RhealFunExpo

Cebu Fun & Experiences

As of my yearly vacation, I choose to visit first dream ever Cebu. I 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. As they said that Cebu island is one of the most visited islands of the
Philippines. So here are some tips what to do to have more fun & memorable experienced in your
vacation & trip in Cebu.

The journey begins!

1. "Where to stay?"

-Upon arrival at Mactan airport I go direct to the nearest mall Gaisano Mactan where we can find
internet shop to search the best and cheapest hotel in Cebu, but that would depends on how many
person and your budget. With the help of internet on places to go, we explored Cebu City on our own
which wasn't really hard since it was just like going around some other cities.

We choose hotel "JL Suites", the hotel is quite nice & clean. Its cost very affordable to us and its very
accessible to any destination part of Cebu.

Picture of JL Suites & Map

2. "Where and how to go"

SM Cebu - We go for shopping and buy something to eat." baon sa byahe" ^_^ I felt very tired because I
wear sandals with hills, oghh! So I suggest to wear flat shoes and sandals or rubber shoes for you to be
more comfortable wherever you go. Really its true big, SM Cebu is the biggest shopping mall in the
Philippines after the Mall of Asia in Manila.

Picture

So let the city tour begin!

1. Magellan's Cross

2. Basilica Minore del Sto Nino

3. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

4. Fort San Pedro

5. Mactan Shrine

6. Lapu-lapu Monument

7. Marcelo Fernan Bridge

8. Fuente Osmeña

9. Taoist Temple

10. Cebu Tops

===============================================

1. Magellan's Cross

A small place where the famous Magellan's cross is found.

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross on the very spot where the first
Filipinos were baptized. People started chipping off parts of the cross because of supposed supernatural
powers until the city government encased it in tindalo wood and housed it in a monument. It now
stands at newly constructed SUGBU PLAZA,located at Magallanes street in front of the Cebu City Hall.

Magellan’s Cross is next door to the Basilica Santo Nino so it is a good idea to visit both at the same
time.

Picture

Checking out the illustrations at the ceiling is a story behind the cross.

2. Basilica Minore del Sto Nino

It is my first dream of to visit Basilica Santo Nino. 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 under the
administration of Juan Albaran and was rehabilitated in 1740.

It is said to have been given to the Queen of Lapu Lapu. Later there was a battle and the only thing left
was the Santo Nino and it is housed within the wall of the cathedral.
The Basilica is in the heart of Cebu City and that makes it easy to get to.

3. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is the ecclesiastical seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cebu in
Cebu, Philippines. Cebu was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595. It was elevated as a
metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934. During World War II, much of the cathedral was destroyed
by Allied bombings of the city. Only the belfry (built in 1835), the facade, and the walls remained. It was
quickly rebuilt in the 1950s during the incumbency of Archbishop Gabriel Reyes.

Also near the Basilica Santo Nino is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It is a Catholic church but not
Roman Catholic which is dominant in the Philippines. You can walk to it from the Basilica Santo Nino and
can see it from the gates of the church.

It is a spectacular building, especially on the inside. There is a massive amount gold colored items. I
don’t if it is real gold or plated, but really it’s cool and not crowded during the ceremony. I love it! But
one thing I don’t like is the sounds system, maybe the microphone is the problem.. the voice is not clear.
(“too much echo”)

4. Fort San Pedro

The smallest and oldest fort in the Philippines during the Spanish era. It has a mini-museum within its
walls. It is now use as a historical spot in Cebu city.

The smallest and oldest triangular bastion, the first Spanish fort established in the country. It was built in
1565 primarily to protect the Spanish settlers from marauding pirates in the area. Completed in 1835, it
has stood witness to the changes in the history of Cebu until much of it was destroyed during WW II
when it served as a Japanese prison camp.
 Its construction began on 8th May 1565. First made of wood, then of stone. Was built to defend the
locals against the Spanish expedition who wanted to colonize the area. 11 days after the fort began to
be built, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived here and founded the first Spanish settlement in Cebu. The fort
is triangular in shape so consists of three bastions – La Concepcion, San Ignacio de Loyola and San
Miguel.

The fort used to be the place of military garrison Warwick Barracks, then a park, Cebu Garden Club,
Cebu Zoo, government offices and now it has been converted to a National shrine. There is a little shrine
to pray and a well Pozo de la Virgen.

5. Mactan Shrine

The Mactan Shrine houses three of the prominent landmarks in the island. The shrine has a large tower
erected in commemoration of the "Battle of Mactan" and the victory over foreign forces. The area
where the shrine stands was believed to be the battle ground where Magellan died.

6. Lapu-lapu Monument

The site where the battle between Mactan Island Chieftain Lapu-lapu and the foreign aggressor
Ferdinand Magellan occured in April 27, 1521. It depects the hero holding a bolo in one hand and a
pestle on the other, which were believed to have been used during his combat with Magellan. This
monument stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.

7. Marcelo Fernan Bridge

It is known as Mactan Bridge, named after Senator Marcelo Fernan, a political figure from Cebu City.It
spans across Mactan Channel connecting Cebu Island to Mactan Island & was opened in August 1999.
The bridge has a total length of 1237 meters (4058.40 feet) with a center span of 185 meters (606.96
feet). The bridge is one of the widest and longest bridge span in the Philippines.
8. Fuente Osmeña

(Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City). An impressive circular park in the heart of Cebu City. The park is named after
the late Sergio Osmeña Sr, the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth and Cebu's Grand Old
Man. A lovely circular park with a beautiful fountain in the middle.

9. Taoist Temple

A concrete reminder of the well-established Chinese Community in Cebu City, which has greatly
contributed to the industrialization of Cebu. Built in 1964, the temple houses the teachings of Lao-Tse,
the 600 B.C. Chinese Philosopher. People climb the temple's 99 steps to light joss sticks, mediate or have
their fortunes told.

10. Cebu 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. Only 15 minutes ride away
from Cebu City's Lahug area. Going there has an additional charge of P500 (car or van), aside from the
entrance fee of P100 per person.

Hello world!

For those of who are visiting my page for the first time, welcome! ^_^

I’m Rhea Burgos and I started this site to share with you all my experiences and the journey of life.

My thoughts is to:

- Be happy
- staying fit

- Love yourself

Lets share and be motivated to be healthy and be more balance in our life and everything. I welcome
your questions or comments and would very much like to hear about your personal journey.

Love Lots,

Yak-yak

The small town of Oslob straddles with open sea and the mountains part of Cebu. It was really
very beautiful and nice viewing especially in the morning with the sunshine blooms. Many people visit
Oslob because of one thing which is the whale shark watching and known as to be the livelihood who
lives in Oslob and it becomes the Whale shark tourism. Before the place was a quite fishing town only.

We go first watching and diving with the whale shark just for only 30 minutes but you make
another minutes to watch and pay again after, but according to the management watching whale shark
are allowed only until 12 noon (restricted).

And before our inland tour, we take an hour for our lunch "fish". So fresh! Happy tummy ^_^.
Away from the whale sharks of Tan-awan is Tumalog Falls known as one of tourist spot near Tan-awan.
Habal-habal mode of transportation going Tamulog Falls. Click here.

a place where imagination meets reality and thoughts become words