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History

The strange case of the missing Chiong sisters

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The Chiong sisters case has been trending in the Philippines’ mainstream media for over 24 years. The case involves the murder of two sisters, which until now remains shrouded in mystery. Two years after the case was opened, seven young men were convicted of the crime.

Although, some things still do not add up.

Over the years, there has been substantial evidence suggesting these men were – or at least one – was not involved. On the other hand, the Chiong family still fights hard for the convicts to remain in prison.

So what happened to the Chiong sisters? Who were the people involved in the crime? Were the steps taken by the justice system justified?

Today, we will give you a brief overview of the Chiong sisters’ case and update you on the current situation. We will also discuss some controversies within the justice system and the families involved in the case.

Cebu City, a humble city found in the Visayas region of the Philippines, became the scene of a crime that would grip the nation

The story of the missing Chiong sisters: Marijoy and Jacqueline

It all started as an ordinary police report regarding Marijoy Chiong, who was 21 years old, and Jacqueline Chiong, who was 23. The Filipino-Chinese sisters were missing. Marijoy had arranged to meet Jacqueline after her shift at a local internet café, the pair were to then hang out at the Ayala Mall in Cebu City. The rest of the family were expecting them to be home by 10pm, but they never returned.

A campaign had begun to find the missing pair. Though, due to their age, the police did not at first take it seriously. It isn’t uncommon for people in their early twenties to be away from home for several days.

But, this case took a turn for the worse when a body was found

The police were contacted by Rudy Lasaga a local of Carcar City. He had found Marijoy’s body at the bottom of a ravine. The body was later taken for autopsy, only to find that Marijoy was gang-raped, and was believed to have still been alive before she was thrown to her death down into the ravine.

However, the body of Jacqueline was never found, even up until this date. The two sisters were last seen on the 16th of July 1997 which people believe is the same day that the sisters were murdered.

Sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong had their lives cut short. The sisters had planned to stay out at the mall one night but never returned. The incident has been shrouded in controversy ever since.

Suspects emerge

Despite little to no evidence, suspects for the case began to emerge. 

This is where one of the key characters in the case comes into play, Pablo Labra II.

Although he was not the chief investigator for the case, he was tasked to look into the case. At the time, Libra was under intense scrutiny from the media and public to find who was responsible for the crime, so he began looking into police records.

Labra developed a list of suspects to be presented to the NBI. He eventually compiled a list of suspects, which he both presented to the NBI, and went onto investigate himself.

The prominent suspect, who gained the medias attention was Francisco Juan Larranaga who goes by the moniker “Paco”. He was known to police due to some fights, one in particular was reported to the police in 1995. This was recorded in a NBI database, which is what would eventually be used to find plausible suspects in the Chiong sisters case.

Paco also had a complaint against him which parallels the Chiong sisters case.

Rochelle Virtucio, a first year high school student of the University of San Carlos-Girls High School made a formal complaint regarding Paco to the school principal. As she was leaving the school with other classmates, a black Honda Civic pulled up beside the group. An individual identified as Paco got out of the car and attempted to kidnap Rochelle, though was unsuccessful.

Having a previous accusation of attempting to kidnap a young woman was not a good look in a case where he hass again been accused of kidnapping. 

Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga had forty-five witnesses including teachers and classmates testify that he was attending a culinary school in Manila during the time of the crime. This was dismissed due to the witnesses being perceived as friends of the accused.

Eventually seven young men were arrested and were set to face court as the accused of the kidnapping, rape, and disposal of Marijoy’s body. 

Paco continued as the face of the accused. His mother was a part of the Osmena family, one of the elite families in Cebu. Although his family was not wealthy, being a part of the Osmena family, as well as his past convictions, made the public perceive him as a rich thug.

Despite the negative attention, Paco was still an asset to the defence. He had the strongest alibi of the group, the defence wanted to present this to illustrate the extent of flaws that can be founded within the case.

This foolproof plan did not work, we will explain why later in the article.

Paco, and the rest of the group were charged with murder. The court then changed the verdict to a death sentence by lethal injection on the 3rd of February 2004. However, the Philippine government abolished that law in 2006, and the lives of the seven guys were spared.

The Scions of Cebu begin their sentence.

Despite the contradicting stories, the group continued to claim they did not formerly know each other until they began their sentences. 

Paco knew of Rowen Adlawan and Josman Aznar, but really had no connection to the pair. There were also the Uy brothers, James Andrew and James Anthony, then Ariel Balansag, Alberto ‘Pahak’ Caño and another local thug by the name of Davidson Rusia.

There had been an ongoing debate in court, newspapers, magazines, and the internet about whether the guys were innocent. Many believe that the justice system was unfair and corrupt, while others stood by the court’s decision that the guys should be imprisoned for life.

What do you believe?

Before you make your decision, let us first discuss the numerous inconsistencies surrounding the case.

Despite being a fformer gang member and convicted felon, Davidson Rusia was used as a state witness to testify against his fellow accused. The controversy continued when Davidson and Thelma Chiong began to see each other, even exchanging gifts despite Davidson making the claim of being involved with the abduction of her daughters.

The first major blow to the case came when one of the accused came forward and confessed to the crimes.

Davidson Rusia took the stand to outline the events leading to the death of the Chiong sisters. Rusia claimed that they snatched the sisters from outside the Ayala Center in Cebu. Forcing them into a car before driving away. He and the other six guys took the girls to a house, where they were raped. They then went and dumped the one body.

He spoke of how Jacqueline managed to break free from the group. But the men got back into the vehicle and begun following her, taunting her from inside the vehicle. The men eventually pulled her back inside, where Rowen beat her until she was unconscious. Later the group made their way back to Ayala Centre in Cebu where Rusia left the group, he claims because of this he did not know the where abouts of Jacqueline.

The Chiong Sister case has a strange turn of events

Rusia had accurately testified of where the body had been dumped, how the sisters had been restrained, and where the pair were abducted from. He also went as far as admitting he had joined in with the rape of the sisters, but did not take a part in the murder.

Despite his sickening recount of the events of that evening, the public still saw Rusia as a hero. He was even granted freedom while the rest of the six remained imprisoned.

Mrs. Chiong went as far as bringing gifts to Rusia after the testimony. Which seemed like a highly unusual gesture to some, as he had just admitted to being a part of the abduction, rape, and murder of her daughters.

Despite the unusual behaviour surrounding the case, many in the public maintained a positive view towards Rusia. Though, this was likely linked to many irrelevant factors. Rusia had lived in the United States, so he was very articulate, with a strong command of the English language. Many also found him attractive, which also began to sway public opinion.

Why did he come forward? Was it because the police offered him immunity, which allowed him to openly tell the story? Or was Rusia forced into his testimony due to some form of manipulation?

Many supporters of the convicted continued to point to inconsistencies in Rusia’s testimony. While Paco and Josman continued to maintain that they did not know Rusia prior to their conviction. It had come out that Rusia had a prior criminal conviction which should have eliminated him from being a witness in the case, but his testimony was upheld.

Rusia also admitted having been tortured by the police. Other detainees within the prison said they had witnessed his torture. But this still changed very little, as there were other witnesses who made statements backing parts of Rusia’s original testimony.

It was later revealed that all the witnesses used by the prosecution had been paid, which raises some very big question about the validity of the entire case.

Throughout the case, Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga maintained his innocence. Despite this, and a plethora of evidence supporting his claim, he was still found guilty of the accusations.

Alternative theories continue to arise

The next theory will be based on the corrupt political landscape rife across Cebu at the time.

Dionisio Chiong was allegedly working for the controversial Cebu businessman Peter LIm, who has been repeatedly accused of being a prominent drug lord in the region.

Mr. Chiong had controlled many drug operations through Mr Lims trucking business, although Mr Chiong was fired from this position. Before the sisters went missing, Mr. Chiong was supposed to act as a witness in a drug case against his former employer. After the daughters went missing, he refused to witness against the unnamed drug lord. It was even alleged that the group of police who arrested Paco, were also employed by Peter Lim as bodyguards.

So, were Dionisio’s daughters’ lives used as a form of threat against him? Did this whole case stem from Peter Lim acting to maintain his freedom?

Some more extreme claims have been made that the sisters may still be alive. Social media detectives have allegedly found pictures of individuals who resemble the missing sisters, although these claims contain very little solid evidence.

The Judge presiding over the case, Martin Ocampo. He was found dead in the Waterfront Hotel, Lapu-Lapu. He was said to have been found with a suicide note saying he did not want to die of old age.

More holes found in the Chiong case

The family and lawyers of Paco could prove that he was in school taking a test on the 16th of July in Manilla. He didn’t travel back to Cebu until the 17th of July, arriving in the evening.

Some teachers and students were willing to take the stand as witnesses. There was even a picture of Paco with his friends going for drinks on the 16th of July, where his friend can confirm they stayed up the whole night drinking.

As mentioned earlier, the defence thought this was their key to freedom from the charges. Although, this confidence later proved to be futile.

In the Philippines, there is no jury. The judge decides the outcome of every case. Unfortunately, the strange behaviour continued with the Judge Martin Ocampo. This hindered this evidence, which favoured the case of the accused.

The Judge gave very little attention to case details, even dosing off at some points. He even went as answering question on behalf of Rusia when Rusia was being cross-examined. The judge, in this case, did not let the school witnesses take the stand, despite many of them being willing to testify in defence of Paco’s claims.

Mrs. Chiong also had power and awarded the policemen who sought justice for her daughter. Cheryl Jimenea, Mrs. Chiong’s sister, worked for, and was close to the president, Joseph Estrada. At this point, the President got involved and pushed for the case by adding more investigators.

More details of the key witness we spoke about earlier, Davidson Rusia began to emerge. This just added to the growing pile of shady behaviour surrounding the case.

Two years later, the judge issued the verdict that the seven boys were guilty and sentenced them to death. The six went to jail, but Rusia was set free.

Mrs. Chiong went ahead to fight for a death row seat, but it was not granted. The news reported that a hotel worker found the judge dead in his hotel room. The death was ruled a suicide. Years later, the justice system changed its verdict to sentence the boy to death row in February 2004. The Spanish government and the UN intervened after Paco’s family pleaded for their help.

The Philippine government abolished the death sentence in 2006. In October 2009, Paco was transferred to Spain to serve the rest of his sentence. He still applies for parole, but he will be 61 by the time he completes his sentence.

The other five were left to serve their sentences in the Philippines. Faeldon approved the parole of four of the guys, but he was later asked to step down by President Rodrigo Duterte. The Chiong family thanked the President, and the convicts were taken back to prison.

Now that you have the case summary, what are your views on the case? Do you think the guys were guilty, or did the justice system let them down?

Click here to read more about the vibrant history of the Philippines.

Destination

History Of Cebus Notorious Colon Street

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Walking down Colon Street is an experience in itself. The Streets filled with shoppers darting in out of the run-down stores lining the road. Vendors fill the sidewalks, calling out to potential customers, hoping to offload some of their goods ranging from cheap electronics to pet animals.

The air is filled with the sound of a distinct style of techno music you would only find in The Philippines, the locals know what I’m talking about. The whole street is dominated by a stream of jeepneys that pass through Colon Street throughout the day, as the street is the main artery running through Cebu Cities commercial district.

Colon Street has a lot more significance in the history of the country than most people seem to realise. The street is actually believed to be the oldest in the country. Its origins have been traced back to the town plan created by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The street was created as a part of the first Spanish settlement in Cebu, the Villa de San Miguel or St. Michael’s Town.

The street was named after Cristóbal Colón – The Spanish translation for Christopher Columbus – the Italian explorer known for his discovery of the “New World”, Christopher Columbus had been sailing for the Spanish monarchy despite his Italian heritage.

The evolution of Colon Street

Colon Street looks a lot different to what it had been back during its humble beginnings. Despite its run-down look plaguing the street these days, it once was the heart of Cebu City’s shopping and business activity. Before the ’90s the street was home to many fashionable shops, offices, and cinemas. Cebuanos would flock to commercial establishments in Colon like Plaza Fair, Gazini Plaza, Rosita’s, and Gaw Trading.

But once we entered the 90’s, the mall culture of America also found its way into The Philippines. Malls such as SM and Ayala began to spring up in other areas of Cebu City. This began to threaten businesses in Colon as shoppers moved towards Malls due to their air conditioning and relaxing ambience.

Colon Street had also been known as being a hub for prostitution. Many short-stay motels began to set up in the area offering cheap rates to for the booming industry. Colon Street is also home to many of Cebus universities. As Colon was previously known as a business hub, many universities were built in the area. These include the University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, University of San Carlos, and the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Colon Street today

Colon Street still manages to attract large crowds on a daily basis. In recent years Colon Street has come back to life due to shoppers looking for cheap merchandise and reasonably priced goods from the many bargain stores. You can find almost anything in Colon, you can also be sure that the price will be a lot cheaper than what you would find in some of Cebus major malls.

Colon is also a crossroads for most of the major jeepney routes in Cebu. You will find it is often clogged with traffic, as the many jeepneys drop off and pick up passengers as they transit through the area. Jeepneys are available almost any time of day or night as Colon is a major hub within Cebu City; you will find even late at night there will still be many jeepneys available near Gaisano Metro Mall.

The street had also developed a bad reputation due to the snatchers in the area. Though some of the cities management have been fighting to shake that reputation. The roving police presence in the area has helped slowly re-establish security in the area, in turn helping to return the areas good reputation.

Recognising the history of Colon

An obelisk detailing Colon’s historical significance stands at its northern end. On either side of the street are markers on lampposts that contain information about the establishments or houses that used to be in the area. After the cities recognition as a site of historical significance in 1999; these markers were put in place to mark the significance of the landmarks.

The street is also connected to the old Chinese district of Cebu, Parian. Parian was where wealthy Filipino-Chinese businessmen used to live and sell their merchandise. The name Parian reportedly comes from “paripari”, which means “to sell or barter”.

Colon Street is a short jeepney ride from the centre of Cebu City. From Osmena Circle you can take a short jeepney ride there or simply take a taxi. It’s one of the most famous landmarks in Cebu, so you should not have trouble making your way there.

Destination

Visiting the Whale Sharks of Oslob

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The islands of the Philippines lure those looking for a taste of both tropical and historical attractions. The municipality of Oslob, found on the island of Cebu, is no exception. Located in the internationally renowned Visayas region of the Philippines, Oslob features picturesque beaches, stunning reefs and an assortment of forests dotted with waterfalls.

But that is not all Oslob has to offer. Recently, the municipality has become a thriving tourist attraction for a different reason. 

Videos have been popping up all over the internet of tourists swimming with whale sharks just off the beaches of Oslob. This has triggered a tourism frenzy in the region. This all began with local fisherman, who figured out that they could lure the sharks to the beach by feeding them a small type of shrimp. Since then the sharks have become a staple attraction for the region, to the extent that the name Oslob has almost become synonymous with the whale sharks.

So, let’s now dig into a bit more about this vibrant region of the Philippines.

Oslobs local fisherman have stopped fishing and turned to tourism, feeding whale sharks tiny amounts of krill to draw them closer to shore so tourists can snorkel or dive with them

Where it all started: Oslob’s History and Landmarks

Despite what it is now, Oslob hasn’t always been the thriving tourist destination it is today. Tucked away in the relatively isolated south side of the island of Cebu, the area has actually been inhabited for a surprisingly long time.

Oslob begun life in 1690 as a visita of Boljoon, which is another municipality in the area. Oslob then went on to become a town in 1844, although, the town was originally named Bolocboloc.

The Spanish colonizers – who had a strong presence on the island of Cebu – changed its name to Toslob; which is a Visayan term meaning “dip” or “soak”. Eventually, they stopped pronouncing the T, and it became simply Oslob.

Oslob is a town rich with Spanish history. You will see their mark throughout the town, mostly by means of their defensive structures and churches throughout the region. A lot of these structures were used to defend against Moro raiders from neighbouring islands.

With a short stroll through the town, you will eventually come across Aragones street. Here you will spot the Cuartel (barracks) made for Spanish soldiers, stationed there to defend the area. It is beautifully constructed, made of thick coral stones, meant to serve as protection from invaders. However, the construction of these barracks was never fully finished, due to Spain giving up the country to the Americans in 1899.

The Cuartel RUins used to house Spanish soldiers stationed in the area. Although it was never finished due to the Americans arriving in the country marking the beginning of the end of Spanish occupation of the Philippines.

Only meters away from the Cuartel is the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. This church, whose construction started in 1830, took 18 years to build and had buttresses and additions added onto it in the following 12 years after it’s construction.

The church was burned down in 1945 as a result of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War 2. The Japanese were using the church to hold Filipino POWs; the fire helped release the Filipino Guerilla fighters being held inside. The Church was eventually restored 10 years later.

Just like the Cuartel, the Church was cut out of coral stone and serves as a meaningful piece of history to the locals and tourists of Oslob.

The third and oldest monument of Oslob is the Baluarte – which is Spanish for watchtower. Built in 1788, this watchtower was made to provide a safe and practical observing platform to assist guards in defending the area.

This highly effective system was successfully used in 1815, as the townspeople of Oslob were able to repel an attack by Moro Raiders. After their successful defence against the attackers, the townspeople, who lived in a settlement in Daanglungsod, decided to move from that townsite to its present location.

Daanglungsod, located 128 kilometres north of Oslob, is actually another popular tourist location on Cebu. While being comprised of mostly historical ruins, is still known for its breathtaking tourist attraction and historical landmarks.

Of course, no Philippine experience would be complete without encountering some magnificent waterfalls, which leads us to Tumalog Falls.

The Baluarte is one of several watchtowers built along the coastline of Oslob and was part of the defense system to protect the town from Moro raiders. 
Tumalog Falls is located close to many of the other attractions found in Oslob.

Experience Tumalog Falls

Tumalog Falls is another attraction in the region which recently begun to gain notoriety, and for good reason. The towering falls, at some points stand as tall as 100 meters, making them the highest in Cebu. Despite the somewhat remote location, the scenic Tumalog Falls has undergone development to enable visitors to experience the site in comfort.

While they are not in Oslob, they are very close to the town, and the easiest way to access them would be renting a bike/scooter to drive there-which costs approximately 200-300 pesos per day. While some may opt for taking a moto-taxi, which costs about 100 pesos per person one way, most people choose to go with the bike, as it is the cheaper option, especially if you wish to go to the other waterfalls. While the other waterfalls are not actually a part of Oslob, they may be worth checking out if you are in the area.

And now onto the main attraction of Oslob:

The Whale Sharks of Oslob

The Whale Sharks – known by the locals as “butanding” or “tuki”- are a magnet for tourism in the region.

It’s not often that tourists have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the largest living fish in the world! Whale sharks can grow up to 18 meters long and can weigh over 15 tons. Their amazing size is not the only thing that makes them a viable tourist attraction.

Surprisingly enough, this shark species is non-aggressive and actually quite friendly towards humans, and while it may approach a human out of curiosity, it will never attack. People have even been recorded riding whale sharks, their docile behaviour makes them very easy to examine for scientific purposes.

The whale shark’s diet mainly consists of krill, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. Which, at first seems strange, until you look at how small their 300 plus teeth actually are. Whale sharks will also feed on larger fish and molusks, they are even known to snack on tuna.

The whale sharks have generated a significant amount of tourism around Oslob, but there is a cost.

Oslob allows visitors to get up and close with the docile whale sharks.

Potential Extinction:

Unfortunately, the whale shark is labelled an endangered species, due to previous overfishing. While fishing or eating whale sharks became illegal in the Philippines in 1998, they are still subject to greater risk in this area, due to tourism.

Scarring and abrasions have been found more commonly on the Whale Sharks from Cebu, and these abrasions can be directly linked to the sharks coming into contact with boats when tourists attempt to feed them, while more serious scarring may occur if they come into contact with their propellers.

Even if it is not the goal of the tourist to feed the shark, the increased amount of whale sharks in the area due to them being routinely fed has been a contributing factor in these unintentional injuries to the sharks. While these injuries may not be immediately lethal, they can increase stress and strain on the whale shark-decreasing it’s lifespan, and facilitate the spread of disease among them.

Also, it has been proven that even touching the whale shark is likely to shorten their lifespan, as it removes the mucous layer on their surface that protects them against infections. There are a number of ways that you can still view the whale-sharks without having the same impact on their species, unfortunately, Oslob is a community that does very little to slow down or stop the damage that tourism is causing.

Getting there:

When flying to the island of Cebu, you will be arriving at Cebu City. Oslob is another 120 km south of the city. To get from Cebu to Oslob you basically have 3 options.

Option 1: Coach bus

The cheapest and most common option for budget travellers, which will cost around 200-300 pesos total(or about $10-$15 US dollars). Remember to check and keep up to date with the often-fluctuating peso-US dollar conversion rates. The trip takes about 3 – 3.5 hours, depending on the number of passengers, traffic, and which bus you take. These buses leave regularly from Cebu Cities south bus terminal.

Option 2: Shared van

This option is a little bit more expensive, $21-$25 per person, but offers a little bit more comfort at the same time. The van will pick you up from your accommodation, or you can find vans at one of several van terminals across Cebu City. It is not uncommon for vans to pick up each passenger personally, but after it is generally an express ride to your destination.

Option 3: Private Transfer

A taxi will generally be your most expensive, and most comfortable option. The total expense of it will depend on if you are travelling alone or with someone else.

Private transfers are quite easy to come by once you reach Cebu city. You can simply ask taxi drivers, hotel staff and they will be able to put you in contact with a driver. If the driver is willing to negotiate you can often get a good price for your ride.

Oslob is an amazing place to experience: historically and scenically, and the whale sharks are a vital part of that experience. If you do decide that you want to see the whale sharks, it is important to be mindful of you potential effect on not only them but on the environment and ecosystem that they will always be a part of.

There has already been evidence of this collateral damage, with certain areas exhibiting more algae, plankton, and krill, causing a decrease in the available sunlight through the ocean surface to other plants and species that require it. Please consider these environmental impacts that you may have if you are thinking about seeing whale sharks up close, and consider some of the viable alternatives that may be better for the species existence.

Destination

Is Cebu safe? Tips and tricks for a comfortable stay in Cebu

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Cebu is one of the more popular islands in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a popular destination for many international visitors due to the vibrant culture and natural beauty that can be found around the island. Its many waterfalls such as Kawasan Falls, the whale sharks of Oslob. Also, the many beautiful islands surrounding the province such as Malapascua and Kalanggaman Island.

Due to many highly publicised murder cases being covered by the media through out the Philippines, a lot of tourists are now beginning to question how safe it is to be a tourist travelling through places like Cebu?

The legitimate dangers within Cebu

I’ll try and assess the question by drawing from my personal experience. I have spent quite a lot of time travelling all across the island. So, I now feel I have a few experiences to draw from.

My assumption would be the biggest concern for tourists is the high profile murders across the Philippines. For me this should be the least of your concerns. A lot of the murders are targeted killings, such as rival gang members, political opponents, business opposition. It is rare for a foreign national to be involved in such incidents.

This is not to say it doesn’t happen. Although it is rare, but foreign nationals have been killed in the Philippines. The common factor in these cases are tourists venturing into known danger zones. This is seen in several high profile cases involving foreign nationals venturing through the southern region of the Philippines. This region is known to be full of bandits looking to hold foreigners for ransom.

For this reason, tourists are strongly advised to avoid the southern region of Mindanao if possible. For Cebu, this is a non-issue, kidnappings of tourists is almost unheard of.

So what should I look out for?

Due to being perceived as being much wealthier than locals. Tourists may face legitimate issues such as being a target of scams, harassment and excessive begging.

Tourists are often scammed when using taxis to tour the city. This can be due to the meter being tampered with, or the driver setting a significantly inflated fixed price.

Pandanon Island is just one of many smaller islands found surrounding Cebu.

 

Here are some helpful tips to avoid being scammed while using public transport.

  • Know roughly what the fare should be. These rates can be found on the LTFRB website.
  • Note the details of the taxi, including the plate number and the details of the driver, which should be on display in the car.
  • Try to use ride sharing services such as Grab, this offers you a fixed price for your journey, which means the drivers can not negotiate the price with you. You can then tip the driver if you feel it is appropriate at the end of the journey.
  • Be ready to say no to drivers if they seem too pushy or generally suspicious, there are plenty of other taxis in Cebu.
Dealing with beggars can also be an issue for tourists.

Cebu has a large homeless population, almost everywhere you go in the city, you will see the less fortunate sleeping out on the street. This often comes with a lot of begging, especially if you stand out as a tourist.

Although it is not a nice sight to see the children out begging on the street, it can be an issue if you decide to give them money. If you are seen doing this by other children, you’ll attract more beggars, who will not take no for an answer. You can quickly have groups of children following you around the streets, persistently asking you for money.

This is why the best course of action is to simply refuse and ignore them, or if you must give money try to do it in a fast and discreet manner.

What about riding the infamous Jeepney?

Throughout my time visiting Cebu, I have spent a lot of time in Jeepneys and have had very few issues with them. They are a popular, cheap means to travel around Cebu City.

My only issue with them relates to comfort, as they can be quite small and cramped when they are full of passengers. On top of this, it can be quite hot inside, as well as smelly due to the passenger area being exposed to the fumes from other vehicles.

Although it is tempting for tourists to ride the iconic means of transport, I would prioritize using other means such as ride-sharing services over Jeepneys. I have heard stories of phones and jewelry being snatched from passengers, as a tourist you may become more of a target, so riding a Jeepney may not be worth the risk.

If you must use the Jeepneys, avoid drawing attention to yourself with flashy clothing and jewelry. Also avoid using devices such as your phone out in the open as these are common targets for thieves who will snatch it directly from your hands.

Cebu has beautiful hidden attractions found throughout the island, such as historical landmarks, hidden beaches and stunning waterfalls.

Unpredictable weather in the Philippines

Another issue often overlooked is the weather in the Philippines. More often than not, the weather is hot, and humid. This may become an issue for tourists walking through Cebu’s famous sites such as the Basilica del Santo Niño or Colon street.

This is why it is important to pack for the climate. Prioritize light, comfortable clothing. As you will be spending a significant amount of time out in hot, humid weather. Water isn’t so much of an issue because it is widely available at tourist attractions across the island.

Cebu is also subject to typhoons between June to November, although typhoons do occur outside of these months. The heavy downpours during this season can bring about another set of risks.

As a lot of the infrastructure around Cebu City is not well maintained, it can be quite dangerous in wet weather. So take caution when walking downstairs, and along footpaths in the wet weather. Also, some of the malls have a tendency to use gloss tiles on their footpaths – which do look nice – but are extremely slippery when they are wet.

So, what are my final thoughts on visiting Cebu?

Cebu is a very beautiful island, which I would not hesitate to recommend tourists to visit. Although, I feel people should be aware that the island does have the potential to be dangerous, though it is nowhere near as dangerous as some other areas of the Visayas.

Tourists should always exercise caution when they are commuting around the island, and be aware of their surroundings and the people they are dealing with.

I know a lot of people like to “stray off the beaten path” when it comes to seeing different cultures. But when it comes to places like Cebu, you can’t go wrong just sticking with visiting the popular tourist spots. The popular spots are generally very safe, enjoyable, and easy to commute to, and from.

Destination

Why you should visit Cebus Taoist Temple this year

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It’s no secret that architecturally detailed structures seem to hold a particular aesthetic value within communities across the world. In an age where design seems to primarily focus on efficiency and functionality, it seems that the more ornate structures have fallen by the wayside – victims of the inevitable constraints of time and budget.

This reality is what makes the exceptions like Cebus Taoist Temple special. The temple – situated in the Beverly Hills subdivision in Lahug – draws its architectural inspiration from the altars and temples of ancient China. Its grounds have been meticulously designed to reflect Taoist thought and philosophy.

The temple sits high up in the mountainous terrain on the outskirts of Cebu City; the highest point of the temple grounds being some 300m above sea level. The Taoist temple was skilfully constructed by followers of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Zi in 1972.

The many different Layers of the grounds reflect the harmony between humans and nature pursued by Taoists. The grounds conform to the pre-existing contours of the land all woven together by the many different stairways.

The primary staircase being comprised of 81 stairs; this is representative of the 81 chapters found in the Taoist scriptures – Lao Zi’s the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing).

The Rituals of Cebus Taoist Temple (What to see at the Temple)

Burning Joss sticks (a form of incense) regardless of any particular sect is an essential element of Taoism. The burning of the Joss stick symbolises the release of your non-physical energy; as represented by the smoke leaving the Joss stick.

Taoists believe that this practice should be carried out regularly as a form of sacrifice; they are releasing and in a way investing their energy into the altar. Devotees attend Cebus Taoist Temple on Wednesdays and Sundays to regularly take part in the practice. They will then have their fortunes read (算命, suanming) by one of the temple’s monks; this is a routine part of Chinese culture.

Unlike the neighbouring Phu Sian Temple, Cebus Taoist temple is open to both worshippers, and non-worshippers from 8 am – 5 pm daily. As you approach the temple, you’ll begin to appreciate the attention to detail involved in the construction of the temple.

You will quickly notice the familiar battlements lining the entrance to the temple. This is part of the temples replica of the Great Wall of China. The temples structures and walkways are then surrounded by beautiful, well-maintained gardens featuring a wishing well, the old bell, a fish pond and a giant green dragon.

It is common for visitors to stroll around the temple enjoying the serene atmosphere of the space. You can then enjoy the scenic views of Cebu City from the comfort of the temples veranda.



Practicing Taoism at Cebus Taoist Temple

A prominent ritual performed by devotees involves praying to the gods to grant a wish. This ceremony is also available to visitors if the Head or the Temple Attendant is present.

Those partaking are first required to wash their hands as a representation of cleanliness. They will then enter the chapel barefoot to begin the steps to receive an answer to their wishes.

First, the partakers must light a Joss Stick, then kneel down holding the Joss Stick with both hands. They must then pray for enlightenment in regards to your problem or wish.

Partakers then hold a pair of little blocks of wood (jiao-bei 筊杯 ) flat side up with both hands.  The blocks being crescent-moon-shaped and flat on one surface and round on the other.

After a prayer to the gods about your question, wish or problem, the wooden blocks are dropped gently to the floor. The answer to your prayer is found according to the position in which the blocks have landed.

  • Shèngjiǎo (聖筊, divine answer): One block flat and another block round indicates “yes”.
  • Nùjiǎo (怒筊, angry answer) also kūjiao (哭筊, crying answer): Both blocks showing the round surfaces is a  ‘no’ answer.
  • Xiàojiǎo (笑筊, laughing answer): Both blocks flat indicate the gods are laughing at the question, this is either because they think you already know the answer to your question, or the answer is obvious.
  • Lìjiǎo (立筊, standing answer): One or both blocks fall but stand erect on the floor means the gods did not understand your question, you should then repeat the process if this is the case.

Once you have received an answer to your prayer, you must kneel down and express your thanks to God and ask for continued blessings within your life.

7 essential facts to keep in mind before visiting the temple

  1. The majority of locals and tourists visit the temple later in the afternoon, so if you want a peaceful visit, it may pay to arrive a little earlier.
  2. The guards and temple attendants are very strict with the time, so keep in my the temple will close at 5 pm.
  3. This is a Taoist Sanctuary of Prayers and Meditation so please observe silence in the areas marked with signage and follow the rules while you are inside Cebu Taoist Temple.
  4. The temple has a spacious parking area at its base; it may pay off to visit in a private vehicle. The temple is inside the Beverly Hills Subdivision, so it is uncommon to find public transport in the area.
  5. The dress code states sleeveless shirts and short pants aren’t allowed if you wish to enter the main worship temple.
  6. Photos of the temple’s altar are prohibited, these areas are marked with signage.
  7. The temple opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm, with no entrance fee.

How do I get to Cebus Taoist Temple?

The easiest way for tourists to visit the temple is by taking a taxi. You must ensure the driver knows you need the taxi for a round trip. Finding a taxi to take you home may be difficult as the temple resides in a private subdivision.

If you find yourself without a taxi, you will either have to wait for another dropping off visitors to the temple or walk down the hill to the main road outside of the subdivision.

Another alternative to getting a taxi is using the Grab app. Grab is a ride share app which operates in a similar manner to Uber. Simply enter your current destination and where you want to go, then wait for your car to arrive.

For locals wishing to visit the temple, bringing your own vehicle is ideal as it avoids the complications of finding public transport in the area.

For those wishing to visit the temple on a budget, you must first take a jeepney (either 17B/17C) to JY Square Mall. From there you can find habal-habal drivers who can drop you off at the temple for a small fee.

To emphasise the point – ensure you ask your drivers to wait. The nearest main road in which you can find alternative public transport is a 5 – 10 minute walk away.

History

The Basilica Del Santo Niño, The Cultural Icon Of Cebu

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The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño (The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child in English) holds deep cultural significance for the people of Cebu due to the Catholic faith held by the majority of Cebuanos. The church represents the introduction of Christianity to the island and in turn the Christianization of The Philippines.

The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño was first constructed in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta. It was built on the very site where the statue of the Sto. Nino de Cebu, a statue depicting the Child Jesus, was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

The church still stands to this day, hundreds of years after the construction of the first structure. Despite this, the church has faced its fair share of setbacks over the years.

Rebuilding The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño

The original structure of the church, made from hardwood, mud and nipa burnt to the ground on November 1, 1568. IN 1605 the construction of the church began, again using hardwood and nipa materials. The construction lead by Fr. Pedro Torres continued up until it was finished in 1626.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the materials used in its construction, the church again burnt down in 1628.

Construction on the church almost began almost immediately. As in 1628 Fr. Juan Medina directed the construction of the church although using stones and bricks as an alternative to the previous materials. This new construction did not last long as issues with the bricks being used began to arise. The bricks began to “melt” when they came in contact with air so construction on the new church was halted.

Thanks to the efforts of Father Provincial Bergano, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio Y Ocampo of Cebu and Juan de Albarran Prior of the Sto. Nino. work on the church once again was underway.

Utilising hewn stone. Fr. Antonio Lopez, the residents of Talisay, and Father Francisco Aballe, together with his parishioners began construction of the church. This work began on February 29, 1735, when Fernándo Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed with hard stone. The church was also to be built on the same site as the previous structures. Construction finally came to an end in 1739.

Significance of The Santo Niño in Cebu

The Santo Niño is a roughly 12-inch high wooden statue of Jesus in his infant form. The statue is believed to have been made in Flanders, Belgium due to its similarities to the Infant Jesus of Prague. The Santo Niño is now considered the oldest religious relic in The Philippines.

The Santo Niño, a representation of Jesus as a black holy child is housed inside the Basilica to this day. The statue is believed to be the same statue given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana back in 1521.

The Santo Niño is now seen as the patron of Cebu. Cebuanos turn to the Santo Niño for strength and guidance within their lives.

When Magellan comes to town

On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons under the command of Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of the king and queen of Spain set sail from San Lucar de Barrameda in search of the Spice Islands. Their journey took them to Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte in the central region of The Philippines.

Magellan took possession of the islands and named it The Philipines after King Philip of Spain. Magellans expedition then moved on towards Cebu. Magellan found the island to be very hospitable, which motivated him to make the island his base for exploration, Christianization and conquest.

King Humabon and Queen Juana of Cebu gave him a warm reception as well as embracing the teachings of Christianity. Magellan gave to Queen Juana a gift during the baptism of King Humabon and his wife Queen Juana on April 14, 1521; this gift is believed to be the statue of the Santo Niño housed in The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño today.

“After dinner the priest and some of the others went ashore to baptize the queen, who came with forty women. We conducted her to the platform, and she was made to sit down upon a cushion, and the other women near her, until the priest should be ready.

She was shown an image of our Lady, a very beautiful wooden child Jesus, and a cross. Thereupon, she was overcome with contrition, and asked for baptism amid her tears. We named her Juana, after the emperors mothers; her daughter, the wife of the prince, Catherina; the queen of Mazua, Lisabeta; and the others, each their distinctive name. Counting men, women, and children, we baptized eight hundred souls.

The queen was young and beautiful, and was entirely covered with a white and black cloth. Her mouth and nails were very red, while on her head she wore a large hat of palm leaves in the manner of a parasol, with a crown about it of the same leaves, like the tiara of the pope; and she never goes any place without such a one. She asked us to give her the little child Jesus to keep in place of her idols; and then she went away.”

As gratitude for their hospitality, Magellan agreed to fight along side King Humabon who was at war with the neighbouring tribe in Mactan island. Magellan was killed in the battle. His men then returned to Spain, which happened to be the expedition which set the record as the first to circumnavigate the earth.

Spain sent another expedition into the South East Asian Region. An Augustinian priest, named Andres Urdaneta, a world-known cosmographer who lived inside the monastic walls of the Augustinian monastery in Mexico along with  Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Basque-Spanish navigator and a governor was summoned to lead the expedition. On November 21, a memorable expedition left Mexico for the Philippines and arrived in Cebu on April 27, 1565.

Cebuanos held suspicion that the Spaniard’s return was about bringing retribution to Magellan’s death, another battle broke out. But heavy artilleries and huge cannons forced the natives to flee to the mountain leaving behind their villages burnt to the ground.

As Spanish soldiers surveyed the debris of the village, a soldier, Juan Camus found an image of the Child Jesus under the pile of ashes unscathed inside a wooden box. The burned wooden box left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition had preserved the Holy Child carving.

The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño in modern times

A replica of the Santo Niño is now found within a side altar at the Basilica; It is enshrined in a glass case adorned with gold and precious stones. Every third Sunday of January, millions will flock to the streets of Cebu in order to celebrate the largest festival of the year.

It is the Sinulog Festival, a colourful celebration in honour of the feast of the Santo Niño, the patron of Cebu. The main attraction of this festival is the street parade which lasts for 9 – 12 hours, with participants coming from different towns and cities across Cebu, occasionally some participants come from a different island.

Even in modern times, the church has continued to face destructive forces. During the last World War, a bomb fell on the church yet the Santo Niño remained intact. The church has also endured various earth quakes, the most significant being in 2013 were the church faced significant damage due to a major earthquake based in Bohol.

he Basilica Complex of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is located in city block bordered by the Osmena Boulevard, D. Jakosalem Street, P. Burgos Street, and the Plaza Sugbo where the Magellan’s Cross is located. The main entrance is on the Osmena Boulevard. Two blocks to the north of the basilica is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It is where the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu seats.

The Basilica currently remains under the care of the Augustinians – The Order of St. Augustine.

Destination

Malapascua My Favourite Hidden Tourist Destination In The Philippines

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Our journey to Malapascua began at Cebus north bus terminal. Malapascua is a small island found just off the north tip of mainland Cebu. To get to the island you need to ride a bus which will take you directly to that point. From there you will need to take a ferry across to the island.

Personally, I spend a lot of time around the major cities in the Philippines; I usually find myself often hopping between Manila and Cebu. When I venture out into the provinces like this, I get the feeling of a somewhat different lifestyle than what I experience in the cities.

It feels nice to leave the 24/7 chaos of the city and experience what the Philippines is like away from the traffic and the high-density living of the beach. The bus ride from Cebu City to the Maya ferry terminal took about 5 hours; although it went quickly as I kept myself busy eating the snacks I brought for the journey.

The bus arrived directly outside the ferry terminal so we could almost directly transfer from the bus to the ferry. We were there with the islands pastor, who was a European man who could speak fluent Cebuano. It wasn’t long until we were on our way to the island.

The boat we were on was too big to get past the reef surrounding the island so to get to the shore we had to transfer all of our luggage to a small fishing boat which would then take us to the shore. I felt a little paranoid throwing all my luggage into such a small boat, but everything made it to the shore, so I was happy.

From there we were on our own. I began to ask locals for directions to the resort I had booked. It seemed like even if the people didn’t know where the resort was, they were still willing to help us because everybody seemed to be giving us completely different directions.

I then asked a boy who looked like he was about 4-5 years old. He just gave the nod and started walking so naturally, I followed him. Minutes later we were standing outside our accommodation; I was surprised the boy even understood me, let alone take us to the resort so quickly.

Now, as for the island itself, it did not take me long to fall in love with the place. The thing about a loaf of tourist destinations in The Philippines is that everybody already knows about them. If you go to El Nido, Boracay you can expect to be surrounded by a hoard of other tourists no matter where you go.

The thing about Malapascua is it is relatively unknown on the world stage. When travel media covers The Philippines the focus is usually on the traditional tourist destinations, so Malapascua is rarely mentioned. Most of the tourists there were either from the dive community or people from other areas of Cebu.  There were almost no other kinds of tourists there.

This meant that we were able to walk around the island, visit its beautiful beaches and most of the time be the only ones there. The island has an active local population, so a lot of the time you could watch fisherman putting out their nets, or you would have the local school kids approaching you to say hi.

The island offers the perfect mix of everything you want as a tourist, picturesque beaches, delicious food and friendly service along with the experience of the traditional way of life outside of the metro area of the major cities.

Malapascua resorts

Malapascua Legend Resort – This resort is the last in a line of resorts found on the main tourist strip on Malapascua. The Malapascua Legend is one of the more regularly recommended resorts as it offers relaxing private rooms surrounding a large central pool, high-quality service from professional staff, as well as breakfast daily in its fully operational restaurant. All of this comes at an affordable price compared to other resorts on the island, which makes the Malapascua Legend the go to resort for tourists on a budget.

Click here for the latest deals and prices for the Malapascua Legend Resort.

Hippocampus Beach Resort – This resort is another one of my favourites on the island. It is one of the mid-range resorts so you have access to the services you would expect from a resort. Daily housekeeping, wifi, hot water, complimentary breakfast as well as a private balcony for each room. For this particular hotel, I would pay the extra money to get a deluxe room. The ocean views, extra space and air conditioning are well worth the extra money.

Click here for the latest deals and prices for the Hippocampus Beach Resort.

Ocean Vida Resort – Although I have never stayed in this resort; from what I have seen and read, this is one of the better resorts on the island. Each room features air conditioning, wifi access as well as a private balcony or terrace. The resort has a fitness centre as well as offering spa and massage. I have dined at the resort’s restaurant and had a fantastic time on all occasions. They offer bean bags down on the beach with a small table for your food. So you can lay back enjoy a meal meters from the water.

Click here for the latest deals and prices for the Ocean Vida Resort.

Malapascua weather

Malapascua is the same as almost every other region of The Philippines, HOT. Pack for a stereotypical tropical island getaway, and you’ll be okay. Sunscreen is essential; I would put on sunscreen every 2-3 hours and still got quite burnt, so ensure you bring a good quality waterproof sunscreen.

There can also be some unexpected downfalls, I have been there on days where I have woken up to a beautiful cloudless day; then an hour or two later the island was hit with heavy rain and some intense winds. So it may be a good idea to bring along a small retractable umbrella.

Malapascua food prices

The food on the island was outstanding quality. If you are dining at one of the resorts you can expect a high-quality meal along with friendly service from all of the staff. Prices at the resorts are a little more expensive than the rest of the island as they are usually hosting the international guests who have come to dive. The prices at the resorts are still reasonable P250 – 400 per dish.

The prices at the resorts are still reasonable despite that, but if you are looking for a meal on a budget, you can find it amongst the local island community. Amongst all the houses there are a lot of smaller restaurants which offer good food at an extremely low price, you will find a lot of the locals dining in at these restaurants with you. They all offer friendly service with meals costing on average P100 – 150 per dish.

Activities and tours on Malapascua

Despite a lot of the visitors to the island being drawn in by the world class dive spots, there is still a lot on offer to those who may not be that way inclined. One of my favourite activities was taking a boat to one of the famous islands close by, Kalanggaman Island. Tour operators sit along the main walkway between the resorts looking for people to join their tours the following morning.

I approached one of the operators on the way home from a restaurant one night. All he asked for was my name and the resort I was staying at. The following morning he came directly to our room and escorted us over to the tour boat. The island itself was breathtaking. It looked like the kind of island you will see on a movie over in the Caribean.

The tour runs for the full day and is well worth the cost. You have plenty of time on the island to swim, explore and take photos. The price also includes lunch while you are there. I would not worry about trying to book anything ahead of time as there are plenty of operators on the island, so you will not struggle to find a spot on one of the boats.

 

Destination

Voyage To Danasan Eco Adventure Park

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My trip to Danasan Eco Adventure Park was initially sparked by a passing recommendation from a friend. Before going all I knew was the park was fun and that I needed to take a bus to Danao; then from there ask somebody to take me to Danasan.

The following morning I was up early, ready to take the bus to Danao. The ride to Danao City was trouble free for us; in just under two hours we had arrived there from Cebu cities north bus terminal. Once in Danao, we were directed towards a group of motorcyclists who would be able to take us to Danasan Eco Adventure Park.

So within minutes of arriving in Danao, we were back on the road heading towards the park. This part of the ride was amazing, to say the least, it was actually one of the highlights of my day. I rarely venture outside of the major cities like Cebu and Manila so this was a relatively new experience for me.

Not long after beginning the ride we were weaving through an unsealed road surround by jungle landscapes. This followed shortly after by views of the mountains, which were dotted with patches of land that had been cleared to grow crops. The views offered by the ride to the park was worth the journey alone.

As we would pass through the villages the kids would run out to us. They would be shouting and waving, trying to greet us as we passed through their little village. It was amazing to see the full spectrum of environments people live in within this country; from the inner city condo to deep in the wilderness, high up in the mountains.

Once we got to the park I was surprised with how big the place looked. It was strange to think such a high-quality park was tucked away in the mountains, hours away from Cebu.

Once you arrive, make your way to the reception area out the front of the main building. From there it is as simple as picking out which single activity or package you want to try. I chose the ATV riding, basically because the pictures made it look the most exciting.

You are then taken in the back on a truck to the location of the activity. You then put on your equipment and then you’re briefed on how to use the motorbikes. After a few photos, we were on our way. Our leader took us through some roads around the property, which was quite fun. 

After a while, we got to an opening which had a loop style track with a hump in the centre. From there we were able to ride freely around the track for quite a while. This bit I loved, we were free to ride the bikes how we wanted, so everybody immediately began racing their ATVs around the track.

The ATV tour was actually quite long. After we finished it was already late in the afternoon. But we were already at Danasan Eco Adventure Park, we had to squeeze in as much as we could while we were there.

So next we chose to do the zip line and horseback riding. It was getting late so it seemed like a good idea to squeeze in activity which features two different experiences.

The zip line was fun, although I do it at so many places across the Philippines so it wasn’t really anything new. The horseback riding was quite fun. It was also my first time on a horse, or even using an animal as a form of transport. It was a nice experience riding through the property on a horse. Although because we were inexperienced we had to have guides leading the horses for us.

By the time we finished the horseback riding the sun was beginning to set. We only had a few minutes until our friend who took us to the park was going to arrive to pick us up; it was time for us to leave Danasan Eco Adventure Park. Even though we only had time for two activities I still had a lot of fun. Plus we still had the fun motorbike ride back through the mountains to do, so I was looking forward to that.

Danasan Eco Adventure Park rates

The activities range anywhere between P380 – 760 per person. It may seem expensive for some but the activities are all very long and engaging experiences, so you do get value for your money. For updates on the adventure and activity rates, please check their official website here. Danasan Eco Adventure Park also offers accommodation packages for their guests. They have a wide range of options to suit all price ranges. For an up to date summary of their rates, view their official website here.

How do I get there?

Danasan Eco Adventure Park offers a shuttle service. They can pick you from Parkmall in Cebu at 6:30 am and take you directly to Danasan (roundtrip for a minimum number of 10pax.) 450 per head (round trip). Alternatively, rides are available from Danao (Nano`s Pizza) at 9:00 am to Danasan (roundtrip) 300 per head (round trip) Transportation will depart from Danasan at around 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Alternatively, you can make your own way there, which requires a little extra work but was quite enjoyable. Buses to Danao are available from the North Bus Terminal in Cebu. Once you arrive in Danao city centre ask around for directions to the Jeepney terminal. There you will find plenty of motorbike riders who will be more than happy to take you up to Danasan. I can’t remember what I paid, but it was actually quite cheap.

 

 

Destination

Is Kawasan Falls A Lost Cause?

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After an hour long motorbike ride through the mountains of Cebu, we were finally at Kawasan falls. My bottom had gone completely numb which amplified my joy of finally reaching our destination. We were dropped off at a car park surrounded by what looked like restaurants or some sort of convenience stores, which caught me by surprise. I had expected Kawasan falls to be a lot more isolated than that.

After chatting with the locals we found out that to get to the falls we needed to walk down a track behind the carpark. We were told that it’s a long walk to get to the falls (it was) so we began walking immediately; by that time it was late afternoon so we wanted to enjoy the falls before it was dark.

The walk along the track was heavenly. After being stuck on the back of that motorbike for so long I really appreciated being able to stretch my legs and enjoy the scenery. Along the side of the track was a stream flowing from the falls. The water was the bluest water I think I have ever seen. It almost didn’t look natural, even up close it still looked extremely blue.

After a long walk along the track, we passed what looked like a small power station operating off the water from the falls. Then, a short way up the track was our destination, Kawasan falls. The unusual part about it was the first thing I saw was not the beautiful scenic waterfall. This is because somebody felt it was necessary to build a hotel right on the falls. Somehow they managed to get approval to develop one of Cebu’s major tourist attractions into a commercial enterprise.

The onslaught of young men trying to sell us stuff on our arrival was overwhelming. The second we walked into the area we were surrounded by young men trying to sell us stuff. I was also being told we had to pay to put our belongings somewhere. I had a waiter asking us what food and drinks we wanted. Another guy was trying to get us to pay for a raft ride. It was just chaos, the complete opposite of what I had hoped for.

It made me feel depressed; I had hoped for a serene environment where I could relax away from city life for a while. But somehow they still managed to transform the serene environment into a method of funneling money out of its visitors. They had developed the entire shoreline of the falls so they almost had a monopoly on the place. If you wanted to put your belongings somewhere you had to pay them to use a table.

I was so frustrated by the situation, I was frantically thinking of how to get out of having to pay for a table to store our belongings. This is when I saw a small bit of land on the far side of the falls where there was no seating in place. It turns out this land, although only meters wide is the only spot around the falls not owned by the hotel.

I immediately pushed through the people trying to sell us a table and got clear of the hotel. I had found my way out of being coerced into paying ridiculous amounts of money just to enjoy the waterfall. Once we sorted out a spot to store our belongings the rest of our experience was really nice. We occasionally had a waiter venture over to us trying to sell us something but besides that, we were now carefree enjoying the beautiful Kawasan falls.

It still frustrates me to think a hotel was allowed to develop on a site like Kawasan falls. I feel like such a beautiful landmark should be left in untouched. Developing the site really takes away from the experience; I think a lot of visitors, like me, are there to relax not waste money on ridiculous things like paying for a table to sit on or paying to sit on a log raft.

I think that will be my first and last visit to Kawasan falls. Although it is a beautiful destination ruined by its commercialisation. The Philippines is full of plenty of other destinations waiting to be explored.

So I won’t dwell on the disappointment of my visit, I’m now onto thinking about what’s next?

 

Destination

Parklane Hotel, The Most Versatile Hotel In Cebu

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Thinking back to a couple of months ago, I was laying in my hotel late one night, looking over google maps. I had to find another hotel to move to, as I was due to check out the following morning. Now, before I pick a hotel I have a figurative checklist I go through in my head to ensure the hotel suits my needs.

For example, the hotel has to be in a central location to different services I use each day. It also has to be in walking distance of good restaurants and public transport.

In the end, I settled on one hotel which really stood out to me, Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

This hotel is situated right in the heart of Cebus business district. The Hotel ticked all the boxes and was also extremely cheap considering what it had to offer.

The first thing that caught my attention was that Parklane hotel was right next to Ayala Mall, one of the biggest malls in Cebu. As we use Ayala regularly, being able to walk there from the hotel was a massive benefit. Previously it took a 10-minute taxi ride to get there; now from Parklane Hotel, it was a 2-minute walk from the lobby.

The rooms themselves are at the level of quality you would expect from a cheap hotel. The rooms are clean, well maintained and had all the features you would expect such as cable television, air-conditioning, daily housekeeping, complimentary tea and coffee etc. Although it’s not a high-end hotel, they provide more than enough to make you feel at home.

At the time I was really focused on using a sauna at least a few times a week. When we were shown our room the porter mentioned to us that the hotel had a sauna in the gym. This got me excited as I had been trying to find a sauna in Cebu. Then I find out that the hotel I had booked contained a sauna.

I went to the sauna the following morning, as I wanted to take advantage of having it available to us. Now in That one area housing the sauna there is a range of facilities available to the guests. On one side you have a Restaurant offering relaxing dining out in the open air. The restaurant overlooks the pool, also available to all guests; then on the opposite side is a seating area where guests can relax.

Then there is the gym, this is open to the general public but is free for Parklane Hotel guests. Having a gym in a hotel isn’t uncommon but this was the first time I had seen it in Cebu. In the back of the gym was the sauna which is where I hung out most of the time. I was walking about 20,000 steps a day in Cebu so I wasn’t too keen on working out on top of that.

For the first day, we missed the breakfast buffet as we woke up too late. This turned out to be a mistake, the following morning we managed to make it down to breakfast on time. I then realized it was probably the best buffet breakfast I had seen a hotel offer.

The range of food there was on another level. They had every style of breakfast you could think of available there. A range of cereals, bakery products, salads, pancakes, meat dishes, fruits. I over ate there almost every morning, it definitely takes a lot of self-control when there’s such a wide variety of food available.

Basically, the Parklane Hotel has a lot to offer at a very reasonable price. It is now one of the few hotels which I check on if I find myself needing to stay in that area again.

If you find yourself venturing over to Cebu City, I would not hesitate to book a stay at Parklane Hotel.