Trip Ko Lang

Our flight back in Manila was the only available flight in the evening at 11pm and to kill time we strolled around SM Cebu and had dinner in Chika-an sa Cebu. The name, the look and the ambiance of this resto were enticing that we just wanted to try it.

Chika-an sa Cebu

This resto offers the same cuisine as Dencio’s or Gerry’s Grill in Manila but with a twist because of Cebu’s other favorite and known cuisines. The prices were cheaper and very reasonable (good serving size and 99% appetizing). We ordered calamares, baked scallops, sisig, bistek tagalog (not in picture; forgot to shot ), and rice (unlimited).

baked scallops, sisig, rice and calamares

Chika-an Menu

Dining in Chika-an sa Cebu was definitely a delightful experience that you can only experience here in Cebu city.

Ayala Cebu 1

If it is from Ayala, it is definitely the Best. I can guarantee that Ayala Cebu is a great place to shop, dine and simply hang-out with family and friends.  If you get bored in visiting the historical places and other tourist spots in Cebu, Ayala Cebu is a must visit, where you can relax and just enjoy the crowd and the mall. Ayala Cebu has a lot to offer, visit and experience it now.

To get here, you can ride a cab or if you are saving money, there is a jeepney that passes in Ayala Cebu area.

Ayala 2

Fort San Pedro images

After our Sunday mass at Sto. Nino Basilica, we went to Fort San Pedro, just a 5-minute taxi ride. Entrance fees, adult – 21php and child – 13php. The place is small like a mini version of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. One can take great photos of  Spanish artifacts, cannon, and old ruins of Spanish era.

More pictures on Fort San Pedro

It was raining hard that Sunday morning, but we insisted to get to CNT to eat the best lechon in Cebu before going back to Manila that evening. CNT is located just in front of SM Cebu, a big nipa hut style resto without aircon but with so many customers inside. This has been known as the best place to eat lechon in Cebu and so people would really line up just to buy and eat here. Yes, the line was really long, we waited for an hour or more just for our 1/2 kg lechon and 3 rice.

CNT Lechon in Cebu City

But the long wait was worth it… it was so delicious. I think only in Cebu you can taste a lechon just like CNT’s… We also tried their dessert – black sambo (not really sure about the name…hehe) but it was also good.

Best Lechon in Cebu

We waited for more than an hour… but finished it in just 20 minutes or less…

Lechon... gone!

Tip: Don’t go there without anything on your stomach. If you plan to eat for lunch or dinner, arrive really early. Expect long queue and a bit disorganized system (CNT’s blue and black number system).

I must confess… I can no longer remember my Philippine history… the specific details on Magellan’s expeditions, Spanish invasion, and other events that happened during that era… But visiting the very historical Magellan’s cross, made me reminisce on its significance to the lives of many Filipinos.

Magellan's Cross

When I saw the location of the cross, I didn’t expect it to look like that… Again, I’m not familiar with the history… Haha. It was situated in the middle of a plaza (a community like place) with a City Hall infront of it and the Sto. Nino Basilica on the other side and there was also a school beside it. Thought I would see the cross on a hill and we will do some trekking to reach the place. Hehe.

In Magellan’s Cross, there were a lot of old women selling long candles which according to them would signify your wishes and prayers when lighted. And yes, I bought one because the woman was a bit annoying encouraging me to buy. But I think I was fooled because you can’t light that candle near the cross or anywhere inside the place. So in case, you see them, you don’t really have to buy them unless you want to do some charity for these women. We prayed for awhile and then transferred to the other side to see the Sto. Nino Basilica.

Sto. Nino Basililca

Sto. Nino Basilica

It was a big and old church with so many people going in and out. It is known as a miraculous church that devotees and Catholics from all walks of life visit. The interior of the church was very well preserved and still beautiful. We didn’t manage to attend mass on our first visit and so we just returned early Sunday morning to attend the English mass. Our visit in Sto. Nino Basilica was successful because we were able to hear and complete the mass and even seated in the first row just infront of the altar.

Just want to add, beside the church, there were vendor stalls selling images/statues of Sto. Ninos, wooden necklaces, mini guitars, wooden beads, bags, and other nice stuffs that you can buy at very affordable prices and can bring home as pasalubongs.