Every person treasures a place of his own, a place where beautiful memories are embedded. Or it can be some area where an individual feels at ease. As for myself, there can be no place like Cebu. Who would have taught that I would come back here in Cebu. I was born in Basak San Nicholas, Cebu, but me and my whole family moved out in Manila at the year of 1999 since my grandfather was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer, since then I haven't come back in Cebu for nearly a decade. From all of the hustle and bustle of the city life, the overly crowded school, the oh so hectic work, and the nonstop heavy traffic in Manila I can say that living in Cebu is worthwhile than living in Manila. Growing up, I was exposed to the hustle bustle life in Manila, which made me realized that it is nice to be back to my hometown, and now I can say that life was much easier.
The History of Cebu
The name Cebu was actually came from the word “SEBU” meaning animal fat. Long before
the coming of the Spaniards, it was a fishing village ruled by Rajah
Humabon. 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 school and oldest street and being the cradle of Christianity in the Far East.
Lately I've been fascinated by the history of Cebu. Little that I know, Cebu used to
have its own railway operated by the Philippine Railway Company running
from Argao in the South up to Danao in the North. Cebu City had its own
central station (so to speak) which survived well into the early
1960s(the building survived but railway operations ceased in WW2). They said that
Cebu City station is roughly somewhere where the GSIS building is now
located fronting the Elizabeth Mall.
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| The Old Train Station |
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| Cebu Normal College 1939 |
I was also fascinated by the history of our school that the Cebu Normal College (now Cebu Normal
University) was once the headquarters of the dreaded Kempeitai, a Japanese
Imperial Army's Secret Police. CNU became a prison during WW2 and was considered a "castle of horrors" since
many Cebuanos and expats were imprisoned and tortured in its
classrooms, some were even buried underneath the floors, in the basement
and even in the surrounding school grounds. They say that the collaborators
locally known as undercover would arrest Cebuanos, be they prominent or
not, for suspected guerrilla activities. Hundreds were imprisoned,
tortured and beheaded in and about the campus. The governor of Cebu,
Hilario Abellana and his family were imprisoned there. And some say that up to now, his
body has not yet been recovered.
Survivors like Jovito Abellana wrote in his book about the horrors of his incarceration. Thankfully, he survived his imprisonment and torture and was able to write about it. When the campus was expanded and new buildings were added, human bones were discovered on and about the premises. It's imposing structure sent shivers done the spine of its survivors in the succeeding years after the war. In some of the rooms of the old building, one can clearly see scratches on the walls where names and dates were scrawled by the prisoners. Talk about creepiness!
Survivors like Jovito Abellana wrote in his book about the horrors of his incarceration. Thankfully, he survived his imprisonment and torture and was able to write about it. When the campus was expanded and new buildings were added, human bones were discovered on and about the premises. It's imposing structure sent shivers done the spine of its survivors in the succeeding years after the war. In some of the rooms of the old building, one can clearly see scratches on the walls where names and dates were scrawled by the prisoners. Talk about creepiness!
Cebu's Finest
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| Sinulog 2014 |
Cebu City has its own version of Brazil’s Mardi Gras which is the Sinulog Festival, held every January. This colorful celebration’s highlights are its colorful street parades that venerate Santo Nino. The culminating event of the Sinulog is the Grand Festival, which commemorates the eventual conversion of ancient Filipino pagans to Roman Catholicism. This is one of the reason why I love Cebu, with all the partying, laughing, dancing, screaming, drinking.. Life is so amazing!
Magellan's Cross
When the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted the Magellan's Cross in 1521, he then baptized
the first Filipinos to become Christians, the local kings Rajah Humabon and Queen
Juana with the 800 local Filipinos. After centuries of many devotees came and visit the cross; and being exposed to the elements,
the original cross degenerated. A new cross made of tindalo wood was
erected to encase and preserve what was left of the ancient cross and
allow tourists to continue to visit the monument. So basically you won't see the original cross as its being encased by an outer one. The paintings on its roof are attractive.
Basílica Menor del Santo Niño
On the other side of Magellan's Cross is the Basilica del Sto Niño Church. One of the oldest church in Cebu. It is said that the first church and convent were built out of earth, hard wood and nipa. Both structures burned down on November 1, 1566. The second church was completed in 1626, but it was also destroyed by fire in March of 1628. It was rebuilt immediately and this time it was built using stone and bricks, but the construction was
stopped because of problems with the integrity of the bricks being used.
The Santo Niño, is the oldest religious image in the Philippines,
was brought to the island by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, just like the
Magellan cross. Magellan gave the image Santo Niño to Queen Juana as a
baptismal gift. It is sad to say that the two centuries-old bells went crashing to the ground when the coral stone
belfry collapsed after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last Oct. 15, 2013. But local officials have stated that they will restored it by 2015, in time for the celebration of 450th
year of the finding of the image of the Senor Sto. Nino, church
officials said.
Now, when it comes to resorts in Cebu there are so many to choose from. And there’s no doubting that one of the main reasons coming to Cebu, is to enjoy Cebu’s beautiful beaches.
When the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted the Magellan's Cross in 1521, he then baptized
the first Filipinos to become Christians, the local kings Rajah Humabon and Queen
Juana with the 800 local Filipinos. After centuries of many devotees came and visit the cross; and being exposed to the elements,
the original cross degenerated. A new cross made of tindalo wood was
erected to encase and preserve what was left of the ancient cross and
allow tourists to continue to visit the monument. So basically you won't see the original cross as its being encased by an outer one. The paintings on its roof are attractive.Basílica Menor del Santo Niño
On the other side of Magellan's Cross is the Basilica del Sto Niño Church. One of the oldest church in Cebu. It is said that the first church and convent were built out of earth, hard wood and nipa. Both structures burned down on November 1, 1566. The second church was completed in 1626, but it was also destroyed by fire in March of 1628. It was rebuilt immediately and this time it was built using stone and bricks, but the construction was
stopped because of problems with the integrity of the bricks being used. |
| inside the Basilica |
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| October 15, 2013 |
Now, when it comes to resorts in Cebu there are so many to choose from. And there’s no doubting that one of the main reasons coming to Cebu, is to enjoy Cebu’s beautiful beaches.
Bantayan Island
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| Bantayan Island |
Bantayan Island is known for its picturesque sunset, wide stretch of fine white sand beach and centuries old church. There is no easy way of getting to Bantayan Island, but the journey to this little paradise will be rewarded by the charm of this tropical island. For you to get there, from Cebu City you need to catch a bus in Cebu North Terminal going to Hagnaya Port in the town of San Remigio. In Hagnaya Port catch a public ferry to Sta. Fe. The ferry is approximately one hour for P170. Ferry departs Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fe as early as 7am with the last trip at around 5pm daily. Tricycle and motorbikes are the main mode of transportation around the island, minimum fare is just P10. There are also jeepneys and multicabs that go to Sta. Fe to Bantayan and vice versa but the trips are limited. Bicycles are also available for rent in most resorts/hotels. If you are staying at Sta. Fe the accommodation ranges from as low as P500.00 for a single fan room to by the thousand for fancy air-conditioned room on high end resorts. For budget travelers. Kota Beach Resort and Mayet's Resort have budget fan room for as low as P600 per night, both are strategically located along Sta. Fe beach. Meanwhile Ogtong Cave Resort and Sta. Fe Beach Club and Yooneek Beach Resort have facilities for high end tourist.
Sumilon Island
Sumilon Blue Water Resort in
Cebu may give you that and more! A few hours south of Cebu City and a 10
minute boat ride will have you on this island. Beautiful, peaceful and
secluded is what’s in store for the tourist. The 14 rooms are spacious
and simply furnished and have a veranda overlooking the ocean. The
island offers the guest some beautiful beaches and great swimming
opportunities. Relax, have a massage while looking at the ocean and just
unwind! A new initiative is they offer luxury camping which we find
tempting to say the least. Living in luxury is not cheap and you’re
restricted to the resort’s only restaurant (again which isn’t cheap) so
if you don’t mind the prices this is an excellent resort in Cebu.
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Traveling is always ideal, but then sometimes planning a trip can be stressful as it is. Luckily, there are a lot of places in the Cebu City, like Plantation Bay, where we can easily seek refuge. It offers 150 luxurious rooms and suites, charmingly decorated with select furniture and art pieces. All the very spacious rooms and suites are equipped with air-conditioning, televisions, hair dryers, mini bars and safes. The stone and marble bathrooms have separate showers and deep tubs. You are assured a dazzling view from each of the rooms. The activities there starts with the remarkable 1,600 square meter freshwater pool, the largest in the whole country. This water haven has eight built-in jacuzzi. Attached to the pool are almost four hectares of private saltwater lagoons with waterfalls, two giant water-slides, dive rocks, hydro massage pools and a tropical fishpond. How to get there, is just 20 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, or 1 hour from Cebu.
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| Sumilon Island |
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Traveling is always ideal, but then sometimes planning a trip can be stressful as it is. Luckily, there are a lot of places in the Cebu City, like Plantation Bay, where we can easily seek refuge. It offers 150 luxurious rooms and suites, charmingly decorated with select furniture and art pieces. All the very spacious rooms and suites are equipped with air-conditioning, televisions, hair dryers, mini bars and safes. The stone and marble bathrooms have separate showers and deep tubs. You are assured a dazzling view from each of the rooms. The activities there starts with the remarkable 1,600 square meter freshwater pool, the largest in the whole country. This water haven has eight built-in jacuzzi. Attached to the pool are almost four hectares of private saltwater lagoons with waterfalls, two giant water-slides, dive rocks, hydro massage pools and a tropical fishpond. How to get there, is just 20 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, or 1 hour from Cebu.
#Food Porn!
Cebu is the home of the best lechon makers in the Philippines. In every grand occasions that we cebuanos have, the star and the center piece of our Filipino buffets is the lechon. The best lechon i have tasted is the Rico's Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig). It is cooked with precision and served with perfection. It is also known for their spicy lechon. The original Rico’s
Lechon is located in Highway 77, Talamban Cebu City.
Cebu is the home of the best lechon makers in the Philippines. In every grand occasions that we cebuanos have, the star and the center piece of our Filipino buffets is the lechon. The best lechon i have tasted is the Rico's Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig). It is cooked with precision and served with perfection. It is also known for their spicy lechon. The original Rico’s
Lechon is located in Highway 77, Talamban Cebu City.
Cebu’s
mangoes already have a reputation for being the best in the country. But dried
mangoes from Cebu are in a class of their own. They’re delicious but not overly
sweet and that made me super addictive. Once you open a pack, you can’t help but
finish them all. From the name itself, the mango is sun dried and ripe. But the Cebu’s dried mango is not your usual and ordinary dried mango. It is
most famous for its distinctive taste that will surely leave you craving for
more. The ripe dried mangoes
are also packed perfect for snacks. Dried mangoes are excellent fat-free
alternatives to sugary snacks. With its sweet and non-acidic zest, this
dried fruit product is rich in vitamins and made from the best handpicked
mangoes of Cebu. Each bite is guaranteed to be tasty, chewy and full of
flavor. These fruit snacks are perfect for every occasion, especially on your pasalubong
for your love ones. You can serve them as appetizers or desserts in
dinners. You can even bring them to outdoor excursions and outings.
These chewy nibbles are perfect whether you are at work, at play, or simply at
home.
My own discoveries were endless. So come and visit my wonderful Crib.
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