Cebu is the Queen City of the South mainly due to its location and its history. For tourists from the city, however, Cebu City is a glimpse of another old Manila.
We spent our third day of Cebu Tour in Cebu City. As much as we wanted to spend one more day in Bantayan, we reckoned that we've really never been to Cebu if we didn't see the City.
We arrived in Cebu City at around 3:00 pm coming from Bantayan. (We left Bantayan at 9:30 am, Whew!) From the North Bus Terminal, we took a cab to check in at Verbena Capitol Suites. It almost took us an hour because of the traffic. Cebu City reminded me of Makati- there are a lot of stoplights. It also reminded me of the old section of Manila- narrow roads, a lot of intersection and one ways, historical buildings, etc.
I must say that we were not able to maximize our tour because of the limited time that we have. Here are the few places that we've been to:
1. Casa Gorordo
Casa Gorordo is heritage house. In other words, it's an old house. If you want me to be brutally frank, it's a decrepit house. It's not that I don't have a sense of history but it's more of a personal thought- what exactly is the relevant of this house? So in short, I was disappointed when I saw the house. It's dim and small and we had to wait for the caretaker. It was like a bodega of antique things. Personally, I think the people who owned it should at least polish the wooden house. For some reason, it seems that they like to leave the house to decay to maintain its status as a heritage house. By the way, entrance fee is P50.
However, I guess it's still worth visiting the place for the monument in front of it called "Parian." I think it depicts the Spaniards conquest of Cebu.
2. Fort San Pedro
From Casa Gorordo, Fort San Pedro is less than 15 minutes away via cab. You can also walk but it's not really walking distance. Fort San Pedro is near the Piers. It's a much smaller version of Intramuros but much cleaner. You can take a walk on top of its thick walls. From the top, you can view the nearby surroundings including the plaza, the city hall and the highways. I like this place. I think it has a nice view of the sunset. Entrance fee is P30.
3. Magellan's Cross
From Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross is about 5 minutes away by foot. Feel free to ask directions from the locals. Magellan's Cross is just that- a big cross with a historical significance to Filipino Catholics. In my opinion, I find it ironic that the Cebuanos display this cross- a sign of acceptance of the Spaniards, when they are first Filipinos who showed contempt against them. Without hurting anyone's sensibilities, I think Magellan's Cross is overrated. I used to study it in elementary until high school. But upon reflection and upon seeing it, I think its importance should be downplayed.
Due to the limited time that we have we were not able to see some of the recommended sights because they are not in Cebu City.
Just in case you want to know, here are some places which you might also like to see:
1. Buddhist Temple
It's a temple on the outskirts of Cebu City. According to the cab driver, the best time to visit this place is in the morning and in the afternoon. It's also open until 9 pm.
2. TOPS
The TOPS is in Mandaue City. From your trip to the Buddhist Temple, this can be your next stop. According to the cab driver, again, the view at dusk is spectacular. You can see the sun bathing the city with its last rays for the day. The view at nighttime is also good. You can see the sparkling sights of the city.
3. Lapu-Lapu Shrine
Lapu-lapu Shrine is in Lapu-Lapu City. It's near the airport so you can drop by before your flight back.
We spent our third day of Cebu Tour in Cebu City. As much as we wanted to spend one more day in Bantayan, we reckoned that we've really never been to Cebu if we didn't see the City.
We arrived in Cebu City at around 3:00 pm coming from Bantayan. (We left Bantayan at 9:30 am, Whew!) From the North Bus Terminal, we took a cab to check in at Verbena Capitol Suites. It almost took us an hour because of the traffic. Cebu City reminded me of Makati- there are a lot of stoplights. It also reminded me of the old section of Manila- narrow roads, a lot of intersection and one ways, historical buildings, etc.
I must say that we were not able to maximize our tour because of the limited time that we have. Here are the few places that we've been to:
1. Casa Gorordo
 |
| Casa Gorordo's facade sideview |
Casa Gorordo is heritage house. In other words, it's an old house. If you want me to be brutally frank, it's a decrepit house. It's not that I don't have a sense of history but it's more of a personal thought- what exactly is the relevant of this house? So in short, I was disappointed when I saw the house. It's dim and small and we had to wait for the caretaker. It was like a bodega of antique things. Personally, I think the people who owned it should at least polish the wooden house. For some reason, it seems that they like to leave the house to decay to maintain its status as a heritage house. By the way, entrance fee is P50.
 |
| The Parian in front of Casa Gorordo |
However, I guess it's still worth visiting the place for the monument in front of it called "Parian." I think it depicts the Spaniards conquest of Cebu.
2. Fort San Pedro
 |
| Walking on Casa Gorordo's walls |
From Casa Gorordo, Fort San Pedro is less than 15 minutes away via cab. You can also walk but it's not really walking distance. Fort San Pedro is near the Piers. It's a much smaller version of Intramuros but much cleaner. You can take a walk on top of its thick walls. From the top, you can view the nearby surroundings including the plaza, the city hall and the highways. I like this place. I think it has a nice view of the sunset. Entrance fee is P30.
3. Magellan's Cross
From Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross is about 5 minutes away by foot. Feel free to ask directions from the locals. Magellan's Cross is just that- a big cross with a historical significance to Filipino Catholics. In my opinion, I find it ironic that the Cebuanos display this cross- a sign of acceptance of the Spaniards, when they are first Filipinos who showed contempt against them. Without hurting anyone's sensibilities, I think Magellan's Cross is overrated. I used to study it in elementary until high school. But upon reflection and upon seeing it, I think its importance should be downplayed.
Due to the limited time that we have we were not able to see some of the recommended sights because they are not in Cebu City.
Just in case you want to know, here are some places which you might also like to see:
1. Buddhist Temple
It's a temple on the outskirts of Cebu City. According to the cab driver, the best time to visit this place is in the morning and in the afternoon. It's also open until 9 pm.
2. TOPS
The TOPS is in Mandaue City. From your trip to the Buddhist Temple, this can be your next stop. According to the cab driver, again, the view at dusk is spectacular. You can see the sun bathing the city with its last rays for the day. The view at nighttime is also good. You can see the sparkling sights of the city.
3. Lapu-Lapu Shrine
Lapu-lapu Shrine is in Lapu-Lapu City. It's near the airport so you can drop by before your flight back.
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