Walking Around Cebu City (in Pictures) Part 1 of 2

I was in Cebu Province from February 20-24, 2022 and on my first day in Cebu City (also my first time in this city) I was surprised that the area is larger than what I have expected. I thought Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City and Cebu City are close to each other the same way Pasig-Pateros-Taguig are close.

The taxi ride from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (in Lapu-Lapu City) going to Cebu City (Magellan’s Cross) is P500. Good thing I was able to taxi-pool with two other passengers so it lower the cost to P150. I took off at Colon Street in Cebu City – the oldest road in the city. From Colon Street, I walk my way around the city center going to Carbon Market and passing by the Obelisk, the new chapel with the image of the Santo Nino de Cebu on top, an old building being restored, the statue of Jose Rizal writing “Mi Ultimo Pensamiento”, Cebu City Hall, Port San Pedro, and finally arriving at Magellan’s Cross.

I was surprised at the Magellan’s Cross – I always picture it as grand and huge but in reality, it’s like a gazebo. It’s located besides the Santo Nino de Cebu Cathedral. I continued walking around the city center, passing by the BPI building, which is an old building maintained, the Martina Sugbo Center (where a McDonalds is located), the Islands Souvenir building (with I Heart Cebu signage), the 1910 Port of Cebu 2004 Malacanan Sa Sugbo Building (being restored), and some other buildings.

I went to my hotel room to rest for a bit before I explored the city more. I stayed at AllSon’s Inn in Echavez Street for 4 days at P500 per night. From there, I walked around the vicinity in the afternoon and passed by the Heritage of Cebu monument. It’s well done and features a lot of historical events. From there, I passed by the famous Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc building, and the Casa Gorordo Museum (which was closed during my visit) along Eduardo Aboitiz Street.

The Metro Department Store Supermarket along Carbon Street, Cebu City

 

There are so many ukay-ukay around the area of Carbon Public Market

 

Carbon Public Market, Cebu City

 

A chapel dedicated to the Santo Nino de Cebu

 

 

 

Monument of Jose Rizal besides the Cebu City Hall

 

Monument of Vicente Rama in front of the Cebu City Hall

 

Cebu City Hall. Notice the motto “Public Office is a Public Trust”?

 

The famous Magellan’s Cross besides the Santo Nino Basilica, Cebu City

 

 

The Magellan’s Cross is not as grand as I imagine it. It’s like a dignified gazebo.

 

The BPI Building besides the Santo Nino Basilica, Cebu City

 

The Martina Sugbo Center near the Santo Nino Basilica, Cebu City

The Islands Souvenir Center near the Santo Nino Basilica, Cebu City

 

 

The Malacanan de Sugbo Building being restored.

 

 

 

Fort San Pedro, Cebu City

The famous Obelisk at Colon Street, Cebu City

 

Heritage of Cebu Park

 

 

Heritage of Cebu Park, Cebu City

 

 

The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Cebu City

 

 

 

The Casa Gorordo Museum Complex, Cebu City

 

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc Building along Don Eduardo Aboitiz Street, Cebu City

 

The Gorordo Museum Complex, Cebu City

Technorati Tags: Yap-San Diego Ancestral House,Gorordo Museum Complex,Ramon Aboitiz,Eduardo Aboitiz,Cebu City,Santo Nino Basilica

The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House (in Pictures)

Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, one of the oldest houses in the Philippines, is also said to be the first ever Chinese house built outside of China. Made during the Spanish colonial era, it is a 17th-century structure with the combination of Spanish and Chinese influences.

Built between 1675 and 1700, the house originally belonged to a wealthy Chinese merchant, Don Juan Yap, and his wife, Dona Maria Florido, together with their three children, Maria, Consolacion, and Eleuterio. In the 1880s, Maria, their eldest daughter, married the Parian Cabeza de barangay, Don Mariano Sandiego. The house got its name from their marriage.

The family had become significant members of the society during that time, especially in the field of arts and culture. As a matter of fact, they have taken part in the step by step creation of Cebu's Sinulog Festival.

The house was passed down to Dona Maria's great great grandson, Val Mancao Sandiego, and his wife, Ofelia in 2008. Val Sandiego is the choreographer of the Sandiego dance company as well as an art collector. He turned the house into a museum that features his ancestors’ history. (Guide to the Philippines)

One of the best things about my recent visit to Cebu Province is the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House in Cebu City, near Colon Street. It is rich in antique “santos” and the ambiance is really from the Spanish-era. The entrance fee is P50 but it’s definitely worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Yap-San Diego Ancestral House,Cebu City,Museum