Cebu City, Visayas

Cebu City is the capital city of Cebu and the second city in the Philippines.
Cebu is the oldest settlement of the Spaniards in the Philippines.  Buildings are noticeably with Spanish architecture.

I only have 5 hours transit in Cebu just enough time to see the city close by Mactan-Cebu International Airport.  The airport is located in Lapu-lapu city which is about 20 minutes drive to Cebu City.

Here is our starting point.

Lapu-lapu a Muslim warrior, Ruler of Mactan 1491-1542

Lapu-lapu's statue has been erected in honor of his Battle on Mactan, that killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan which took place in April 27,1521.   April 27 is Philippine National Holiday "Day of Lapu-lapu".

Around Mactan:

Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge, Metro Cebu

A 4-lane bridge with pedestrian sidewalks, built in 1999, connecting Mactan and Cebu Island. 

The bridge is named after late Senator Marcelo Fernan. 

The First Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, with 2 lanes and pedestrian sidewalks, 1971.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City

OAR Monument

OAR = Order of Augustinian Recollects

Fort San Pedro is a military defense structure built by Spaniards and indigenous Cebuanos in 1738.  It is located in the area of Plaza Independencia, Pier. 

In 1898, marked the victory of Americans headed by Commodore Dewey against Spaniards in Manila Bay.  Fort has been surrendered back to the Cebuano revolutionaries and barracks used by Americans.  Later on, the barracks were converted into a school in 1937-1941.

The walls served refuge to the Japanese during WWll in 1942-1945, the fort then served as an emergency hospital.

Now, a historical park under the care of the City of Cebu.

City Hall

Basilica de Sto Nino

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Sto. Nino Church

Sto. Nino Church

The Magellan's Cross 

Special thanks to:

Mr.Edsel Retuerto

for the patience and accompany

Mr. Wendell Rodrigo

for amigo's contact 

and making this short trip

a possible one

Cebu City

Philippines

May 2011

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Surigao del Norte, Mindanao

It's Wow Surigao, here I come!

I traveled from Butuan, Agusan del Norte to Alegria, Surigao del Norte about 75Km, via Bachelor Express  Inc. aircon bus at P122 for two hours.  I enjoyed the free bumps road trip with an amazing view from the window.

Seated next to me is Aling Lourdes, a retired teacher who kept me entertained about her stories during the trip.

Lake Mainit view

  Closer to Lake Mainit

My friend June came to pick me up when I reached Alegria.  I was standing in front of San Isidro Labrador Parish where her father serves.

 Here she is umbrella girl , June :-)

I have a two-page list of the beautiful places that can be found in Surigao del Norte alone, which amazed my friend.  Good to know that she haven't been to those places as it would be more fun and exciting.   We did not waste time, on the same day we drove to Mainit Lake.

Mainit Lake lies in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, Mindanao - is 17,340 hectares body of freshwater, the fourth largest lake and the second deepest lake in the Philippines.  Three larger lakes are Laguna de Bay (Luzon), Taal (Luzon) and Danao (Mindanao) respectively.

 Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort

Only P25.00 entrance :-)

When we reached home, we reviewed the list again.  Funny, the more places on the list, the more people we need to ask how to reach those places. 

Day 2 in Surigao del Norte

Marajao na buntag Surigaaaaaaaao! (Good morning Surigao). 

Tick, tick, tick!  An exciting day to begin,

how many places on the list am I going to tick?  :-).

We are on our way to our first to tick.  The road is rough but the place is really rewarding.

1. Day-Asan Floating Village - is a barangay in Surigao City, the capital of Surigao del Norte. 

 

Daydream Laguna Resort, Day-Asan

Fishing Boat

Future swimmers :-)

Water so clear

2. Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine - Ceniza Heights built by the volunteers of the said Patron in 1976.

Surigao City Hall

San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral, Surigao City

Luneta Park, Surigao City

Sorbetes

San Nicolas College

 Lipata Port

The Port

 Verano Port

Resort Cottages

3. Songkoy Cold Spring in Tubod, Surigao del Norte

Cottages in Songkoy

5. Lumondo Waterfalls and EcoPark in Barangay Budlingin, Alegria, Surigao del Norte

Mossy

Rocky

The Waterfalls

Way up and out

The airport in Surigao del Norte

...up next is Siargao trip :-)

Thanks to the following:

Ms. June Caumpay, Ate Jo and Family

for keeping me,

sharing your time

family great values

and for the fun shared

:-)

Giovanni Dumpa and Family

for the rides

for the information shared

and time

:-)

Lourdes Morato Delaraso

for the great talk

Davao

Mr. Soleto Catarman

for the Day-Asan boat trip

Alegria, Surigao del Norte

Mindanao, Philippines

May 2011



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