The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral of typical Spanish colonial church is the seat of the Archdiocese of CebuDate of Travel: 12th to 16th November 2010 via Cebupacific Flights from LCCT, Kuala Lumpur to Cebu via Manila. Our first travel via Philippines Budget Airlines - CEBUPACIFIC at special bargain airfare of RM 472.32 (excl. airport taxes at Manila-Cebu, Cebu-Manila and Manila-LCCT).
No. of Travellers: 2 (Two) - Elder Brother: Wan Heng Wah and myself, Wan Heng Kei
Accomodation: Sampaguita Suites, Plaza Garcia Building, Magallanes Street, Cebu City.
From: 12th to 16th November 2010 for 5 Days/4 Nights @ Peso 998/Standard Room with twin beds.
The Sampaguita Suite is clean, very reasonably priced and offered a free airport pick-up from Mactan-Cebu Airport on our arrival on 12th November 2010.
Sampaguita Suite is located within the the old Cebu City with nearby the tourist attractions such Magallen's Cross, Basilica Del Santo Nino Church, Cebu City Hall, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu Heritage Monument, The Carbon Market, 10 to 15 minutes walk to Fort San Pedro and Pier 1(Express ferry to Bohol Island) and Pier 3 (ferry to Mactan Island). It is also very reasonably priced for budget travellers.
The extension of the Basilica Del Santo Nino - The oldest Church in the Republic of Philippines
Another extension section of the Basilica Del Santo Nino Church.Basilica Del Santo Nino is one of the oldest church in The Philippines. It was built on the spot where the image of Santo Nino, a sculpture of the Holy Child Jesus preserved in a burnt wooden box was found by the Spanish soldiers under a pile of ashes unscathed . It was belived that the orignal Santo Nino was presented to Queen Juana by The Spanish after baptized by Father Valderama. The same image now lies in the Basilica del Santo Nino. During the World World Two, a bomb fell inside the Basilica but again the Santo Nino was recovered unscathed. It was one of the numerous miracles and powers attributed to this image.
Basilica del Santo Nino was erected by The Augustinian Fathers in 1565 and was burnt down on 1 November 1566. The second church was destroyed by fire in March 1628 and rebuilt soon after 1628 to 1629. The present massive church was designed and constructed in 1735 to 1737. It is now the center of devotion and religious pilgrimages through the Visayan Islands.
The image of Santo Nino displayed at Basilica del Santo Nino.
The Christian Cross planted by Ferdinand Magellen upon arriving at Cebu on 21 April 1521. This cross was housed in a chapel next to the Basilica del Santo Nino on Magallanes Street (named after Ferdinand Magellan) just in front of Cebu's City Hall. The cross of tindale wood encased the original cross planted by Magellan. Magellen's Cross is a symbol of Cebu and the chapel's image can be found in its city seal. It is also seen as the symbol of Roman Catholicism in The Philippines.
The Christian Cross planted by Ferdinand Magellen upon arriving at Cebu on 21 April 1521. This cross was housed in a chapel next to the Basilica del Santo Nino on Magallanes Street (named after Ferdinand Magellan) just in front of Cebu's City Hall. The cross of tindale wood encased the original cross planted by Magellan. Magellen's Cross is a symbol of Cebu and the chapel's image can be found in its city seal. It is also seen as the symbol of Roman Catholicism in The Philippines.Fort San Pedro - A bastion fort built in 8 May 1565 with Spanish Conqueror, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi breaking the ground. It was initially a nucleus for the earliest Spanish settlement as well as to repel Muslim raiders. It also serve as a stronghold for Filipino Revolutionaries. During the World War Two, it served as a fortification for the Japanese and after the battle of Manila Bay, the Americans turned the fort to the local Cebuanos.
The Heritage of Cebu Monument is a tableau of sculptures made of concrete, bronze, brass and steel showing scenes relating to the History of Cebu. The construction of the monument began in July 1997 and completed in December 2000.
The Carbon Market is the oldest and largest farmer's market in Cebu City. it is a lively and colourful place where you can find large variety of local fish, fruits, flowers, sweets as well as handicrafts and inexpensive souvenirs from Cebu and the nearby Visayan Islands.
Magellan Marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where Magellan was killed by the Chieftain of Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu and his men during the battle for supremacy on 27 April 1521.
Photograph of myself and my elder brother taken at The Church of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception or more popular known at Baclayon Church.
The 213 steps leading to the top of Chocolate Hills where an observation deck was built for all visitors
The admission fee for Chocolate Hills was Peso 50/person.
Chocolate Hills consists of more than 1268 cone-shaped hills, a strange geological formations that have baffled geologists. The hills are spread over an area of 50 square kilometres and vary in size from 30 metres to 120 metres in height.
Chocolate Hill complex is Carmen; about 55 kilometres from Tagbiliran Town. It is the most famous tourist attractions of Bohol Island. There are thousand of cone-shaped hills spreading out on a natural open plateau, looking like mystic moulds
Photograph of myself taken at the observation deck of Chocolate Hills.
The Heritage of Cebu Monument is a tableau of sculptures made of concrete, bronze, brass and steel showing scenes relating to the History of Cebu. The construction of the monument began in July 1997 and completed in December 2000.It was built by local artist Eduardo Castillo with assistance from late Senator Marcelo Fernan with donations from private individuals and organisations. The structure depicted are Basilica del Santo Nino, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the St. John Baptist Church, Magellan's Cross, a Spanish Galleon and other scenes despicted are the baptism of Rajah Humabon, a procession of the Santo Nino, a Roman Catholic mass, the Battle of Mactan between Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan and reputable Filipinos such as the late President Sergio Osmena Sr. and Blessed Pedro Calungsod.
The Carbon Market is the oldest and largest farmer's market in Cebu City. it is a lively and colourful place where you can find large variety of local fish, fruits, flowers, sweets as well as handicrafts and inexpensive souvenirs from Cebu and the nearby Visayan Islands.
Getting around Cebu City to Mactan Island
My elder brother & I took the most economical way to travelling from Cebu City to Mactan Island. We walked for 15 minutes from Sampaguita Suite to Pier 3. From there, we took the ferry as the locals do. The fare for me was 12 Pesos and 10 Pesos for my elder brother, a senior citizen. In addition there was a terminal fee of 1 peso each. The ferry took about 15 minutes to arrive at the Mactan Pier, right next to Virgen de Regla Church. We spent about 30 minutes in this old church which was built by the Spanish between 1735 to 1744. Thereafter, we took 2 jeepneys to proceed to Mactan Shrine or Lapu-Lapu Monument & Magellen's Marker. For the return journey, we only took a single jeepney ride to nearby Virgen de Regla Church. As it was already, 2pm, we were rather hungry and we turned out at Big Bro and had a whole grilled chicken, rice and drinks for lunch. It cost us less than 200 Pesos. The owner was Mr. Robert - a well-mannered person and a big fan of most famous Filipino Boxer cum congressman, Manny Pacquiao; presently WBC super-welterweight champion.
Magellan Marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where Magellan was killed by the Chieftain of Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu and his men during the battle for supremacy on 27 April 1521.
Magellen's body was never recovered despite efforts to trade jewelries and spices for the dead body. With Spanish's failure to find and retrieve the explorer's body, they build a monument right in the heart of Mactan Shrine. Thus, Magellan's Market is a test on how the Spanish appreciate and honour their adopted son.
Mactan Shrine or Lapu-Lapu Monoument is one of the most visited tourist haven within Mactan Island. It is a bronze statue of dedicated in honour of Lapu-Lapu; the native chieftain of Mactan. The Mactan Shrine showed a bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu holding a bolo and shield. Lapu-Lapu resisted Magellan's insistence of subduing his people to convert to Christianity. The shrine was erected on the spot where the battle took place.
Lapu Lapu became the first Filipino to repel European Aggression
Getting Around Cebu Island to Tagbiliran, Bohol Island.
Lapu Lapu became the first Filipino to repel European Aggression
Getting Around Cebu Island to Tagbiliran, Bohol Island.
Initially, my brother & I intended to go Island hopping, snorkelling around Cebu Island such as Guluntungan Marine Park but unfortunaly, we were unable to find an ideal join-in tour; only private tours beyond our budget were available. From the internet, we found an ideal tour (Island Banca cruise) but as it was the weekends, they only responded on Monday by which time, we were already in Bohol Island.
We decided to go to Bohol Island. From the net, we found there were regular ferries from Cebu to Bohol. We send an email to http://www.oceanjet.net/ early Sunday Morning at 1.00am and by 4am, they responded with a special offer return trip (Cebu-Bohol) @ Peso 820/person. We decided to go on Monday, 15 November 2010 taking the 1st trip (Cebu-Tagbiliran) from 6.00am to 7.40am and returning same day from 3.35pm to 5.30pm. Oceanjet operates the fastest Cebu-Bohol ferries with less than 2 hours per trip from Pier 1 (10 minutes walk from Sampaguita Suite and nearby Fort San Pedro). On arrival, we walked toward Tagbiliran Town in search of tour service. We managed to find Travel Treats http://www.traveltreats.wordpress.com/. We enquired with the staff, Ms. Lot and after a conversation with her boss, we were offered a special rate of PHP 2000 and within 10 minutes their driver cum tour guide, Mr. Ferdinand arrived. The tour was from 9am until 3.00pm at Tagbiliran Jetty just in time for our 3.35pm ferry back to Cebu City. Some of the attractions within Bohol we visited were:-
PHOTOGRAPHS OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS WITHIN BOHOL ISLAND
Photograph of myself and my elder brother taken at The Church of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception or more popular known at Baclayon Church.
It was one of the one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in The Philippines.
Our guide pointed to one of the huge pillars on the side of the church - etched on it was the distinct image of Padre Pio, the result of a natural phenomenon. Since then, many devotees have made pilgrimage to Baclayon Church.
The Blood Compact Site is of historical importance as it commemorates the first international treaty between Filipino and The Spanish. It was located at Barangay Bool, Tagbiliran City.
The Blood Compact Site is of historical importance as it commemorates the first international treaty between Filipino and The Spanish. It was located at Barangay Bool, Tagbiliran City.
The blood compact on 16 March 1565 between Spanish Explorer, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftian sealed the friendship between Europe and Asia.
Right across the Blood Compact Site was Panglao Resort Island with a 800 Metres stretch of white powdery sand and various dive spots, dolphin watching, snorkelling, etc.
Right across the Blood Compact Site was Panglao Resort Island with a 800 Metres stretch of white powdery sand and various dive spots, dolphin watching, snorkelling, etc.
The 213 steps leading to the top of Chocolate Hills where an observation deck was built for all visitors
The admission fee for Chocolate Hills was Peso 50/person.
Chocolate Hills consists of more than 1268 cone-shaped hills, a strange geological formations that have baffled geologists. The hills are spread over an area of 50 square kilometres and vary in size from 30 metres to 120 metres in height.Chocolate Hill complex is Carmen; about 55 kilometres from Tagbiliran Town. It is the most famous tourist attractions of Bohol Island. There are thousand of cone-shaped hills spreading out on a natural open plateau, looking like mystic moulds
Photograph of myself taken at the observation deck of Chocolate Hills. Other places visited in Bohol were the mahogany man-made forest, the Philippines tarsier, a Bohol Phthon named Prony said to be the largest python in captivity. This python is said to swallow a live 60 kgs. pig once a month
My brother & myself enjoyed our 5 Nights/6 Days tour of Cebu and Bohol; although tiring as one night was spent on the flight from KLIA LCCT to Manila but it was worth it as the entire holidays including flight tickets, hotel accomodation, transport, food, tours, ferry rides, etc. cost us less than 1 (One) Thousand Malaysian Ringgit or approx. USD 320.00.
My brother & myself enjoyed our 5 Nights/6 Days tour of Cebu and Bohol; although tiring as one night was spent on the flight from KLIA LCCT to Manila but it was worth it as the entire holidays including flight tickets, hotel accomodation, transport, food, tours, ferry rides, etc. cost us less than 1 (One) Thousand Malaysian Ringgit or approx. USD 320.00.
We are planning again to visit Cebu and other nearby places such as Bohol, Panglao Island, Island Hopping and Guluntungan Marine Park and other interesting places. The next time, we will bring along our other siblings, namely our sisters and others who loves budget travelling. They did not joined us this trip as they were worried about the security in the Philippines especially over the recent attack on a tour bus on Hong Kong Tourists in Manila. We assured them that Cebu is a safe city for tourists.
Posted by HK Wan in November 2010
- (email: hengkei@gmail.com)
