Around one and half hours travel south of Cebu City, the heritage town of Carcar provides a welcome break from the typical urban sprawl that characterizes the city and municipalities that lies before reaching this place. Antillan designed houses, typical bahay-na-bato that has stood the test of time as well as the onion like dome, of the 19th century neoclassic church with elements of baroque make Carcar a unique town.

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.

The partial solar eclipse happening here in Cebu started at around 0830H and will end around 1100H. The moon’s shadow is expected to cover only 27% of the sun.

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.

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.

Ang Langyaw got featured in the country’s top broadsheet, Sunday edition, 17 May 09.

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.