FOOD: Where to Eat in Cebu City

Aside from the visual and auditory delights that I experienced in Cebu, I must say that one of the unforgettable highlights that I got to experience in the entire trip was through my mouth. (No green connotation intended!). For the past few months, I was actually struggling to get into a rather strict diet since my sister is getting married soon. But all those weight-gain-worries were all forgotten at the sight of all those freaking delectable food!

So let me give you my two cents worth of the gastronomical stops that you can try out if you're planning to go on a trip to that big city down south.

Larsian

This reminded me of Newton Circus in Singapore except that it has all types of pinoy street food instead of full on dishes. The location and ambiance of the place doesn't feel really secured (so make sure you don't bring so much valuables when going here), but then you can still feel the richness of its culture and the authenticity of the flavors the moment you walk in. Its very overwhelming at first because all these store owners would flock you and try to convince you to buy from them, but the "mechanics" in eating at Larsian is very simple -- (1) pick a store, (2) choose what you want them to grill, (3) take a seat and mix your sawsawans (4) get as many puso rice as you like and (5) when your gets off the grill, ATTACK! 

Location: Capitol Site, Cebu City
Price Range: P50.00 to P80.00 per person 

Rico's Lechon
Aside from the known brands of Cebu Lechon (Zubuchon and CNT), I could probably say that I was able to enjoy this brand just the same. When we dined in, we ordered two types -- 1/2 kilo of the spicy lechon and 1/2 kilo of the regular lechon. For a group of three girls, this was too much for us (too much to eat and too much high blood pressure attacks). Also, just like the other known Cebu Lechon stores, Rico's Lechon also knows how to travel pack orders so that it would be safe for travel. 

Location: Unit 4&5, Ridges, Commercial Complex, F. Cabahug St., 6000 Mabolo, Cebu City, Philippines 
Price Range: P300.00 to P600.00 per person 

Dessert Factory
If you're with your girl friends hanging out in Metro Cebu, then this would be the perfect place to sit down and have that long overdue PMS / Love Life / Quarter Life Crisis talks. Anything sweet and could calm down your raging feminine hormones are basically on their menu like ice cream cakes, a la modes, cookies, sponge cakes, milk shakes, espressos and banana splits. Name it! I also like the ambiance of the place because of all the pastel shades of green and purple -- it makes me feel like a girl. HAHAHA! 

Location: 3/F Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City 
Price Range: P180.00 to P250.00 per serving of cake / coffee

Paolito's STK
This has always been one of my favorites ever since my ex-boss introduced this to me one faithful business trip. I've always loved what I would like to call "pink rice" (which is written in their menu as bagoong rice). It's "bagoong" flavor is just very subtle which makes it ideal to mix with other dishes. I also like their baked scallops which I admit, I could finish like three plates of it. The location of this restaurant is also not known to most taxi drivers or van drivers in Metro Cebu, but you can mention to them that the street is near the Dynasty Tourist Inn. I must say, this is a really go-to place when you're in Cebu. 

Location: 6 Orchid Street Capitol Site. Cebu City.
Price Range: P200.00 to P300.00 per dish 

Mooon Cafe
For all those self-diagnosed OC people, yes, it really has three letter Os! Mooon Cafe is a Mexican fusion inspired restaurant that could more or less be at par with similar restaurants here in Manila such as Agave or Cantina. They are very known for their hardcore Tacos, Nachos, Fajitas, Baby Back Ribs, Burritos and what not. I've seen this food chain in different spots in Visayas region, but I've read that they will open somewhere in Manila. 

Location: 2/F Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City  
Price Range: P250.00 to P400.00 per dish 

Sunburst Chicken
If you're in for quality quick meals, Sunburst Chicken is the place to dine in. What I liked about on the menu is their hefty order of Chicken Skin. I really didn't care if I ate Cebu Lechon earlier that day and munched on those crispy skins after. I just YOLO-ed my way to having a high blood attack! There are a whole lot of combo meals to choose from which I think is really good for families and big groups. 

Location: Annex Building, SM City Cebu
Price Range: P150.00 to P200.00 per dish

Are you in Cebu City but can't decide where to go to? Check out my previous posts about the city's landmarks here and here. 

JUST IN: I.T. Competition For Intelligent Trip-Planning by DOTC!

To all my geeky and brilliant friends out there... The on-going project of DOTC just gets more exciting! Soak up all the information below and join the competition! 

So who's going to pave the way to the all-new Philippine Transit Information Service (PTIS) App? 

THE PHILIPPINE TRANSIT APP CHALLENGE:

I.T. COMPETITION FOR INTELLIGENT TRIP-PLANNING BY THE DOTC

Manila, Philippines – The launch of the first national transport application (app) development competition led by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will be held today, July 2, 2013, in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Cebu City Government.

In a move to maximize the conveniences made possible by modern technology in delivering its services to the people, the transport agency is opening its database on bus, train, and jeepney routes in Metro Manila, called the Philippine Transit Information Service (PTIS), to the public, via the Philippine Transit App Challenge.

The competition will be a three (3)-month long hack-at-home event – a new trend in the IT community which allows software developers to create apps at their own pace and on their own time, using the same datasets provided to them.  Based on the international experience, hack-at-home events lead to the development of a broad spectrum of apps, many of which were not previously conceived and which give end-users a wide range of products to utilize and enjoy.

“We are very excited about the Challenge and we expect it to bring out a lot of innovation from software developers.  The goal is to create all sorts of apps which will make commuting in Metro Manila much more convenient,” said DOTC spokesperson Migs Sagcal.

The PTIS database contains previously-unavailable data gathered from participating agencies such as the MMDA, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3), the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM).

It will contain two (2) kinds of datasets: regularly-updated geographic location and service information on bus, train, and jeepney routes in Metro Manila, as well as live traffic incident data streams in both Metro Manila and Cebu City.

This means that the commuters will now be able to easily check the various routes available to take from one point to another, including how many transfers each route will require, how much fare will be needed, and how much travel time will be involved.  This will allow the public to make better-informed decisions when they plan their trips, resulting in more convenience and efficiency, and a better passenger experience overall.

“The point is to empower the public with better decision-making abilities using our data.  This project stems from government’s effort to look at public service delivery from the viewpoint of the end-user, and to make commuting better for everyone,” Sagcal remarked.

The Philippine Transit App Challenge, which will be open to all interested app developers, will be launched at the Toyota Auditorium of the University of the Philippines’ Asia Learning Center in Diliman, Quezon City, on July 2, 2013, 9:30AM.  More details about the event are available on the competition’s official website, http://philippine-transit.hackathome.com/.

TRAVEL: So... You want to revisit Cebu! (Part 2)

Now, let's keep the ball rolling! Here are the next few tourist spots that we were able to explore during our stay in Cebu City! 

8. Fort San Pedro 

Entrance Fee: P30 per person 

This tourist spot is like a mini version of Metro Manila's Intramuros. Not being bias or anything, but I like Intramuros and Fort Santiago better probably because there's so much more to explore in these places compared to the one in Cebu. Though I was really able to appreciate the artworks inside the fortress and as well as the old photographs of Cebu City. I was also surprised to see a torn down Spanish flag which was said to have been taken from the Spaniards during the WW2. There was also a wishing well inside the place which was said to be miraculous. 

9. Cebu Provincial Capitol 

Even if we were only able to drive by this magnificent structure, I can say that this can top almost all the government buildings that I've seen here in Manila. Our driver said that there's not much going on here, just local judiciary trials and such. 

10. Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod 

This is a new tourist spot in Talisay that anyone who sets foot in Cebu should definitely visit. This modern and state of the art establishment was just recently built in the new reclaimed area just a few minutes from the heart of Cebu City. From afar, big slabs of cement and tall pillars are already visible. Anyone would actually mistake this for a museum or a modern art gallery instead of a chapel not until they've approached the facade where a big cross is seen. My friends and I are very fortunate to be friends with one of the engineers of that structure. He said that the chapel was designed to look very "closed" if you're facing the front but very open when seen on its sides. 

11. Mactan Shrine 

I was all giddy and geeky inside when we arrived at Mactan Shrine -- the spot believed to be the location where Lapu-Lapu's tribe fought and defeated the Spaniards. I was remembering all these old stories about Pigafetta's journal where he described the first Filipinos he saw -- small, plump, brown men who seemed to be dancing with sticks (which is now popularly known as the Art of Arnis). It was also taken to account that the ships of Magellan were trying to bombard Mactan Island with their "modern" armory, but then the trajectory of their canons run short mainly because of the low tide. I was actually imagining all these things happening when we were there (hence, the more I got giddy and geeky inside haha!) 

12. Tops City View 

Entrance Fee: P50.00 per person 

The last spot that we visited was Cebu Tops View. This spot is literally on top of the mountains and literally has the best view of Cebu City and its neighboring regions. The weather was rather cold when we got there hence the obligatory round of ice cold bottles of beer for everyone! 

So those were the tourists spots that I think are essential in anyone's vacation trip in Cebu City. To guide you more thoroughly, here's my two cents worth of traveling tips: 

1. Do your research. It's really better to travel prepared. Before getting to Cebu City, I actually searched all the landmarks that we visited and clustered them by area. In this part of your journey, Google Maps is your best friend!  

2. Rent a vehicle. I suggest that you rent a car or a van when traveling to these tourist spots (most especially if you're in a big group). It would cost less and would actually save up on time. 

3. Get a good driver. A really good one for that matter! Cebu City traffic is kind of similar to what we're experiencing here in Manila. So make sure that you get a good driver that could weave you through the side streets of Cebu to save up on time in traveling. 

As one of my good friends said "That's it, Danggit!". HAHAHA! If you're planning to go on a Cebu trip soon, I hope that you and your travel companions will be able to experience these amazing tourist spots and actually get a deeper appreciation of the city's rich history and culture.  

TRAVEL: So... You want to revisit Cebu! (Part 1)

The last time I actually went to Cebu for a vacation was when I was 5 years old. Back then, I only had vague mental pictures of what I saw and what I experienced in that big city in Visayas! 

So allow to me give you a rundown of the the landmarks and historical places that I was able to revisit in Cebu now that I could actually "remember" things (and actually write and document all about my experiences). I recommend these spots to those who are planning to visit Cebu and have a better and deeper appreciation of the city. After visiting these spots, you can actually say to yourself "Yes, I definitely deserve a customized I Heart Cebu shirt!"

1. Fuente Osmena Circle 

One of our friends in Cebu actually said that this area of Cebu City is jam packed with people during the Sinulog Festival. But during our visit, the area was very serene and has a nice view of the Crown Regency Twin Towers. This area is ideal to visit if you want to try out the night life in Cebu because its surrounding establishments is a mixture of gimmick places, local food destinations and hotels! 

2. Taoist Temple 

Entrance Fee: P10.00 per car 

A small yet grand palace with a magnificent view of Cebu City! Over the years, the Taoist Temple at Beverly Hills Subdivision in Lahug, Cebu City has been an attraction for many tourists. It really says a lot about the chinese settlers in Cebu and how they were able to influence the community. It's relatively small compared to the temples I've seen in other countries but it also possess intricate details which I totally love and adore. 

3. Cebu Heritage Monument 

This heritage monument was such a surprise for me because it was located amidst a residence area. Personally, I would expect big structures like this positioned in a national park or a really high-traffic tourist spot. This monument tells so much about the rich history and culture of the Cebuanos which I truly like and appreciate! 

4. Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House 

Entrance Fee: P50.00 per person 

At first, I was actually creeped out by the looks of it (because yes, I'm afraid of mumus/ghosts haha) but then, when we entered the place, the very remarkable antique furniture and household items distracted from all the eeriness . Some items were from the early 1900s but are still surprisingly very functional. It's still very functional that the present generation home owners still sleep in this house every weekend. I was also impressed by how much the care takers / tour guides know about the ancestral house and how they multi-task both entertaining their guests and taking photos all at the same time. 

5. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral 

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the most serene and grand cathedrals I've seen in Cebu. When you get inside, you can still feel the "antiquity" of the interiors which is mostly made up of wood and big rocks. If you want to meditate and pray, I suggest you do it here instead of Basilica del Sto. Nino. 

6. Magellan's Cross 

No one can say someone visited Cebu if he or she hasn't visited Magellan's Cross! As far as I know, the big cross was planted by the people of Magellan on the day they arrived on the island. What I love about the shrine were the paintings on the ceiling showing the story of how the spaniards landed in the Philippines. You can also soak up so much culture in this small place because of the women around who are selling candles and literally dance their prayers to the cross. 

7.  Basilica del Sto. Nino 

Just a few meters away from Magellan's Cross is the Basilica del Sto. Nino. This basilica houses the "Santo Nino de Cebu" which most Catholic Cebuanos deemed miraculous. I wasn't able to go and see the actual statue since there was a very long queue to it. The main chapel was very grand, though its a bit noisy since the basilica is located amidst the busy streets of Cebu City. Nevertheless, I literally got goosebumps when I approached some of its interiors, most especially the big picture frame with relics of saints located at the side of the church. 

I still have six more amazing places in Cebu to tell about, but this will be good for now! 

TRAVEL: Whale Shark Encounter at Tan-awan, Oslob

This experience is AMAZING! Whenever my friends and family ask about it, I just. can't. even. Gaaaah! All I do is jump and squeal until I run out of energy. 

Anyway, I'm just so happy that I was able to swim with these gentle aquatic giants. This activity wasn't part of our 6-day Cebu-Bacolod itinerary (more of that in my future posts), but I must say it was all worth it. 

Around 3:30AM, we took a cab from our budget hotel in Mabolo to the Cebu South Bus Terminal where buses to Tan-awan are available. We arrived there a little before 4:00AM where we were able to catch a CERES air-con bus. The area was not packed with people, probably because we went there on a weekday. The bus left around 4:30AM. 

The trip to Tan-awan, Oslob was around 3-hours long. I was kind of entertained with the sights during the bus ride because I clearly saw the gradient from the city to province (even if I slept majority of the trip haha). The barker of the bus was kind enough to wake us up when we got to our bus stop. 

We chose the first whale shark resort that we saw which is BCD's Place. I didn't have any regrets with choosing this resort because they have good service, clean facilities and is near the orientation and pasalubong area. Tho their equipment was not the best, but I guess its ok to use for 30 minutes of snorkeling. 

You can choose from 3 different whale shark encounter. You can just stay on the boat (P500.00), go snorkeling (P550.00 - snorkel & lifevest included) or you can go scuba diving with them (P600.00 - without the gear). You can also rent a camera as well, P500.00 if you have your own SD card and P550.00 if you want your pictures to be burned in a CD. 

After paying our fees, our guide directed us to the orientation area where they discussed the do's and don'ts during our whale shark encounter. We were told here that we're not supposed to apply sunscreen or any chemicals in our body if we're swimming with the whale sharks and it's best to keep 4-meters away from them. It lasted less than 10 minutes. 

The orientation center with my adventure buddies Rona Angeles and Diana Cristino.
Can you see how excited/nervous we are?

After that we were introduced to our boatman and diving guide and was directed to our paddle boat. After around 30 to 40 meters of paddling (less than 5 minutes), we were able to see the whale sharks already. It was amazing! 

The Butandings are stationed around 30 to 40 meters away from the shore!

 

Fishermen feed the Butandings small shrimps and plankton.

 

I'm ready to dive! Woohoo!

They are everywhere! You can spot 3 butandings just in this photo!

Another swam right below us!

 

Our individual shots with the butandings!

(L-R) Diana Cristino, Kimmi Recuenco (B) Rona Angeles

Apart from enjoying our time with the whale sharks, we also enjoyed the clear blue waters of Tan-awan!

After swimming with the whale sharks, we also had a side trip to Tumalog Falls which is not far from BCD's Place. 

Tumalog Falls (Photo credit to Rona Angeles @carekoba)

The waterfalls is very, very, VERY picturesque and I'm sure anyone who would go there won't help but "work it" and do a private photo shoot!

Habal-Habal! (Photo credit to Rona Angeles @carekoba)

Our habal-habal ride was also very amazing since we got to see the other neighboring Islands (like Bohol and Siquijor) and also got to see the Oslob Heritage Houses from afar.

We headed back to our hotel around 11:00AM. Good thing we were able to chance upon a CERES air-con bus travelling back to Cebu City. (Both AC and non-AC CERES buses usually drive by this area in an interval of 30-minutes).

I am not fully aware of the environment and wildlife issues of the whale shark encounter in Tan-awan, Oslob but as far as what I experienced, I think both the butandings and the fishermen are benefiting from it for now. After some time, the people of Oslob should also have the heart to let these gentle giants go and live their normal lives in their natural habitat. 

But nevertheless, this encounter is still one of the best experiences I have ever had while at the sea! 

If you're planning to go through your own Tan-awan, Oslob adventure, here's a summary of our expenses for your reference: 

Cab from Mabolo: P60.00

AC Bus to Tan-awan: P155.00

30-Minute Snorkeling with the Whale Sharks (for Filipinos): P550.00 

Underwater Camera Rental: P550.00

Habal-Habal Ride to Tumalog Falls and back: P100.00

Entrance to Tumalog Falls: P20.00

AC Bus to Cebu South Bus Terminal: P155.00 

You can also check out BCD's Place at the details below: 
Mobile Number: 09228736128
Address: Brgy. Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu, 6025, Cebu, Philippines

JUST IN: Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu awarded TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

This great discovery just came on time! I'm flying to Cebu tomorrow for a vacation! With the looks of it, I won't miss visiting Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu during my stay. Read on to know all about their TripAdvisor Certification of Excellence! 

Cebu, Philippines - The Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence last May 22, 2013. 

TripAdvisor.com, presently considered one of the most popular travel websites among online netizens around the world, is renowned for providing its readers with key travel information. It features reviews and opinions of individuals who aim to share their unique travel experiences with the rest of the world. TripAdvisor showcases wide-scale reviews about hotels, restaurants, and much more.

The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is awarded annually to the top performing 10% of all hotels worldwide, and is given to establishments that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travellers.

Recently re-launched on December 15 2012, after having undergone a PHP 500,000,000  total transformation, the Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is proud of the fact that it has been publically recognised with such a prestigious award after having only been in operation for less than six months – a feat that is truly difficult for any hotel to rival.

Knuth Kiefer the hotel’s General Manager when asked about the award said “ it’s pleasing to see that our guests have chosen to recognise us in this manner” he went on to say that “the hotel has continued to develop its services over the past 6 months and will continue to strive to refine its services further over the coming 6 months”.

Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is the flagship property for Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Philippines, and will soon be joined by the Moevenpick Huma Island in Palawan.

For hotel inquiries and reservations, guests may call (+63) 32 4927777 or email hotel.cebu@moevenpick.com. Visit the Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/moevenpickhotelmactanislandcebu