History Fanatics

By: Rosario D. Guerrero 3

Cebu is known to have the most historical places here in the Philippines. One of those history places is the Fort san Pedro; it is built for military defense by the Spaniards. You'll see the old cannons, their headquarters and guns where they are mounted in the stones. This is a great place for photo shoot or anything.

It might look small on the outside, but it is actually quite spacious when you once entered it. The fort is just simple with a garden in the outside, a terrace, a small museum and accompanied by a historic atmosphere. It's peaceful there unlike at the busy city.

At a huge park there you will felt so comfortable during walking around. I was refreshed in the extraordinary structures. The entrance fees for regulars are 30php, Senior for 24php, lastly for students & children are 20php. You will also be guided by a tourism student or not and you can take a lot of pictures inside.

The people that are in charge of the tourism in Fort San Pedro like security officer, tourism students, etc. are very friendly and fun to talk with. One time a tourism guide offered us take picture of me and my friends then guide us on our trip there. On the outside you'll see that is just a simple place but it is really amazing when you get in, and it's because of the place historical landmarks!

This fortress has a big impact in our country's history and thus visiting this place while here in Cebu is not a waste of time. For history fanatics out there, experience this old Spanish dominated haven! The entrance fee is well worth and it is definitely a must place to visit!

Wooden Sculptures

By: Rosario D. Guerrero 2

Filipino’s are very skilled craftsman when comes to woods. In making a wood carving. you needs to require a lot of time and effort to finish one's product. A small item can take a week to create, while the larger ones are more to take months, because of it's crucial size and Cebu is very popular when comes to it.

Most of these carvings are traditional; it has been part of their culture for centuries and passed down through families.  Some of its examples are small sculptures that can be use to decorate or it can be functional. The larger pieces like life size religious carvings or furniture items are made from a large single piece of wood.

I think it’s good that Filipinos still has the tradition or old style as we our now in a modern society. Many still buy this kind of craftsmanship because it resembles our previous life style. Wood also gives us the feeling of being home even we are not in our actual homes. The small sculptures can be a perfect souvenir for your family and friends. It can be key chain, design in a bag or something, etc.

We love to invent new things that are useful to our growing economy. Of course the woods that the Cebuano are using are not illegal. They care too much for the nature to be destroyed. In fact some of the woods they are consuming are old and ready to dispose any time.

Creativity is something innate in Filipinos. If you have a skill like the Cebuano has, use it and spread it to others. As you can see nowadays, most of the teenagers don’t want to learn handicrafts or carvings because for them these are just a waste of time. That’s why our country needs more that has pleasant hands to make some carvings out of wood; it also means that we need to save our culture.

Dried Fish Heaven

By: Samuel Vicente 3

Danggit is a very famous food at Cebu. It is the favorite breakfast of Cebuanos. Their mornings couldn't be perfect without having a danggit in their breakfast. It is salted and dried under the sun to be deep fried later on. 

During my stay at Cebu, every morning! I mean is every morning! I smell this particular smell next to my window; I also hear the crackling sound that something is being deep fried. At the first week I keep on ignoring it, until I got used to the smell. One day I curiously asked the Landlord of my apartment about what she always cook every morning. She showed me this dried fish that is so flat and smelly, “its called a Danggit” she told me. 

Afterward she showed me how to cook it and let me do the rest. While frying the danggit the oil keeps on jumping out of the pan into my arms, and it hurts a lot.

She also showed me how to eat it. We have fried rice, atsara, spiced vinegar, and eggs. 

She dipped the danggit in the vinegar and got some atsara then combined with egg, lastly put in the mouth with fried rice. I tried it and I was taken in to a journey in the ocean. The saltiness of the fish was so salty that it makes you think of the sea, and then the vinegar kicks in! It will leave a “Mukasim” in you! Afterwards the atsara, egg, and rice makes a good combination to make all of the taste goes around your mouth.

This was one of the best foods I tried here in Cebu. Even though it’s just a dried fish, it will tickle your taste buds. In just a small price you will be satisfied with your breakfast, with this small fish. In this particular dish I realized that smell, looks doesn’t matter in the food. It is the taste and satisfaction it gives to the food lovers. 

The Filipino Wine

By: Alyssa Marie Tecson 2

Last summer I decided to visit our province in Argao, Cebu for the first time. That vacation is very memorable. There are things that I will never forget especially the wine that I just found out and it’s very different from the other wines that I have tasted before and this wine is called TUBA.

Tuba or coconut wine is very famous in our province in Argao. They call it Filipino wine. This is a type of exotic alcoholic beverages. It has a distinct taste that you will never forget by the time you taste it.The tuba wine is processed through extracting the sap of an unopened coconut bud.  It has a stinging sweet and bittersweet taste. The tip of the bud is lopped and the pale juice allowed trickling into bamboo containers. 

When I drink tuba I thought I was drinking vinegar because it smells like vinegar, but when they mixed it with a cola it makes the tuba taste good and more delicious. The taste is really unexplainable. It has a strong taste, at first it taste bitter but seconds after the taste will become sweet.

The tuba is good to our body because there’s no chemical additives added to be alcoholic, but just the way it was fermented. You will be intoxicated, even the strongest man will be intoxicated after
5 – 10 glasses. This wine is not for mild drinkers because it has a very strong taste. This wine is for people who like to drink strong wine and any alcoholic drink. But if you really want to taste it, go.

I really recommend it because me I’m not a heavy drinker, I seldom drink alcoholic drink, I only drink occasionally. But this didn’t stop me from drinking tuba. It’s made in Philippines and as a Filipino I really want to taste it because it’s one of the most signature alcoholic drinks of the Philippines.

Ancient Church

By: Samuel Vicente 2

According to what I learned about this church, this is the first ever church established here in the Philippines. That It makes the Church the oldest in the Philippine islands. It is very famous though it is old. You wouldn't believe the scheduled weddings reserved here. For many people would like to get married here.

When I last visited Cebu, I went to this church and I am amazed for it is preserved well. The structure looks pretty well, and in good condition. While I was listening to the tour guide, she mentioned about the church being the oldest in the Philippines. Well, I was shocked for I cannot believe that this kind of church will last this long! Then I soon found out that it was true when I researched about it. 

When I went inside, I was even more amazed! Because the interior is much better than the exterior. It is very wide, with many statues, and perfectly illuminated. I was again amazed by the sitting capacity of the church, it can fit people up to 3,500 enter the church. 

But, my heart sank when I heard about the 2013 earthquake. It destroyed the church, including other old churches in the Visayas region. The quake was so devastating it destroyed the original structure of the church. This happened because the church is very old and made of weak materials, unlike the materials we have today.

Then there is a reason to be happy. For they restored the church to its original structure, and now it standing strong again.

It's like biting into Heaven!

By: Rosario D. Guerrero 1

Cebu is known to its historical and beautiful atmosphere. Cebu also has a popular demand when comes to it's native delicacies. One of this is the Cebu Chorizo, a processed meat that is cute round shape, juicy, and really good to eat.

This chorizo is not like any other sausages you have tried before because it has lower cholesterol that’s why it is good for the heart. It is also cheap and affordable. You can partner it to some dishes like chorizo with garlic rice and egg or even taste it as its own.

When I first arrived at Cebu and tasted this chorizo, I cannot stop keep ordering it to the waiter. It is really tasty and juicy, seriously no kidding! As well that day on, chorizo is now my favorite meal for the day and I am not tired of continuous eating this sausage every day.

Thanks to Chorizo de Cebu cause it is now can be purchased here in Manila. It’s easy to prepare as well. Just try it and it’s done! It also has different flavors like garlic chicken, pork hamonado, spicy chicken, spicy hamonado, etc.

Calling all meat lovers to try this tasty sausage! It is made with tender love by the finest fingers. By just one bite, you will instantly feel that you’re in heaven.

The Coral Island

By: Alyssa Marie Tecson 1

Want to have fun in the sea?  Mactan Island is the best place for you! This is the one of the major tourist spot in Cebu. It holds a great abundance of beach. This is one of the largest Coral Islands in the Philippines so you can truly enjoy your vacation here.

When I went to Mactan Island the first thing that I admired to this place is the awesome 
sea creatures and beautiful white sand beaches. I also enjoyed the swimming activities that they offer to us like the diving, snorkeling, island hopping, Jet Ski and sailing. Since it is surrounded by the sea you can feel the beauty of nature in this island and you will never regret it.

I also notice that Mactan Island is a historical place because you can see a lot of historical landmarks that will take you from the past. The example of landamarks that you can see here is the Mactan Shrine it commemorates the battle of Mactan in April 1521 and the there are two important shrines, the Lapu Lapu and Magellan Shrine that you must see. And I am sure that you will be amazed to the history of this place as a Filipino, and if you are interested in Filipino history this place is for you!

If you are the type of person that loves sea creatures like me, you can visit the Mactan 
Island Aquarium, the only aquarium attraction in the Visayas and this is public so you can enjoy seeing different kind of fishes, snakes and sharks. They showcasing aquatic life and that are very memorable to me and to those people who visit this island.

So if I were you must visit Mactan Island because this is the best place for relaxation. This is very affordable and not over crowded place. This is the Island for people who are seeking for peace, beach activity and clean surroundings.