[ General Information ][ Some Do's and Don't's ][ Some Points of Interest ][ Fiestas / Festival ]
[ How to get around ][ Shopping ][ Entertainment ][ Eating Out ][ Business Contacts ]

Quick Facts

Population/language:
Cebu Province has a total population of around 3 million. Cebuano is the native tongue. English and Tagalog are commonly understood and spoken.

Weather:
Cebu is best from December to May when the weather turns dry. It is coolest from December to February, hottest from March to May. Temperature can rise higher than 100F in the summer. The rainy season begins in July bringing torrential downpours that would sometimes inhibit movement.

Philippine Time:
Philippine standard time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime.

Dress/What to Bring:
Wear naturalfibre, lightweight clothing. You'll feel more comfortable. Bring shorts, hat sunglasses, bathing suit, insect repellent, flashlight, sun block cream, tough shoes for walking, rubber slippers for the beach. Pack tissue paper in your purse as public toilets almost never have any.
The Barong Tagalog is acceptable formal wear for men. Shorts or sleeveless shirts should never be worn when visiting churches, mosques or temples.

Electrical Appliances:
Most areas in Cebu are supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles. A plug with 2 flat parallel prongs is the norm.

Money:
The Philippine currency is peso, divided into 100 centavos. Next to the peso, the US dollar enjoys wide acceptance. Most foreign currencies can easily be changed at banks, hotels, and authorized dealers. Foreign currency is not readily taken by the establishments in Cebu. Major foreign credit cards may be accepted only at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins.

Business Hours:
Banks - 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday; government agencies and offices - 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; private firms - 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12noon Saturday; Shops - 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Most department stores stay open on Sundays and holidays.

Tipping:
Bellhops expect a tip, as do waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, beauticians, and porters. Most hotels and restaurants add 10% service charge on top of the government tax. Tipping 5 15% of the bill appropriate if no service charge is included. P5 to P10 for bellboys, porters and like.

Public Transport:
Getting around Cebu one may take a colorful jeepney or a bus at a minimal fare Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are popular in outlaying areas and in the suburbs, quiet notably within Mactan Island. Taxicabs are widely available.

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General Information

Often called the "Queen City of the South" and the Seat of Christianity in the Philippines, Cebu is the country's oldest city. Exploring Cebu City, one encounters a rich historic past. Cebuanos are extremely proud of their cultural and historical heritage, a legacy which has endured thru the centuries from the time the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan first planted the cross on Cebu's shore.

Time has been kind to Cebu. From Zubu, the fishing village and busy trading port in 1521 has evolved a highly urbanized metropolitan center which now serves as focal point of growth and development in Southern Philippines. With its five cities; Cebu, Danao, Lapulapu Mandaue and Toledo; and its 48 smaller towns, Cebu. has more than kept pace with the nation's progress. Today ' the island province leads in traditional and non-traditional exports and has the highest economic growth rate anywhere in the country. Likewise, recent indications pointed out that Cebu has become the country's most favorite tourist destination.

In contrast to the bustling metropolis, the rest of Cebu's 167 islets and islands are lined with idyllic white sandy beaches and pristine clear waters. Cebu. has gained wide popularity for its fantastic diving grounds evidenced by the proliferation of resorts which offer luxurious accommodations, excellent dive facilities and the services of competent dive masters and dive guides.

Cebu's strategic location makes it ideal for those who wish to travel to the other islands and provinces. By plane, boat or bus, nowhere could be too far from CEBU.

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Some Do's and Don't's

IN PHILIPPINE SOCIETY

The most important initial step in efforts of gaining insights about the local resident is to understand him in his own setting. The following are just some general statements intended to help you in your behavior in the local community:

• Avoid wearing sandals when attending special occasions in the local community - wearing shoes is a sign that the event is important to you
• Do invite people at least three times. Local residents are taught that it is proper to refuse the first time or two. To them, insistence is a clear sign that the offer or invitations is genuine.
• Do give the local residents a way out of the situation so he can save face, thus avoiding embarrassment. Embarrassing him will cause "hiya" or loss of face.
• Don't use the common sign of OK In the local community, it means money. You may use the new sign OK. This is the thumbs- up sign which has been commonly seen on television.
• Don't use your forefinger upward to call a local resident-it is considered somewhat degrading. One way of calling is to beckon with the hand in gentle downward motion. Pssst is another popular way to get someone's attention. As a rule however, it is preferred to call the person by name. It is even better to use nicknames, because these are reserved for close friends.
• Smiling is a form of friendship and a form of greeting.
• Do show respect for age - use the proper appellations for elders and relations. Find out right away what appellations are used in the family.

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Some Points of Interest

JUMALON'S MUSEUM - is the home of a lepido mosaic art collection so called because of it utilizes butterfly wings as its medium. The museum is located at the residence of Professor Julian Jurnalon at Basak Elementary School side road.

COLON STREET - the oldest street in the Philippines named after the renowned explorer 'Cristobal Colon' a.k.a. Christopher Columbus is the heart of 'downtown' Cebu City. A glittering city by night lined with moviehouses, department stores and other establishment.

FUENTE OSMENA - is a fountain honoring Cebu's favorite son, the late President Sergio Osmena, Sr. . It is one of city's most famous landmarks dominating the uptown area where commercial and banking establishments have proliferated.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS MUSEUM - with a fine collection of antique ceramicware in archeological diggings in various parts of the country. It also presents samples of flora and fauna in the country and in Cebu particularly.

CHAPEL OF THE LAST SUPPER - 250 year old life-size replica of the Lord Jesus with His 12 Apostles seated for the last Supper.

MAGELLANS MARKER - Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan in the effort to spread the faith. Before he could reach the shore he was killed in kneedeep waters by Lapulapu, the chieftain of Mactan Island, and his men in a battle of supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. The marker stands on that fateful battle ground in Mactan Island.

MOALBOAL - located 89 kms. southwest of Cebu City. It offers modestly priced cottages for rent, white sandy beaches. A popular diving area having one of the best coral formations in the country. Scuba diving facilities are available.

THE TOPS - Situated high on top of cool Busay Hills is an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Cottages are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties. Only 15 minutes ride from Cebu City's Lahug area.

IMAGE OF SANTO NINO DE CEBU - considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines and Cebu's patron, given as a baptismal gift by Magellan to Queen Juana on April 14, 1521. Today the image is enshrined at the Basilica Minions del Santo Niflo. Everyday, a constant line of devotees flies through to kiss the image and offer prayers.

SAN MIGUEL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX - the biggest glass factory, brewery, CocaCola and Agro Industrial Complex outside Metro Manila.

MACTAN EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE - is the country's largest export processing zone with companies producing goods and items exclusively for export.

MACTAN BEACHES - Famous worldwide for its beautiful white sand beaches and pristine clear waters, for an exceptional vacation experience. Mactan beach resorts offer superb accommodation facilities, scuba diving, wind surfing, boating and other aqua sports.

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Fiestas/Festivals

SINULOG
Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January, is Cebu's biggest and most popular. The feast is in honor of the holy image Senor Santo Nino de Cebu. Fiesta Senor as it widely known, is the most celebrated among Cebu's festivals where people converge along the route of a grand solemn procession and partake in the gaiety amidst a mardigras parade immersed in vivid colors and the constant drums of the Pit Senor

PASKUHAN
A Christmas celebration of songs and lantern making held during the month of December spread good cheers to local residents and visitors alike.

KADAUGAN SA MACTAN
A one day re-enactment celebrated with pomp and pageantry every 27th of April to commemorate the historic Battle of Mactan between the forces of Lapulapu and Magellan.

VIRGIN OF THE RULE FIESTA
Held to honor the patroness of Opon on Nov. 20-21, this religious and social event reveals the deep religious faith of the people and the penchant for merry making. A food fair, a procession and a coronation of the Fiesta Queen highlight the festivity.

SEMANA SANTA SA BANTAYAN
A unique mixture of solemn religious rites and local celebration highlights the Holy Week activities in Bantayan Island. The normally quiet island is visited by relatives and friends of the residents, as well as tourists to experience the scenic rites and to cool off the summer heat in the beautiful white sandy beaches and clear tropical waters.

FIESTA SA CARCAR
Is celebrated on November 24-25 in honor of the town's patron. St. Catherine of Alexandria Carcar town is noted for Its old Spanish style houses in the quiet countryside setting. During fiestas, the residents would invite friends, relatives and town visitors into their homes to taste popular local delicacies. A lively and enjoyable event.

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How to Get Around

 

Getting Around by land
Jeepney (fixed routes)	rub elbows with the locals on the famous Filipino commuter vehicle; for city trips.
tartanilla (horse-drawn cart)	clippety-clop, clippety-clop; get a feel of how Cebuanos got around in times past.
taxi (with meter)	ideal for really going around, seeing the sights; flag down P10 non-aircon, P16 aircon, succeeding fare P1.00.

Getting Around by Sea
banca
(motorized outrigger) for island-hopping

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Shopping

DEPARTMENT STORES / COMMERCIAL CENTERS

Abacus Mall & Mango Plaza Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City Ayala Carter Cebu Archbishop Reyes Ave. Tel. Nos. 231534212315301 Century Plaza Complex Juana Osmena St., Cebu City Cherry Court Gen. Maxilorn Ave., Cebu City Enricke - SM City Tel. No. 2321441 Enricke - Ayala Tel. No. 2316211 Fairmart - Cebu Colon St., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 61751161737 Gaisano Main Colon St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2546391 Gaisano Metro Colon St., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 62259/91716 Gaisano Country Mall Banilad, Cebu City . Tel. No. 2311481 Gaw Colon Colon St., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 74594/79755

Gazini Plaza 107 Colon St., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 97526/99775 GC Pavilion Gorordo Ave., Cebu City Robinson's Department Store Fuente Osmena, Cebu City Tel. Nos. 54551/154553 Robinson's (Basement), Fuente Osmena, Cebu City Rivergate Mall Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cabu City Rosita's Colon Colon cor. D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City Tel. No. 91590 Rosita's Fuente Fuente Osmena, Cebu City Tel. No. 2534943 Rustan's Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 2540711 12545475 SM - Cebu North Reclamation Area Tel. No. 2314696 White Gold Reclamation Area, Cebu City Tel. No. 72281

HANDICRAFT / GIFT SHOP

Artevalman Handicraft Market Bakilid, Mandaue City Tel. No. 23460644 Cebu Display Canter Magallanes St., Cebu City Tel. No. 52223 Filipino Hands M.C. Briones St., Highway Mandaue City . Tel. No. 2344945 Hamicrafters A. Abellana, Cebu City Tel. No. 2544749 Remember Cebu A.C. Cortes Ave., Mandaue City Tel. No. 81663 Island Souvenirs Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City Tel. No. 3462760 Jewel of the Sea STC Campus, Gen. Maxilom Ave. Cebu City . Tel. No. 78431

Ligne Filipina Trading Banilad, Cebu City Lilang's Guitars lapu-Lapu City Narda's Handicrafts Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City Tel. No. 70251 Susing's Guitar Lapu-Lapu City Tesoro's Mktg. Corp. River ate Comm'I Complex Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cabu City Tel. No. 2538582 PUBLIC MARKETS Carbon Market Briones and Calderon St., Cebu City Mandaue Market V. Ceniza St., Mandaue City Ramos Market F. Ramos St., Cebu City Taboan Market Tres de Abril, Cebu City

MUSEUM

Fort San Pedro Regional National Museum Plaza Independencia Santo Nino Basilica Museum Magallanes St., Cebu City Tel. No. 97668 Cebu Archdiocesan Museum Mabini St., Cebu City Tel. No. 76931 Case Gorordo Museum Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City Tel. No. 94576 USC Main General Museum P. del Rosario St., Cebu City Tel. No. 72419 Cebu State College Museum Osmena Blvd., Cebu City Tel. No. 2539611 Southwestern University Museum Urgello Private Road Tel. No. 2536500

CAP Don Sergio Memorabilia and Art Gallery Osmena Blvd Cebu City Tel. No. 2536519 Rizal Memorial and library Museum Osmena Blvd., Cebu Cl Tel. Nos. 54997/2541109 St. Theresa's College Museum R. Aboitiz St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2536337 University of Southern Philippines Museum Lahug, Cebu City & Tel. No. 79015 University of Son Carlos Biological Museum Talamban Cebu City Tel. No. 95023 Jumalon Museum, Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery Basak, Cebu City Tel. No. 91029

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Entertainment

DAYTIME PLEASURES

GOLF Cebu Country Club Banilad, Cebu City Tel. Nos. 749011/749051/74813 Club Filipino Danao City, Cebu SCUBA DIVING Aquaventure Dive Shop Unit 2, Mercedes Commercial, Amado Cortez Ave., Mandaue City Tel. No. 84565 Club Kontiki Maribago, Lapu-lapu City, Mactan Island Tel. No. 3400310 Jaspo 21 Co. Phils., Inc. c/o Hadsan Beach Resort, Buyong Beach Maribago, Lapu-lapu City Joy Marine Sports c/o Cebu Plaza Hotel Ocean Field Marine Sports Facilities& Services, Ltd. Maribago, Lapu-lapu W Mactan Island Tel. No. 3461187

Phil. Commission on Sports and Scuba Diving c/o PTA 3rd Floor, GMC Plaza Bidg. Legaspi Ext., Cebu City Tel. No. 2534308 Saavedra Diving Carrier Panagsama Beach Moalboal, Cebu Seven Seas Aquenaut Phils., Corp. c/o Cebu Club Pacific Shemberg Marketing (M/Y Queen Mary) 131 E Gonzales St., Cebu City Triple S Divers Buyong Beach, Maribago, Lapu-lapu City TENNIS Casino Espanol do Collie V. Ranudo St., Cebu City Tel. No. 78254 Super Courts Polotadium Juana Osmena St., Cebu City Tel. No. 92116 VECO Tennis Club Banilad, Cebu City Tel. No. 75446

NIGHTTIME PLEASURES

DISCOS Bai Disco Cebu Plaza Hotel Tel. No. 2311231 Balls Sportsbar, Theater lounge & Discotheque Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City Inner Circle Reclamation Area, Cebu City Motion Disco Centrepoint Hotels International Osmena Blvd. cor. Plaridel St. Cebu City Point After Disco Ranudo St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2539070 MUSIC BARS City Lights Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City

PUBS & BARS Alibi Park Place Hotel, Fuente Osmena, Cebu City Tel. No. 2531131 Bachelors, Too 160 E Ramos St., Cebu City Tel. No. 94871 Bar Cane, Montebello Villa Hotel Tel Nos. 85021 to 29 Cities Music lounge Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City Tel. No. 54562 Club Amigo Cebu Plaza Hotel Tel. No. 2311231 Pub 24 St. Gothard's, Fulton St., Lahug, Cebit City St. Moritz Pub & Bar Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City Tel. Nos. 94371 to 74 The Barn Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City

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Eating Out

ESTABLISHMENTS (Accredited)

FILIPINO Chikaan so Cebu Juana Osmena St., Cebu City Tel . No. 253-6221 Golden Cowrie Restaurant Cor. Salinas and La Guardia Lahug, Cebu City Tel. No. 92633 Lantaw Gardens Cebu Flan, Nivel Hills Lahug, Cebu City Lighthouse Restaurant Gen. Maxilorn Ave., Cebu City Tel. No. 78126 Lighthouse Restaurant Inc. Gaisano Countrymall Bldg. Banilad, Cebu City Tel. No. 231-2478 Royal Concourse Gourmet Mall Gorordo Ave., Cebu City Tel. No. 3465345 Seafood City Restaurant J.Y. Square, Salinas St. Lahug, Cebu City Tel. No. 253-3795 INTERNATIONAL Cafe Adriatico 171 F. Ramos St., Cebu City Tel. No. 253-0405

GERMAN Cafe Baden Baden Raintree Mall, F. Ramos St. Cebu City Tel. No. 254-9621 CONTINENTAL Chateau do Busay Lower Busay Hills, Lahug, Cebu City Tel. No. 231-2000 Pards Cebu plaza Hotel, Nivel Hills Lahug, Cebu City Cafe Tartanilia Cebu Plaza Hotel, Nivel Hills Lahug, Cebu City CHINESE Grand Majestic Convention City Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City Tel. No 232-1103 JAPANESE Mikado Japanese Restaurant SM City Reclamation Area, Cebu City Tel. No. 232-0702 Sakura Japanese Restaurant M. Gotianuy St., Cebu City Tel. No. 253-3280

ESTABLISHMENTS (Non-accredited)

FILIPINO Cafe Laguna Wilson, Lahug, Cebu City Tel. No. 231-3553 Crab House Seafood Banilad, Cebu City Tel. No. 99995 Nang Damasa's Restaurant 2nd Floor, Raintree Mall F. Ramos St., Cebu City Tel. No. 254-9664 Patio isabel Old Banilad Rd., Cebu City Tel. 231-6075 Marina Seafood & Restaurant Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City Tel. No. 232-4390

CONTINENTAL Cafe Sebastian Osmena Blvd., Cebu City Tel. No. 253-7659 Ranudo Cafe & Restaurant 110 V. Ranudo St., Cebu City Tel. No. 253-9070 Baseline Juana Osmena. Cebu City Tel. No. 253-5417 CHINESE Cebu Family Choice Restaurant 110 Gorordo Ave., Cebu City Tel. 231-1859 Golden Dragon Firepot Garden Archbishop Reyes cor. Tojong Sts. Cebu City Tel. No. 231-5964

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Business Contacts

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Natividad Centrum, D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2534855 BUREAU OF CUSTOMS M.C. Briones St., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 71838 / 72927 BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION M.C. Briones St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2534339 CEBU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 11 and 13th Avenue N. Reclamation Area Cebu City Tel. No. 232-1421124 CENTRAL BANK OF THE PHIL. cor. Osmena Blvd. & P. Del Rosario St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2545036 CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE Magallanes St., Cebu City Tel. No. 92916 CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY Osmena Blvd., Cebu City Tel. No. 2536609 DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES Banilad, Cebu City Tel. No. 3460661 DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM 3/F GMC Plaza Bldg., Legaspi Ext., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 61873 / 2542811

DEPT. OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Don Julio Liorente St., Cebu City Tel. No. 2536793 DEPT. OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY Osmena Blvd., Cebu City Tel. No. 54474 EUROPEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 104 Centro Maximo Bkdg., cor. V Ranudo & D. Jakosalem Sts., Cebu City Tel. No. 2533389 JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Room 303, Machay Bkdg., Gorordo Ave., Cebu City Tel. No. 2310563 LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City Tel. Nos. 253233412530754 MACTAN EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE Lapu-lapu City Tel. No. 3400594 PHIL. PORTS AUTHORITY Reclamation Area, Cebu City Tel. No. 96281/70815 PHIL. TOURISM AUTHORITY 3/F GMC Plaza Bkdg., Legaspi Ext., Cebu City Tel. No. 2533532 , 72620 (Fort San Pedro) PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE Capitol Bkdg., Cebu City Tel. No. 2536070 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Tel. No. 253533712536987

Last updated : 06/03/01 1654hrs