The Home of Cebu

  Earning the moniker  "The Queen City of the South ", Cebu City is a seductive destination that emanates with rich cultural heritage. This handsome city packed with old colonial churches, polished museums and old fashioned edifices that stood the test of time, is a favourite of most foreign tourists in the Philippines. Cebu City is considered as the oldest city in the Philippines and most, if not all architectural masterpieces left are bittersweet memories of the long epoch of Spanish colonial rule. Downtown Cebu is an impeccable destination for  tracing some pieces of its history as well as charming photo opportunities. Here are some places you can explore around downtown: FORT SAN PEDRO Triangular in shape, the smallest and oldest fort in the Philippines sits along the coast of downtown Cebu. Fort San Pedro construction began in 1565 to resist Moro raiders. It is home to the first Spanish settlement in the country --  Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesu...

When going out to Cebu nightclubs, especially on the weekends, be sure to check out Mango Square. By day, it is a rather quiet small mall located on Mango Avenue near Fuente Circle and anchored by National Bookstore. On Friday and Saturday night a complete transformation takes place and the party crowd starts arriving. The music starts up and the mood is relaxed and friendly with a combination of Filipinos, foreigners, and tourists from all over the world hanging out and having a good time. There are several Cebu Nightclubs that open in the evening at Mango Square. Your time in Cebu would definitely not be complete if you didn't explore the nightclubs of Cebu. The music played is mainly pop, and if you like a fun and lively atmosphere then the nightlife here won't disappoint you. The prices of drinks and food are reasonable and you will feel comfortable hanging out and drinking an ice cold beer! Autoshop Bar, Juliana, and Pump are just a few of the n...

The Cebu City Museum at Fuente Osmeña, which was opened to the public on March 16, 1992, houses some 100 paintings, 50 sculptures, antique chinaware, furniture, and woodcarvings. There are also a few archaeological finds. Patricia Perez, Chief of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Committee (CHAC) describes the Cebu City Museum as a place where mixed disciplines of the art converge. A modern sculpture by Eliseo Pepito meets you at the door beside a mega-size 15th century Chinese vat donated by Fred Labra. As you move around the museum, you run into landscapes, portraits of well-known Cebuano figures and personalities, floral renditions, and murals. Antique chinaware from Carcar from the personal collections of Eva Mesa and Luther Galicano are stacked in a 40-year-old cabinet owned by Matilde Palicte. The paintings of Professor Julian Jumalon are done with butterfly wings in the Lepido -mosaic style. Some of the works of Professor Julian Jumalon are exhibited. The pai...

MAGELLAN’s MARKER Location: Punta Engaño Lapulapu City About 20 kms. From Cebu City. Encouraged by the success of Christianizing the people of Cebu, Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the faith. Before he reached the shores, he was killed by the chieftain of the island, Lapulapu and his men during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Efforts to retrieve the body of Magellan were futile inspite of the offer to trade jewelries and spices for the dead body. This marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died. One of the oldest monuments in the province, the Magellan monument in Barangay Mactan (Lapu-Lapu City) traces its origin to December 4, 1840, when Spanish Governor-General Francisco Alcala approved the plan to construct a monument in Punta Engaño, Mactan, in honor of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese “discoverer” of the Philippines. The actual circumstances of its construction, however, are n...

Crocolandia Crocolandia is another must-visit destination in the province of Cebu. The mini-zoo/park, which is the first of its kind in the region, is located in Biasong, Talisay City. It was founded in 2001, by The Crocolandia Foundation Inc., which is a non-profit, non-stock private organization focused on nature and wildlife conservation. The park provides a habitat for endangered and endemic animals. It is now home to varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles. A huge majority of its animal population is made up of different species of crocodiles, which obviously accounts for its name. In fact, the park’s most famous resident is a six-meter long saltwater crocodile named after our very own hero, Lapu-Lapu. Crocolandia, in its mission to educate, also features a museum and a library. For further amusement, the park also has several gardens and fishponds, a souvenir shop, and a playground. You can also dine at the Crocolandia Grill whenever you feel the need to replenish lo...

Moalboal Located in the southwest of Cebu city with a couple of hours drive. Moalboal have numerous magnificent diving sites to offer. These dive site offers sea adventurers the opportunity to have a good view to the variety of coral life and marine life. Dive sites here are ideal for photography. Fan corals and gorgonians are everywhere as are sponges, crinoids and shells. Divers will also encounter Reef fishes like sweetlips, tangs, gobies and lionfish. You will also encounter large pelagics including shark, barracuda, tuna, manta rays and groupers. Dive sites in MoalBoal also have superb drop-offs overhangs all around. Some of the spectacular and enchanting dive sites in Moalboal are Ronda Bay, Tuble Reef, Tongo Point, Lambug, Pescador Island and etc.

Cebu, in Philippines has become a popular tourist destination in recent times. The island is a lush tropical island with many attractions for the visitors. One of the must see attractions is the Taoist Temple. This temple is situated in the affluent and sophisticated residential suburb of Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is located in the north of downtown Cebu. Cebu has around fifteen percent cent Chinese in her populations and this temple can be said to a contribution of the island's Chinese community. The Taoist temple is dedicated to Taoism. Taoism is an ancient religion of China. It is based on the teachings of Lao Tze , one of the noted ancient Chinese philosophers. Taoist devotees follow their rituals on two days, Wednesdays and Sundays. They assiduously climb the ninety-nine steps of the temple to light incense sticks. Having the fortune read by the monks has also become a ritual. The temple was built in 1972 AD, the Taoist Temple is very elaborate and gari...

Fuente Osmena, Cebu city is named after the Cebu’s Grand Old Man, President Sergio S. Osmena, Sr. who happened to be the second president of Philippine Commonwealth. Fuente Osmena Circle is located along Jones Avenue and General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City. Inside the Fuente Osmena Circle is a big fountain that stands along Fuente Osmena Rotunda. (Huge Christmas tree is standing in Fuente Osmena fronting the downtown area) The Beautiful Fuente Osmena Park served as a witness to Cebu’s gatherings and event including the Sinulog Festival which is celebrated every third sunday of January. Fuente Osmena has been the pride of Cebuanos.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. Open kiosks are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties.

The Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist spots to be visited in the paradisiacal island of Cebu. Regardless of age, the Sanctuary is a great place for the whole family to enjoy a fun outing. This unique and amazing butterfly haven is actually home to a nature reserve where the butterflies dwell, a museum and an art gallery. Crowds of tourists as well as locals stream into the Sanctuary each day to catch sight of these colourful creatures. Founded by a passionate artist by the name of Julian Jumalon in 1974, the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary provides a unique home to the butterflies as they are not contained within an enclosure, but are able to fly freely in the area. Comprising of approximately 50 different types of rare and exotic butterflies, on any given day, the average visitor is sure to spot at least 10 to 15 of these butterfly types. In the park area, there are also over 100 different types of plant species that serve as food for the butterf...

Your search for a perfect holiday destination in Far-East should stop with Cebu. Cebu, the lush tropical island in Philippines has everything to offer you, you will revel in the sun drenched beaches, the slightly rising and falling hill trekking routes, the diving spots off the island and the rocking nightlife - all will combine to offer you one of the most memorable holidays of your life. The island was once under Spanish colonial rule, you will be able to go through the relics of Spanish rule. Cebu has several smaller islands which are the perfect places for you to loll around. Spend some days in Sumilon Island, Cebu to reconnect with yourself. Sumilon Island, Cebu, is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Cebu. It is situated just off the southern town of Oslob . Here nature is in her pristine glory, you will find a whiff of adventure too. Something for everyone, this best describes Sumilon Island. If you think that an island holiday means only laz...

Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 8, 1521. This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street (Magallanes being the Spanish name of Magellan), just in front of the city hall of Cebu City. A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers. Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines. Magellan's Cross is a symbol of Cebu, and the chapel's image can be found ...