Adventures in the ‘Queen City’

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lifestyle/2016/12/23/adventures-queen-city-516673
• Friday, December 23, 2016

By Claire Marie Algarme

CEBU, the oldest city in the Philippines, is one of my most visited places in the country.

My first trip there was when I was around 10 years old.

It was followed by our educational trip there when I was in high school.

Since I started working, business trips to Cebu were frequent.

And before this year is over, the last place I traveled to is Cebu, which is my last adventure for 2016.

Progress and development

As I passed along Cebu’s thoroughfares and small alleys, I have seen new buildings cropping up left and right.

There were recognizable scenes, yet there were several not-so-familiar areas, too that have captured my attention. Progress is definitely visible in this Queen City of the South.

It is so apparent that there was traffic congestion almost everywhere.

Taking a cab was quite a challenge as most of them were occupied.

The good thing though, I learned to take the jeepney from one point to another, despite not being so familiar with the route.

I like the number system in their jeeps, as it was easier to take note of which one I should hail and which ones I shouldn’t.

Cebu is a prime destination for business and leisure, given its various venues and facilities that can cater to large Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) activities.

Mactan has many five-star resort hotels that provide the best services and amenities.

There are also more tourist attractions in the entire province, which are accessible by land or by sea.

Go north to Bantayan or south to Sumilon.

You can go snorkeling at Moalboal or canyoneering at Badian.

Fuente Osmeña

The center of the roundabout in Fuente Osmeña is now teeming with people as bazaars and eateries are set up inside.

When the sun goes down and the sky darkens, the place is abuzz with stalls starting to prepare their dinner offerings.

The whiff of food fills the vicinity. And where there’s smoke…there’s grilled food.

Families and friends enjoy a night picnic in Fuente Osmeña, invigorating the Christmas vibe.

There are also shows and performances that draw audience to Fuente, apart from the fountain and the Christmas tree as some of the wonderful attractions. Sto. Niño and the downtown area The downtown area, especially Colon Street, is a bit crowded.

The buildings are quite old but they hold a certain kind of allure.

It was like traveling back in time. When in Cebu City, never miss visiting the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu.

The church was damaged during the earthquake in 2013, but it has now been repaired.

I heard anticipated mass at the open-air pilgrim center.

At the end of the mass, devotees and pilgrims gather in the middle to wait for the final blessing by the priests and ministers.

The devotion to the Sto. Niño in Cebu has a rich history tracing back from the time of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan and his crew in 1521.

This devotion is celebrated every January through the Sinulog Festival.