Cebu, is one of the many islands in the Philippine archipelago worth visiting for its rich history, unique traditions and its famous festivals. It is situated in the Central Visayas region and known today as an export leader when it comes to quality-made furniture.
A little history:
When the Spaniards set foot in this island in 1521, free trading with neighboring countries such as China, Burma, Malaysia, and as far as Japan was already being practiced in the island . It already has a structured and organized government with communities or "balangays" (now called barangays) which mostly comprises of about 60 to 100 households being headed by the "Datus" (chieftain). The "Datu" is in charge of everything from resolving disputes in their respective "balangay" or leading them onto battles if needed.
The most popular known chieftain in the whole Philippines actually came from Mactan, Cebu - Lapu-Lapu. He became popular for killing the Spaniard Ferdinand Magellan when he went onshore this small island. He was hailed a hero, the first Filipino to deter the Spanish Conquerors.
And, in his honor, one of the 4 cities of Cebu was named after him - Lapu Lapu City.
We boarded the
Cebu-Pacific plane and landed at Mactan Airport a little past noon, hailed a cab and headed off to check-in at
Cebu R hotel. Our accommodation for the night.
The hotel is located along Escario Street which is near the famous Fuente Osmena circle. There were 5 of us (4 adults and 1 kid) so we got the Double R room which to my surprise is big enough for all of us. The rooms are clean, bedsheets are also clean (which is a must for me) and it even has a flat screen TV, a telephone that connects to the reception, a spacious shower area and their overnight package is also inclusive of breakfast. And best of it all, the bed is amazingly very comfortable and soft. I slept really well in that hotel. For the location, it is more on a residential area side so don't expect too much when you walk out the door. You have to walk at least 10 minutes more to get to a more commercialized area.
Here are some pics we've taken inside Cebu R.
Our first agenda was to appease our growling stomachs so we went and tried to locate one of the CNT Lechon branches. Roast pig would be the target of the hour. The hotel was kind enough to call a cab for us and the driver led us off to one of the not so crowded branches, past SM Cebu. CNT is a must try for lechon lovers like me, their lechon is good but my husband thought otherwise. So I can't really say if it's the best lechon in Cebu.
After a hearty meal or should I say a very high-cholesterol meal, next to our agenda was supposed to be Fort San Pedro but when we rode a jeepney that goes straight to Sto. Nino Church and is near the vicinity where the Magellan Cross is as well, the very same cross that Magellan put up when he first landed in the Philippines on 1521. Not wanting to waste time, we just went with the flow and headed off to see the cross first.
There is a path that leads directly to Sto. Nino Church from the cross, you can ask the ladies selling candles how to get there. They can even take nice pictures of you or your group if you don't want to sacrifice anybody being out of the photo. Just make sure you buy some candles from them and ask them nicely. :)
continue reading Travel Cebu...
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