Cebu City, Metro of the Visayas

Our original preplanned IT for Cebu was to,obviously, discover Cebu. But then this happened which led to a delimited Cebu City tour. Well not that I approve novelty tourist spots more than historical landmarks however, they're just newer and less people know about it (justified? or am i too guilty, for lack of some Filipino history). We finished up with the Sky Experience tour at around 6pm which meant most tourist landmarks were either closed or simply dim (so we won't see anything unless we touch them which sounds wrong and IS wrong). Nonetheless, we did not pass the opportunity to discover Magellan's Cross.

Magellan's Cross is an emblem of Catholicism (it is the Sistine Chapel of Philippine Catholicism, since it's pretty and it's about Catholicism. crude basis). Introduced by Spanish explorers lead by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it is housed in a small sanctuary in front of Cebu City Hall and of close proximity to the Santo Niño Church or Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Trivia: A sign below says that the authentic cross is actually encased inside the wooden cross in the middle of the shrine. Therefore, the cross that we see is the casing of the cross. This was done as a preemptive measure for people who chip away parts from the cross with the belief that it can create miracles.(Paradoxically, it is a symbol of Christianity but people use it to fill their pagan beliefs). There have been legends, heresy and more about the whereabouts of the authentic Magellan's Cross, but then let's move on.

Here's what we've been talking about for a paragraph now.

Here's some history for you. I can't read 'em but you try. :)

So here's the sign that says the thing I said in the above mentioned short description.

Here's Ziel trapped OUTSIDE the sanctuary. Sucks.

Here's Cebu City Hall

Then here's Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

Located at the heart of Cebu City, the Basilica is known for its architectural design meshing cultures that have once crossed paths in Cebu. From Islam to Catholicism.

I forgot to mention how we got to Magellan's Cross. I personally thank Joe Poblete for being our Cebu City tour guide (although it seems you're not too much of a Cebuana anymore. LOL). From Crowne Regency Plaza cross the skywalk and wait for jitneys that have 21-B on them. Then tell them to drop you off at the Sto Nino Church (of course this is if you are a tourist or in Joe's case, JOE). You can't miss it, it's at the right side of the road (From your point of view, if you are in the right direction, that is).

Arriving at the Sto Nino Church, you could walk from there to Magellan's Cross. If you tour in the morning you may subsequently try visiting Fort San Pedro near Pier One (Pier for Oceanjet transit, the sea transit we used for our Bohol tour). BTW, it's also the nearest Port to Cebu City from Fuente Osmena.

The blurred people are Joe! (A friend from UP who's a Cebuana) and Ziel.

On the next day after our Bantayan Tour we were famished, tired and stingy. So as last only resort, we went to Joe's place. Yey! And finally saw Andre again.

Andre is Joe's son who I last saw in Capitol Hospital along Quezon Avenue when he was born. That was two years ago and now look at him all gwapo and Russel-y (that's what I call cute little chubby kids. Recall: UP).

Here's me, Andre and Mommy Joe!Thanks for the food, kahit pambreakfast it was LOVE. FYI, chorizo at low-low prices @ Kings across SM Robinsons near Mercury Drug.

And here he is in full regalia. We did find a way to talk. Bisaya man gyud.

As an add-on, we did visit SM Cebu City and guess what, they have very high ceilings as if foreigners were always all over the place. There was this Volkswagon Beetle Mania happening in the event center so we took some photos.

The Beetle. :)

Beetle Maniac

Here's me.

-pau