Travel Bites: Long live the 'Queen'!

Magellan's Cross was supposed to have been planted by the Portugese upon their arrival in Cebu in 1521. The real cross is said to be inside this replica to protect it from thieves. (All photos in this blog entry copyrighted by this blogger.)

IT’S not difficult to comprehend why Cebu City, the capital of Cebu province in the country’s Visayas region, is known as the “Queen City of the South.”

Its infrastructure is comparable, if not superior, to most cities in the country. It offers travelers modern conveniences just like any of the other most cosmopolitan cities in the world, amid a relaxed, holiday vibe. The city has a wide array of entertainment choices for travelers—from island-hopping to lounging in beaches, taking a swing in its many golf clubs, historical and cultural sights from the Spanish colonial era, looking for elusive birds unique only to the local ecology. Or how about dancing your cares away at the latest night spot?

Food ingredients are inexpensive, making the city a veritable culinary hot spot. It has restaurants from holes-in-the-wa ll offering up fresh seafood to fine-dining establishments heralding the most sophisticated international cuisines. Of course, the Cebu lechon is probably its most famous dish, along with many local delicacies that make pasalubong-shopping a treat even for the gift-giver. (In Filipino culture, pasalubong is any gift big or small that one gives to family and friends upon arrival from a foreign or local trip.)

Must-Sees 

Heritage tour. The Shrine of Magellan’s Cross (Magallanes Street, downtown Cebu City) is said to be the cross planted by Portugese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s men upon his arrival in Cebu in 1521.

Built in 1566, the baroque-inspired Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño (Osmeña Boulevard) is the oldest Catholic Church in Cebu and established on the site where a statue of the Sto. Niño (the Child Jesus) was supposedly found intact in a charred box purportedly left behind by Magellan and his crew. A museum houses antique religious artifacts depicting the history of Christianity in Cebu.

A fierce dragon guards the entrance to the Taoist Temple, a center of faith for Chinese-Filipinos in Cebu.

The 40-year-old Taoist Temple located in Beverly Hills—an enclave for well-heeled Cebuanos—is the center of religious life of Cebu’s Filipino-Chinese community. Its amazing architecture features images and sculptures of fierce dragons. Visitors have an amazing view of the city, especially from its third-level praying room, where they can also make petitions to ancient Chinese spirits and gods.

You can rent a car with a driver to take you around Metro Cebu’s famous tourist spots, or just grab a map of the city and take metered taxis to get there. For a more professional guided tour, call Bino Guerrero (CP# +63932-8151975/+63916-7904611), who specializes in heritage tours and walking tours.

Birdwatching. While island-hopping from adjacent Mactan City, take a trip to Olango Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven of some 40,000 migratory birds. Islands Banca Cruises offers trips to Olango as well as other island adventures.

Sun, sand and the surf. Head on to Mactan Island connected to the city proper via bridges for some beach time. BE Resorts has great parties by its white-sand beach.  Or take a short trip to Bantayan Island in the north and stay in Hoyohoy Villas. Beach bums will love its rice granary-inspired cottages and clean white beach and clear waters. (From the North Bus Terminal near SM, take a bus to Hagnaye port, then a ferry or fastcraft to Bantayan Island.)

To-Do’s 

Culinary trip. Tourists will always have a satisfying meal at the Original AA BBQ (M.J. Cuenco Avenue and Legaspi Extension, Barangay San Roque) with its friendly price points and fresh seafood on the grill. Café Laguna at the Terraces, Ayala Center (T# 032-2310922) is  the place to go for simple, authentic Filipino fare. Choice dishes are the lato salad (seaweed salad), crispy pata (crispy pork hock and knuckle) and ginataang kalabasa (squash cooked in coconut milk).

The “best pig in the world,” according to chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain, comes from Zubuchon (Escario Central, Escario Street). Its crispy-bubbly skin and herb-infused, tender pork meat make it stand out from the rest of the ubiquitous Cebu lechon.

Nighttime thrills. House beats from resident and international DJs keep the patrons dancing at The Loft (2F/ CJRS Point, Asiatown IT Park). Tavolata (AS Fortuna at P. Remedio Street) has a perfect chilled-out ambiance for those after-dinner conversations over drinks.

Foreign bands and artists drop by Cebu in their whistle-stop international tours: America with Kalapana plays at the Waterfront Hotel on October 19, while the Jonas Brothers performs at the same venue, the following day.

The 'crispy-licious' Zubuchon is the most well-known among Cebu lechons after it was declared "the best pig in the world, by chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain. (Photo from www.marketmanila.com)

Where to stay: The colorful and preppy Islands Stay Hotel (Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City (T# 032-2660832) appeals to the budget-conscious but finicky traveler.

For luxurious, pampered vacations, the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa (Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu (032-2310288) is the only choice. It has a marine sanctuary where guests can feed the fish, as well as CHI Spa, for the most pleasurable and relaxing massage treatments.

Getting there: All Philippine carriers have daily flights to Cebu from Manila, Clark and Davao.

(Travel Bites is published every Monday on the front page of the BusinessMirror . This piece on Cebu was published on Oct. 1, 2012.)

A grand plan

(Grand Benedicto, right, and his spouse the former Genevieve Sy.)

BE RESORTS Mactan is one of the most loved hotels in Cebu. Since it opened in 2008, the 161-room beachfront property has been wowing foreign and local guests with its refreshing approach to design and comfortable surroundings. It offers a taste of the boutique hotel lifestyle at very affordable room rates.

The resort (www.beresorts.com) is also fast becoming known as a wedding destination and a venue for all things leisure. Its “Summer Hangover 2012” in May, featuring wakeboarding and other fun activities plus a beach party capping the day’s events, was the talk of town for weeks.

The hotel was built by property developer Enrison Land Inc., a company owned by the Benedictos, a prominent Filipino-Chinese family of entrepreneurs and diplomats.

Its president is Grand Benedicto, 40, the eldest son of businessman and Belgian Consul Enrique Benedicto and his wife Helen Tan. “It was pretty much a given for us to eventually help out in the family business. But this was never really forced on us. My parents are pretty liberal and have been supportive of us in what we really wanted to do. So, no, we were never really forced to work during vacations, unlike our cousins,” he says.

A congenial relationship with siblings
BUT it wasn’t like the Benedicto kids were kept away from the family business—the elder Enrique and his siblings were into hardware at B. Benedicto and Sons Inc.—helping out their father and family patriarch Bernardo.

Grand laughs heartily as he reminisces about playing in the family’s factory with his siblings. “We were not made to work, but as kids we were there [in the factory]. We played there, we ate there. We’d ride the forklift.” It was the mid-1970s and while Manila was simmering under martial law, the Benedicto family was enjoying the quiet joys of Cebu which by then had already grown by leaps and bounds from the earlier seeds of entrepreneurship planted by many Chinese families who had transplanted themselves from their motherland beginning in the late 19th century.

Seeing their father Enrique work so hard and alongside his siblings inspired the younger generation to work as much and harmoniously with one another. Grand recalls that he and his siblings—Bendy, Joy, Mylene and Enrison—would observe their father working very late, then their mom would bring them to the factory to pick him up. Their mother was not a stay-at-home wife either, as she too worked and helped in her own father’s pharmaceutical and hospital equipment business under Blue Sky Trading Inc. She was also “very supportive of my dad. She epitomizes the saying, ‘Behind every successful man is a woman,’” Grand continues.

So even at a young age, there were no dreams of becoming a doctor, an astronaut, or a scientist for Grand. All he ever wanted to be was “successful at a young age. I wanted my parents to be proud of me.”

Being the eldest among the third-generation Benedicto brood, Grand strives to foster the same kind of congenial working relationship his father had with his siblings, with his own brothers and sisters who have also joined the family’s Enrison Holdings, which is mainly into furniture, cement, real estate, and, now, the hospitality industry. It helps that their age gaps are very small. “So we’re pretty much close,” says Grand of his younger siblings. “So that’s one thing going for us. We’re like friends. We can say whatever we want and nobody feels hurt naman. We discuss, we argue a lot, but at the end of the day, everything pans out okay. I think that’s what our parents inculcated in us—how to work harmoniously among siblings.”

(Summer hangover party 2012 at BE Resorts Mactan. From resort's Facebook account.)

Trailblazing into exciting frontiers
OFTEN described as someone “analytical and methodical, with an eye for detail,” Grand is often organized and quick to seize the moment, spotting and grabbing opportunities that present themselves.

As such, Grand has become a “trailblazer” of sorts as he pushes the family business into exciting frontiers. When he joined Berben Woods Industries, for example, he transformed the former plywood and lumber company, into a thriving furniture export business. “When I joined the company, we were mainly doing doors, molding and outdoor furniture. Now, we’re an OEM [original equipment manufacturer]. We do a lot of furniture for Martha Stewart, for example, but our own brand [Berben] doesn’t come out. Our boxes are branded ‘Martha Stewart’ when we ship it out. Design is a collaboration between them and us. About 95 percent of what we make goes to the US.”

He says the Cebu furniture industry has recovered somewhat since the U.S. economy’s collapse in 2009. “I think furniture will always be a part of Cebu. We have been holding up pretty well and the market has generally improved.” For its part, Berben has adopted lots of improvements and changes. “We have made our team leaner but stronger. The company is more buoyant and can adapt to changes faster by doing so.”

Expansion plans
GRAND says his father was “very open and supportive [of the hotel project]. Before I presented this to him, I had already done all the research, and so I was prepared to answer all his possible questions. He gives us a freehand naman to decide what’s best for our businesses. But we respect all his opinions about everything. Of course, he reminds us that in whatever business we pursue, we need to mind the numbers, the profitability.”

Working on the hotel project pushes the artistic and enterprising buttons of Grand. “I think it’s a dynamic business. I would always compare it to the fashion industry. You have to keep catching up on the next trend. It’s never stagnant. You have to be one step ahead of the pack.”

The experience of putting up a hotel was so exhilarating that the family has already decided on opening a second hotel, also on a beachfront property they own, but this time along Alona Beach in Bohol. Construction on the resort has started and is targeted for opening in early 2013.

“This is something to watch out for as we have combined the latest hotel design trends, our vast experience in furniture manufacturing coupled with our hotel management experience, all this set against the rugged beauty of Bohol. We are also in the planning stage for a third resort. Each resort is independently envisioned and provides different experiences with emphasis on the beauty of its location,” he explains.

While competition in Cebu hotels is fierce but friendly, BE Resorts has managed to hold up quite well. “We have our own niche market and will continue to intensify efforts to expand existing markets, as well as start marketing campaigns to enter new ones. We remain committed to providing the best value among the resorts. While we cater mainly to the leisure market, we have also seen an expansion in our corporate market. Overall, we are doing well amid rising competition.”

(Summer hangover party 2012 - from BE Resorts Mactan FB)

What he values most
WHEN he isn’t attending to his responsibilities in the family business, Grand is helping improve the bilateral relations between Romania and Cebu. As honorary consul for Romania, he presents the country’s interests in Cebu, and tries to get a lot of cultural exchanges going.

“Just last year, Mandaue City and Bacau signed a sisterhood agreement. We have officials from both cities visit one another and work on getting more cultural and economic ties going. Although getting from Philippines to Romania and vice versa is not so easy, lately, there are more Romanians visiting the Philippines for tourism or business,” he says.

His alone time, if he has any left, is devoted to his growing collection of exotic automobiles, many of them vehicles he dreamt of owning when he was still a kid. He currently has five cars which include a 1955 Porsche and a 1965 Jaguar, and a 1993 Jaguar.

He is also a member of the PACE Club, an organization of car enthusiasts who drive around Cebu and nearby provinces and sometimes put their cars on exhibit for special occasions. “I’ve always been into cars, first the Matchbox variety when I was younger, then RC [remote control] cars. I think this is where the interest really comes from, it is like living a dream. Finding the parts to complete the cars is really very fulfilling as well. So I take the cars out as much as I can, mostly on weekends. The cars are driven but also polished so they look nice parked in the garage, or clean and shiny when driven out.”

But he underscores that most of his spare time is really devoted to his family which includes his wife, the former Genevieve Sy, and their four children: Enrique III, 15, Giles Nathan, 12, Gianna Adrielle, 8, and Enzo Grand, 6. Genevieve provides the anchor to the couple’s marriage providing ample support to her husband and holding the fort while he works.

“What I value most is family time,” says Grand. “As much as I can, I would spend time with the kids, be it playing basketball, the PlayStation or Xbox, going jet-skiing or island-hopping, driving the cars around town, eating out, traveling or simply staying at home watching a movie together. For me this is the best time of all. This is how I want to relax.”

Now that’s a grand plan.

(This is the unabridged version of my column, dated June 29, 2012. Something Like Life, is published every Friday in the Life section of the BusinessMirror. Photo courtesy Benedicto family.)

My favorite destinations in the Philippines

THE cool, powdery-white sands of Boracay.

The massive limestone cliffs in El Nido.

The clear, blue waters of Cebu.

The lush, rolling hills of Batanes.

The almost-perfect cone of majestic Mayon Volcano.

These are just some of the awe-inspiring sites to behold when traveling around the Philippines.

I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to quite a number of lovely places in the country primarily because of my profession, and due to a brief stint in the government in the early '90s, accompanying three successive Cabinet secretaries who frequently monitored their agency’s provincial projects.

Nothing compares to the beauty of the Philippines, simply because it offers a myriad of choices to travelers of all persuasions and budgets. And whether you’re a fellow Filipino or a foreigner, one can be sure of friendly locals at these tourist destinations, eager to help and ensure you have a great time.

Here are some of my favorite places in the country:

Albay
Mayon Volcano as seen from the Cagsawa Ruins.
THE still-active Mayon Volcano is one of the most moving and powerful sights I’ve ever been fortunate to behold in my life. Its near-perfect cone is simply breathtaking.

Aside from trekking to the volcano, you can also take an all-terrain vehicle straight up to the lava front. Other sites to visit are the Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church in Daraga that was built in the 18th century, the Cagsawa Ruins, Busay Falls, and Liñgon Hills where an underground tunnel built by the Japanese forces can be found.

Of course, the best part about visiting Albay is eating spicy Bicolano dishes, such as Bicol Express, a variety of meats and fishes cooked with coconut milk, and my favorite dried fish called New Look.

Where to stay: Hotel Venezia (www.hotelvenezia.com.ph) if you’re staying in Legazpi City and want comfortable, clean and value-for-money accommodations. For a luxury feel, check out Misibis Bay Resort in Cagraray Island (www.misibisbay.com).

Batanes
A traditional Ivatan stone house in Basco, Batanes.
SOME foreigners have compared Batanes to Scotland because of its wide-open spaces, lush greenery and deep-plunging cliffs.

Take a trip to “Marlboro Country”—a rolling hill with horses and cows roaming around or feeding on the grass. Visit colorful old churches, such as the Basco Cathedral built in 1783, the Mahatao Church (1787), San Jose Church (1814), etc. And if you can take a seasickness-inducing boat ride to Sabtang (one of three major inhabited islands of Batanes), drop by Savidug, a village of traditional limestone houses still used by the locals (or Ivatans).

Where to stay: Batanes Resort is a 10-minute ride from the capital, and sits on a hill overlooking the sea. Built to resemble the Ivatan houses, the establishment is clean and inexpensive, with basic amenities, such as hot and cold water. They also serve local Ivatan cuisine where I got my first taste of fried flying fish—delish! (For inquiries and reservations, call 927-2393, 0927-5829078.)

Bohol
The tarsier is one of the more popular tourist attractions in Bohol. (Photo by www.nocturnal-animals.com/.)

ASIDE from the world-famous Chocolate Hills, the must-see places in Bohol are the 18th-century churches, such as the baroque-inspired Baclayon Church and Loboc Church, which has an extensive collection of images of various and other religious paraphernalia.

Have a hearty lunch of Boholano dishes while cruising down Loboc River, then visit the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier, in several of the minizoos located along the river.

Other activities include swimming on Alona beach, scuba-diving on Balicasag Island, and dolphin-watching on Pamilican Island.

I was recently told that my favorite resort no longer offers the best customer experience so better click www.bohol.ph/resorts.php for a list of accommodations.

Boracay Island, Aklan
Boracay - the all-time best beach in the country and one of the most popular in the world.

NO doubt the long stretch of white-sand beach and its clear turquoise waters are still the major reasons people continue to flock to Boracay.

Aside from the usual island tours, spa massages, food tripping and bar hopping, and banana-boat rides, there is an amazing number of fun activities that can also be pursued. There’s rolling down a hill in a zorb (www.facebook.com/zorbboracay), feeding the fish while helmet diving, and para-sailing, to name a few.

Visitors have a choice of resorts featuring the barest minimum amenities to the most luxurious, while foodies will surely enjoy an array of local and international cuisine cooked with the most authentic ingredients.

Where to stay: Discovery Shores in Station 1, if you want the best luxury accommodations with the friendliest staff to boot (www.discoveryshoresboracay.com); and Sun Villa in Station 2, for a quiet escape, the best value spa, and home-cooked cuisine (www.boracaysunresorts.com.ph/villa.htm).

Cebu
Visit the Taoist Temple in Cebu City, and make your petitions to the gods.

I HAVE loved Cebu since I started going there in the 1980s. One can be sure of warm, friendly smiles, an inexpensive but belly-busting meal, and just great entertainment because after all, isn’t this the land of country’s best singers? And, of course, the tasty, herb-filled Cebu lechon is simply one of the best-tasting in the country.

Some of the most interesting sites are the Shrine of Magellan’s Cross which was planted by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s men upon his arrival in Cebu in 1521; the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño where the oldest image of the Christ Child is enshrined; and the Taoist Temple, which is guarded by fierce dragons and where the local Chinese go to pray and seek favors from ancestors and ancient gods.

Also take a trip to Carcar, which is less than an hour drive from the city, which is famous for its chicharon, leather sandals, Spanish-era and American-period houses, and the historic St. Catherine’s Church, which is the second-oldest church in Cebu, after the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Where to stay: BE Resort in Mactan for its hip, cool interiors, beach and tasty restaurant dishes (www.beresorts.com); Islands Stay Hotel in Cebu City for a value-chic stay (www.islandsstay.com) accessible to major malls, offices and tourist sites in the city.

Davao
Dr. Bo Puentespina's 'bird talk' at the Malagos Garden Resort's interactive bird show. (Photo courtesy Malagos Garden Resort.)

DAVAO’S marketing slogan “From islands to highlands” says it all.

You will need boundless energy and at least a week to enjoy all the pleasurable offerings of this region.

Climb Mount Apo and catch the sun breaking through the clouds; visit the mighty but endangered Philippine eagle at the Philippine Eagle Center; watch an entertaining interactive bird show at the Malagos Garden Resort; see the creepy bat cave on Samal island; or go ziplining in what is reputed to be Asia’s longest, which is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Eating durian can be a challenge to first-time visitors—it tastes like heaven but smells like hell, goes a local saying—so if the smell is off-putting, you can try its other variants like candies, coffee (at the homegrown Blu Gre café), or ice cream (Donnabelle brand). Other than durian, pomelo and mangosteen are also plentiful and readily available in the market, supermarkets, and roadside fruit stands.

One of the remarkable food finds in Davao is the artisanal goat cheeses under the brand of Malagos Farms which are comparable in texture and taste to the foreign brands.

Where to stay: Marco Polo Hotel (www.marcopolohotels.com) is still the finest hotel in the city with its large comfortable rooms, and possibly the best Chinese restaurant in the area.

Palawan
Massive limestone cliffs dot the clear torquoise waters of El Nido, Palawan. (Photo from www.e-philippines.com.ph.)

ONE of my most memorable trips has got to be in El Nido, in northern Palawan.

Take a pump-boat ride and marvel at the colossal limestone cliffs or swim in the clean waters of Bacuit Bay where you can see schools of colorful fishes and other marine life. Or why not stop by a sandbar and enjoy the cold powder-fine, white sand under your feet?

Where to stay: Miniloc Island Resort (www.elnidoresorts.com) is in itself a tourist attraction, with its lush surroundings and water cottages built on stilts.

A must-see in Palawan is the Puerto Princesa Underground River, which has been gaining a massive amount of publicity since it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The main attraction is the St. Paul’s underground cave where stalactites and stalagmites have formed over the years.

Where to stay: Hotel Fleuris in Puerto Princesa (www.fleuris.com) loves hosting groups—whether families or friends, so make sure you avail yourself of its barkada package.

By no means is this list complete. There are so many other gorgeous places to visit in the Philippines, and where travelers are assured of warm smiles and fun times.

(This piece was originally published in the BusinessMirror, Feb. 26, 2012. All photos by this blogger, unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.)

Cebu in 48 hours

(Beachfront of BE Resort, Mactan.)
I’VE been going to Cebu since the late ‘80s and have been amazed by how much it has changed in terms of infrastructure, the increasing number of hospitality and food establishments, and gasp…the traffic! Of course, the traffic situation there still pales in comparison to Metro Manila, but gone are the days when one could virtually drive to any destination within Metro Cebu in less than 10 minutes.

One thing stands out in Cebu, however—and this has never changed in all the years I’ve visited—is the über-friendliness of the people. I swear, Cebuanos are really among the most hospitable among us Filipinos; almost everyone will go out of his or her way to make sure a guest will always have the best experience to take back home. (I notice that it’s actually the Metro Manilans who move to Cebu who are not as welcoming, which is unfortunate.)

(Fort San Pedro in Metro Cebu's port area.)

In case you haven’t been to Cebu yet, I suggest the next holiday you have, hop on a plane and go there. All major local airlines have daily flights to Cebu, leaving Manila almost every hour from as early as 5:30 am until 9 pm. (There are flights as well from Clark, Boracay, Palawan, and Davao, although on certain scheduled days.)

There are so many hotels to choose from—from budget deals and mid-range steals to swanky five-star accommodations. The same goes for food and shopping; bars, restaurants and malls are just everywhere! Name it, you have it - the Gaisano malls, SM, Robinsons and Ayala Center.

Transportation is not a problem since there are metered taxi cabs which can drive you anywhere, aside from the jeepneys. Buses ply many routes from Metro Cebu to the outlying districts. There are also a handful of trusty rent-a-car options to choose from.

(Magellan's cross is housed in a shrine protected by candle-wielding women.)

Here are a few suggestions of places to check out if you’re staying at least 48 hours in Cebu. Do the touristy route or check out places off the beaten track, it makes no difference, because you will have a great time, especially if you meet the right people.

* Casa Gorordo—an old house with furniture, paintings and other décor from 1860 to 1920. Located along Lopez Jaena Street, it was owned by the first Filipino bishop of Cebu, Juan Gorordo. Entrance fee P40. (Sorry, no photos of interiors as no cameras are allowed inside.)

* Fort San Pedro—the oldest and smallest fort in the Philippines which was built in 1565 after Miguel Lopez de Legaspi sailed into the country. Its present structure was only finished in 1738. The fort was meant to protect the Spanish conquistadors from local natives and supposedly marauding Muslim pirates. Located in Metro Cebu’s port area, it was later used as a Spanish garrison during the Philippine revolution.

* Shrine of Magellan’s Cross—said to be the cross planted by Portugese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s men upon his arrival in Cebu in 1521. The original is supposed to be encased in the present one now installed in this chapel in a plaza beside the Basilica Minore in downtown Cebu. Do watch out for the poor beggar kids who will try to harass you for loose change. The uniformed manangs who supposedly guard the Shrine may also sweet-talk you into buying all their candles.

(The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño is always packed w/ devotees to the Sto. Niño petitioning him for miracles.)

* Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño—the oldest Catholic Church in Cebu established on the site where supposedly a Sto. Niño was found intact in a burned box purportedly left behind by Magellan and his crew. Sunday Mass is actually held at the courtyard across, as the main church can no longer accommodate the crowds that gather. Pilgrims inside the main church pray to the Sto. Niño and other saintly images.

* BE Resort—a hip and mid-priced hotel in Mactan with spacious rooms that have views that look out to the sea, as well as the beachfront below where you can lounge about and get a tan. For inquiries, visit www.BEresorts.com.

* Islands Banca Cruises—island hopping with a cool vibe. Chill out on the deck while sipping a cold drink, or get a massage while traveling to your next destination. You can go to Olango Island for bird-watching or a round of snorkeling at the marine sanctuaries of Gilutungan or Nilusuan. It also offers sunset cruises, barbeque picnics, and scuba diving. These bancas are especially built to accommodate anywhere from 10 to 15 persons, to as many as 30 to 35 persons depending on the size of the boats you are renting. For particulars, call (+63917) 630-0736, (032) 236-4896 or 516-1903.

(A burst of color and flavors in this antipasti platter from Chef Luca at Acqua, Shangri-La Mactan.)

* Acqua at Shangri-La Mactan—the best Italian restaurant in Cebu with northern specialties prepared by the jolly and talented Chef Luca Visiglia. Best treats from his kitchen are his antipasti sampler, ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and gorgonzola cheese, almond-encrusted lamb chops marinated in red wine, the thin crust pizzas, just to name a few. The restaurant also has an excellent array of wines. For reservations, call (032) 231-8224.

* Zubuchon at the Banilad Town Center—simply the best lechon in Cebu, bar none. Crispy-bubbly skin and herb-flavored, tender pork meat—sagad-sa-laman goodness. Even chef and food-show host Anthony Bourdain gave his stamp of approval on the pig. You get it boxed free for every kilo bought at P450 each, or order an entire pig for your parties. Recommended size is 16 to 18 kilos cooked weight at P5,500. To order, just call (032) 236-5264 or 0917-6274761.

(A plate of Zubuchon, the best Cebu lechon for me.)

* Taoist Temple – is an area of worship by the local Filipino-Chinese population. Located in Beverly Hills, the posh enclave of some of Cebu’s richest families, the temple has three praying rooms, two on the ground level, while one on is located at its highest peak, accessible by winding stairs. It is designed in the usual Chinese green and red colors, with images and sculptures of fierce dragons strategically located at the upper entrance, and on the pagoda-style rooftops. The main entrance is downhill where fervent devotees make the 99-steps-climb to the 38-year-old temple. Catch your breath while gazing at the wide expanse of the city in the distance.

(The Taoist Temple is the center of the religious life of Cebu's Filipino-Chinese community.)

* Carcar heritage town—a visit to Cebu isn’t complete if you don’t drop by Carcar, just a 45-minute drive down south of the metro. Aside from the tasty pork chicharon with laman the town is famous for and which are sold in many stalls in the public market, there are a number of lovely ancestral homes that are still standing and still used by local residents. There are quite a few, however, that have been turned into hardware stores and other commercial endeavors which kind of disrupts the old-town look, but I suppose one can’t stop progress.

Also, one of the best features of Carcar is the centuries-old St. Catherine’s Church which sits on a hill overlooking the rest of the heritage town. The present structure is actually its third incarnation after being first built in 1859. On the way back to the metro, you can drop by the many stores and booths by the street selling reasonably priced leather shoes and sandals. I wasn’t able to purchase a pair but I’m told the footwear is very durable and can last for years.

(Many of the ancestral houses in Carcar, have been turned into stores at the first floor.)

* Islands Pasalubong Center—on the way to Mactan International Airport, you can drop by the center which offers a wide array of Cebuano delicacies already packed and ready-to-go, such as the favorite breakfast treat danggit, mango juices and dried mango chips, otap and the like. The center carries the Islands Souvenirs clothing brand well-known for its trendy souvenir T-shirts which are witty and on the cutting edge of art. You can usually buy Brazil-made flip-flops which are marked down at even friendlier prices.

Of course, this is by no means a complete list. There is so much more to see and do in Cebu and its outskirts. But first-time travelers there will at least have an idea what to expect from the province via this short list. Have a great time! ;p

(Originally published in the BusinessMirror, Nov. 21, 2010. All photos copyrighted Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo. More photos of Carcar and Cebu here.)

Nag-level up na sila!

Whoa! Hope these guys get some time off for good behavior, este, dancing. And pansinin ang egoy sa gitna, channeling MJ much? hehe

Seriously, bravo again to the Dancing Inmates of Cebu! I hear this bit will end up in the DVD issue of This is It, the tribute movie to Michael Jackson. Clap for them!

Coolness!

Click this.

This is not: Click! and Click! (scroll down).

The palusot here.

Pi !

NO, I'm not talking of that expletive famously uttered by Sen. MAR Roxas in a rally, but Philippine islands, the newest line from the Cebu-based Islands Souvenirs of the ever-busy Jay Aldeguer. Colonial Americanos called the Philippines "P.I." during their time and some of Pinoys abroad strangely still call the Philippines the same. I always try to disabuse them from using the term because of course, its current connotation is completely different.

(Guess what I got in the mail today!)

(Suspense muna...)
Anyhoo, I guess Jay thought it okay to bring the term back in fashion and since they are using a lowercase "i", it won't be mistaken for anything but "Philippine islands." But then, it could also mean the mathematical constant 3.1416. Hmmm...must ask Jay about this.

(Drum roll pls!)
I got one of the Pi shirts in the mail today, and although it's late for Independence Day, I love it! (Thanks Jay!) The shirt is uniquely Pinoy as most of Islands Souvenirs' products are. In his letter Jay says:"The slogan of our new line is 'Wear Your Pride,' where we aim to inspire the love of country in all Filipinos especially the youth of today."

Just brilliant and truly reflective of Jay's love of country! The Pi line is available in all Islands Souvenirs outlets nationwide. And to all those who've been bugging me about how they can order Islands Souvenirs shirts online, Jay says he will have a transaction site up and running very soon. So, abangan.

(Tadaah! Cute noh? I think I'll wear this to the next anti-Con-Ass rally.)

A great value hotel in Cebu

"One of the surprising discoveries I made on a recent trip is a little hotel out in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, owned by businessman Grand Benedicto and his family, and managed by Microtel Philippines Inns and Suites. Truth to tell, I always thought Microtel was a hotel brand that was just a notch above Day’s Inn and other budget-hotel chains. But as soon as I stepped into the hotel lobby, I let out a 'Wow!' This certainly did not look like any old budget hotel. Its interiors alone already took my breath away because it was smart, hip and quirky—the perfect match to my equally unconventional personality." (Click Microtel Mactan.)

More to see (and buy!) in Cebu

MORE on my trip in fabulous Cebu: I also visited Carcar, famous for its chicharon, old houses, an historic church, and leather sandals. To buy your pasalubongs for loved ones back home, drop by the Islands Pasalubong Center on the way to the Mactan airport.

(The centuries-old Carcar Church. Those are the images of the apostles on the posts.)

(Carcar has a lot of old houses as well. Unfortunately, some of them are now used as commercial stores. Paging the Heritage Center!)

(Leather sandals and shoes are a major product of Carcar, aside from its famous chicharon w/ laman.)

(The just-completed travel lounge at the Islands Pasalubong Center, a one-stop-store for travel essentials, Cebu T-shirts and local delicacies.)

(Colorful T-shirts from Islands Souvenirs by businessman Jay Aldeguer.)

(Love these bags. I bought the one in lavender.)

(Otap heaven.)

This is where I disappeared to

I always thought Microtel was a hotel brand just a notch above Days Inn. But when I flew to Mactan, Cebu last weekend, boy was I surprised! The hotel was so chic and modern, with very interesting furniture pieces in pop colors and rattan, I almost felt I was in a boutique hotel.

Of course, there were some hotel services I missed like the concierge, the 24-hour room service, free wi-fi service, and more menu/restaurant choices. The guest services are sometimes spotty, which I attribute to the newness of the hotel. But for its price points, Microtel Mactan offers great value for money.

Check out these pics:

(My room. Love the soft pillows and orthopedic bed!)

(I wanted to take home this silver lamp from the nightstand.)

(Kids swim in the infinity pool.)

(The view of the hotel rooms from the beach area.)

(The white beach; but let's not kid ourselves, the beaches in Mactan pale in comparison to Boracay.)

(As you step out the elevator, this is what greets you.)

(The restaurant called RICE, with a Kenneth Cobonpue sitting area to the right. The Asian-inspired cuisine was delicious, although limited in choices.)

(Just some of the many kooky furniture scattered throughout the hotel.)

I'll surely be back!

No Reservations on the Philippines (full episode)

(Part 1)

(The rest on YouTube. Many thanks to ArcApex of Toronto.)

I couldn't help but love this episode. The hosts Ivan Dy, Claude Tayag, and MarketMan were entertaining and informative enough. Augusto, the guy who sent in a fan video w/c convinced Chef Tony Bourdain to come to the Philippines, unfortunately, was not.

Poor guy. He seemed lost and his family was rather bland. I think Bourdain has been to some Filipino-hosted events and knows how noisy and festive we can be when we get together. So it was kinda a letdown for him I suppose that Augusto and his Cebu family were not animated enough for this episode. Na-conscious siguro sa cameras. Still, if not for Augusto, Bourdain wouldn't come, so he still gets props from me. Clap for the guy will ya?

I have no arguments against the foods served by the various hosts to Bourdain, from fishballs and taho in the beginning, to lechon at the end; the episode showed authentic Pinoy cuisine which even the masses appreciate. And we know how Bourdain loves street food. Yum! Sorry, no cholesterol-laden high-priced restaurants here, w/c would have been so out of place. It was just simple and sincere cooking, and in a few instances, served up in a group setting w/ San Miguel beers in hand. (I told a friend at SMC's PR Dept that they should probably send a one-year supply of SMB to Bourdain in New York for showing the product so prominently on the show. haha.)

Now I want to try the four-ways goat. That goat head broth looked particularly intriguing. How cool was it for Bourdain to just get a hook on the cheek and eyeball of that goat! Winner! I also want to try Aling Lucing's sisig. I've eaten sisig in restaurants here in the metro (w/ the one at Trellis supposedly the best), but Aling Lucing claims to be the original.

Btw, for Ivan Dy's info, adobo came by way of the Spanish conquistadores. It actually means "to marinate" w/c can mean in anything from soy sauce and vinegar, or tomato sauce, etc.

I only take issue w/ Tayag's rather un-PC comment about Capampangan food being "the best", and that "you can't be a Filipino w/o being Pampango first." Even though I identify myself as an Ilongga, I am conscious enough of regional sensitivities, and will not proclaim on international TV that Ilonggo food is the best.

I've eaten lots of dishes from different regions and provinces, and each has its own unique flavor and attitude. We should really stop this regionalistic behavior w/c is what's dragging us as a country down. We should all be Pinoys first and all local dishes, whether from Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Pampanga or Ilocos Norte, are the best. Period. Nairita ba ako? That said, Tayag's kare-kare looked particularly appetizing. Mmm.

It's true though what Mary Tayag says, Pinoy cuisine is not popular abroad because there are so many different versions of say, adobo. Or sinigang. In the north, they use guava or sampaloc. In the south, they use batuan for the kansi, which is like a sinigang na baka. So foreigners will not take away one outstanding memory of the sinigang, but several confusing versions of it.

I don't quite agree that it's because no one visits the Philippines. I think it's because when the foreigners come, we always make yabang and treat them to the "best" or "newest" restaurants, which may not offer Filipino cuisine. I am partly guilty of this. When my cousin from the States arrived for the first time in Manila, we took him to what was considered the best Japanese restaurant then. And w/ my aunts, to the best Spanish restaurant. Ngek.

Pinoy food is so ordinary and everyday for us, we normally don't think of treating our guests to a Filipino restaurant unless they specifically request for it. We don't think of offering up Pinoy cuisine maybe bec. we think the dishes pale in comparison to the more sophisticated foreign cuisines. Perhaps deep inside, we still carry some of the colonial atiitutde, and continue to suffer from a national inferiority complex. We think of Pinoy as "baduy" but anything foreign as "modern, improved, and better."

Meanwhile, maybe we could take a leaf from what the Thais did. Their tourism authority simply drew up uniform recipes for traditional Thai dishes and exported the cookbooks abroad. So if you notice, Thai dishes anywhere have the same ingredients, tastes, and textures. Very few restaurants stray from the original recipes. But then yun nga, who's to say whose adobo version gets to be included in said official Filipino cookbook? I used to think all you had to do was pick up Nora Daza's Cooking it Up with Nora and you have the traditional chicken, pork adobo. (I like my version deep fried and flaked.)

Anyhoo, despite some minor irritants, it made me proud to see this show. It speaks tons of Bourdain's respect for his Filipino fans that he became a bit anxious about what exactly to show in the episode, and if he showed enough. Most of us were pleased. Kudos again to the hosts, and to Augusto. Wherever you are, I hope you enjoyed rediscovering your Pinoy roots through our wonderful multi-faceted cuisine.

(UPDATE: Upon request by MarketMan, we deleted his real name out of respect for his privacy.)

Feeling at home at Shang Mactan

(WIND down from your harried life with a swim in this gorgeous pool by the hotel’s ocean wing.)

CEBU has always been one of my all-time favorite destinations, simply because it gives travelers the best of both worlds—a cosmopolitan feel, yet retaining some of the vestiges of provincial seclusion.

To me, it means sumptuous food, both of the sutukil (sugba, tuwa, kilaw) and the upscale dining varieties, fabulous swimming pools and sparkling beaches, friendly always-smiling people, and splendid restful five-star accommodations.

If you’re the type who wants to get away from it all, your best bet is Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort & Spa. For picky travelers such as myself, I like the hotel because it is a self-contained refuge where even the most discriminating guest will find everything that will please her to her heart’s content. Once you check in, you won’t ever feel the need to even go to the city to see its sights because the resort in itself already provides the guest with so many experiences that will delight all her senses.

Spacious but cozy

(Relax among the cozy corners of your deluxe sea-view guest room)

THE guest rooms, first of all, are spacious and warm, with furniture that is understated and elegant—a delicate blend of local craftsmanship which Cebu furniture makers are famous for. The headboard of my bed, for example, was made of wicker, while touches on the head lamp above the bed were in banig. The simple furniture was cozy, making me feel right at home. The guest room also had a magnificent view of the sea and the inviting swimming pool below. The king-sized bed guaranteed a tranquil sleep night after night, as I was surrounded by comfy large pillows.

The grounds are well-manicured in their refreshing greenery, so a walk even just around the premises becomes a refreshing experience.

I especially enjoyed a leisurely stroll into the Chi Spa Village, which relaxes the usual tense and harried guest with the sound of gurgling waters and the aroma of calming essential oils. Sitting on 10,000 square meters, the village is nestled amid the resort’s sprawling grounds and is the first spa village carrying the luxury hotel-spa brand in the Philippines.

Later I would delight in a “Chi Journey” that included a revitalizing bath in an outdoor pool which used coconut milk mixed in the waters; an herbal steam bath that instantly decongested my nasal passages as I suffered from a sinusitis attack; an energizing Mountain Tsampa Rub; and an Aroma Vitality massage.

The Mountain Tsampa rub uses a barley paste to absorb oils and exfoliate your body of dead-skin cells. It helps revitalize the skin and prepares you for the next ritual: the massage.

The Aroma Vitality massage is a blend of Swedish and Shiatsu pressure techniques using the essential oil suited to your element. As in other Chi spas, the guest is supposed to fill up a form which tells the therapist your likes and dislikes in terms of food tastes, colors and temperature. So the essential oil used in your massage is supposed to complement your element (e.g., water, metal, earth, wood, or fire).

(Immerse yourself in Tibetan luxury at the Chi Spa Village.)

Unfortunately, the therapist assigned to me wasn’t able to give me the deeper pressure I’m used to and even said I should have gotten a male therapist instead. I thought that response was not only unprofessional but totally ignorant because, as I had pointed out to her, my therapist at Chi in Edsa Shangri-La, as well as those from the other spas I go to, are also female but completely competent to deliver the pressure I needed.

Despite the minor disappointment with the massage therapist, my overall impression of Chi Spa was of pleasant satisfaction. The spa treatment was capped by a plate of fruits and refreshing drink.

Divine dishes

IN terms of cuisine, Shang Mactan has the basic choices in terms of international dishes.

Guests have a selection of Asian dishes at Tides, which serves buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was where I enjoyed most of my meals and was impressed that it was able to deliver a varied menu for guests who were staying more than one night. Other hotels, despite their luxury tag, are not creative enough to come up with even a decent breakfast or meals that would delight a discerning guest’s food preferences. And if you’re staying at such a hotel for two or three days, eating the same fare can be annoying. Fortunately with Tides, as well as the hotel’s other restaurants, this was not the case. As with most hotels these days, the standard feature at Tides is the sashimi and sushi bar, which did not tire my palate at all, considering my love of Japanese cuisine.

I immensely enjoyed lunch at Acqua with Shang Mactan’s energetic PR girl Sharon Samarista as we caught up on the latest industry gossip in Manila. The restaurant served one of the most delectable Italian meals I have had in the longest time. It truly deserves to be called one of the best restaurants in the Philippines because it offers a modern twist to basic Italian fare, be it pasta, risotto, or your usual meat and seafood dishes.

(Sumptuous Italian fare with a modern twist at Aqua.)

Everything I ate, from the refreshing arugula salad, flavorful pumpkin soup and tender salmon, to my dessert of pana cotta in three different flavors were just divine. What’s more, the restaurant also offers vegetarian fare for health-conscious guests. The restaurant overlooks the infinity pool, which some guests may find to be an entertaining diversion, especially if those swimming have gorgeous bodies. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you can move to the other corners of the spacious restaurant for a spectacular view of the ocean.

Cowrie Cove, which overlooks the Visayan Sea, appropriately serves up seafood specialties in a buffet spread. Name it, they have it—lobsters, crabs, shrimps or prawns, lapu-lapu or the freshest catch of the day, cooked in various succulent ways. It is quite a walk from the main building and sometimes a tad difficult to navigate around due to the low lighting conditions of the restaurant. Nevertheless, the outlet gives guests a distinct Cebuano alternative to the cosmopolitan array of meat dishes in the hotel’s other restaurants.

Satisfied with the excellent quality of its restaurants (have you ever been disappointed with a Shang restaurant anyway?), I told Sharon that I intended to return to have a go of the sumptuous offerings of the Chinese restaurant Tea of Spring.

Other than the spa, the restaurants and the really awesome pools, guests can enjoy the hotel’s other conveniences, such as a business center well-stocked with foreign business and local newspapers (that’s why I got hooked again on the Asian Wall Street Journal); a gym/health club with top-of-the-line equipment; bars by the pool, the beach and at the lobby; an indoor playground, dubbed Adventure Zone, for their kids; or if they wish, they can also stage their own private singing contests—good Lord!—in the karaoke room.

But more than these pleasant diversions, what is truly endearing about Shang Mactan is its cheerful well-mannered staff. Everyone is available for any question or concern a guest may have, no matter how simple or ridiculous (I lost my way going to the spa, for example, duh). Each has a ready smile and a helping hand for guests, so it’s no wonder a lot of foreign and local tourists love staying at this resort.

It’s a hotel where guests can truly be made to feel at home.

(Published in BusinessMirror, Nov. 1, 2007. Photos courtesy Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa.)

Travel news: Bye, bye Palau

(I now wish I had pursued our gang's plan to visit Palau again this year. Sad to see the Asian Spirit flight go which was really a very convenient way, not to mention cheaper way, for tourists to to travel to Palau. My report on this development below:)

Asian Spirit drops Koror flights — again — for now
Marianas Business Journal, Oct. 15, 2007

Rainbows are commonplace in Palau. The rock island across my hotel room balcony during my visit to Palau in 2006.

MANILA, Philippines — After relaunching the route in May, Asian Spirit will be dropping its flights from Koror to Cebu, effective Monday, Nov. 5.

In a phone interview, Jack Po, executive vice president of Asian Spirit; told the Journal, “While it saddens me to confirm this, yes, we are suspending our flights because of the realignment in our business plans. There are increasing demands by passengers in the Philippines for flights to our key service areas such as Caticlan, Aklan, which we have to meet. However, we hope to return to Koror soon when conditions are more ideal.”

Asian Spirit, he said, is preparing to “engage in a major battle” with the larger-capitalized airlines in the Philippines, which are going to fly to Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay Island, Aklan. “We want to focus on our turf, which we had developed when no one was flying to the destination yet.” The Manila-Caticlan service is often called the “bread and butter” route of Asian Spirit, which helps subsidize its flights to 15 other destinations. The other destinations are considered vital in terms of public welfare but are typically low revenue earners for the airline because of unstable passenger loads.

The news of the suspension caught most tourism-related companies in Palau by surprise. It was only in September that Asian Spirit hosted a familiarization tour in Cebu for Palau government officials, businessmen and media.

Reacting to the development, Sam Scott, president of Palau Sea Ventures Inc. and Sam’s Tours; said, “This is very sad and unfortunate news that is very disappointing, to say the least. Sam’s Tours has been working very hard with [Asian Spirit] and hosted many [familiarization tours], including the most recent one from Cebu.” On June 16, Sam’s Tours co-hosted a familiarization tour with the airline and other Palau tourism and business groups for about 60 visitors from Cebu, which included dive center owners, travel agents, media, airline staff, business delegates and other dignitaries.

“The repercussions will be enormous and the tourism industry as a whole in Palau will suffer for some time. I can only hope that we will have a chance to see Asian Spirit back in the skies soon,” Scott said. He added that the airline “indicated [the flight’s suspension] was due to maintenance, but I have a hard time believing that when they indicated no start-back-up date.”

Interviewed in Manila, Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr., whose family co-owns Palau Micronesia Air — Asian Spirit’s partner in Koror — told the Journal, “You know, Asian Spirit has been very good to Palau. They’ve been able to provide competition [for other carriers] which is good for Palau because there have been a lot of visitors. Unfortunately, the number of people traveling [the Cebu-Koror route] was not enough. So we’re looking at how to market it. Maybe it was our fault — the marketing was not ready for Cebu. We expected more people, but the tourism connections were not there yet.” The Whipps family’s Surangel & Sons acted as the general service agent for the Philippine carrier.

Palauans welcomed the entry of Asian Spirit in Koror because it helped bring down the cost of airfare to the Philippines, where a number of them have business dealings, go shopping, and receive medical treatment. Roundtrip fare from Koror to Cebu cost $330 per person, the same rate now offered by Continental Air Micronesia, which flies Koror to Manila. When it was the only airline serving the Koror-Manila route, Continental’s airfare reached as high as $600 per person especially during holidays. “I just checked with Continental because we wanted to come here in December and their rate’s already $510,” Whipps said. “It’s interesting what Continental will do now that they have their monopoly back,” he added.

The Palau businessman said for now, there are no plans for PMAir to hook up with other international carriers serving the Pacific, such as Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue, of British tycoon Richard Branson, president of Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd. “We’re always open to other options, but Asian Spirit was willing to take a risk to fly to Palau. They said this was not the end. They just need to refocus and they will be back.”

Sam Scott of Palau Sea Ventures Inc. expresses disappointment over suspension of Asian Spirit's service in Koror. (Photo by Peter Marquez)

Sam’s Tours, together with other members of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, had expressed optimism about the three times weekly Koror-Cebu-Koror flights because it would boost the group’s chances of marketing the Philippines and Palau as scuba diving destinations to more Asian markets. The tour agency had barely recovered from the cancellation of the Davao-Koror service of the airline, but Scott said in September, “We are very excited about the Cebu-Palau route of Asian Spirit.... This will definitely be a big winner for us here in Palau.”

Whipps added the Koror-Cebu route had “a lot of potential. Palau was going to tie up with Cebu Doctors Hospital and two other hospitals in Cebu. It’s much closer and with the flight frequencies, it would’ve been better for our patients. Also there were a lot of business opportunities...people are so used to coming to Manila, they don’t think of Cebu. As one Cebu businessman told me, the minute you step out of the plane, you don’t need to go to Manila anymore because you can find everything in Cebu.” Cebu is the second major urban destination in the country after Manila, the capital.

For its part, Asian Spirit is expected to go head-to-head with larger and more profitable airlines to protect its Caticlan route. Air Philippines, the budget carrier of Filipino-Chinese tycoon Lucio Tan, who also owns Philippine Airlines, will be flying to Caticlan by Dec. 15 using three to six Bombardier Q300 50-seater turboprops; Cebu Pacific, owned by JG Summit Holdings Inc., of food and beverage magnate John Gokongwei, will be flying to Caticlan by February 2008 using two Avions de Transport Regional 72-500s turboprops initially, gradually increasing to 14 by 2013.

Asian Spirit plans to bring in two more British Aerospace 146-100s, which are 86-seaters, to increase their jet service to Caticlan to 16 flights a day from the current six. Along with its turboprop service, the flights are expected to rise to as many as 25 a day during the peak seasons of summer and Christmas. MBJ

Holiday jewels of Northern Cebu

WITH all eyes focusing on the Asean Summit this week, no doubt its participants will be curious what the province has to offer aside from the danggit, the lechon, and spicy chicharon they've all probably heard about.

About 3,000 delegates are expected for the four-day high-level meet and greet, and most hotels and resorts have already gussied up since last year, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their very important international guests.

Cebu has always been one of my must-go places, especially for vacations. Despite its immense popularity among tourists, both local and foreign, it has yet to get crowded, as say, Boracay island.

Resorts are scattered all over the island province offering all levels of facilities, amenities, food, and recreation designed to fit every vacationer's budget.

While most tourists stay in the city hotels and the resorts on Mactan, there are still other jewels to be found to the north of this province which offer more than just the usual breathtaking sites.

(More at GMA News TV.)