​When it comes to food, Filipinos are a rather creative bunch. They can create a treat out of nearly anything. They can also merge two dishes and create something new. Many of these food items are loved not only by the residents but by visitors to the island. These visitors normally bring a package full of these goodies home with them.  Aside from the well-loved Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch, there are also some native delicacies you can find in the different towns of Cebu. The bingka dawa of Asturias is just one of these delicious treats. 

BIngka Dawa

The bingka dawa is a delicacy from the northern town of Asturias. While it is not easy to find this local treat, it is one of the things balikbayans look for whenever they return to Cebu. It is essentially a rice cake, bingka or bibingka with a twist. While many of these rice cakes use pilit or glutinous rice or even cassava as their main ingredient, the version of Asturias makes use of dawa or millet.

The dawa is actually used as bird food. But, in the town of Asturias, it is used as an ingredient in making a delicacy. The bingka dawa has a smoother and softer texture and is fluffier compared to other versions of the treat. There may also be some variations to the treat depending on the other ingredients used. 

​The bingka sawa of Asturias shows the creativity and ingenuity of Cebuanos when it comes to food. It also demonstrates the culinary skills of Cebuanos by using any available ingredient and turning it into a delicacy enjoyed by both residents and visitors to the town of Asturias. You can find this tasty treat in the public market and pasalubong shops in the town of Asturias.

Have you tasted the bingka dawa of Asturias already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​With the increasing environmental awareness among people around the world, more and more of nature’s blessings have been placed in the limelight. These natural beauties are also being developed and promoted by many local governments in and around Cebu. In fact, the island has numerous natural tourist spots that have attracted the attention of domestic and international visitors. While many of these tourist spots have been constantly visited by tourists, there are also some relatively-unknown places that are more known among the residents of the area and some visitors from neighboring towns in Cebu. One of these places is the Buswang Lake in Asturias.

Asturias

The Municipality of Asturias is located in the northwestern part of the island of Cebu. The old name of the town is “Naghalin,” which comes from the Cebuano word “lalin” meaning “settlers from faraway places.” But, some people say the name came from the Cebuano term “naghaling,” which means to start a fire for cooking. The second explanation may be the correct one since it is close to a place that was once called “Bagakaw” or fiery cauldron.

​The town was once a part of neighboring Tuburan before the king of Spain granted a petition for the creation of a separate town. The town also has six church bells that are considered as among the rarest in the island. The biggest bell weighs around one ton and the sound it makes can be heard over ten kilometers away.

Buswang Lake

Buswang Lake is actually the main tourist attraction of the town of Asturias. In fact, the lake comes to mind whenever the name of the town is mentioned. It is a part of a eight-hectare zone and its water comes from natural springs in the area. It is supposedly the biggest body of fresh water on the island of Cebu. The lake is named Buswang since the water of the lake bounced off the side of a mountain. 

​Visitors to the lake have a number of options to make their stay enjoyable. They can hop on a boat and explore the lake. They can also go fishing o the lake while exploring it. The lake is also the venue of some special events in the town, including banca racing. One side of the lake has a cave that can also be a potential tourist spot. 

Getting to Asturias

You can get on a van for hire headed for the town of Asturias at the vehicle terminal of the Ayala Center Cebu. The van will pass through the transcentral highway, which makes the journey short. It will take around one hour or so, depending on the traffic.

​Asturias is one of the quiet towns in the northern part of Cebu. But, the development of the Buswang Lake is expected to bring in more tourists into the town that was once just a stopover among visitors to the island of Cebu.

Have you visited the Buswang Lake in Asturias already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.

​Cebu can be an exciting culinary journey for any foodie who wants to explore the delicacies offered in the island. Cebu has numerous delicacies and pasalubong items that have left visitors wanting for more. These items include the Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, and Toasted Mini Mamons, among others. Aside from these scrumptious treats, the towns in the island also offer their own delicacies that tourists should not fail to taste whenever they drop by for a visit. One of these delicacies is the binangkal of the town of Tabuelan.

BInangkal

The binangkal is a round-shaped treat that is made of flour, margarine, sugar, and eggs. It is covered with sesame seeds and deep fried until it has a slightly dark brown color. The local delicacy is crunchy on the outside while having a soft interior. The binangkal is not only limited to Tabuelan since there are also a number of places on the island where this tasty treat is made.

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The binangkal is a well-loved snack item that is typically sold by vendors outside schools and offices. They are also sold in some school canteens and ports on the island of Cebu. Aside from the binangkal, Tabuelan also has another delicacy for visitors of the town, the corntik.

Getting to Tabuelan

You have two options if you want to go to Tabuelan. The first option is getting on a bus or van for hire at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. The second option is getting on a van for hire headed for Tuburan at the Ayala Center Cebu before riding a tricycle or motorcycle for hire to Tabuelan. While the first option brings you directly to Tabuelan, the trip is longer since it passes through the northern part of the island. The second option is shorter since it cuts across the island through the transcentral highway.

​The binangkal of Tabuelan is one of the delicacies you can look forward to when you explore this town located in the northern part of Cebu. These delicacies simply show that Cebu has much more to offer than its beautiful white sand beaches when you explore the different towns on the island.

​Have you tasted the binangkal of Tabuelan already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​The island of Cebu has a total of forty-four municipalities. Each municipality has its own attractions that have piqued the interest of local and international tourists. Many of these tourist spots are already attracting visitors from all over the world. But, there are also some lesser-known places visited by locals and domestic tourists. One of these places is the Gumbang Spring of the town of Tabuelan.

Tabuelan

Tabuelan is located in the northern part of the island. It is a quaint little town that is perfect for a break from the fast life of the city. The town has a number of pristine beaches featuring powdery-fine sands. One of these beaches is the Maravilla Beach. In addition, the town also has a number of caves and springs that can easily put a smile on the face of any weary traveler once they arrive at their destination. 

Gumbang Spring

The Gumbang Spring is one of the natural tourist attractions in the town of Tabuelan. The spring is located in barangay Bongon. While it is small spring, it does feature a cave that spelunkers may want to explore. But, it is important to ask permission from the local officials before you would explore the cave. 

​The spring is also the main source of water for the mountain barangays of the town. Water sourced from the spring is piped into a reservoir in Barangay Mabunao before being distributed to the different barangays in the area. 

Getting to Tabuelan

You can reach Tabuelan by getting on bus headed for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. The trip takes around three to four hours, depending on the traffic. Another option is to ride on a vehicle for hire at the Ayala Center Cebu Terminal to the town of Tuburan. After reaching Tuburan you can ride on a tricycle or motorcycle for hire to Tabuelan.

​Gumbang Spring is just one of the many natural wonders the island of Cebu has to offer. It is one of the relatively undiscovered places on the island where tourists can drop by to take a dip to wash away the stress of everyday life.

Have you visited the Gumbang Spring of Tabuelan already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.q

​Aside from tourism, Cebu is also known to be one of the fastest-growing islands in the archipelago. This economic development allowed opened new opportunities to residents of Cebu and its neighboring islands. Businesses flourished and more jobs became available. To show their gratitude to the blessings they received, business owners also opened parks that eventually became tourist spots providing more employment opportunities to locals. One of these places is the Q Park in Compostela.

Compostela

The Municipality of Compostela is best known for its beach resorts where fond memories were made by longtime residents of Cebu. Despite its rural charm, the town has benefitted from its close proximity to metro Cebu. It also became home to a 150-hectare compound of Norkis Trading Company. When the company relocated to the town in 2003, the owner also set up the Q Park, which became one of the domestic tourism attractions of the town.

Q Park

The Q Park is a 200-hectare park where visitors can rest and reflect. It is also a welcome alternative to the beach resorts the town is known for. According to businessman Norberto Quisumbing Jr, the park is a legacy to the Filipino people. The area where Q Park is located used to be barren and hilly. There were a few trees in the area and birds deserted the place. Mr. Quisumbing said a number of miracles happened when they developed the place. He said the trees grew and birds started to return.

​His inspiration for converting the area into a place for pilgrimages came when he discovered a limestone formation of the Virgin Mary carrying the Holy Child. The Q Park is now one of the places visited by locals during the Lenten season. The park accommodated 30,000 pilgrims during its first year of operations in 2005. 

​The Q Park features a large statue of the Virgin Mary, the Stations of the Cross, and the Nativity Scene. In addition, a Heroes’ Hill was established to pay tribute to soldiers, OFWs, and the Filipino Foundation awardees. The park also has a resting place for visitors made of anahaw-roofed kiosks decorated with pictures of Filipino statesmen and presidents. Religious activities can be held at the retreat house of the park, particularly during the Lenten season. 

​The main attraction of the park is the 44-foot statue of the Virgin Mary. It is situated on top of a hill with an elevation of 1,000 feet from sea level. The location allows visitors to have a full view of the area.  In addition, the Q Park also has a replica of the house of the Blessed Virgin in Ephesus, Turkey. The replica took eight months to complete and is one of the sacred spots of the park.

Getting to Q Park

You can go to the Q Park by getting on a jeepney or bus headed for the northern part of Cebu. Tell the driver or conductor you want to get off on the road going to the park, which is located in Barangay Magay. While the best way to go up to the park is by using a private vehicle, you can also get on a motorcycle for hire to go up. The park is around five kilometers away from the main road.

​Cebu may be home to the most magnificent beaches in the country, but it also has a number of places where visitors can stop and reflect on the blessings they received throughout the year. The Q Park in Compostela is one of these places where you can take a timeout and contemplate on the miracles you experienced in your life.

Have you visited the Q Park in Compostela already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.

​Adventure lovers have another reason to visit the island of Cebu. In the northern town of Medellin, the local government set up an eco-adventure park where visitors can get their adrenaline fix. Located in Barangay Caputatan Norte, the park features a number of rides where adrenaline junkies can have the time of their lives.

Eco-Adventure Park

The eco-adventure park in Barangay Caputatan Norte has numerous rides to test the mettle of anyone. One of the more popular rides is the zipline. Visitors zip on a steel wire suspended in the air from one hill to another. The distance between the two hills is around 130 meters. The ride may be one way for people with acrophobia to conquer their fear of heights. 

​Another popular ride is the Sky Bike. It is essentially a 125-meter bike trail up on the air. While the ride may not be the cup of tea for acrophobic people, it is an ideal activity for people who love adventure biking. When you are up on the bike, you have a great view of the park. It may be challenging at first, but you will eventually get the hang of it.

​You can also try the Tarzan Jump of the park. In the jump, you go on a 15-foot freefall from a platform positioned along the edge of a cliff. You will be strapped into a safety harness and will swing three to four times before you go back into the platform. There are also instances when visitors would swing up to 180 degrees, but this would depend on his or her weight.

​But, if you are more of the sightseeing type, you can ride on the cable car of the park. You will have an excellent view of the whole place and surrounding areas, including the sugarcane field and coconut trees. 

Getting to Medellin

You can get on a bus bound for Kawit at the Cebu North Bus Terminal to get to Medellin. Once you reach the town, you can take a motorcycle for hire going to Barangay Caputatan Norte. Buses headed for the neighboring towns of Medellin are good options in going to Medellin. Once you reach these towns, you can ride a tricycle going to the town of Medellin. The trip takes around three to four hours depending on the traffic.

​While the facility closed after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged Medellin in 2013, it has since reopened and had continued to attract both local and foreign visitors. The eco-adventure park in Barangay Caputatan Norte simply adds to the claim of Medellin as the Ecotourism Capital of Cebu. 

​Have you visited the eco-adventure park in Barangay Caputatan Norte in Medellin already? Share your experience with us through the comments section below.

​Rivers have always played a major role in the lives of the people in Cebu. Aside from providing a means of livelihood, rivers have also made it easier for people to move around in the island. One in Cebu that has facilitated the movement of people and products in the island is the Silmugi River in Borbon.

Borbon

The town of Borbon is located in the northern part of Cebu. It is bordered by Tabogon in the north, Tabuelan in the west and Sogod in the south. The town was originally called Silmogi before the name was changed during the Spanish era. While there are a number of stories about how the town got its name, the town was supposedly named after one of the royal families of Spain, the Borbon family. In addition, the town adopted San Sebastian as its patron saint since the saint was close to the family. 

Silmugi River

The Silmugi River or Silmogue River of Borbon passes from the eastern part of the town to its western part. It cuts across a mangrove forest that has become the home of different types of plants and animals. It is close to the town hall and the public market of the town. The water levels of the river normally go up during high tide since water from the sea goes into the river. It may even reach around one kilometer inland. 

​A river park project was started a few years ago, but it seems the project has remained unfinished for the moment. It does feature a boardwalk and a jetty as well as a circular hut. The river is a major thoroughfare among residents of the inner areas of the town. It facilitates the transport of products and goods. It also allows people to easily move around from one place to another. The Silmugi River is also highlighted in the annual festival of the town, which is celebrated in honor of their patron saint, San Sebastian.

Getting to Borbon

You can go to the Silmugi River in Borbon by getting on a bus bound for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. You can also get on a bus bound for Tabogon and tell the driver you want to get off at the municipal hall of Borbon. Once you reach the municipal hall, the river is just a short walk away. You can easily ask for directions from the locals. 

​While the town of Borbon may not be as popular as its neighbors, it does hold some hidden gems visitors may find interesting if they drop by the town. The Silmugi River is one of these hidden gems. Aside from playing a major role in the lives of the residents, the river is also an eco-tourism site where visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best.

​Cebu has a good network of rivers crisscrossing the island from north to south. While a good number of these rivers have been victims to man’s folly, there are still a number that were spared the pollution normally associated with rapid development. One of these rivers is the Mulao River of Compostela.

​Compostela was once a barrio of Danao during the Spanish period. It was named Compostela since the friar who came to the place came from a town in Spain with the same name. He brought with him an image of St. James the Great, which later became the patron saint of the town.

Mulao River

The Mulao River connects the town of Compostela to the town of Liloan. It is one of the hidden treasures of the town. One thing you will note about the river is the presence of boulders. As you trek along the river, you will notice that the boulders become bigger further along the river. There are even boulders twice or three times the height of an average man.

​Similar to many rivers around the archipelago, the Mulao River also has its share of legends and stories passed on from one generation to the next. One such story is that of a boulder locals call “The Golden Ship.” The boulder is supposedly a ship that sails out to the sea at night carrying cacao plants. This particular boulder straddles two large slabs of rock. Another story is that of the home of the spirits in the area. The place is called Busong-Busong and features smooth yet weird-looking rocks. There are also pools of green-colored waters in the area. Locals say you need to ask permission before you take a dip in the waters lest you will earn the ire of the spirits.

​While the water on the Mulao River is not as deep and strong as some other rivers in the country, the water levels can go up quickly during a heavy downpour.  You may also get to see some sinkholes in the area. Since these sinkholes are rather deep, you should be careful when you go trekking on the Mulao River.

Getting to the Mulao River

It is not too difficult to reach Compostela since you can easily ride a jeepney headed for this northern town in Mandaue City. You can also get on a bus headed north at the Cebu North Bus Terminal, just make sure to tell the driver you are getting off in Compostela. Once you reach Compostela, you can ride on a motorcycle for hire to the jump-off point of the river. You can tell the driver to drop you off at Ka Sisoy where you can find locals who can guide you to the river.

​The Mulao River is just one of the places where trekkers and adventurers can visit in the island of Cebu. It also shows that there are still some rivers on the island that have remained relatively-untouched even with the continued development of the province. 

​The festivals or fiestas in the Philippines have come a long way from being a simple thanksgiving for the blessings residents receive each year. These festivals are now among the tourist attractions of the different cities and towns in the archipelago. The festivals feature street dancing competitions or dance presentations with the members of each contingent wearing colorful costumes. 

​The island of Cebu has its share of festivals with the biggest and grandest one being held every third Sunday of January. Even as the Sinulog Festival is the most popular festival in the island, the different cities and towns also have their own festivals in honor of their respective patron saints. The northern town of San Remigio celebrates the Lapyahan Festival in honor of San Juan Nepomuceno. 

San Remigio

San Remigio is home to the longest shoreline in the island of Cebu. It features white sand beaches that can rival the best in the country. The old name of the town is “Kanhagas,” which is the name of a tree that is abundant in the area. It was once a part of Bantayan before it became a town. The town came under the spiritual administration of Bogo when Bogo became a parish. It officially became a town in November 21, 1863. 

Lapyahan Festival

The word “lapyahan” is Cebuano for shoreline or seashore. The Lapyahan Festival highlights one of the features of the town of San Remigio, its long shoreline. It symbolizes development and progress of the town. It also served as a venue where residents posted guards against Moro raiders. 

​One of the highlights of the Lapyahan Festival is the street dancing competition where visitors can see the colorful costumes and props of the dancers.  The participants of the competition are the students of the different schools of the town. The atmosphere is festive, which is reminiscent of all festivals all around the country.

​The dance steps of the Lapyahan Festival reflect things associated with the sea. These include the waves, the seashells glistening during low tide, swimming, and the sea breeze, among others. It also shows how the people express their gratitude for the bounties of the sea. The sea plays a major role in the lives of the residents of the town. 

Getting to San Remegio

You can go to San Remigio by getting on a bus headed for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. You can also ride a bus headed to Bogo City where you can catch a jeepney headed to the town. The trip takes around three to four hours depending on the traffic.

The Lapyahan Festival is one of the most anticipated events in San Remigio. It does not only showcase the talents of the residents, it also gives them the opportunity to show their gratitude for the blessings they receive each year. Festivals like the Lapyahan Festival also reflect the faith of Cebuanos and the Filipinos as a whole.

Have you experienced the Lapyahan Festival of San Remigio already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​When one hears the term canal in the Queen City of the South, images of a dirty waterway normally comes to mind. This is mainly due to pollution that has affected many of waterways, big and small, in the metro. But, the term canal may not evoke the same images among people living in the rural areas of the island. In fact, the northern town of Medellin considers one such waterway as a tourist attraction, the Dayhagon Canal.

Dayhagon Canal 

The Dayhagon Canal is a 1.5-kilometer waterway in the Municipality of Medellin. It connects the eastern seaboard of the town with its western seaboard. The artificial waterway was built during the Spanish period. The canal is surrounded by a mangrove forest on both sides. Due to this, the canal is a great place for birdwatchers and nature lovers to visit. 

Visitors may get to see some birds and other animals living in the forest. The rich ecosystem in the forest is also another come-on for nature loving tourists, both local and foreign. You can ride on a banca through the canal. You can also opt to go kayaking through the Dayhagon Canal.

Getting to Medellin

You can go to Medellin by riding a bus bound for Kawit at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. You have the choice of getting on an air-conditioned or non air-conditioned bus.  Another option is getting on a van for hire headed for this northern town. The trip will take around four hours depending on the traffic.

​The Dayhagon Canal offers a tranquility that is not normally found in the big city. Tourist attractions, such as the Dayhagon Canal, add credence to the Municipality of Medellin as the “Eco-Tourism Adventure Capital of Cebu.” Aside from the Dayhagon Canal, the town is also home to the Discovery Reef, Dagusungan River, and Gibitngil Island or Funtastic Island, among others.

​Have you visited the Dayhagon Canal in Medellin already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.