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Regarded as the Queen City of the South, Cebu is one of the cities in the Philippines where modern/urban experience crisscross with provincial life. Travelers see it as the gateway to the Visayas because it’s strategically located at the center of the Philippine archipelago. The city is like Manila in its traffic, a bustling metropolis but with the chill effect by night. A visit is not only about food but of unique sights and warm Cebuanos.
What I like most about Cebu is the easy access to breathtaking beach destinations and exciting outdoor activities just a ferry boat or a bus ride away. It also boasts of a vibrant music scene. It hosts the Cebu Reggae Festival which has now become one of the Philippine’s largest annual reggae festivals.
Food
The island of Cebu plays a big part in the history of the Philippines because it served as the doorway for the Spaniards when they conquered our country in 1521. For me, it’s also one of the most interesting stories my teacher told during my elementary days. Ferdinand Magellan came and was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the king of Cebu, together with his wife and the rest of the islanders. Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan by Lapu-Lapu. I think every kid knows this fact, and there’s even a song about it by Yoyoy Villame which I really liked. Then, Rajah Humabon poisoned the rest of Magellan’s crew due to threats of foreign occupation which really happened. Our country was under Spanish rule for more than 300 years and in Cebu, the impact of Spanish and Roman Catholic culture is very evident.
Places of Interest
Magellan’s cross is the city’s most famous landmark. My memory when I first saw the cross is a little vague because I was merely 6 years old then. From what I remember, it was raining hard. The place was full of big ships docked because they seemed all wrecked and under repair, and I saw that big cross which I didn’t know then was Magellan’s cross. I did the “Sign of the Cross” when my brother and I passed by it. Today, it has now become a chapel. For us Filipinos, this cross is the symbol of Christianity.
Next to Magellan’s cross is the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino (Church of the Holy Child) which is the first church established in the island. It’s built of hewn stone and features our country’s oldest relic, the figure of the Santo Nino de Cebu. Every third Sunday of January, the city holds its festivity called the Sinulog Festival in honor of the Santo Nino. The Sinulog is a dance ritual of pre-Hispanic indigenous origin. The dancers move two steps forward and one step backward to the rhythmic sound of drums. The movement somewhat resembles the current (sulog) of the river. Thus, the Cebuanos called it Sinulog.
Within the city is the Cebu Taoist Temple located in Beverly Hills, one of the older but posh villages in Cebu. Views of the city and its skyline can also be seen from villages and there are numerous gated communities located on its mountainside. This is the best place to take great pictures as cover photos for Facebook.
Shopping will never be a problem since there’s Ayala Center Cebu where you can find and buy anything you want. It is located at the Cebu Business Park.
Food
Lechon Cebu??? Wow!!! You should never miss this when you visit the city. There’s a reason why it’s so popular because it’s so good you’ll want to take home a whole crispy roasted pig on a stick as pasalubong. I also remember the “puso” rice which is sticky steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaf that has been arranged in a very strange, artistic way. Hmmm… my mouth is watering while imagining it. I’m not quite sure but I think barquillos is also from Cebu. Then there’s Ngohiong which is made of pork and coconut eggroll in lorbak sauce that you will never find anywhere in Manila. And of course, there are lots of seafoods that I miss so much being in Israel for more than a year now and eating only kosher food. Hehehe…