We stayed in Cebu for just a day, but we made the most of it. Cebu is a busy little city, and the traffic can get quite bad. This can significantly affect your travel from one place to another. So in case you have planned a longer itinerary in Cebu, please keep some buffer time for your travel.
Another thing to note is that the airport is kind of a mini island away from the city. Travelling to the airport can be a challenge during the day due to heavy traffic. So it would be better to book accomodations closer to the airport. We stayed in Appleton hotel which had free shuttle services to the airport which really saved a lot of time for us.
As we had very little time in Cebu, we wanted a curated experience that would save us a lot of time from planning logistics. We booked a 4 hour heritage tour that would take us around important historical monuments in the city. The mistake we did is that we didn't read the review of the tour we booked.
Please make it a point to do that as it will give you a preview of what to expect. The tour we booked included a driver who would take us to various heritage spots around the city. The travel agency did assure us that although there was no guide, the driver would be knowledgeable enough to brief us on every monument we would be visiting. But sadly the driver had absolutely no clue and we relied on google to provide us with more context. Nonetheless, we did get to understand and learn more about the spanish influence on the Filipino culture. Here are some of the places we visited from the heritage tour.
Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro, located in Cebu City, is one of the oldest and most significant historical sites in the Philippines. It was built in 1565 under the command of Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, the first governor of the Captaincy General of the Philippines. It was originally made of wood but was later reconstructed with stone in the 1730s to defend against pirate raids. Fort San Pedro served as a military defense structure during the Spanish colonial period. The fort has a unique triangular shape, with two sides facing the sea and one side facing the land. It was designed this way to provide strategic defense against both land and sea attacks.
You can take beautiful pictures here if you're looking to take 'candids'. So do carry a tripod stand if you're travelling alone to click some nice pictures.
Basilica del Santo Niño
The Basilica del Santo Niño, commonly known as Santo Niño Church, is a famous religious and historical landmark in Cebu City. The Basilica del Santo Niño is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines. It was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi and Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, marking the beginning of Christianity in the country. The basilica houses the revered image of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus), which is the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines. The image was a gift from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Cebu’s Queen Juana in 1521 during his first visit to the islands. The church was built on the exact spot where the image of the Santo Niño was found in a burning hut by Spanish soldiers in 1565. This event is seen as miraculous, as the image remained intact despite the fire.
Couple of things to note when travelling to the church. There is a strict dressing protocol followed here. No shorts, sleaveless, tube tops, basically no item of clothing that is revealing. My friend had to purchase a pant in the opposite store so we could enter the church. So please be mindful of such practices in religious establishments. Also the church is super crowded on weekends so better to plan your visit during a week day.
Magellan Cross
Magellan was the first European to lead an expedition that circumnavigated the world. While in Cebu, he successfully converted the local ruler, Rajah Humabon, his wife, Queen Juana, and hundreds of their subjects to Christianity, baptizing them on this site. The Magellan’s Cross marks the spot where Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, under the service of Spain, planted a cross on April 21, 1521, upon his arrival in Cebu. This event signaled the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines. The cross is housed in a small chapel (kiosk-like structure) near the Santo Niño Church.
Yap-San Diego Ancestral House
The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House is believed to be one of the first Chinese houses constructed outside of China. It stands as a testament to Cebu's historical Chinese-Filipino heritage. The house was originally owned by Don Juan Yap, a Chinese merchant, and his wife, Doña Maria Florido. It was passed down through generations of the Yap and San Diego families, thus the name Yap-San Diego. Today, the house is owned and maintained by a descendant, Val San Diego, who transformed it into a museum in 2008. The museum preserves and showcases the rich cultural history of Cebu during the Spanish colonial period. The house is filled with antique furniture, religious relics, period clothing, artwork, and ceramics from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Many items on display are original pieces from the Yap and San Diego families, giving visitors a glimpse of life in the colonial era. Overall, this was a really nice place where we could see transformation of the chinese-filipino culture across generations.
Heritage Monument of Cebu
The monument illustrates important moments in Cebu's history, from the pre-colonial period to the Spanish colonization and up to the modern era. It visually narrates major events, including the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, the introduction of Christianity, and Cebu’s key role in the Philippine revolution. The monument is right around the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House. It was created by renowned Filipino sculptor Eduardo Castrillo and took several years to complete.
Taoist Temple
The Cebu Taoist Temple was constructed in 1972 by the local Chinese community in Cebu. It serves as a place of worship for Taoists, a religious and philosophical tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (the Way). The temple’s design is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture. It features multi-tiered roofs, ornate dragons, and bright red, yellow, and green color schemes that are characteristic of Taoist temples. There is a no photgraphy policy inside the temple so you will only be allowed to take pictures outside. One of the highlights of visiting the Taoist Temple is its scenic view. From the temple’s higher levels, you can enjoy sweeping views of Cebu City.
After a busy day visiting heritage sites, we unwinded by visiting a supermarket to purchase some local snacks, and ended the day with having dinner at Jollibee. Some common fast food chains you need to try in Philippines include, Jollibee (I mean of course), Chow King, Inasal and Mc Donalds (get to understand the local menu better). Trying these chains will give you a better understanding of the Filipino cuisine. Do make it a point to try local food options like halo halo, ube filled desserts, tres leches... aaah my mouth is watering already..
There are lot many more activities you can do in Cebu and islands nearby Cebu. But for now this is me signing off until the next blog :)
References:
Comments