Jerika's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Oslob, Cebu is a small coastal town with a population of 30,000 people. It is a hub of activity with several tourist attractions to offer to the hoards of visitors who stop by. It is most well known for being one of the best spots to swim with whale sharks.
43 moradores locais recomendam
Oslob
Oslob, Cebu is a small coastal town with a population of 30,000 people. It is a hub of activity with several tourist attractions to offer to the hoards of visitors who stop by. It is most well known for being one of the best spots to swim with whale sharks.
Tops Lookout is one of the best-kept secrets of the locals. No better venue provides great view than the Tops Lookout, which is better known in the area as “Tops”. Tops is a modernist, fortress-like viewing deck that provides breath-taking views, especially during sunrise and sunset. Fantastic views are seen of Mandaue, Cebu City, Mactan Island and even the coast of Bohol.
The best time to go there will be during late afternoons as you’ll be able to experience both daytime and nighttime views. The venue makes for great barbeque cook-outs for family and friends while they enjoy the view of the city. It also has a breath-taking and peaceful sunset as well.
152 moradores locais recomendam
Mirante Tops
Cebu Tops RoadTops Lookout is one of the best-kept secrets of the locals. No better venue provides great view than the Tops Lookout, which is better known in the area as “Tops”. Tops is a modernist, fortress-like viewing deck that provides breath-taking views, especially during sunrise and sunset. Fantastic views are seen of Mandaue, Cebu City, Mactan Island and even the coast of Bohol.
The best time to go there will be during late afternoons as you’ll be able to experience both daytime and nighttime views. The venue makes for great barbeque cook-outs for family and friends while they enjoy the view of the city. It also has a breath-taking and peaceful sunset as well.
This is the spot where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in the soil in 1521 and claimed the Philippines for Spain.
208 moradores locais recomendam
Cruz de Magalhães
P. Burgos StreetThis is the spot where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in the soil in 1521 and claimed the Philippines for Spain.
Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child (Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan's time. The church is no stranger to hardship: established in 1565 (the first church in the Philippines), three earlier structures were destroyed by fire, before the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the 2013 earthquake but have been restored.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Basilica del Sto. Nino
Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child (Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan's time. The church is no stranger to hardship: established in 1565 (the first church in the Philippines), three earlier structures were destroyed by fire, before the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the 2013 earthquake but have been restored.
Wildly popular with travellers, Moalboal is a small but lively coastal resort around 90km southwest of Cebu City. There's a lot to love about the place, its craggy coastline lined with shoreside bars and restaurants where you can sip a sundowner and gaze over the azure waters of the Tañon Strait to the distant hills of Negros. Directly offshore is a stupendous coral wall, so you can amble out of your hotel room, don snorkelling gear and encounter outstanding marine life (including Moalboal's world-renowned sardine run).
44 moradores locais recomendam
Moalboal
Wildly popular with travellers, Moalboal is a small but lively coastal resort around 90km southwest of Cebu City. There's a lot to love about the place, its craggy coastline lined with shoreside bars and restaurants where you can sip a sundowner and gaze over the azure waters of the Tañon Strait to the distant hills of Negros. Directly offshore is a stupendous coral wall, so you can amble out of your hotel room, don snorkelling gear and encounter outstanding marine life (including Moalboal's world-renowned sardine run).
In Cebu, Philippines, a so-called “Mini Amsterdam” is attracting tourists from all over the country and even foreigners. It is the famous “Sirao Flower Farm” located in a mountain barangay just few minutes from JY, Lahug, Cebu City.
Celosia is the main flower grown in Sirao Flower Farm. This flower is considered to be a genus of edible and ornamental plants of the Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its name was derived from the Ancient Greek word “kḗleos” which means “burning” and it refers to its flame-like flower heads.
Aside from Celosias, other variety of flowers are grown in the farm. Flowers like sunflower, chrysanthemum, daisy and aster are among the flowers that are planted there. These flowers provide a perfect edge for picture taking.
94 moradores locais recomendam
Sirao Garden
Unnamed RoadIn Cebu, Philippines, a so-called “Mini Amsterdam” is attracting tourists from all over the country and even foreigners. It is the famous “Sirao Flower Farm” located in a mountain barangay just few minutes from JY, Lahug, Cebu City.
Celosia is the main flower grown in Sirao Flower Farm. This flower is considered to be a genus of edible and ornamental plants of the Amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its name was derived from the Ancient Greek word “kḗleos” which means “burning” and it refers to its flame-like flower heads.
Aside from Celosias, other variety of flowers are grown in the farm. Flowers like sunflower, chrysanthemum, daisy and aster are among the flowers that are planted there. These flowers provide a perfect edge for picture taking.
The story of Temple of Leah is the same as Taj Mahal, a mausoleum in India built as a symbol of undying love.
169 moradores locais recomendam
Templo de Leah
Cebu Transcentral HighwayThe story of Temple of Leah is the same as Taj Mahal, a mausoleum in India built as a symbol of undying love.
Food Scene
One of the popular local restaurants where Cebuanos congregate is called Chika-an. This is a restaurant that features Cebu’s cuisine and lets people have their lunch or dinner in the ambiance of an old-style Filipino home.
Chika-an sa Cebu built a tradition of great-tasting Pinoy dishes that it perfected in the decades since it started serving Cebuano families. One of the standout dishes at Chika-an is its utan Bisaya (native vegetable) soup. Malaya Business Insight reported that on the second leg of their nationwide food trip in 2012, the Sooo Pinoy team (led by Unilever Food Solutions) came to Cebu, and the members were impressed by the full-bodied flavor of the soup, which has malunggay (Moringa oleifera), squash, green beans, mild pepper, tomato, and onions in it. Sooo Pinoy is a group that aims to further appreciation for local food by promoting national and regional dishes that are proudly and uniquely Filipino, so it is on a mission to reveal the Philippines’ valuable culinary heritage and help Pinoys become much better acquainted with our own cuisine.

image source: malaya.com.ph
Another typically Bisaya soup at Chika-an is made from munggos (Vigna radiata beans). The menu at Chika-an sa Cebu covers various soups, salads, appetizers, entrées, desserts, and drinks. If you like the soup called sinigang, then you might be interested to know that you can have sinigang four different ways at Chika-an, which serves sinigang made with bangus, tanguigue, shrimp, and pork. Chika-an’s tinola can be made with either tanguigue or chicken.
For the entrée, a diner can choose from beef, pork, goat, chicken, seafood (crab, scallop and squid in particular), and vegetables. Other possible entrées you can choose are Chika-an’s various noodles and sizzling dishes. The sizzling marlin, bangus (milkfish), tanguigue (mackerel), or squid may be served a la pobre (with a sauce that includes crispy fried garlic bits), with gravy or with Chika-an’s popular coco cream.
At Chika-an sa Cebu, you can have crab cooked the way you want it, and you pay for it per 100 grams. The cooking options for crab dishes are the following: (1) with garlic, (2) with coco cream, (3) with salt and pepper, (4) with chili, (5) fried then served with garlic vinegar, and (6) steamed.
From the menu at Chika-an, you can already get to learn a few Bisaya words, if you’re someone who’s not familiar with the dialect spoken in Cebu. For example, sugba ug kilaw is actually pork that has been grilled (sugba) and paired with a seviche (kilaw) of raw fish fillet in vinegar dressing. Maybe you would prefer to eat fried buwad (dried fish) with kamatis (tomato).
Did you know that a child who’s less than four feet tall can get a free serving of rice at Chika-an sa Cebu? That’s another indication that this restaurant is a family-oriented establishment.
If you take a look at foodspotting.com (a Web site that shows a visual menu where people can find and recommend dishes, not just restaurants), the Chika-an dishes with the most number of sightings there are the crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckles) and the baked scallops. As for its desserts, Chika-an’s frozen Brazo de Mercedes is recommended by people on that Web site. Chika-an serves typically Pinoy sweets. These include biko, banana and jackfruit turon with latik, fresh mango, halo-halo, Pinipig Delight, leche flan, and sylvanas.
Meanwhile, some tips that can be found on foursquare.com indicate that Chika-an’s crispy pata, munggos soup, pinakbet, and baked scallops are the most popular with the users of that Web site. Biko is the Chika-an dessert that the foursquare users most often liked.
In the year 2005, Chika-an was acquired by the Creative Cuisine Gourmet Group, whose other companies include Big Mao and Kaffee Alde. The group is owned and managed by a team of siblings who happen to be recognized professionals in the Philippines’ culinary industry, particularly in the province of Cebu. For their continuing growth strategy, this group of restaurateurs strengthened Chika-an’s status as a restaurant where people can enjoy native Filipino dishes in an atmosphere of straightforward dining, as though they were in the comfort of their home.
16 moradores locais recomendam
Chika-an Sa Cebu
42 Salinas DrOne of the popular local restaurants where Cebuanos congregate is called Chika-an. This is a restaurant that features Cebu’s cuisine and lets people have their lunch or dinner in the ambiance of an old-style Filipino home.
Chika-an sa Cebu built a tradition of great-tasting Pinoy dishes that it perfected in the decades since it started serving Cebuano families. One of the standout dishes at Chika-an is its utan Bisaya (native vegetable) soup. Malaya Business Insight reported that on the second leg of their nationwide food trip in 2012, the Sooo Pinoy team (led by Unilever Food Solutions) came to Cebu, and the members were impressed by the full-bodied flavor of the soup, which has malunggay (Moringa oleifera), squash, green beans, mild pepper, tomato, and onions in it. Sooo Pinoy is a group that aims to further appreciation for local food by promoting national and regional dishes that are proudly and uniquely Filipino, so it is on a mission to reveal the Philippines’ valuable culinary heritage and help Pinoys become much better acquainted with our own cuisine.

image source: malaya.com.ph
Another typically Bisaya soup at Chika-an is made from munggos (Vigna radiata beans). The menu at Chika-an sa Cebu covers various soups, salads, appetizers, entrées, desserts, and drinks. If you like the soup called sinigang, then you might be interested to know that you can have sinigang four different ways at Chika-an, which serves sinigang made with bangus, tanguigue, shrimp, and pork. Chika-an’s tinola can be made with either tanguigue or chicken.
For the entrée, a diner can choose from beef, pork, goat, chicken, seafood (crab, scallop and squid in particular), and vegetables. Other possible entrées you can choose are Chika-an’s various noodles and sizzling dishes. The sizzling marlin, bangus (milkfish), tanguigue (mackerel), or squid may be served a la pobre (with a sauce that includes crispy fried garlic bits), with gravy or with Chika-an’s popular coco cream.
At Chika-an sa Cebu, you can have crab cooked the way you want it, and you pay for it per 100 grams. The cooking options for crab dishes are the following: (1) with garlic, (2) with coco cream, (3) with salt and pepper, (4) with chili, (5) fried then served with garlic vinegar, and (6) steamed.
From the menu at Chika-an, you can already get to learn a few Bisaya words, if you’re someone who’s not familiar with the dialect spoken in Cebu. For example, sugba ug kilaw is actually pork that has been grilled (sugba) and paired with a seviche (kilaw) of raw fish fillet in vinegar dressing. Maybe you would prefer to eat fried buwad (dried fish) with kamatis (tomato).
Did you know that a child who’s less than four feet tall can get a free serving of rice at Chika-an sa Cebu? That’s another indication that this restaurant is a family-oriented establishment.
If you take a look at foodspotting.com (a Web site that shows a visual menu where people can find and recommend dishes, not just restaurants), the Chika-an dishes with the most number of sightings there are the crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckles) and the baked scallops. As for its desserts, Chika-an’s frozen Brazo de Mercedes is recommended by people on that Web site. Chika-an serves typically Pinoy sweets. These include biko, banana and jackfruit turon with latik, fresh mango, halo-halo, Pinipig Delight, leche flan, and sylvanas.
Meanwhile, some tips that can be found on foursquare.com indicate that Chika-an’s crispy pata, munggos soup, pinakbet, and baked scallops are the most popular with the users of that Web site. Biko is the Chika-an dessert that the foursquare users most often liked.
In the year 2005, Chika-an was acquired by the Creative Cuisine Gourmet Group, whose other companies include Big Mao and Kaffee Alde. The group is owned and managed by a team of siblings who happen to be recognized professionals in the Philippines’ culinary industry, particularly in the province of Cebu. For their continuing growth strategy, this group of restaurateurs strengthened Chika-an’s status as a restaurant where people can enjoy native Filipino dishes in an atmosphere of straightforward dining, as though they were in the comfort of their home.
Cebu is known to have the best tasting lechon in the whole country. It is considered as the “Lechon Capital of the Philippines”. There are numerous stores that sells great tasting lechon but above all, Rico’s lechon stands out from the rest.
Rico's Lechon - Mandaue
Mantawe AvenueCebu is known to have the best tasting lechon in the whole country. It is considered as the “Lechon Capital of the Philippines”. There are numerous stores that sells great tasting lechon but above all, Rico’s lechon stands out from the rest.
you can feel at home and dine and enjoy the picturesque view at Balay sa Busay. It is where you experience the tastiest modern Filipino food while enjoying the unobstructed, magnificent view of Cebu.
Balay sa Busay is the newest mountain-top restaurant in Cebu and we just love everything about it.
Exact location: Brgy. Busay, Cebu Transcentral Highway, Cebu City — along the road on the way to the popular Tops Lookout (20-30 minutes drive from JY Square Mall in Lahug, Cebu City)
6 moradores locais recomendam
Balay sa Busay
Cebu Tops Roadyou can feel at home and dine and enjoy the picturesque view at Balay sa Busay. It is where you experience the tastiest modern Filipino food while enjoying the unobstructed, magnificent view of Cebu.
Balay sa Busay is the newest mountain-top restaurant in Cebu and we just love everything about it.
Exact location: Brgy. Busay, Cebu Transcentral Highway, Cebu City — along the road on the way to the popular Tops Lookout (20-30 minutes drive from JY Square Mall in Lahug, Cebu City)
This crispy dish is being offered by many sidewalk vendors around Cebu — locally known as “pungko-pungko” (low-seating on little benches with a small table). But if you want to make your first memorable and worthwhile, head on to Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente in Cebu City — the top choice of many Cebuanos because of their crispy and delicious ginabot. In fact, they were recognized as Sunstar’s Best Of Cebu: Best Pungko-Pungko Place.
At Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente, the vendors offer a wide selection of fried food ranging from lumpia (spring rolls which can be made of meat or vegetables), longganisa (sausage), fried chicken, buwad (dried fish), utok (brain), and of course, the popular ginabot. Most of the time, these are best paired with cold Sparkle or Mountain Dew.
Located right across Apple Tree Suites or behind Fuente Circle (near Hi-Precision Fuente), Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente is open EVERYDAY from 6AM to 10PM.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Pungko-pungko sa Fuente
52-A J. Llorente StThis crispy dish is being offered by many sidewalk vendors around Cebu — locally known as “pungko-pungko” (low-seating on little benches with a small table). But if you want to make your first memorable and worthwhile, head on to Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente in Cebu City — the top choice of many Cebuanos because of their crispy and delicious ginabot. In fact, they were recognized as Sunstar’s Best Of Cebu: Best Pungko-Pungko Place.
At Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente, the vendors offer a wide selection of fried food ranging from lumpia (spring rolls which can be made of meat or vegetables), longganisa (sausage), fried chicken, buwad (dried fish), utok (brain), and of course, the popular ginabot. Most of the time, these are best paired with cold Sparkle or Mountain Dew.
Located right across Apple Tree Suites or behind Fuente Circle (near Hi-Precision Fuente), Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente is open EVERYDAY from 6AM to 10PM.
Maya’s Restaurant is an upmarket Mexican restaurant at the Crossroads in Banilad Cebu. Dishes are inspired from a mix of street food from Mexico City, traditional family dishes from the Mayan Riviera and Hispanic America.
Business Hours: OPEN Mon – Thur: 5pm -11pm/Fri – Sat: 5pm -2am
Cuisine: International
Delivers: No
26 moradores locais recomendam
Maya Mexican Restaurant
Crossroads MallMaya’s Restaurant is an upmarket Mexican restaurant at the Crossroads in Banilad Cebu. Dishes are inspired from a mix of street food from Mexico City, traditional family dishes from the Mayan Riviera and Hispanic America.
Business Hours: OPEN Mon – Thur: 5pm -11pm/Fri – Sat: 5pm -2am
Cuisine: International
Delivers: No
Nightlife
A lofty cafe during the day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an array of food inspired by international flavours, turns into a bar at night perfect for chilling, relaxing, dancing and even singing.
6 moradores locais recomendam
F Cafe and Bar
Gov. M. Cuenco AvenueA lofty cafe during the day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an array of food inspired by international flavours, turns into a bar at night perfect for chilling, relaxing, dancing and even singing.