Day 1 in Cebu: Visiting the Queen City of the South

[TRIP from July 2010] I was in Cebu and Bohol last July 2010 for both business and pleasure. And since you won't ever catch me traveling alone, I asked my boyfriend to accompany me on this trip. We left MNL on the 17th of July and arrived in Cebu at about 9:35 AM. 

WHERE TO STAY IN METRO CEBU

We chose to stay in this pension house that was located within the I.T. Park. Good thing it was within this well-known area, as we were able to look for it without much hassle. The place that I had us booked in was Alba Uno Residencia. It was a new building, with great interiors, beautiful rooms, and of course, a nice set of staff members. They were very accommodating and very warm towards us. They greeted us whenever we were around, and they would always have a smile that you can sense every time we would order-in some food. And speaking of their food! WE LOVED THEIR MENU and THEIR COOKING AS WELL! Our favorite meals were the Tapsilog and Hungarian Sausage. Their meals which were typically priced under P100, already included some Java Rice and Free Iced Tea. It was definitely a superb deal!

  

AIRPORT ADVICE: Hail cabs outside the airport

If you haven't made any pick-up arrangements, is looking to find a cheaper way out of the airport, then you can avail of the regular-metered cab just outside of the Airport as well. You'll find a lot of them usually lined-up in front of the Waterfront Hotel. We were able to spend only P150 for less than an hour's worth of travel (including the driver's tip).

ALBA UNO RESIDENCIA

The airconditioned Twin bedroom that we availed was priced at PHP1,200/night. It was prepared with a nice batch of linen sheets for the beds, and was furnished with two spacious cabinets each! Apart from having very roomy storage for our things, we also had a private toilet and bath, which was supplied with complimentary toiletries and towels. But it doesn't end there! We also had a cable-ready, flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. We also had a sliding window, which provided a great view of the I.T. Park! 


D-I-Y DAY TOUR AROUND METRO CEBU

After settling in, we changed our clothes and rode a cab going to the Basilica del Sto. Nino. We said our prayers as soon as we found a spot inside the church. Soon after, we went around the vicinity and eventually found the famous Cross of Magellan. And man, was it amazing! It has played a major part in the History of the Philippines, and we were elated to have finally seen it up-close!


After seeing Magellan's Cross, we did some walking around and eventually found ourselves near another beautiful Church --- the Cebu Cathedral. But since there was an on-going wedding, we decided not to go inside anymore. 


A CEBU MUST-HAVE: CNT LECHON

Cebu has been recognized for its tasty Lechon. This pork dish is downright tasty, to the point that you'll no longer find the need to dip it in any kind of sauce. It just simply stands on its own. 

CnT Lechon is also one of the famous Lechon places in Cebu. The good thing about it was it's just across SM Cebu Mall, so we decided to have our late lunch there. And may I just add that it was truly the best tasting Cebu Lechon that I've tasted ever! 


WRAPPING UP OUR FIRST DAY IN CEBU

After our rendezvous with the Lechon, we headed back to Alba Uno. We went back as I couldn't afford to stay out late since I was going to be up real early for an interview the next day. But since there was still some time to spare I studied my notes a bit, and had some Mcdo ordered-in later that evening. 

Cebu was such a nice city! And I was pretty happy that it gave me a glimpse of it for our first day there. Anyway, Day 2 of Cebu is up next!

Explore & Be Free!
Mai

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53 comments

  1. Cebu is one of the best places to go. It has a good variety of places to go from the fine beaches to cosmopolitan city life to religious and historical sites and also the tops, wherein you can see the city as a whole.

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  2. Cebu is such a very cool place. You can experience the cultural heritage and history as well with the gustatory trip in this urban city 

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  3. I've been to Cebu but haven't explored much except for the IT Park. Anyway, had I known about Alba Uno I would have stayed there, too!

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  4. i was in cebu and bohol last year and it has been one of my most wonderful experience... L)

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  5. i wanna go to BOhol.. ive been to Cebu a couple of times... but somehow... circumstances prevent me from going to Bohol... tsk tsk 

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  6. I actually haven't tried Cebu's beaches before, as I've been in the city for most of my trip there. At least, on my next visit, it would be Cebu's shores that I'm heading to next. Any suggestions on which beach to try first?

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  7. True Jonathan. This speaks more for the city that hosts some of the best culture-rich structures such as the Cross of Magellan and Basilica del Sto. Nino.

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  8. You should try Alba Uno the next time you're in Cebu! Not only does Alba Uno have the most accommodating staff, it's also perfectly situated near the hip-and-happening IT park. :)

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  9. I can totally relate to that! Did you go on a tour for both provinces? :)

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  10. Oh, where's that? :)

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  11. Oh, what happened Koko? 

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  12. I've been to Cebu many times but never tasted their lechon. Insane, right? Making mental note of CnT. :)

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  13. a glimpse of what's in Cebu and Bohol. I've never been to both places but at least your photos allows me to view a little of that places!! 

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  14. Ralph Marcuss ManarangJune 2, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    Hope to visit Cebu soon! I'm craving for Lechon! *drool*

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  15. Loved Cebu as well! :)

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  16. Hahahaha! CnT Lechon no longer needs ang sauce or dip. It's good to eat as it is -- already tasty! Mmmmm... visualizing the lechon na din as we speak! Hehehe!

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  17. I'm glad that my photos relayed a nice story to you Ric. Although it's more fun to be in both Cebu and Bohol in actual. You should plan a trip there soon. :)

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  18. Hahahahaha... same here!

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  19. http://www.everythingcebu.com/food-dining/zubuchons-world-famous-lechon/

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  20. love lechon and inasal (there's a street there full of bbq -just forgot the name) with puso (rice)...it's been 8yrs ago since i went to Cebu...

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  21. unsugarcoatedreviewsJune 3, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    Hay Bohol T_T

    If I get to Cebu, I will surely eat their famous lechon :D  Thanks for posting detailed tips Mai.

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  22. Hope to visit Cebu! Waaahh...I can't wait until the next Sinulog. :D

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  23. We actually missed that particular street! We were supposed to look for it after trying out the Sky Experience Adventure at Crown Regency!

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  24. Thanks for the link Cai! :)

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  25. A fellow blogger suggested about trying out Zubuchon too.. :) And you're welcome sis! :)

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  26. Would love to experience Sinulog too! :)

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  27. Went to Cebu only once and I wasn't able to see much. I really wish I could come back, see and experience more of it!

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  28. I've been to cebu once at the place is so nice! Parang Manila na mas calm and less ang stress. =))

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  29. glad that both of you enjoy the beautiful city of cebu

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  30. Kalabasa K. KamoteJune 3, 2012 at 6:20 PM

    Cebu is included in my travel wish list. Thanks for the preview. :)

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  31. nice to know you love CnT  too!  CnT is also my favorite lechon here in Cebu. :)
    Did you hit the beach ? :D

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  32. it's tasteless. :( i can't even taste the "herbs" in that lechon. very bland. :/

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  33. Cebu is indeed the Queen City of the south! Can't wait for your next Cebu post. 

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  34. Cebu is one of my favorite place to live in. A good place to retire. 

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  35. I dont know why..
    but Ive never been to Cebu.
    Part of my stunted goals when I started traveling is to avoid highly urbanized cities..
    I got Bohol in the bag, but with the buzz about Cebu..
    I'm gonna visit this in a few months. :)

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  36. Wow what a nice place to go! I'll definitely ask my sister to go there someday. They're planning to visit Disneyland. But for me I'll try to go first here in Philippines and go to our famous provinces to visit. :)

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  37. This is one of the places I'm planning to visit in 2013. Any other recommended place to stay?

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  38. Really? Then CNT for the win pa din! :P

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  39. You should Michelle! And while you're at it, try na din Sky Experience Adventure at Crown Regency! :)

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  40. You are so right Trisha! Parang di rin umalis ng Manila. :P

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  41. We sure did! :)

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  42. Awww.. sadly we didn't have time na. Next time cguro.. then meet rin tayo? :)

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  43. Oh, there are a few more Cebu posts! You can search and just key in "cebu" on the 
    Explore Zi Trips! :) Search box. :)

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  44. I agree. It's quiet and much more serene in Cebu.. :)

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  45. Hehehe.. you should! Or at least go there during the Sinulog Festival, so that you'd get more excited about your future Cebu trip. :)

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  46. You should! But don't also limit yourself, ok? Keep exploring! :)

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  47. Hi Joy! Aside from Alba Uno by IT Park, you can also try GV Hotel. My boyfriend stayed there with his friends just recently. It's good for big groups that are tight on the budget. :)

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  48. Been there 6 years ago, would love to go back since my son has no memory at all of the experience because he was just 3 at that time.

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  49. HI! At least your son will be able to appreciate what Cebu can offer now.. maybe you should both try the Sky Experience Adventure? :)

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  50. I also had wonderful experience when I visited Cebu, and one thing that I missed is eating at CNT Lechon because of time constraint which they say is the best lechon in town.

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