non-divers.
9.
Further drive along the coastline takes you to the next town, BADIAN. Visit Kawasan Falls, Badian for a refreshing bath in this ice cold three tiered cascade of crystal clear mountain springs. Rent a raft for P300 and go under the falls for a HARD massage. U can also take a plunge off the cliff next to the falls as high as 50 feet or trek up the mountain to the source.10. You must know Cebu's two major malls which are SM and Ayala. If you want to experience something different and local, visit PARKMALL. Parkmall is located along Ouano Avenue, Mandaue City. Parkmall's charming al fresco dining experience in zen garden offers a wide range of restaurants featuring Cebu's finest restaurants. Mooon Cafe, Chika-an, Manila Foodshope, Joven's Grill, You Bar, Tandoori, Da Vinci's Pizza, Shabu Way, Bo's Coffee, Postrio, Ice Castle, Saigon Quan, Tsiboom, Veranda, Orange Brutus and more. It also features the largest kid's indoor playground called Playmaze.
11. Get over the edge with Crown Regency Hotel's Sky Experience Adventure. Located right in the heart of uptown Cebu, view the city and conquer your fear of heights on the 38th floor, with a thrilling ride on the Edge Coaster or the sky walk. Check their website for details.
12. Get wet and slide at Imperial Palace Resort's waterpark. It's located along the coast of Mactan, Cebu (right beside Hadsan Beach Resort).
Then there's also Taoist Temple, Bantayan Island, Balamban, Tuburan, Pinamungahan and wherever you go around the island, there's always good food, food and food!
I've been to more places than I thought! I'm a stranger no more to my own hometown Cebu. :D the adventure continues... I'm proud to be a Cebuano, there's no place like home.
PS. am lovin' my sony t-100 with underwater casing! ;)
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