Saturday, November 15, 2014

Things You Probably Don’t Know About Cebu

Museo Sugbo was a former prison.
The official museum of Cebu, Museo Sugbo used to be a provincial jail known as Carcel de Cebu. The prison was intended for the whole Visayas district, which probably explains its large size when it was conctructed.

Malapascua Island in Cebu is the only place in the world where you can dive with the elusive thresher sharks.


Malapascua Island is an island found in the northern tip of Cebu. The diving site was popular because it’s the only place in the world where you can see thresher sharks before sunrise. 

Philippines’ first tourist submarine is in Cebu.


“Cebu Yellow Submarine was built in Belgium and started its operations in 2012 after receiving their certificate of accreditation from the Maritime Industry Authority. It can be found at Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.”

Cebu had trains.


Cebu used to have trains connecting the southern town of Argao and the northern town of Danao. But in the long-run, Cebuanos ended up using other more convenient and cheaper means of transportation which eventually stopped the operations of train.

 

Cebu’s first Skyscraper had a revolving restaurant.


“The Ludo and Luym Building in downtown Cebu is considered the first high-rise and real skyscraper in Cebu City. The building was once the home of Sundowner Hotel, The Centrepoint Hotel, a Shoemart (SM) store, the GMA 7 Studio, and a ‘revolving’ restaurant (the first in Asia.)”

Magellan gave Cebu three gifts.

static.flickr.com

We used to know that Magellan gave Queen Juana the Sr. Sto. Niño. What most of us didn’t know is that Magellan also left two other important religious artifacts. First was the sculpture of the Ecce Homo which he presented to King Humabon. In 1995, Augustinian friars brought this to San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila but it was returned to Cebu in 2011. The other was the image of Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. 

Larsian is not a street name.

                                                                                       choosephilippines.com



”It’s not a dish or a name of a sitio, either. It is said that LARSIAN, the famous barbecue district in midtown Cebu, actually came from the name of twin sisters PILAR and SIANA. Pilar was the mother of a certain Col. Alvino Mondarez who owned a popular barbecue restaurant in the area. The two names of the twin sisters were combined to form one of the most popular Cebu brands today.”

Sources:

Things You Probably Don’t Know About Siquijor

Siquijor, they say, is a mystical island known for sorcerers, spells and black magic so prepare yourself for hearing scary stories over and over again. But what’s supernatural on this island is its unique identity, beauty and serene.

I bet no one here knows everything about Siquijor though. So here are the things you probably don’t know about Siquijor.

"Spaniards called the island “Isla de Fuego” (“Island of Fire”) due to the glow of the multitude of fireflies that would gather nightly."

“The Tagalog language is understood and used only in response to one who speaks it, but is never used by the native Siquijodnons in everyday casual conversation. Cebuano (Bisaya) is the prevalent language anywhere around the island.” -prezi.com


“The whole island of Siquijor was declared a marine reserve and tourist zone in 1978 by virtue of Proclamation No. 1810. As such, the island-province will be developed into a major tourist destination under the supervision of the Philippine Tourism Authority.

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“Siquijor holds a “Healing Festival” once a year. This is a great time to visit and witness faith healers as they heal different illnesses with nothing but prayers and rituals.





Sources:
itsmorefuninthephilippines.com
govisitphilippines.com
prezi.com


Friday, November 7, 2014

THINGS TO BUY IN CEBU AND SIQUIJOR:

A Filipino travel won’t be complete without pasalubong buying session. So here are the things to buy in Cebu and Siquijor!

CEBU

Guitars, ukuleles, and various string instruments

DRIED MANGOES

DANGGIT, TUYO, PUSIT, DILIS ETC.

Don’t miss the chance to shop Cebu’s specialties dried fishes and squids in Tabo-an market!

CHICHARON


Chicharon at its finest, yup the town of Liloan and Carcar offers one of the best chicharon in Cebu. (A friendly reminder: Eat moderately.)

ROSQUILLOS

OTAP


SIQUIJOR

HAND-MADE BASKETS
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SHELL CRAFTS

HERBAL OILS AND BRACELETS
sunstar.com

Last but not the least, Siquijor is known for herbal oils and bracelets which are believed to eradicate muscle pains and other ailments.

Sources:
mysiquijor.com

Saturday, November 1, 2014

MOST SCENIC VIEWS IN SIQUIJOR

Astound yourself with Siquijor’s most scenic views.

Salagdoong Beach 



Located 6 km. northeast of Maria, the most frequently-visited beach with its crystal clear water, white sand, high rock formations, diving spots and molave trees is truly a perfect getaway.

Cambugahay Falls


It’s just so relaxing to lay your eyes on the blue-green water and how much more to feel the cool and refreshing sensation when you dip.

Kagusuan Beach 


A beach noted for its picturesque rock formation is located 12 km. from Lazi bordering Maria.

Source:
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/siquijor


MOST SCENIC VIEWS IN CEBU

Mactan Island

A coral island, famous scuba diving site and also a home to world famous beach resorts.

Camotes Island (N. Cebu, across Danao City)


Dotted with white sand beaches, the island group is located at the northeast of Cebu province.

Olango Wildlife Sanctuary



Olango Island supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country.

Take a tour and discover exotic creatures basking in the warm sun or relax under the balmy shades of mangrove stands.

Source:
http://www.cebutravels.com/natural.php







Saturday, October 25, 2014

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN CEBU AND SIQUIJOR

     1. Cebu’s lechon
Who wouldn’t want to have a bite of Cebu’s famous lechon? Oops all hands down. Yes, it’s a must. Cebu is the home of the best lechon makers in the Philippines.
BUT…….Where to Eat Lechon?
Lechon business is a thriving business in Cebu. There are many famous Cebu lechons so here’s a list where you can find the best lechons of Cebu. 
2. Cebu street food: Larsian BBQ
Be prepared to indulge yourself with the best bbq that comes in varieties of pork, chicken and seafood.
But don’t expect a fancy restaurant, cause what you’ll get is a circle of small eateries where different vendors hawk their barbecues.
It is located in Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City. It's open 24 hours, but most of the stalls set up shop between 10 AM to 2 AM.
3. Cebu’s Torta
Torta is one of the delicacies that the Queen City of the South is proud of. It comes in a wide variety of cooking styles, sizes, tastes, and presentations, but the torta from Argao is considered the original and most delicious type.

4. STK (SU-TU-KIL) in Cebu
Cebu is famous for their Su-Tu-Kil offering ultimate seafood experience. The Su-Tu-Kil is also popularly known as STK. The acronym stands for three types of cooking fresh seafood, specifically Sugba (Grill), Tuwa (Soup), and Kilaw (Raw).
STK is not a single establishment but a number of restaurants serving fresh seafood choices prepared either as located near the historical Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. These are situated to the left side of the Mactan Shrine and beside a police precinct. 
5. Fresh and high-quality seafood of Siquijor
For fresh, high-quality seafood, head to Salamandas, one of Coco Grove’s two beachfront restaurants.


Satisfy your cravings for seafood while relaxing your eyes with this picturesque scenery.

6. Siquijor’s Pastel

On the go and on a budget? Then, it’s a perfect treat for you. Siquijor’s street food, pastel, is a tightly wrapped packet of rice and ulam cooked in one go. The cheapest pastel in town costs only around Php 5. 

ascientistinthekitchen.net

Friday, October 17, 2014

Nature at its Best: Top Natural Attractions in Siquijor

Siquijor is the smallest province in the region, but definitely not the least when it comes to its share of natural wonders.

Salagdoong Beach




Located 6 km. northeast of Maria, the most frequently-visited beach with its crystal clear water, white sand, high rock formations, diving spots and molave trees is truly a perfect getaway.

Kagusuan Beach 


A beach noted for its picturesque rock formation is located 12 km. from Lazi bordering Maria. 

Cambugahay Falls 


It’s just so relaxing to lay your eyes on the blue-green water and how much more to feel the cool and refreshing sensation when you dip. 

Cantabon Cave 


 It may be quite difficult to enter this magnificent cave, but the payoff is just worth it. The famous cave is known for its huge chambers with abundant deposits of stalagmite and stalactite plus the fascinating subterranean stream.


Source: