Cebu Fun & Experiences
As of my yearly vacation, I
choose to visit first dream ever Cebu. I decided to explore first the city.
Aside from being the second largest city next to Manila, Cebu City is also the
oldest city of the Philippines which makes it a significant cultural capital of
the country. Wherein the sign of Spanish cultivation is distinct in different
parts of Cebu. As they said that Cebu island is one of the most visited islands
of the Philippines. So here are some tips what to do to have more fun &
memorable experienced in your vacation & trip in Cebu.
The journey begins!
- "Where to stay?"
-Upon arrival at Mactan airport I go direct to
the nearest mall Gaisano Mactan where we can find internet shop to search the
best and cheapest hotel in Cebu, but that would depends on how many person and
your budget. With the help of internet on places to go, we explored Cebu City
on our own which wasn't really hard since it was just like going around some
other cities.
We choose hotel "JL
Suites", the hotel is quite nice & clean. Its cost very affordable to
us and its very accessible to any destination part of Cebu.
Picture of JL Suites & Map
- "Where and how to go"
SM Cebu - We go for shopping and
buy something to eat." baon sa byahe" ^_^ I felt very tired because I’m
wearing sandals with hills, oghh! So I suggest to wear flat shoes and sandals
or rubber shoes for you to be more comfortable wherever you go. Really its true
big, SM Cebu is the biggest shopping mall in the Philippines after the Mall of
Asia in Manila.
So let the city tour begin!
- Magellan's Cross
- Basilica Minore del Sto Nino
- Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
- Fort San Pedro
- Mactan Shrine
- Lapu-lapu Monument
- Marcelo Fernan Bridge
- Fuente Osmeña
- Taoist Temple
- Cebu Tops
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1. Magellan's Cross
A small place where the famous
Magellan's cross is found.
In 1521, Portuguese explorer
Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross on the very spot where the first Filipinos
were baptized. People started chipping off parts of the cross because of
supposed supernatural powers until the city government encased it in tindalo
wood and housed it in a monument. It now stands at newly constructed SUGBU
PLAZA,located at Magallanes street in front of the Cebu City Hall.
Magellan’s Cross is next door to
the Basilica Santo Nino so it is a good idea to visit both at the same time.
Picture
Checking out the illustrations at
the ceiling is a story behind the cross.
2. Basilica Minore del Sto Nino
It is my first dream of to visit
Basilica Santo Nino. This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr.
Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565.
The first structure of the church was, however, destroyed by fire on November
1, 1568. It was rebuilt in 1602 under the administration of Juan Albaran and
was rehabilitated in 1740.
It is said to have been given to
the Queen of Lapu Lapu. Later there was a battle and the only thing left was
the Santo Nino and it is housed within the wall of the cathedral.
The Basilica is in the heart of
Cebu City and that makes it easy to get to.
3. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
is the ecclesiastical seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cebu in Cebu, Philippines.
Cebu was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595. It was elevated as a
metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934. During World War II, much of the
cathedral was destroyed by Allied bombings of the city. Only the belfry (built
in 1835), the facade, and the walls remained. It was quickly rebuilt in the
1950s during the incumbency of Archbishop Gabriel Reyes.
Also near the Basilica Santo Nino
is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It is a Catholic church but not Roman
Catholic which is dominant in the Philippines. You can walk to it from the
Basilica Santo Nino and can see it from the gates of the church.
It is a spectacular building,
especially on the inside. There is a massive amount gold colored items. I don’t
if it is real gold or plated, but really
it’s cool and not crowded during the
ceremony. I love it! But one thing I don’t like is the sounds system, maybe the
microphone is the problem.. the voice is not clear. (“too much echo”)
4. Fort San Pedro
The smallest and oldest fort in
the Philippines during the Spanish era. It has a mini-museum within its walls.
It is now use as a historical spot in Cebu city.
The smallest and oldest
triangular bastion, the first Spanish fort established in the country. It was
built in 1565 primarily to protect the Spanish settlers from marauding pirates
in the area. Completed in 1835, it has stood witness to the changes in the
history of Cebu until much of it was destroyed during WW II when it served as a
Japanese prison camp.
Its construction began on 8th May 1565. First
made of wood, then of stone. Was built to defend the locals against the Spanish
expedition who wanted to colonize the area. 11 days after the fort began to be
built, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived here and founded the first Spanish
settlement in Cebu. The fort is triangular in shape so consists of three
bastions – La Concepcion, San Ignacio de Loyola and San Miguel.
The fort used to be the place of
military garrison Warwick Barracks, then a park, Cebu Garden Club, Cebu Zoo,
government offices and now it has been converted to a National shrine. There is
a little shrine to pray and a well Pozo de la Virgen.
5. Mactan Shrine
The Mactan Shrine houses three of
the prominent landmarks in the island. The shrine has a large tower erected in
commemoration of the "Battle of Mactan" and the victory over foreign
forces. The area where the shrine stands was believed to be the battle ground
where Magellan died.
6. Lapu-lapu Monument
The site where the battle between
Mactan Island Chieftain Lapu-lapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan
occured in April 27, 1521. It depects the hero holding a bolo in one hand and a
pestle on the other, which were believed to have been used during his combat
with Magellan. This monument stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.
7. Marcelo Fernan Bridge
It is known as Mactan Bridge,
named after Senator Marcelo Fernan, a political figure from Cebu City.It spans
across Mactan Channel connecting Cebu Island to Mactan Island & was opened
in August 1999. The bridge has a total length of 1237 meters (4058.40 feet)
with a center span of 185 meters (606.96 feet). The bridge is one of the widest
and longest bridge span in the Philippines.
8. Fuente Osmeña
(Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City). An
impressive circular park in the heart of Cebu City. The park is named after the
late Sergio Osmeña Sr, the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth and
Cebu's Grand Old Man. A lovely circular park with a beautiful fountain in the
middle.
9. Taoist Temple
A concrete reminder of the
well-established Chinese Community in Cebu City, which has greatly contributed
to the industrialization of Cebu. Built in 1964, the temple houses the
teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese Philosopher. People climb the temple's
99 steps to light joss sticks, mediate or have their fortunes told.
10. Cebu Tops
Situated 2,000 above sea level on
the cool 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. Only 15
minutes ride away from Cebu City's Lahug area. Going there has an additional
charge of P500 (car or van), aside from the entrance fee of P100 per person.