Cebu is a city on Cebu Island in the Philippines. It is known as the Queen City of the South. It is one of the most popular destinations in all of the Philippines for foreign tourists. It is the largest sea port in the nation, the second largest Air hub and the second largest city in the country. It is the fastest growing large city in the nation with an annual growth of over 5% per year.
Cebu is a booming metropolitan area with all the conveniences of a modern city. At the same time, it boasts of natural resources like countless of white sand beaches (both commercial and untouched), as well as historical sites that reflect its cosmopolitan past: from the birth of Christianity in Asia, to early commercial trade with Mexico and China, to vestiges of the American colonization of the Philippines.
PLACE TO VISIT
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
Fuente Osmeña
Cebu Provincial Capitol
City Cebu
Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines.
Ayala Center Cebu
Fort San Pedro
Taoist Temple
Tops Skyline Garden
Fort Santiago
Tops
Mt. Manghilaw
Sta. Rosa Falls
Life Size Statues of Popes, Stations of the Cross and Mysteries of the Holy Rosary (Danao City)
Cebu Parkmall and Cebu International Convention Center
WHAT TO DO
Cebu City is well known for two spacious and modern malls outside Manila. SM City Cebu and the Ayala Center Cebu are the most famous and luxurious shopping centers at the heart of the city. Boutique shops, mini-malls, themed malls, fine and alfresco dining include ParkMall, Banilad Town Center, among others.
Fuente Rotunda is an especially scenic spot at nights. Many locals hangout here inside the park premises near the fountain. A variety of shops, fastfood chains, a mall, eateries, and restaurants surround the area. Be sure to bring a camera to take a shot where the old style province meets the vibrant and sophisticated urban lifestyle.
Fuenta Rotunda is the arguably the center of the city with roads stretching out into different parts of the city. One road leads to General Maxilom Avenue, where most of the Cebu night life exists. Disco bars, coffee shops, comedy bars line this busy avenue with bars opening at around 8pm. They usually close when the last customer leaves.
Another stretch from Fuenta Rotunda is the Osmena Blvd. With bars, restaurants, and coffeeshops leading all the way to the Provincial Capitol, which is particularly scenic at night. The Provincial Capitol is by far the largest provincial Capitol building anywhere in the entire archipelago. Its original design is a miniature of the White House and was built during the American Era.
Just in one of the roads near Fuenta is Larsian Barbeque. The locals here love and eat and the barbeque in this place is one of the best and the cheapest around the city. The barbeque portions are small so you have enough space to store dessert. Try various kinds of barbequed local delicacies not for the faint of heart: innards, coagulated blood, squid, hotdogs aside from the usual pork and chicken varieties.
Head to Ice Castle, one of the local favorite Halo-halo shops. Halo Halo is a local desert that comes from the Filipino word 'halo' which means 'mix'. With shaved ice, ube (purple yam), leche flan (creme caramel), corn kernels, corn flakes, gelatin, shaved coconuts and practically anything are mixed together and topped with a scoop of ice cream or more.
Just adjacent Robinson's Mall is the Crown Regency Cebu which is the tallest building in the city. Adventure seekers may head to the top floor to experience a breathtaking view of this modern city and its environs. You may also opt to join in the Xtreme Rides that literally puts you on the edge of the city, or you may walk around the edge of the building (don't worry, safety cables are attached) to experience this once in a lifetime experience. All of these you can enjoy for a small fee.
Drive by Colon Street, the oldest street of the country and brave the cacophonous traffic for some nice worn out classical buildings dating back to the American Era. At nighttime, this street transforms into a night market with unbelievably good buys here and around everywhere. Be wary of pickpockets though.
Just at the end of the street turn a few blocks and you will see the Heritage of Cebu, a massive and particularly detailed monument showcasing nothing else but the heritage of Cebu from the old Spanish to the American colonial era.
Head to the Casa Gorordo, a well preserved Spanish Colonial Mansion complete with patio. This house is turned into a museum and it gives a rather detailed view of how the high society lived during the Spanish era.
Fort San Pedro is the smallest Spanish Outpost in the Philippines during the colonial era. It features a small museum showcasing the wreckage and treasures from the sunken San Diego Galleon from Mexico. The area, which used to be scenic, is unusually chaotic due to the construction of the Subway section of the Coastal road linking Southern Cebu to the North Reclamation Area.
See the Taoist Temple for a unique look at the island's Chinese heritage. The Chinese make up a significant part of the population, with much of the locals having full, half or part Chinese ancestry.
Go to Tops, which literally sits at the top of the Mt Busay for an unobstructed view of the entire city at night. A few shops and restaurants stand along the way for a short stop.
The historic Magellan's Cross is opposite the Cebu City Hall. This is where the Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan planted the first wooden cross upon converting the original inhabitants to Christianity. The original cross is nowhere to be found though. Historians say the original wooden cross was made into a firewood by the local inhabitants when the Magellan fleet headed somewhere else. Admire the small unique structure where the replica of the cross is planted. This city icon also has a mural on the ceiling. Take time to appreciate the various candle sellers who dance around during worship and while selling the candles. The very large and old Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino is just on the next street. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is a few blocks away.
In Lapu-Lapu City, head to Lapu-Lapu Monument. The first local hero who defeated Magellan and his army during the historic Mactan Landing in 1521. A small marker dedicated to Ferdinand Magellan is just nearby. A few minutes walk away is Shangri La Mactan Hotel Resort and Spa which is a tourist spot in its own right. The compound is a big park where visitors (even if they don't stay in the hotel) can roam the huge reception and its environs. Check out the beachside, the chapel, and the various restaurants and spa while inside.
Waterfront Hotel Lahug/Mactan Airport is a five star hotel with a very notable castle-like structure that dwarfs the city. It has several boutique shops, award winning restaurants all aptly priced for a five hotel. It also has a Duty Free Boutique Shop and a Duty Free Grocery and Appliance Center, quite similar to the one at SM Northwing but with a more classy ambiance. It also houses a branch of Casino Filipino where you can gamble your life away.
Head to Cebu's old quarters in Carlock Street and try riding a horse drawn carriage called a tartanilla. Remember to negotiate with the driver before taking a ride.
The island gets especially busy on the third Sunday of January due to the Sinulog Festival. It is the local way of honouring the Child Jesus. Main thoroughfares around the city are blocked for an all-day and all-night loud and colourful street party. Don't forget your dancing shoes!
Visit the newly refurbished Museo Sugbo (Cebu Provincial Museum). The exact location used to be the city jail before a modern facility took over its operations. Don't worry, its interiors are newly renovated and its ambiance is a whole lot better than before. The problem seems to be its unlikely location; not many tourists pass this area as this is a largely undeveloped area with overrun buildings nearby. This is, however, a short ride from Fort San Perdro and transportation should not be a problem.
Try riding in the most colorful and most popular mode of transportation in the country: the jeepney. Unlike in Metro Manila, Cebu jeepneys are far more colourful with drivers having a little more respect to their passengers. (They simply don't start driving until all passengers have either seated or disembarked completely. Manila jeeps tend to run even if your one foot is still on the street.) Cebu jeeps also have numbers or route numbers, unlike in Manila. You won't have to read every jeep's routes if you have seen their numbers. Fares start at P7.00; or 12 US cents.
The Marcelo Fernan Bridge or Second Mactan Bridge offers some interesting views of the city at night, and is even picturesque from below. Arrange for a taxi to take you there.
Spend a day at paradise in one of Mactan's numerous beaches, or Olango Wildlife Sanctuary which is just a short boat ride away. (Well, it might not be a good idea to go there if Avian Flu measures are in force.)
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Note that you MUST have an ongoing flight ticket or a visa in your passport when flying to the Philippines as your carrier will not allow you to board without one. In practice, this may not actually be true.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport - This international and domestic airport is a modern alternative to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. There are numerous direct daily flights to and from Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and scheduled flights to Japan, Qatar, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China. Aside from this, the airport serves several seasonal charter flights to Russia, China, the United States, and other nations.
By boat - Cebu City's domestic port is the country's busiest. Cebu City is home to almost 80 percent of the country's passenger vessels. The country's largest shipping lines, namely WG&A, Sulpicio Lines, Trans-Asia, George & Peter Lines and Lorenzo Shipping Lines, are headquartered in Cebu.
