CEBU CITY: QUICK DESTINATIONS

"Cebu is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region, comprising Cebu Island and more than 150 smaller surrounding islands and islets. Its prosperous port capital, Cebu City, retains landmarks from its 16th-century Spanish colonial past, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño church and triangular Fort San Pedro. Tops, an observation deck on Mt. Busay, has sweeping views over the city."

-Quote from Google

Cebu City, Philippines, the seedbed of Christianity in the Philippines and home of various tourist historical and modern attractions.

Here are some places for your quick tour when you set your foot in Cebu.

1. BASILICA DEL STO. NIÑO

The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, commonly known as the Sto. Niño Basilica is a minor basilica in Cebu City, Philippines. It was built in 1565 by Frays Andrés de Urdaneta, O.S.A. and Diego de Herrera, O.S.A.

2. MAGELLAN'S CROSS

The Magellan's Cross put up by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu, Philippines on March 15, 1521, is a popular historical landmark and tourist attraction in the middle of busy Magallanes Street. It sat beside the famous Minor Basilica of Sto. Niño.

3. COMPANIA MARITIMA

The building was built in 1910 and once was known as the Fernandez Building. It was owned by Fernandez Hermanos Inc. According to Jose Eleazar Bersales, University of San Carlos archaeologist and historian "It was occupied by the Shamrock Hotel in the 1930s, pre-war years time. The building's ground floor was dedicated to the shipping company.”

In 1945, the building was bombed during the Liberation of Cebu City. The building was repaired and became one of the biggest shipping company in the Philippines but in the early 1980's the company was bankrupt. Since then the building was left abandoned.

Photo courtesy of JL Mahinay

4. MUSEO SUGBO

Museo Sugbo or the Cebu Provincial Museum looks like Spanish fort during the Spanish era but it used to be a jail. Remember Youtube-sensation "Cebu Dancing Inmates (CPDRC Inmates)"? This was their home until Gov. Garcia transferred them to more spacious grounds. Before it became MuseoSugbo, it was known to many as Carcel de Cebu – Provincial Jail of Cebu 1870 to 2004.

It is located at M.J. Cuenco Avenue in the old Spanish-era area of Cebu named Tejero

Photo courtesy of JL Mahinay

5. BIRHEN SA SIMALA: THE MONASTERY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

The miraculous statue of our Blessed Mother Mary at the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist or commonly known as “Birhen Sa Simala Church" is in Marian Hills, Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines.

The Sacred place is full of miraculous testimonials from devotees, faithfuls, and visitors whose prayers were answered.

Photo courtesy of JL Mahinay

6. 10,000 ROSES CAFE

Lately, another spot emerged in Cordova Tourism Center. Yes, probably you have heard it already because the day it was opened to the public, it went viral in the cyber world and many were curious about the fuzz in the social media... yes it's the 10,000 Roses Cafe.

7. TEMPLE OF LEAH

Temple of Leah was built because of a husband's love to his wife. Teodorico Soriano Adarna constructed this temple as a sign and symbol of how much he loved his late wife, Leah Villa Albino Adarna. An undying husband's love to his precious wife.

8. SIRAO FLOWER GARDEN

This was the first time I saw the Celosia flowers in Sirao I was so amazed by its beauty, the colors it gives to the place as well as to human being seeing the garden; got so carried away that I found myself so focused looking, inspecting, and studying every scene. My brain cells were busy searching for best compositions for perfect shots; I was sooooo into it...