OUR FIRST FAMILY CEBU TRIP AS A JUMPING BOARD TO OUR DINAGAT ISLAND DESTINATION

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

Rested a bit at the airport after we claimed our luggage

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.

MANILA FAMILY TRIP IN PREPARATION FOR CEBU-SURIGAO CITY-DINAGAT ISLAND TRIP

 This is a part of my 10-day family trip (November 16-25, 2024) consisting of Metro Manila, Cebu City, Surigao City and Dinagat Island.  A 4 province trip consisting of Metro Manila, Cebu, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Island

One Palm Tree Villas 1 in Newport City, Pasay City

I have been a resident of Mandaluyong City since 2008, but on January 31, 2024, our family has transferred residence to Albay due to job promotion.   With this family trip, my wife, son and eldest sister were with me.

Bus stop somewhere in Camarines Sur

Our trip started boarding an airconditioned bus heading to Manila for 14 hours.  For November 16 - 18, 2024, we stayed in an AirBnb accommodation at Flairs Towers in Mandaluyong City.

My 4-year old son during our stay at Flairs Towers

What we like with Airbnb accommodation is that we can our own food and it is much cheaper than to eat at the restaurant.  Besides, it is equipped with a refrigerator where we can store our food supplies and the kitchen utensils, kitchen wares, cooking stove, plates and cutleries are also provided.  We even washed our clothes since there is a washing machine available.

The pool at Flairs Towers

Despite our effort to have a swim at the pool, we were not able to do that since our whole days are spent outside for the transactions that we want to accomplish while in Manila.

Captured from our Flairs Towers at 14th Floor

The pool of Flairs Towers at night

Usually, we arrived at the accommodation late in the evening already spending our time for some outside appointments and activities.

My wife and son at the lobby

SM Lightmall is just walking distance from our accommodation

Honestly, being based in Albay, really made us miss the city life as in our new provincial residence life is so simple and there is not even a single shopping mall and everything is almost not accessible like health care since my Amanphil health card can't be used in Legazpi City as no hospital is accredited to the health card provider.

Matthew played alone at Flairs Towers Children's playground

When we arrived in our Airbnb accommodation late at night, we usually allow my son to play first in the children's playground.

I even missed this scenario at Boni MRT Station where we usually pass

I missed this place since almost every week, I passed through this area when I go home to our Mandaluyong residence.  This is just adjacent to SM Light Mall.

We even missed this part of Mandaluyong where we usually jog

While at Dambana ng Ala-ala in Mandaluyong

Burger treat for my sister-in-law, Gimberly and husband Artem in this part of Mandaliyong

SM Megal Mall, one of favorite destinations

My son wanted to stay here to play

With my son still at SM Mega Mall

Kenny Rogers Roasters as our family's choice of fastfood at SM Mega Mall

At Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque

Part of our trip was to visit my mother's remains at Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque on November 18, 2024.  Even when we were still in Mandaluyong, we only go there once a year.  My eldest sister was with us during the visit.

Still at Manila Memorial Park

We arrived at the place around 3:30 P.M. and left the place at 7:20 P.M.  When we were still living in Mandaluyong, we usually stay there for one whole day.

For November 18 - 20, 2024, we stayed at One Palm Tree Villas 1 in Newport City, Pasay City.  It was such a great place, since it is just a walking distance to the airport.

At One Palm Tree Villas with my son and eldest sister

Also with the company of my beloved wife

Such a very relaxing swim with my family

One Palm Tree Villas 1 also offers a comfortable airbnb accommodation.  It is convenient for us since we can cook our food and at the same time we can laundry our clothes.  It has complete amenities of a comfortable home.

My son in his playful mode in our accommodation

Family dinner at the Garden Wing Cafe in Resorts World Hotel

We also tried this and it was worth it

Regardless of flavor, I love to eat muffins

Part of our order

Seemed strange to us but we ordered and eaten this

Resorts World Hotel is just a few blocks away from our accommodation in One Palm Tree Villas 1.  Our evenings there in our airbnb unit was quite magical especially during vibrant evenings for a stroll.

After our dinner at the Garden Wing Cafe, we strolled around in Resorts World Hotel.  We did not enter the casino, since kids are not allowed there.

Part of Resorts World Hotel tour

At Resorts World Hotel

Shops inside Resorts World Hotel

Back to our accommodation late in the evening

At dawn of November 20, 2024, we were already at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for our 3:40 A.M. Cebu Pacific flight to Cebu City.  Watch for my Cebu City tour blog post.