Titillated at the Manila Ocean Park? It’s possible but that’s going ahead of the story…

I immediately confirmed my participation to visit the Manila Ocean Park upon the invitation of a friend for a media tour. Even if it has been open for sometime, I still haven’t been there since I was procrastinating time and again. When I did made the tour, I was wide eyed with wonder.

Finally arriving in San Carlos City, I was just too tired and accepting of my fate spending the night here. Two hours and a half hours ago, the last ferry bound for Cebu left and during that time, I was still tracing the meandering mountain highway in Don Salvador Benedicto.

The Murcia – Don Salvador Benedicto road is my highway of dreams. It’s one of the best highway experience that I’ve had in the country that kilometer after kilometer, I can’t just help but be in awe at the natural scenery unfolding before me. Stunning mountain ranges, cool weather and the scent of pine trees make this a trip to remember.

The image of the Black Nazarene, or Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, to many of its fervent devotees will be on its yearly translacion, Saturday, 9 January. This is a commemoration of the 1787 transfer from the Recollect Church in Intramuros to it its current shrine in Quiapo, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.

Kawasan Falls in Matutinao, Badian, Cebu, despite being one of the top natural attractions of the island province and me being a Cebuano, I haven’t really gone up to see this cascade in all of my 30+ years. Not until last week when I went down south and made a short detour.

Jai alai is still being played in the country. In fact, it is not only in Cebu but there is an established amateur group in Metro Manila, specifically in Project 8, Quezon City, home of the Manila Amateur Jai-alai Association (MAJA).

A trip down southeastern Cebu is a trip into a history of blood, predation and the Cebuano’s attempt to defend themselves at the onslaught of Muslim slave raiders during the middle of the 17th to the middle of the 19th centuries. However these fortifications are in danger of being lost forever.

A pig flew. A rooster stood proud. Dragons billowing a firey breath. Christ carrying his cross. These images amidst backdrops of stunning, gorgeous or sometimes gaudy colors drove passed me. I was wide-eyed and very much delighted at what flashed before my eyes. Brief, fleeting seconds it took for these marvelously hued transports winding their way. Welcome to the streets of Cebu!

As I surveyed the surroundings, following the jutting tops of the cliffs, into the interior and just behind the bend where the river emanates, lo and behold, beautiful Marmol Cliff! Standing tall and high, its white limestone face aglow in the early afternoon sun. But reaching this place is no walk in the park.

Is it worth the effort to see beautiful Marmol Cliff? Find out.

Jai alai has been quite a popular sport a few years ago during the 60s, 70s and a few years in the 80s. Yes, its the Basque ball game of a thousand thrills that has many Filipinos agog. In Cebu, former professional and amateur pelotaris still meet every week at the lone fronton for a weekend of camaraderie and fun.

Liloan is just 18 kilometers north of Cebu City and can be reached within, depending on traffic, 20 – 30 minutes by jeepney. It’s a welcome change from often chaotic and the uninteresting structures of Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion. Mention this town and four things come to my mind and Titays is one of these. Yes, that food stop that has become an institution which celebrated it’s centennial last 2007.

For the traveler, Bantayan Island is bulad/buwad (dried fish) country. It is one of the important industries of the local island economy. Visit the fort ruins of Madridejos in the north, now a landscaped park, on any given sunny day and one can find across the street fish being lain under the sun.

When passing the towns of Catmon and Borbon, don’t forget to get a mouthful of these place’s delicacy in the form of the budbud kabog and bibingka. Down south, when in the vicinity of Argao town, have a bliss when you endulge in the town’s special delicacy, torta.

For the traveler who goes around Cebu, the east side of the island province offers interesting foodstops that showcases homegrown delicacies that can be brought home as pasalubongs. Starting with this post, I will be featuring seven places outside of Cebu City that I have noted to offer these delights.

Recent news reports are abuzz with the impending eruption of the graceful maiden, Mt. Mayon in Albay as Philvocs has monitored the build up of magma to the volcano’s crater. There is also an increase of earthquakes being recorded and alert level 2 has already been raised. While this might be an opportunity to witness firsthand, caution should always be done.