By Berniemack Arellano, on July 23rd, 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! Continue reading A Night of Crossing the Islands: Cebu to Iloilo
By Berniemack Arellano, on January 18th, 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.
Continue reading 1 Step Backward, 2 Steps Forward: The Sinulog of Cebu
By Berniemack Arellano, on January 12th, 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. Continue reading Batobalani sa Gugma: The Santo Niño de Cebu
By Berniemack Arellano, on October 11th, 2008%
“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. Continue reading Citylights Shine Like Diamonds: The Tops of Cebu
By Berniemack Arellano, on October 7th, 2008%
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.
Continue reading How to Get In or Out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport
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