Cebu South and About

I got loads of request to post something about South of Cebu and the kind of activities that they can do, so here it is.

South of Cebu is famous for the following places/activities.

• Oslob: Whaleshark Watching, a close encounter with the gentle giant. Locals call them Butanding.
• Badian: Kawasan Falls, a Gatorade haven and pit stop of Canyoneering.
• Dalaguete: Osmeña Peak, the highest point in Cebu.
• Moalboal (mo-ahl-bo-ahl):
  • Panagsama Beach: Snorkeling, Diving, Sardine Run
  • White Beach (Basdaku), for the beach bum.

Well aside from that, you guys can also do Chasing Waterfalls like Tumalog Falls (near Oslob), Aguinid Falls (Samboan), Dao Falls (Santander), Binalayan Hidden Falls (Samboan), Cambais Falls (Alegria), Bugnawan Falls (Ginatilan) among others and Trekking (Mt. Lanaya, my personal choice).

Mt. Lanaya (I did went to Tumalog Falls and Dao Falls, can’t find my pictures though)

HOW TO GET TO THE SOUTH OF CEBU

1. From Cebu-Mactan International Airport take Mybus (operates from 7AM-9PM) to SM City Cebu Php25.
2. From SM City Cebu ride a jeep #10M or #12L Php7 and ask the driver to let you off South Bus terminal.
3. Ride a CERES bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Oslob, Kawasan, Dalaguete or Moalboal. There are two routes Bato via Barili and Bato via Oslob. Ensure to hop in a bus Bato via Barili if you’re planning to go (Moalboal or Kawasan) and Bato via Oslob for (Dalaguete or Oslob). It will take 2-4 hours depending on traffic conditions. *If going back to City, just head back to where you got off and wait for the bus that says Cebu, it will bring you back to Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Below are the photos of me, my siblings and my friends during the above mentioned activities.

You can ask the boatman guide to take a good pictures for you.Whaleshark Encounter. Photo Credits to my friend @mikeglogger

Canyoneering Activity

Kawasan Falls. Photo Credits to myself and my friend @aleksei_indiana_petrakov

Osmeña Peak during the day and sunset.

So here’s a 1 day quick, packed itinerary on the most visited places.

DATE & TIME	ACTIVITIES	EXPENSES
Day Tour	SOUTH CEBU	ESTIMATED BUDGET
02:30AM	Wake Up (Assuming you’re in Cebu City)
03:00AM	ETD Cebu South Bus Terminal	Php190
06:30AM	ETA Oslob (Whaleshark, 10min briefing; 30mins swimming) /Breakfast	Php500/100
08:00AM	ETD Oslob to Bato	Php60
08:30AM	ETA Bato
09:00AM	ETD Bato	Php90
10:30AM	ETA Badian (Matutinao, Kawasan Falls Starting Point)
11:00AM	Start Canyoneering activity
02:00PM	End Trail in Kawasan Falls
02:30PM	Arrival in Matutinao (20mins walk from Kawasan falls)/Lunch	Php1500
03:00PM	ETD Matutinao to Dalaguete (Osmeña Peak) via habal-habal.
04:00PM	ETA Osmena peak trail head. Pay hiker’s registration fee/Hire guide.	Php20/50
04:30PM	ETA Osmena Peak summit. Photo op, Sunset.
06:00PM	Hike Down
06:30PM	ETD Dalaguete Junction
07:30PM	ETA Dalaguete Junction (pay habal-habal driver)	Php700
08:00PM	ETD to Cebu City	Php110
11:00PM	ETA to Cebu City
Total			Php3320

NOTE:

• ETD (Estimated Time of Departure); ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival).
• Whaleshark Fee Php500 (local); Php1000 (tourist).
• You don’t need to book canyoneering, just head to Matutinao Beach Resort. If you’re a single traveler they normally ask additional Php500, so if you want to save you can just wait a while. After all It’s more fun to have new friends, right?
• Canyoneering Fee include gears, lunch, snacks and transport to registration area.
• If you don’t want to do canyoneering (which I suggest you must, I did it thrice), you can directly walk to Kawasan Falls from Matutinao Bus drop-off for 20mins. Entrance Fee Php20 (local), Php40 (tourist).

If you feel like you can’t achieve the above day tour (which I did) then here’s a 2-day itinerary, because there is always a second option, a second chance, you just have to make it better this time. LOL.

DATE & TIME	ACTIVITIES	EXPENSES
Day 1	SOUTH OF CEBU	ESTIMATED BUDGET
05:00AM	Wake Up (Assuming you’re in Cebu City)
06:00AM	ETD Cebu South Bus Terminal/Breakfast	Php100+/100
09:00AM	ETA Badian (Matutinao, Kawasan Falls Starting Point)
10:00AM	Start Canyoneering activity
01:00PM	End Trail in Kawasan Falls
01:30PM	Arrival in Matutinao (20mins walk from Kawasan falls)/Lunch	Php1500
02:30PM	ETD Matutinao to Dalaguete (Osmeña Peak) via habal-habal.
03:30PM	ETA Osmena peak trail head. Pay hiker’s registration fee/Hire guide.	Php20/50
04:00PM	ETA Osmena Peak summit. Photo op, Sunset.
05:30PM	Hike Down
06:00PM	ETD Dalaguete Junction
07:00PM	ETA Dalaguete Junction (pay habal-habal driver)	Php700
07:30PM	ETD to Oslob	Php100
08:30PM	ETA to Oslob
	Sleeping time (see below WHERE TO STAY)
Day 2	SOUTH OF CEBU	ESTIMATED BUDGET
0530AM	Wake Up (You’re in Oslob)
0600AM	Swimming with Whaleshark, 10min briefing; 30mins swimming)/Breakfast	Php500
0700AM	Chasing Waterfalls (Tumalog Falls) within Oslob area	Php150
0900AM	ETD Oslob to Bato	Php60
0930AM	ETA Bato
1000AM	ETD Bato to Moalboal	Php100+
1130AM	ETA Moalboal proper
1200NN	Panagsama Beach or White Beach Basdaku/Lunch (refer to NOTE below)	Php100/100
0600PM	Back to Cebu;	Php200+
	Camp around or
	Check-in to hostels.
Total			Php3780

NOTE:

• Moalboal is kind of divided into two:
  • Panagsama Beach, where you can snorkel, dive, drink and dine. If you’d like to swim with Sardines (Sardine Run) you can swim  from the shore for about 30m or go to Pescador Island via boat, rent starts at Php1800 depends on how you bargain, you can also merge with other travelers to divide rentals.
  • White Beach (Basdaku), when you’re kind of a beach bum, and that’s me.
• From Moalboal bus stop take tricycle, Php150 or Motorbike (habal-habal), Php100 to Panagsama Beach or White Beach (Basdaku) depending on your activity preference. Entrance fee is on the way Php25.
• If you camp in Basdaku, be a responsible camper by throwing your garbage to proper bins not in the ocean. You need to pay for taking a shower next to the stores Php10.

Some of my pictures in Moalboal White Beach (Basdaku).

WHERE TO STAY

I always prefer the cheapest option, but if you’d like a fancy accommodation they are always right next to the shore. But if you’re in a tight budget then i can suggest the following:

• OSLOB: Sharky Located just few steps away from whaleshark briefing area. They have (a) Shared Room (350/bed/pax); (b) Bongalow Houses (900/room).
• MOALBOAL: Moalboal Backpacker Lodge in Panagsama Beach, prices starts at Php350, they have plenty of options.

And viola! South of Cebu checked! Please comeback soon for I’m about to write North of Cebu Adventure! Thanks for reading, have fun!

August 17, 2017September 24, 2017 by Norman Mirasol

How to DIY Cebu City

Like everywhere else in the Philippines, Cebu’s primary transportation is Jeepney. The only difference is the number on top, which for other people is hard to remember. But I’ll tell you what, each number have their own route. You can see that in the front signage or in the side of the jeepney.

They also have “habal-habal” (motorcycle) “Habal” is a Bisaya term which literally means “the sexual (act) intercourse of animals” but now the meaning has evolved to mean the mode of transportation.

And of course, they have Uber, Grab, Taxi and Tricyle. If still in doubt ask around, their primary dialect is “Bisaya” but almost everyone can speak English, just flash a smile and start asking questions.

TIP: 

• UBER: You can get a free ride worth Php500 valid To or From the Mactan-Cebu International Aiport. Open the Uber app, go to Menu > Payment > Add Promo/Gift Code and enter “VIVACEBU”. It’s valid until August 31, 2017.

• GRAB: Use BESTOFCEBU promo code to have a Php100 off from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to anywhere in the City. It’s valid undil December 31, 2017. You’re welcome! 🙂

The jeepney #17B and habal-habal will be your best friend as mode of transportation if you’d like to DIY your travel to see the below mentioned attractions. *You can also download “Cebu Jeep” app if you’d like to go to a particular place in the city.

Cebu city’s primary attraction includes the following:

• Magellans Cross – *Free
• Basilica del Santo Niño – *Free
• Fort San Pedro – Entrance Fee’s (Regular Php30, Student Php20, Senior Citizens Php24)
• Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House – Entrance Fee Php50
• Taoist Temple – *Free
• Temple of Leah – Entrance Fee Php50
• Tops Lookout – Entrance Fee Php100
• Sirao Flower Farm – Entrance Fee Php20

HOW TO GET TO Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro and Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House.

1. From (IT Park, JY Mall (Gorordo Ave), N. Escario, Pres. Osmeña Blvd or Fuente Osmeña Circle) ride a jeepney #17B and tell the driver to let you off Sto. Niño. (Fare will be amounting from Php7-10 depending on kms traveled).
2. Get off to Sto. Niño and start walking around, both the Magellans Cross and Basilica del Santo Niño are right next to each other so you wouldn’t have a hard time searching for it.
3. About 550m (7 mins walk) from the cross you’ll see Fort San Pedro in Plaza Independencia.
4. About 750m (9 mins walk) from the cross you’ll see Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. You’ll also pass thru different monuments and museums along the way.

Magellan’s Cross: My friend Sui flashing a smile on his first time in Philippines.

Outside/Inside pictures of Basilica Del Santo NinoPhoto Credits to my friend @aleksei_indiana_petrakov

Outside/Inside Pictures of Fort San PedroPhoto Credits to my friend @aleksei_indiana_petrakov

And that’s it, you’re able to see some of Cebu’s historical places in no time.

HOW TO GET TO Taoist Temple

1. From (IT Park, Gorordo Ave, N. Escario, Pres. Osmeña Blvd, Fuente Osmeña Circle or Sto. Niño) ride a jeepney #17B and ask the driver to let you off Sudlon. NOTE: Immediately after you get off jeepney a lot of habal-habal drivers will tell you about Taoist Temple, Temple of Leah, Tops and Sirao so don’t be surprised.
2. Taoist temple is about 1.5km (20 mins walk) from Sudlon. You can also take habal-habal for Php20. NOTE:The Habal-habal driver will drop you off only from the entrance of Beverly Hills since they are not allowed to get in, so start walking to the temple.

Opens from 9AM-5PM.

 HOW TO GET TO Temple of Leah, Tops Lookout and Sirao Flower Farm

1. From the Beverly Hills entrance, Sudlon or JY Mall (few minutes’ walk from Sudlon) there are a lot of habal-habal drivers that would offer such trip.
2. See fare chart below to guide you accordingly. NOTE: They can take only up to 2 passengers. You can still do bargain, but don’t bargain too much they also have families to feed. 🙂
3. After the tour the driver will drop you off in JY Mall.

Attraction/Location	1 Pax (Roundtrip)	2 Pax (Roundtrip)	Entrance Fees	Total Fees (1/2 pax)
Temple of Leah	Php 200	Php 300	Php 50	Php 250 / 350
Temple of Leah + Tops Lookout	Php 300	Php 400	Php 100	Php 450 / 550
Temple of Leah + Tops Lookout + Sirao Flower Farm	Php 500	Php 600	Php 20	Php 670 / 770

Best time to go to Sirao flower farm is during 2nd/3rd quarter of the year.

I guess you’re a bit hungry after this day trip, so here’s WHERE TO EAT.

• For sure you heard Cebu is famous for Lechon? That’s right! They have plenty of restaurants like (Rico’s Lechon, Lechon Belly, Zubuchon, House of Lechon etc.,) I personally like Rico’s Lechon and Lechon Belly. From (IT Park, JY Mall (Gorordo Ave), N. Escario, Pres. Osmeña Blvd or Fuente Osmeña Circle) take #17B jeepney and head over to Bivo Place, The Maxwell, Escario Central Mall or Acacia st respectively.
• Want some French kind of dinner (Pizza + Pasta + Wine) with a romantic set-up? Then head over to “La Vie Paressiene” & “La Maison Rose” about 500m (6 mins walk from JY Mall). Price ranges from Php250-up. Not bad if you’re in a group right?
• How about something local BBQ? Head over to Larsian BBQ. From (IT Park, JY Mall (Gorordo Ave), N. Escario or Pres. Osmeña Blvd) you can ride #17B jeepney and get off Fuente Osmeña Circle. On your right at the back of BDO Bank.
• Maybe you’re looking for variety of food around the world to satisfy your cravings? Then head over to Sugbu Mercado in IT Park. Opens only from Thu-Sun (6PM-1AM). Use #17B or 17D jeepney.

And there you go, a day full of activities within Cebu city! Just on top of mind computation you spent Php874. Yes, that includes everything, if you followed instructions correctly. This will also vary on food selections or how hungry you were. 🙂

Maybe you’re tired and need some place to stay, so here’s  WHERE TO STAY.

There’s a lot of Hotel around the city so you will not have a hard time to locate one. But if you’re in a tight budget then i can suggest “Hey Fellas Guesthouse”.

• Located near the City center, you can ride 03B Jeepney from Fuente Osmena Circle and ask the driver to let you off Planters Bank. It’s on the st on your right. They have (a) Air conditioned Room (350/bed/pax); (b) Fan Room (250/bed/pax). You can contact them via 09166465789.
• Or if you can’t really find a place, i can adopt you as long as I’m in the city. Just message me. 🙂

NOTE: For groups around 4-10 persons, you can also rent a car/van for tours, normally from 4-8 hours, that would cost around Php2800-3500. You can also bargain in here.

All the people have preferences on what they’d like to do. So, here are the places/activities that you might also want to consider:

• Crown Regency Activities – Entrance Fee Php250 + Php250 (each activity)
• Simala Parish Church – *Free
• 10,000 Roses Café – Entrance Fee Php20

HOW TO GET TO Crown Regency 

1. You can take 17B, 17D, 06B, 06C or 15 jeepney’s, depending on where you are coming from. It’s located in the City Center (Fuente Osmeña Circle).
2. Activities includes Skywalk Extreme, Edge Coaster and Tower Zip.

I did tried Skaywalk Extreme and Edge Coaster.

HOW TO GET TO Simala Parish Church

1. You can take a bus or van from South Bus Terminal in Cebu city. South bus terminal is near Elizabeth Mall (N. Bacalso Ave).
2. From Simala drop-off point, you can either take tricycle or habal-habal for Php20.
3. Travel time normally takes 2 and half hour until drop-off point while tricycle/habal-habal is around 10-15 minutes. 

Some of the photographic spot outside the church.

HOW TO GET TO 10,000 Roses Cafe

1. You can either hire an uber/grab/taxi that will surely cost you more or take V-hire and trisikad for Php50.
2. Take V-hire from SM Cebu city to Cordova. Ask the driver to drop you off at Gaisano Grand Cordova or Terminal. *(If you’re in Guadalupe, N. Escario or Ayala, you can take 06H to SM Cebu city or if you’re in Ayala puv terminal you can ride 03Q) .
3. Take a trisikad from Gaisano Mall/Terminal to 10,000 Roses Café for Php10. NOTE: Don’t fall for trisikad drivers who will ask for more since it’s only Php10, but if you’re generous enough then for sure he’ll be thankful.

Photo taken during their soft opening. Ideal to go on weekdays, they’re open from 10AM-11PM. It’s also nice during the evening. If you’re hungry after taking tons of pictures there’s Lantaw Floating Native restaurant nearby.

And there you have it, the must see places in Cebu City is now completed. Say Hi! if you have any further questions, I’d be very happy to answer those.

Stay tuned for next update about South and North of Cebu on my next post. Thanks for reading.

August 5, 2017December 27, 2017 by Norman Mirasol

The Journey Begins Now

 

This is my attempt of writing a blog. I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just introduce myself. 😛

You can call me Norms, Normie, Normy, Norm, Normsey, Normancito, Normanchito, NormStorm, Nono, Normaid (Merman?), None, Normanovic, Normand, Norminator, Normando, Normad, Normilicius whatever you like. Everyone loves to give me different nickname, take your pick or create a unique one.

I’m an easy going person who can get along with any kind of people and culture. I am very open minded and like to try a bit of everything in my life. I love to travel and meet new friends and exchange experiences, eat, sing karaoke, watch series, chill at the beach, hike, party with friends and I like to be alone sometimes.

I easily go along with people, but always get too emotional when they left. Gonna miss them. If you’d really like to know more about me, ask my friends whatever you want. I think everyone will draw their on conclusion of me. And of course you can always ask me.

This blog will be all about my travels, people that I’ve meet, happy memories, a requested information and maybe anything that will be interesting to share.

So this is it for now, gotta think of the next blog that i can post, probably one of my previous travel or how to DIY Cebu City. Stay tuned and thanks for checking this page.

July 27, 2017September 24, 2017 by Norman Mirasol