​Cebu may be known for having the best roasted pig in the world, but it has a lot more to offer in terms of pork dishes. One of these dishes is the liempo. The word “liempo” is a Filipino word that means pork belly. While the liempo has been sold for some time already in Cebu, it was only in the recent years when stores opened with the liempo as their main product. We came up with a short list of stores selling liempo in the Queen City of the South.

Balamban Liempo

Balamban Liempo is the brainchild of Cebuano couple Jojo and Honey Vergara. Honey hails from the town of Balamban. The store was a hole-in-the-wall eatery located at the house of the father of Jojo. When it opened in 2009, their first customers were residents of Mabolo. Soon, people from other parts of metro Cebu started to flock to the place to get the chance to taste the Balamban Liempo. 

​The Balamban Liempo is grilled to perfection using herbs and secret ingredients. The meat is tender while the skin is crispy. It is best paired with the puso or the hanging rice. There are numerous Balamban Liempo outlets in the island of Cebu as well as different parts of the country. Even as the main product of the store is the liempo, they also offer other products on their menu, including the lechon manok and sisig.

Mr. Liempo

Mr. Liempo is another store that specializes in the liempo. Similar to Balamban Liempo, an enterprising couple was also behind the success of Mr. Liempo, Cesar and Grace Suan. They were also behind the popular Mactan Grill Restaurant and Catering Services, Talisay City Grill, Highway 101 Food Plaza, and A-1 Special Restaurant. They conceptualized Mr. Liempo basing on their proven recipes that have piqued the interest of Cebuanos. The first outlet of Mr. Liempo opened in Cordova, Cebu on August 2009. By the end of the year, there were already ten outlets around metro Cebu.

​Eight months of testing and fabricating resulted to the Mr. Liempo concept. Aside from the liempo, Mr. Liempo also offers lechon manok in the market. They already have a number of outlets throughout the island of Cebu and other places in the country. 

Andok's

Even though Andok’s main product is their roasted chicken, they also offer their own version of the liempo. The company first opened in Quezon City in 1985 and offered quality products at reasonable prices. The first Andok’s store in Cebu opened at the corner of Archbishop Reyes Ave and M. J. Cuenco Ave in Mabolo, Cebu City in 2002. They eventually expanded and opened more outlets in and around the island of Cebu.

​The liempo of Andok’s is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The aromatic and luscious pork belly can definitely tickle the taste buds of anyone who tries it. Aside from the liempo and roasted chicken, Andok’s also offers a number of other dishes, including pork barbecue, bangus, lechon Kawali, crispy pata, and pork sinigang, among others. Andok’s also has a number of dine-in stores in and around the country.

Kusina ni Nasing

Kusina ni Nasing is another homegrown hole-in-the-wall place located along V. Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City. The place is owned by the daughter of Mrs. Ignacia “Nasing” Tiu, Marlyn. Similar to Mr. Liempo, Kusina ni Nasing has the Liempo and Lechon Manok as their main products. 

​The liempo at Kusina ni Nasing features layered herbs that allows the flavor to permeate into the meat. Aside from the liempo and lechon manok, Kusina ni Nasing also sells lechon belly, ngohiong with rice, and chorizo with rice, among others. In addition to the branch along V. Rama, the store also has a branch in Mandaue and a takeout outlet along Gorordo Ave, Cebu City.

​Where is your favorite liempo place in the city? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​Cebu is rich in terms of marine resources, which benefitted from the establishment of marine sanctuaries in the island. These marine sanctuaries have contributed much to the increase in fish and other marine life in the province. Since fishing is a major livelihood in the island, there are a number of fish products that have emerged and have become delicacies in some of the towns and cities of the island of Cebu. One of these delicacies is the tinap-anan of Danao City

Danao City

The City of Danao is located in the northern part of the island of Cebu. It was once the Kingdom of Nahalin before the coming of the Spaniards. It became an encomienda in 1570 and a parish was established in 1609 by the Recollects. The place became a municipality in 1773. A number of industries thrived in the area in the 20th century until it eventually became a city in 1961.

​The town is home to a number of tourist spots that have attracted tourists from all around the country. One of these tourist spots is the Danasan Eco Adventure Park where adrenaline junkies can have the time of their lives. In addition, the city also has marine sanctuaries located in Barangay Guinsay and Sabang. These marine sanctuaries have contributed to the increase in fish resources in the area.

Tinap-anan

Fisherfolk have benefitted from these marine sanctuaries, which has allowed them to maintain a good catch each time they went out to the sea. Fish vendors are also enjoying a steady stream of products to sell. Aside from selling fresh fish, some enterprising individuals are also selling the tinap-anan along the roadsides of Barangay Sabang, which is considered as the tinap-anan district of the city

​The tinap-anan is smoked fish and can be bought at the fish port of the city and the public market as well as the roadside of Barangay Sabang. It has a unique smell since they are cooked differently from grilled fish. You can eat them as is paired with puso or hanging rice. It can also be used as one of the ingredients of “utan bisaya” where it is mixed with vegetables and cooked as a soup.

The tinap-anan is just one of the numerous delicacies you can try while you are in the island of Cebu. Aside from the tinap-anan of Danao, Cebu is also home to the Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, and Toasted Mini Mamons, which your friends and family will appreciate if you bring them home with you after your visit. 

​The halo-halo or haluhalu is a popular Filipino dessert made of ice shavings, evaporated milk, boiled sweetened kidney beans, sugar palm fruit, macapuno, langka, nata de coco, and gulaman, among others. All these ingredients, with the exception of the evaporated milk and ice shavings, are placed inside a bowl or a tall glass before the ice shaving is added. It is sprinkled with sugar, and topped with leche flan, purple yam, or ice cream. The evaporated milk is then poured into the mixture.  The Queen City of the South has a number of halo-halo stores where people of from nearly all walks of life have flocked to due to their unique twist on this well-loved Filipino dessert.

Monbis Halo-Halo

Ever since they opened around five years ago, Monbis has been attracting the attention of halo-halo lovers all around the city. There are also instances when they have customers coming from as far as Carcar City in the south and the town on Consolacion in the north. Their version of the halo-halo has an ice-cream-like consistency due to the fine granules of the ice shavings they use. They also add a good selection of fruits into the dessert, including jackfruit, mango, and banana. Aside from the ice cream topping, the halo-halo at Monbis is also topped with crushed graham crackers, puffed rice, and Hershey’s chocolate syrup. A colorful wafer stick is used to garnish the dessert. Monbis is located along Katipunan St, Tisa, Cebu City. 

Melton’s Halo-Halo

Melton’s is another homegrown halo-halo store that has attracted a sizeable following among the residents of the Queen City of the South. The halo-halo at Melton’s is so good that it was recognized as the best halo-halo in Cebu by Sun Star Weekend for 2014. They still attract customers even as a number of halo-halo places have opened up in different parts of the city. They have numerous return customers who have fallen in love with their halo-halo, which has the right amount of sweetness in it. Melton’s Halo-Halo already has a number of branches in and around the city.

MyJoy

MyJoy is a uniquely Cebuano fast food restaurant that offers a number of menu items specifically made to pique the interest of the residents of Cebu. Aside from the food, the place, which was formerly known as MacJoy, also offers its own version of the halo-halo. The halo-halo of McJoy is pleasing to the eye with all the colors and embellishments that can easily attract anyone’s attention. Some people even consider the halo-halo of McJoy as one of the best-kept secrets of the Queen City of the South. McJoy has a number of branches in metro Cebu, but most of them are located in the major malls of the city.

Majestic Restaurant

Majestic Restaurant is renowned for their Chinese dishes, which have figured in numerous lists of the best restaurants in the Queen City of the South. The restaurant also has a range of dessert items, one of which is their Snow Ice Halo-Halo. The Snow Ice Halo-Halo of Majestic Restaurant use finely-grained ice shavings, which has a similar consistency as ice cream when it melts in your mouth. The milk is absorbed by the ice when it is served and would not make it necessary to mix things up when you eat it.  Rice crispies and leche flan serve as the toppings of this delicious Filipino dessert. The Snow Ice Halo-Halo of Majestic Restaurant took the crown of the best halo-halo in the Best of Cebu list of Sun Star Weekend for 2016.

Would you have any other halo-halo places in Cebu that you consider as the best? Tell us about them on the comments section below.

​The topography of the island of Cebu is dominated by rolling hills and rugged mountains that stretch from north to south. Due to this, it is not surprising for the island to have numerous mountain resorts. These mountain resorts offer amenities to make the stay of their guests fun and enjoyable. The town of Compostela also has its own mountain resort that opened in 2014, the Gatubod Spring Resort.

Gatubod Spring Resort

Gatubod Spring Resort is the first mountain resort in the town of Compostela. It is located in one of the mountain barangays of the town. The resort is around seven kilometers away from the main highway. The name of the resort is derived from the Cebuano word “tubod,” which means spring. The water used in the swimming pools of the resort comes from a spring in the area.

Facilities and Amenities

The resort has two big pools and one kiddie pool. The first pool is the biggest one and features two slides. The deepest part of the pool is at seven feet while the shallowest part is four feet deep. The second big pool is located a little higher than the first one while the kiddie pool is situated between the two big pools. The top of the two slides starts at the kiddie pool area.

​The resort currently has no facilities for overnight stays, but they do have some cottages where you can leave your things while you have some fun at the pools. They also have a comfort room where you can change into dry clothes after having fun at the pools. The resort has a social hall and you can also use the grilling area of the resort to cook food.  

Rates

Gatubod Spring Resort charges an entrance fee of PhP60 for adults and PhP30 for kids. Children under five years old can enter the resort for free. Cottage rental is PhP500 while renting a table costs PhP250. The resort does not charge corkage for food. 

Getting to Gatubod Spring Resort

You have to ride on a jeepney to Compostela and get off at the public market where you can ride on a motorcycle for hire going to Gatubod Spring Resort. You can also get off at the Seaoil Gas Station along the road. The road going to the place is right across the gas station where you can ride on a motorcycle for hire. You can also bring your own vehicle to the resort since they offer parking spaces for their guests.

​The Gatubod Spring Resort is just one of the numerous mountain resorts in the island of Cebu. Even as the resort is relatively new, it has already attracted the attention of locals and visitors looking for a place where they can take a break and have fun with the family and friends. 

Have you visited Gatubod Spring Resort already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​Cebu has numerous resort options that cater to the needs of tourists, both local and foreign. Many of these resorts are located in Mactan Island, which has some of the best beaches in the archipelago. There are also some resorts in the southern and northern part of the island that offer amenities similar to the ones you find in Mactan. One of these resorts is the Estaca Bay Garden Resort in Compostela, Cebu.

Estaca Bay Garden Resort

The Estaca Bay Garden Resort was formerly known as the Stakili Beach Resort. It is probably the most renowned beach resort in the northern town of Compostela. It is also one of the preferred venues for get-togethers of family and friends, company events, and beach parties. 

​While many guests stay a night or two at the resort, the place also accepts walk-in guests who want to take a dip in their swimming pool or frolic at the beach until the sun sets over the horizon. The rooms of the resorts are air-conditioned, and include breakfast for two and free use of the swimming pool for two people.  In addition, walk-in guests can also make use of their cottages for a fee if they are not keen on staying overnight.  The resort also allows people to set up tents for a minimal charge. 

Facilities and Amenities

The resort has two swimming pools, one for the kids and one for adults. The deepest point of the kids’ pool is at five feet while the deepest point of the pool for adults is six feet. If you want to practice your vocal chords, the resort also offers a karaoke machine for rent.  Estaca Bay Garden Resort also has a conference room, which makes the resort ideal for meetings and conventions.

Rates

For guests who just want to use the facilities of the resort, they have to pay an entrance fee of PHP50 during weekdays and PHP50 during weekends. Room rates start at PHP1,470 while cottage rentals start at PHP550. Camp tent charge at the resort is at PHP150. Day use at the pool costs PHP100 for adults and PHP75 for kids, but if you want to go swimming at night the rates are at PHP120 and PHP100 for adults and kids, respectively.

Getting to Estaca Bay Garden Resort

If you want to go to Estaca Bay Garden Resort, just get on a jeepney going to Compostela and tell the driver to drop you off at the resort. The resort is well-known and is situated along the road going north. You can also get on a bus going north at the Cebu North Bus Terminal.

Estaca Bay Garden Resort is just one of your options if you want to have a relaxing stay in the island of Cebu. The place offers all the amenities of many high-end resorts in Mactan Island, but at a reasonable cost. Since the place is typically packed during the weekends, it is best to visit the place on a weekday if you want to have a relaxing day from work. You may even have the pool all to yourself if the resort only has a few guests during your stay. Many Cebuanos have wonderful memories about the place, which has become a part of the lives of many residents in the area and the island of Cebu in general. 

Have you stayed at Estaca Bay Garden Resort already? Tell us about it on the comments section below

Note: Prices may change without prior notice.

​Rock formations usually result from weathering and erosion. These rock formations were sculpted by nature through thousands, if not, millions of years into their present state. Rock formations simply demonstrate both the power and artistry of nature. The Philippines has a number of notable rock formations scattered across the archipelago. One of these rock formations can be found in the southwestern town of Ronda, the Liog-Liog rock formation. 

Ronda

The southwestern town of Ronda used to be called Huluyaw, which was derived from the name of a banana plant that thrived in the area. It was established by a local chieftain named Pongtod, who later adopted the name Villagonzalo after a Spanish decree ordered all inhabitants of the Philippines to adopt a Spanish name. The name of the town was later changed to Ronda after the Spaniards noted that two highlands flanked the place, which was similar to a place in Spain with the same name. 

Liog-Liog Rock Formation

The Liog-Liog rock formation can be found along one of the beaches of the town. The rock formation has a narrow base that forms into what appears to be a neck. This explains the name since the Cebuano word for neck is “liog.” 

​There is a rubber rope leading to the rock formation, which makes it easier to climb the rock. When the tide gets high, the water typically covers the base and can even reach the top portion of the rock formation. If you want to climb the rock, you sure make sure you wear a sturdy pair of shoes and proper attire. 

Other Attractions

Aside from the Liog-Liog rock formation, the town is also home to a white sand beach that some visitors refer to as a mini-Boracay. One renowned tourist spot of the town is the Lusno Falls. The town also hosts a marine sanctuary where tropical fish thrive.

Getting to Ronda

You can get on a bus bound for Ronda at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Tell the driver or conductor to let you off at the town proper. From the town, you can hop on a motorcycle for hire going to the beach where the rock formation is situated. You can find it along the beach close to the Kasadya Aqua Park.

​The town of Ronda is one of the hidden treasures of the island of Cebu. It features a number of places that have gradually attracted the attention of local and foreign tourists. The town is a welcome option for people who want to have a relaxing vacation away from the crowds normally found in well-known tourist spots in the island.

​A marine sanctuary is a marine protected area or MPA that is a part of the ocean where human activity is limited by the government. Cebu has a number of marine sanctuaries in different parts of the island. These marine sanctuaries were established to ensure marine life can propagate and increase the supply of fish for the fisherfolk in the area. One of these marine sanctuaries is located in the town of Ginatilan

Ginatilan

The town of Ginatilan is situated in the southwestern part of Cebu. It is known as the hometown of the second Filipino saint, St. Pedro Calungsod. The place used to be called hinatdan, which means bringing things to the place. The town used to be a barangay of the neighboring town of Samboan. During this time, Ginatilan already had a chapel but the chapel was only a structure and did not have any of the things used for a mass. Each time a mass was held at the place, all the things necessary for the mass were brought to the place.  The name of the town was eventually changed to Ginatilan by the Spaniards after they found it hard to pronounce the word hinatdan. 

Marine Sanctuary

The marine sanctuary in Ginatilan was established on February 1, 2006 and is located in Barangay Poblacion. It was meant to protect and safeguard a coral reef system in the area. The coral reef is the habitat, breeding ground, and nursery of fish and other marine life. Protecting the coral reef allows fish and marine life to thrive and eventually grow to maturity without any constant physical disturbance from human activity. It allows the number of larvae to increase and ensures they grow into mature fish, which would circulate around the marine sanctuary and traditional fishing areas along the coast of the town. 

Other Tourist Spots in Ginatilan

Aside from the marine sanctuary, Ginatilan also has a number of other tourist spots where visitors can drop by for a visit. The most famous tourist spot in the town is the Inambakan Falls, which is a three-level waterfall system.  Another noteworthy place to visit is the Ginatilan Lighthouse, which is one of the last remaining lighthouses in the island.

Getting to Ginatilan

You can get to Ginatilan by getting on a bus bound for the town at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. The trip to the town takes around four hours. Once you reach the town, you can get on a motorcycle for hire to take you to the marine sanctuary. 

​Even as Cebu is blessed with numerous natural attractions that have piqued the interest of visitors from all around the world, it is still very important to make sure we take care of them. One way to take care of these natural attractions is to establish marine sanctuaries where marine life can thrive and continue to provide not only a suitable livelihood for the locals, but offer another place where tourist can appreciate the beauty of nature. 

Have you visited the marine sanctuary in Ginatilan already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​Situated in the middle of the archipelago, the island of Cebu is an ideal destination for people looking for a perfect vacation spot. The beaches of the island are known to be among the best in the world while the mountain retreats have started to attract the attention of vacation-goers around the country. But there are also other hidden jewels in the island that have the potential to be a major tourist attraction in the future. One of these places is the Alcantara Sea Paradise.

Alcantara

The Alcantara Sea Paradise is located in the southern town of Alcantara. While the town is not as popular as its neighbor, Moalboal, it does offer a number of tourist sites where local and foreign tourists can visit. The old name of the town was “Kogtong,” which was also the name of a large freshwater fish that thrived in the springs of the town. In fact, one of the springs in the town is called the Kogtong Spring or Kugtong Spring. When the Spaniards came, they renamed the place after one of the towns in Spain. 

Alcantara Sea Paradise

The Alcantara Sea Paradise is one of the tourist drawers in the town. It is an eco-tourism project where visitors can get a peek at the beauty of nature. You essentially stroll on a bamboo walkway that takes you through a mangrove forest. The place also has a zoo housing animals of different species. A good part of the animal population in the zoo is birds. The birds in the zoo are not the birds you usually see in the wild. The zoo also has a pawikan, mud crabs, snake, and a monkey. Each enclosure also has the scientific name of the animal house within.

​The place also has cottages where you can rest before continuing your tour. You can also have lunch or snacks at these cottages. In addition to the signs at the enclosures, there are also signs showing visitors the type of trees growing at the place. 

​At the end of the walkway, you will get to see a bangus fish pen and the open sea. There is also a bamboo watchtower where you can have a marvelous view of the area. One thing that you may notice about the place is that some of the signs are in the Cebuano language.  Since it is located close to the sea, you can expect the weather to be somewhat cool in some days, especially when you reach the end of the walkway.

Getting to the Alcantara Sea Paradise

You can get to the Alcantara Sea Paradise by hopping on a bus bound for Moalboal and tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at the town of Alcantara. The Alcantara Sea Paradise is situated close to the church of the town and along the road going to the municipal hall. 

​A visit to the Alcantara Sea Paradise can be both relaxing and educational for local and foreign tourists. Aside from enjoying the sights offered at the place, visitors will also get to learn a thing or two about nature and its importance to the island of Cebu.

Cebu has a number of delicacies that visitors can bring with them after visiting the island. These delicacies include the peanut browas, toasted mini mamons, and the butterscotch, among others. You can find these delicacies in pasalubong centers and supermarkets in and around metro Cebu. Aside from these pasalubong items, some of the towns and cities of the island also offer their own delicacies. One of these delicacies can be found in Danao City in the north, the kiseo.

Danao City

There are no particular records showing how Danao got its name. But one legend emerged in the 1960s indicating that the name was due to miscommunication between the locals and the Spaniards. The legend shows that a Spanish captain commissioned by the Spanish authorities to establish towns in Cebu chanced upon natives tending to carabaos wallowing in a pond. He asked them for the name of the place, but the natives could not understand the Spaniard. They thought he was asking for the name of the pond, and they answered danawan or pond. Since the Spaniard was not familiar with the local language, he only heard the first two syllables, da-naw. From that point on, the place was called Danao.

Kiseo

Danao City actually offers a number of delicacies local and foreign visitors can try. One of these delicacies is a locally-produced cheese made out of carabao’s milk, the kiseo. While the island does not have sufficient space for cattle grazing, the city does have a tradition of making cheese. Aside from Danao City, the kiseo is also produced in other places in the island of Cebu.

​If you ever find yourself in the city of Danao in the north, you can check out some of the tourist spots in the area. While enjoying these sites, you may also want to try the kiseo of Danao, which you can enjoy with a freshly-baked pandesal from a local bakery.

​Have you tried the kiseo of Danao already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​While the beaches of Cebu are comparable to the ones found in other parts of the country, there are some people who are more at home in the mountains. Cebu has a number of mountain retreats where you can spend a night or two communing with nature while enjoying all the comforts of a resort. One of these resorts is Genesis Valley Mountain Resort.

​Genesis Valley Mountain Resort

The Genesis Valley Mountain Resort is a mountain retreat located in Consolacion. Being located on a mountain, the air is definitely cool and conducive for some reflection. It has become popular for company outings and family get-togethers. The trees at the place also add to the cool ambience of the resort. 

​The five-hectare mountain resort offers tropical garden and mountain views for its guests who may want to hold activities at the place. Kids and adults may also be interested in visiting the aviary, which features 12 bird species. 

Facilities

The resort offers a number of facilities to make the stay of their guests enjoyable. The place features an open field where activities can be held, a swimming pool for adults and kids, a clubhouse, and an aviary. The playground of the resort features slides, swings, and seesaws. The resort also features outdoor exercise facilities for people who may want to continue their exercise regimen while staying at the place. 

​Aside from the swimming pools for kids and adults, the place also has a pool Jacuzzi, which has become popular among guests who want to rest their tired muscles after exploring the place. The Genesis Valley Mountain Resort also has a place where you can reflect on the meaning of life. Walking past the aviary will take you through the Genesis Walk where guests can be reminded of the story of Genesis through inscriptions on the walls along the path.

​The path will lead guests to the chapel, which is located at the highest point of the resort. When you want to stay at the place, you have the option of bringing your own food or having it served by the eatery of the resort. Ala carte orders at the eatery ranges from PhP30 to PhP80.

Accommodations

The resort offers two types of air-conditioned rooms for their guests. The first one is good for two adults and two kids while the second is good for six persons. But if you would rather want to sleep under the night sky, you have the option of renting the tents of the resort. The air-conditioned room for two adults and two kids costs PhP2000 per night while the room for six persons costs PhP6000.

Rates

The Genesis Valley Mountain Resort has an entrance fee of PhP200 for adults and PhP150 for children. The fee is inclusive of the use of tables and chairs at the place. The resort also offers a special rate for large groups, PhP1500 for groups of ten persons, PhP2700 for groups from 11 to 20 persons, PhP3600 for groups of 21 to 30 persons, and PhP4300 for groups of 31 to 40 persons. If the group is more than 40 persons, a flat rate of PhP100 is charge as entrance fee. The clubhouse, which is big enough for 180 persons, is also available for special events at a rate of PhP5000.

Getting to the Resort

You have two options in getting to the resort. The first option is traveling through Pit-os in the Talamban area. Once you reach Pit-os, you can ride a motorcycle for hire to take you to the place through the Cabangahan Road. The second option is traveling to Fooda Hypermart in the town of Consolacion. From Fooda, you can ride a motorcycle for hire to the resort. 

The Genesis Valley Mountain Resort in Consolacion is just one of the many places in the island of Cebu where you can have a relaxing weekend away from life in the big city. Have you visited the Genesis Valley Mountain Resort already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.

Note: Prices may change without prior notice.