A Draft - 1 day Itinerary for Cebu City Trip

I remember compiling but losing a list of recommended spots to visit in Cebu for an officemate of mine. But the list got longer and longer in bits and pieces so I thought maybe I should just put them all together at one point.

This time I hope this will help Sir Boboy, but I aim to improve on this with feedback from the peeps copied here.. as I have just hastily combined what I could find, and based mostly on those I've already done/gone to.

This is a quick and dirty version, hence I've relied on other sites and short descriptions of some places. The main concern is that its accessible and easy enough to include in a 1-day trip. One can mix and match options for eating places and the historical must-sees.

*** OPEN to all for discussion.. asking for help on this or future Cebu itineraries ***


Assumptions:
1) The visitor may or may not stay overnight in Cebu. He will be staying within the city, not in Mactan Island, and not in a hotel up the hills.

Btw, If one doesn't mind a little extra time on the road, in exchange for having a great view of the city, my recommendation for a hotel would be Cebu Plaza, now known as Marco Polo Plaza (http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/88/CC_PPS_CUH) and its proximity to some places such as Tops Lookout and the Taoist Temple (http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/209/Keen_on_Taoist_Temple) is also praiseworthy and can be discussed another day - for a 2 or 3 day itinerary.

2) The visitor is pressed for time, so any trips far from city center is not factored in.

3) There is no inclusion of bars and music lounges, though the island is known for churning out talented singers because these places usually open late.

SCENARIO: For the 1-day visitor/traveler to Cebu on a trip of business and pleasure:

Let's imagine Sir Boboy staying here for at least 5 hours (excluding business part)...and here we go....


* MARRIOT HOTEL

 - business hotel; location-wise accessible to uptown and midtown
 - Check out their website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cebph-cebu-city-marriott-hotel/

Places which can be easily reached from this hotel or from the Cebu Business Park:

* AYALA MALL (located in Cebu Business Park)

- outside the mall is the place called "The Terraces", lots of restos and bars which you might not find in Manila although familiar ones like Ratsky, CYMA, Fridays, Don Henrico’s are also there...

     •    Cafe Laguna – other outlet is inside the mall itself

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/81/Disperas_and_on_Daddys_birthday#photo=9
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/292/_Cafe_Laguna_Cebu

{btw, also near to the original resto of Cafe Laguna are two of my fave seafood restaurants...to be posted later if I remember - Golden Cowrie Native Resto and Chika-an..though they may have changed ownership}

     •    Hukad sa Golden Cowrie – other outlet is in Lahug, seafood resto; good lobster tails and baked scallops

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/246/The_Terraces_Dinner_Hukad
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/294/Seafood_2_p.m.

     •    Mooon Cafe - the outlet I tried is not in Ayala Mall but nearer to Cebu Waterfront Hotel in Lahug; Mexican food, very reasonably priced, interesting decor

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/219/Over_the_Mooon
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/249/When_7_Women_Meet....

- Inside Ayala Mall, I also like to check out the cuisine at Persian Palate...but there's also La Maison and Lemon Grass - they may not be solely just Cebu restos?). These restos are found in the Ayala Entertainment Center...or they may have moved to The Terraces.

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/102/From_Sara_Lee_to_Fuller_Life

     •    Persian Palate  - vegetarian, Indian, Persian, Middle-eastern food; other branches are at Crossroads and Mango Avenue (have to confirm the latter)

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/103/Officially_13870_days

     •    Lemon Grass - Thai and Vietnamese food

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/24/After_Murphys_law_day_blog_Cebu_trip_092006

     •    Bigby's - originally opened in Cagayan, their branch in Cebu is well-frequented by tourists and locals alike. My dad likes their version of baby back ribs, my mom likes their fish dishes, and I like everything else. The decor is also eye-catching

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/91/Holiday_2007_Places_in_Cebu_-_2_of_2

* WATERFRONT HOTEL AND CASINO

– their other hotel is in Mactan Island facing the international airport...this one in Lahug is convenient..has other eating places opposite it – at the IT Park where most call centers are housed (outlet of Moon Cafe and other restos). Several restos inside offering Chinese, Italian and seafood etc.

     •   The Port - seafood, cheap eat-all-you-can, sizzling bangus, vinegar to knock your socks a bit

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/253/A_Day_Night_with_my_Sara_Lee_mates

     •   Uno - Continental food

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/257/Zooming_back_to_Cebu_in_2008

Tip for Tourists:
Chinese food abounds in Cebu because well, we have lots of Chinese folks...and so if you have a yen for reasonably priced, almost authentic Chinese food...look no further!

There's the old Manila Restaurant in downtown Cebu...the usual dim sum places like Ding How..though I think Ding Qua Qua has closed.

http://cuh888.multiply.com/journal/item/149/Reminiscing_in_Cebu_Crispy_Chicken_Skin

For downtown Cebu, as of this moment, I can only recommend the original Sunburst Restaurant on Legaspi St. Good idea if you are in the vicinity anyway to visit Sto. Nino and Magellan's Cross.

* known only through WOM is this very nice restaurant located at Sto. Niño Village - 10 Dove Street. Very reasonable prices, and the sandwiches, soups and salads, and last but not the least, the cakes and pastries they make are such a delight, you will not wonder why people keep coming back for more even if its not advertised

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/307/Lab-Dab_Lub-Dub_Love-Dove
     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/316/10_Dove_Street_Encore


* BANILAD TOWN CENTER (BTC)

– has Robinson’s and other restaurants and eating places like Spice Fusion, Krua Thai, Yellow Cab etc. This would also be well known, either you can hop on a jeepney going to Talamban..or just take a taxi from Ayala.

     •   BTC
 
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/81/Disperas_and_on_Daddys_birthday#photo=6

     •   Spice Fusion

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/81/Disperas_and_on_Daddys_birthday#photo=4

- very near to BTC are also another 3 or 4 restaurants cluster... such as

     •   Ginza  - Japanese resto mentioned in my post about my meeting up with Pearl at Marco Polo above

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/88/CC_PPS_CUH
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/103/Officially_13870_days

     •   Patio Isabel - Filipino/native food restaurant

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/80/Patio_Isabel_-_semi_reunioneat_all_you_can#

- near also to Gaisano Country Mall which we usually go to for our groceries

* GAISANO COUNTRY MALL

- which has good ole seafood resto Lighthouse (its original outlet is on Mango Avenue)..and Chinese restaurants "Family Choice" (B - C class) and the more expensive "A Taste of Mandarin" (A class).

     •   Lighthouse seafood restaurant

Lots of tourists venture into this place; years ago, before living in Manila, I came here for crispy pata, lechon kawali, grilled fish (take note, its a bit expensive for this though), soup dishes like their white squash ..to name a few goodies...

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/90/Holiday_2007_Places_in_Cebu_-_1_of_2

     •   A Taste of Mandarin

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/90/Holiday_2007_Places_in_Cebu_-_1_of_2

- this mall is near to another cluster of eating places...known as...

* CROSSROADS

- on the way from Ayala Mall to Banilad

- we ate at La Marea for dessert, but there are also interesting restaurants here such sa Krua Thai...Cafe Georg is also still around if a couple of meters away in another building...

*　CAPITOL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING

- you don't have to go down, but you can drive by in a car and take a look at this building or just take a taxi

- built in 1937 during the incumbency of Gov. Sotero Cabahug, this is at the end of Jones Ave. Strategically located at the foot of a hill, the graceful capitol commands a dramatic setting. Classic elements contribute to the sedate beauty of the structure. Its concave facade links two wings of the capitol forming a u-shaped plan. The facade leads to a tall foyer capped by a dome. Inside the dome is painted the history of Cebu. The foyer leads to the wings on either side. The Cebu Capitol is easily one of the more beautiful civic buildings built during the American colonial period.

- near to eating places such as:

     •    Marjo's - used to have the best pochero and lechon kawali; I didn't care before if my tongue got scalded...and they really have a way of frying that lechon kawali to perfection, so that even if its been displayed for some time on the stand...its crunchy enough to leap out of the plate!

     - its now known as Sabel's..haven't tasted their pochero for a good long while though..

     - btw, I heard Marjo's is making a comeback at Cebu IT Park..have to check this out next visit...
     http://cuh888.multiply.com/journal/item/134/Reminiscing_in_Cebu_Looking_for_Lechon_Kawali

     •    Kan-anan ni Kuya J - cheapest baked scallops and other reasonably priced goodies

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/104/Of_Scallops_Sales_and_Seafoods
     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/103/Officially_13870_days

     •    Lartian - hanging rice and barbecue (the dust and being near to the Chong Hua Hospital may make you leery but it  is surprisingly filling, as long as you don't mind going "kinaw-boy" style (anything goes)

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/journal/item/78/I_left_my_puso_in_Cebu...
     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/205/Hanging_around_Fuente_O

     •    La Fortuna Bakery - good ole mase and other goodies/breads; an outlet here which may still be open...loved their egg and pineapple pies before...

* FUENTE OSMENA

- you can just drive by in a car and not go down...or you can try disembarking from the jeepney (if ever), hop to Robinson's to buy a few necessary things you might have forgotten) and then stroll thru the Fuente O

- probably Cebu Midtown Hotel would be the most prominent hotel here..but there are a lot of pension houses scattered around the Jones/Ramos area...

- has a fountain and park inside a rotunda along Jones Ave. and General Maxilom Ave. (Mango Ave.) The Osmeña residence is near the park.

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/205/Hanging_around_Fuente_O

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/529/Deciembre_Fuente_Osmena

- near to these:

     •    Shamrock - around Fuente Osmena, there are hotels and eating areas..but this outlet is here for the crunchy otap and other good pasalubongs!

     •    Crown Regency Hotel - if you can dare and are not afraid of heights...do this in the afternoon..coz if its evening I don't like the resulting pictures:

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/196/Sky_Experience_Adventure_Crown_Regency_Hotel_and_Towers

     The world's first Edge Coaster -goes around the edge of the building and tilts its riders up to 55 degrees.

     The country's first Skywalk Extreme.

     There is also the Sky Observatory.

     Club Ultima is also located here and if you have a friend who is a member, there are other amenities such as a good spa inside the building – Prana

Tip for Tourists:
Spas in Cebu are very reasonably priced and have good reputation..hmm..must be because of the tourists thats why they sprouted like mushrooms. You will find they are infinitely cheaper than those you would usually find here in Manila.

There are other restaurants in the Crown Regency Hotel building which I’ve heard of but have not tried again. near to -

     •    Lartian - hanging rice and barbecue (the dust and being near to the Chong Hua Hospital may make you leery but it  is surprisingly filling, as long as you don't mind going "kinaw-boy" estilo (as I said above..cowboy style or anything goes)

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/journal/item/78/I_left_my_puso_in_Cebu...
     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/205/Hanging_around_Fuente_O

     •    Kan-irag Hotel – also had good pochero (bulalo to Manilenos)...before, I used to patronize their sizzling squid and vegetables with oyster sauce. The name of their resto is Abuhan. Warning..I am not claiming its the best pochero in town..but it is open 24 hours...and was a favorite in the old days for folks who hanged out later and got hungry after midnight :-)

        - update: as of 2012, the original Abuhan at Kan-Irag Hotel is closed...because the hotel is also already closed. But Abuhan 2 and Abuhan 3 is I think still around.    

  http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/297/Reminiscing_in_Cebu_24_hours_of_Pochero_Bulalo

     •    Raintree Mall – aside from Starbucks if you need a fix, try the ice cream or hot mami at Ice Castle (offer both hot food like noodles and cold such as delicious parfaits)

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/103/Officially_13870_days

     •    Casa Verde - walking distance frmo Velez Hospital at Ramos St.- reasonably priced pork chop and ribs and other stuff BUT....I recommend Bigby's at Ayala Mall too for their baby back ribs.

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/24/After_Murphys_law_day_blog_Cebu_trip_092006#photo=34

     •    Ipar's - walking distance frmo Velez Hospital at Ramos St.- Spanish restaurant. I love their leche flan. Another oft-recommended restaurant offering good Spanish food is Arano's - a bit out of the way in Fairlane Village in Guadalupe..and you have to phone in your order a day in advance for such viands as paella etc. Haven't been there in ages so don't have any pics of Arano's

     http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/298/My_Dads_84th_Ipars

Tip for Tourists: 
When I write "near to" and list a bunch of restaurants or buildings, never fear, it means they are all within walking distance - 10 minutes walk sometimes.

The beauty of Cebu as an island city is that, everything can just be walked. When I was in high school, I walked from St Theresa's College to downtown to eat a burger at some greasy spoon because I only had 20 pesos in my pocket. Actually, I could have used the Php 20.00, for jeepney fare and still have eaten my suspicious-looking burger and cold softdrinks..but well, I wanted to try just looking around. Of course these days Php 20 (say 0.41 USD) will just probably allow you a round trip from uptown to downtown!



DOWNTOWN:

* Fort San Pedro – beside Plaza Independencia and the Post Office

- The date of construction of the stone fort is uncertain. Although there are claims that a Jesuit Antonio Campioni built a stone fort in 1630, and the gate of fort bears the date 1738 together with the arms of Castille and Leon. It is certain, however, that the fort underwent major renovations in the late 1800s as part of a building program to improve Cebu City. The fort became a garrison during World War II, a zoo, and now a park. The fort has a branch of the National Museum with vintage photographs of Cebu and copies of plans of the fort, and archaeological exhibits.

- Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 A.M, - 12:00; 1:00 - 5:00P.M.

* Casa Gorordo

- have to check the schedule on this as to when its open; Spanish-era furniture and household items

- photographs not allowed

- The house originally belonged to the Gorordo family whose most illustrious member, Juan Gorordo, became the first Filipino archbishop of Cebu, in 1910-1932. Family memorabilia still remain in the historic house. Casa Gorordo is one of three remaining Spanish colonial-era balay na tisa (so called in Cebuano because of its terra-cotta roof tiles) in the Parian district of Cebu City, where the city’s first families once lived.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20060924-22826/Casa_Gorordo_of_Cebu%2C_heritage_icon

* Parian

- in this district there is a huge sculpture leading to Colon St. This is the Cebu Heritage Memorial

- old Chinese district of Cebu; nothing much remains of this district of fine houses and shops, except for handful of old houses, like Casa Gorordo and the Jesuit Residence of 1730.

The center of the Parian was the church of San Juan Bautista. The fire station at the crossroads of Sikatuna and Zulueta streets is built on the foundations of the church's convento. A small chapel nearby, dedicated to San Juan, is a mute reminder of this once sumptuous church.

* Yap - Sandiego House

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/771/_the_Yap-Sandiego_Ancestral_House_1F
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/772

You are here anyway, so if you feel hungry, then

     •    Cafe Elysa is just a couple of steps away from the Cebu Heritage as well as Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House.

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/741/_Cafe_Elysa_with_the_parenthood_-

* Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino

- The beloved Sto. Nino and Sinulog festival! Must see!

- Lining outside are stalls and stalls selling off replicas of the beloved Sto. Nino....and other religiuos articles for souvenirs. This church is beside Magellan's Cross.

* Magellan’s Cross

- Inside an octagonal kiosk made of coral stone and roofed with tile (built 1834) is a tindalo cross. The cross houses what is reputed to be the remains of a cross Magellan planted in Cebu. Cebu historians doubt if this indeed is the cross planted by Magellan because it is recorded that the Cebuano rose up against the Spaniards 17 days after the cross was planted. Some believe that the cross is as old as 1565, when Legazpi returned with a group of colonists. Miraculous stories are attributed to the cross, including the claim that it grows taller and taller year by year.

- Must-see!

Detour:　btw, if you like chicken...an oldie and only found in Visayas and Mindanao (I don't know if they have expanded) is their old branch in Legaspi St. (near to Sto. Nino) - Sunburst Fried Chicken restaurant - I love their crispy chicken skin (bahala na!). I only remembered this because Sto Nino and others are near this restaurant.

* Cathedral

- Because of damage caused by World War II and the recent renovation, nothing of the historical interior remains, however, the exterior remains 18th century. The 21 meter high facade is capped by a pediment shaped like a trefoil. The monogram IHS decorates the upper register pediment while small circular openings decorate the lower part. A pair of griffins and bas-relief floral designs fill the pediment. The two story facade is divided vertically by paired columns on a tall plinth and the cornice over the main door is broken and emblazoned with a coat of arms in low relief.

- The Episcopal Palace of Cebu stands outside the enclosed plaza in front of the cathedral. One of two Spanish colonial episcopal palaces still remaining, the residence is an oversized bahay na bato, Its construction is typical of 19th century domestic architecture: a lower story of stone and an upper story of wood. The palace is being restored to house an ecclesiastical museum. The old altar from the cathedral will be displayed in the museum.
<i>
[EDIT: correction from Mommy Louella - the old structure beside the Cathedral was not the episcopal palace. It was the rectory or the residence of the priests serving the Cathedral. Yes, it has been restored for adaptive re-use as the ecclesiastical museum of the Archdiocese of Cebu. One of the curators of this museum is yours truly. The Bishop's House was was in front of the Cathedral.It was bombed during the last days of World War II. In its stead now stands the Patria de Cebu which houses the offices of the Archdiocese.]
</i>

Update Jan 18, 2012 - In this museum, there may still be the San Remigio Archeological Dig exhibit.

* Colon Street

- the oldest street in the Philippines, is named after Christopher Columbus. It traces its origins to the town plan laid by Legazpi. Colon, a bit run-down now, this was the site of fashionable shops, offices and movie houses.

Tip for Tourists:　
Don't traverse this street wearing all your expensive jewelry and cameras or else you might be a victim of some "snatchers".

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/528/Furtive_Shots_of_Colon_Street_Night_Market

* Freedom Park/Carbon Market

- named after the coal depository of the Cebu railroad, whose final station was in this area. Carbon is a typical Philippine market where various items, from food stuff to handicraft, may be found. Many of the handicraft stores carry baskets, mats, bags and decorative items from Cebu and Bohol.

Tip for Tourists:　
Better to be safe than sorry, again don't visit this place dressed to the nines.

* San Nicolas

- Its ancient name was Cebu Viejo or Cebu de los Naturales (Cebu of the native Visayans). Cebu Viejo was established to distinguish it from the Spanish settlement Legazpi had laid out. The town was placed under the jurisdiction of the convent of Santo Niño. When the town moved further west is uncertain. In 1656, San Nicolas was made a vicariate, however, the townspeople continued to worship in the Santo Niño church.

- A church may have been finished before 1627 because there is a record of a fire damaging it during this year. A new church and convento were built in 1641. However, the date of construction of the church which survived to the 20th century is uncertain. Of this church nothing remains, a victim of the elements and human neglect. Not even the statue of Fr. Andres de Urdaneta the founder of the town has remained. The statue is said to have stood at the plaza.

* Tabo-an Market

- dried fish, dried squid, dried etc. – be prepared to smell like nothing on this earth when you get out of the market..but good for dried stuff pasalubongs!

* Museo Sugbu - (Mommy Loy's recommendation).

- It is housed in the old Carcel de Cebu (Provincial jail) along Calles de Los Martires which goes by the name Manuel Cuenco Avenue nowadays. This facility was once a prison built in 1871 where criminals were incarcerated including the Katipuneros during the revolution against Spain and some guerillas during the Japanese occupation during World War II.

http://louellaalix.multiply.com/photos/album/219/Museo_Sugbo

*********

Other Eating places and Places to visit ...to be researched when the writer is more alive and kicking

*********

-    White Gold Haus – Chinese restaurant near Shoemart in Reclamation;

http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/202/Steak_to_Siopao
http://cuh888.multiply.com/photos/album/103/Officially_13870_days


-    SM Mall – has a variety of restaurants also...I like the Krua Thai outlet here..but am not that up to date coz I rarely now go to SM Cebu; they did open a new wing...and they have new restos opening there; lots of Koreans and Chinese-looking people mill about ?

-    Somewhere in Reclamation before was A-1..masarap daw ang fish and tinola ba yon? I’ve only eaten once..and it was a decade ago..dunno if its still around but it was carenderia style

-    Mabolo Church – on the way to Mandaue City and to San Miguel Brewery

-    Anton’s – dunno if its still around in Mactan Island

-    STK or Su-Tu-Kil – sugba/tula/kilaw – eating places near Lapu-Lapu Monument in Mactan Island...good if you stay in a hotel such as Plantation Bay, Shang-ri La Mactan, Maribago Bluewaters etc.

-    Butterfly Sanctuary of Prof. Jumalon

-    Recoletos

-    Kawasan Falls

-    Badian Island

-    Bantayan Island

-    Olango Island

-    Tops Lookout - at Mt. Busay - recommended but make sure your auto's brakes work first.

TBC....