Metro Cebu, the twin brother of Metro Manila

This trip was already booked since November of last year.
I'm very excited because this is my first time to visit Cebu then Bohol.

Actually, I had almost not been able to join this trip because two months prior to this, I was scheduled to fly to Korea for our project and it conflicts with this trip schedule.

Praise and thank God for He allowed my flight for Korea be moved for another week. Yay! =)

Going to Cebu. 
We took the 7am flight of Cebu Pacific Air bound for Cebu.

Mt. Mayon - Albay

I was looking outside the window, letting myself be captivated by God's wonderful creations especially passing through Albay and appreciate the beauty of Mt. Mayon.

Mt. Mayon is one of many places in the Philippines that we want to see and experience its stunning perfect cone shape. 

I remember when I was young, I only see Mt. Mayon in Philippine post card.



If God will allow, we'll visit Mt. Mayon next year. =)

Anyway, It was about lunch time and the weather rainy when we arrived in Cebu.

Taoist Temple
Beverly Hills Subd., Cebu City
Once settled at Sampaguita Suite, we went directly to our first destination, the Taoist Temple.

This is our first time to enter a Chinese (Taoist) temple; No entrance fee, just respect and appreciate. 

The place is clean and well maintained.

Taking pictures in some areas inside the temple are prohibited, especially their prayer room.

Then, Parian Monument, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral house, Magellan's Cross, etc.

Parian Monument  (Parian - Colon sts., Cebu City)

Parian Monument  (Parian - Colon sts., Cebu City)

Yap - Sandiego Ancestral House

Yap - Sandiego Ancestral House

(One of the oldest houses in the Philippines)

"BUILD DURING THE LATE 17TH CENTURY BY THE CHINESE MERCHANTS RESIDING IN PARIAN. THIS WAS THE HOUSE OF MARIA ELEUTERIO AND CONSOLACION YAP. THE ELDEST DAUGHTER MARIA YAP LATER ON MARRIEND TO DON MARIANO SANDIEGO. CEBEZA DE BARANGAY OF PARIAN 1880'S.AT PRESENT THIS ANCESTRAL HOUSE IS IN THE CUSTODY OF MR. AND MRS. VAL SANDIEGO."

-----

It was sad for us that we didn't have a chance to see what's inside the house because it was flooded with rain waters.

Lunch at AA BBQ.
Cebu City

Marlon (our guide and driver ) brought us to AA BBQ for lunch. Its kind of odd because everything we ordered was Ok except for the barbeque. =)

My favorite - Grilled Milkfish
(i forgot the local name)

Cebu Cathedral

Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross
This Cross of Tindalo Wood
Encases the Original Cross Planted
By Ferninand Magellan On This Very Site
April 21, 1521

 

Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross, the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the place is not as I picture it (from a post card again).

I guess it was very long time because I can hardly remember the last time I saw a post card.

With so many people (tourists and locals) walking around and street children running and playing; I patiently waited for the right moment  and somehow got the right angle and capture this shot.

Sto. Nino Church

It was the beatification of Pedro Calungson when we were here.

THE FORT OF SAN PEDRO, DESCRIBED IN AN OFFICIAL REPORT OF 1739, IS TRIANGULAR IN SHAPE
AND MADE OF STONE AND MORTAR. THE THREE BASTIONS LA CONCEPTION, SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA
AND SAN MIGUEL - POWDER MAGAZINE.

THE FORT OF SAN PEDRO

THE FORT OF SAN PEDRO

Me and Allegre Guitars

Aside from many historical landmarks, Cebu is very well-known in guitar making. Located in Lapu-Lapu City, Allegre Guitars is one the best maker of quality guitars.

Allegre Guitars

In the picture, the guitar I was playing, is worth Php 75,000.00, but they do give discounts, if you're really interested. =)

Allegre Guitars

Cebu city is a great place to visit, yet it seems that we never left Manila.

Thanks to our friends Pao and Rams for the effort helping us to have a guide while we were in Cebu.