My Cebu Adventures

“We must travel; we must go to foreign parts. We must see how the engine of society works in other countries, and keep free and open communication with what is going on in the minds of other nations, if we really want to be a nation again.” –Swami Vivekananda  Traveling to exotic places is no doubt, quite the enthralling adventure. Unfortunately, one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to an exotic travel excursion is the communication barrier. Sure, there might be a handful of countries who speak English, but a majority of them only have the basics nailed. Luckily, the Philippines (one of the most beautiful exotic travel destinations) has a majority of locals who have an excellent command of the English language. However, you would make a better impression and would probably warm up to the locals better if you spoke their language and dialect. After all, to them, this would be seen as an effort to assimilate and truly immerse yourself in a foreign culture. Nonetheles...

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." -J.R.R. Tolkien   Proclaimed as the best pig he had ever tasted, Anthony Bourdain has propelled Cebu's most favorite food staple into world recognition. Known for its crispy skin and succulent flesh dripping in pig fat, there has never been any doubt that Cebu's lechon is the best roast pig rendition you will find anywhere in the Philippines--or even the world. A ubiquitous presence during momentous occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduations and even fiestas, the lechon remains to be the star of every Filipino's dinner table that without it, a feast would feel sorely lacking. In fact, it has been shown that tourists, travelers and most notably foreign bloggers would visit Cebu and book cheap Cebu hotels just to sample a taste of this world-renowned dish--much like Anthony Bourdain did. However, Cebuanos are known to be rather passionate about th...

“There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it is sent away.” –Author Unknown  Beach (noun) A place of relaxation, rest and tranquility  Apart from being known as the Lechon Capital of the Philippines, Cebu is also known for its world-class resorts and pristine white sand beaches. In fact, by the time summer season arrives, Cebu can expect an influx of foreign visitors as well as a flurry of local guests hoping to sample island living at its finest. Cebu is known to be a summer beach capital where anyone can cool their bodies at the nearest beach from the blisteringly hot weather. But do know that there are some beach locations whose beauty remains unrivaled. If you wish to visit other beaches that are found elsewhere apart from the ones in proximity to your Mactan hotel , here are a few that should make it to your itinerary: 1.)    Sta. Fe (Bantayan Island)  While this defi...

“Travel is like love, mostly because it is a heightened state of awareness in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.”-Pico Iyer Proclaimed and hailed as the Queen City of the South, Cebu has a unique and subtle charm that would enticingly invite locals and tourists alike into the city. Known for its eclectic fusion of city and island living, Cebu has a lot in store apart from Lechon, the city’s claim to fame. The Queen City of the South is also known for its lush, powder white sand beaches and world-class resorts. Unfortunately, while most of these resorts do promise you a luxurious stay, the exorbitant price tag might deter you from booking a reservation with them. Fortunately, Cebu has a myriad of hotels and resorts that would not have you breaking the bank just for a weekend of relaxation. If you wish to book a lavish stay sans the expensive rates, there ...

“Life is not meant to be lived caged within walls and mindsets. The only way to break free from the shackles of monotony is to travel. Bon Voyage.” –Author Unknown Known as the Queen City of the South, Cebu is a multicultural city with a lot to offer in terms of activities and destinations. As it is considered a melting pot of several Visayan cultures, you can expect to come across a zany set of individuals. In the same sense, you can expect Cebuanos to be an incredibly diverse bunch. English is widely spoken, so in this regard, visitors from overseas would not have such a hard time communicating with locals should they need to ask for directions and the like. Moreover, the people of Cebu City are generally warm and welcoming and although there is much left to be desired in terms of traffic flow, the City makes up for it by providing a myriad of transportation options (Uber, Grab and Angkas are available in the city). If you have ever planned on visiting the Queen City o...

“The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals” –Siddarth Katragadda  Sinulog, Cebu’s grandest festival, has always been known to be the Philippines’ biggest and grandest festival. Established about thirty-eight years ago, the Sinulog festival is a cultural event held every third Sunday of January and is the center of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines. Heralded as one of the popular festivals in the Philippines, Sinulog is more prominently known to tourists and foreigners for its colourful street parties. However, visitors should know that beyond the rip-roaring parties, wild and crazy events and raucous concerts, Sinulog is first and foremost a religious and cultural honoring of Cebu’s patron saint, Santo Niño. If you wish to experience Cebu in all of its glory, it is best if you visited during the Sinulog Festival season as you are bound to make momentous memories you would soon reminisce about. So, if you are looking for a slice of culture...