TravelPH » Cebu

Cebu, Philippines: History And Industry

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:11:44 +0000

Named to be the second city of the Pearl of the Orient Seas, Cebu continues to flourish along with its almost 3 million citizens. Cebu, Philippines, the address that has become the mode and means of trade and industry and even to tourism, commending all the largest tourist spots and historical places built therein. It is undeniably true that Cebu is one of the most competitive cities in the Philippines not only for its industrial outputs but also for its intellectual and educational products. Cebu’s academes are one bundle of the finest higher education institutions in the country. Way back Magellan’s colonizing frontier, Cebu was a native agricultural and undeveloped land, and as time sweeps by, Cebu have turned into a fully operational city and become the second largest productive city in the Philippines.

Nevertheless, the city of the proud Cebuanos is a land of discoverable wonders and history. As one of the oldest cities in the country, Cebu has jarred with it the portions of the country’s history. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, is a 16th century BC church located in Cebu, Philippines and was purportedly built on the spot where the image of the Sto. Nino was found. It is not just a religious sanctuary, but also a huge of treasure chests for antiques, priestly vestments and the Santo Nino’s old cloaks, old furniture, historical statues and relics. The basilica does not only cradles the Christians but also the birth and successful branching of Catholicism and Christianity to the city and to the country.

Among the most tourist spots is the Magellan’s Cross which is actually a Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish colonizers following the orders of Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu. This cross is covered by a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño still in Cebu, Philippines.

Viva Pit Senior! Sinulog Festival!

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:32:32 +0000

Held every 3rd Sunday of January, Sinulog Festival is crowned as one of the best distinguished, grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. It is celebrated annually in the city of Cebu as part of their religious transformation from being pagans to being Christians. Like other patronal fiestas, Cebuanos celebrate the nine-day festivity with a Fluvial Parade a day before the Sinulog Grand Parade, which is the last event. People dance with the rhythm of the music sang by drums, trumpets and native gongs. It’s believed that the dance steps of Sinulog originated from the Rajah Humabon’s adviser, Baladhay. Baladhay was sick and so, Rajah Humabon sent him to the room where the Santo Nino was in together with other gods that Cebuanos praise. After few days, Baladhay began shouting because he was tried to wake up tickled by a child with a midrib of a coconut. Then, the child made fun of him, in turn, Baladhay danced with the little child and announced to the people that it is actually the dance of the river, thus giving the steps of Sinulog Festival: two steps forward, one step backward.

Basically, the festival is about the commemoration of the Cebuanos to their origin as being pagans and their acceptance of Christianity. The celebration is also done by the youth where they named it as “Sinulog sa Kabataan” which is done a week before the parade. After the astonishing outburst of positive comments about Sinulog Festival, the second city of the Philippines, Cebu City, promoted it as tourist attraction. Aside from being a genuine tourist attraction, it also became a competitive avenue for street dancers outside Cebu as Sinulog was opened for any contingents willing to join the street dancing competition; thus making it more exciting, thrilling and inviting to the senses.

A Peek of Camotes Island

admin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:34:45 +0000

Camotes Islands are group of islands located at the northern part of the Cebu Province. The Camotes are divided into four islands namely: Poro, Pacijan, Ponson and Tulang. The entire Camotes Island is small in land area with only one or two municipality in each island. Not quite a big number to say. But nevertheless, Camotes Island has many things to be proud of.

Camotes Island’s major attractions to the tourists are their beaches which are white-sand, azure-colored and translucent. The Island of Camotes has gained a premier reputation of being a good place to have a get-away with. One of the destinations here is the massive mangrove plantation along the San Francisco road. Lake Danao has also become a favorite attraction for tourists visiting the Island of Camotes.

Camotes Island’s simple and warm people give tourist hospitality and friendly welcome. Most of the people in the town live through farming industry and small local retailing. The plain people of Camotes Island are also contributes to tourist attraction.

To date the Island of Camotes has five major resorts that offer comfortable accommodation. To name, they are: Santiago Bay Garden & Resort, Mangodlong Rock Resort, Boho Rock Resort, Greenlake Park Resort and Lake Danao Park.

The transportation of going to Camotes Island has improved because of the tourist flocking over the years. You can either go there by Fast craft which travels less than hours from Cebu City or from Danao City you can ride a pump boat which sails for around two hours. Ferry boat is also available.

The Island of Camotes is a natural paradise, an island of privacy and relaxation. This is a destination in Cebu of in the entire Philippines both domestic and international tourist should not fail to see and experience.

Tourist Spot in the Philippines: All About Mactan

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:43:29 +0000

Mactan is an island geographically situated at few kilometers away from Cebu City. Mactan Island is connected by two bridges from the Cebu Island. The Philippines second main airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is found here. Mactan’s main economic income streams from their industrial factories most of them located at the MEPZ of the Mactan Export Processing Zone. In tourism on the other hand, Mactan Island is considered a major tourist spot in the Philippines.

The Island of Mactan, being a coral island is considered a key tourist spot in the Philippines. Beach resorts of all classes surround the entire island. Aside from the dazzling white sands and the alluring blue waters, one of the reasons why the island is considered major tourist spot in the Philippines is due to its accessibility. Within a few minutes’ drive from the Cebu City, the relaxation of being on the beach and the smoothing breath of fresh air is easily accomplished.
What come with the beaches are the beach activities. Most of the beaches in the island offer various outdoor beach activities such as diving, snorkeling, boat riding and the adventurous island-hopping. These activities contributed a lot in making the island a one-stop tourist destination in the Philippines.

Another reason by Mactan is regarded as one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines is because of its very fresh sea foods. The cozy restaurants in the island sells the freshest catch of lobsters, crabs and prawns and have it cooked the way you want it. Both local and international tourists enjoy these restaurants located near the famous Mactan Shrine. These sumptuous sea foods have earned the island the fame of having the fresh catch. This is a significant tourist destination in the Philippines visitors should not fail to miss!