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.
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.
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| Statue of Lapu-Lapu at the heart of Mactan Shrine facing the sea where Battle of Mactan happened. |
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| 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.
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| Swimming pool at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. |
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| 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.
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| Entrance chant carved in wood in Fort San Pedro. |
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| 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.
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| One of the altar at the side of the Basilica. |
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| 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.
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| Magellan's Cross inside a small chapel beside the Santo Nino Basilica Cebu City. |
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| 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.
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| Cebu Taoist Temple |
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| Cebu Taoist Temple |
