Cebu

By wanderlust

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Plantation Bay, Mactan Island

Cebu is known as the Queen City of the South and is the second largest city in the country. It is home not only to one of the busiest metropolitan areas but several word-class beaches and resorts as well. It lies within the centre of the Philippine archipelago and boasts of an international airport and shipping hub; so it also serves as a good springboard to reach the neighboring Visayan Islands such as Bohol and Boracay.

People
Cebu has a population of more than 3 million and growing fast. The people are called Cebuano and so is their native tongue. The Cebuanos are generally conversant in English as well as the Filipino language.

Weather
Best during the December to May dry season, when it is coolest from December to February then hottest from March to May. Temperature rises to the high 30s (degrees Celsius) during the summer months.

History
Cebu is rich in cultural history, dating back to the Spanish colonial era. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan and his troops arrived and converted the people to Christianity. They met resistance, though, in Mactan Island where Magellan met his death at the hands of the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu.

Festivals
As a predominantly Roman Catholic province, Cebu has a myriad of religious festivities all year round. Not to be missed is the colorful Sinulog festival in honor of the Senor Sto. Nino de Cebu (Holy Child Jesus) held every third Sunday in January.

Attractions
Historical tours would bring you to the following landmarks: Magellan’s Cross, Magellan’s Shrine, Lapu Lapu Shrine, Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Fort San Pedro, Colon Street, and Casa Gorordo.

On the other hand, Metro Cebu is also quite modern, abounding with shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and hotels. SM City and Ayala Center malls – the two largest ones - provide a wide shopping selection even for the sophisticated traveler. Dining is a pleasure as there is a huge array of choices from native fare (including street food) to international cuisine. For an excellent view of the Cebu skyline with your meal, try going to Tops sitting atop the hills of Busay. As for accommodation, there are several hotels and inns to suit every budget. This includes the 5-star Waterfront Hotel that houses a casino in the heart of the city.

And of course, this tropical island paradise has a multitude of beaches and resorts to choose from. To name a few: Alegre Beach Resort, Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa, Shangri-La Mactan, Plantation Bay, White Sands at Maribago Beach, Cordova Reef Village Resort, Island and Sun Beach Resort, and The Resort Club at Hilton Cebu.

Native Delicacies
There is a variety of Cebuano delicacies to bring home as “pasalubong” (gift). Among the more popular are dried mangoes, chicharon (crispy pork skin), and various kinds of biscuits such as galletas, hojaldres, otap, and rosquillos.


By plane, it is one hour away from the capital of Metro Manila. Mactan-Cebu International Airport also has regular flights to/from the following destinations: Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan, and China.

Cebu has the country’s busiest sea port, as it is home to almost 80% of passenger vessels. It is also possible to take a passenger ferry but this could set you back several hours in travel time.




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