Cebu: under the southern lights

We’ve been up north last December, so for the summer, we decided to go down south. This time we shoot two birds at one stone! We spent the holy week (March 17 – 22, 2008) in the island provinces of Cebu and its neighbour Bohol.

CEBU

Cebu Island is a long narrow island stretching 225 km (140 mi) from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan Island, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands. Of the hundreds of small islands some are uninhabited which make them the targets of adventure-seeking tourists. Cebu is known for its narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, all characteristics of a typical tropical island. Cebu also has predominant rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island.

Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country and the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the central and southern parts of the archipelago. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls.

The UK-based Condenast Travellers Magazine named Cebu the 7th best island destination in the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007, 8th best Asian-Pacific island destination in 2005, and 7th in 2004.

 

Getting There

We took advantage of the 1 peso fare promo of Cebu Pacific last January, so for this trip we just paid 2,700 Php (68 USD), rountrip! Would you believe that? We took an airplane ride at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark. It was an advantage for us because we don’t have to go to Manila anymore. After an hour and half we arrived safe and sound at Mactan International Airport in Cebu. At the airport, I recommend that you opt for the metered taxi, instead of renting one. From the airport in Lapu-lapu City, we headed to Cebu City, where we planned to stay. Cebu City is about 30 – 45 minutes from the airport (depending on the level of traffic!)t. Our taxi fare was 150 Php (4 USD), a lot cheaper than the rented taxi, which is 300 Php (8 USD)!

 

Another adventure!

Above the blue sky…

Accommodation

Before our trip, I already researched of inexpensive but nice hotel. I made a reservation at Honey Bee Royal Inn. Because it was holy week, I made a reservation ahead of time, because that’s time where tourists flock to Cebu. This inn is relatively new and staffs are nice and friendly. The biggest deal is that a double room costs only 650 Php/night (16 USD)! The rooms are equipped with AC, cable TV and hot and cold shower! It was a luxury for us, who are used in staying in budget rooms with only fan and cold water available ha ha ha! It is located near the oldest university in the Philippines, the University of San Carlos. For more details about Honey Bee Royal Inn, just click here.

 

Luxury can be cheap!

Getting Around

The hotel is located in the heart of the city, so the tourist’s spots are mostly accessible by foot. Walking is a great way to experience a city (aside that you will burn excess calories!). From our hotel we just walk to reach the following spots:

 

Sto. Niño Basilica

Cebu is the first seat of Catholism in the Philippines. It is where Spaniards brought the first statue of the child Jesus (Sto. Niño). Though I’m not catholic, I was still interested to see it because it is also a historical site. Since it was the holy week, catholics are having their visita iglesia (church visit). Others also lined inside the basilica to see the old statue of the Sto. Niño (which is believed to be the original one brought by the Spanish). My travel buddy joined the long queue of devotees wanting to see it. While waiting for her I went to the small garden in the basilica’s courtyard. Opposite the courtyard, there’s a hall where you can see paintings depicting the arrival of Spanish and how they introduced Catholism to the native Filipinos. Outside, opposite the basilica, is a large square where big masses are done, beside it is the Sto. Niño museum (it was closed when we got there!), and a garden where devotees light candles and pray.

 

Sto. Niño Basilica’s facade..

Mini garden inside the basilica..

The art buff he he he…

Magellan’s Shrine

From the basilica, exit at the opposite gate, and you will see the shrine. Inside the hexagonal shrine, the Magellan’s Cross stands. This cross was the one brought by Ferdinand Magellan when he discovered the Philippines, and the rest, as they say is history. The actual cross is enclosed by another wooden cross to protect it. The painting in the ceiling is also a site to behold.

 

The Magellan’s Shrine

The cross..

The ceiling with painting…

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

The cathedral is also walking distance from the shrine and basilica. This huge cathedral was also flocked by the locals for the evening mass. Outside you will find stalls and carts selling street foods.

 

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Fort San Pedro

From the cathedral, Fort San Pedro is about 15-minute walk. The fort was built by the Spanish in 1565, as a protection from the marauders. It is triangular shaped fortress, with three bastions (corners) named after three saints (I forget their names he he he). The fort was actually built by blocks of calcium corals, not stone! I just wonder how they did that! Inside you can walk at the garden cum park, where locals and tourists alike rest and chat. Then climb up to see the top of the fort. At the top, there’s also a garden and a spacious place where you can see the areas near the fort. The National Museum Cebu is also located here; unfortunately it was closed because of the holy week. The entrance is 20 Php/person (less than 1 USD).

 

The fort’s entrance..

 

In one of the three bastions of the fort..

It’s nice to stroll here..

Colon Street

Known as the oldest street in the Philippines, Colon Street was built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Named after Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus), it is the heart of downtown Cebu. Today it is the main artery of the city  and a glittering area by night lined with movie houses, restaurants, department stores, and other business establishments .

We just walked along the street and window shop to the various shopping malls found here. Since we’re going to Bohol the next day we bought our ferry tickets at the Colonnade Mall. The SuperCat Ferry has this promo, that if you buy a roundtrip ticket (Cebu-Bohol, vice-versa), you’ll get the other ticket for half the price, so we just paid 648 Php/person (17 USD). Now that’s a good deal!

Colon Street at night..

Taboan

The best place to buy pasalubongs is the Taboan. The Taboan is like a public market, where you can buy anything, especially their well-known dried fish called “danggit”, the famous dried mangoes, delicious piyaya and crunchy otap. It’s the dried mangoes that tourist can’t get enough; most of them buy a bulk of these to be taken home, especially to places where mangoes are not common. I bought several packs of dried danggit, sap-sap, anchovies and squid (they are quite expensive back home). I didn’t forget the dried mangoes, piyaya (a flattened bread with fillings, usually ube or beans with sugar), and otap (a delicious crunchy biscuit). You can reach this place by riding a jeepney, fare is 6 Php.

 

Sea of dried fish @ Taboan

Food

In every place you go, you must try their street food! I noticed this cart selling fried elongated stuff. According to the vendor it is called “tempura”, basically made of fish meat and seasonings. It is fried and cut into bite size pieces and dip into sweet or hot sauce or vinegar. After eating, a mango shake is the best! Since its summer, mangoes are on season. Going back to our hotel room, we passed by a vendor selling fried chicken feet and puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves). This was our gourmet dinner! For dessert we bought pineapples cut in bite size.

 

Cebu’s version of tempura..

Our sumptuous dinner!

Other Sites

From Cebu City, there are still places worth seeing, particularly the Lapu-lapu Shrine and the Olango Wetlands Sanctuary in Olango Island.

Going There

You can reach the above-mentioned places by riding a jeepney. From Cebu City, ride a jeepney going to Lapu-lapu City. Fare is 9 Php/person. So that you will not get lost, just ask the driver to drop you off the “highway”. Then ride another jeepney to Punta Engaño. You just ask the driver to drop you off the Lapu-lapu Shrine. From Lapu-lapu Shrine the port going to Olango Island can be reached by foot.

Lapu-lapu Shrine

Lapu-lapu is a famous Filipino hero. He resisted against the invasion of the Philippines by the Spaniards, headed by Ferdinand Magellan. No entrance fee, but atleast drop something into the donation box.

 

The great Lapu-lapu..

Infront of the Lapu-lapu monument.

In memorial of Lapu-lapu..

Olango Island

Though it was hot, we walked all the way to the port. We really don’t have any clue where it was, we just ask the people we met along the way. Just walk straight; you will pass by the Shangri-la Hotel and Hilton Hotel. When you reach Hilton Hotel, turn right, and then you will see the port. Locals will offer you boat rentals, which are expensive. If they are very persistent, just firmly say “no”. Instead, ride the public outrigger boat to reach the island. We we’re surprised when we bought our tickets, for only 7 Php/person! So cheap for a boat ride! From the port, the island is about 15-20 minutes away.

We disembarked at Sta. Rosa Wharf. From there, you can rent a tricycle to reach the Wildlife Sanctuary (Bird Sanctuary). One-way is 90 Php (less than 3 USD). Since few tricycles passing by the sanctuary, it is better to rent the tricycle all the way. The driver is more than willing to be rented.

 

Cheap boat ride to the island…

We’re so thrilled he he he!

At Sta. Rosa wharf..

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is home to different species of mangroves and migratory birds coming from as far as China and Australia. The entrance fee for locals is 20 Php/person, for foreigners 100 Php (less than 3 USD). You will be provided with a binocular for free. From the center, we walked passed by paths lined with mangroves. At the end of the path, you’ll see the sign, going to bird watching area.

The path going to the bird watching area is a sight to behold. The concrete slabs serves as pathways, surrounded by sea water. During high tide, the concrete paths are submerged in shallow water. The bird watching area is completely surrounded by water and mangroves. Tony, our guide explained well the different migratory birds that we will see in the wetlands. The wetlands serve as a stop-over for the birds, where they eat and store fats for their long journey ahead. We’re lucky to see the different birds, because the peak season is about to end (peak season is from October to April). After our bird watching session, we refreshed our bodies by drinking coconut juice. So refreshing!

 

Welcome to OIWS!

Hey dudes wait for me!

The birdwatching area..

Uy, ang daming birds!

Beach, beach, beach!

Of course, we did not leave the island without dipping into one of its beaches. Since we do not know the place, we asked the tricycle driver to take us to a white sand beach. From the sanctuary, he droved for about 30 minutes until a white sand beach appear into our gaze. There were no resorts near the beach, luckily one resident allowed us to rent their small hut for 200 Php (5 USD).

The beach is surrounded by lush mangrove forest, so the water is quite shallow. It’s perfect for children, and also for adults who are not comfortable in deep water. We basked under the sun and enjoyed the water as much as we could. We really had blast here!

Life’s a beach…

This is wow!

My itchy feet!

We told the tricycle driver to fetch us at 3PM to bring us back to the wharf. We paid 350 Php (less than 5 USD) for the tricycle rent. Then after a boat ride and few jeepney rides, we reached our hotel and rested our tired but happy feet! The next day, we packed our bags and carry on our adventures in Bohol!

A cute starfish on the beach..

 

The path of happiness..

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Song of the Day:

FIRST OF SUMMER by Urbandub, my favorite Filipino band hails from Cebu. Touted as the “Heroes of Indie Bands”, Urbandub is the first indie band who has released albums nationwide thru EMI’s help. This track is included in their 2005 album “Embrace”, which became one of the most played song on the local radio.

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DISCLAIMER: Prices may go up, establishments may go bankrupt. It is recommended that you also check or research about the fares, fees and prices for your own convenience. The author of this blog is not connected with any of the hotels, resorts or establishments mentioned.

Exchange rate during the time of travel: 1 USD = 41 Php