​Chicken has been a part of Cebuano cuisine since time immemorial. The presence of roasted chicken stalls in the metro is a testament to the love of Cebuanos for chicken dishes. Aside from these stalls, Cebu also has a number of places offering other chicken dishes, including restaurants offering chicken wings in different flavors. The following are some places where you can find flavored chicken wings in Cebu.

21 Dubs Flavored Chicken Wings

21 Dubs Flavored Chicken Wings first opened its doors to the Cebu market in 2015. Managed by culinary graduates, customers can expect at 21 differently-flavored chicken wings on their menu. These flavors include Buffalo, Jalapeno Cheese, Tomato Salsa, Pesto, Honey Garlic, and Garlic Parmesan, among others. The original location of the store is at the Maria Cristina Arcade along Maria Cristina Extension, Cebu City. The place currently has branches at Sugbo Mercado at the Cebu IT Park, SM Hypermart Lapu-Lapu, and Maroo Arcade in Mandaue City. 

Fowl Mood Diner

Fowl Mood Diner is a sister-restaurant of 21 Dubs Flavored Chicken Wings. Similar to its older sibling, the place also offers a wide variety of flavors for their chicken wings. Fowl Mood Diner has 16 flavor offerings for their chicken wings, including Chinese BBQ, Hawaiian, Mango Jalapeno, Teriyaki, and Spicy BBQ. Fowl Mood Diner is located at the Maroo Arcade in Mandaue City. 

Bad Boys Wingz

Bad Boys Wingz first opened its doors to Cebu in front of B.R.I.G.H.T.  Academy, and it proved to be a successful venture that attracted the attention of food lovers in Cebu. Their chicken wings were described as among the best Cebu could offer. Their chicken wings come in different flavors, including Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Honey BBQ, and Angry Buffalo, among others. Aside from its Talamban location, Bad Boys Wingz opened a second branch at The Greenery in Mabolo, Cebu City.

New York Buffalo Brad’s Hot Wings

New York Buffalo Brad’s Hot Wings may be a newcomer in the chicken wings landscape of Cebu, but it is gradually gaining a good following among foodies in Cebu. This fast food restaurant offers a variety of flavored chicken wings to customers looking to try something new in the Queen City of the South. Their chicken wing flavors include Classic Buffalo, Lemon Pepper, Honey Mustard, Garlic Parmesan, and BBQ Lime, among others. New York Buffalo Brad’s Hot Wings is located at the Garden Block at the Cebu IT Park.

Southside Chicken Wings

Southside Chicken Wings is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant located in a residential area in Banilad, Cebu City. While it is the garage of the owner, it received rave reviews from customers who were able to visit the place. Their chicken wings come in a variety of flavors, including Buttermilk Wings, Crispy Adobo Wings, Chili Garlic Wings, and Cajun Glazed Wings, among others. Southside Chicken Wings is located along Humabon Street, San Antonio Village, which is located close to Montebello Villa Hotel. 

​The love affair of Cebuanos with chicken wings does not seem to end as places offering the dish continue to flourish. While the dish may play second fiddle to the world-famous Cebu lechon, it does appear that this dish is here to stay. 

​Cebu can be considered as a melting pot of different cultures. This resulted in the entry of various cuisines catering to different tastes of the residents of the city. While Spanish and Chinese cuisines have dominated the food landscape of Cebu, there are a number of other dishes that have established themselves on the island. One of these dishes is the pizza. 

The Queen City of the South has a number of restaurants where you can have a slice or two of pizza. Even as many of these places are mere branches of multinational companies, Cebu also boasts of a number of homegrown pizza places that have made a name for themselves in the food landscape of Cebu. The following are some places where you can have a slice or two of pizza in the Queen City of the South.

Handuraw Pizza

Handuraw Pizza is one of the homegrown pizza places in Cebu. It started off as the Handuraw Events Café where up-and-coming local acts can jam and have some fun. The place later developed its own line of thin crust pizzas. An old house along Gorordo Avenue was later converted into a restaurant, and Handuraw Pizza was born. While the branch in Gorordo Avenue was closed, they still have other branches in JY Square Discovery Mall, Canduman and the North Park in Mandaue, White Gold, and Mango Square. Prices of the pizza at Handuraw Pizza are between PHP218 for the solo size of the Handuraw Special and PHP398 for the Chicken Adobo Premium Pinoy Pizza. 

Da Vinci’s Pizza 

Another Cebuano pizza place, Da Vinci’s Pizza has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2002. It is known mainly for their white sauce pizza, which is a departure from the usual tomato sauce for this Italian dish. The name of the place was inspired by one of the characters of the cartoon show, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The restaurant currently has several branches in Cebu, including Osmena Boulevard, Parkmall, Cebu IT Park, and Mactan Marina Mall, among others. The pizzas of Da Vinci’s Pizza are priced at PHP108 for the nine-inch Classic Cheese thin crust pizza up to PHP468 for the 16-inch Roast Beef pizza gusto. 

JCA Pizza

Longtime residents of Cebu are very familiar with JCA Pizza. It was one of the hole-in-the-wall places where you can find great-tasting pizza at a reasonable price. Even with the presence of big-name pizza places in Cebu, JCA Pizza was able to create a niche for itself in the competitive restaurant industry of Cebu. Many of their customers were students looking for a place offering affordable yet delicious pizza. Aside from its branch along Salinas Drive, JCA Pizza also has branches along Gorordo Avenue, in Talisay City, and Mandaue City. Prices of the pizza at JCA Pizza are between PHP105 for the Mini Magic and PHP260 for the Mignon.

Alberto’s Pizza

Similar to many homegrown restaurants in Cebu, Alberto’s Pizza was established by a group of friends looking to augment their income by establishing their own business. From simply delivering their pizza to their customers, Alberto’s Pizza already has numerous branches all over metro Cebu. The first branch opened in Mabolo, which was followed by different branches in a number of cities and towns in Cebu. The pizzas offered by Alberto’s Pizza are priced at PHP90 for the nine-inch Chizzo Trio up to PHP250 for the 11-inch Alberto’s Full House pizza.

Albur’s Pizza + Burger + Grill

​If you are looking for an oasis in the middle of the city, you may want to visit Albur’s Pizza + Burger + Grill. Located within a residential area in Mabolo, this relatively-new restaurant offers affordable yet delicious pizza, among others. The al fresco setting of the place sets it apart from a typical restaurant setup. The prices of the pizza at Albur’s Pizza + Burger + Grill are between PHP270 for the Sofia and PHP295 for the Berto’s All Meat Pizza. 

The heritage sites of Cebu are not limited to the Queen City of the South and its surrounding cities and towns. There are also a number of heritage sites all over the island. A good place for history and culture buffs to explore is the southern part of the island. Aside from old churches and convents, these places also have structures built during the American period. One of the places visitors can educate themselves about history is the town of Boljoon.

Boljoon

The southern town of Boljoon is located around a hundred kilometers from Cebu City. The town has a rich cultural history dating to the time before the arrival of the Spaniards. Archeological excavations conducted between 2007 and 2009 showed burials dating back to the early part of the 16th century. Artifacts discovered in these burial ground include ceramics from China and Japan. This shows the town was already a thriving community. The town was once a barrio of Carcar before a parish was established in the area.

Heritage Walk in Boljoon

The rich heritage of Boljoon is still evident up to today. Many of the Spanish era structures have remained standing as local officials have been working to preserve them for future generations. The following are some of the heritage structures visitors can visit to have a glimpse of the rich history of Boljoon.

Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church

The Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church or Our Lady of Patronage of Mary Parish Church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1999. It was also identified by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure in 2001. Aside from taking care of the religious need of the people of Boljoon, the church also served as a fortress to keep the people safe from raiders. Construction of the church started in 1783 and it was completed in 1814 during the time of Fr. Julian Bermejo. 

Church Rectory

The rectory of the church can be considered as the oldest Spanish-era residential building in Boljoon. Located right beside the church, the rectory was shaped like an “L.” It was one of the biggest rectories in Cebu during the Spanish period. The structure used to host members of the clergy and important visitors to the town. It was completed in 1847 and was a typical bahay na bato. The ground floor of the structure was used as a storage area while the second floor was the living area.  It is now used as a museum. 

Church Belfry

The belfry of the church is another place where visitors can catch a glimpse of history. It does not appear to be well designed and simply looked plain. But, one notable thing about the belfry is it was shorter than the façade pediment of the church. One possible reason for this disparity is that it may have been built at the same time as the old church, which was destroyed in 1782 by pirates. The belfry was used as a lookout or watchtower to warn residents of the presence of pirates or raiders.

Balay Cirilio Sestoso 

Balay Cirilio Sestoso is the last remaining 19th-century house left standing in Boljoon. It is also considered as the oldest ancestral house in the town. The house was built by a former goberndorcillo of Boljoon, Cirilio Sestoso, in the 1880s. The rectangular structure features detailed ornamentation along the gutter. The Balay Cirilio Sestoso is a typical example of a house built during the Spanish period.

Catolica Escuela

Another structure built by the Spaniards was the Catolica Escuela. While it was built when Cebu was already under the Americans, it was used as a dorm for children who were preparing to take their first communion. These children typically come from barangays located in the upland area of the town. Aside from being used as a dorm, religious teachings were also conducted in the building. At one point in the past, it was also used as a school.

El Grande Baluarte

El Grande Baluarte is an imposing structure in the town of Boljoon. The two-level blockhouse was a part of the coastal defense established by Fr. Julian Bermejo to protect residents of towns in the southern part of Cebu. Aside from serving as a watchtower, the structure also featured cannons on the second level and a prison in the ground level. It also had a storage area for weapons and ammunition. The structure was called El Grande Baluarte sine it was the biggest watchtower on the island.

Baño sa Poblacion 

The Baño sa Poblacion was supposedly the place where the Spaniards first encountered the locals. The place features a gushing spring, which was attributed to the name of the place. Similar to other towns in Cebu, the name of Boljoon was also a product of miscommunication between the Spaniards and the locals. When the Spaniards arrived in the area, they asked for the name of the place. But, the locals thought they were asking for the name of the spring in front of them. So, they answered “bulho,” which eventually became Boljoon.

Other Attractions in Boljoon

Aside from these historically and culturally-significant sites, Boljoon also has a number of tourist spots where visitors can pass by after immersing themselves in the culture of the town. These tourist spots include the Kan-Amno Falls and Dayhag Falls. 

Taking a road trip to the south not only allows you to get away from the stress of life in the city, it can also be quite educational. The journey brings you to different heritage towns featuring structures that have withstood the test of time. If you want to have something to munch on along the way, you may want to bring with you a pack or two of Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, or Toasted Mini Mamons. 

Many of the games Cebuano kids used to play required minimal equipment. While some of these games have to be played outside, there are others that can be played inside the house. There are also some games you can play just about anywhere as long as you have suitable space for it. The following are some games Cebuano kids used to play just about anywhere. 

Jolen/Jolin

Jolen or jolin is played using a small, round marble. There are a number of variations of this game, including something as simple as trying to hit the marble of your opponent or putting the jolen into holes line lined up on the ground. There is also a variation where you would need to hit some marbles out of a circle on the ground. The terms “jolerns” and “mamords” are typically used in this game.

Kaka

Decades ago, Cebuano kids used to carry around a matchbox without any matches in them. Instead, they contained spiders or kaka, which were used for one of the games they used to play. They even put partitions inside the matchbox to separate the spiders from each other. The game starts with two spiders placed on the opposite ends of a stick. The spiders are nudged to move to go along the length of the stick until they encounter each other. At this point, they would start fighting. 

Dakop-dakop

Dakop-dakop is the Cebuano version of the game of tag. While an open field is ideal for playing this game, a covered court can also be used as the playing field. The game requires at least three players since it would look ridiculous if the game is played by only two people. 

Kasing

Before the beyblade became a thing among Cebuanos, the kasing was king. The game required some skills since it is not easy to manipulate the kasing or top. Once you get the hang of it, you can do a lot more than just spinning the kasing. The kasing is typically made of either softwood or hardwood. 

Jackstones

Jackstones is actually a traditional game played by girls in Korea. It is played using a set of six or ten jacks or metal-pointed stars and a rubber ball. The game starts after jacks are thrown to the ground. One of the players will throw the ball upward and let it bounce once. The player has to collect a predetermined number of jacks before the ball bounces a second time.

​The games Cebuano kids used to play were simple and only required minimal playing materials. These games can be played rain or shine. They also encourage kids to use their imagination and creativity aside from allowing them to exercise their muscles while having fun.

Cebu has always held a special place in the heart of many Cebuanos who have established new roots in other places around the world. While many have not yet returned to the Queen City of the South, they still consider Cebu as their home. Let’s take a look at 6 more things you should know if you lived in Cebu.

Sammy’s Pochero House

Sammy’s Pochero House was an eatery located close to Fuente Osmeña. It was one of the favorite go-to places of Cebuanos who after a night of fun during the weekend. They would normally order their pochero and pair it with puso or hanging rice. For on a budget, they would order puso and soup from the pochero. 

Sinulog Grand Parade at Reclamation Area

These days, the Sinulog Grand Parade passes through General Maxilom Avenue, Fuente Osmeña, and Osmeña Boulevard. In the past, there were instances when it was held in the North Reclamation Area where SM City, old White Gold, and present-day Robinsons’ Galleria are located. 

Mom’s Pizza

Shakey’s, Pizza Hut, Yellow Cab, and Alberto’s were nothing compared to Mom’s Pizza, which had stalls all over the city. These stalls sold cheap yet filling pizza in schools around the Queen City of the South. They offered a basic pizza with tomato sauce, meat, cheese, and other basic ingredients. 

Cebu Central Colleges

The University of Cebu was once known as the Cebu Central Colleges (CCC) and was the first educational institution in Cebu to offer the course Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science. When it was established by Atty. Augusto W.Go, it was called Cebu College of Commerce.

Sen Hiap Hing Department Store

Long before Robinsons, SM, and Ayala opened their doors to the market in Cebu, there was Sen Hiap Hing Department Store.  Sen Hiap Hing was considered one of the premier places to shop in the past. People would flock to the place to buy just about anything. 

Narada Boutique

​Narada Boutique was also one of the places where Cebuanos would go to buy things that were not offered in many of the department stores in Cebu. These items include shirts, caps, and other similar merchandise. There were also instances when you could find creeper shoes sold at Narada Boutique.

Even as Cebu has changed in the last few decades, it is still important to look back during the time when life was simpler. 

The Cebuano language is rather interesting with its quirks and idiosyncrasies. There are many terms and expressions that can be used in many different ways. Here are ten common Cebuano expressions.

Sikreto para bibo

When someone is interested about something you know and you want to fuel that person’s curiosity. This phrase is normally used when you are talking to someone who is very curious about what you know, but you want to keep the secret just to get his or her goat.

“Sikreto para bibo” 

 “I’ll keep it secret to make it more fun.”

Choya

“Choya” is derived from the word “choy,” which refers to a man who looks handsome, dresses well, or is generally a good-looking person. The term “choya” is used to describe a guy who does something awesome that other people would look up to him.

“Choya aning bat-ana uy”

“This guy is awesome.”

Laysho

The term “laysho” came from the English word “social.” This term refers to something fancy and is typically used to describe a person, place, or thing.

“Laysho kayo ilang balay.”

“They have a very fancy house.”

Hulmigason

The term “Hulmigason” is typically used to describe a sweet couple. It is derived from the term ”hulmigas,” which means ant. Hulmigason essentially means being overrun by ants, which is associated with a couple being too sweet that they might be overrun by ants.

“Ka-sweet ninyo, hulmigason nya mo diha.”

“You guys are so sweet you might get overrun by ants.”

Puhon

“Puhon” means God-willing or hopefully. This expression is said when you are hoping something will happen in the future.

“Magkita ta ugma, puhon”

“Hopefully, we will see each other tomorrow.”

Simbako

“Simbako” is the antonym for “puhon.” It is translated to “God forbid” or “knock on wood.” It is typically used when you are hoping nothing bad will happen in the future.

“Simbako unsay mahitabo ugma.”

“God forbid something will happen tomorrow.”

Pakals

“Pakals” simply means “chow” or “a feast.” Cebuanos use the term to when they are about to chow down food. It is also used to describe the feast itself.

“Pakals na”

“Time for the feast.”

Patagad

Longtime residents of Cebu would remember the phrase “patagad.” It is used to describe someone who is seeking attention. It is derived from the word “tagad,” which means attention.

“Patagad ka?”

“Do you want some attention?”

Ay Ambot!

The term “ay ambot” can be used for a lot of situations for a Cebuano. Literally it means a person has no idea, but it can also be used in a lot of expressions. Some of the translations of the term “ay ambot” include “I have no idea,” “I don’t care anymore,” “it does not matter,” and “I’m tired of that already.”

“Ay ambot nimo!”

“I’m tired of you already!”
​
Kuan

“Kuan” has become a universal word for just about anything. It can be a noun or a verb. In fact, it can be used numerous times in a Cebuano sentence and still make sense to some Cebuanos.

“Kadtong kuan ba, nag-kuan si kuan didto sa kuan adtong kuan.” 

 “That thing, somebody did something somewhere sometime.”

Learning to speak Cebuano is relatively easy, but using the expressions properly may take a lot of getting used to.

​Mactan Island offers a lot of options for people looking for a place to stay and enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. These options range from high-end, exclusive resorts to smaller beaches without any provisions for overnight stays. There are also some family-friendly resorts offering similar amenities offered by big resorts. One of these resorts is the Karancho Beach Resort.

Karancho Beach Resort

The Karancho Beach Resort is a spacious, family-friendly resort located in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City. Similar to resorts in Mactan Island, Karancho Beach Resort also features an ample beachfront for its guests. The resort also uses natural and environment-friendly materials for its rooms, cottages, and function halls to give its guests a taste of nature. 

Amenities and Facilities

Guests can look forward to a good number of recreational activities at the resort. These activities include banana boat rides, jetskiing, water skiing, and parasailing, among others. Guests can also play beach volleyball, ping-pong, Frisbee, and basketball. The place also offers free Wi-Fi connectivity to its guests. Karancho Beach Resort offers cottages for its day-use guests. At least 15 guests can fit inside the hut. The biggest cottage is big enough for 40 guests. In addition, rooms are also available for guests who want to spend the night at the resort. The resort does not have a swimming pool though.

Rates and Other Details

The entrance fee during the weekday is PHP50 and PHP80 for children with a height of between three to four feet and adults respectively. Children with a height of less than three feet can enter the resort for free. The entrance fee increases to PHP80 and PHP 120 for children and adults, respectively.  Rentals for its water sports equipment start at PHP3,000 per hour for the jetski up to PHP5,000 per hour for the wakeboard.

​Cottage rentals start at PHP800 for the round hut up to PHP1,500 for the jumbo tent. Karancho Beach Resort also has a number of function halls available for rent. Rental for the function halls are between PHP2,500 for the small function hall ad PHP10,000 for the large function hall. Room rates for overnight stays start at PHP1,500.

Getting to the Karancho Beach Resort

Karancho Beach Resort is located in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City. You have three options in getting to the beach resort. The cheapest is through a jeepney you can ride at Hi-Way, Mandaue City. Just tell the driver where you are headed. If you are travelling as a group, you can rent a van at the vehicle terminal of SM City Cebu or Ayala Center Cebu. The third option is by getting on a taxi to take you to Karancho Beach Resort.

​While the best beaches in Cebu are located far from the metro, there are still some excellent beaches you can visit in Mactan Island. Karancho Beach Resort is an affordable beach resort where you can spend a weekend with family and friends. You can also bring a box of Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, or Toasted Mini Mamons while having some fun under the sun at the Karancho Beach Resort.

These days when you talk about games children play, it normally involves the kids controlling something on at a screen. It may be the screen of a television, computer, tablet, or a smartphone. While there are some kids who go out when to play when they have nothing to do over the weekend, more often than not you will see kids sitting down while staring at a screen.

This was not the case decades ago. Cebuano kids used to go out of the house to play with other neighborhood kids. We came up with a list of games Cebuanos used to play when they were still young.

Shatong

Shatong is one of the most popular games Cebuanos used to play. This outdoor game only needed sticks and a field or a small patch of land for the playing area. There were even instances when kids would simply try to find a hole on a concrete road and play the game in the streets inside a subdivision. The game involves hitting a small stick with a big stick. The goal is to hit the stick hard enough so it will fly far from the hole. The opposing team would try to catch it while it is in the air. But, the game does not end here since it has many other levels that allow kids to exercise their muscles over the weekend.

Tago-tago (Hide-and-Seek)

Tago-tago or hide-and-seek is another game Cebuanos used to play when they were kids. The game did not require any equipment to play. A playing area where the kids can hide was all that was needed. There are even instances when the play area is the whole subdivision. The “it” would be asked to count while the other kids find a place where they can hide. After counting, the “it” would look for the other kids in the playing area. There are some variations in the game, but it essentially required one person to look for everybody else in the playing area.

Japanese Game

Japanese game is a variation of a game of tag. The game divides the kids into two teams with each team protecting their base from the opponents. Each time a player leaves the base, a player from the opposing team tries to catch him or her. Nobody really knows why the game was called Japanese game, but it was a game Cebuano kids used to play after school while waiting for their parents to pick them up.

Tubig-Tubig

A direct translation of tubig-tubig in English is water-water. The only connection of the game to water is that water is sometimes used to make the lines used in the playing area. Similar to the Japanese game, tubig-tubig involves teams going up against each other. The defensive team tries to catch at least one player of the opposing team as they try to cross the lines on the ground. On the other hand, all members of the attacking team try to cross all the lines before going back to their starting point without anyone getting caught.

Tumba Lata

Tumba lata is another game kids used to play in the neighborhood. The game only required an empty can and slippers. The object of the game is to hit the can placed in the center of the circle using the slippers. The tin can is guarded by an “it,” who tries to catch the other kids as they try to retrieve their slippers after setting the can upright again. 

These are just five outdoor games Cebuano kids used to play during a time when video games, computers, and smartphones have yet to be invented. While these games can still be played by the kids of today, it is important to make sure they play in a safe and secure area. After playing, they can share a box of Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, or Toasted Mini Mamons for their snack.

What other games can you recall playing when you were still a kid in Cebu? 

​When people talk about the Camotes Islands, images of white sand beaches with crystal clear waters typically come up. But, these islands off the northeastern coast of Cebu offer more than just beaches. The islands also have some caves worth exploring. One of these caves is the Bukilat Cave in Poro Island. 

Bukilat Cave

The Camotes Island group actually has eight natural caves. But, Bukilat Cave is the most prominent among these caves. The cave has seven openings with the middle one big enough to allow light to enter the cave. The most prominent feature of the cave is the crystal clear pool inside. Some people believe the source of the water in the pool s a natural spring inside the cave. Its knee-deep waters are refreshing and cool. Since the water is clean and pure, some think it has some healing properties. 

​The cave has remained relatively undeveloped with the exception of steps leading to the pool. Local officials are aiming to preserve the pristine condition of the cave. Due to this, visitors are not allowed to eat inside the cave. The cave is also home to a number of stalactites and stalagmites. To ensure these are protected, local officials are imposing a fine on people who eat, drink, or smoke inside the cave. 

​The Bukilat Cave was supposedly used as shelter by residents of the island during the Second World War. There are even some stories indicating that the area where the cave is located is home to some undiscovered treasure. The cave was supposedly named after a local leader who lived close to the cave. 

Getting to the Bukilat Cave

Your journey to the Bukilat Cave starts at the Cebu North Bus Terminal where you can get on a bus headed for the Danao Port. Once you are at the port in Danao, get on a ferry headed for Poro Island. After reaching Poro Island, you can hire a motorcycle to bring you to the Bukilat Cave. Another option is a tricycle or a multicab if you are with a big group.

Since the Bukilat Cave in Poro Island is a popular destination among visitors to the Camotes Island group, local officials have remained steadfast in protecting it. If this can be done for the Bukilat Cave, we can also do the same with the other natural attractions in different parts of Cebu.

Have you explored the Bukilat Cave in the Camotes Island Group already? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

​People typically visit Cebu to have the time of their lives in the different tourist destinations in the island. While the beaches and mountain resorts of Cebu are the places tourists typically visit, the island also has quiet places where you can meditate and reflect on everything that happened in your life so far. One of these places is the St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen.

St. Benedict Monastery

The St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen is a center for meditation, prayer, and healing located in Corte, Carmen. This mountain retreat offers a panoramic view of the landscape surrounding the place. It is a few kilometers away from the main road. The monastery is home to the Oratory of St. Pedro Calungsod, Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Center, and the Divine Mercy Center. Each year hundreds of pilgrims visit the place to pray, go to confession, and seek counseling.

​The monastery is under the Sylvestrine Congregation, which is a monastic reform movement among the Benedictines. The reform movement occurred during the 13th century in the central and eastern part of Italy.  Monks from the Conventual Priory of St. Joseph Makkiyad, India opened the Philippine mission in 1999 under the patronage of the Abbot General and General Curia. 

Arrival of Monks in Cebu

The first two monks arrived in Cebu in 1999. They were received by the mayor of Carmen at that time, Mayor Virginio Villamor. Since the family of the mayor had vast tracts of land in the town, he offered land for the monks to build their monastery. Since the land offered was not suitable for a monastery, the monks had to purchase around four hectares of land in 1999. The monastery started off as a small structure before the main structure was built. After St. Benedict Monastery was completed, it was blessed on December 8, 2005. 

Place for Retreats

Since the St. Benedict Monastery is situated six kilometers from the main road. Due to its isolation, it is perfect for retreats and reflections. One of the facilities ideal for these activities is the Divine Mercy Center. The center can be used for religious seminars, recollections, and retreats. It can also be used for prayer reunions and family gatherings supervised by a priest. The center is big enough to accommodate 50 people. Closed retreats can also be conducted at the Divine Mercy Center together with the Monastic guesthouse. The guesthouse is big enough for 24 persons. 

Other Places to Visit in Carmen

Carmen also has a number of other places tourists can visit. These places include the Mangitngit Falls, St. Agustin Parish Church, the Japanese grave marker, Durano Eo Farm and Carmen Bay. Another upcoming attraction in the town of Carmen is the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, which is set to officially open within the year.

​Carmen was once a quiet town in the northern part of Cebu. It was one of the places travelers pass by on their way to the northern part of Cebu. The recent developments in the town may soon make Carmen a destination rather than a stopover point for visitors to the island of Cebu.

​Have you attended a retreat at the St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen already? Tell us about the experience in the comments section below.