Freedom Park ( flower market) cebu

This place used to be a park, a freedom park no less, where people could meet and assemble without fear of dispersion or warrantless arrests (so the old-timers who grew old in the shadow of its history say). The festive atmosphere of Cebu has kept the cutflower industry a timeless business for nearly all stallholders. Most of the business owners trace their history of selling flowers 20 to 25 years back when they were l chased by traffic officers for setting up makeshift stalls. “The good thing about the flower business is that it never goes out of style. Cebuanos love celebrations and flowers are common fixtures during a celebration Today, it is a sprawling city landmark, of fair trade shops in the traditional sense of the word. Aside from the market of beautiful cutflowers and other ornaments it also offers for handcrafts from Bicol, or handbags from Leyte, carvings from Mindoro, or just about any Philippine native product from raw materials that meets your fancy without the exorbitant add-on prices by (super)mall traders and middlemen, come to Freedom Park.

Sinulog Festival

Sinulog Festival, is the country’s biggest pageantry of sights, sounds and colors, the fiesta of Cebu in honor of the child Jesus, the Santo Nino, celebrated every third Sunday of January. It is Pagan Ritual Dance, in honor of the Gods, that commemorates the Cebuano’s pagan origin, and their acceptance of Christianity. The word “Sinulog” comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which means "like water current movement”, that describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The Augustinian Priest appreciated the native culture and it was preserved but limited to honoring the Santo Nino. The Devotees offering candles and the dancers shouting “PIT SENOR” (Hail the King), they shout to make sure that that they will be heard. Today is a one week celebration of dance, exhibits, culture, concerts and more. And on the last day is the Grand Mardi Gras of Street Dancing , floats and higantes (Giants) participated from different schools and provinces even contingents from other countries.

Taoist Temple of Cebu - popular tourist spot

The Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. The temple was built through the effort of Lao Di Suy family and the] Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level of Cebu. A beautiful towering multi-tiered and multi-hue temple. And it’s accessible by three separate winding routes. Attractions here consist of huge colorful dragon, a replica of the Great Wall of China, Spacious balconies offering scenic views of entire Cebu City and neighboring islands, souvenir shop, mini library with instructional materials and a dozens of escalating steps. The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the 600 BC Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. The most famous “Give a man a fish and he eats only once, but teach him how to fish and he eats all his life” Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.

Cebu Provincial Capitol

The Provincial Capitol is the seat of the provincial government of Cebu. The building is a Neoclassical edifice designed by Architect Juan Arellano and was built in 1937 during the administration of Governor Sotero Cabahug. The building is marked with a central dome and two wings. Beneath the dome whose interior is painted with sceneries depicting the province and its constituents is, a rotunda with a spacious lobby. The office of the Governor is located on the left wing of the building.. The current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, take oath as the 14th president of the Philippines in front of the Provincial Capitol.

University of San Carlos

The University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City is the oldest school in the Philippines. Founded by Spanish Jesuits in 1595, it is a Catholic institution of higher learning run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD since 1935. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges. Inside the have a University Museum, was founded by Father Rudolf Rahman SVD Anthropologist and former President of the University in 1967. It has four galleries: Spanish Colonial, Ethnographic, Archeological and Natural Science. Today this university is one of the best School of Cebu and located in the heart of Downtown Area. Founded by the Spanish Jesuits on August 1, 1595, USC was formerly known as the Colegio de San Ildefonso. In 1769, it was closed upon the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Philippines. It reopened in 1783 along Martires Street on the initiative of Bishop Mateo Joaquin de Arevalo under the name Colegio-Seminario de San Carlos, named after St. Charles Borromeo, the great patron of ecclesiastical training in the Renaissance. In 1867, the Vincentians took over the administration of San Carlos. In 1930, the Colegio de San Carlos (CSC) was transferred to the new P. del Rosario building, while the Seminario de San Carlos remained in Martires Street. Five years after, the Colegio was turned over to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD – Societas Verbi Divini), which managed the school for 70 years now.

Heritage of Cebu Monument

A project of the Church and the Local Government, commissioned National Artist ED CASTRILLO, the designer of EDSA SHRINE. Costing 14 million and the final cost is 40 million. It shows the important events and personalities of Cebu from Christianization, that shows churches; the Trading Communities , Galleon trade; Revolution in Cebu, battle of Mactan; Commonwealth Period, President Sergio Osmena; to the Beatification of blessed Pedro Calungsod.Inaugurated in December 2000. PEDRO CALUNGSOD, is a young Visayan church assistant went to Guam with Jesuit Priest Fr. Diego de San Vitores to spread Christianity both were killed by native Chamorros in April 2, 1672 in Tumohon Bay Guam. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on March 5, 2000.

Casa Gorordo, Museum - popular tourist spots

The residence of the first Bishop of Cebu, Bishop Juan Gorordo (1862 – 1934) born in Barili south of Cebu, this house was built in 1860’s, in Parian District, reputation as the richest and most productive district and also the center of commerce of Cebu, this is also the residence of the prominent families who were aristocratic and religious. The house has a Red Clay roofing, huge post, Haligi of roughly hewn logs. Stone walls in the lower level and Molave in the upper story. The first story- walled stone blocks locally called Bituka Tinablya. Mixture of lime and cement as a thin coating or paletada on the wall surface, they mixed lime, egg whites or sap of the tree Lawat to achieve consistency. Second floor is made of Philippine hardwood, post Tugas and Tugas and Bayong for the floor. The interior and stairs are made up of Narra. Parts of the house are called Sala, Capilla, Comedor, Kusina and Banggera.

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino - popular tourist spot

It is where the miraculous Santo Nino image is enshrined; believe to be the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It was given by Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521 as a baptismal gift. The original wooden church was burned and on this site the image of Santo Nino was found by the Spanish Soldier Juan Camos in 1565. The natives believed to be miraculous for it survived the fire that gutted the structure that housed it but had totally blackened it in the process and another church was built ordered by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Urdanita on that year. It was burned again in 1628 until it was rehabilitated 1740 a blending of Muslim, Romanesque and neo classical features also retains the original coral stone texture and natural color. At present, the original Santo Niño adorned with gold and precious stones is enshrined in glass located on the left side of the Basilica altar for public veneration. It is Cebu’s oldest Roman Catholic Church it was conferred the title Basilica del Santo Nino in 1965, the 400th celebration of the Christianization of the Philippines. In front of the church is the Pilgrim’s Center to accommodate the devotees and at the back is the Museum of the Santo Nino.

Magellan's Cross - popular tourist spot

This cross was planted by Ferdenand Magellan last April 21, 1521. This marked the spot also where Fr. Pedro Valderama, chaplin of Magellan ship, celebrated the first catholic mass and baptized the first Christian Filipinos, led by Rajah Humabon and Queen Amihan with 800 followers, The Augustinian priest built the kiosk and encased the original cross in Tindalo wood to protect it from the natives who began taking chips from it believing it has miraculous powers. Today a tiled pavillion shelters the cross and a ceiling mural depicts the scene of the first mass and commemorates the conversion of the first Filipinos to Christianity. Located in Magellanes Street, in front of Cebu City hall, its Cebu's most popular and important historical landmark and an important shrine, it also symbolizes Cebu in television and in print media.

Fort San Pedro - popular tourist spot

Is the oldest and the smallest fort, of the Spanish occupation here in the Philippines. Built in May 1565, ordered by the first governor, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, it was built mainly to protect the Spaniards from hostile natives and muslim pirates. It was rebuilt in coral stones and finished in 1738. Triangular in shape with an area of 2025square meter, the walls is 8 feet thick and 20 feet high. Later it had been used by the Americans as their barracks and classroom for Cebuanos to be the first formal education of the country. During World War II, it was used by Japanese occupation as a camp for soldiers and a hospital of the wounded.

It becomes a Botanical Garden, then a Zoo. Presently it housed a National Museum displaying the artifacts from the ship. “The San Diego”. Occasionally it is used as a place for theme party, like Hawaiian, Carnival and Filipiniana.

Ecotourism

Most Tourists now a day is more interested and concerned about the environment and wants to see the beauty of our local nature, the mountains, seas , flora and fauna, the rivers, and waterfalls, I believe this is one way to educate the human populace the importance of preservation of the Mother Nature. The Department of Tourism region seven has offer ecotourism for tourist of Cebu. The Cebu government has developed towns for this adventure. Training local guides, information drive of the local residents and providing the facilities. Dalaguete the towns mountains, with its cool climate, are home to vegetables farmer, presence of the largest bat in the world, and the endangered bird species SILOY, variety of ferns and shrubs, rivers and water falls. Pinamungajan is proud of its industrious people who till the soil during the harvest season. The tourist attraction, the 102 caves of Lamac, with its solid array of stalactities, mineral and rock formations, will be good for adventure tourism. Added to this is the Hidden Valley Resort nestling between green mountains and clear skies. Toledo City has the Hinulawan River, which inspired the Hinulawan Festival, the Manguyakuya Falls, Bulongan Caves, Pandong Bato and Malubog Lake which balance the Atlas Mines View, and the commercial and heritage villages. Balamban, an agro-industrial community, has developed a healthy environment and highly competent community. It is known for its marine resources, abundant supply of water, vast forest, the historic Mt. Manunggal and nurseries for fruit trees. When one thinks of Asturias, we think of Buswang Lake. Tuburan is famous for its Malolo Lake (water spring); the Marmol Cves; giant trees and beaches.

Discovery tours of Cebu

Cebu Discovery tours offered by Travel Agencies to all visitors both local and foreign tourist. Not just an island, it's an experience. HALF DAY TOUR: (3 - 5 Hours)

• City Sightseeing & Shopping Tour
• Twin Island Heritage Tour
• Islands Arts & Crafts
• The Southern Heritage Trail
• The Northern Coast
• Churches & Shrines

WHOLE DAY TOUR; (6 - 10 Hours)

• Island Hopping Safari (with Lunch)
• Kawasan Waterfalls Adventure (with Lunch)
• Golf Tour
• Bohol Island Day Adventure (with Lunch)

EVENING TOUR; (4 Hours)

• Cebu Panoramic Tour ( with Dinner)
• City Nitelites (with Dinner)

Where to Stay in Cebu

CEBU has a lot to offer the Five star Resorts /Hotel, with world class setting and amenities with pristine white beach front.

Alegre Beach Resort -Sugod, North of Cebu ;

Badian Island Resort & Spa -Badian Island, South of Cebu ;

Plantation Bay Resort -Mactan, Cebu

Pulchra -San Fernando, South of Cebu

Shangri-La Hotel and Resort -Mactan, Cebu

Cebu five star hotels:

Waterfront Airport Hotel –Mactan

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel - Cebu City

Cebu City Mariott Hotel -Cebu City

http://www.alltravelcebu.com/

http://www.asiatravel.com/cebu.html

http://www.asiarooms.com/philippines/cebu.html

MID RANGE

http://www.hotelclub.com/

These hotels are in UPTOWN, the heart of Cebu. Offer free breakfast and some aminities.

Cebu Midtown Hotel

Holiday Plaza Hotel

Garwood Hotel (Rajah Hotel)

Crown Regency Hotel Cebu city

Century Plaza Hotel

Budget/backpackers I would recommend in the uptown area, near of restaurants, fast food, shopping center, entertainment.

Elegant Circle Inn- Fuente Osmena +63-32-254-1601;

Palladium Suites- 6 Don J Llorente +63-32-255-1780

Feunte Pension- 175 Don J Llorente +63-32-253-4133

Gran Prix Econotel cebu Gen. Maxilum cor Ramos st.

Sampaguita Suites

Casa Blanca

Hotel le Carmen +63-32-255-6366

NS RoyalPensionne +63-32-254-5358 West Point Inn , 297 Don Gil Garcia St., ☎ +63-32-254-3433 Best rates on official website start at US$13

This Don Gil Garcia St. are full of budget inn and pensions like,

Verbina, Capitol Tourist Inn, Travelbee.

If you would like the downtown area, worth for an adventure and experience just try ...

GV Tower Hotel, Osmena Boulevard cor Sanciangco+63-32 416-0000

Golden Valley Hotel, 155 D Pelaez st. http://www.goldenvalleyhotel.net/

Tuxedo Business Suites Pelaez st. +63-32-255-7711

• Sugbutel Bed & Bath, S Osmena Street, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, ☎ (032) 232-8888, . checkin: 2 PM; checkout: 12 Noon. Located within 3 - 5 minute walk from SM City Cebu Mall complex. Sugbutel (http://www.sugbutel.com/) Php250.00(approximately US$6.00) /person/night.

Quick Facts - CEBU

Cebu and Language: Cebu Province has a total population of approximately 4 million. Cebuano is the native tongue. While Filipino is commonly understood and spoken, the English language is widely used in business transactions and education. Weather: Cebu is best from December to May when the weather turns dry. It is coolest from December to February, hottest from March to May. Temperature can rise as high as 37°C in the summer. The rainy season begins in July bringing torrential downpours until November. Dress/What to Bring: Natural-fiber clothes, lightweight clothing. Bring bathing suit, insect repellent, flashlight, sun block cream, comfortable shoes for walking, rubber slippers for the beach. Electrical Appliances: Most areas in Cebu are supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles. A plug with 2 flat parallel prongs is the norm. Money: Philippine currency is peso, divided into 100 centavos. Most foreign currencies can easily be changed at banks, hotels and authorized dealers. Major foreign credit cards may be accepted only at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins. ATM – Automatic Teller Machine is strategically located. Business: HoursBanks-9am to 3pm Monday to Friday; Government agencies and offices-8am to 5pm Monday to Friday; Department stores-10am to 8pm Monday to Sunday. Tipping: Bellhops expect a tip, as do waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, beauticians and porters. Tipping 5-15% of the bill is appropriate if no service charge is included. Public Transport Getting around Cebu , one may take a colorful jeepney or a bus at a minimal fare. Taxicabs are widely available. Some DO'S AND DON'T'S in Philippine Society The most important initial step in gaining insights about the local resident is to understand him in his own setting. The following are just some general statements intended to help you in your behavior in the local community:

*Avoid wearing sandals when attending special occasions in the local community-wearing shoes is a sign that the event is important to you.

*Do invite people at least three times. Local residents are taught that it is proper to refuse the first time or two. To them, insistence is a clear sign that the offer or invitation is genuine.

*Do give the local residents a way out of the situation so he can save face, thus avoiding embarrassment, Embarrassment him will cause “hiya” or loss of face.

*Don't use the common sign of OK-in the local community, its means money. You may use the new sign OK. This is the thumbs-up sign which has been commonly seen on television.

*Don't use your forefinger upward to call a local resident. It is considered somewhat degrading. One way of calling is to beckon with the hand in gentle downward motion. “Pssst” is another popular way to get someone's attention. As a rule however, it is even better to use nicknames, because these are reserved for close friends.

*Smiling is a form of friendship and a form of greeting.

How to get to CEBU, PHILIPPINES

There are two ways to go to Cebu.

1. The first, and the easiest, is by direct flight. At present international airlines offer direct flights to Cebu from abroad: Hong Kong, Singapore, Nerita- Japan, Kinabalu- Kuala Lumpor, Doha-Qatar, Pusan-South korea, Incheon-South Korea, Osaka Kansai-Japan, Taipei-Taiwan, Koror-Palau.

• www.cebupacificair.com/ · Inter Airlines flights · Qatar Airways flights · Philippine Airlines flights · Asiana Airlines flights · Silk Air flights · Air Philippines flights · Cathay Pacific flights · China Airlines flights · Korean Air flights · www.asianspirit.com/ · Malaysia Airlines flights

Via Middle East. Gulf Air flies from Cebu to the Gulf. Flights are carried out with an Airbus 340 and offer excellent connections to Europe, Africa and America. Philippine Airlines also offers daily its ‘Cebu Express’ program, linking Cebu and other cities of the Philippines and directly with 14 international destinations.There are airlines which fly Manila-Cebu and back. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Zest Air, Asian Spirit , flies on several times a day from Manila to Cebu./ 2. The alternative of a direct flight is to fly to Manila and take a domestic flight to Cebu, or take a boat trip from Manila to Cebu an overnight travel by sailing on a luxury liner through the Philippine archipelago is an adventure in itself. Sailing on time, clean, organized and equipped with restaurants and entertainment, the ship made the passenger easily forget the 20 hours. Today, there are Superferries. Superferry 2 and 5 sail between Cebu and Manila, the others have different routes. But the major shipping lines have changed their perception of inter-island shipping. All ships offer a wide range of accommodations. There are special two person suites and staterooms but also there are much cheaper first and economy class cabins. Food is often included in the ticket, all ships have restaurants, coffeeshops and or bars and discos. Upon arrival at Mactan International Airport, there are a lot of rent a cars who service passengers going to Mactan, Cebu City to your resorts and hotels and pensions. Approximately cost 250 to 35o pesos around 8 US dollars. Taxis are also available.

CEBU "Island Paradise" - Philippines

The country’s most favorite tourist destination and jump off point to the neighboring Islands of the central region of the Philippines. It has a narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, all characteristics of a tropical island. It has gained with idyllic white sandy beaches and pristine clear waters and the popularity for its fantastic diving grounds evidenced by the proliferation of resorts which offer luxurious accommodations.

Cebu with 167 islands with a population of almost 4 million and land area of 5,088 sq. km., with a rich culture and historic past. Cebuano are extremely proud of their cultural and historical heritage, a legacy which has endured thru centuries from the time of the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan first planted the Cross on the Cebu shore.

Time has been kind to Cebu, from Zubu, the fishing village and busy trading port; it has evolved a highly urbanized Metropolitan Center which now serves as a focal point of growth and development of Southern Philippines. It has eight cities and forty eight smaller towns and the traditional products are copra, mango, sugar and banana. And the nontraditional products are electronics, computer software, semi-conductors, watches, components, clothing, accessories, woodcraft and furniture’s. Currently it has six economic zones and industrial product. It is one of the biggest outsourcing in Southeast Asia.

PHILIPPINES "Pearl of the Orient"

7,107 islands, the PHILIPPINES, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila, as its capital city. It is divided into three groups of islands, LUZON, VISAYAS and MINDANAO, with a population of 91 million with 11 million overseas Filipino workers worldwide. The climate is tropical with two season; Wet Season from June to November and Dry Season from December to May. The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, average humidity is 70% and average rainfall is 58 inches. The topography of the Philippines is mostly Mountainous and hilly with narrow coast line. Highest peak is Mount Apo 9,600 feet and Philippine depth Ocean is 25,400 feet second in the world. The Philippines is a former colony of Spain and United States, and predominantly Roman Catholic. With multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the islands. With Malayan ancestry and its culture in due time modified by the contacts of China, India, Arabia, Spain and America. Ecologically, the Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in the world.