2019 | A Journey With Me

Ayala and Yuchengco Museums

Since it’s the International Museum Day, I’d write about the other two museums I like. If you’re in Makati are, there are two museums that are worthy to visit, Ayala Museum and Yuchengco Museum.

Yuchengco Museum

Yuchengco Museum is located at the RCBC Plaza in Ayala Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue.

There is an interactive Samsung Digital Gallery, Likhang Pinay, The Rizal Gallery, Yuchengco Gallery and the Art Gallery during the time I visited. Some of the exhibit change depending on the theme. There are different activities also that you can check on their website: https://yuchengcomuseum.org/

Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum is located at Greenbelt. The whole museum was restricted in taking pictures. What I like the most in Ayala Museum was the gallery of golds and the rich history of the Philippines as one of the producers of gold. There were other exhibits like the Fernando Zobel, Indigenous Textile, Ceramics and Philippine’s collection of garments. Some of the galleries exhibit also change depending on the theme.

Ayala Museum is offering free admission on May 19th with this year’s theme is “Museums as Cultural Hubs: The Future of Tradition.” They are highlighting the role of museums in the respective communities. Ayala Museum will be closed for renovation later this month. For more information check out their website: http://www.ayalamuseum.org/

National Heritage Month: Visit a Museum

The island of the Philippines is rich in culture and had a very captivating history. Where else should we go to discover our cultural heritage and cultural awareness?

It is the Philippine’s National Heritage Month this May. On the 18^th of May is the International Museum Day. You can also check for free admission for the whole month of May on our government-owned museums in the country, not just the National Museum in Manila and Planetarium including those in other regions: Vigan, Kiangan, Kabayan, Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, Tabaco, Bohol, Butuan and Jolo (Sulu). There are other events in other Museums found on the website of the National Museum.

I went to the National Museum of the Filipino People in Rizal Park. I was able to see the different exhibits such as: Baybayin, Hibla nang Lahing Filipino, Biodiversity and Rice, Lumad, Kaban ang Lahi: Archeological Treasure, Gallery of Women, San Diego Exhibit and many others. Some parts of the Museum were closed for renovation.

There were not so many visitors during my visit. There were some students and families who were inside. I would like to advise people to read the information regarding the displays in the exhibit. We don’t just look at them but we also need to learn and know about the history, artifacts, archaeological collection, natural cultural treasures and fine arts.

We just don’t go there because it’s where most people post on their Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter or other social media platform. We go there to unravel chronicles about our own country. They were preserved for a purpose, for the next generation to see what happened in our past.

Lucban, Quezon

Lucban Quezon is known for the Pahiyas Festival and tourists flock the town to enjoy the festival. Here are the other places to see in Lucban.

San Luis Obispo Parish Church

A baroque design, Lucban Church or San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church under the Diocese of Lucena. The construction of the church begins in 1595 under Father Miguel de Talavera. In 1629, the first church was ruined and the second church was established on its present site but was caught on fire. The third church was rebuilt in 1738 but was partially damaged by a bomb in 1945.

Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel

Since we were kids, Batis Aramin had been around where we go swimming in the cold spring water coming from the Mountain of Banahaw. In the present, it has evolved as a tourist attraction and as accommodation for visitors of Lucban

Kamay ni Hesus

A pilgrimage site which is 15 minutes away from the town of Lucban, for more information please check my older post.

Historical Markers

In 2011, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the Km 134 Battle of Piis Memorial Marker. There are other historical artifacts that can be seen in Lucban, like the remnants of the Fuente del Binusuan Stone Marker and Fuente de Bamban.

Rizal Park and Municipal City Hall

It is a small park in front of the Municipal City Hall and the oldest park in Lucban. The Municipal Hall is also an old building. Within the vicinity of Rizal Park is the Patio Rizal Hotel.

Falls

1. Taluyong Falls
2. Mayapis Falls
3. Pilipit Falls
4. Abuhin Falls
5. No Name Falls
6. Puki Falls
7. Asana falls
8. Lanot Falls
9. Hangga Falls

I had been to the different falls in our province but I never knew their names before. Two of the falls were near the land of my ancestors in Barangay Piis. The trekking will start where there is Maapon river. I knew the Maapon river, but I think locals started calling them.

Mount Banahaw

You can also go mountain climbing to Mount Banaha, but please check with the tourism office of Lucban for details. Or to also preserve the mountain, it’s also good to just look at it from afar.

Lucban Pahiyas Festival

Pahiyas Festival is a yearly festival in honor of San Isidro de Labrador for the good harvest of the town in Lucban, Quezon. Every 15^th of May the creativity differs from house to house with colorful kipings, anok, different fruits, vegetables, root crops and rice barn, woven hats and other native products, delicacies and food that originated from Lucban.

Lucbanin (locals of Lucban) prepares for the festival at the start of the year. The municipality gives the route map where the festival will take place. A normal Lucbanin asks “Daan ba sa atin?” This means if Pahiyas would pass by their street.

The household on the street included in the route map will think of their payas (much often used by Lucbanin) or design of the house.

Kiping is a leaf-shaped wafer of flake made of rice. It is molded in a big leaf from “kabal.” The colorful kipings are prepared every day because it takes time for the leaves to dry. The famous ‘arangya’ or chandeliers of different colors, needs a lot of kiping. Arangya, depending on the size can reach the ceiling of the second floor down to the first floor of the house. Or sometimes even up to the third floor of the house. Other decorations can be made using kiping like flowers, orchids, wallpapers, and other artworks. Kiping of different colors are also edible and it is cook by grilling or frying it.

Harvested fruits, vegetables, root crops and rice barns are also used as decorations. Woven hats or bags and other native products will also be seen as an ornament. “Anok” is a miniature dummy of the mannequin of people, usually farmer. The anok are used as decorations accompanied by a miniature of a life-size carabao.

The food during the occasion are kalderetang kalabaw, hardinera, embotido, pansit habhab or pansit lucban, longganisang lucban, kesong puti, kinulob and other food for the visitors. Delicacies are seen at the table like pinais, suman, halayang ube, budin, broas, meringue, puto seko etc.

On the 14^th of May or sometimes earlier, is the start of decorating the front house. Between 11AM to 2PM, the judges start checking the houses. The prizes include Grand Prize, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, Special Awards, Ginintuang Butil, Best Arangya and other consolation awards

One of the highlights of Pahiyas is the “Parikitan.” In the afternoon, tourists wait for the parade of muses and escorts wearing native costumes and accessories, different floats with carabaos, higantes and the procession of San Isidro Labrador. Awards will also be given during this time.

After the mass at the San Luis Church, you can drop by in the Tiangge outside the church and streets near the church where you can buy different products and pasalubong from Lucban.

At night, there’s a competition for the Best in Lights for the Pahiyas Festival at Night. The lights enhance the vibrant decoration during the night.

For other post about Lucban, please check Kamay ni Hesus

Oslob Historical Sites

Aside from Oslob: Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Island and Oslob Tumalog Falls and Samboan Aguinid Falls, here are the other places that you can explore in Oslob especially for those who love historical sites.

Baluarte

It was one of the seven watchtowers built along the coastline of Oslob and was part of the defense system to protect the town. The Baluarte or Lantawan or Watchtower was built in 1788. One of the ruins is near the cuartel.

Cuartel

At the intersection of Calle Aeternidad and Calle Aragones is an unfinished building made of coral blocks is known as Cuartel. It was a barracks for Spanish soldiers built in 1860 and remained unfinished until the end of the Spanish era.

Immaculate Conception Church

It was built in 1848 with the Immaculate Conception as the patroness. The current church was made of cut coral stone and the adjacent tower was added 10 years. It is also connected to a parish house.

Mortuary Chapel

Across the church is the old mortuary chapel.

Statue of Fr. Julian Bermejo

He was responsible in the effective coastal defense by building baluartes made of coral stone and limestone. There are forty baluartes that was made from the shoreline of Carcar to Santander, in which twelve was built in Oslob. Fr. Bermejo was also known as “El Parroco Capitan.”

You can also enjoy the view of the shoreline from here and the road. For other posts about Cebu, please check Other Places in Cebu City Tour Historical Tour in Cebu City Churches in Cebu City Malapascua Island Diving Sites Malapascua Island Camotes Islands Bantayan Island in 2009 Revisiting Bantayan Island Why Cebu?

Oslob Tumalog Falls and Samboan Aguinid Falls

Cebu is blessed with stunning waterfalls from North to South.

Tumalog Falls

Tumalog Falls is located at barangay Luka, in Oslob, Cebu. It is also known as “Toslob” or Mag-ambak” falls by the locals.

From Aaron Beach resort it was a twenty minutes motorbike or habal-habal ride heading to the Bacalso National Highway before turning left to Tumalog Falls Road before we reached the registration area. We can either walk going to the falls or hire another motorbike going down. We opted to hire another habal-habal as they told us the road was steep going down. Going down the slope you can also see the top of the Tumalog Falls from the road. As we reached the rocky road, we were near the falls. We could see the small river where the water flows from the falls.

And we reached Tumalog Falls. It was still early and we were the only persons in the falls. Tumalog falls is taller and grander and there are lots of trickling water from different sides. The water that is flowing is also cold. There is a pool that everybody can swim in.

Aguinid Falls

Aguinid is located at Samboan, Cebu, two towns from Oslob.

From Aaron Beach Resort, it’s 25 to 30 minutes ride along the Natalio Bacalso National Highway and becoming Santander – Barile – Toledo Road. The resort offers a motorbike ride that you can hire.
There are 8 levels of Aguinid falls that is according to the locals. But only 5 of them are open to the public. The eight levels are a system of waterfalls that runs for a couple of kilometers along Tangbo River.

The best thing about Aguinid Falls is you need to trek through the cascading waters for you to reach the different level. There are two guides that will help you.
You will definitely get wet during the trek because of the flowing water from the top. Some of the treks get harder because of the raging waters. Make sure that you also have a dry bag or waterproof case for your phone.

Reaching level 5 is really worth it. You will see the majestic waterfalls where you can also swim or hide on the rocks and be mystified with the water falling.

Oslob: Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Island

Famous for the whale shark watching, Oslob has been a fast-growing tourist destination for years now. It is located at the south of Cebu and near Negros Oriental.

Tan-awan

There are many resorts on the beach side of Tan-awan. The beach resort where we stayed was Aaron Beach Resort in Baranggay Tan-awan. It has a fascinating view of the sunrise, Sumilon Island and a beachfront. The resort also offered the whale shark watching the tour.

Butanding or Whale Shark Watching

Tourists from all over the country and all over the world flocked thru this site to witness every morning the whale sharks. Before we get to see the whale sharks, there were briefing areas where the tour guides explained the necessary precautions and guidelines for tourist. The local government also protects the butandings welfare.
The tour guides and boatman have their ID’s so we felt secure about the tour.

After which, we rode a boat and lined up with other boats at the viewing area. And alas, we were seeing the gentle giants near us.
We were near the boat that was giving them food. There were so many whale sharks who came, there were 6 of them circling around the boats and swimming people.

If you want to swim with the whale sharks, do not put any lotion and do not to touch them.

Sumilon Island

After which, we went to Sumilon Island. Sumilon Island is privately owned by Bluewaters Sumilon Island. They offered an overnight stay and a day tour with lunch. The resort owner allowed non-guest to experience the sand bar which is the highlight of the island. We opted to just stay at the sand bar for a minimal fee.

We enjoyed the sand, sea and sun. During high tide, the sand bar is covered with water, so it’s best to see Sumilon Island during low tide.

There were no shades and no facilities in the sand bar. Tourist bought with food and water because there were no shops. As a reminder, we should always take our trash with us.

How to get there

It is a three to four-hour drive from Cebu City from the South Terminal. Or a 30-minute boat ride from Dumaguete City to Liloan, then a tricycle ride from Liloan to Oslob.

Other Places in Cebu City Tour

After the historical tour and going to different churches of Cebu City, there are other different places to add in the city tour.

Taoist Temple

The Taoist temple is near the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and is located in one of the private subdivision in Beverly Hills Subdivision. The Taoist temple was built in 1972 by the Chinese community of Cebu.

The Temple of Leah

The temple of Leah was built by Teodorico Adarna for his wife Leah Villa Albino – Adarna. It was built-in 2012 with a Roman architecture edifice in the mountain of Busay, Cebu City. It is located along the Cebu Transcentral Highway. The temple has an art gallery, a museum and a library.

Tops Lookout

It is simply known as “Tops” and is located in Cebu Tops Road in the mountain of Busay, Cebu City. It offers a panoramic view of the whole Cebu City, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City skyline. It is an overlooking park for the surrounding islands and the Cebu waters.

Alta Vista Golf & Country Club

It is located in Pardo Hills in Cebu City, overlooking the town of Talisay Cebu. There is a very good restaurant inside the country club which serves sumptuous food.

Other places to visit

You can also visit Sirao Garden, Sirao Peak and Mountain View Nature’s Park in Busay. Fuente Osmena Circle, Sky Experience Adventure in Crowne Plaza and Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Where to eat

There are so many restaurants in Cebu City, but here’s where I always eat whenever I go to Cebu City.

Larsian

Larsian is a food Barbecue haven and is located at Fuente Osmena in Cebu City.

Rico’s Lechon

This is a recommended place to visit while in Cebu City.

Tops of Cebu

A newly opened restaurant near Tops Lookout.

To know more about Cebu, please check other posts: Malapascua Island Diving Sites Malapascua Island Camotes Islands Bantayan Island in 2009 Revisiting Bantayan Island Why Cebu?

Historical Tour in Cebu City

There are different tour operators in Cebu City offering historical tours. Here’s one of my favorite itinerary. If you want to Do-It-Yourself Tour, you can start by going to the Colon Area.

Historical Tour

Colon Street

One of the oldest hubs in Cebu City and it is the oldest street. The street consists of main heritage sites.

Cathedral Museum and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

You can go to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Cathedral Museum of Cebu where you can see regional Church architecture and artifacts. It is located F. Urdaneta Street. Near the Cathedral is the Sto Nino Basilica.

Basilica Minore del Sto Nino

This is the oldest church and one of the historical sites. You can walk from P. Burgos Street to reach the church.

Magellan’s Cross

Across the Sto Nino Basilica is the famous Magellan’s Cross. It is a Christian cross planted in order of Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in 1521. The cross is housed in a chapel along Magallanes Street in the middle of Plaza Sugbo. Plaza Sugbo also has a different monument for Sergio Osmena and Vicente de Rama.
In front of the city center are the Cebu City Hall and the monument of Jose Rizal along the street of P. Burgos.

Plaza Independencia

Plaza Independencia Statue is a symbol of independence and freedom from all the conquerors that tried to overtake the island of Cebu. The plaza used to be called Plaza de Armas in 1600s.

The Fort San Pedro

It is a military defense structure made of woods which was built by the Spaniards with the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi upon his arrival in Cebu.
The Fort was replaced by stone in the 17th century. The oldest triangular bastion fort in front of Plaza Independencia. There are museums inside the fort which depicts the history of Cebu and the Philippines. There are several canyons along with the fort.

Heritage Monument of Cebu

The Heritage Monument of Cebu is the illustration of sculptures which symbolizes significant events in the history of Cebu. It is located at Mabini Street and Sikatuna Street.

Museums and Ancestral House

Near the Heritage Monuments are other historical sites. Along Zulueta Street across Mabini Street are two museums, the Museo Parian sa Sugbo and the Jesuit House Museum.
Along Mabini Street is the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. One block away from the ancestral house is the newly renovated Casa Gorordo Museum. Another museum which is nearby is the Museo Sugbo or the Cebu Provincial Museum.

Churches in Cebu City

There are so many Catholic churches in Cebu City alone. There are actually nineteen (19) to be exact. For now, here are the different churches that I was able to visit in Cebu City.

The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino Cebu

Santo Nino Basilica or Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebu is the most famous amongst the churches in Cebu City. It was founded in 1565 by the two friars, Andres de Urdaneta and Diego de Herrera. The Santo Nino Basilica is the oldest Roman Catholic church and is the symbol of the birth of Christianity in the Philippines. The famous icon, a statuette of the child Jesus, is where the Basilica was built on the spot where it was found.

There is a convent, a museum and a library inside the church. There are the pilgrim site and the candles offering. The museum is located at the basement of the Pilgrim Center and the library was opened for public in 2000. The Basilica’s main entrance is located at Osmena Street in Cebu City.
The annual Sinulog festival is celebrated in January for the feast of the Sto Nino.

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Another church which is two blocks north of basilica is the Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of Saint Vitalis and of the Immaculate Concepcion, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu. On August 14, 1595, the province of Cebu was established as a diocese. It is also one of the first churches in the Philippines that was built for St. Vitalis and by the two friars that built the Basilica. A mausoleum was built for the final resting place of the remains of the bishops and clergy.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the official patroness of Cebu by virtue of a pontifical declaration decree dated May 9, 2006, issued by the Vatican’s Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. The parish church is located at barangay Guadalupe. It was established on May 1, 1933, and was declared as the Archdiocesan Shrine.

The Redemptorist Church

It is known as the Congregation of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church. The old Chapel and Monastery was blessed and occupied on the 2nd of August 1929. It was built under the direction of Fr. William Byrne, CSsR. The Church was built with the help of the donations of parishioners and was open for mass in the Christmas of 1949. It is located at Queen’s Road, Cebu City.
The Redemptorist Church is the closest to my heart as this was my first church to visit in Cebu. I always booked my hotel near this area and attended mass every time I visit Cebu. There are 15 more to visit. I’ll tick it off the list next time.