Category Archive: Cebu

Jul
23
2009

A Night of Crossing the Islands: Cebu to Iloilo

Categories:

July 23, 2009

Cebu-Iloilo Route Map (Image Courtesy of Google)

This was my personal experience crossing the Visayas on that fateful night. It was daring, it was bold and some say it was stupid. But nevertheless, I earned great experience with this trip and will be doing this route over and over again. This article was posted on June 15, 2007 at Habagat.i.ph originally entitled “Bittersweet Escape: Two Queen Cites, One Night, One Sugar Island.”

I’m experiencing problems with my life in Cebu during these times. At times like these, I just wanted to get out of everything, therefore I went home, to Iloilo. The sudden decision that I made affected the schedule of my whole week for I wanted to escape the urban jungle the soonest time possible, under the cover of the night. Crossing the seas and the mountains in the cover of the night and the shade of morning dew. In less than 12 hours. For the faint-hearted and non-risk takers, this is not for you. For cash-strapped and the adventurous, this is one hell of a risking cutting trip to Iloilo from Cebu! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bacolod, bacolod city, canlaon, Cebu, Iloilo, Nautical Highway, Negros Occidental, negros oriental, public-transportation in the philippines, Transportation, travel, Travel Tips, vacation

Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/07/23/a-night-of-crossing-the-islands-cebu-to-iloilo/

Jan
18
2009

1 Step Backward, 2 Steps Forward: The Sinulog of Cebu

Categories:

Cebu,
Festivals

by Berniemack Arellano

January 18, 2009

Watching the previous Sinulog performances on Youtube, it makes me realize that time passes by so fast. Its been 2 years since I have my first taste of Cebu’s grandest festival in honor of the Holy Child or Santo Nino de Cebu.

I think I already discussed a short history on how the Santo Nino de Cebu came here in our country so I won’t get deep with it in this post.

Since the Spanish colonial era, as some historical accounts would say, Filipinos, particularly Cebuanos and the Visayans, flock to Cebu City every year paying homage to the miraculous image that was given by Magellan to the rulers of Cebu almost five centuries ago. As if Cebu is somewhat like a Mecca for the devotees of the Santo Nino.

The image is enshrined in the Basilica, but before you reach it, try observing some people outside the church…and all of a sudden a woman with candles will approach you and say “Pa-Sinulog ka dong/day?” Yes amigos y amigas, these women are the original Sinulog dancers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Cebu, Philippines, Sinulog

Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/01/18/one-step-backward-tow-steps-forward/

Jan
12
2009

Batobalani sa Gugma: The Santo Niño de Cebu

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by Berniemack Arellano

January 12, 2009

“Pit Senyor Santo Nino! Hala Bira!”

After that nauseating festival of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Manila, all eyes are set to the big Visayan festivals that honor another image of Jesus Christ. It seems that the Filipinos doesn’t want to end their Christmas early! Especially the Visayans which will prolong their celebrations all the way to the last days of January.

The Sinulog of Cebu, Dinagyang of Iloilo and Ati-Atihan of Kalibo all venerate the singlemost image that the Visayans cherish more than any other saints, in my opinion. The image of Santo Nino or the Holy Child.

April 12, 2007. Dale Mansueto of University of San Carlos and Arnold Sancover of Cebu Heritage blog alerted me one evening about this close encounter with Philippines’ oldest Spanish relic and boy it was really like a once in a lifetime close encounter with the image itself. And yeah, I was late!

Believed to be the oldest Spanish relic in the Philippines, the image of Santo Nino de Cebu was given by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 upon the baptism of Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana of ancient Cebu to Christianity. It was believed that the queen was so enamoured with the statue that the Spaniards brought with them so much, that they gave it to the natives. And after that, Magellan died and was killed by LapuLapu from the rival fiefdom of Mactan and left the image with the natives. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Cebu, history, Philippines, religious relic, Santo Nino, Santo Nino de Cebu, statue

Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2009/01/12/batobalani-sa-gugma-the-santo-nino-de-cebu/

Oct
11
2008

Citylights Shine Like Diamonds: The Tops of Cebu

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by Berniemack Arellano

October 11, 2008

View from the Tops

“Parked car, this night sky makes city lights shine like diamonds”

-”First of Summer” by UrbanDub

Ever wonder where Gabby Alipe of Urbandub got this inspiration? Actually, this is the “lover’s nest” of Cebu. Well, most of those who are dating go here. With its cool mountain breeze and a vista unequaled in the metro, seeing all the way to Bohol and even Leyte.

The Tops would be the ultimate choice of the romantics and those who just want to cool off from the busy life down at the city. I remember going there first time. It was daylight. The vista of Metro Cebu and Mactan Island was awesome. Just wait till night comes.

The Tops sits on the 2,000 foot ridge overviewing Metro Cebu, Mactan Island and beyond. Its quite far and isolated for local Cebuano standards because of its inaccessibility to public transportation despite good roads. By night time, city lights do shine like diamonds. During Christmas, New Year and Sinulog season, fireworks abound the city, creating that fantasy world for the lovers and for the whole family. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Cebu, Cebu City, Philippines, Tops, Visayas

Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2008/10/11/citylights-shine-like-diamonds-the-tops-of-cebu/

Oct
07
2008

How to Get In or Out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport

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by Berniemack Arellano

October 7, 2008

Mactan International Airport

The commuter’s guide to airports is back, and now on into Visayas’ main hub, Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Considered as the second international gateway by most Filipinos and travelers alike, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located some more or less 20 kilometers away from downtown Cebu City, but sits in metropolitan urban sprawl of today’s Queen City of the South. Cebu is noted for its increase in tourism arrivals, beaches, fiestas and the so-called urban-rural tropical island living that has been attracting thousands of visitors.

Mactan Airport was opened sometime during the Marcos era, when the old Lahug Airport in mainland Cebu (now Asiatown IT Park) couldn’t be expanded anymore. The American military forces constructed the said airport as a secondary hub for Clark Air Base, after its utilization it was used by the public.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Airport Guide, Cebu, Cebu City, Commuter Guide, Mactan, Mactan Airport, Philippines

Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2008/10/07/how-to-get-in-or-out-of-mactan-cebu-international-airport/

Sep
27
2008

Larsian: Barbecue Park of Cebu

Categories:

Cebu,
Food Trip

by Berniemack Arellano

September 27, 2008

Larsian, Cebu City

Got a hungry tummy but short on budget in Cebu? Head on to “Larsian.” If you don’t know this, it is located besides Chong Hua Hospital near Fuente Osmena of Cebu City. Very accessible indeed.

Larsian has became an institution in Cebuano consciousness like the Santo Nino itself. It was first just a community of barbecue stand vendors who sell quick meals for the people from the hospitals nearby. It has grown very popular and now enjoying support from the provincial government.

This is one big barbecue park. The air is filled with smoke with the aroma of roasted chicken or meat or fish. (So be sure to bring in your hanky if your allergic or asthmatic).

In the sides of larsian are stalls who sell half-cooked meat (ready to roast) and puso (diamond shaped rice wrapped in coconut leaves). By the time you enter the area, the dispachadoras (dispatchers) will try to convince you to go to their table and stalls. These people are very very eager to attract customers, therefore they may approach you in such agressive way.

In Larsian, barbecue or roasted meat/pork varies from 5 pesos to twelve pesos, chicken thigh for 25 pesos, chicken skin for 12 pesos and more. Puso or rice is sold at six pesos per piece. Prices may vary though but I assure you they are very affordable.

Anyway, you eat here with your hands, just like the ones at Manukan Country in Bacolod City.

So if your tummy is grumbbling and short of budget, just go to Larsian and enjoy.

Tags: Cebu, Cebu City, Food Trip, larsian, Philippines

Permanent link to this article: http://habagatcentral.com/2008/09/27/larsian-barbecue-park-of-cebu/

Sep
25
2008

Mactan Island-Cebu Commuter Ferry Cruise Experience

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by Berniemack Arellano

September 25, 2008

Mactan Channel

The people of Mactan Island has long been commuting to and fro mainland Cebu by the use of ferries. Of course, Mactan is separated by the narrow Opon Channel which makes Cebu as one of the best harbours in the country. Now, because of the construction of a US air base (which will be later Mactan International Airport) and lack of land area in urban Cebu, former president Marcos constructed the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge which finally connected Mactan to Cebu mainland without using ferries.

Today, most of the people cross the channel by the two bridges spanning between the two islands, but some Oponghons (residents of LapuLapu City or Mactan Island) would prefer to ride the Mactan-Cebu Ferry which is more convenient for them. Well, it is really convenient for the Cebuanos and local residents. They would not need to brave the increasingly jammed roads in Mandaue and Cebu City during rush hours and yet they can cruise all the way to home or work. That’s what you call “urban island living” indeed! The terminals are found at Muelle Osmena, Mactan (near the Virgen de la Regla Church, downtown LapuLapu City) and Pier 3 in downtown Cebu City. They are open from 5:30 AM all the way to 7:00PM.

Now, you don’t have to worry because its not an outrigger boat or banca. All of them are diesel powered all-metal ferry boats. Read the rest of this entry »