Oct 28, 2015
The Benevolent Cebu City
Location 
: Cebu City, Philippines
Frequent Destination
Arriving Cebu in June after 9 continuous months of backpacking Southeast Asia, I've returned to a place I keep coming back to - no matter if I thought I have seen the last of it after my last departure. I'd been here 5 months now. Cebu is special. Like Bangkok, Saigon, and Cambodia, it's a destination I will keep returning to. I am full of eager anticipation to what it offers next time around.
Jeanne 
Yoga Teacher
With my deepening friendship with Jeanne, I find home at the Dragonfly Yoga Studio. It remains a privilege I am grateful for - specially with Jeanne's remark, "You are my house guest for life". That is both sweet and touching. She's not one to rave and banner-up the good she's done - and she's done a lot of good to a lot of people. I'm sure that even without my knowing it, she's behind some of the wonderful things that "spontaneously" happen my way. Some people are lucky because they win the lottery. Me? I'm lucky to be enjoying her friendship. I wonder what I have done to deserve such kindness.
Metz
A place is made colorful by the special people you cross paths with. Metz has been the surprise curve-ball that came my way. From a passing acquaintance, we have developed a comfort level with one another. As fiercely independent as we both are, we seem to complement each other like two sides of one coin (or so I would like to think). We're not yet into finishing each other's sentence, but I can take refuge in her orbit. Together, we discover places, events and things happening in and around Cebu. Of course, we also discover a lot about ourselves in the process. Let's just say with her around, Cebu gets to be more colorful. But just like everything else, this getting-to-know-you is a continuous work-in-progress.
Yoga
Cebu is a place where I deepen my yoga practice. I didn't know anyone when I first arrived here. But thanks to Jeanne and the strings she pulled for me, I met the yogis and yoginis within Cebu's yoga community. Through my repeat visits to Cebu, I have sojourned into teaching at various yoga studios, gyms and centers. Now, I keep Studio 108 as a mainstay with occasional guest-teaching at Love Yoga World and Asana + Movement. My yoga evolves, and so does my teaching. It has now become an amalgamation of yogic tradition, life experience and transformation - not exactly the beaten path most studios offer. It's conservative to say that my brand of yoga is not for everyone. Students should find the teacher they can resonate with - it doesn't have to be me.
Culinary Pursuits
I haven't had a kitchen since I chose to be homeless 5 years ago. With my stay in Cebu now, using Jeanne's kitchen, I seem to dabble back into my culinary pursuits - making homemade peanut butter using better ingredients (eg. using Anchor Butter instead of cheap cooking oil, honey instead of sugar, etc.), granola energy bars, barbeque sauce mix, crepe or french toast for breakfast, or even the Swiss Rosti with smoked salmon. Some of them have come out so good, I even got commissioned to make them in batches. As a cyber-monk, I blaze the trail with my laptop as my ammunition of choice. In the kitchen however, I come equipped with my spatula, whisk and grater.
Abundance
Unlike most of my travels where I hover just above the poverty level (still, by choice), Cebu offers abundance to a point money comes in to fill-in the gaps created by increased expenditure - in fine cafes, trendy restaurants and glitzy events. I remember in Vientiane, Laos, I salivated over roasted duck I could not afford - not even on a side-street. Here in Cebu, I remain amazed that I end up savoring privileged food in fine restaurants with well-heeled folks and wash it down with fine wine. I find myself participating in engaging events and meeting interestingly animated people along the way. For a guy with no money or connections, how is that even possible? But it happens...more frequently than what coincidental odds might dictate. Again, I feel the presence of this unseen hand that has always looked after my well-being, of course, as what Joe Cocker would say, "with a little help from my firends".
Ending Thoughts
It's good for me to think I'm on borrowed time in Cebu. This gives me a sense of urgency to do whatever I came here to accomplish. Honestly, I don't even know what it is, but I try to clear my table in the most expeditious way to make room for new possibilities. As I connect these dots, the big picture will. at some point, reveal itself. In the meantime, I remain thankful for all the benevolence of Cebu and from the kindness of the wonderful people she keeps.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Blogs about Insight on Cebu
- The Benevolent Cebu City Oct 28, 2015
- Thank You Cebu, til the Next Time Oct 21, 2013 - May 15, 2014
- Hiatus Feb 22, 2014
- Abundance in Cebu (Part 2) Feb 11, 2014
- Crossroads Jan 20, 2014
- Abundance in Cebu July 19, 2012
- Cyber Monk May 19, 2012
More on Cebu City:
About Cebu City
- Cebu City is the 2nd biggest city in the Philippine (next to Manila) - and it continues to build and expand. Traffic is getting bad. Decentralization is being developed with the SM Super Mall in the SRP south and the suburban towns in the north.
- Boat from the airport to the city center - even without traffic, it takes about 4 rides to reach the city. But with Cebu's increasing traffic congestion, it has become a nightmare. Instead of taking the land route, take the water route - no traffic, fresher air and cheaper. From the airport, take the yellow multi-cab straight to the river port and take the ferry (there's only one destination) to the city. Take the 02B jeep and get off at UC near Jones - you're now on the city's main artery.
- given its size and increasing congestion, Cebu really needs a mass railway system - something that is conspicuously lacking, but no one seems to complain about
- Cebu is bursting at the seams on the yoga scene. There are about 20 yoga centers in the city - from yoga studios to gyms offering yoga and hotels jumping on the bandwagon
- a trendy and safe place in Cebu where you can chillout for coffee and enjoy good eats would be at the Ayala Mall
- there are other pocket-areas for trendy hangouts - Banila Town Center, Crossroads, Escario Plaza, La Vie, etc.
- the tourist area where most of the budget hotels and restaurants are, are located within the Mango area, although it has a seedy belly feel. Kids may swarm on you pretending to be begging, but they could be picking your pocket or your backpack pockets - be careful
- many pick-pockets in the Colon area - be careful
Cebu City Google Map
Cebu City, Philippines
tourist attractions
Tops - hilltop offering panoramic view of the city
Taoist Temple - temple on a hillslope in Lahug with panoramic view of the city
hotel
Hostel Seven Cebu - newly opened, resto/bar, central location, solo/group travellers
Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City
S Hotel & Residences - new hotel, luxury rooms, central location
827 M. Velez corner Andres Abellana St.
resto / cafe / bar
Fujinoya - new and refreshing twists to Western style desserts using Japanese techniques
Wilson St., Lahug, Cebu City - tel. 888.6075
Bad Boys Wingz - Buffalo Wings, unique versions of sauces! Great service, accommodating staff, bad boys vibe
Kasambagan, Cebu City | (032) 415 4811
yoga
Love Yoga World - yoga studio
11/fl, Skyrise 2 Tower, IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Yoga Now - first Yoga and Wellness studio in Mactan offering daily Yoga Classes
at The Yacht Club Mactan
mountain biking
Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure - MTB tours, bike sales and repairs. Bed and Breakfast + Resto Cafe + wifi
1298-b V.Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City | 0942.959.7451
Cebu City to Camotes Island
Cebu City to Camotes Islands
- via Poro - from Pier One in Cebu City, take the Ocean Jet for Poro, 2 hours, daily trip - 6am and 3pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).
- via Consuelo - from Cebu City, take the northbound bus passing through Danao and get off at the Danao Port. At the Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).
Camotes Islands to Cebu City
- Poro - Cebu City (fastest and most direct) - go to Poro and take the 8am or 5pm Ocean Jet to Pier One in Cebu City, P380/pax/aircon, 2 hours
- Consuelo - Danao - Cebu City - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only). From Danao, take the Ceres Bus to Cebu City
Cebu City to Dumaguete
Cebu City to Dumaguete by Boat
- George and Peter Lines - Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun 10pm, (035)225.4337, 0922.557.1023
- Oceanjet - via Tagbilaran, daily 6am, dumticketing@oceanjet.net, 0918.898.2188
- Cokaliong - Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 12pm, 6 hours, (035)225.3599
Cebu City to Dumaguete via Liloan (bus, boat, jeep, tricycle)
- Cebu City South Terminal - take the southbound Ceres bus to Liloan, P200, 5 hours
- Liloan - the bus drops you off at the Liloan Port where you board the Fastcraft to Sibulan, Negros Oriental, P62, 30 mins
- Sibulan - at the Sibulan Port, the jeeps wait for Fastcraft passengers to take them to the public market in Dumaguete, P12, 30 mins.
- Public Market - at the market, you can take any tricycle to your hotel, P8 for short trips
Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol
Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol
- Weesam Express - Pier 4, departs 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 2 hours
one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200 - Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs 6-7-8-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-4:20-6:35PM, 2 hours
Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300 - SuperCat (2GO) - Pier 1, departs 08:15-13:30-15:10-18:00-19:40
P 500.00
+63 32 233 7000 - Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs daily 12:30pm, 10:00pm and 1:00pm (Mon, Wed, Sat)
Standard (Lying) Php 150, Tourist (Lying Aircon) Php 340
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com.ph / www.liteferry.com
Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran
Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran
- Lite Ferries - Pier 1, departs M/W/SAT at 1:00pm, economy Php 649 (through barkota.com), layover in Tagbilaran 6:30pm-8:00pm, arrives Larena Port, Siquijor at 11:00pm
+63 977.822.5483 / +63 998.999.5483 / +63 925.347.5483 / (032)255-1721 to 26 / (032)414-9001 to 03
info@liteferries.com / www.liteferry.com - Ocean Jet - Pier 1, departs daily at 1pm, 5 hours
Open Air P1600
+63 932 8734 885 / +63 922 8572 300
More on Cebu Province:
Suggested Destinations in Cebu
- Camotes Islands - caves, beaches
- Cebu City - rich in culture and history, 2nd largest city in the Philippines
- Moalboal - amazing coral reef system, sardine bowl, deep drop-off for freediving
- Oslob - Butanding (whale shark) watching
- Bantayan Island - long stretch of fine white sand beach, Virgin Island for snorkeling
- Malapascua Island - divers' paradise for seeing the rare Thresher Shark
- Cantabaco Cave - Toledo
- Barile Waterfalls - Barile
- Whale Shark Tour - Oslob
- Carcar - chicharon and lechon in public market
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