"Historical Cebu" Cebu City by semper.max

I have been to Cebu several times but every trip had been work-related. I would usually go to my place of work directly from the airport, sleep at my hotel and very early in the morning, catch a flight back to Manila. This time around, I am flying in as a tourist and I was very intent of making the most out of my visit. First stop of course is Magellan's cross...

It is said that the original cross is inside the cross that is now being displayed at the chapel. The cross is of course named after Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer (yes, he is Portuguese and not Spaniard) who discovered the Philippines in 1521 under an expedition financed by Spain.

Fort San Pedro - little brother of Fort San Tiago

Fort San Pedro was like a small version of Fort Santiago in Intramuros. There was actually a move to demolish it during Sergio Osmena's term as mayor to make way to the building of the new City Hall. Of course, this never materialized and instead of being demolished, it has now been restored and is now a tourist landmark in Cebu.

Haven't seen the Malacanang of East or West yet

If we have Malacanang of the North (in Ilocos Norte), we also have the Malacanang of the South. The building which houses the Bureau of Customs previouslly became the official residence of then President Gloria Macapagal Arrooyo whenever she is in Cebu. I guess every President would like to have its own Malacanang. :)

The original Malacanang, of course, which is the official residence of the President of the Philippines, is along Mendiola in Manila.

• Pros:Whether you'd like it historical or modern, there is surely a place that would interest you in Cebu.
• Cons:Cebu, being a city, is also a traffic-congested area at peak hours.