Shots and Trails: CEBU CITY

Just the GOOD STUFF...
So many points of interest in Cebu City, Philippines.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Basilica de Santo Niño
Magellan's Cross
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Port of San Pedro
Colon Street
Yap-Sandiego Ancestral Home
Casa Gorordo
Tops (Look-out)
Taoist Temple
Taboan Market

CEBU CITY
Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines. Today, this city is the center of commerce of the Visayas. A major hub for businesses. Nevertheless, it is full of historical sites and tourist spots.

Basilica de Santo Niño
The oldest catholic church in the Philippines. Built in 1565, but later, either burned down or destroyed several times over the years. This church houses the oldest religious relic in the Philippines that makes it one very significant in Philippine's history, in turn, becomes a major tourist spot of the province. It was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1941.
(Update: This church sustained major damages from the earthquake of 2013.)

Magellan’s Cross
Ferdinand Magellan, a Spanish explorer, planted this cross upon arrival in Cebu in 1521. This chapel houses that cross, now encased inside a bigger cross, to protect it from prying hands of visitors. Although, many believe that the original cross has been long destroyed and gone. Nonetheless, this place stands as a monument of a very important time in the history of the Philippines.

Cebu Cathedral
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Just a few blocks away from the Basilica de Sto Niño. This cathedral was constructed in 1689 but it took incredibly long years (220 years!) to complete due to financial restraints. Finally completed in 1909. It was then destroyed during WWII and was rebuilt in 1950.
(Update: This church sustained only minor damages from the earthquake of 2013.)

Port of San Pedro
Located around the Pier Area, next to the Plaza Independencia - the grassy park where people are not allowed to sit by the grass (dumb rule). This Port is the smallest bastion built in the Philippines. When inside, you can walk around it in less than 10 minutes.

Colon St / Obelisk
Claimed to be the first and oldest street in the Philippines, (I’m not sure in terms of what because this is a little hard to comprehend). It is also the shortest National Road. A pointed pillar stands in this wildly busy T intersection, marking it as the oldest street in the Philippines.

Yap-Sandiego Home
Yap-Sandiego Ancestral Home. A short walk from Colon Obelisk is an old structural residence built in the late 17th century. A privately owned heritage home. An odd sight, being in and around the seemingly commercialized neighborhood. Nevertheless, its intact old look is an interesting sight to see.

Casa Gorordo
Further around the corner street from the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral Home is the Casa Gorordo. An old house-turned-museum. This museum will take you back to the good olden days of the Spanish-era rich family home. Originally owned by Bishop Gorordo, the first Filipino and Cebuano Bishop of Cebu. Now own by the Aboitiz Foundation. There's a minimal fee to enter the museum.

Tops Lookout
There is a way to see the entire city from high above. Take a taxi cab. Head up to what’s called ‘Tops’ by the locals. You’ll find it refreshing enough being away from the hustle and bustle of the city below. Go for the view, and not for the food.