First Time in Cebu!

Bound to the queen city of the south!

Time is against you. We cannot sense the poignant of her scent but time is the strongest element to build the life we aim on earth. So they say, make the most of your time. Explore place and leave some foot prints. After 4 years of doing school stuff certainly my baby girls deserve a treat. April 4, 22016 is our first time in Cebu. The smiles plastered excitement. And yes we are.

Cebu is a first income class island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas Region, and consisting of the main island itself  and 167 surrounding islands and islets. Cebu is one of the most developed province in the Philippines, with Cebu City as the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the Visayas. In a decade it has transformed into a global hub for furniture making, tourism, business processing services and heavy industry.   

Approximately less than two hours, we landed to one of the best airport in the Philippines. Mactan Cebu International Airport. It is the second busiest airport in the Philippines and one of the top airports in ASEAN region in 2011. It is located in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island, part of Metro Cebu.

Mactan–Cebu International Airport was chosen as the most viable location for the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, to safely land when considering the combination of onward land transportation, sea freight, and airport capacity. The arrival of the aircraft in the airport marked the very first time that the aircraft landed in the Philippines.

Straight from the airport we managed to locate the Liberty  Shrine. 

At the end of the airport there is Multicab, 8 pesos per pax. Going here is 9 pesos per pax. This is the saving tips since taxi costs minimum of 300 pesos. 

 Lapu-Lapu Shrine is a 20 meters (60 ft) bronze statue in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines, build in Honor of Lapu-Lapu, a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers led by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan in the 1521 Battle of Mactan. 

Plaque recounting Magellan's death.

Finally in flesh, we were able to explore what inside is in our history book during school days. Sounds a lil' patriot act but visiting historical place like here to feed up our knowledge is a better idea. The rays of the sun bites harder and our tummy kicks stronger so we seek for a comfort zone. And it must be this way.

Welcome to Manna Sutukil (STK) Food House. Sutukil is the local term for cooking fresh sea foods . It is located just at the back of the Liberty Shrine. I don't know when will i ever learn not to love sea foods. These are everything for my hunger.  

After recharging our cells, we are now ready to explore a parcel of Cebu! We rode a jeep going to downtown, hired a taxi and located our hotel. I made two nights reservation of two rooms through online booking at Center Suites Hotel. We stayed for an hour to fix our luggage before the next route.

Hello from Sirao Garden! The slopes of mountain is quite scary but we had a grip tight to manage our fears reaching this peak. We paid 50 pesos entrance and the care taker provided a brief information about the place. According to her we're wrong timing bound since summer is not the season for flowers. Anyway, we already cross the bridge and what's in front of our eyes is still beautiful to behold. Time steals the blooming sun and before darkness overshadows, we directed our way down. Before reaching the town, we throw ourselves on a curve to the right to shoot a glimpse of one extraordinary temple.

Love made Temple of Leah possible as Teodorico Adarna, father of actress Ellen Adarna and owner of Queensland motels, offers the construction of the huge edifice to his wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.

Even at twilight, the temple structure is still fascinating. We explore the place for almost an hour. The view from top outline the picture of metro Cebu during night time. We savor enough  cool breeze before tracing our way back.

The SM Seaside Cebu. The ambiance is captivating! one of the best shopping mall I've been. Sight seeing even at night is very pleasing to the eyes. We stroll for some times, take out some foods for dinner before heading to hotel.

Simala Shrine

Also known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist is located  at Marian Hills, Lindogon Sibongan, Cebu which is 2 hours from Cebu. The place is operated by the monks. A miraculous place that looks like a castle from afar. The statues of Blessed Virgin Mary inside the gigantic church were spectacular. It was extremely hot but thousands of people are visiting the solemn place. The renovation is still on the process due to financial constraints. 

Lantaw Native Restaurant. As it named, one in category of native dishes. Their foods were great plus two thumbs up for the sea view and the cold breeze.

The last drop before pointing the airport going home. 

Magellan's Cross is Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on March 15, 1521.

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street (Magalhaes is the Portuguese name of Magellan), just in front of the city center 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.^[3] 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 Christianize the Philippines.

What a first in Cebu! This is not a good bye i guess. See you on the second time!