LOCAL
CEBU ATTRACTIONS
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Recommended Hotels
The resort hotels are all specially
selected high
quality accomodation. Here are some of the Hotels
we like, for more photographs see the individual holiday
pages.
Cebu City:
Marriott
Hotel
Waterfront
Hotel
Cebu
Grand
Cebu Island:
Badian
Island Resort & Spa
Mactan
Island (Resorts)
Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort 
Maribago
Blue Water Resort 
Plantation
Bay Resort 
Tambuli West Resort
Lapu Lapu City, Mactan
Bellavista
Hotel 
CEBU Island
Cebu City is the Philippines 2nd largest with 700,000 inhabitants.
It is steeped in history, being the location of the first
European arrivals in the 16th century. This is where Ferdinand
Magellan was slain while attempting to cross over to Mactan
Island to convert the inhabitants to Christianity. Mactan
now boasts a dozen beautiful white sand beach resorts as
well as an International Airport. We recommend Cebu as
a great location for Nightlife, Beach and many varieties
of holiday.
The Cebu City skyline is growing taller with the addition
of skyscrapers and hotels in the new Business Park.
Mactan Island
Reached by way of the new or old Mactan Bridges, you can
laze and relax or enjoy some of the many facilities available.
Jet skiing and boat trips, scuba diving in world
class dive locations. In the evening you can enjoy nightlife,
cultural music and dancing, a visit to the Guitar Factory,
you may even want to hone your karaoke skills at the bar!
HISTORICAL
Magellan’s
Cross
Magellanes Street. Planted in April 21, 1521 by Ferdinand
Magellan, it is the spot where the first Christian Filipinos
were baptized by Fr. Pedro Valderema.
Fort San Pedro
(Pier Area, Cebu City). The smallest, oldest tri-bastion
fort in the country.
This fort served as the nucleus of the Spanish settlement
in the Philippines. The walls are 20 feet high, 8 feet thick,
and the tower is 30 feet high from the ground. Work was first
started on May 8, 1565.
Fort San Pedro National
Museum
(Legaspi Ext., Cebu City). Artifacts taken from the old Spanish
Galleon known as San Diego within the deep sea of Fortune
Island off the coast of Batangas are on display in this centuries-old
fort. Artifacts excavated within Fort San Pedro's premises
are also on display.
Heritage of Cebu Monument
(Colon St., Cebu City). It showcases the significant events
in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to
the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calunsod.
The monumen is the work of national artist Edgardo Castrillo.
Colon Street
The oldest street in the Philippines was built by the Spaniards
in the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Named after Christopher
Columbus, it is the heart of downtown Cebu, a glittering
area by night.
Magellan's
Marker
(Punta Engaño, Lapulapu City).Magellan crossed the
channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread Christianity
but he was killed by island chieftain Lapulapu and his men
during the battle for freedom on April 27, 1521. This Lapulapu
Monument marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where
the great explorer died.
University of San Carlos
(P. del Rosario St., Cebu City). The oldest school in the
country established by the Jesuits in 1565.
University of San Carlos Museum
(P. del Rosario St., Cebu City). A product of years of research
activities of the Anthropological Department’s faculty
in Central and Southern Philippines, it has four galleries:
Spanish Colonial, Ethnographic, Archeological, and Natural
Science
Capitol Building
(Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City). The seat of the Provincial
government, is of pre-war vintage. It’s a replica of
the United States' White House and its high dome can be seen
along Osmeña Boulevard.
CULTURAL
Casa Gorordo
Museum
(35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City). Home of the first Filipino
Bishop of Cebu, Juan Gorordo (1862-1934). A tour inside this
residence is a brief journey into a Filipino period between
1860 & 1920. The place presently features noted paintings,
museum relics, a courtyard, antique household items and furniture.
The Southwestern University Museum
(Urgello Private Road, Cebu City). Holds the extensive collection
of Lydia Aznar Alfonso, reflecting the flourishing trade,
lifestyle, and culture of the port city of Cebu in pre-historic
times. Exhibits of excavated gold, trade beads, coins,
iron-age potteries, rare trade wares of porcelain from
China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, including Ming,
Celadon, and other China trade jars, as was Ban Chieng,
Haripunchai pottery, and gold teeth peggings were excavated
in the areas of Cebu, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Julian Jumalon's Butterfly Sanctuary and Art
Gallery
(20-D Macopa St., Basak, Pardo, Cebu City). The country's
oldest butterfly collection and Butterfly Sanctuary with
live local butterflies in their natural settings. It also
houses the Lepido Mosaic Art collection.
Ayala Shopping
Mall
A huge modern Mall to rival European shopping centres.
Rizal Museum and Library
(Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City). Located within Cebu City
Library along Osmeña Boulevard, it showcases a collection
of antiques donated by famous and rich Cebuano families.
Also on display is a collection of artworks of Cebuano artists.
Its upper floor is a performing arts hall. On the ground
floor is the Rizal Memorial Library.
Arcenas Antique Collection
(Banawa) Spanish period furniture and "santoses",
jewelries, pottery, porcelain wares are on display at Dr.
and Mrs. Ramon Arcena’s residence.
Rose Ong Orchid Collection
So beautiful and varied, the biggest orchid collection in
the province.
Pres. Sergio Osmeña Memorabilia & Cap
Art Gallery
(60 Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City). Contains an estimated
500 personal belongings and documents worthy of remembrance
of the Grand Old Man of Cebu.
Sala Piano Museum
(415 Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City). Houses the Ingrid
Sala Sta. Maria Miniature Piano Collection donated to the
family foundation in January 1990. A unique collection of
hundreds of pianos of varying sizes and shapes.
NATURAL
Malapascua Island
(Offshore at the northernmost tip of Cebu). The island is
3 km. long and 1 km. wide, with a population of about 3,000.
It has white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Ideal
for swimming and snorkelling.
Badian
Island
Visit the panoramic Kawasan Falls at Badian.
97 km. southwest of Cebu City. Famous for beautiful corals,
reefs, and white sandy beaches, making it an excellent swimming
and cooling off spot.
Olango Wildlife Sanctuary
Olango Island supports the largest concentration of migratory
birds found so far in the country. Migration starts from
the birds breeding places in Siberia, Northern China and
Japan. The next lap of their journey may cover from 3,000
to 15,000 km. of nonstop flight.
Nonoc Cave
(Borbon). 83 km. north of Cebu City. Very picturesque view
for picnic-ers and bathers.
RELIGIOUS
Image
of Santo Niño
The oldest religious relic in the Philippines. On April 21,
1521 Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana as a baptismal
gift. Forty-four years later, on Apri1 27, 1565, when Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi arrived in Cebu, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta,
who formally Christianized the Cebuanos, found the natives
hostile. Legaspi himself besieged the settlement and set
the village on fire. It was on one of the burnt houses that
Juan Camus, a soldier, found the image of Santo Niño
unscratched. Since then the miraculous image has been venerated
by the Cebuanos as their Patron Saint. At present, the miraculous
image is kept in the Parish Convent, and a replica is adorned
with gold and precious stones and enshrined in glass. It
is housed in a side altar inside the Basilica Minor del Santo
Niño.
Basilica Minor del Santo
Niño
This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr.
Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño
was found in 1565. The first structure of the church was
however destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568. It was rebuilt
in 1602.
Taoist Temple
(Beverly Hills, Cebu City). The temple preserves the teachings
of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. Everyday,
people climb its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters
of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their
fortune read.
Phu-Sian Temple
A Buddhist Temple, the third Chinese temple on Beverly Hills,
located at the right side of the road to the Taoist Temple.
Chapel of the Last Supper
Life-sized carvings of the Lord Jesus and his 12 apostles
seated at a long table for the Last Supper. This is the only
one of its kind in the country. This treasured relic that
dates back to 1601 is found in the Church of Mandaue City.
Celestial Garden
(Banawa Hills, Cebu City). Owned and managed by the Tanchan
Foundation. Twelve hectares of rolling hills where life-size
statues depicting the drama of the Stations of the Cross
were built.
MAN-MADE
Cebu
Botanical Garden
(Camp Marina, Capitol Hills). Where plant hobbyists can see
a collection of greenery.
Liloan Lighthouse
Found in the municipality of Liloan, around 18 km. north
of Cebu City. Built by the Americans in 1904.
Mandaue-Mactan Bridge
Built in 1972 at a cost of 65 million Pesos. This 864-metre
bridge connects the islands of Mactan and Cebu.
Plaza Independencia
A popular area during weekends, centuries-old acacia trees
dot this park.
Fuente Osmeña
Park
(Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City). A lovely circular park
with a beautiful fountain in the middle. Named after Cebu’s
Grand Old Man, the late President Sergio Osmeña, Sr.
Tops
Situated 2,000 above sea level on the cool hills of Busay,
it is an excellent sight-seeing spot which offers a breathtaking
view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango.
Guitar Factories
(Maribago District, Lapulapu City). One can actually see
how guitars are made. The raw materials used to have to be
shipped from Mindanao.
FESTIVALS
Sinulog
(every 3rd Sunday of January). Cebu’s biggest and most
popular festival. The feast is in honor of the Holy Image
of Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu. It is the most celebrated
among Cebu’s festivals, people converge along the route
amidst a madri gras parade with constant beating of drums.
Sanayon
Agro-tourism festival in the southern towns of the second
district.
Paskuhan
(Cebu City/province-wide). A Christmas celebration of songs
and lantern making held during the month of December.
Kadaugan sa Mactan
(Lapulapu City). A one-day re-enactment celebrated with pomp
and pageantry every 27th of April to commemorate the historic
battle of Mactan.
Pasko sa Kasakit
(Bantayan Island; Holy Thursday & Good Friday). A religious
procession of life-size images of the death and passion of
Jesus Christ carried in richly decorated & lighted carrozas
Tagbo
(Poro, Camotes Island, Cebu; every January). Celebrated in
honor of the Patron Santo Niño de Poro.
Cassava Festival
(Camotes Island, Cebu). Held to create awareness on the different
uses and economic opportunities offered by cultivating cassava.
Carcar Fiesta
(Carcal, Cebu; November 24-25). Celebrated in honor of the
town's patron, St. Catherine of Alexandria. Carcar town is
noted for its old Spanish style houses in the quiet countryside
setting. A lively and enjoyable event. St Agustin Church
is one of the architectural attractions in Carcar.
Barangayan
An annual celebration of Philippine independence held every
June 12.
Via Crucis
(Banawa Hills, Cebu City). A Lenten activity where devotees
do their penitential procession through the Stations of the
Cross built on 12 hectares of rolling hills.
Dinagat Festival
(Cordova, Cebu). The festival is characterized by street
dancing based on the fishing rituals & culture of the
Cordovahanons.
Nuestra
Señora de Regla Fiesta
(Lapulapu City; November 20-21). Held to honor the patroness
of Opon. This religious and social event reveals the deep
religious faith of the people and their penchant for merry
making.
SPECIAL
INTEREST
Crocolandia
(Biasong, Talisay City). Situated beside the Mananga River
in Talisay, it has for its main attraction a mini-zoo and
a botanical garden. It is also equipped with picnic areas,
restaurants, refreshment center, souvenir shops, butterfly
sanctuary, boat, fishing area and library.
Family Park
(Nasipit, Talamban). Nestled in the Nasipit mini-watershed,
it provides families with wholesome recreation within the
city. This 20-hectare area is nature-friendly. The product
of a re-forestation effort in 1983.
Mountain View Nature's Park
(Sitio Garahe, Busay). Overlooking the city, it is situated
near the cool flower gardens of Busay. This park has a mini-zoo
and canteen.
GOLF
COURSES
Alta Vista Golf and Country Club
(Aznar Road, Pardo).
Situated in the lower mountains of Pardo, the golf course
area covers 60 hectares and is a world-class, par 72, 18-hole
course covering 5,670 meters.
Verdemar Golf Club
(Barangay Bancasan, San Remigio, Cebu).
Situated near the sea, it also offers accommodation.
Cebu Country Club Inc.
Situated just a few minutes from the heart of the city, it
is the oldest existing golf course in Cebu. The course is
spread over an area of 52 hectares of what used to be sugarland.
