After a short thirty minutes drive from the Mactan International Airport we walked through the glass doors of Radisson Blu Hotel - home for our two days in Cebu. The interior decor of the hotel is soo beautiful right up to it's lift lobbies and corridors. Trust me it gets even better when I get to my room.. We had our international buffet lunch at Feria restaurant (which happened to re-open just a day ago with new selections on its buffet spread so lucky lucky us) and I loveeee the desserts corner. I just died and went to heaven when I bite down on the macarons which they had.. AND their self made ice cream.
After our lunch we were set on a short city tour to understand a little bit more about Cebu's history and culture. During the trip, I've come to realise that when it comes to religious belief - Catholics and Christianity are a majority for most in Philippines.
In Cebu's city centre, this chapel housing the Megallan's Cross has a closely linked history to tell. It goes back in 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to come to the Philippines. As a Portuguese navigator working for the King of Spain in search of spice islands (called the Moluccas islands now), Megellan befriended a native chief while he came to Cebu Island.
As Magellan and hundreds of his native warriors subsequently accept Christianity and baptized together, Megallan planted a cross to signify the important event about the propagation of Roman Catholic faith - that is now housed in a this chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street.
While we enter the chapel, many candle vendors started approaching us and we honestly didn't know what to do haha! We were then told by our guide that with the different colors of candles they have, each represents a different intention of Happiness, Career, Success, Love, and Courage. With a small token of peso, these ladies will chant an earnest prayer with your name whereby you can go forth and make three wishes. Guess what I chose?
 |
| Photographed by KennyKCSim |
 |
| Photographed by KennyKCSim |
3. SUNDAY MASS: BASILICA MINORE DEL SANTO NINO
 |
Photographed by KennyKCSim
. |
As the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino was right next to the Megallan Cross' Chapel and we were there on a Sunday afternoon, we went in to have a short look and experience. Photography is not allowed but we managed to take a few pictures of their on-going mass. Though I'm not familiar to church masses and such, this was an eye opener as it amazes me to see how many people there are, standing out in the open all quiet and listening earnestly to the Father that's holding the session.
4. SKY EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE
 |
Photographed by KennyKCSim
. |
As the sun sets really early in Philippines (about 5.30pm!) we quickly set off to Crown Regency for our evening walk around the tallest building in Cebu. Let me tell you.... the view is AWESOME!!! While it was a little nerve wrecking walking about on a platform with NO barriers (what you see on the picture was the briefing platform before we ventured out)... It was quite fun! It even got to a part whereby we were walking through a glass platform : with all 40 storeys down under your feet in full glory hehe.
We then ventured one storey higher afterwards to test our limit... on the edge coaster!!!! Ally and I were screaming our lungs out in the beginning when the seat tilts up to about 45 degrees - forcing you to take in the landscape of Cebu... (whether you like it or not.) Now this is adrenaline pumping!!!
 |
| Photographed by KennyKCSim |
 |
| And take some breathtaking photos of the twinkling night view of Cebu |
5. HILLTOP DINNER: LANTAW NATIVE FAMILY RESTAURANT (BUSAY)
 |
Photographed by KennyKCSim
. |
Where our dinner setting can't get more romantic. Haha! We had our taste at local Philippine cuisine and they were great! Personally I felt that their dishes are quite similiar to our Chinese cuisine. So everything tastes pretty familiar and we spent our first dinner together.. just getting to know everyone else a little bit better with soft music playing in the background. Cebu is beautiful.
 |
| Photographed by KennyKCSim |
 |
Photographed by KennyKCSim
. |
More about Day 2 next time!
=========================================================
This trip is made possible with special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to
Omy Singapore, Philippines Department of Tourism, and SilkAir.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
