CEBU
is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and is the site of the very first Spanish settlement in the country, thus ushering in the Spanish colonial era of the Philippines. The city is also a center of commerce with busy seaports and an international airport that boosts its trade and industry. Cebu is one of the centers of trade, which actually is the most important one, in the southern Philippines. Both tourists and businessmen find their way south not only to take part of the trade but to enjoy the beautiful scenery also.
Little History
Cebu "Zubu" - animal fat
Cebuano "Sugbo"
Cebu metamorphosed in more ways than one, but always for the better. From a sleepy fishing village to a fledging trading port in 1521, from the first Spanish settlement named Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus in 1575 to a municipality in 1901, Cebu finally became a chartered city on February 24, 1937. Being the first and oldest city in the country antedating Manila by 7 years, having the oldest schooland oldest street and being the cradle of Christianity in the Far East (i.e. Magellan’s cross planted in Cebu as a symbol of natives embracing the Christian faith), Cebu is replete with historical firsts.
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi then urged men to construct the oldest and smallest fort in the country: Fort San Pedro. As Spain intensified its colonization efforts, indignant islanders showed opposition by way of intermittent attacks against the colonizers. The rebellion paved the way to the construction of Fort San Pedro, a Spanish military stronghold.
However, the fort fell to the hands of the native Cebuanos when Americans commanded by Commodore George Dewey vanguished the Spanish fleet in December 1898 in the Battle of Manila Bay. With the American reign in full force in 1901, then Senate Pro Tempore and late President Sergio Osmeña, Sr., and then Congressman and Majority Floor Leader in the House of Representatives, the late Senator Manuel Briones vigorously lobbied for Philippine Independence.
The streets of Tres de Abril and V. Rama were the sites of a fierce battle on April 3, 1898 when General Leon Kilat of Bacong, Negros Oriental spearheaded the revolution against Spanish colonialism. The Spaniards sought refuge at the Fort San Pedro and three days of relentless attacks would have spelled victory for the rebels were it not for the propitious arrival of the Spanish armada.
February 24, 1937 was a milestone in Cebuano history as Cebu City was granted the charter by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 58 enacted by Congress on October 20, 1936. The late Senator Vicente Rama, formerly representative of Cebu’s 3rd district was instrumental as author and sponsor of the bill. It was at that time that Secretary of Interior and Local Government Elpidio Quirino appointed the mayor and board members of Cebu City in his capacity as representative of Manuel Quezon.
Shortly after the landing of the Japanese army in Cebu City on April 10, 1942, the entire province became the principal Japanese base due to its strategic location and substantial population. Cebu finally saw the light of freedom in March 1945 when American liberation forces landed in Talisay town. Liberation came in full circle in March 1946 and to restore law and order, a civil government dubbed as Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) was established in the city.
In April 1965, the entire Christian world focused its attention on Cebu City, considered as the cradle of Christianity in the Far East as it played host to the 400th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. The celebration highlighted the contributions of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta in proselytizing Christianity by way of establishing a Spanish settlement in the province. In a country where Catholics predominate, the conferment of the San Agustin Church to the title Basilica Minore del Santo Niño proved to be a momentous occasion as Rome sent its representative Papal Legate, His Eminence Ildefonso Cardinal Antonuitte.
HOW TO GET TO CEBU?
a. BY PLANE: arrival is at at the Mactan International Airport. This is fastest way to get to Cebu and takes about 1hour from Airport in Manila.
b. BY BOAT: The sea route is serviced by The country's largest shipping lines, namely WG&A, Sulpicio Lines, Trans-Asia, George & Peter Lines and Lorenzo Shipping Lines, are headquartered in Cebu and it takes about 20 hours.
we decided to have a PLANE since it's the most convenient way and we choose Cebu Pacific Air!
while waiting to board...
bus transfer...
This is my first time to have a ride in a plane and go to Cebu, that’s why I’m so excited!
on the AIR!
scenic view of mountain slopes and houses on the boarder of the sea
shuttered rays of sun, cloudy sky and bounded by the sea
at LAST were here!
MODE OF TRANSPORTATION?
a. BY JEEPNEY: there are lot of cabs in Cebu, just simply ask for which destinations to take.
b. BY TAXI: Taxis are omnipresent in Cebu City, beware of taxi drivers who overcharged fares. Most trip cost not more than P100.00 but it also depends on what destinations you are going.
c. BY BUS: Buses are also available but these tend to ply exclusively along the north-south route. There are two major bus terminals as the name implies for direction of travel - North Bus terminal at Mandaue and South Bus terminal. Ceres Bus lines operates regular bus services from these terminals and are considered the "safer" alternative to the smaller privately operated bus lines.
we hire an airport taxi with a P70.00 flag down rate for first 500 meters and with a succeeding additional P4.00 for every 300 meters which is too expensive from Mactan Airport to our Hotel Suites cost us around P350-400.
Mactan - Mandaue Bridge
The 846-meter long and 9-meter wide box truss bridge was constructed during the term of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
sights to see while crossing on the bridge
Welcome to our suite!
is a boutique hotel situated within the hospital belt and doctors' clinics, among which are Cebu Doctor’s Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital, Velez and the Vicente Sotto Hospital. It is also near Fuente Osmeña Circle, the heart of Cebu City.
more info... HERE
DAY 1 October 26 (Wednesday)
Destination no. 1
Joven's Grill and Seafoods
After checking in to our suites we decide to have a breakfast since it's almost 10 in the morning. Originally our plan was to have a breakfast at Orange Brutus, while walking on the street we came across Joven's first and had a change of plan at that moment.
The funny thing was, we were the early birds who already want to eat and the restaurant was still close and will be open at 11am. My co-staff asked the guard if we can’t wait inside till they open and were glad they allowed us to stay.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 2
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
The church of Santo Niño de Cebu was founded by an Augustinian priest, Andrés de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565. The first church structure was built out of earth, hard wood and nipa in 1566 ordered by Friar Diego de Herrera. In 1735, Fernando Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed of hard stone, which was built in the same spot were the previous church stood. Construction was completed in 1739. In 1965, during the fourth centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines, Pope Paul VI elevated the church to the rank of minor basilica.
The Basilica remains under the care of the Order of St. Augustine.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 3
Magellan's Cross
The Magellan’s Cross marked the site where the first Christian baptism was held.
More than 300 natives, including Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon, were baptized by a Spanish priest known as Father Pedro Valderama.
It used to be an open shrine, until the cross was slowly being chipped away by the natives, because of the wood’s supposed healing powers. In order to protect it, a closed structure was built over it.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 4
Fort San Pedro (Fuerza de San Pedro)
is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu.
The smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was built in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. In turn, it served as a stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries near the end of the 19th Century. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 5
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
The Cebu Cathedral is younger than the Diocese of Cebu (created in 1595), as the first church, from 1595, was one of wood, bamboo and thatch. Although stone walls were added, it was in a sorry state according to a 1667 report of Bp. Juan Lopez to the King of Spain. After many false starts to build a more worthy church for the Catholic Bishop, the Spanish military engineer Juan de Ciscara was commissioned in 1719 to design the cathedral. He opted for a cruciform design with short transepts. He placed the altar mayor at the crossing, reserved the apse for the altar de pardon, and placed the choir stalls for the cathedral canon in the nave. Work on the construction was suspended when funds were diverted to military campaigns against slave raiders. Construction began in 1734, was interrupted four years later, resumed in 1741 under Bp. Protasio Cabezas. The facade was completed in 1786 and in 1811 the cathedral was blessed. The completed cathedral departed from Ciscara’s plans. It was renovated in 1829, 1836 when Bp. Santos Marañon, who designed other churches in Cebu, designed and built the bell tower. The cathedral was improved in 1886, during the incumbency of Bishop Gorordo, and in 1939. Damaged during World War II, architect Jose Zaragosa rebuilt the cathedral in 1959. The cathedral’s interior was renovated more recently.
Because of damage caused by World War II and the recent renovation, nothing of the historical interior remains, however, the exterior remains 18th century. The 21 meter high facade is capped by a pediment shaped like a trefoil. The monogram IHS decorates the upper register pediment while small circular openings decorate the lower part. A pair of griffins and bas-relief floral designs fill the pediment. The two story facade is divided vertically by paired columns on a tall plinth and the cornice over the main door is broken and emblazoned with a coat of arms in low relief.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 6
Larsian sa Fuente
is one of Cebu's most prominent eating havens
Larsian is an area lined with a number of barbecue stands offering similar barbecue variety. Among the variety are: chicken - wings, thigh, skin, breast, feet or intestine, pork – pork liver, chorizo, tocino, seafoods like squid and fish and a lot more. You get to choose any of those and hand them over to the one in charge to be cooked. Puso (hanging rice) was also served.
more info... HERE
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.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 2
The Tops
Situated 2,000 feet above sea level on the cool secluded hills of Busay, it is an excellent sight-seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 3
Asia town I.T. Park (The Walk)
One of the business centres which generates lots of job opportunities to Cebuano’s, also offers newest dining and hangout destination in Cebu.
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.
more info... HERE
DAY 3 October 27 (Friday)
Destination no. 1
Taoist and Phu Sian Temple
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.
The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze.
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.
more info... HERE
Destination no. 3
Ayala Center Cebu
The commercial, cultural, and political core of Southern Philippines where you can shop, dine, and have entertainment destination in Cebu.
Destination no. 4
Spaghetti Factory
The First Italian Spaghetti Factory
more info... HERE
Destination no. 5
Taboan Market
This is the place to be!
Where you can find the most awaited "pasalubongs" from Cebu –
Dried Fish and Dried Mango
more info... HERE
we...
have an adventure tour at Cebu, Queen City of the South!
Read more about this trip! CEBU
