Discovering Cebu in the 21st Century

When Fernando de Magellan first landed in Cebu in 1521, he most probably was the first European “tourist” to set foot on Cebu and discover the Philippines. Coming as an explorer seeking shorter routes to India, Magellan and his crew initiated a trend which has yet to end. In his wake came the Spanish colonizers with their traditions, architecture and flavors, which when blended with native Filipino culture created a unique destination in Asia.

Nowhere is this blend more apparent than in Cebu with its many Spanish churches, forts and plazas dotting the island. This “mélange” of cultures is even apparent in the local dialect know as Cebuano, borrowing many of its words from Spanish, as in the “como esta” or “how are you”—a traditional Cebuano greeting.

The island seems to be blessed and rarely suffers the climatic extremes of its northern neighbor Luzon, which is more prone to typhoons, as is its southern neighbor Mindinao. Cebu is a sheltered island in the Visayan Sea and is often characterized as a piece of living history ringed by beaches and coral reefs and dotted with golf courses and nature reserves.

As home to many cultural sites, Cebu is noted for having the first street ever built in the Philippines (Colon Street in Cebu City) as well as the first fort, first school and first church.

Resorts, which are in abundance, are quite near the Cebu City, making accessibility to both beach and culture a simple and uncomplicated affair. Visitors can take in history in the morning, hit the beaches in the afternoon and end up in a Filipino fusion restaurant for happy hour tapas or dinner.

One of Cebu’s newest boutique resorts is Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant on Mactan island, about a 30 minute drive from downtown Cebu City. It is the brain child of American restaurateur Jason Hyatt, who got tired of city life and created an enchanting 10 room hotel, where he and his protégé chef Amy Tran concoct some of the best food on the island. The hotel is sandwiched between two larger neighbors the Shangri La, home to the best Spa on the island (Chi Spa), and the more conventional Hilton Resort. Abaca is a unique experience and once inside its securely guarded walls one feels transported to another world.

If there were a word which might be synonymous with “Philippines,” it would be “fiesta.” And one can quite easily say Philippines means fiesta and fiesta means Philippines. Cebu is no exception to the rule. The city and island offer a year round calendar of fiestas, many taking into account their historical Spanish heritage.

Sinulog is perhaps the most famous fiesta and also one of the longest lasting nine days in January. It is a dance ritual that can be traced to a pagan rite and climaxes with a grand parade of party goers from different “barangays” (neighborhoods), parishes and schools that join together in a whirl of colors, costumes and performances that end up in the city center.
Any excuse for a fiesta is a good one and Cebu loves its fiestas and is proud of its traditions. It claims victory over Spain in the battle of Mactan, where legendary chieftain Lapu Lapu actually killed Magellan in the ensuing battle. Every April 27th this victory is reenacted, albeit with much less venom toward today’s tourists.

The same shores where Magellan met his fate are now home to Cebu’s best beaches as well as the international airport charmingly known to many as Lapu Lapu.

Nearby and visible from Mactan is Olango island—a bird lovers paradise. Every winter migratory birds and wading birds use the island as a stop to rest and feed in the warm Visayan sun.

The northwestern part of Cebu province is home to Bantayan Island which has some of Cebu’s finest beaches, cliffs and historic forts.

Cebu is one of the most tourist friendly provinces in the Philippines where its modern history began some 500 years ago.