One Day Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City Tour

What a wonderful city tour! I want to share to you some pictures of my all-expense paid tour courtesy of my friend. Here comes Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City city tour. 

First top, Mactan Shrine.

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Mactan Shrine

When Spaniards arrived in Cebu, that was way back 1521, the first Cebuano hero emerged as Datu Lapu-lapu. Lapu-lapu did not want Spanish people to rule and colonize his beloved Mactan island. So instead of letting them land safely, his group welcomed the foreingers with a fight in the seashore. The leader of the immigrants was Ferdinand Magellan who died in the battle. Magellan's fortunate members returned to Spain after their retreat on the battle. This event is now called 'Kadaugan sa Mactan' (in Cebuano) or Victory at the Battle of Mactan. In commemoration of his heroism, Mactan Shrine is created with Lapu-lapu's 20 feet vitorious statue. The shrine is located in Brgy. Mactan Lapu-Lapu City.

Statue of Lapu-Lapu at the heart of Mactan Shrine facing the sea where Battle of Mactan happened.

Carved history on a stone that describes victorious Battle of Mactan.

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa


The grandest resort/hotel/spa in Cebu, the Shangri-La Mactan Resort Hotel and Spa offers exciting pleasures that you could say 'If I want to retire, this is on top of my retirement places'. Aside from the deluxe you will experience in the rooms, you will be delighted by various pleasures within the vicinity. Not to mention, the huge swimming pool, you may also opt to take your swim in the white sand beach and ride on jetski's. There is also a marine sanctuary which allows all visitors to explore the beautiful fishes, starfish and all other marine living things on seas. There are also meal destinations that offer world class food like Cowrie Cove and Al Fresco seafood restaurant. The hotel is found in Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu City. For some inquries, you may call them using phone ((63 32) 231 0288), fax ((63 32) 231 1688) or email them at mac@shangri-la.com.

Swimming pool at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa.

Picture time!!! Overlooking swimming pool and beach at the back of Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa.

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Fort San Pedro

When you reached Cebu City through ship and it landed in Pier 1, you should have seen this already. Fort San Pedro is another historical site in Cebu City. The walls, made of stones, were used as military defense by Spaniards against invaders like the Muslim raiders. There is a small musuem inside which stored relics and pictures of events happened during that era. You can even still see cannons installed in several parts of the triangular-shaped bastion. In front of the fort is the Plaza Independencia of Cebu. 

Entrance chant carved in wood in Fort San Pedro.

Front view of Fort San Pedro.

Santo Nino de Cebu Basilica or Basilica Minore del Santo Nino

Just a walking distance from Fort San Pedro, you will walk along Santo Nino de Cebu Basilica and the Magellan's Cross. They are both parts of historical events in the Philippines during Spanish colony. Santo Nino de Cebu, the name used for child Jesus, is a relic given as baptismal gift to Lady Humamay, wife of Raha Humabon, from Ferdinand Magellan. Being the oldest relic and the most miraculous one, Santo Nino is then honoured annually through a two-week long celebration called Fiesta Senior or Sinulog Festival, a well-renowned and most anticipated festival in the Philippines visited by thousands of visitors and guests from all over the world.

One of the altar at the side of the Basilica.

Santo Nino de Cebu in a Sinulog procession.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8297325@N02/3202038283/

Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross is a cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan's group after arriving in Cebu. This christian cross is housed in a small chapel next to Santo Nino de Cebu Basilica where most people chant their prayers and visit the cross. Many people, however, believed that this is not the original cross already since it has been destroyed many years ago with no explanation how it happened.

Magellan's Cross inside a small chapel beside the Santo Nino Basilica Cebu City.

Carved history of the Magellan's Cross found at the bottom of the cross.

Cebu Taoist Temple

Located in the middle of a mountain, Cebu Taoist Temple is the religious place for worship and teachings for Taoism. The temple though is open for worshipers and non-worshipers. I actually tried the Taoist way of communicating to God. I got this two pairs of blessed wooden kidney-like blocks. The rule is you drop the two blocks once after you asked a question silently. Base on the combination of which faces of the blocks are on top after dropping, they will determine what the answer of God is. Aside from fortune-telling, the temple also provides souvenier shop, fish pond, prayer area, stage, long stairs, and of course, the beautiful overlooking Cebu City.

Cebu Taoist Temple

Cebu Taoist Temple

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Samar - Leyte Islands and the San Juanico Bridge

In one of my continuous extension of help to the organization that helped me pursue a good future, I was able to travel, for the very first time, to the enticing islands of Samar and Leyte (Northern). Though the experience was quite exhaustive, it has become a worthwhile travel.

On January 18, 2013, when the people of the world started to flock to Cebu City to witness the year's most awaited festival, the Sinulog Festival, I was fleeing away from Cebu to Samar with my co-volunteers and staff. Around 6:00 pm on that day, we sent off to our journey. From Cebu City Pier 3, we sailed on a Cokaliong Ship. The trip required us to stay on the ship for 11 hours, almost half day, up to arrival time. Here are the details of the trip.

Shipping Lines: Cokaliong Shipping Lines

Vessel: M/V Filipinas Dinagat

Departure Date/Time: January 18, 2013 @ 7:00 pm

Depart From: Pier 3 Cebu City

Depart To: Manguino-o Port Calbayog City

There are actually two shipping lines that travel to/from the same route. The other one is F.J. Palacio Lines, Inc. Both shipping lines have one ship only for that route. If you wanna enjoy a trip to Samar, the schedule of the trip is on Mon/Wed/Fri at 7:00 pm. Take note if you don't want to be left behind by both ships.

At 5:00 am the following day, I was awakened by the vague, almost clear, early morning display of Samar. The time is perfect to get a snapshot of the first sunrise ray on top of the elongated island. Here are few photos of the baby lightings.

Early morning view of Samar Island from Cokaliong Ship.

Early morning of pre-first-sunrise-ray on top of Samar Island from Cokaliong Ship.

First ray of sunrise on top of Samar Island from Cokaliong Ship.

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The port of Manguino-o is like 50 meters away but the ship crew could hardly dock the ship due to strong winds. There was a cold front facing the area at that time. The unoccupied beds on decks, one of which swam to the sea, were flying from the open cabin which caused to hurt some of the passengers. The most heart-pounding part was when the nylon connected to the rope used to secure the ship for docking was cut short due to untimed throwing and strong current. The crew would then need a replacement. That took the passengers sometime stranded on ship. Thanks, the crew finally undocked the ship after three hours. I've posted some photos of port staff who helped dock the ship.

View of Manguino-o Port Calbayog City, Samar.

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Cokaliong Ship crew throwing the metal attached to a nylon to the port area for docking.

Port Authority staff assisting the ship for safe docking.

Port Authority staff assisting the ship for safe docking.

It seems like the main way of land transportation to far places in Samar is through van. You would hear most of the time the word "Grand Tours", "Van-vans", "DupTours" which refer to public van companies in the area. The schedule of departure is usually every after 25 minutes especially for Grand Tours' vans which I rode on during the trip. If you would ask the locales there, they would usually recommend travelling through those van companies since bus schedules are limited. The people there as well are friendly and you could trust them easily due to their accurate and correct answers to strangers like me asking for "how to's" and "where is". So if you are confused where to go and how, ask any person there and you'll get the answer you need. By the way, the people there speaks in Waray, a dialect in the Philippines, but they understood a little of Visaya. So if you don't know how to speak Waray, I recommend you speak to them in Filipino or English.

I was given a little opportunity to roam around Calbayog City, the capital city of Samar. Here are few photos I took.

Cardinal Rosales ancestral house in Calbayog City, Samar.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Calbayog City, Samar  

Park in front of the church in Calbayog City, Samar

Nijaga Park Calbayog City, Samar. The park is named after Benedicto Nijaga, a local hero.

The staff with me and I spent the rest of the night in Imelda's Lodge (former name is San Joaquin Inn), though the name is a lodge but it is not the usual lodge in some places like Cebu City. We took a two-room bedroom with TV set and aircon. They already provided guests with body towel, soap, and shampoo. I told you, a different lodge from what you see in Cebu City.

Early next morning, we took our way to Allen to Lavezares, Northern Samar. That was about a two-hour trip from Calbayog City through van. Amazing! Though a hundred kilometers away, that was the first time I saw a volcano. The volcano was Mount Bulusan, view captured from the Urdaneta Bay in Lavezares. This photo was taken at sunset.

Sunset view of Urdaneta Bay, Lavezares displaying Mount Bulusan.

Sunset view of Urdaneta Bay, Lavezares displaying Mount Bulusan.

Sunset view of Urdaneta Bay, Lavezares displaying Mount Bulusan.

We silenced the night in a convent headed by nuns sitting in the middle of the nearest mountain. There were no neighbors on top and you could not find your way down easily since there were no light to guide your way except for mobile phone lights and the flimsy light provided by the moon. The place was too eerie that I hardly slept. I even requested for a roommate during that night from the female working students but no to avail since the male ones are already on the other house. The nuns though are very accomodating and the meals they provided were delicious and heavier than enough. You could not finish your eating without the fresh fruits.

The following morning, we were accompanied by the place caretaker down to the mountain. The trip was almost over and I should go back to Cebu City already. My buddy during the trip still need to go to other place to complete the mission. So I went back alone (for the first time [shiver!--]). Since there is no ship from Calbayog to Cebu City on Monday night, I need to travel from Calbayog City, Samar to Ormoc City, Northern Leyte. This trip required me to transfer from one van to another since there is no straight van trip from Calbayog to Ormoc. From Calbayog City to Catbalogan (1 hour), Catbalogan to Tacloban (1 hour), Tacloban to Ormoc City (2 hours). I had the opportunity to get a glimpse of Northern Leyte and the longest bridge in the whole Philippines, the San Juanico Bridge. So excited to share to you, so here are the pictures of the bridge.

San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Samar and Leyte islands.

San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Samar and Leyte islands.

San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Samar and Leyte islands.

San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Samar and Leyte islands.

San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Samar and Leyte islands.

San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines, connecting Samar and Leyte islands.

The trip was so exhausting but worthwhile of achieving the mission, adventure and fun!

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