First Glance of The Queen City of South Cebu City

Cebu City is the second most important metropolitan in the Philippines, but as a student I've known this city as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards. I grew up in a province that our dialect is somehow similar to Cebuanos' dialect.

In the past, travelling by air is quite expensive for average workers. Roros ( vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles or railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels ) are the popular transportation option. But it would take a couple of days to reach Cebu from Manila.

Tip1: Nowadays, air tickets to Cebu are cheaper than it was before. Travellers often choose this as an option to save time, it takes only an hour to reach Cebu from Manila.

Tip2: From Mactan airport, taxis are available to Cebu City which will costs a couple of hundreds. Ask the taxi driver to use meter but usually airports taxis offer fixed fare.

Tip3: Tourists can choose to take the public transportation ( jeepneys and taxis ) or rent a car.

Tip4: Just like any other city, take precaution while strolling around. Take care of your belongings.

Tip5: There are also quite a lot of hotels in Cebu City, for our stay we chose Grand Prix hotel. I will not recommend this hotel because for me it's just a place to sleep. Not cozy to stay there but it's quite cheap, it suits backpackers.

Sto. Nino is the patron of the province, a lot of Sto. Nino images can be seen around. 

Tip6: Visit Basilica de Sto. Nino, it's always full-packed with devotees. I am fascinated with how they say goodbye to Sto. Nino. As a Catholic, when we leave the church we do the sign of the cross but Cebuanos wave goodbye and make the sign of the cross. It's like saying goodbye to a child, by the way Sto. Nino means Holy Child.

Tip7: Inside the basilica, the devotees can queue to kiss the miraculous image. 

Tip8: Rosaries, Sto. Nino images and other religious stuffs are available at the basilica's shop. 

Tip9: Just a few minutes walk from the basilica, the famous Magellan's Cross can be found.

Tip10: On our way to Plaza Independencia, there are souvenier stalls that sell native products like bags, bracelets and home decors for cheap prices. 

Tip11: Plaza Independencia is located in front of Fort San Pedro, some locals take rest at the park specially during late afternoon.

Tip12: If Manila got Intramuros, Cebu City got Fort San Pedro. According to history, Fuerza de San Pedro is a military defence structure built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuanos under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu.

Tip13: Cebu Cathedral is not far from Basilica de Sto. Nino, I can say that I admired the cathedral's design. Even at night, the cathedral is such beauty that adds elegance to the city.

Tip14: If you want to see Cebu city from above, Tops is a good place to visit. Tops is located at Brgy. Busay, it's better to take private transportation to get there. It's a steep drive to Tops, drive carefully.

Tip15: Don't forget to ring the bell and make a wish.

Tip16: Taoist temple is also one of the most popular places in Cebu. Avoid making noises when you visit the temple.

Tip17: It is said that Guadalupe Church is one of the big churches in Cebu. It is also known that St. Guadalupe is a miraculous patron of the province. 

Tip18: We also visited the Guadalupe Cave, the saint's image is inside a cave. It is not hard to find the cave since it is a known religious place for Cebuanos.

There are many nice beaches and diving resorts in Cebu particularly Mactan. We didn't have a concrete plan of where to swim so we just hop from one resort to another. 

Tip19: We end up at Portofino Beach Resort.

It's a nice beach though during our visit it's crowded. They have jet-skis, parasailing, slides and most importantly white fine sand beach.

Tip20: Better to bring food and water because the price inside the resort is expensive. 

Tip21: Just nearby the resort is Sto. nino de Cebu Church and the Mactan Baranggay Hall.

Tip22: Don't forget to visit Lapu-lapu Shrine in Mactan, the proud statue of Mactan's hero is facing the ocean as if always ready to protect the beloved island.

Tip23: There are guitar shops and souvenier shops around the shrine.

Tip24: Cebu is known for yummy and fresh seafoods, try the famous sutukil. Nearby restaurants offer these local ways of cooking seafoods.

Tip25: During summer it's relatively hot in the province, try one of Philippines' buko ( coconut ) popsicles.

Tip26: Also, try the local foods like Cebu's lechon, danggit, dried squid, fish tocino and dried mango. 

It's a very nice first visit to Cebu and we are still planning to go back and enjoy their blue waters once again. And most importanly, give thanks to Sto. Nino for all the blessings our family received and is receiving. 

Viva Sto. Nino!