On The Road... Cebu, Philippines: My Highlands & City Tour... Part 2!

Hindi na ulit? Me dressed inappropriately? I don't think! 'Cebu Travel Masters' did the least and usually I don't name and shame but in this situation I have no choice! 'San Pedro' was closed? I took a deep breath and respectfully decided to discontinue the tour, I'll be my own guide next time! 'Magellan's Cross', I did see! 'Plaza Independencia' was clocked, so not all had been lost. 

Forgive me because I might've gone a little off track with the order of the day but there was no order to begin with. I really needed something substantial that would suffice for my Christmas Dinner, the driver saw that I was through with the programme so he suggested a local place for lunch that served local food. We had just left the 'Temple of Leah' and he could tell that I was rather perplexed by the randomness of the itinerary that continued to unfold before my very eyes. I would need a good lunch to take on the second half of those 'Cebu Travel Masters' shenanigans, a beer was needed also! 'Kuy's Lechon Restaurant' was a small yet modern looking eatery with a wholesome feeling about it. The menu at 'Kuy's' presented what it needed to, I ordered one cup of 'Garlic Rice' to be served alongside a portion of 'Sizzling Gambas'. My 'San Miguel' beer went down a treat, it was very much needed and it was Christmas Day after all! With my lunch I was at peace, it was my time to refuel and to also stay aware. Would I need to reclaim my time? Yes!

I asked the driver about the next stops after the historic city stops, he told me what the plan was and was honest. He gave me the time to search them on the internet because I was blunt about seeing 'artificial and disingenuous' attractions that had no relevance nor connection to Cebu's history. I was done with gimmicky places, I wanted to take a walk on the wild side rather than seeing something that was sanitised or for Trip Advisor clout. With lunch done, my driver briefed me that we would be heading to the main city sights and I had no issue with that. I was even able to see a few streets that served what I had wanted to see, I wanted 'Realness' and nothing less than that! I couldn't complain about the lunch, it was delicious and deep down the driver was just doing his job. I would've had more insider knowledge if a tour guide was supplied but that's not my loss because I have reclaimed my time with no crumbs left! Did I need to order some dessert? Little did I know, Cebu would have something very sweet lined up for me! Saucy! 

Being the first place where European vessels landed, I wanted to see key 'Spanish' landmarks in Cebu and I thought it would be best to have a tour take care of the fine details. Of course, I had encountered mild hiccups during my initial trip to the Philippines but I put that down to experience and put my faith in another company with 'too much' trust second time round. I simply wanted to see four key places, starting with 'Magellan's Cross, 'Plaza Independencia', 'Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu' and 'Fort San Pedro'. In the here and now, I fully understand that on 'Christmas Day' that some attractions might be closed but in retrospect I should've put my foot down to suggest 'Christmas Eve' but we live and learn. In my defence, a message stating adjustments due to the holiday would've been appreciated and no such communication was made. Nobody is perfect nor should they be blamed for everything but communication in that situation left a lot to be desired. In essence, I had paid a lot for that trip!

'Fuerte de San Pedro' was a fortification built by the Spanish in 1565 under the authority of 'Miguel López de Legazpi'. Even though I wasn't able to access the fort due to it being Christmas Day, I did feel it a unique place to be spending that special day in Cebu. I've said what I've needed to say and I want to express some positivity, once again this Spanish built fort reminded me of the gargantuan 'El Morro' that can be found in 'Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico!' I adored the stone walls and appreciated the Philippine flag as it proudly fluttered from the top of the formidable entrance. Thinking about things clearly, I was lucky enough to see the fort in the most basic sense and for that time period that had to be the one. It made me think twice about visiting countries who observe Christmas as seriously as the Philippines does, as to avoid such closures in the future. I am not mad, just a little disappointed but next time I will do the planning then I will only have myself to blame. San Pedro hasn't seen the last of me! Sapat na! 

Within the same square, I was able to see Plaza Independencia's own 'Miguel López de Legazpi Monument' without any limitations because nobody can deny access to a public square! The monument was an interesting one because it commemorated a person who didn't really do good but we must never forget history. That Spanish made monument stood to serve as a reminder that colonisation is an evil the world still witnesses, it is just packaged in different ways. It was quite freeing to do my own thing because 'San Pedro' was just over the way from that requested monument. For a brief moment I had composed myself because I couldn't change anything in that moment. I read that in 2020 the area had received 'Heritage Status' with a makeover in 2021 only three years before my visit in December 2024. It was weird being in Asia and seeing places named 'plaza' instead of 'square'. I had wanted to visit this square since I had planned this trip in August 2024, it was an important part of the trip! Sure, Cebu's weather was just divine!

Mine and Cebu's entanglement was about to get a lot more complicated! A moral code of conduct had recently been introduced within places of worship in the Philippines, correct me if I am wrong but that was the case when I was standing outside of the 'Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu'. I was wearing shorts and wasn't about to become the problem because I feel like in this moment I have said my piece, I respected the rules and backed off. It was such a shame to have not experienced place of worship in the Philippines, it held titles that even those in Manila could never claim! I felt salty that the company hadn't informed me, neither in my defence did I think to wear trousers. With some new harem trousers bought for my trip to Thailand, I know when I am back in Cebu, I'll be covering up with those respectable threads! Even on Christmas Day, the baby Jesus was acting the fool at the dinner table! Put that individual on the naughty step, I say! Whilst 'Sto. Niño' was a no-go, I kept hope! Was Cebu testing me? I don't think so! 

A stone kiosk with a wooden cross was causing hysteria? Yes, no word of a lie, it was carnage! Those European conquistadors really wanted to have everyone singing from the same hymn sheet! Before Lapu-Lapu had dealt with 'Ferdinand Magellan', that piece of work decided to plant a massive wooden cross to solidify their attempt to initiate 'Spanish Colonial' rule in Cebu and what would later become the Philippines. I was able to get up close and personal with that 'replica cross' because the original had been put behind glass after living its life since the early 18th Century. I am not religious but it was something quite remarkable to see the crowds all make their peace under the pavilion before or after they had visited the basilica opposite. This was another point of interest that I had specifically requested to see, I had no complaints about this part of the tour, I am telling the truth! 'Magellan's Cross' will see me again one day and I proclaim that with my chest! I'm sure, Sto. Niño won't plague me! No, that's not going to be, CB! 

Seeing the cross was fulfilling, it gave me a slice of the Cebu that I had requested to see. The mural that was depicted on the pavilion ceiling really did impress me with those vivid colours. I couldn't be really mad but I am going to say this clear, I am going to be super organised when I return back to Cebu. With all that had happened, I would definitely be more considerate towards the observation of Christmas in the Philippines, that has been done and dealt with. I will pack the appropriate clothing for the churches but when in a tropical climb I will remember how I made things happen in Thailand. When you don't know what is going on, that is the issue, I will use this experience to split my time between companies and self-guided parts of a future Philippines trip. It was definitely some divine spirit telling me to be a lot less trusting and ask for those important details, I live on and I have learnt but I will never forget! I was dropped back at my hotel early, I wanted to make my own afternoon happen, on my own terms! Sapat na dito!

Cebu Did The Most! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure