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DAY 3 October 27 (Friday)

Destination no. 1
Taoist and Phu Sian Temple
Taoist Temple was built in 1972 and is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City, Philippines. The temple was built by Cebu's substantial Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

You are entering a Taoist Sanctuary for Prayers and Meditation. Please observe silence, solemnity and follow the rules while inside. Meditate-Pray while you go up to the Main Altar.
The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze.  

Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.


 The Main Chapel where worshiper and non-worshiper from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can offer prayers to the God's to grant their wishes and ask for answers to both minor and major decisions in life. Visitors can ask for wishes and answers if the Head or the Temple Attendant is there. It is elevated over 270 meters above the sea level.



Jiaobei blocks or moon blocks are wooden divination tools originating from China, which are used in pairs and thrown to answer a yes or no question. They are made out of wood or bamboo and carved into a crescent shape. Each block is round on one side (known as the yin side) and flat on the other (known as the yang side). It is one of the more commonly used items found in Chinese traditional religion and are used in temples and home shrines along with fortune sticks, both of which are often used together when requesting an answer from the gods.



Here are the procedure in communicating with God in the Taoist temple using the Kau Cim (incense stick) and Jiaobei or moon blocks:
  1. Wash your hands representing cleanliness.
  2. Light a joss stick, then kneel down by holding the joss stick with both hands and pray for guidance to enlightened your problem or wish.
  3. Hold a pair of blessed wooden blocks flatside up with both hands.
  4. Ask your question, problem or wish in a simple manner. (one question at a time)
  5. Drop the wooden blocks gently on the floor and your answer will be according to its positions:
Photo from www.markmaranga.com.
Reminders:
  • Before asking your questions, problems or wish you have to request permission whether God is ready to accept enlightening your question in mind
  • If the answer is YES, then start asking question, problem or wish
  • If the answer is NO, then you have to come back some other day and ask again or consult the temple attendant for assistance.
  • If the answer is MAYBE, then your question, problem or wish is not very clear. Simplify your question and ask again or consult the temple attendant
  • After all your question , problem  or wish have been answered, please kneel down and express your thanks to God and ask for his blessings and graces in life.  



 A mural showing the over all view of Philippine Taoist Temple


 Pictures displayed on corners inside the Philippine Taoist Temple


 Souvenir Shop


 Picture of how Taoist Temple was built in Philippines by group of Chinese


 Oriental Architecture thru the designs of temples, balconies, rugged steps, mini libraries, manuscripts, dragons and replica of great wall of china.


 The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu.

The Main Chapel
The other Chapel where different God's housed.
You will see a signage at the front of every chapel that says: 
picture taking of the Gods and inside the prayer rooms are strictly prohibited.


Phu Sian Templenis a Buddhist temple and the third Chinese temple built on top of a  sacred hill from which sacred waters flow beneath. The waters are believed to have therapeutic effects. The temple was built by Dharma Master Weichi, a Buddhist from China, in 1979 and was inaugurated the following year. As of today, the temple is the only kind to have been established in the Philippines and is operated by seven Buddhist monks, most of whom are of Chinese descent. 
Phu Sian Temple is a place of reverence for Chinese Cebuanos where they re-energize their spirit through meditation.

Not so much in  here unlike in Taoist Temple so we decided to leave and head straight to Ayala Mall Cebu.

How to Get to Taoist and Phu Sian Temple, Cebu

a. The most ideal mode of transport to the Taoist Temple is by private vehicle.

b. Take a jeepney to J.Y. Square Mall in Lahug, if your budget does not stretch that far. Make sure you tell the driver that you want to go to the Taoist Temple, the driver will then take you to Sudlon.

c. From there, you have the choice to walk for about 15 minutes or ride a motorcycle called habal- habal.



Sources: www.wikipedia.com
             www.markmaranga.com





Read more about this trip! CEBU

    • Grand Tierra Suites
    • Joven's Grill and Seafoods
    • Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
    • Magellan's Cross
    • Fort San Pedro
    • Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
    • Larsian sa Fuente
    • Cnt Lechon
    • The Tops
    • Asia Town I.T. Park
    • Body and Sole
    • Spaghetti Factory
    • Taboan Market




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Destination no. 4
Body and Sole (Body Massage and Foot Spa)

Total Relaxation at Half the cost
A good way to pamper your self, release stress and attain calmness away from work.

Little History

The first branch opened in May 15, 2003 in a 150 square meter space at Raintree Mall along F. Ramos Street, Cebu City, Philippines. Presently, Body and Sole now counts 40 branches and affiliates scattered around the country with 6 outlets in Cebu.
It was Mr. Johnie C. Lim who happens to be the founder and CEO of Body and Sole conceptualized the idea of total relaxation at half the cost. His passion of his work plus dedication to achieve his goal, has earned company’s loyal client, a great success that cannot be easily attained in the spa industry.
After having a roller coaster-like road trip from TOPS we decided to pamper ourselves. Since were already at IT Park we look for a body massage. Actually my friend already saw this Body and Sole but at that time it was close. 

 picture was taken before we enter to the massage room.

Excited to have a one hour to pamper our exhausted and stressed bodies from daily work and enjoy this as a part of our vacation here in Cebu.

Body and Sole Body Massage and Foot Spa have a quiet warm room, not cozy as the others and their branch in IT park is quite small. The lightning is right because its dim but they should add some essences/aroma and music to add a relaxing feeling to customers.
Full body massage consist of body massage on scalp, neck, arms, back, palms, front and backs of legs, buttocks, calves, and feet. 

And the VERDICT!

Gentleness in applying pressure should be done at lower back and avoid it when on the spine. Not so bad but not that good. The massage therapist assigned to me seems in a hurry. I and my friend were at the same room and the masseuse assigned to her already started and mine was about 5-10 minutes after but still I was the first one to finish, a bit disappointed with that situation. Need more improvement on targeting pressure point on the body. 




Price: Full Body Massage is Php 250.00
Store Hours: 12:00pm to 02:00am
Location: GF i1 Bldg, Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City


sources: http://www.bodyandsolespa.ph


Read more about this trip! CEBU

    • Grand Tierra Suites
    • Joven's Grill and Seafoods
    • Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
    • Magellan's Cross
    • Fort San Pedro
    • Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
    • Larsian sa Fuente
    • Cnt Lechon
    • The Tops
    • Asia Town I.T. Park
    • Taoist and Phu Sian Temple
    • Spaghetti Factory
    • Taboan Market
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Destination no. 3
Asiatown I.T. Park (The Walk)
Asiatown IT Park is a 24-hectare mixed use business park in Cebu City, Philippines, envisioned to attract locators in the information technology services. It is developed by Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Cebu Holdings.

 The Walk is one of the business centres which generates lots of job opportunities to Cebuano’s, also offers newest dining and hangout destination in Cebu. Among the locators are local concepts Mooon Cafe, Casa Verde and La Marea, which have made their names among patrons for their signature dishes. Also at this retail complex are Figarro, Pier One, Shakey's, East West, Barbeque Joe, Tapa King, Makan, Eye Bar, and convenience store Mercury Drug. Providing 24/7 service is fastfood favorite, McDonalds.

The Walk is the only retail development in Asiatown I.T. Park with extensive landscaping and open spaces. With its water features and refreshing ambience, employees from the nearby call centers can sit back and enjoy while taking a break. Its hip, dynamic and colorful facade is a stand out and complements its mixed product offerings.


Location: Asiatown IT Park, Apas, Cebu


Source: http://www.asiatownitpark.com





Read more about this trip! CEBU

    • Grand Tierra Suites
    • Joven's Grill and Seafoods
    • Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
    • Magellan's Cross
    • Fort San Pedro
    • Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
    • Larsian sa Fuente
    • Cnt Lechon
    • The Tops
    • Body and Sole
    • Taoist and Phu Sian Temple
    • Spaghetti Factory
    • Taboan Market
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Destination no. 2
The Tops
Cebu's City of Lights
Tops is owned by Emro Holdings Inc. but some say, it was owned by the 4th President of the Philippines, Sergio Osmeña where Tops is his heliport and that helipads lined up there. This is why Osmeña Residence is just along the way to Tops.

Tops is situated 2,000 feet above sea level and the highest point of the Busay Mountain which is a famous and an excellent sight-seeing spot offering the most breathtaking view of Cebu City and the islands of Mactan and some islands surrounding Cebu. Tops is open 24 hrs where kiosks are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties. The best time to go here is before night so you can see the difference of it view during day and night time.
How can you get to TOPS?
a.  The best way to get there is that you must have your own vehicle and make sure that your car is in condition to handle very intricate slopes of Busay Mountain.
b.     To hire a taxi, at this situation you must use your bargaining skills to taxi driver to avoid a very expensive ride just to get there. It would cost you more or less Php 400-800.00 (two-way).
c.      This is the cheapest ride, is to ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) from J.Y. Square Mall at Lahug but safety is a bit compromised since roads up there are really steep and slopes like you’re riding in a roller coaster. They charge about Php 80-100.00 (one way).
d. And if you really on a tight budget and want to relish the surroundings, the last option is to go on hiking! Don’t worry, it is good to everyone’s health but the disadvantage of it was it takes so much of your time and energy.
as you enter you will see this...

 The grounds designed hexagon shaped grass-stoned floor that makes it unique and an added ambiance to the place.


 Tops Mini Bar and other kiosk


One of the kiosk that offers food and drink in case you forgot to bring your own baon.

 Tops Souvenir Shop
They sell key-chains (cellphone and bags), designer mug, necklace, bracelet and other decorative novelties.


 Magnets - you can put letters on it like your names


 A creative design of wallet sewed by different shells and beads to make it colorful and attractive


views outside the covered tunnel-like picnic area on Tops


meet our...
 new friend! 





Entrance Fee: Php 100.00
Location: Barangay Malubog, Busay, Cebu City

















Read more about this trip! CEBU

    • Grand Tierra Suites
    • Joven's Grill and Seafoods
    • Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
    • Magellan's Cross
    • Fort San Pedro
    • Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
    • Larsian sa Fuente
    • Cnt Lechon
    • Asia Town I.T. Park
    • Body and Sole
    • Taoist and Phu Sian Temple
    • Spaghetti Factory
    • Taboan Market
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DAY 2 October 27 (Thursday)

Destination no. 1
CnT Lechon "The Taste of Cebuano"
Cebu is also known as one of the Best and Tasty Lechon haven in the Philippines. Most of the tourist include this in their itinerary visit in Cebu.

Cnt is located in a Three-storey building.  The parking lot is in the first floor and the restaurant is on the second floor. As we enter, we saw many people lining up, taking turns to order their Lechon and you will hear how the lady butchers cuts the pigs. 

CnT Lechon was just a very small enterprise started by Catherine and Norman Quijada in 1988. They named it after the initials of their daughters' names - Charmaine and Tiffany. The couple started by selling one lechon (roasted pig) every Sunday to their neighbors in Guadalupe in Cebu City. It must be the way they prepare and cook their lechons that kept Cebuanos and tourists returning to their small stall back then. The demand for their lechonsgrew steadily over the years as a result. And after more than a decade, this restaurant has already established 6 branches all over the metropolis. (http://baktincorporation.blogspot.com)

One thing we learned was, the very first thing you MUST do when you arrived at CnT is to get a number!

This was our first time to go and eat here. We've thought that the process of ordering is same as the other restaurants. We fall in line while ordering other choices of food not knowing that we need a number to make an order of their main menu which is Lechon. What we got? Number 40! One of the lady said that there were few left and they can’t say if we can still have our Lechon due to indefinite amount/kilo’s of orders.

While patiently waiting for our turn we decide to have a taste of their other menu...


 Fresh Lumpia served in a creamy white sauce with bits of nuts. I was very curious about the taste of the sauce because I know that a sauce for Fresh Lumpia is usually brown in color, but it doesn't disappoint me. They've got the taste what I want from a fresh lumpia and it's sauce.


 Chopsuey which means assorted pieces consist of mixed vegetables, meat and bound in a starch-thickened sauce.


their very own bottled water and Puso (Hanging Rice)

 Area where Lechon of CnT was being butchered by these ladies


Another thing that made as amazed was the butcher is a Lady. Usually guys were the one who do this kind of work since it needs a lot of effort and force to cut those meats and bones of a pig. It just proves that women can do everything men can.

Some pigs waiting to be chopped by lady butchers

One of the most delectable and most scrumptious Filipino delicacy found across the country is the Philippine Lechon. This special culinary masterpiece has been part of the long Filipino history, dating back as far as the Spanish-era, hence the name Lechon which is a spanish word for suckling pig. But in the Philippines, lechon connotes a whole roasted pig commonly known as "litsong baboy".


Really yummy, crunchy and tasty on its own. 
This is also my first time not to use sauce (sarsa) as it was very well seasoned. And my friend told me that she's not eating Lechon but at this time she couldn't get over with it.
At this time, don't ever think that your eyes deceive you!
a kilo of  Lechon in Cnt cost Php 360.00, more cheaper than in Manila




experienced the "The Taste of Cebuanos"

We decided to bring home Cnt Lechon as pasalubong to our family so they can also experience what they called "The Taste of Cebuanos". Don't worry about carrying it over the plane, CnT have their boxes and seals intended for pasalubong purposes.



Location: North Reclamation Area, In front of SM City Cebu
             1377 V. Rama Avenue Guadalupe, Cebu City (Main)





Read more about this trip! CEBU

    • Grand Tierra Suites
    • Joven's Grill and Seafoods
    • Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
    • Magellan's Cross
    • Fort San Pedro
    • Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
    • Larsian sa Fuente
    • The Tops
    • Asia Town I.T. Park
    • Body and Sole
    • Taoist and Phu Sian Temple
    • Spaghetti Factory
    • Taboan Market
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AnneVenturousLife
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