| Cebuanos celebrate life like no other. | | | | Island flavors are fairly simple with meats |
| | | | and seafoods cooked three ways - marinated in |
| They strum their guitars and sing the | | | | vinegar, charbroiled or boiled - and then |
| "balitaw" when they're happy. They strum the | | | | seasoned with condiments. Chinese and Spanish |
| guitar and sing the "harana" when they're | | | | cookery are the strongest foreign influences |
| sad. And when they pray, they dance! It | | | | in local cuisine. |
| therefore comes as no surprise that the | | | | |
| guitar is a prime product in Cebu which, | | | | Shopping Spree Shop till you drop or your |
| quite naturally, has also produced a large | | | | money runs out in Cebu where there are |
| share of the country's best musicians and | | | | fantastic bargains to be had. |
| master showmen. | | | | |
| | | | The country's leading producer of |
| The Cebuano's flair for showmanship and love | | | | export-quality handicraft products, Cebu is a |
| for celebrations is manifested in the | | | | shopping haven for novelty items at bargain |
| Sinulog, a colorful festival of pageant | | | | prices. Highly polished products also include |
| proportion observed every third Sunday of | | | | fashion accessories, furnishings and |
| January. | | | | giftware. |
| | | | |
| Cebu is an anchor tourist destination and one | | | | For mall shopping, check out Ayala Center at |
| of the 7,000 times more islands that make up | | | | the Cebu Business Park, SM-Cebu at the North |
| the Philippine archipelago. | | | | Reclamation Area, and Gaisano Country Mall in |
| | | | Banilad. Good buys can also be had at |
| The Isle of Your Tropical Dreams Cebu is the | | | | Rustan's on Gen. |
| traveler's fantasy of a tropical island come | | | | |
| true - balmy weather, pristine beaches, | | | | Maxilom Avenue, at Rosita's Fuente and |
| crystalline waters, and luxurious resorts | | | | Robinson's Department Store along Fuente |
| with all the frills of modern living. | | | | Osmena. |
| | | | |
| The island-province of Cebu was where the | | | | For souvenirs, go to Artevalman Handicraft |
| Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan | | | | Market in Bakilid, Mandaue City, or Island |
| planted the Cross of Christianity in the name | | | | Souvenirs at Nasipit Talamban in Cebu City. |
| of Spain in 1521. But even before Cebu became | | | | |
| the Occidental gateway to the Orient, it was | | | | The public markets of Carbon, Ramos and |
| already a popular entry point among Asian | | | | Taboan in Cebu City and the Mandaue Market |
| merchants. | | | | are worth visiting: prepare to haggle. |
| | | | |
| Cebu has since blossomed into a choice | | | | Cebu is the jump-off point to satellite |
| tourist destination, with many leisure | | | | destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao |
| establishments taking full advantage of its | | | | Islands. |
| sea-valley-and-mountain location. | | | | |
| | | | LEYTE |
| Metropolitan Cebu, the country's second | | | | |
| biggest metropolis, is the political, | | | | Leyte in the Eastern Visayas region is a |
| economic, educational and cultural center of | | | | showcase of rich history set in an unspoilt |
| the Visayas. Hotels, shopping malls, | | | | landscape. |
| entertainment halls, casinos and golf | | | | |
| fairways are ever present in the metro to | | | | It was here that Ferdinand Magellan first |
| cater to every tourist's whim. | | | | planted the seeds of Spanish colonization |
| | | | during the 16th century. |
| The rest of Cebu's 166 islands and islets are | | | | |
| fringed with sandy beaches and sapphire-clear | | | | A key battlegound in the Pacific theater |
| waters teeming with marine life, perfect for | | | | during World War II, Leyte is dotted with |
| divers. | | | | monuments, the most significant of which is |
| | | | the Red Beach in town of Palo. |
| Fiesta Extravaganza The fiesta is when life | | | | |
| in these islands is celebrated in full | | | | The historic landing site of American Gen. |
| pageantry, complete with a brilliant display | | | | Douglas MacArthur in 1944, Red Beach has been |
| of sights and sounds, scents and tastes. | | | | developed into MacArthur's Park, highlighted |
| | | | by larger-than-life statues of the liberating |
| Cebu shows us how. | | | | forces set on a man-made lagoon. |
| | | | |
| The Sinulog is Cebu's biggest and showiest | | | | Leyte's natural attractions include: Lake |
| fiesta in honor of the Infant Jesus or Senor | | | | Danao, one of the loveliest lakes in the |
| Santo Nino. In a choreographed movement, | | | | country; Mahagnao National Park, home to a |
| "tribes" clad in dazzling costumes hold aloft | | | | pristine lake, hot and cold mountain springs, |
| images of their tiny patron even as they | | | | Guin-aniban Waterfalls, and exotic wildlife; |
| simulate the natural rhythm of sea waves | | | | and Cuatro Islas in Indang, four unsullied |
| which brought the Holy Child to their shores. | | | | islands surrounded by white sand and coral |
| | | | reefs. |
| The prayer-dance is synchronized to the beat | | | | |
| of drums and shouts of "Pit Senor! Viva Santo | | | | SAMAR |
| Nino!" The tribes wend through the city's | | | | |
| major streets, starting early in the morning | | | | The third biggest island in the Philippines, |
| and stretching into early evening. A big | | | | Samar offers opportunities for adventure |
| entertainment roadshow and grand fireworks | | | | sports like trekking, spelunking, surfing and |
| display bring to a close the celebration. | | | | deep-sea fishing. |
| | | | |
| The Kadaugan sa Mactan is a one-day pageant | | | | The capital town of Catbalogan is a major |
| re-enacting the historic battle between the | | | | port. In the heart of town is Capitol Park, |
| Magellan-led Spanish colonizers and the | | | | with music concerts in the early evenings. |
| resisting natives led by Rajah Lapu-lapu. The | | | | Beaches near Catbalogan include Cal-Apog, |
| festival is celebrated every April 27 in | | | | Ginsorongan, Payao and Buri. |
| Lapu-lapu City at the beach area where the | | | | |
| Portuguese voyager met his death. | | | | The town of Basey is at the northern end of |
| | | | San Juanico Bridge which connects Samar and |
| While the rest of Christendom observes Holy | | | | Leyte. It is famous for its 17th century |
| Week with somber rituals, fasting and | | | | Catholic church and the 840-hectare Sohoton |
| abstinence, Bantayan Island makes an | | | | Caves National Park, accessible through a |
| exception. The townspeople display their | | | | 90-minute, 30-kilometer boat trip upriver. |
| brand of folk Catholicism by feasting on | | | | |
| roasted pig and then swimming at its white | | | | The town of Gandara is home to the Bongahan |
| sand beaches after a religious procession. | | | | ruins and the Blanca Aurora Falls. Further |
| The Semana Santa is a movable feast between | | | | inland is Mount Hurao, with its rainforests, |
| the months of March and April. | | | | winding rivers, and bountiful wildlife. |
| | | | |
| The rustic town of Opon honors its patroness, | | | | Calbayog City is Samar's principal outport |
| Our Lady of Rule, with a fiesta from November | | | | and is famous for its 7-layered Dorosdos |
| 20 to 21. | | | | Falls and Mapaso Hot Spring. |
| | | | |
| Guests take the occasion of the Feast of St. | | | | DUMAGUETE |
| Catherine of Alexandria to visit the | | | | |
| beautiful old town of Carcar which, aside | | | | Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental, is |
| from its splendid colonial architecture, also | | | | a "City of Gentle People" and sits on the |
| produces a number of Cebu's popular | | | | plains of the southeastern coast of Negros |
| delicacies. | | | | Island. |
| | | | |
| In December, Cebu culminates its fiesta | | | | Synonymous to Dumaguete is Silliman |
| celebrations with the month-long Paskuhan, a | | | | University, founded by American Protestant |
| festival of Christmas songs and lantern | | | | missionaries in 1901. Its entire 35-hectare |
| displays. | | | | area is a bird sanctuary, and has an |
| | | | ethnographic museum which houses an extensive |
| On April 14, 1521, Magellan planted a cross | | | | collection of locally-excavated artifacts. |
| to mark the spot where some 800 natives - led | | | | Its marine laboratory at Silliman Farm Beach |
| by Rajah Humabon and his wife, Queen Juana - | | | | offers gear for diving and exploring the |
| were baptized into the Catholic faith. The | | | | fish-rich waters. |
| original cross is now encased in a hallow | | | | |
| hardwood cross and can be found in a roofed | | | | SIQUIJOR |
| kiosk along Magallanes Street. | | | | |
| | | | Siquijor is the smallest of four provinces in |
| As a baptismal gift to Queen Juana, Magellan | | | | Central Visayas. Legend has it that Siquijor |
| gave a black image of the Infant Child which, | | | | rose from the sea amid thunder and lightning. |
| on April 27, 1565, managed to remain | | | | A legend re-inforced by the presence of |
| unscathed after a fire razed Cebu to the | | | | fossils of clams and other sea creatures |
| ground. The Basilica Minor del Santo Nino was | | | | found in the interior highlands. |
| built by Captain Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and | | | | |
| Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the spot where the | | | | The island-province is endowed with idyllic |
| miraculous icon was found. The religious | | | | white sand beaches, coral reefs teeming with |
| statue has since been enthroned in the | | | | marine life, century-old churches and other |
| basilica, with the original kept inside the | | | | scenic spots. |
| convent and a replica enshrined at the | | | | |
| church's side altar. | | | | Excellent sites for diving and snorkeling are |
| | | | found in San Juan off Tongo and Sandugan |
| From mainland Cebu, Magellan crossed the | | | | Points. The beach in Maria is a popular |
| channel to the island of Mactan in an effort | | | | weekend picnic destination and has coral |
| to spread Christianity. The chieftain | | | | gardens offshore. |
| Lapu-lapu, together with his warriors, | | | | |
| resisted the attempt and killed Magellan as | | | | Mystical Siquijor is also known for its |
| he reached the shore. A monument now marks | | | | Festival of Herbal Preparation held during |
| the site. | | | | Holy Week at San Antonio Village overlooking |
| | | | the Bay of Lazi and the Mindanao Sea. |
| Fort San Pedro, located at Cebu City's wharf | | | | |
| area, was the nucleus of the first Spanish | | | | CAGAYAN DE ORO |
| settlement in the country. The fort has been | | | | |
| turned into a museum-park. | | | | The "City of Golden Friendship, " Cagayan de |
| | | | Oro is geographically part of the province of |
| Colon, the country's oldest street, was built | | | | Misamis Oriental and is the gateway to the |
| at the Parian or Chinese District. | | | | Northern Mindanao region. |
| | | | |
| Located at the heart of downtown, it is a | | | | Within the city is the Garden of Malasag |
| busy commercial center by day and a lively | | | | Ecotourism Village, a mountain resort |
| entertainment belt by night. | | | | overlooking Macalajar Bay which is also a |
| | | | cultural haven for the 11 tribal communities |
| The seat of the provincial government is an | | | | of Northern Mindanao and their arts and |
| imposing building of pre-Pacific War vintage | | | | crafts. |
| rising majestically along Osmena Boulevard. | | | | |
| | | | The Santillano Shell Collection exhibits over |
| Located at the center of the boulevard is | | | | 1,000 priceless shells from all over the |
| Fuente Osmena, named after Cebu's Grand Old | | | | world. The Pelaez Sports Center is one of the |
| Man, the late Commonwealth President Sergio | | | | best sports complexes in the country. In |
| Osmena, Sr. A favorite strolling park among | | | | August, Cagayan de Oro holds the Kagayhaan, |
| locals, the circular Fuente becomes even more | | | | the local Mardi Gras festival, in honor of |
| alive in the evenings. Within the park is a | | | | its patron, St. |
| skating rink. | | | | |
| | | | Augustine. |
| The University of San Carlos was established | | | | |
| by the Dominican fathers on the site of the | | | | Cagayan de Oro offers world-class diving |
| former Jesuit-run Colegio de San Ildefonso, | | | | sites around Gingoog and Medina - and |
| originally founded in 1595. Its museum on P. | | | | rainforest-covered mountains dotted with |
| del Rosario Street has an extensive | | | | caves, waterfalls and springs. |
| collection of anthropological and biological | | | | |
| artifacts. | | | | CAMIGUIN |
| | | | |
| The Southwestern University Museum located on | | | | A tiny, pearl-shaped volcanic outcrop off the |
| the Urgello Private Road, takes pride in its | | | | north coast of Mindanao, Camiguin is an ideal |
| large collection of pre-colonial and colonial | | | | destination for trekkers in search of |
| artifacts as well as its Filipiniana Research | | | | adventure and romantics yearning for a quiet |
| Center. | | | | corner. |
| | | | |
| Casa Gorordo, along Lopez Jaena Street, is | | | | Camiguin can be toured from tip to tip by |
| the ancestral house of the first Bishop of | | | | land transport in two hours. Mambajao, the |
| Cebu and affords one a glimpse of affluent | | | | capital, makes a good way station to such |
| Cebuano lifestyle, circa 1800. | | | | attractions as seven volcanoes, waterfalls, |
| | | | springs, and white sand beaches. |
| The Jumalon Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary and | | | | |
| Art Gallery in the Basak district was the | | | | This luxuriant island is equally famous for |
| private museum of the late lepidopterist | | | | the tropical fruit lanzones. The Lanzones |
| Professor Julian Jumalon. | | | | Festival takes place in Mambajao in October. |
| | | | |
| His garden continues to be a haven to | | | | SURIGAO DEL NORTE |
| thousands of butterflies and his salon | | | | |
| features mosaics made of butterfly wings. | | | | Surigao del Norte consists of a part of |
| | | | mainland Mindanao and 100 other islands, the |
| The Cebuano's Chinese heritage is very | | | | largest of which are Dinagat, Siargao and |
| visible and one of the more popular | | | | Bucas Grande. |
| destinations in the city is the Taoist | | | | |
| Temple, located at the highest elevation of | | | | Casa Real in the capital city of Surigao is |
| the Beverly Hills Subdivision. | | | | the governor's residence and dates back to |
| | | | the Spanish period. A century-old replica of |
| Devotees, meanwhile, go to the Heavenly | | | | the Liberty Bell stands at the capitol site. |
| Temple of Charity at the Peace Valley in the | | | | Within the city vicinity are Sabtang Beach |
| Lahug district. | | | | with its kilometer-long black sand shore, |
| | | | Ipil Beach with its white pebbles. |
| Yet another pilgrimage spot is the Celestial | | | | |
| Garden where life-size replicas of the 14 | | | | On Raza Island, one side has low tide while |
| Stations of the Cross are spread in a | | | | one side has high tide. In Sibaldo is the |
| 12-hectare property within Banawa Hills. | | | | 10-meter high Zaragaza Rock Formation and the |
| | | | solitary rock islet of Tamulayag where trees |
| From downtown to uptown, Metropolitan Cebu | | | | grow without soil. |
| comes even more alive as dusk sets in, with | | | | |
| queues leading to music bars, discos and the | | | | In Hikdop Island is a natural rock sculpture |
| casinos. | | | | in the form of a human skull. |
| | | | |
| Cebu is a premier entertainment center. | | | | Danawan Island has a white beach teeming with |
| | | | rare seashells. Bayagnan Island has offshore |
| Electric high tension fills the nightlife and | | | | whirlpools that appear and disappear with the |
| patrons can't help but "shake those bodies" | | | | tides. |
| as they swing into the groove. | | | | |
| | | | It takes hours to reach the three big |
| Island Adventure For the island-hopper, Cebu | | | | islands. Bucas Island Grande is known for |
| is one exciting playground for daring | | | | Sohoton Lagoon in the town of Socorro, which |
| expeditions. | | | | can only be reached by passing through a cave |
| | | | at low tide. Dinagat Island is a spectacular |
| Aqua sports top the list of what to do. | | | | snorkeling and diving destination. But it is |
| | | | Siargao Island which is best known among |
| For scuba diving, the best dives are found in | | | | adventure travelers. Many surfers swear that |
| the islands of Mactan, Moalboal and Camotes. | | | | Siargao has the best surf in the Philippines. |
| The calm waters surrounding Argao, Badian and | | | | Cloud 9 is acknowledged as one of the best, |
| Malapascua islands are ideal for kayaking. | | | | if not the best, single breaks in Asia. |
| | | | |
| Because of its hilly terrain, mountain sports | | | | Planning Your Trip Cebu is a regional |
| has created a following in Cebu. | | | | transportation hub. |
| | | | |
| Rock climbing is excellent in Cantabaco and | | | | The Mactan Cebu International Airport |
| Malubog. | | | | services both regular and chartered flights |
| | | | from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, |
| For trekkers, the 908-meter high Mount | | | | Taiwan and South Korea. |
| Manunggal is a steady climb in the heat. | | | | |
| | | | The fastest way to reach Cebu is by plane. |
| Mountainbike your way up and down scenic | | | | Flight time from Manila is 1 hour 10 minutes. |
| Talamban. It takes less than a full day on | | | | |
| the road, with plenty of stops along the way. | | | | A leisurely way to reach Cebu is by ship, |
| | | | which has first-class cabins, restaurants, |
| The ecotourist will find Olango an ideal | | | | and music bars. Travel time from Manila is |
| place for communing with nature. A wildlife | | | | approximately 20 hours. |
| sanctuary, the island supports the largest | | | | |
| concentration of migratory birds in the | | | | The Philippines is accessible from the travel |
| country. | | | | capitals of the world. Traveling time to |
| | | | Manila from Hong Kong is an hour and 50 |
| For the golfer, the Cebu Country Club and the | | | | minutes; from Singapore, 3 hours and 10 |
| Alta Vista Golf and County Club are | | | | minutes; from Bangkok, 3 hours and 50 |
| conveniently located in the metro, in Banilad | | | | minutes; Tokyo, 4 hours and 15 minutes; |
| and Pardo. There is also the Club Filipino | | | | Sydney, 10 hours and 20 minutes; London, 20 |
| Golf Course in Danao City, some 33 kilometers | | | | hours and 45 minutes; Paris, 21 hours and 15 |
| drive from Cebu City. | | | | minutes; Frankfurt, 19 hours and 40 minutes; |
| | | | San Francisco, 16 hours and 15 minutes; Los |
| Island Flavors Cosmopolitan Cebu is noted for | | | | Angeles, 15 hours and 20 minutes; and New |
| its inexpensive gastronomy of many cuisines. | | | | York, 25 hours and 20 minutes. |
| | | | |