Going around Cebu

I just got home tonight from a 3-day official business trip in the wonderful province of Cebu. The trip is for our company offsite and I've been to Cebu numerous times, all of which are business trips (customer meetings, presentations, etc.), except last year when I came with friends for the Sinulog Festival 2009.

Our group stayed in Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, a resort I've been to in 2007 and raved about in a blog post before. This time my room, being shared with a friend and officemate, is a Superior Garden Room located at the main wing.


And just like before, they still have a fresh ripe mango fruit welcome basket for guests.


The room has a balcony, which is a perfect addition to the rool to chill out and let your mind wander off stress from work.


view from the balcony


Because our flight was early, we were already in the airport at the wee hours of twilight. Generally we were very hungry come lunch time as we feast on sumptuous dishes served buffet-style in Tides, an in-house restaurant located at the main wing.


my food! yum!


The rest of the day was spent on internal meetings and I'm not in the position to disclose what happened.

Early on the next day (day 2) however, I strolled around the pool and beachfront area after having breakfast in Acqua, the restaurant located in the ocean wing.


The place never fails to amaze me. It is so inviting that right there and then, I wanted to take a dip and relax. However, we have activities lined up for that day so I can just help but dream.


The pool area is so nice and calm, and the surrounding view is really serene. Add to it that there were not a lot of guests at that time. It really was teasing me to give in.


The beachfront area! A stretch of white sand beach and a line of beach hut umbrellas were waiting for guests!


Rest of day again was spent over official business, including some water activities. That night, the group went to the city for some drinks and party at a local bar. That was the end of the official trip for the next day (day 3), majority of the group will be flying out.


Day 3. Today, while some others arranged to fly out in the morning, a group of photo enthusiasts were left in the city and arranged to fly that night instead. The plan is to go around the city and take some pictures.

Our first stop was at Lapu-lapu Shrine, located in Mactan island (same where Shangri-La is) and where a 20-meter bronze statue of a local hero, Lapu-lapu, stands proud. The status was to commemorate this datu (village head) who lead a group that fought against and killed Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on 1521.


Nearby, a memorial tower was erected in honor of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
 

a nearby hut


A tablet marker stands nearby describing the place to be the site of the Battle of Mactan. Behind is a mural painting of the encounter.
 

a closer look


Then we drove off (via a rented van) to the Taoist Temple, located at mainland Cebu City.


The temple was built in 1972 and is open to public, with some restrictions. As we are not practicing the belief, we were advised upon entry on the restrictions and that we respect the sanctity of the place.


railings and tower


bell


The temple is located around 300 meters above sea level

stone lion


The temple architecture is amazing! Even minute details such as the roofing and designs were carefully planned and executed.


And the place is very colorful. Striking red and green blends well with its natural surroundings.


fisherman


stairs to the top


another view of the temple


We then headed for a quick lunch and proceeded to Magellan's Cross. A cross planted when Spanish colonizers arrived in 1521 is now housed in this small chapel located nearby the Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño.


Inside, one will find the wooden enclosure where the original cross was put inside. The enclosure was put to protect the cross from people who take bits and pieces of the original cross in a belief that it is miraculous. The painting on the ceiling depicts the arrival of Magellan in the island.


me


Then we walked towards Colegio del Sto. Niño en route to the Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño.


Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño is a church built in 1739, in replacement of an old one, build on the location where locals found a sculpture of the Child Jesus kept on a wooden box.


inside the church


the altar


Walking around the basilica, you may pass by a small museum showcasing old religious articacts or walk around and notice the old-century charm of the place.
 

vendors selling candles for prayer offerings


Lastly, we headed to Fort de San Pedro, but as we parked, I saw that is very nearby Malacañang sa Sugbo and took a picture. Malacañang sa Sugbo is the official residence of the President of the Philippines in the region which was built in 1910 and previously was a Bureau of Customs office.


Fort de San Pedro is a fortress built during Spanish regime era of 1738 for defense against Muslim raiders. Entrance fees to the fort is PHP21 for adults and PHP13 for children.


logo engraved in stone at the entrance of the fortress


The place is famous for locals to relax and hang-out (or even have concentration as what this painter is doing). For visitors of the city, they come here for the historic value and the remaining traces of the Spanish colonization period.


Here are just some of the pictures taken inside the fortress:
  

Here in the fort, we arrange for some photoshoot among the group also, with the focus on lighting basics workshop. Here are just some shots tooked for myself..
 

.. and some sample shots with a model.
 

This was the end as I had to head back to the airport late that afternoon to catch a flight. This has been an eye-opener experience for me as I've been to the city for years but never been to these places before. Next time, I'd be more vigilant. For all I know, there are still things I didn't even know from my home town yet!

Fascinating Hot Air Balloons!

For years, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta has been an event awaited by enthusiasts of these usually colorful and enchanting balloons powered by flames or hot fumes that makes what's supposed to be a big and heavy structure float. It is an international festival as participants come from all over the world and the first of this event was held in 1994, succeedingly has been an annual event (except 1999). Recently, it has become a popular event for locals living in Manila or those within the vicinity around Clark Air Base in Clark, Pampanga. The 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held during the days of February 11-14, 2010.

With Jojo, who picked me up early today, around 3:30AM on the way to passing by Patrick, we targetted to be at the place by 5AM. It was a fast an uneventful drive via NLEX/SCTEX but as we approach the area, we clearly could see a number of cars obviously are also on their way to the festival. We arrived as expected and lined up for the tickets (PHP150 each) for around half an hour, lined up again for the entrance and was finally able to go in a little before 6:00AM. By that time, the whole front line of the cordoned area segregating the audience from the exhibitors.


Minutes later, it was time to open the show. A skydiver appeared bearing the Philippine flag as the band struck their instruments to the tune of "Lupang Hinirang", the national anthem.


There were also a few paragliders in live exhibition.


It was getting brighter and brighter as things go along. The sun was already up and we can see a few of the exhibitors are still prepping up while a number of them are already waiting for the cue. Mind that this is my first time to see hot air ballons up close (at least relatively) and these huge inflatable structures are really different being seen from the ground close and up in the air on flight.
 

What caught my attention are these two cute looking balloons that are prepping up, one shaped as a beer bottle and one like a barnhouse with animal heads popping out of its windows.
 

By around 6:30AM most of the balloons are already ready and some already started to take flight.


me


More and more balloons started to lift off just within minutes, the barnhouse as well as a turtle-shaped balloon behind it is now almost ready to go!


other balloons


the barnhouse and the turtle on air (not their official names by the way)
 

I find the turtle-shaped balloon very cute and appealing, especially to the kids and kids-at-heart.


In 15 minutes, almost every balloon already lifted off!


the ticket


paraglider and hot air balloon


Another interesting item on the event is this sun-shaped balloon. I took this picture while it's already up in the sky, "shining".


The event was well attended mostly by younger adults but both grown-ups and kids are welcome to experience the excitement as well as other activities lined up throughout the festival like radio-controlled aircraft demos, plane demo flights, and other exhibitions.
 

We really just came for the balloon flights and stayed just for a while to take some photos, by 7:15AM, we declared we're done for the day and headed back to Manila as I have a teaching assignment to catch and Jojo has to pack for things for his flight to US tonight.

The old-world charm of Vigan

For one night, we stayed in Grandpa's Inn in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. A heritage house dating back to the era of Spanish regime, this residence of the Donato family was converted to be an inn during 1979. Vigan City, by itself, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being a well-preserved Spanish colonial town.


Walking inside the hotel, one will feel the old charm that it offers as articles dating back to decades ago are prominently on display to the public.


Even the reception and lobby areas outside of the rooms gives visitors and guests a feel of like living in the old days with the Spanish era inspired look of the area that you would think you're in your own ancestral home.
 

Our family stayed in an airconditioned dormitory room that is good for 8 persons (rate is at PHP4480 a night, inclusive of breakfast). It has the usual basic amenities but I regret chosing this room as there was no ensuite toilet and bathroom.


After dinner last night, we walked around the plaza and surrounding area of that part of the city. As you would when you're here yourself, we felt like walking into an old movie, or perhaps at least the old times looking at the beautiful architecture of buildings and houses here of the Spanish colonial era. Intramuros, in Manila, may share some of this feeling to visitors, but Vigan is much bigger and walking into its streets gave me some sort of an eerie feeling thinking about how many years some of these building has stood and what it may have witnessed during those years.
 

Of course, one can't be faulted if you do a bit of a food trip in the city, like buying the famous bibingka (rice cake) in town, tasting the okoy, trying the delicious Vigan empanada or even these Vigan longganisa. As small as it may seem, the city is bustling of flavors and spices present on its local delicacies.


Calle Crisologo (Crisologo Street) is the street in the city, closed to vehicular traffic and open only by foot or by horse-drawn carriage, where one can find majority of the well-preserved heritage houses. It is also the most touristy place around.


a part of Calle Crisologo at night


I woke up early today, to walk around Calle Crisologo as I expect that there will be not much tourists in the area at that time which will give me more opportunity to look closer at the beautiful well-preserved architectures. I have to say that when you got the chance, take a stroll on the streets and alleys of Vigan both at day and night.
   

Calle Crisologo street sign


Later in the morning, we also heard mass at the cathedral. We passed by this church (St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral) three days back if you've been following my blog.


horse-drawn carriages or calesas lining up outside the cathedral


After mass, that's when we finally had our breakfast in the hotel's restaurant - Kusina Felecitas.


After breakfast we immediately checked-out the hotel as we headed our way back to Manila with hours long drive ahead of us. Somewhere along the way we stopped at this spot in Ilocos Sur as it looks nice (both in person and in picture) and thought the scenery was very beautiful.
 

As we hit Tarlac, at the town of Gerona to be specific, we passed by our favorite all-time destination restaurant - Isdaan. We've been here a few number of times and I've blogged about the first encounter we had of this floating restaurant-cum-theme park.
 

floating hut


Here are the items we had for dinner tonight:

tinupig, lechon manok or roasted chicken


ehrr.. not sure what this is called. help!


pork binagoongan and rice in small calderos


crispy plapitos


What a good way to cap off a good road trip! Definitely we left the restaurant with full stomachs (and actually a bit sleepy to drive) and all the things we did and covered during this four day will never be forgotten in our minds and in our hearts.