Before I head on nature tripping at the province of Cebu, our group decided to explore first the city. Aside from being the second largest city next to Manila,
Cebu City is also the oldest city of the Philippines which makes it a significant cultural capital of the country. Wherein the sign of Spanish cultivation is distinct in different parts of Cebu.
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| Looks like Manila huh? (photo from William Bryan Cua) |
As for our tour in the rich culture of Cebu, we mainly visited churches and museum alike to get to know well the city, the people, and the province as well. By the way, the group rented an ac-van which costs us 3,250 pesos. It picks us up from the airport, driven us down to our hotel to drop off our luggage, a whole-day city tour, and it drove us back again to our hotel at the end of the tour. We're 11 in group so it is only around 295 pesos per head. Commute-free and air conditioned tour, not bad!
So let the city tour begin!
The Taoist Temple
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| Look at those very intricate design |
Residing in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City, this temple was built by a Cebu Chinese community. Unlike the the nearby temple named Phu Sian which was also built by a Chinese Community, Cebu Taoist Temple is open to public. So even non worshipers alike can visit the temple. However since this place is a Taoist Sanctuary of Prayers and Meditation, all visitors should also observe solemnity. Taking pictures of the Gods and inside the prayer room is strictly prohibited. Please abide rules to prevent confiscation of your gadgets. Aside from that, you can take pictures anywhere around the temple.
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| Seems like it was shot in China. By the way that's Anna (Author of Stupid Banana) |
The Taoist Temple is comprised of a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well and it stands at 300 MASL. The balcony offers the downtown Cebu and Mactan. The Taoist temple is open from 8am-5pm. Temple facilitators were said to be strict when it comes to time so don't go there if you think you will reach the place beyond 5pm.
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| More tourists shot pose. Aizel (left) and Rina (right) |
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| My very own tourist shot pose. |
Fort San Pedro
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| Welcome to Fort Santiago... ooops, I mean Fort San Pedro (photo from Byron Cantonjos) |
One can be quite familiar to this place if you are a Manileño. It is because Fort San Pedro of Cebu is somehow resemble to the Fort Santiago of Intramuros, Manila. Fort San Pedro is situated at Barangay San Roque in Cebu City. It serves as a military defense structure during the Spanish time in the country. Now, Fort San Pedro is one of the historical spots in Cebu City and known as the oldest and smallest fort in the Philippines.
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| Just playing with the open door. By the way that's Paula and Edward in the photo |
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| A nice Sto. Niño on top of the entrance |
It is also converted into a museum/park wherein a 30 pesos will be given out as an entrance fee if you want to explore the area. Displayed in the fort are documents, paintings, porcelain pieces, cannons and other Spanish artifacts.
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| Some of the items found inside Fort San Pedro (photo from Byron Cantonjos) |
Basilica Del Sto. Niño
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| Basilica Del Sto. Niño, old yet standing still (photo from Gladys Dizon) |
Also known as the Basilica of the Holy Child. This place is the oldest Roman Catholic church built in the country. Basilica Del Sto. Niño has also been the the roof of the oldest religious image in the Philippines and that is the Miraculous Image of the Holy Child Jesus also called as Señior Santo Niño. Aside from that, Basilica Del Sto. Niño was established at the exact location where the image of Santo Niño was found during Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's exploration in Cebu way back 1565. Lots of old stuff are situated in Cebu which makes this place interesting.
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| Inside and outside scene of the church |
Magellan's Cross
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| The famous cross of Magellan (photo from Byron Cantonjos) |
Just a few steps away from the Basilica Del Sto. Niño, the famous cross of Cebu resides. The Magellan's Cross was planted by the Spanish explorers led by Ferdinand Magellan as they landed in the city of Cebu in 1521. The arrival of the cross is also said to be the arrival of Christianity in the country. Today, the cross is housed at the center of a chapel found at Magellanes Street, Cebu City. A marker at the foot of the cross stated that the original cross that planted by Magellan is encased inside a Tindalo wood. Well I guess that is their way to protect and preserve the original cross from being destroyed.
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| This is an interesting fact |
Mactan Shrine
Mactan Shrine, located in Lapu-Lapu City, is a must see spot for those people who are interested in the history of the Philippines. It is where the battle between Ferdinand Magellan and Datu Lapu Lapu took place in 1521. Also, this is said to be the place where Magellan was killed in the hand of Datu Lapu Lapu. Today, the battle ground is now turned into a historical park where people can visit and read markings of what happened in this place a hundred years ago. Inside Mactan Shrine lies two famous shrine - the Magellan Shrine and the Lapu Lapu Shrine.
Magellan Shrine is a 98 feet monument that was built in honor to the Portuguese explorer that was asked to find a western sea route to Asia -- Ferdinand Magellan. Yes, he has been an enemy by this country however his contribution as a navigator is still should be recognized.
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(Left - photo from Byron Cantonjos)
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Just a few meters away from the Magellan Monument is the
Lapu Lapu Shrine. It is a 66 feet bronze statue of the first native Filipino who resists from being colonized by the Spanish invaders. The statue projects the Datu's braveness and fearlessness as it stands facing toward the sea and seems like still guarding the land from future attempt of colonization - which I find so cool!
Taboan Market
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| Let the bidding begin!!! (photo from Byron Cantonjos) |
And before we went back to our hotel, we visited the Taboan Market. This is a popular place where people can buy local souvenir items and famous delicacies of Cebu (like dried mangoes, danggit, otap, others). Inshort, Taboan Market is the "Pasalubong Haven" of Cebu. The price of goods here are all negotiable so if you want to save up for your "pasalubongs" you should be good in "tawaran" or bidding.
Note: At the end of your tour in Taboan Market you will smell like dried fish too. Promise! Hahaha
Additional city tour destination: Sky Experience Adventure
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| Conquering our fear |
Please click the link for the full details of this adventure:
http://geejaytravellog.blogspot.com/2013/03/sky-walk-extreme-at-crown-regency-hotel-cebu-city.htmlAnd that's the end of my city tour at Cebu City! Yey! There are still lots of other beautiful and meaningful spots in Cebu but I have to leave it that way just for now. I guess I have to go back again here and explore it the next time. It seems like easy but even though we had fun, this tour is really tiring and draining. So make sure to charge up and you're energize before getting in to action. Unlike us who didn't have enough sleep and drive right after we landed at Cebu (No sleep since our flight at 3:45am). Look how exhausted we are in between the tour.
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| Look who's sleeping very soundly... hahahaha (photo from Gladys Dizon) |
But I have no regrets with our itinerary. The more place to visit, the better the tour!!! And this wrap up my entry.
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