Sunday, July 22, 2018

Celebrating Cebu City’s Charming Attractions


No other city has charms as myriad as that of Cebu, be it historical, cultural, spiritual and what have you. Just like the rest of the island province, it’s a kaleidoscope of diverse lifestyles, cultures and traditions where the contemporary meets the classic, the east comes face-to-face with the west, time-honored practices co-exist with trend-setting conventions. Cebu is definitely one place like no other!
















Cebu City Hall




Having visited this highly-urbanized metropolis on countless occasions, it always feels like I’ve never really left home. The city always makes me feel that way. Saying goodbye often ends up like some bittersweet affair. I’ve grown so fond of it such that the thought of settling down there for good crossed my mind many times! 


Snapshot of Cebu's dazzling cityscape








Here’s a place that offers drifters and denizens alike something of everything. From historical landmarks to amazing temples to modern lifestyle museums, Cebu has it all…and much, much more! Whether you're a culture vulture, a chow connoisseur, a caper seeker or a club  hopper, there is something sweet, surprising and spectacular that awaits you in  the Queen City of the South.



The iconic Fuente Osmeñ 



Fuente Osmeñat night



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Here then is a personal list of some of the most interesting destinations in Cebu. I’m pretty sure you have your own choices. You may agree with mine or think otherwise. For me, these are some of the charming attractions that make the city tick. If you haven't made it there yet, you might find this eclectic list of must-sees useful as you plan your trip to Cebu:  


Magellan's Cross




Historical/Religious Landmarks

Magellan’s Cross. Just a stone’s throw away from Cebu City Hall, Magellan’s Cross was erected in honor of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator who claimed these islands for the Spanish Crown. He is said to have landed on the shores of Sugbu (Cebu’s old name) in 1521 and planted a wooden cross on the very spot where the shrine now stands. Magellan also gave Humani, the wife of Rajah Humabon (Sugbu’s king), an image of the Santo Niño.

Housed inside a roofed chapel-like concrete kiosk, the cross or, more accurately, a replica of the original that was planted almost 500 years ago, never fails to attract the crowds who visit Cebu. Mind you, the place is always teeming with people from all walks of life—curious tourists, beggars and itinerant peddlers selling a variety of items such as guitars, rosary beads, sweets, among others.

Philippine history as captured in this mural





Once you’re inside the shrine, catch a glimpse of the mural on the kiosk’s ceiling that highlights the various events during the arrival of the conquistadors in the island—the conversion of the natives, the image of the Holy Child, and of course, the planting of the cross, etc. How’s that for a quick glance of some of Philippine history’s most important moments!



















Interior of the Basilica del Sto. Niño












Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. Cebu has been known far and wide as one of the earliest bastions of Christianity in the country. Central to its being a stronghold of Roman Catholicism in this part of the world is the original statuette of the Holy Child or the Santo Niño, which is permanently encased within bulletproof glass, housed inside one of the city’s most enduring landmarks, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

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The basilica at night



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Altar and retablo mayor (main altarpiece)










History has it that Magellan gave the icon to the Sugbu king’s wife after her and her people’s baptism. When conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came to Sugbu in 1565, he and his men found an image of the Holy Child which is believed to be the one that Magellan gave to Humabon’s wife (who was christened as Juana).






In that same year, a church made of light materials, the precursor of today’s basilica, was built on the very spot where the icon was discovered. Gutted by fire in 1602 and 1735, the structure was rebuilt twice. Between 1735 and 1737, the Augustinians erected a church made of stone. In 1789, it underwent a major renovation; however, most of its original features were retained, except for the windows that were added.  In 1965, Pope Paul VI ordered its conversion into a minor basilica.










Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. A block away from the basilica lies another equally important religious edifice in the city that is also considered as one of its prominent tourist magnets—the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, officially known as the Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of St. Vitalis and of the Guardian Angels, which is the ecclesiastical seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cebu.

Facade of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral









The original structure is said to have taken more than a century to be completed, marked by numerous starts and stops due mostly to inadequate funds, changes in church administration, reconstructions, design alterations, among others. Construction is said to have finally taken off in 1689 but the structure was destroyed by a typhoon. Work resumed in 1719 but was suspended when funds were diverted to finance military campaigns against Moro raiders.
 








Efforts to continue with the construction gained ground in 1786. Again, it suffered so many delays. Finally, the seventh construction-reconstruction attempt began in 1891 but it was halted by the Philippine Revolution in 1898. Work on the cathedral was fully completed in 1909. Much of it, however, was destroyed by Allied bombings during World War II, with only its belfry (built in 1835), facade, and thick walls surviving the bombardment. In the 1950s, a massive reconstruction was relentlessly pursued to restore the cathedral into its former state.







A section of Cebu Heritage Monument





Cebu Heritage Monument. At the northern tip of Colon, the oldest street in the country, stands a tableau of sculptures made of concrete, bronze, brass and steel showing scenes about events and structures related to the history of Cebu as well some of the most notable Cebuanos. Known as the Cebu Heritage Monument, the massive edifice, which was constructed in July 1997 using funds donated by private individuals and organizations, took three years to complete.










Built by a local artist, Eduardo Castrillo, the monument, which is made of concrete, brass, steel and bronze structures, depicts some popular landmarks and structures that are associated with Cebu such as the Basilica del Santo Niño, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, St. John the Baptist Church, Magellan’s Cross, and a Spanish galleon.

Meanwhile, the historic events depicted there include the baptism of Rajah Humabon, a procession of the Santo Niño, a Roman Catholic mass, and the Battle of Mactan fought between Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan. It also features the monuments of some of Cebu’s prominent sons—the late president Sergio Osmena Sr. and Blessed Pedro Calungsod.















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Fort San Pedro. Strategically located at the city’s port area near Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro was originally built in 1565 under Legazpi’s orders to protect the settlement from the persistent attacks of Moro raiders. Rebuilt in 1738, the triangular-shaped fort was once called San Miguel but it was renamed to Fuerza de San Pedro later.















Through the years, the historic citadel, which underwent several major restoration works, has become a mute witness to the history and progress of the city. It became a barracks and a school during the American regime; a refuge and hospital during the Japanese occupation; and an army camp during the early postwar years.  


Icon of the Sto. Niño at the entrance of Fort San Pedro






















Starting in the 1950s, the massive stronghold, or some parts of it, was turned into a mini-garden, a clinic, a public works office and—would you believe?—a zoo! At present, the fort houses an open-air theater and a park and a museum where local and foreign tourists can view some well-preserved legacies of Spanish rule in the country such as documents, paintings and sculptures.














Temples and Shrines

Taoist Temple. Said to have originated in China some 2,000 years ago, Taoism is an ancient tradition of philosophy and religious belief that has about a billion adherents worldwide, mostly Chinese. A religion of unity and opposites, it promotes harmony and unity with nature, pursuit of spiritual immortality, virtuosity, and self-development. In the Philippines, there are a few Taoist temples scattered all over and one of them is located in Cebu City.

Taoist Temple





Built in 1972 by the Chinese community in Cebu, the multi-level temple, which is located within Beverly Hills, a posh subdivision in Lahug, stands on a hill with an elevation of about 300 m above sea level. On a clear day, visitors will be treated to a spectacular vista of Cebu City and the nearby islands of Mactan and Bohol.








Open to worshipers and non-worshipers alike, it’s the perfect spot for sight-seeing, praying, soul-searching, meditating, and what have you. Even staring at the temples, stone statues, fountains and gardens can be therapeutic. Tourists, however, are advised to remain silent so as not to disturb others who go there to seek serenity and silence in the temple’s premises.

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Temple of Leah.  Dubbed as the city’s version of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Temple of Leah is regarded as an awe-inspiring gesture of love by a husband for his late wife. Unlike the Taj Mahal, however, which is a mausoleum, the temple is a shrine-slash-storehouse of the memories and treasures of Leah Albino-Adarna, the late wife of entrepreneur Teodorico Adarna. The couple happen to be the grandparents of sexy actress Ellen Adarna.






Located in the hilly village of Busay, Temple of Leah can be reached in less than an hour by car from downtown Cebu. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a panoramic vista of Busay as your vehicle passes through the 33-km Cebu Transcentral Highway, the city’s version of Baguio’s Kennon Road. Passing through that winding stretch, those wanting to go to the distant towns of the province, say, Balamban, can reach them in about two hours’ time.















Leah's iconic bronze statue


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How much did it cost Adarna to build the temple? Some accounts place it at around Php80 million (and still counting given that construction is still ongoing after it began in 2011). Three years ago, the Adarna clan, owners of the Queensland chain of motels in Cebu, Davao and Manila, opened the temple to the public for which they charge Php50 as entrance fee.











Lifestyle Museums

SM City Cebu. One of the largest malls in the country, SM City Cebu is a sprawling four-level complex that features a department store, eight world-class cinemas, a food court, a bowling center, a traveler’s lounge (where I usually deposit my stuff), an amusement center and a huge trade hall. Located at the corner of Juan Luna Avenue and Cabahug and Kaoshiung Streets at Cebu’s north reclamation area, the shopping complex boasts of about 500 retail shops, restaurants and cafés.

Opened to Cebuano shoppers in 1993, the mall is considered as SM Prime Holdings’s first shopping mall outside Metro Manila, occupying almost 12 hectares of prime property. Sometime in 2007, the owners built an expansion wing to cater to the mall’s growing clientele. Known as Northwing, the adjunct offers two floors of retail shops, restos and cafés, catering to leisure and entertainment buffs.




What’s in store for mall rats who visit SM City Cebu? Definitely a lot. They can find a wide variety of exciting food choices from fast food chains to fine dining restos. They can also shop till they drop in many of the mall’s stores and outlets. They can also watch their favorite films at any of its state-of-the-art movie theaters. Those who worry about parking need not fret as the mall has an expansive car park with three levels of covered parking as well as roof deck parking.

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SM Seaside City. Probably one of the largest malls in the country, SM Seaside City was built on Cebu's 300- hectare island-type reclamation area located in the southern part of the city, near the villages of Mambaling, Inayawan, and Pasil. The mall is said to be the centerpiece of the SM Seaside Complex, a 30-hectare mixed-use development at the city's 300-hectare South Road Properties (SRP).

The iconic Cube















Geez, the shopping complex definitely has it all—an eclectic mix of restaurants, designer shops,  cinemas, entertainment/amusement centers, department store, supermarket and much, much more!  

What grabbed my attention are the Seaside Tower, a sprawling 148-meter structure with a viewing deck that offers a 360-degree view of Cebu, and the Cube, a huge 21 x 21 meter iconic sculpture made of fine stainless steel that stands as a symbol, not only of the Cebuanos but also the Filipinos' strength and stability.  If SM Mall of Asia has the Globe as its iconic landmark, SM Seaside has the Cube to match it.

Some of SM Seaside’s other awesome features that caught my fancy include the Sky Park, Children’s Playground, Bowling and Amusement Center, IMAX Theater and the Ice Skating Rink. Believe me, they're worth exploring when you're in town!


Ayala Terraces.  Just a few blocks away from where I stayed recently stands one of the country’s swankiest shopping malls—Ayala Center Cebu—where you can find one of the city’s sought after hideaways, The Terraces. Opened to the public many years ago, it used to be an ordinary lagoon that was later transformed into a food and beverage strip.


Ayala Terraces


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Ayala Center's The Terraces at night









Bearing the trademark Ayala landscaping and lighting that never fails to draw ohs and ahs from shoppers, The Terraces is surrounded with numerous shops and establishments where people gravitate to savor local or foreign cuisines, sip their favorite booze, strike up a conversation with a friend, snap a selfie, stop for a break after a shopping spree, or simply stare at the amazing sights all over you. 






One of the many Korean delights at The Terraces








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One of the things I like about The Terraces are its well-manicured gardens and refreshing fountains that conspire to provide visitors a chic yet calming ambiance after a hard day’s grind. Anyone can go there to seek solace from the cares and uncertainties of the world even for just a few minutes. Best time to hang around? Duskthat's when the whole place starts to transform into one shining and shimmering pleasure ground. 


A live performance inside one of  the Terraces' pubs



The guitarone of Cebu's iconic symbols featured at Robinsons Galleria's lobby
























Robinsons Galleria Cebu. One of the most awaited mixed-use developments ever to rise within the city’s north reclamation area, Robinsons Galleria stands out as one of the city's newest shopping havens, exhibiting a world-class architecture that captures Cebu’s progressive, bullish and entrepreneurial spirit.












Opened three years ago, the mall stands on a 4.7-hectare property along General Arcadio Maxilom Avenue, one of the city’s main thoroughfares and one of its popular shopping and entertainment hubs. Housing over 300 tenants, the main four-storey mall offers shoppers with a wide array of stalls, outlets and restos featuring local, national and international brands.

On top of this is a three-storey business process outsourcing (BPO) tower, a 150-room hotel and a couple of high-rise condos. The mall is reportedly Robinsons’ third biggest shopping complex (after Robinsons Place Manila and its namesake Robinsons Galleria Ortigas) and its largest development outside Metro Manila.








Aside from the foreign and homegrown outlets and shops, some of the mall’s features that I like the most are its lush interior gardens, cascading water fountains, and al fresco dining area. 



As a food lover, I was excited to know that TGI Fridays has a resto at the mall. Here's one  happy place that always gives me that sought-after swell of Friday feels no matter what day of the week I go there. Aside from the fun, frolic and friendly ambiance, the resto offers a feast of a menu you can pig out on at your table!







Now, what got me doubly excited was when I saw a resto-branch of Sans Rival (yes, Dumaguete’s popular cakes and pastries shop!) offering goodies like silvanas, sans rival cakes and other sweet temptations! Yeah, it was pure bliss  for this sweet-toothed foodie!







With so many charming attractions, it comes as no surprise why Cebu counts among the major tourist magnets of the country, with about three million visitors going there year in, year out.  Those who pick the city do so because they know what it has to offer: sunny skies, enchanting beaches, world-class accommodations, swanky malls, and a plethora of other natural and man-made treats that will definitely make tourists crave to see it.

So, if the city isn’t part of your travel plans yet, then you better make changes to it because you're definitely missing a lot! Take it from me: Once you've experienced Cebu, your life will never be the same again!

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