The Minor Basilica of the Holy Infant Child of Cebu or Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu is an…read moreiconic worship and heritage symbol of the spiritual resilience of the Cebuanos (people) that dates back since the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 1500s. The church is characterized by the building which dates back to the 1500s or perhaps earlier and still showcases the charms and beauty of the iconic Blessed Holy Infant Jesus Statue that is revered to be the original gift to the people of Cebu. As you enter the church, the pews are still the original narrative and acacia furnitures and wooden blocks harvested from this locality and reminds us of Spain's hold to this city and nation as one of its prized colonies in the early 1400s. Cebuanos in general are kind, hospitable and respectful and the city is considered to be one of the earliest and iconic tourist spots in the Philippines. This city has all of the beauty of an old city including the Magellan's Cross and other symbolic icons that tells a story of the past and present... I attended their early mass in the morning and reverently observed that everyone was alert and participatory in the liturgical process and sacraments. The Mass was in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines and was a beautiful experience for us to witness the beauty of the Catholic Church.

Home of the original and oldest religious relic in the Philippines [CEBU CITY Philippines]…read more We got lost a little but main entrance is on Osmeña Boulevard. We entered through security check and I was given a piece of clothing to wrap around my shorts out of respect. Dress conservatively and cover shoulders and legs above the knees. Commonly known as Santo Niño Basilica the church can be found in the same vicinity as the Magellan's Cross pavilion. Our visit was on a Tuesday and the church had a lot of visitors, weird how there were not many people that were actually inside the church but all around the surrounding area like the chapel and the hallways. Several women vendors in yellow blouse and red skirt were selling candles outside the church and will randomly approach visitors. The candles are placed inside the church, I'm not sure exactly where. Review #3346

This is a must stop when you're in this beautiful city of Cebu…read more It is what it says it is: Ferdinand Magellan of Spain planted a cross in Sugbu (now better known as Cebu) on April 1521 marking the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines. (Well... that's the short story version of it.) But keep in mind this is a replica. There's a rumor that the original has been encased to protect it from people chipping away from it believing it has miraculous powers. Others say the original has been completely destroyed. Either way, it's still a historical site to visit. And if you've come this far, might as well make a stop at the Basilica del Santo Nino which is a few feet away. This site is not open 24 hours a day. They do close the gates at 6pm. Parking can also be a challenge. Plan accordingly.

Religious Landmark [CEBU CITY Philippines]…read more A landmark not very big but is a big part of the Philippine history. The cross is housed in a small octagon-shaped pavilion which locals called the "kiosk" and is located across the Cebu City Hall. The cross is actually a replica of the original that was destroyed a long time ago and no longer exist. Brief history: Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese sailor, landed in the Island of Cebu in the Philippines in 1521. He worked for the King of Spain. Upon landing in Cebu he befriended the then chieftain of Cebu and was able to persuade the chief and his wife to accept Christianity. To celebrate this historic occasion of the spreading of the Roman Catholic faith in the Philippines Magellan planted a wooden cross on Cebu's shores and ever since then the cross has been known as Magellan's Cross. It was a quick visit because finding parking in this area is challenging so our driver just circled the block until we were done with our visit. There is no admission fee. Go anytime. Magellan's Cross is open to the public everyday from 8:00a to 6:00p. The cross stood on a pedestal with a mural in the ceiling of the chapel. There were several women vendors in yellow blouse and red skirt selling candles and will randomly approach visitors. The candles were placed on the foot of the pedestal of the cross. Review #3338

BEAUTY of a Catholic Church!! It is also known as St. James the Apostle Parish Church. I believe…read moreit was built in the year 1866. We always attend mass here whenever we visit the town of Compostela on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. A great place to worship and give thanks!!

Great architecture! [CEBU CITY Philippines]…read more It was a rainy day in Cebu when we visited this heritage monument. We hired a driver for a few hours to take me and my Mom to a few sightseeing places and highlights around the town. This was our first time in Cebu. The Cebu Heritage Monument was a recommended must see. Entrance is free to the public but donations were accepted. The monument is a famous sculpture and tourist attraction that portrays notable events and personalities in the history of Cebu. The detail of the sculptures were amazing and the warriors look impressively fierce. It was raining lightly, no crowds, which was nice. We had the monument to ourselves. The monument is located in the heart of the city and easily accessible. It is a tourist spot so expect street vendors after you. They are everywhere especially where there is a lot of tourist foot traffic. Here we encountered a lot of vendors selling handmade jewelry. Review #3344

It's a brilliant idea, really…read more A sculpture depicting important historical events that occurred in Cebu, from the time of Rajah Humabon to most recently, the beatification of Pedro Calungsod. In between those eras include a depiction of battle of Mactan and the inauguration of Sergio Osmena Jr. And then tons more! There is a lot to look at and learn from this structure. It took about three years from beginning of construction to completion. There's a lot of passion put in this structure. It truly is a sight to see. It doesn't cost anything to see it, but donations are welcome. Parking is an issue since it's located in the middle of the street. Tons of vendors as well, so prep for that. One of those things to see when in Cebu. If you're gonna be around, might as well make a stop and add it on to the "things to see" list.

Everytime I come here this shrine just keeps getting bigger and bigger. The construction here is…read morealways ongoing and the place gets beautiful every time. However it also means it just keeps getting crowded as well. It was mostly just locals here but of course, news has spread about this miraculous shrine and people flock to see it and offer prayers of their own. On our recent visit back in July 2022, indoor visitation was still cancelled because of renovations but before that we used to join the queue to see the image of the Virgin of Simala. While waiting you can see letters of requests displayed in glass cases but my favorite is the display for "Prayers granted". You can see there devotees leaving items such as a medal, graduation pins, even crutches. It was amazing really - To know that prayers are heard and answered and there are so many people out there that had been blessed. I just hope this place will continue to remain sacred and a place of prayer and not become just a tourist attraction. I dont think it will but you'll never know. Come visit Simala shrine if you havent! Oh and please wear conservative clothing (no shorts, sleeveless, body fitting clothes, tank tops etc) otherwise you wont be let in, unless you have something to cover yourself up.

Simala Shrine on Cebu Island in the Philippine is a very sacred and religious site. It is a place…read moreto pray and give thanks. If you are a tourist, then there are many photo opps. The shrine is beautiful, and the architectural design is impressive. Some exterior areas of Simala Shrine look like a castle. Simply gorgeous. I did not take any pictures inside the Shrine. Our purpose for coming was to visit Mama Mary, give thanks, and pray!! AMEN!!!

This Catholic Church in Oslob, Cebu, Philippines is quite old. If I am not mistaken it has been…read morearound since 1877. The exterior of the church is faded and shows character. The inside is more contemporary. St. Joseph The Carpenter Parish Church is a great place to stop and pray. It is right on the way to the Whale Shark Watching area. AMEN!!!

This short review is long overdue. During our latest trip (back in 2019) to the Philippines, we…read moremade a visit to Archbishop Camomot Shrine in Cebu. Archbishop Teofilo Camamot is a Filipino Roman Catholic bishop who was known for his service and generosity to the poor. At the time of our visit, there was a main chapel built in his honor. There was also a museum that holds relics depicting Archbishop Camamot's life and legacy. The shrine is a wonderful place to visit and pray. If you want to learn more about Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, then you can visit their website to learn of his history and legacy.

Historic Site [CEBU CITY Philippines]…read more Unfortunately, Mom and I weren't able to finish this self-guided tour because of all the walking we already did earlier in the day from the other sightseeing locations but we managed to see a few of the sites. At the entrance were photos documenting the history of the fort. I found this interesting and informative. This was also where we paid a minimal admission charge. Entrance fee is 30 pesos (about $0.50 cents). Fort San Pedro is the oldest military structure in the Philippines. It is also the smallest fort (not as big is Intramuros in Manila) yet it is one of the most famous heritage sites in Cebu. It served as an army base in the early 17th century built by a Spanish conqueror some 50 years after Magellan first landed. The large stone walls and massive canons are impressive and can be found inside. The fort is located in the downtown area of Cebu, inside the popular nature park, Plaza Independencia. Wishes we had more time to visit the entire area. Review #3347

If your a history buff, make sure to visit Fort San Pedro. It's an interesting view of Cebu…read morehistory and this triangular fort. Make sure you come here with a guide as it's more informative when you have a guide. Canons still work it's cleaned and if you can find a small canon that fits. The wood walls were replaced cobble stones and other materials. There seems to be ghosts on the top floor over the entrance as it was a prison. This place I heard can even rent for event or weddings. Interesting place. I would recommend a visit if you are in Cebu. [11/100]