I've been hearing about Cebu since forever, from Sibika at Kultura (History) class in elementary to my Cebuano immigrants relatives. And the day finally came, that I'll be able to take a step on the famous Queen of the South; my Lolo & Lola's hometown.
Arrival and Impressions...
It was February 10, 2012 I flied to Cebu from Davao with my family and friend. After arriving at Mactan Int'l Airport we took an airport cab going to Cebu City. Just a tip, the white taxis at the airport, are cheaper compared to the airport taxis as what my relative who's residing in Cebu said.
Cebu was just like Manila, busy people with tons of tall buildings, shopping malls, restaurants, name it.. Building construction & cranes are like mushrooms, they're everywhere. Davao just don't have such things, but still I love Davao from the bottom to the top of my heart. Anyway, enough with the cliche I know didn't visit and read this blog just for some sentimental thing for my homeland. So, continue reading below for places to visits.
Places to Visit...
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| These four place of interest is just so nearby. It's just a few steps away from each other. Just take a jeep going to City Hall or Sto. Niño Church |
Nothing really much spectacular about the city Hall just "for-the-glam" and "facebook" purposes that you have a picture with Cebu's City Hall. After all, a city hall is a great part of every city; it's one of every city's land mark.
Magellan's Cross...
So, finally the thing that I was just been reading about and seeing in the internet & TV I personally seen, touch & even smelt it (LOL). Magellan's Cross was built by some Portuguese guy named Magellan who's looking for herbs & spices. The cross' shelter wasn't really that big, it's just like small mausoleum with painting in the ceiling. Once you're there, you'll be approach by many old ladies selling candles. So, your question is how to get there from city hall? Simple, if you're facing the city hall; turn around; take a few steps and tanaa! You're in the most epic cross of the Philippines.
Sto. Niño...
I don't know what's this church famous for, I just know it's famous which make it to the list of a must visit place in Cebu City. There are sure are plenty of people going to this church. If there's description I would describe this church it would be, "that's-so-spannish-era". The typical church you can find a lot in Batangas.
Cebu City Church...
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| This is what I'm talking about, the elegant gold thingy. |
I just named it Cebu City Church because I didn't know the church's name. This church is just next to Sto. Niño Church. Just cross the road then there it is. It was a huge church, with a very nice sculptures & figures (rebolto I mean) that are like gleaming gold. I just love the art inside the church, so elegant.
Plaza Independencia...
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| getting some break after a tiring walk |
After visiting those churches, we're still looking for a place to go. We've asked the folks around the church but take note, if you're going to ask for direction don't just ask anyone; be careful in asking. We've been warned by the lady selling candles and other people we've asked regarding that thing. Cebuano's sure are very concern with their visitors.
Anyway, so we're looking for this museum that lady told us but for some reason we couldn't find the museum. We've been walking under the scorching Sun then we saw this Plaza and decided to roam around. It was so hot, there's just few place of shades to protect against the heat of the Sun.
Fort San Pedro...
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| Good thing there's a free umbrella but not to be taken home. |
While we sitting at the Plaza we've spotted that there's another Spanish-era-building and decided to check 'em. When we're in its entrance we just discovered it's Fort San Pedro. What's Fort San Pedro? It was the Spanish's defense building against the indigenous Cebuano. You can see old, old cannons, Spanish offices, wishing well, bolo, flags, etc. This place is a very historical place.
Cebu Countryside...
In our second to the last day of Cebu we explored the southern country side of Cebu. You shouldn't just limit yourself in the city. Discover the calm & laid back life of Cebu. Our destination for the day is Simala Church & Carcar. We took a bus bound for Bato via Ceres Liner at the southern bus terminal.
On-the-way pictures...
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| Old churches are everywhere in Cebu |
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| The place I've heard from one of my favorite Visayan song |
Simala Church...
Well, the pictures says it all. Simala church is just really, really amazing. I must say, it's the most amazing church I've ever been. I didn't expect that the next church we'll gonna visit would be like a castle of Hogwarts. I thought it'll just be another Spanish old church build with old stones. The church is visited by devotees from different places, it's even visited by Manny Pacquiao. You can see a lot of thank you notes from various people for their answered prayers mostly from board exam passers.
How to get there...
From the highway you can see a that says, Cebu 2nd District that would be your cue to tell the driver to drop you off and you can also spot the signage na lead you to Simala Church ( I don't have the descent photo of it that's why I didn't bother to upload it).
Carcar City....
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| The famous Carcar Chicharon |
Carcar City is a small city famous for its mouth-watering "chicharon" & "lechon". Just imagining it makes me feel hungry. My lil sister even said, "Can I just live in here? I love their chicharon". She sure is so in love with the chicharon. Near the bus terminal there are number of chicharon vendors in-lined. The chicharons are sold per kilo.
How to get there...
If you're from Cebu City you can take the same bus as we did at the South Terminal then ask the driver to drop you off at Carcar. Or in our case, from Simala Church we took a pedicab to the highway then took a multicab bound for Carcar. The travel time would took about 15-20mins.
Mantayupan Falls...
As we are on our way to Simala Church, I was looking at the bus window & taking pictures when I saw the sign going to Barili. Then I've remembered the Mantayupan Falls I've read when I was surfing the internet which is located at, guess where; Barili. I really did insisted to visit the falls right after Carcar, even I'm not really pretty much sure where's the falls located at Barili. We went there with no maps, no idea how far, just balls/guts. Hahaha. And I'm glad we did go there even if we didn't able to take soak & shower on the falls because of brown mode of water due to rainfall. I would recommend going there, it's a nice place but during a sunny weather.
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| Upper falls |
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| Brown water, I know. Rainfall sucks, but the falls is really amazing. |
How to get there...
From Carcar, you can take a multicab or bus to Barili. The multicab terminal is just near signage, fronting pharmacy; Mercury Drug I think. It'll be about 30 mins. drive before reaching the Barili proper. Then when you're in the Barili, at the Barili public market to be specific you can hire a motorcycle or "habal-habal" to take you to Mantayupan Falls. It'll just be about 5-10mins before reaching the falls. You may also want to inform the driver to fetch you at a set time or wait for you because there are no motorcyle at the falls.
Going back to Cebu City, you can take a bus to Cebu City from Barili at the bus station of course. There are airconditioned & non-airconditioned buses bound to Cebu. But if you're such an unlucky guy, that there are no more buses directly going to Cebu City you can take a double-ride bus; Barili-Carcar & Carcar-Cebu City.
So, that's it folks. Hope somehow my blog be a compass/help in your future trip to Cebu. Watch out for my next blog entry. ;)
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