Delicacies

Cebuano Delicacies 

By: Jeje Soten

Osmeña Peak

Osmeña Peak

How To Get There

Take a bus at the Cebu South Terminal travelling to Oslob or Bato. Ask to be dropped off at the Dalaguete junction. It is a 3hour travel time including pee break. From the Dalaguete junction, hire a motorcycle (habal habal) going to the peak. It is beyond the Mantalongon wet market. From the wet market, it is your choice if you want to trek or just ride up. You will be dropped off below the peak. When you choose to trek, it will be an hour or so, depending on how fast you walk. The fare from the center town of Dalaguete straight to below the peak is one hundred pesos (100.00), if up to Mantalongon wet market only is sixty pesos (60.00). From where the motorcycle dropped you, it is only a 50meters treak up. The entrance is fifty pesos (50.00) and tents are available for rentals, the price depends on how big the tent you want. The road up to below the peak is well cemented so it is a very comfortable ride.

I was traveling with my husband and one of our friends, Micah. That trip was supposedly a group trip but some of our friends quit before this exciting trip, so that leaves to us, three. The climate when we reach the peak is very cold, for me. After we paid for the entrance fee, we started our trek up. When we arrive just near the peak, we had a trouble finding a place where we should set up our tent because it was a bit crowded since it was weekend. We settled for the takeout food for dinner and started talking. It was already night time because we arrive late. As we talked, I turned on the solar lamp and tried to look around. But all I can see is the same light from the tents that surrounds us. It was noisy. I was sure everyone was having a goodtime with the background sound of the crickets.

We were up at exactly five in the morning with zero visibility and an ice cold wind. The tent was starting get wet inside because of the extra morning dew and outside, so are the grasses. The fog was so thick that you have to open your flashlight to see the surroundings. So what we did was sit, boils water and settled for coffee and bread for breakfast. We waited for like thirty minutes to make the fog to get thinner. And it was like heavens agreed because in less than thirty minutes fog was half gone and was replaced with a very cold wind. It was like it rained the night before because the small road leading to the very peak was wet and muddy. It was already cold but it was already freezing when we reached the very peak. There was this big mountain-like rock that is lined up with other tourist who was like us eager to take a photo. When I tried to look down, all I can see was fog and fog and more. We waited patiently for our turn to climb that big rock and when it was already our turn, I had a trouble going down and up to that narrow road. Thank god my husband helped. If it was not for him, I can never reach the top of that rock. Since it was still foggy down from where we were, I did not see the ocean or trees and other things that can possibly be visible. But for me it was okay. Reaching the highest peak in Cebu is already an achievement.

By: Malelou Yambot

Cebu Taoist Temple

Cebu Taoist Temple

Cebu Taoist Temple is a famous tourist attraction in Cebu City built in 1972 by the Chinese community residing in the city. It is located in the upscale area of Beverly Hills Subdivision in the northern part of the metro. The Taoist Temple has an elevation of 300 meters above sea level with an architectural design derived from the typical multi-tiered Taoist temples in China. The premises consist of several prayer temples, a wishing well, viewing decks, and a main worshiping temple with a pagoda-styled roof. Worshipers and non-worshipers can enter the temple and enjoy its serenity. 

The scenery of the temple is divine as it offers a great view of the modern and crowded city outside its walls. Inside the Taoist Temple Upon arriving at the temple, the first thing you will notice is the entrance replica of the Great Wall of China. Next is the long and steep flight of stairs going up to the main area of the Taoist Temple. It is said that the main staircase has 81 steps because it was based upon the 81 chapters of the Taoism scriptures, but most people would say there are actually 99 steps. 

What really catches the eyes of the visitors are the several majestic dragon sculptures displayed within the area. The devotees of the Taoist Temple also follow the teaching of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. The religious influence and history of Taoism is vibrant and alive within the walls of the temple

By: Apple Grace Pajo

Hidden Valley Wave Pool Resort

Hidden Valley Wave Pool Resort

Hidden valley wave pool resort a place where you can relax,, enjoy your vacation with your family, friends and love ones with a very affordable price for only 150 pesos but if you want to enjoy and swim both wave pool and ordinary pool its only 200.00. it is located in barangay of lamac, pinamungahan municipality,cebu.

By: Jane Villamor

The Heritage of Cebu Monument

The Heritage of Cebu Monument 

The Heritage of Cebu Monument is a tableau of sculptures made of concrete, bronze, brass and steel showing scenes about events and structures related to the history of Cebu. The construction of the monument began in July 1997 and it was finished in December 2000. Local artist Eduardo Castrillo built the sculptures of the Cebu Heritage Monument. He and the late Senator Marcelo Fernan together with donations from other private individuals and organizations funded the construction of the monument. The structures depicted in the Heritage Monument are the Basilica del Santo Niño, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the Saint John the Baptist Church, the Magellan’s Cross, and a Spanish Galleon. The scenes depicted in the Heritage Monument are the baptism of Rajah Humabon, a procession of the Santo Niño, a Roman Catholic mass, and the Battle of Mactan between Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan. The persons depicted in the monument include the late president Sergio Osmena Sr. and Blessed Pedro Calungsod. The Heritage Monument is located in the historic Parian District, which during the Spanish period was home to the residences of the most prominent families in Cebu at that time. The St. John the Baptist Church previously stood on the site of the monument’s location. However, the diocese of Cebu demolished the church in 1875.

The Heritage of Cebu Monument is accessible to public transportation. If you are in Colon Street in downtown Cebu City, you can take a jeep with the signboard showing SM and Pier area. The jeep will pass by the monument. You may also take a taxicab as most drivers are familiar with the place.

By: Brian Recilla