My wife and I at the Magellan's Cross
This trip started when my Manila Trip ended. From Manila we flew to Cebu City just for a short stop heading to Surigao City.
Cebu City is a prosperous port capital which retains landmarks from its 16th-century Spanish colonial past, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino church and triangular Fort San Pedro and other historical landmarks.
Mactan International Airport
While at Mactan International Airport
My son, Matthew at Mactan International Airport
Our Cebu Pacific flight arrived in Cebu City at 5:05 A.M. It was the first time that my wife, son and eldest sister visited the place. But for me, it was my 6th time to be in Cebu City.
Mactan - Mandaue Bridge
Crossing the 2nd Mactan - Mandaue Bridge (Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge)
Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge
Magellan's Cross
It is easy to have a transport service at the airport. We actually hired a van good for 3 hours at P1,800. It will move us around the city with unlimited rides. Our next flight that day is at 11:05 A.M. for Surigao City and we have to go back to the airport for that next flight. The distance from the airport to Magellan's Cross is 13 kilometers.
First tourist destination with my eldest sister
From the airport, we proceed to a restaurant near the Magellan's Cross for our breakfast at around 6:30 A.M. It was too early then that no fastfood is open, so ended up in a small restaurant.
Magellan's Cross symbolizes the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines and the historical convergence of European and indigenous cultures. Planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 upon his arrival in Cebu, the cross is housed in a pavilion and serves as a sacred site for Filipino Catholics, though the original relic is now encased within a tindalo wood casing to preserve it from people who believed it had miraculous powers.
The Magellan's Cross Pavilion external total structure
Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu
After Magellan's Cross, we walked through the main gate of Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino which is barely 5 meters away. There is no entrance fee since it is a place of worship and open to the public for prayers and religious activities, though guards are very strict in the implementation of the dress code.
The dress code when entering Basilica Minore del Sto Nino Cebu
The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu is the home of the original and oldest religious relic in the Philippines in honor to the Holy Child Jesus. It is alternatively known as the Minor Basilica of the Holy Child or simply Santo Nino Basilica, is a minor basilica in Cebu City in the Philippines that was founded in 1565 by Fray Andres de Urdaneta and Fray Diego de Herrera.
Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu
It was unfortunate that in our group of four, I was not allowed to enter it, since I was wearing short pants which violates the church's dress code. That is how strict their dress code is. Matthew was left with me at the Magellan's Cross. No problem, I usually go there when I am in Cebu City for about four times already.
Inside Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino
Still inside Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino Church
Sidedoor to the Parish Office of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino
Cebu City Hall
Cebu City Hall is just facing the Magellan's Cross. I took this photo when my wife and eldest sister were inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu. It is so difficult to take pictures when my son keeps on running around. I was running after him and it was difficult for him to take pictures as he always resist to pose.
Fort San Pedro
Since, it was not opened yet when we arrived here, we waited until 8:00 A.M. We arrived here at 7:29 A.M. This is just 500 meters away from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu.
Fort San Pedro or called in Spanish as Fuerte de San Pedro, is a military defense structure in Cebu City built by the Spanish under the command of Migeul Lopez de Legazpi, first governor of the Captaincy General of the Philippines. It is located in the area now called Plaza Independencia, in the pier area of the city. The original fort was made of wood and built after the arrival of Legazpi and his expedition. In the early 17th century a stone fort was built to repel Muslim raiders. Today's structure dates from 1738 and is the oldest triangular bastion fort in the country. It served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. During the Philippine Revolution at the end of the 19th century, it was attacked and taken by Filipino revolutionaries, who used it as a stronghold.
Just after entering the main gate
Walking along the pathways of the fort made of coral stones
The entrance fees to the fort is for Regular (Adult) - P30. Student and children (7 - 20 years old) for Filipino citizen only - P20 after presenting a valid ID. For senior citizens and PWD has 20% discount - P24 after presenting valid ID.
These are elevated platforms overlooking Plaza Independencia
Cebu - Cordova Link Expressway
The CCLEX or Cebu - Cordova Link Expressway
The Cebu - Cordova Link Expressway, also known as the Cebu -Cordova Bridge and the Third Cebu - Mactan Bridge, is an 8.9 - kilometer toll bridge expressway in Metro Cebu, Philippines. The bridge connects to the South Road Properties in Cebu City in mainland Cebu and Cordova on Mactan island. It was inaugurated on April 27, 2022 for public use.
Back to Mactan International Airport
Flight check-in for Surigao City flight
As early as 10:00 A.M. , our service vehicle drove us back to the airport for our Cebu Pacific flight to Surigao City. We did not have time to have early lunch as we were rushing for the flight check-in.
Boarding for our Cebu Pacific flight for Surigao City
The flight duration from Cebu City to Surigao City is ranges from 55 minutes to 1 hour and it was 58 minutes in my actual record.
This trip was next to our Manila Trip. You can watch the next video in our trip to the beautiful island province of Dinagat.
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