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Up Close and Personal with Argao

Argao Cebu ChurchIn the nearby province of Carcar and Dalaguete, Argao is located in the middle of them. In a 1-2 hours travel time from the city proper, you’ll reach your destination.

Since Argao is at the east-edge of Cebu, there are a lot of beaches in which you can pamper yourself with the sea and the sand. Although some of it does not have any white sand beaches but the crystal blue water will draw your attention. You can also practice your skimboarding skills in Mahayahay Beach since it is one of the popular pastime in the place.

The 200-plus year old church named St. Michael the Archangel is just a few meters from the main road thus you can visit the place and be amazed on its interiors. The paintings on the ceilings will capture your eyes as you enter the place, not to mention the golden altar that makes the church unique from others. Outside, there is a plaza wherein you can sit down on the benches and watch the beautiful scenery.

Cabecera de Argao is hard to miss since beside it is the huge torta image. The Balay Lungsod sa Argao is a museum where you can take a tour and you’ll see the different equipments used in making torta from the past years and other things that are part of our history. Argao Hall of Justice is known for its meter-thick coral-stone wall which was used during the second World War. Puerta Marina is a heritage structure that serves as a baluarte or “watch tower” during the Moro raids. Beside the Puerta Marina is the Capella Murtuaryo which was used as a chapel.

The Riverstone Castle is one of the top destinations in the place, not only it attracts the locals and the tourists but also students. It looks like a castle made with stone from inside out. There are crocodiles, and eagles in the place too. Not to mention, the magical view you’ll encounter when you reach the top. There are swimming pools and a mini playground in the place. You can rent a room in the place and stay in the night.

Argao is your place to go when you are looking for a fresh breather. Not only that the province offers relaxation but also it is rich in culture.

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Painting the Town Red at Taoist Temple this Chinese New Year

taoist-templeCebu is the home for many Chinese people especially businessmen. Over the years, Filipinos have adapted to the culture of the Chinese. Filipino or Chinese alike, respect is of utmost importance.

Unlike other temples, The Taoist Temple is not only for the Chinese but it is open to anyone who wish to visit the place. It is located in a residential area called Beverly Hills. Most residents here are Chinese but, there are also Cebuanos in the neighborhood.

Before entering the temple, the relatively huge dragon sculpture presents as a welcome architecture to every tourist. It makes you feel like you’re in Mainland China for a day. Around the place, you can see the other structured dragons that seem to guard the place tirelessly. These dragons are believed to be protectors of the temple.

Get your legs ready because you will really be involved in a lot of walking. While touring the whole place, non-worshippers may also offer prayers and wishes by using incense sticks. Don’t worry, instructions are posted before entering the sacred place so, you won’t really get wrong with it. There are also gardens, fish ponds, an old bell and small temples in the vicinity. An overlooking view of the city awaits you on the highest resting area.

Remember, this is a place of worship so, shorts and sleeveless clothes are definitely not allowed especially in the temple’s altar. Silence must be observed anywhere. Many Chinese are coming here to worship and meditate. Some come here to have some alone time and reflect on their lives.

You may have noticed that the color red dominates the entire place. The Chinese believe that red is a good luck color that’s why they wear red during Chinese New Year and other special occasions. The celebration will not be complete without the famous dragon and lion dance. This is done in order to cast off evil spirits from the past year. Some malls even have this activity where dancers roam around to greet and entertain the shoppers. Of course, what is a celebration without food. Tikoy is never to be left behind so as the pancit which are believed to symbolize close relationship by sticking together and long life respectively. The round fruits also illustrates prosperity and abundance. After dinner, most adults give red envelopes (ang pao) to children as a sign of luck, happiness and prosperity in the new year.

Contact us now for your tour at Taoist Temple Cebu.

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One of a Kind Valentines’ Date

valentines day in cebuSingle? Taken? It’s complicated? Everyone has the right to celebrate Valentines’ day. Love month officially started and it is a big of a deal especially people in social network always posting stuffs related to the 14th of February which makes it harder to forget. Valentines’ Day doesn’t always mean you need to spend the day with your partner but you can also bond with your family or catch up with your friends.

If you’re still confused on what to do on that day, here are the things you may want to do with your loved ones:

1) Visit a church

Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino is the famous church in the city because it is rich in culture and it is where the patron saint of Cebu is located. There are respective churches or chapels in each barangay that is accessible to you.

Someone told me that this is the first “to-do” during the Valentines’ because you must be thankful that you are spending the special day with someone you love and care about. Since it is also Saturday, you can attend the anticipated mass or light a candle. You can also visit religious sites just like Magellan’s cross or the Simala Shrine.

2) Adrenaline rush

People who are have extreme habits take this opportunity to visit the nearest adventure park. If you wish to spend the day in the city, the Rainforest Park is open for all. It offers a variety of entertainment, leisure, even educational activities suited for all ages.

You can also hike up a mountain since Cebu has a wide range of mountain or peaks that will surely tire your legs out. Osmeña Peak is the famous one which is located in Dalaguete. Mt. Kan Irag in Busay or the Mt. Manunggal in Balamban can also ease up your adrenaline. There are more other mountains that you can climb.

3) Indulge in food

What’s a date without food? Everywhere we go, there are restaurants and diners that offer a variety of specialty may it be Filipino, Mexican, Korean, American and the like, not to mention the countless fast food chains around the city. In each province in Cebu, there are also delicacies you may not want to miss. Cebu is known for the dried mangoes, Argao for the tasty Torta sa Argao, and Danao for its kasahos.

4) Appreciate God’s creation

Everywhere you go, you can always appreciate the beauty of nature and, where is the best place for that? You need to be with nature itself.

Since the Valentines’ day is in the weekend, you can actually hit the beach and sleep under the stars. Tingko Beach in Alcoy or Basdaku Beach in Moalboal offers the same white beach sand and the crystal blue water.

You can also visit SRP Baywalk or TOPS Skyline Garden where you can sit down and relax while absorbing the majestic view the place got to offer.

5) Check something off your bucket list

A bucket list is a list of everything you want to accomplish within a period of time. If you don’t have a bucket list, don’t worry about it. It just simply means you do something you wanted to do for a long time.

Go snorkeling in Malapascua Island or watch the whale sharks in Oslob, your choice since it is your day to spend with. There are a lot of activities you can actually do during the Valentines’ day, don’t limit yourself with just the typical dinner date. You can go island hopping or go to a spa and have a massage.

Of course, these are just suggestions and certainly you know the person you’ll be going with so make it fun and memorable at the same time.

If you want to visit us a place and want to rent a car in Cebu, you can contact us using the form below.

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Church Castle in Simala

simala shrineA tribute to the Blessed Mary, a sacred shrine that is located in Simala, Cebu is a must visit. Its architecture is just like a castle with towers and majestic design that will leave you in awe. The shrine is run by the monks of Mary or “Mga Monghe ni Maria” and built the place from scratch.

There are rules and regulations in the place, of course specifically dress code. And if you will not follow it then, the guards will hinder you from entering the sacred place. Upon arriving, you can encounter a line of people who wish to kiss or “halok” the Virgin Mary and pray. Although, the length of the line depend on which day you wish to visit. Mass schedules also vary on the day and the time.

The line will go on around the place and you can encounter a lot of things. You need to go up the stairs in order to reach the church. There are available ramps for the elderly and the physically disabled too.

There is a section where it is intended for the different statues of the Virgin Mary that are from different places and provinces around the country and even around the globe. The statues have brief descriptions, summarizing its culture, prior to the title of the Blessed Mary.

You can roam around and read bunch of stories like the history of the shrine. There are respective places or bulletins wherein people around the globe send letters as a thanksgiving for passing the board exams or healing testimonies. You cannot only see different letters but all the other stuffs as well such as medals, prosthetics, pictures, nameplates, crutches, wheelchairs, you name it. These are proof of the miracles to the individual lives of the devotees.

As you pass a certain area, the staff will ask you to take off your footwear as a respect to the sacred place. There are colored candles representing your petitions wherein you can light it up in the candle area. Souvenir items are also available in the place. After purchasing, the monk will bless it with holy water. You can also write your petitions in a piece of paper and drop it on the respective box.

The shrine is still undergoing some construction. They are building a huge-sized Way of the Cross in their new expansion wing in which you get to see the spectacular overview of the place.

 A devotee or not, you’ll surely be inspired with Simala Shrine.

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