Itz Cebu: cebu city

Showing posts with label cebu city. Show all posts

Stand up Cebu, Stand up Philippines

It was 1990 when I first experienced the devastation, a typhoon can bring to an Island. Typhoon Ruping (Mike) rampaged through the entire Cebu province leaving many lives lost and a lot of people without homes. Electricity was out and people had to scour for water, endure long lines, a stampede at times, and the heat of the sun for a few buckets of water from neighbors and establishments who can afford generators. It took some time before the government was able to act and re-install broken electricity lines, fallen electricity posts and remove the trees that were victims of the Typhoon.

When Yolanda (Haiyan) came, Cebu City was not as affected but it opened the eyes of the Government Officials as their neglect and lack of coordination was broadcasted by several international news crew. Politicians as they were, they are still proud of themselves and for our neighboring countries to learn how corrupt our government is does not only bring shame to the current public officials but also would greatly affect their future candidacy and endeavors. The many lives lost, was a mere result of the lack of coordination and preparedness. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned about the super typhoon but this was brushed off and neglected, the National Government left the preparation to the local government who can only do enough. We are but grateful to the individuals and other countries who went out of their ways to help the Filipino people

Yolanda opened the eyes of not only Filipinos but also the people of the world, this is why when Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) came, the officials became overly prepared, which is a good thing. Perhaps they are hoping to redeem themselves to clean up the tarnish brought about by the Yolanda aftermath, who knows? But if you come to think of it, after Yolanda, other countries were able to organized a relief effort in just a few days, yet their efforts got wasted because up until now, donations given to the Filipino people has not yet been disseminated to where is it supposedly intended. There are news about rotting donations, piled up and were never distributed. But then again Filipinos are forgiving people, we often tend to forget the bad things done to us with just a little tickle here and little shower of affection there.

Despite all that though, no matter what the situation of our country is in, we, individual Filipinos should learn to stand on our own feet because help may not come on time.

For my fellow Filipino people, especially to those that are current victims of Typhoon Ruby, the lyrics of this Song, fits perfectly:

"Stand"

Don’t give up,

You’re gonna see tomorrow

That you’ll be on your feet again

Sometimes the world’s gonna knock you over

But you will see who are your friends

Come on, stand, up again

Come on, stand,

Stand, you’re gonna run again

Your faith and patience will be your soldiers

To guide you through your troubled times

Just put one foot in front of the other

The battles are inside your mind

You have the power to face your demons

No matter how they go at time

And rid yourself of your fear and weakness

So you can start to live your life

Come on, stand, up again

Come on, stand,

Stand, you’re gonna run again

Come on, stand, up again

Come on, stand,

Stand, you’re gonna run again

Pick up your will

And put on your face

If you need to, just take my hand

It’s time to demonstrate, don’t hesitate

Just get up and say "Yes, I can"

Stand, up again

Come on, stand,

Stand, you’re gonna run again

Stand, up again

Come on, stand,

Stand, you’re gonna run again

Taste of Cebu: Cebuano Famous Viands

A race is often identified with the food that they make and eat. As a saying goes "You are what you eat"

Filipinos are generally food lovers. Meals are served for breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks, dinner, even midnight snacks and for some, anytime of the day.

There are several delicacies Cebuanos are famous for nationwide and most probably known worldwide as well. The following are just few examples of Cebuano delectable cuisines and food products:

Zubuchon and Carcar Lechon

image from cebu tourism

Anthony Bourdain, an American chef and famous author of Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly hailed Zubuchon's Lechon (Roasted Whole Pig) as one of the best and tastiest roasted pig. One can find several outlets of Zubuchon within the City.

When in Carcar, however, you can find the famous original Cebu lechon at the back of the Carcar public market, there will be a lot of small stalls that offer you a taste of this famous roasted pig.

Carcar Chicharon

image from iluvcebu

Craving for some fried pork rinds? Carcar's chicharon is one of the best if not the best there is.

There are several brands to choose from but all of them really taste good. It is ideal that one should buy them when they are freshly cooked and all you need is just a small bowl of vinegar and you are solved.

Bantayan Island's Boneless Dried Fish

For those whose taste are more eccentric, when in Bantayan Island, aside from strolling around the famous white sand beaches of theirs, one should sample it's famous boneless dried fish, that is, if your nose is up to it. Although many would resent the smell of any dried fish, once you have tasted this dip it with vinegar and accompanied with rice, it would be like heaven. You can also add fried ripe tomatoes to the fried dried fish as it's juice blends well with the oils. Another way to prepare it is add it as the meat ingredient to your "utan bisaya" or Visayan native vegetable soup.

Chorizo de Cebu

image from familyeatsandtravels

One famous street food in Cebu is barbecue and if you see a barbecue grill anywhere, chances are you will find the famous Chorizo de Cebu on a stick.

Chorizo de Cebu differs from other chorizos made like in Mexico or Spain, it is one of the legacies left by the Spanish to Cebuanos although chorizo de Cebu is reminiscent that of the Mexican style chorizo.

Utan Bisaya

image from Tamgu Grill

There are different ways to cook Utan Bisaya but it's main ingredients are Moringana Olifera, yellow squash, eggplant and Okra or lady's fingers which is the main ingredient that gives the soup it sticky feel.

To cook this, just boil water. Add in the necessary spices like pepper, then onions, tomatoes, salt. Once it is already boiling add in the squash or those ingredients that take a while to cook first then just before turning the heat off, add in the moringana, just be careful not to overcook the vegetables.

Puso or Hanging Rice

As everyone know, rice is the staple food of the Filipinos but Cebuanos are well known for it's hanging rice. A variety of Ketupat but instead of using palm leaves, Puso is made using young coconut leaves. the leaves are then woven in an intricate pattern that forms like a heart, thus the name puso or heart , rice is placed inside and then boiled until cooked. It is then hanged to avoid spoilage. You will see puso in every barbecue stands as well as carinderias throughout the entire island. Puso is the best option when going to beaches as compared to the regular cooked rice.

So if you plan on exploring Cebu, might as well try some of our dishes and who knows, you might crave for more...

Cebu City: Fuente Osmeña Cebu

If you look at the front side of an older version of a Philippine Fifty Peso Bill you will find at the right side a symbol of a fountain. This fountain is actually one of the infamous trademark of Cebu and is found at the heart of Osmeña Boulevard roundabout.

History:

Fuente Osmeña Circle was built around 1912 in time of the inauguration of Cebu's waterway system.

The design of the circle, which was proposed by William E. Parsons, then customs head of Cebu and a great contributor of Philippine Architecture during the commonwealth era, is actually patterned to that of Paris' Arc de Triomphe but instead of the arc, a fountain was in place probably to symbolize of the success of the waterways. Parson's plan did not fully realized since he planned for a six diagonal avenues and in the center would be the Cebu Provincial Capitol which is where the Fuente is now located.

Memorabilia:

image from wikimedia.org

The name, Fuente Osmeña, means Osmeña Fountain which commemorates the 2nd Philippine Commonwealth President, Sergio Osmeña Sr., the Grand Old Man of Cebu since he was the oldest president at 65. Osmeña served the country from 1944-1946, in time of World War II and closely worked with the Americans just before USA granted the Philippine independence in July 4, 1946.

The circle is named as such to celebrate the life of the first ever Visayan President of the Philippines and his countless achievements as a Cebuano leader.

Present Times:

image from cebubloggers.com

Fuente Osmeña Circle has become the center of activities especially during Sinulog and Christmas. During Sinulog, a lot of activities are held inside the circle, like the crowning of Miss Cebu, and around the Fuente Osmeña Circle especially that the parade will pass through the upper left street of the circle going to Colon and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

image from tumblr

During Christmas, one will be in awe upon seeing a giant christmas tree built inside the circle courtesy of M. Lhuiller, well known jewelry and pawnshop tycoon in the country. The christmas tree is mostly made out of native and recycled materials and every year the design of the christmas tree changes. There are also giant lanterns displayed within the circle grounds, several barbecue and street food stands and nightly activities.

image from cebulive.com

During regular days, one can see joggers and practitioners of tai chi occupy the circle early in the morning, there are also people who would come to the circle to just sit down and have their siesta in the afternoon while others use the circle as meeting place for friends and even general assembly for rallies. At one point during the 80's, the fountain ground was even used as a skating rink.

Advice for the tourists:

Fuente Osmeña is open to everyone and anyone, there are no charges or fees if you want to visit the place however just be careful with your belongings, although crime seldom happens at the circle, one can never be too careful when in a public place.

Cebu City: Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

Housing the oldest religious icon for the Roman Catholics in the entire Philippines, Sto. Niño de Cebu, is the church called Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. The church was commisioned by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a spanish conquestador, and was built around the 16th century. The first church was made out of nipa palms, a typical Filipino house roof, woods which could be Mahogany, Tindalo or Ipil since these kind of tree are very abundant in the Philippines, and some earth or soil. The present church also includes, a museum that depict the history of Christianity in the Philippines, a library that contains religious books and others, the Magellan's Cross, house in an octagonal shape, gazebo like chapel that can be found at the right side or the exit side of the Church. And of course the latest addition, the Pilgrim Center.

The Holy Child

image care of wikipedia

Sto. Niño de Cebu is believed to be a gift from Ferdinand Magellan, a portuguese explorer who came to the Philippines on 1521, to Hara Humamay who was later baptized as a christian and named Queen Juana. This is depicted during the feast of Sto. Niño de Cebu , Sinulog, specifically the Sinulog-Base category.

Local legends states that the statue came from the sea and brought abundant fish harvest. The statue was once denounced but "Bathala", a Filipino pre-hispanic supreme being, protected it and gave it special powers so that the image will protect the people whenever a calamity or catastrophe stikes the island.

Magellan's Cross

image care of wikipedia

One could no longer see the original cross brought by Ferdinand Magellan as it is encased in Tindalo wood for various reasons, one of course is to prevent it from rotting out and two, to protect it from devotees who believes that the cross is very miraculous that they chip off pieces of it.

The cross was planted in Cebu to symbolize the propagation of Christianity in the Philippines.

The ceiling of the gazebo that houses the cross is painted with the actual events that transpired during the planting of the cross in the island.

The Center for Pilgrimage

image care of wikipedia

To accommodate the ever growing number of devotees, the pilgrim center was built during 1990. This is located directly in front of the church.

Masses are held at the pilgrim center during Fridays, Sundays and special celebrations since most devotees would go to church that time.

October 15 Earthquake Aftermath

Disclaimer: image from social media site

The 7.2 Magnitude earthquake left a lot of devastated devotees and ruined the basilica's bell tower as well some of it's walls that the church was deemed not safe to enter until City Engineers would give a go signal. But this did not deter the devotees from believing the power of the holy child.

After the earthquake and when the City Engineers gave a go signal to enter the church grounds, devotees flocked the church to hear the mass which was held at the pilgrim center.

2015 Sinulog Schedule:

December 01 – January 31, 2015 : Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Blvd.

December 27, 2014 – January 24, 2015 : Sinulog 2014 Photo Exhibit at SM City Cebu

December 30, 2014 (Tuesday) : Sinulog Fun Run5:00 AM : Elimination Sinulog 2015 Dance Crew

January 8, 2015 (Thursday) Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus4:00 AM : Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña4:30 AM : Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño5:30 AM : Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2015

January 9, 2015 (Friday) 2015 Kick Off
10:00 AM : Sinulog Trade Fair at SM City Cebu by Department of Trade and Industry2:00 PM : Solemn Mass (Basilica del Santo Niño)3:00 PM : Launching Parade (Basilica del Santo Niño to CCSC)7:00 PM : Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña8:00 PM : Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)9:00 PM : Street Party Bands

January 10, 2015 (Saturday) Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan
1:00 PM : Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center2:00 PM : Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan at Cebu City Sports Center6:30 PM : Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)

January 11, 2015 (Sunday) Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan
4:00 PM : Cebu City 2015 Marathon1:00 PM : Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center2:00 PM : Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan at Cebu City Sports Center6:00 PM : Grand Finals of Sinulog Choral Competition6:30 PM : Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)8:00 PM : Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña)9:00 PM : Concert at the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 12, 2015 (Monday)6:30 PM : Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)8:00 PM : Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña)9:00 PM : Concert at the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 13, 2015 (Tuesday)6:30 PM : Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)8:00 PM : Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña)9:00 PM : Concert at the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 14, 2015 (Wednesday)9:00 AM : Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)6:30 PM : Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)7:00 PM : Ms. Cebu 2015 Coronation Night

January 15, 2015 (Thursday)Sinulog 2015 Idol Grand FinalsSinulog Festival Queen Runway Competition and Photoshoot

January 16, 2015 (Friday) Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)
4:00 AM Sinulog 2015 Dance Crew FinalsSinulog Festival Queen 2015 Coronation Night

January 17, 2015 (Saturday)6:00 AM : Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of the Sto. Niño9:00 AM : Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Bsilica del Santo Niño2:00 PM : Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño7:00 PM : Sinulog Fireworks Competition at SM City Cebu7:00 PM : Street Party at Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia

January 18, 2015 (Sunday) Sinulog Grand Parade
4:00 AM : Mañanita Mass at Basilica del Sto. Niño6:00 AM : Pontifical Mass with His Eminence Jose S. Palma8:00 AM : Holy Mass at Cebu City Sports Center9:00 AM : Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off7:00 PM : Grand Finale and Grand Fireworks at Cebu City Sports Center7:30 PM : Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña9:00 PM : Pyrospectacular Show (Pyromusical Show at SM City Cebu)5:00 PM – 2:00 AM : Concert Series sa Sugbo at SRP Grounds12:00 MN : Sinulog Fireworks at SRP

January 19, 2015 (Monday) Awarding Ceremonies at Cebu City Sports Center

January 23, 2015 (Friday) “HUBO”

January 24, 2015 : Judging of Finalists Short Film/Video Documentary ContestSinulog 2014 Photo Contest Winners Exhibit

January 31, 20151:00 PM : Judging of Finalists Sinulog Short Film Festival at SM City Cebu6:00 PM : Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest, Short Film andVideo Documentary Contest at SM City Cebu

January 31, 2015 – February 8, 2015Photo Exhibit “Winning Photos Sinulog 2014” at SM City Cebu

Cebu City: Sinulog Festival

Cebu's vibrant festival is called SINULOG from the local dialect "sulog" which means wave or sea current movement. The festival is called as such because of the dance patterns done by candle vendors in Sr. Sto Nino de Cebu church. Whenever there is a patron buying their candles, these candle vendors would make a prayer offering by dancing and waving the bought candles in front of the church. The dance steps is called sinulog because of it's pattern which simulates the movement of the sea current.

The firt ever provincial wide Sinulog parade was held in 1981 under then Mayor Florentino Solon and from then on sinulog is celebrated yearly every third Sunday of the month of January.

Today, Sinulog has evolved into a long event rather than just a one day street parade due to separation of it's religious influences and of course the spirit of mardigras. The festival start early December with the Sinulog Street Fair, you can already see vendors putting up their small stalls in goverment allowed spaces near Abellana National Highschool in Osmeña Blvd. They would sell nearly almost anything and everything, mostly products made from the Philippines and among other things. These vendors will stay until the end of January.

image from sunstar

Whilst the Street Fair goes on, the Sinulog Fun Run will then commence around December 30th. Runners usually follow the would be route of the Sinulog Parade. A lot have joined this event, some would even dress up for the occassion.

There would then be the Opening Salvo with the assembly at Fuente Osmeña circle, prayer rally from the circle to the basilica then the installation of Hermana & Hermano Mayores, this is the start of the religious part of the festival wherein the church delegates two representatives for the year's Sinulog celebration.

Afterwhich the sinulog Kick off would then start. At this time, Miss Cebu, the oldest running beauty pageant in Cebu will commence but will have a different coronation date.

There are more activities that would happen everyday until the actual Sinulog parade such as Sinulog sa Kabataan wherein the participants of the parade are students from different Primary Schools within the City and as well as the entire province. Before, students actually joined the actual parade but since then the Sinulog committee have separated them and they have their own parade on a different date. This is to give more attention to the participants of the elementary division.

image from dinno sandoval's flickr page

Then there is also the festival queen since every participant of the Sinulog Parade always has a woman bringing the image of Sto. Niño as the leader of the team, the Sinulog committee decided to give honor to them as well and every year, these queens will showcase their Sinulog dance abilities with their adorable and colorful gowns that depicts the spirit of Sinulog as they wow the crowd with their smile and their beauty.

image from skyscrapercity

But there is more, the most awaited activities are the Fluvial procession. This happens in Mandaue City wherein the image of Sto Niño will be paraded in a beautifully adorned shipping vessel. This happens early in the morning, a day before the Grand Parade.

During the grand parade the street dancing competition is divided into different categories:

The Sinulog Base, which depicts the history of how Sto. Niño came to Cebu. The dance is depicted usually with how the Spanish introduced Christianity to the country through King Humabon and Queen Juana.

The free interpretation usually depicts how Sto. Niño saves a village from disasters and calamities depicted either in usually large animals like a bird trying to destroy the village's crops.

One can pretty much tell which is the Sinulog Base and the Free Interpretation participants through their costumes. The Sinulog-Based often has the spanish feel in their costumes since they are depicting the coming of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines whilst the Free Interpretation participants often have the muslim feel in their costumes although lately, it also has a modern feel as well. One thing is common though, the lavish costumes livens up the street route.

Apart from that, lavish floats adorned with flowers and muses such as the one in the picture also joins in and from time to time local and national celebrities can be found riding the floats. Giants, made out of paper mache, foam and cloth are also visible as part of the Grand Parade.

The entire event will end with a lavish firework display and the the street will be filled with people dancing ang walking and of course merry making...

Advice to the tourist:

Sinulog is one of the biggest festivals in the entire Philippines, hotels and inns are often fully booked as early as December some avid tourist would even book for the next year in advance. So if one is planning on being part of this activity, might as well make sure that you have a roof in you head before coming to Cebu but not to worry, Cebu government have enticed several hotel moguls to invest and a lot of hotels have sprouted since then.

2015 Sinulog Schedule: