Taoist Temple Cebu

Take a trip to the "hills" to see an up market community of high end mansions with unique architectural styles - the Beverly Hills of Cebu. Standing in the midst of it is the Taoist Temple. It has preserved the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 BC Chinese philosopher. Many Buddhist climb the 99 steps to light joss sticks and have their fortune read. The Phu-Sian Temple is large and eye-catching due to the use of vivid colours. It can be access by a private car or a taxi. If you come with a taxi ensure that you arrange for the driver to wait up for you. It is difficult to get a taxi from the Temple to come back to the city.

Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino

This one of the worlds famous church, built in 1565 enshrines a replica of one of the oldest religious relics in the Philippines, the Sto. Nino (Jesus Child). As history records, on April 14, 1521, Filipina Queen Juana was presented the Sto. Nino as a gift from Magellan and placed it inside the church. During a ranging fire 44-years later, which destroyed the church, the Sto. Nino was found miraculously undamaged by the fire. Since then, we Cebuanos (inhabitants of Cebu) venerate the Sto. Nino as our patron saint. We celebrate the feast of our dear Sto. Nino every 3rd Sunday of January. His festival last for about 9 days with a novena at the Basilica and a procession on the 3rd Saturday of January. Followed by Sinulog "a mardi gras on the street" on the day of the Feast. This has become a tourist attraction for both foreign and local tourists alike.

Cebu - Queen City of the South

Cebu for the Filipinos are real historic place. It is the country's oldest city. It was here that Ferdinand Magellan claimed the country for Spain in 1521. Founded by the conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1571, Cebu was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Magellan found Cebu a highly developed trading society, trading with China, Indonesia and Siam. The fact that Cebu's port is typhoon-free had played a major role in this. Today trading still remains an important role in Cebu, however the development of the Export Processing Zone in Mactan Island contributed to the development of the Province. Tourism is another major source of income. It fits not only in Cebu's hospitable environment, it has also all the ingredients for such a development. Cebu's beaches belong to the best in the country, also it's golf courses, it's nightlife, it's shopping malls and dive sites.

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Moalboal

Moalboal is one of those place that happen to come out of nowhere. It is a small town on the west coast of Cebu Island. It is about 2 - 3 hours drive from Cebu City. There are buses available every hour too, you can choose from aircondition bus or just an open air bus. The aircondition is more than the open air bus, however it is still the cheapest way to go if you dont have your own car. And you will never be lost, the bus conductor will tell you when you reach Moalboal and some will eventell you where to go or even put you to a tricycle to get to where you will be going after getting off the bus.

Twenty years ago, Moalboal was a "back-pack" resting place, a small fishermen community along Tanon Strait. A foreigner from the Netherland "BJ" Schaap realized the potential of the place. There were beautiful reefs in the area and there were no facilities back then, snorkeling was the only thing they could do.  Schaap built his Sea Quest Scuba Diving Center there and soon others followed. Gradually the place developed and today there are about 500 beds available, ranging from Php 300 for a simple nipa hut to Php 3,000 for an air-con room with balcony and sunset view of Tanon Strait.

Today, Moalboal is a major dive destination in the Philippines. It caters mainly, but not exclusively to European divers - they catered to me!!!! hahahaha.  My favorite dive operator is Ocean Safari, they were recommended by a friend and she was right about them, they are fun to dive with and the cheapest in the area.  So, I usually dive with them when I'm there.

There are a few restaurants offering European cuisine and a few simple bars for the after dive activities. Moalboal is a cozy affair, its main street can hardly handle a car, but in fact that is not necessary because distances are so short that you can just walk.  Unless if you want to go to the town center, then it is a very far walk, however habal-habal (motorcycle that takes up 4-5 passengers) - im not kidding on this! Its not the safest but it is the fastest way to go and they are available everywhere. You can also opt to go via a tricycle, this is safe however, you need to bargain for the fare, specially if you are a foreigner, the drivers can be adamant with their over priced rate. So, bargain well!

Faith Healers

Faith healers or psychic healers are quite common in the Philippines. You will find them everywhere. Some limit themselves to just laying their hands on the patient, others even practice psychic surgery. The most well known psychic surgeon is Eleuterio Terte. He began as a magnetic healer. His method wassimply laying on of hands. Shortly after World War II Terte noticed that upon laying his hands on bodies they opened up. Several scientists have tried to document and explain the work of these "healers". But conclusive evidence is still lacking. A famous example, was the case of Antonio Agpaoa, probably the Philippines' most controversial "healer" of all times. The Japanese scientist Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama brought Agpaoa to Tokyo for extensive testing and research. Miraculously, irrepressibly, all machines used in tests broke down.

Attempts to compare with similar situations in South america and Africa did not yield any conclusive explanation. Recent studies focus on possible relations with the kahuna, the ancient faith healers of Haiti and Tahiti. Could this be real?

Leyson's Nature Peak

A thirty minute drive from JY square, Lahug, Cebu City is Leyson's Nature Peak, located in Barangay Sayaw, Taptap, Tupas (Busay Area).

The locals of Taptap, Tupas think of themselves as the City's most laid-back people. Life is slow, stress-free, but its community won't have it the other way. The place has itself become an attraction for people 'who long for rest!' At Taptap, mother nature is at its best. For some, they call it little Baguio with glimpse of man-made landscapes, reminiscent of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Leyson's Nature Peak is facing Mt. Manunggal - the crash site of the late President Ramon Magsaysay.

A day's drive to Taptap, Tupas has become a favourite pastime with amenities of horse-back riding, trekking, mini golf and billiard games; mahjong and dominos or sungka games. There is a farm too. One can also picnic around or sing at the karaoke bars, while being love struck as you can view the City's night life atop the chilly Tupas mountains - very romantic!

The "Peak" serves farm fresh and free range meals served with sumptuous corn and fruits in a lay-out of blooms and greens (in case you miss buying or seeing them in the markets). The peak has overnight accommodations at the Clubhouse; Las nubes; at the Greenhouse; La Casa Verde or, at Casa Japonesa. It the closiest to nature I have ever been!

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My happy feet

Horse back riding at Governor Leyson Park

The Adventure Cafe

Try the Adventure Cafe it is a full loop 500-meter zip line ride or if not you can experience the freshness and splendor of Mother Earth in a breathtaking wall climbing and rapelling! Adventure Cafe is located in Gaas,Balamban. It's a forty minutes drive from Cebu City. It is a fun filled eco adventure place, where you can see the historical Mt. Manunggal - the crash site of the late President Ramon Magsaysay and the panoramic view of the Balamban mountain range.

The place they said gives glimpses of Western Cebu; and a little further across the Tanon Strait is Mt. Kanlaon Volcano in Negros. The Adventure Cafe offers a rare experience, you will be engulfed in the mist that leads to Zero visibility. Mesmerizing!

You can choose to either start or end at the Cafe which offers delicious food from natures best, like native chicken, caldereta; snacks like suman and sikwate "chocolate drink" and the sweet mangoes of Cebu.

This excitement will last half a day, either morning or afternoon! Don't miss it... check it out!

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort is a 30 minutes drive from Cebu City and about 15 minutes from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. This upscale resort has all the comforts and water sports anyone wants. The guest rooms are brightly decorated and the rooms are furnished locally made rattan furniture. It has a great swimming pool and the beach is snowy white.

There is also a small islet just in front of it which is part of the resort you can stay and sleep under the sun.

If you love scuba diving they also have a resident dive centre. A must visit when you are in Cebu, the price a bit pricy but you will for sure love the beach and sun.

Highland Farm Hideaway

Highland Farm Hideaway is a 45 minute drive away from the House Close to nature. It's the mountain top Mercado's Highland Farm Hideaway. A restful respite from work and busy city life, this natural haven offers a hilltop view of the city amidst the environs of an organic farm; lush green and blooms and fresh breeze. It is a quiet place for 'incurable romantics' or, artists who seek inspiration for their skills. The hideaway may be a breeding place for horse. This two-hour communion with nature ends with a home-based sumptuous organic lunch, with ingredients harvested from the farm, cum fresh fruits, vegetables and native juice. And for those that opt to linger in the place may go horse-back riding, or settle down with a soothing body massage..

What a place? must visit!!! Enjoy.

House Close to Nature

A morning encounter with the House Close to Nature brings us t the environment-friendly abode of Nestor Achival at Busay, a fifteen-minute drive from the City. The ECO HOUSE is a showcase of manifold green initiatives; recycling schemes and re-cycled waste products, water treatment and solid waste management, synergized in biogas digester, vermin composting and organic food production. The lusty vegetable garden and lagoon add to the learning experience of tourists, as well as students and environment advocates.

The house itself is made of re-cycled and indigenous materials vivified by a "renewal energy" coming from fresh 'rain water catchment'. The one and a half-encounter with the 'House Close to Nature' includes a special lunch.

22nd Street Comedy Bar

22nd Street is a comedy bar located in mango avenue, cebu city. It used to be located next to national book store (famous as it seems like its a landmark for students meetings). Now, they have moved to Mango Square, just before you reach the National Bookstore intersection. It accessible by jeepneys (local mode of transport) which cost around 8php from end to end wherever you stop in a particular route. And of course taxi is the easiest - just insist on the meter and not a bargain price so you don't pay more. if you're taking your own car there is an available pay parking just behind the building at 20php per car however evening rate may differ around 50php.

Attire is casual, there is no entrance fee, however you have to consume some beverage or food, otherwise they impose on the entrance fee which is also consumable. The place is always full of laughing bunch of people and often they don't take reservations, so its better to come earlier than 9pm. There is a stage opposite to the entrance door where 5 gay entertainers are singing or acting. They are so funny that it's normal to throw a fit of laughter non-stop all night. But there is one thing that you need to keep in mind. Choose your seat wisely, if you are the shy type - don't dare sit in front of the stage, the gays are so daring that they will make you cry for the fun of it, sometimes they take you to the extremes as a subject for their joke, but if you're the bold and daring - then sit as close to the stage as possible. they will never miss you out. You can also sing with them on stage to complete your evening, but the entertainers are quite talented so, you have to level with them or on the extreme - be the opposite and people will cheer on. Or if you prefer to be on the backstage you can just write your favourite song on the napkin provided on your table and the entertainers will sing it for you after calling your your name out loud or addressing your table and making you stand and bow to the public.

This place is highly recommended. must visit when you're in Cebu...believe me you will be laughing even when youre driving back home.