North Cebu particularly the western side, might not be as developed as the rest of the province, but I really had fun. Life is simple and uncomplicated. People are friendly and it has enough surprises that makes traveling here enjoyable.

The south of Cebu’s land area is mountainous and inhospitable. Roads wind, rise and drop as one drives through but it has one of the beautiful landscapes and seascapes in the province. It has pristine and beautiful beaches, well paved roads, century old trees as well as a hospitable people thriving and persevering in adversity.

I went back to Infanta, Quezon last April to do my major photo story as a requirement of my diploma course. This time, I spent several days documenting the preparation and actual activity that culminated on Good Friday.

It’s an opportunity to familiarize oneself with the towns, people and heritage treasures that abound.

Cebu is one of the provinces blessed with beautiful Spanish colonial era churches in the country. Most of these structures were built by the Augustinians as the island was under the Order’s care but those built by the seculars, though few, are notable too. This post lists seven of the most noteworthy that I have seen.

Faith is very much alive in Cebu and during the Semana Santa (Holy Week), a trip down south to the towns of Carcar, Sibonga and Talisay City provides a glimpse of this religious fervor. You won’t see any flagellants or esoteric rites of the dead, nonetheless, it’s still an experience.

I was in a hurry. It was almost 1600H and I still have to reach Sta. Lucia Parish in Asturias to take a shot of the church façade while the sun is still at a good angle infront of it. Time is running out for me and here, just a few few kilometers from Tuburan, the bus is crawling.

I am tracing a good five years of travel with my amour around the country and in this two part series, I am featuring ten of those sojourns. This is Part 1 which covers Cebu, Baguio City, Bohol, Surigao City and Bicol.

The Sinulog Mardi Gras in Cebu is considered one of the biggest and grandest of festivals in the month of January. It is one of three that is marked with street dancing coinciding with the feast of the Holy Child that occurs in the Visayas.

If you’re looking for religious significance, you can’t find it here. But enjoy the colors and the festive atmosphere.

One God, two different ways of honoring the Christ. The devotion to the Sto. Niño is done in honor of the child Jesus while the Black Nazarene is of the suffering adult. Both is said to be two of the three biggest religious devotions in the Philippines, the third is the Virgin of Antipolo.

It was a Friday and for devout pilgrims of the Sto. Niño, the Basilica is the place to be, just like in the Black Nazarene Basilica in Manila. I had to squeeze through the throng and gaze at the sea of people just outside the church participating at one of the hourly masses. After the masses are done, the number of devotees dimish and one could see some interesting rituals and practices come alive.

Cebu is the center of the Sto. Niño de Cebu devotion in the Philippines. It is perhaps the most beloved of all Catholic religious icon in the country. A 15th century image representing the baby Jesus, it was probably carved in Flanders and brought during the historic Magellan expedition in 1521, it has a long history of devotion that has a wide following both domestic and abroad.

Cordova in Mactan Island is not only a good vantage point for scenic views of Cebu City but, foremost of all, it is the acknowledged pabuto or firecracker center of the province. The firecracker industry here has been running for around three decades already and every December, small scale makers start this seasonal endeavor.

During the holiday season, the best place to go for cheap and affordable products is no other than Divisoria in Manila. Think of this as one giant marketplace for such goods like original or bootleg, local and imported items from food, clothes to decors and other bric-a-brac that overwhelms in terms of variety. All at almost rock bottom prices. Shops and stalls can be found inside the malls like the popular 168, sidestreets, and just every space available overtaken by vendors and shoppers alike. This is MULTIMEDIA post.

You will know that Christmas is fast approaching when at the start of the “-ber” months carols are already played and the season’s decors are already on sale. Along the highways in major cities in the country especially in Metro Manila, enterprising individuals are turning dark corners and unused portions into bright places as they set up their makeshift stalls selling these dazzling Pinoy symbols: the parol or Christmas lantern.