“Plete Palihug”, one of the most common local words to be heard if you are travelling in Cebu City, Philippines. Most or always to be heard when you are riding a jeepney, when someone is giving his fare to the driver. “Bayad, pakiabot” in Tagalog or fare please.
A day may not be enough to roam around the island, so if you are to go, make sure that your itinerary is well prepared and not to waste your precious time to be spent in one of the country’s oldest city.
Here are few of the where-to-gos in the beautiful island of Cebu that surely you don’t want to miss.
ONE OF THE OLDEST?
Who’s not aware of the Magellan’s Expedition during the 1500s. If so you are, you might not be a Filipino. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu Philippines, and ordered to plant a Christian Cross in the city. And so the cross was named after him and called Magellan’s Cross. Located in front of Cebu City hall, an easy to find place that gives you a feeling of time travelling to the past as you enter the chapel that covers one of the oldest symbol of Christianity in the country.
Not far from the Magellan’s Cross is the Fort San Pedro. It serves as a military defense structure made during the Spanish times in the city under the Spanish Government. Inside are some weapons used by our heroes during the revolution. Communication letters made by the KKK members can also be found preserved inside the old fort.
CHINA INSIDE THE CITY
A less than an hour cab ride from the city hall or fort San Pedro can take you China. A Taoist temple, inside Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City is open to worshipers and non-worshipers. The temple was built in 1972, with an elevation of 300 meters above sea level. With its entrance being a replica of The Great Wall of China, make sure you’re not going to miss this place.
THE CITY’S HEAVEN
Situated 650 meters above sea level, Cebu TOPS offers a breath taking view of the whole city, Mactan Island, and the islands that surrounds Cebu. For PHP100.00, you may stay in TOPS anytime. You may bring in foods, and picnic accessories. Foods and beverages however are available in the stores inside, and seats made of concrete are offered to everyone.
BRING HOME SOME FOR THE BACONS!
Aside from the stores at the tourist spots, a market namely Taboan, is also a place where you can buy the city’s special products and souvenirs. From T-shirts, guitars, mango juices, dried fruits, to variety of dried sea foods of which Cebu is also known. And don’t forget to buy the famous otap so you will have something to eat when you are about to tell your friends something about your journey in the country’s one of the oldest city.
