CEBU a Premier Tourist Destination, The Island of Fun and Adventure
As a major metropolis, Cebu not only leads in exports but also the tourism getaway for central and southern Philippines. This is primarily because of Cebu's central geographic location, accessibility and natural resources. Visitors to Cebu Province are awed by its rich history, multifaceted culture and captivating people.
Cebu Province is an island of wide choice and contrast with its rich cultural heritage, bio diversified systems and world-class hotels, resorts and amenities. It boasts of white sand beaches, pristine waters, verdant mountains, and enthralling caves. The more adventurous find challenging traits for mountain trekking, spelunking and other sports activities. Underwater and sea lovers are rapt witness of the captivating marine life fit for diving and snorkeling. It is, thus, no surprise that Cebu has received recognition from publications.
The natural beauty of Cebu and the warm hospitality of its people together attracted and unprecedented number of tourist arrivals in the country. In 2011 Cebu Province was the second most visited by foreigners in the Philippines. Today, tourist arrivals hit over 3 million, its growth rate consistently in double digits - 12% in 2012 and 16% in 2014. Cebu holds 75% of the market share of tourist arrivals among the three provinces in the region.
CASA GORODO, CEBU CITY
It was home to the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. The museum takes you to a journey of the Filipino lifestyle from 1860 to 1920. The place features noted paintings, museum relics, antique household items and furniture.
Casa Gorordo is located in the Parian, an old district whose origins are traceable to a Catholic parish establish in 1614. Its first settlers were Chinese traders and craftsmen who came mostly from the Fujian province.
Built around 1850, four generations of the Gorordo family lived in this house. It survived two turbulent revolutionary conflicts, and the Second World War.
The house was acquired by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) in the late 1970's and was opened as a public museum in 1983.
In 1991, the National Historical Institute accorded Casa Gorordo the status of a National Historical Landmark for its historical and social significance.
ARGAO, CEBU
The municipality of Argao is located in the southeast of the province of Cebu, 68 km (42 mi) from Cebu City. Argao is bordered to the north by the town of Sibonga, to the west are the towns of Ronda, Alcantara and Moalboal, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Dalaguete.
La Torta Festival replaced the Pitlagong Festival in 2011. La Torta Festival happens every 28–29 September to celebrate Argao's cultural heritage from the Spanish period tradition of making the torta, which is a popular cake in Argao.
SIBONGA, CEBU
Sibonga is bordered to the north by the city of Carcar, to the west are the towns of Barili and Dumanjug, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Argao.
The town fiesta is every 10th of August each year. This celebrates the feast of Saint Philomena. Sibonga has 2 patron saints: Saint Philomena and Our Lady of the Pillar. One of the highlights of the fiesta is the Bonga Festival which features cultural dancing and the town’s local produce.
It is a home of many historical houses built in the Spanish era. Tulay or wharf is a common place where people of Sibonga and visitors spend time to relax. It has a beautiful Tan Tinoy Park (named after a former barrio captain Tinoy) in front of the Sibonga Municipal Office. The escuela (school) houses during the Spanish era are still standing adjacent to the Catholic Church. There is Tubig Mainit (hot water) spring in Barangay Can-aga.
CARCAR CITY, CEBU
Carcar City is bordered to the north by the town of San Fernando, to the west are the towns of Aloguinsan and Barili, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Sibonga. Carcar lies within Metro Cebu area.
Carcar was known as "Sialo" since before the Spanish colonization. It became a municipality in 1599. Carcar is considered one of the oldest towns in Cebu, with its Spanish influence lasted more than 300 years ago.
As a Heritage City of Cebu, Carcar contains various Spanish and American period structures. The Carcar plaza alone hosts several heritage structures, the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria dominates the area. Within the complex various structures stand, including quaint houses and their distinctive architectural details.
Tourism Area:
- Surrounding the Rotunda and in the public market one will find the famous Carcar chicharon, lechon, ampao, bucarillo, gorgorias and puso – just some of the local delicacies.
- Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Spring National Park
- Heritage Houses such as the Mercado Mansion
- Tuyom Beach – Beach Houses
OSLOB, CEBU
Oslob is bordered to the north by the town of Boljoon, to the west are the towns of Ginatilan And Samboan, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Santander.
The official festival of Oslob is the annual Toslob Festival which coincides with the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion in December.
The official was originally named Sadsad Festival (which started as a barangay festival of Poblacion) and then was renamed to Sadsadayon Festival, but was changed again to Toslob Festival.
Tourism Area:
- Baluarte
- Church
- Cuartel
- Sumilon Island
- Whale Shark Watching
BOLJOON, CEBU
Boljoon is bordered to the north by the town of Alcoy, to the west are the towns of Malabuyoc, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Oslob.
Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio Parish Church of Boljoon shows old and intricate carvings and bas-reliefs. It is in a pseudo-baroque rococo style. It has a main nave, a transcript, and twenty-eight pillars which support the walls. The walls are as thick as the pillars which are two metres (6 ft 7 in) thick and made of mortar and lime.
In 1999 the National Historical Institute declared it a National Historical Landmark. The following year, the National Museum declared it as a National Cultural Treasure. The Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio Parish Church was lucky enough to withstand the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013 which affected Bohol and Cebu.
ALCOY, CEBU
Alcoy is bordered to the north by the town of Dalaguete, to the west is the town of Alegria, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Boljoon. It is named after Alcoy in Spain.
Alcoy is mainly an agricultural town with Nug‑as, a mountain barangay, more than half of commercial crops. The rest of the communities rely on subsistence fishing and backyard farming. The country's largest dolomite quarry is mined in Pugalo. Beaches are located in Guiwang and Daanlungsod.
DALAGUETE, CEBU
Located 84 kilometres (52 mi) south of Cebu City, Dalaguete is bordered to the north by the town of Argao, to the west are the towns of Badian and Alegria, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Alcoy. Dalaguete offers one of the trails to Cebu's highest mountain, the Osmeña Peak.
Dalaguete celebrates its annual town fiesta in honor of its patron saint, San Guillermo, every 9 and 10 February. One of the highlights of the celebration is the street dancing and showdown competition called "Utanon Festival".
Utanon Festival is also a form of thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces the Dalaguetenons have received from San Guillermo and for giving them a place so rich in agriculture and music. Utanon Festival is a celebration of good harvest through dance and music. The town is known as the "Vegetable Basket of Cebu" and Mantalongon as the "Summer Capital of Cebu".
BADIAN, CEBU
Badian is bordered to the north by the town of Moalboal, to the west is the Tañon Strait, to the east is the town of Dalaguete, and to the south is the town of Alegria.
The Kawasan Falls, a three-layered waterfall, is one of the popular tourist destinations in the province. Canyoning tours are offered upstream of the Kawasan Falls, where the Matutinao river flows through a secluded canyon. There is also the Badian mountain range and the popular trekking destination of Osmeña Peak.
The town's jurisdiction includes Zaragosa or Badian Island, where there is a white sandy private beach and which from there snorkeling and diving activities can be arranged. Nearby Pescador Island, Moalboal offers corals and marine life for divers.
Other tourist attractions of Badian include:
- Cebu International Golf and Resort in Lambug (the only 18‑hole, par‑72 course golf course in the town)
- The manicured gardens of Terra Manna beach and camping resort
- Lambug Beach
- Crab hunting in the mangroves.
MOALBOAL, CEBU
Moalboal is bordered to the north by the town of Alcantara, to the west is the Tañon Strait, to the east is the town of Argao, and to the south is the town of Badian. Pescador Island, a popular tourist attraction, is part of the municipality.
Moalboal is a peninsula and therefore it is almost entirely surrounded by water. The majority of the people who live in the flat lands engage in fishing as their main mode of livelihood. Those who live in the mountain regions, like Agbalanga and Bala, live through farming.
Since the 1970s, Moalboal has developed a tourism industry based on recreational diving and beaches. Panagsama Beach (Basidot) is where most resorts and restaurants are established, while further north on the peninsula, in Saavedra, is White Beach (Basdako), a two-kilometre (1.2 mi) beach. This beach used to be mostly frequented by locals, but has since developed an international tourist trade.
In Moalboal, most tourists stay at either Panagsama Beach (Basdiot) or White Beach (Basdako), both located 3–5 kilometres (1.9–3.1 mi) away from the main bus stop in Moalboal.
Recreational diving is the main tourist activity in Moalboal, and reefs along the west coast of the Copton peninsula are home to a great variety of marine life. Pescador Island, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) off the coast, is the most popular dive spot with an underwater cave known as "the Cathedral". Indeed a breath-taking view of the underwater world as some of the country’s best diving sites in Moalboal as the terrain of the reef follows the entire coast line, making the place ideal for scuba-diving, snorkeling and freediving, with a shallow drop-off close to shore dropping down to more than 40 metres (130 ft). The area is also known to be a sanctuary for sea turtles, as well as vast schools of sardines. nearby Pescadores. Whale shark, dolphins and threshers are also seen out of the blue.
RONDA, CEBU
Ronda is bordered to the north by the town of Dumanjug, to the west is the Tañon Strait, to the east is the town of Argao, and to the south is the town of Alcantara.
DUMANJUG, CEBU
Dumanjug is bordered to the north by the town of Barili, to the west is the Tañon Strait, to the east is the town of Sibonga, and to the south is the town of Ronda. Dumanjug is also known as "The Land of Golden Friendship".
Tourist Attraction / Events:
- Pityak / Tubod-Duguan Falls
- Windy Peak Campsite and Cotcoton Loranisa Farm
- SaDumanjugNi Ancestral House
- St. Francis de Assisi Parish Church - one of the oldest church in the Philippines
- Bisnok Festival
- Camoang Marin Sanctuary
- Cantarini Art Gallery
- Dona Josefa Paras Garcia Heritage Park
- Falls of Lelo-an and rock formations
- Julian Macoy photo gallery
- Kota Kanwa Beach
- La Montera Beach Resort
- Monkey Watching at Brangay Kabala-asnan - natural habitat
- The Seaplane
NAGA CITY, CEBU
Naga City is bordered to the north by the town of Minglanilla, to the west is the city of Toledo, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of San Fernando. It lies within the Cebu metropolitan area.
It is one of the two Philippine cities named Naga, the other being Naga City in Camarines Sur. As such, the city is often confused by visitors coming primarily from Luzon and other parts of the country not near to Central Visayas with the city in Camarines Sur.
Among the industries in Naga are the Apo Cement Corporation, the largest factory in the country, producing 4,000 metric tons (3,900 long tons) per day; FSP Group; the 290-megawatt KEPCO Philippines Corporation power plant; MRC Allied Industries; Kyocera Kinseki Philippines, Inc.; Pryce Gases, Inc.; Rikio Southeast Asia; and the 147-megawatt coal-fired Salcon Power Corporation plant.
TOLEDO CITY, CEBU
Toledo City is bordered to the north by the town of Balamban, to the west is the Tañon Strait, to the east is Cebu City And Naga and the town of Minglanilla, and to the south is the town of Pinamungajan. On 18 June 1960 Toledo became a chartered city under Republic Act No. 2688.[4]
Toledo is about 50 kilometres (30 mi) away from Cebu City and is widely known for its huge mining industry owned by Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation, which is the umbrella of Carmen Copper Corporation and its Toledo Mine.
The barangays of Cantabaco and Poog [9] have limestone cliffs that local climbers have developed into popular crags for sport climbing.
Cebu Island is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers from north to south surrounded by 167 neighboring islands, which include Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and Camotes Islands.
The island consists of narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus and coastal plains. It also has rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges in and around the northern and southern parts of the island.
A traveler's tropical paradise, the island of Cebu is home to pristine beaches, balmy weather, sweet mangoes and luxurious resorts with world class amenities.
Department of Tourism Region 7
Ground Floor, LDM Building
Legaspi St., Cebu City
Tel No. (6332) 254-2811 / 412-1966
E-mail: dotregion7@gmail.com
Cebu Provincial Tourism Office: 253-5642
Cebu City Tourism Office: 412-4355
Lapu-lapu City Tourism Office: 340-1644