​Golf is a sport where players use a club to hit a ball to bring it into a series of holes on a course. There is no standardized area for the playing field of the sport. A game is won by the player with the lowest score. The game is normally played on a course with 18 holes with each hole having a tee box.

Golf in the Philippines

The sport was introduced into the Philippines by British nationals working at the Manila Railways Company. These British railway workers built a small golf course at the southern part of Intramuros during the Spanish period. When the Americans came, a nine-hole golf course was built close to the railway station.  This golf course eventually led to the establishment of the Manila Golf Club.

​Cebuanos are no strangers to golf since there are a number of golf clubs and driving ranges on the island. While these golf clubs require you to be a member before you can play, you can still play if you are a guest of the member of the club. Here are some of the golf courses you can find in Cebu.

Alta Vista Golf & Country Club 

Alta Vista Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole golf course located in Pardo Hills, Cebu City. The golf course was established in 1994 and started operating in 1997. The 18-hole golf course was designed by legendary golfer, Gary Palmer. It has small greens and narrow fairways.  In addition, the facility also has a driving range, basketball court, indoor tennis court, lounge bar, pro shop, and restaurant, among others.  Tourists and unaccompanied guests can use the golf course from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Cebu Country Club 

The Cebu Country Club is one of the premier golf clubs in the Visayas. It was originally called the United Service Country Club and was built in 1928 during the American period. The golf course has 18 holes and was also designed by Gary Palmer. It features well-maintained fairways and has a number of sand traps as well as trees in between each hole. The facility also has a tennis court, bowling alley, badminton court, restaurant, and bar, among others.

Mactan Island Golf Club

The Mactan Island Golf Club is located at the Mactan Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. This 18-hole golf course features corals and water hazards on that increases its difficulty level. While the course has a relatively flat terrain, it also has a number of tight fairways.  The facility also features a restaurant, pro shop, and driving range, among others. It is open for public use but on a “first-come, first-serve” basis.

Cebu International Golf and Resort

The Cebu International Golf and Resort is located in the southern town of Badian. It is located close to a tourist spot of the town, Lambug Beach. The course has 18 holes and well-maintained greens. The course is bordered by a forest of coconut trees on one side and a cliff on the other side. The facility also has a tennis court, swimming pool, restaurant, and beach resort, among others.

Water Buffalo Golf Club

The Water Buffalo Golf Club is located close to the Ecotech Training Center in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City. While it only features nine holes, it is quite challenging and is a good place for golfers to train. Some of the best players of the club are also members of other clubs in Cebu. It is probably the cheapest place to play golf in the city.

​These are just some of the golf clubs on the island of Cebu. While many require a member to accompany a guest, some allow walk-in guests to play at specific times of the day.

​The adobo is a popular Filipino dish everybody loves. The term adobo is a Spanish word that means marinade or sauce. The Filipino adobo involves cooking meat, particularly pork or chicken, that is marinated in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic. The meat is browned in oil and simmered using the marinade.  It is so popular that is considered as the unofficial national dish of the Philippines.

Cebuanos love their adobo. In fact a number of restaurants have their own versions of the adobo on their menu. The following are some places in the Queen City of the South offering adobo dishes.

Everything Yummy

Everything Yummy is a relatively-new restaurant located at the Cebu IT Park. They offer a number of dishes that have captured the hearts and minds of Cebuanos, so to speak. One of the dishes customers are raving about is their Adobomb Breakfast. The meal consists of adobo with two eggs ad plain or garlic rice. Since it is a breakfast meal, it is only available from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM.  The Adobomb Breakfast at Everything Yummy costs PHP175.

Café Laguna

Any longtime resident of Cebu knows that Café Laguna serves the best-tasting Filipino food in the Queen City of the South. It has numerous adobo dishes on their menu, including their Pork Adobo, Adobong Manok, Adobong Nocos, and Adobong Kangkong. The prices of these adobo dishes range from PHP165 for the Adobong Kangkong up to PHP250 for the Pork Adobo. 

Chikaan sa Cebu

Chikaan sa Cebu is another well-loved restaurant in Cebu offering authentic Filipino food. It is also one of the institutions in the culinary landscape of Cebu together with Café Laguna. The restaurant has a huge selection of food items on its menu, including a couple of adobo dishes. These adobo dishes include the Adobong Kangkong and Pork Adobo. 

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie is the franchised brand of Golden Cowrie, which is well-known for offering delicious Filipino food in the Queen City of the South.  Hukad sa Golden Cowrie carries the tradition of its mother company in providing delicious authentic Filipino food to its customers.  The adobo dishes on its menu include the Adobong Talong, Adobong Kangkong, and Adobong Pusit. The prices of their adobo dishes range from PHP115 for the Adobong Talong up to PHP220 for the Adobong Pusit.

Café Sarree

Café Sarree may be relatively new to the food landscape of Cebu, but it is starting to make waves with their great-tasting food. This casual dining restaurant offers a number of gourmet dishes with a twist. Its menu includes a couple of adobo dishes, including the Adobo Flakes Tower and the Lamb Adobo.  The prices of their adobo dishes are PHP230 for the Adobo Flakes Tower and PHP285 for the Lamb Adobo.

​Have you visited these places offering adobo dishes in Cebu? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.

Note: Prices may change without prior notice.

The Municipality of Tuburan is located in the northwestern part of the island of Cebu.  It is a quiet town where a Cebuano Katipunero hails from. The town also prides itself as the Spring of Progress and Hope. In addition, the town has a number of tourist attractions that are gradually getting the attention of local and foreign tourists. One of these tourist attractions is the San Antonio De Padua Parish Church.

Tuburan

The name of the town comes from the Cebuano word “tubod,” which means spring. The place was named Tuburan since it has numerous springs spread in and around the boundary of the town. The word ‘tuburan” means a place with springs. The town was established in 1851 by Don Mariano Monteban, who was a native of neighboring Sogod. The town is also the birthplace of General Arcadio Maxilom, a renowned Cebuano Katipunero.

San Antonio De Padua Parish Church

The San Antonio De Padua Parish Church features a semi-Romanesque architecture that has piqued the interest of travelers and visitors to the town. It is situated in the middle of the town and was built in 1857 or six years after the town was established. It is also one of the tourist spots of the town due to its cultural and historical significance. 

The first parish priest of San Antonio De Padua Parish Church was Fr. Prospero Salazar. The original structure was made of wood, lime, and cornerstone. While it was heavily damaged during the Second World War, it was rehabilitated after the end of the war. 

​On January 31, 2007, the San Antonio De Padua Parish Church was conferred the title of the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua by then-archbishop of Cebu His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. This conferment made it a pilgrim destination for the faithful seeking consolation since San Antonio de Padua is the patron saint for sailors, businesses, the less privileged, expectant mothers, and lost souls, among others. The San Antonio De Padua Parish Church celebrates the annual feast day of San Antonio de Padua every June 13. 

Getting to Tuburan

You can go to Tuburan by getting on a bus headed for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. The trip can take around three hours depending on the traffic. You can also opt to ride a van for hire at the Ayala Center Cebu Terminal. 

Aside from being one of the tourist attractions of the town of Tuburan, the San Antonio De Padua Parish Church has also become an important pilgrim destination in Cebu. It is also a testament to the faith of the residents of the town of Tuburan and Cebuanos as a whole.

​Have you visited the San Antonio De Padua Parish Church in Tuburan already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, they built churches in different town around the archipelago. In addition, they converted many of the natives who took to Christianity like duck to water. Due to this, most of the heritage sites in the country are churches and old Spanish houses. But, there are some places in the island of Cebu where you can find structures you do not typically see in the country. One of these places is the southern town of Argao.

Argao

Argao is home to a number of heritage sites that have captivated the imagination of many history-loving tourists. In addition, the town is also home to a number of natural tourist attractions visitors can explore. Aside from these tourist spots, Argao is also home to numerous local delicacies that have become the favorite pasalubong items visitors normally bring home with them. These items include the Torta, Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, and Toasted Mini Mamon. But, Argao is also home to a rather out-of-the-ordinary tourist spot, the Riverstone Castle Resort.

Riverstone Castle Resort

The Riverstone Castle Resort has piqued the curiosity of many visitors to this southern Cebu town. While most of these visitors go to Argao to check out the heritage sites and local delicacies of the town, the Riverstone Castle Resort never fails to get a second look from them. 

​The Riverstone Castle Resort is a tropical castle resort designed by Raphael Lemmens, a Belgian national. It was built in 2002 in memory of Jesus Galegos, one of the renowned artists who came from the town. It is not an ordinary resort that looks like a castle from the outside since it has a drawbridge, battlements, towers, and a small moat. You may even find a crocodile or two in the moat.

​The Riverstone Castle Resort features a mini-zoo and swimming pool where you can take a dip to rest your weary muscles after traveling around two hours to the town. In addition, you can also explore the mini-parks of the castle or test how good your aim is at their shooting range. The place also has a function room that looks like the main hall of a real castle. The castle also has facilities for overnight stays.

Getting to the Riverstone Castle Resort

You can go to the Riverstone Castle Resort in Argao by hopping on a bus headed for the town. Once you reach Argao, you can ride a tricycle or motorcycle for hire to the resort.

​The Riverstone Castle Resort is just one of the interesting places you can visit when you go around the southern town of Argao. You may also want to have bring with you a pack of Peanut Browas or Butterscotch while you explore the castle. The Riverstone Castle Resort gives you an idea of how it feels to stay n a castle without having to go to England, Scotland, and other countries in Europe.

Have you stayed at the Riverstone Castle Resort already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.

Festivals or fiestas are one of the biggest events in the different towns in the archipelago. These festivals typically have a religious and non-religious aspect. The religious aspect comes in the form of a solemn procession where the images of the patron saints are carried along the major streets of the town.  On the other hand, the non-religious aspect is the street dancing competition and ritual showdown among different contingents of the competition. One of these festivals is the Bonga Festival of Sibonga.

Sibonga

The Municipality of Sibonga is located in the southern part of the island of Cebu. Just like many towns in the country, the name of the town came to be due to a misunderstanding between the natives and the Spaniards. When the Spaniards came to the town, they asked a group of natives for the name of the town. The natives thought the foreigners were asking for the name of the betel fruit they were trading, so they answered “bonga.” From that day on, the town was called Sibonga. 

Bonga Festival

The Bonga Festival of Sibonga is a thanksgiving celebration among residents of the town for the blessings they received in the past year. The town also celebrates the abundance of the food and other resources in the town.  The festival is also held in honor of the patron saints of the town, St. Filomena and Our Lady of Pilar. It also falls on the feast day of its patron saints, August 9. The term “bonga” is the Cebuano word for fruit or harvest. The festival originated from the time of the Spaniards when each town celebrated the feast day of their patron saints. A solemn parade is typically held on the feast day of the patron saints. 

​The highlight of the Sibonga Festival is the street dancing competition where performers wear colorful costumes while dancing on the streets of the town. The members of each contingent are students from different public elementary and high schools in the town. In addition, there is also a non-school based category where the performers may not be students of these schools. 

The Bonga Festival is another testament to the religious and fun-loving character of Cebuanos. It is also a way for Cebuanos to give thanks for the blessings they receive each year. If you find yourself in Cebu in the month of August, you may want to go down south and check out the Bonga Festival of Sibonga.

​Have you experienced the Bonga Festival of Sibonga already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.

​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 dawa 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.

​
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.