10 Reasons to Spend Your Vacation in Cebu
If you are looking for a perfect getaway for the weekend, during summer or even during Christmas vacation when people have almost three weeks of respite from their jobs, the "Queen City of the South" is the place to go and chill for the following reasons:
1. Cebu provides a refresher course of Philippine history especially on the topic of Spanish colonization. It is a reservoir of historical landmarks, an example of which is the Cross which Magellan planted when he arrived in 1521. Another one that you can see is Fort San Pedro, the oldest Spanish fortress in the country which was built in the 16th century.
2. Being an island province, Cebu's entire coastline can practically become your resort or bathing area. The options are limitless. From the northern part down to the south, swim, chillax and engage in your favorite water activity at all kinds of accommodations imaginable.
3. Low crime rate. Despite the rapid developments in the island, walking down the streets in the city of Cebu is still possible even at midnight. I took a taxi to the airport, alone, at 1:00 in the morning and felt totally safe in the hands of the taxi driver who did not haggle or demand for an additional amount for me to be taken to the airport at that unholy hour.
4. Less aggravations. Sure, the price of development can be high, but the City still has managable problems. The streets are not congested and traffic is kept to a minimum. Informal settlers are not common sight here (which makes me wonder where they are hiding during daylight). And lastly, I am not bugged by annoying street kids while having my coffee break.
5. One of the grandest religious and cultural festival in the country is held here. The Sinulog, which is our version of the Carnival in Rio is held every January. The entire island prepares for the celebration which culminates on the third Sunday of January. The highlight of the event is a dance till dawn mardi-gras which has been turned into a dance competition participated by neighboring provinces. Solemn masses and reenactments of some religious events are also part of the entire festival.
6. Affordable cost of food. Your P100 would go a long way. Where else can you buy 'puso' (steamed rice wrapped in coconut frond) for less than 5 pesos and a regular cut of fried chicken for 7 pesos? If you are a budget traveler and would like to emulate the locals, head to the nearest carinderia (a small local fastfood) and eat till you drop but still pay less than what you have allotted for your meals.
7. Great culinary experience await you. Sutukil, which is the combination of sugba, tuwa, kilaw, is one of the staple food preparations that Cebuanos are known for. They are great ways to prepare fresh seafood. Simple recipes, fast preparation but superb tasting and filling, I promise you, it would be difficult to leave the table.
8. Otap, danggit, masareal, ampaw, buwad nukus, puto, sikwati, soriso, rosquillos, dried mangoes, bingka Mandaue, Tinong's pan, Cebu's sweet mangoes, Cebu's litson, the endless list of Cebuano delicacies that are known all over the world. Need I say more?
9. The local talents and other personalities that have become successful in the local scene and in the international arena namely, Pilita Corales and Vernie Varga, as well as succesful leaders and statesmen like the Osmenas. The supply of local talents is just unlimited. A lot of Cebuanos are practically born with a microphone, you can judge this from the number of people that hang out in videoke bars. Cebuanos can't resist belting out a tune or two when an opportunity arises.
10. Senor Santo Nino and his official residence the Basilica Menor del Santo Nino. Devotees to the Child Jesus from all over the country would come and pay homage to the Senor especially during the Sinulog festival. The Basilica Menore del Santo Nino is the oldest church in the Philippines which was founded in 1565 by the Augustinian Friars. It is one of the pillars of the Catholic faith in the country.
Fun, excitement, history, religion is spelled C-E-B-U. Kitakits 'tang tanan sa Cebu!!!
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