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