The Cebuanos are very lucky to have their Sinulog Festival as they celebrate a month-long activities from January 2 – 31, 2011. Here are the schedule for the activities first published on www.sinulog.ph, the official website of the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City.

Photo Credit: jackbook.com

SINULOG 2011 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

January 2, 2011 — Sinulog Fun Run

January 6, 2011 — Opening Salvo – Walk with Jesus

4 a.m. — Assembly Time (area) Fuente Osmena

4:30 a.m. — Start of walk-Fuente Osmena Blvd. to Basilica del Sto. Nino

5:30 a.m. — Installation of Hermano and Hermana Mayores 2011

January 7, 2011 — Sinulog Kick-off

Sinulog photo exhibits through the years at SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, and MCIAA

2 p.m. — Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Nino)

3 p.m. — Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto Nino to Cebu City Sports Center)

7 p.m. — Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmena featuring the Mandaue City Children’s Choir, Dancesports Team Cebu, and dance troupes from Cebu’s schools and universities

7:30 p.m. — Ms. Cebu 2011 Presentation, Fuente Osmena

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9 p.m. — Street Party Bands

January 8, 2011 (Saturday) — Sinulog sa Kabataan-Lalawigan

1 p.m. — Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center

2 p.m. — Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center

4:30 p.m. — Awarding of Winners

6:30 p.m. — Cultural Show (Fuente Osmena) DepEd, Cebu Province

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9:30 p.m. — Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 9, 2011 (Sunday) — Sinulog sa Kabataan-Dakbayan

4 a.m. — Cebu City 2011 Marathon (www.cebumarathon.com)

1 p.m. — Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center

2 p.m. — Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center

4:30 p.m. — Awarding of Winners

6:30 p.m. — Cultural Show (Fuente Osmena)

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9 p.m. — Concert @ the Fuente O Street Party Bands

January 10, 2011 (Monday)

6:30 p.m. — Cultural Show (Fuente Osmena) University of Cebu

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9 p.m. — Concert @ the Fuente O Street Party Bands

January 11, 2011 — Cultural Show (Fuente Osmena) University of San Jose-Recoletos and Cebu Institute of Technology

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9 p.m. — Concert @ the Fuente O Street Party Bands

January 12, 2011

9 a.m. — Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

6:30 p.m. — University of Southern Philippines-Foundation and Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology

7 p.m. — Ms Cebu 2011 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9 p.m. — Concert @ the Fuente O Street Party Bands

January 13, 2011

9 a.m. — Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Photoshoot Sinulog Festival Queen, SM City Entertainment Plaza

6 p.m. — Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu

6:30 p.m. — Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmena) Cebu City Division

7 p.m. — Sinulog Festival Queen Parade of Costumes at SM Northwing Lobby

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)
– Handumanan at Ayala Terraces

9 p.m. — Concert @ the Fuente O Street Party Bands

January 14, 2011 — Visual Merchandising Contest (Department Stores and Malls)

4 a.m. — Walk with Mary (Fuente Osmena-Sto. Nino)

7 a.m. — Misa de Translacion (Motorcade)

9 a.m. — Solidarity Meeting (All competing contingent/floats/higante/puppeteers) at Cebu City Sports Center gym

6:30 p.m. — Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmena) – Cebu Normal University, Abellana National High School, and Asian College of Technology

7:30 p.m. — Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum

7:30 p.m. — Sinulog Festival Queen 2011, Cebu City Sports Center

8 p.m. — Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmena Circle)

9 p.m. — Concert at the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 15, 2011

6 a.m. — Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Nino

8 a.m. — Vibration and Big Bike Rally by Vmax Owners Group

9 a.m. — Reenactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon, Basilica del Sto. Nino

2 p.m. — Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Nino

7 p.m. — Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu

7 p.m. — Street Party @ Fuente Osmena and Plaza Independencia

8 p.m. — Gala – Passionata, a Cultural Heritage Celebration in Honor of Sto. Nino de Cebu @ SM Cinema 1

8 p.m. — Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu

8 p.m. — Handumanan Concert, USP-F Theater for the Performing Arts

January 16, 2011 — Sinulog Grand Parade

4 a.m. — Mananita Mass @ Basilica del Sto. Nino

6 a.m. — Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal

9 a.m. — Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel kick-off

7 p.m. — Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center

7:30 p.m. — Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmena

January 17, 2011

1 p.m. — Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center

January 21, 2011 — Hubo

4 a.m. — Hubo Mass Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Nino

January 29, 2011

1 p.m. — Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest/Sinulog Short Film Festival

January 31 – Feb. 10, 2011 — Photo Exhibits of “Winning Photos Sinulog ’11″ at SM City Cebu

What is the Sky Experience Adventure? This is Crown Regency Hotel and Towers’ most exciting offer for its valued guests. If you haven’t heard or haven’t experienced this adventure yet, below are the important details you should know. PHOTO CREDIT:
www.skyexperienceadventure.com

Sky Experience Adventure includes two separate adventures – the Edge Coaster and the Sky Walk Extreme. The Edge Coaster is a world’s first. It’s quite like an amusement park ride where you will be locked on your seat while it is tilted 55 degrees on the edge of Crown Regency’s 37th floor, around 130 meters above the ground. Whew!

The crew will do the first control on how tilted the coaster would be. The excitement of the rest of the ride after the initial tilt will solely depend on you. By the way, the coaster is two-seater so have your most trusted buddy with you. Scream at the top of your lungs while you tilt the coaster and marvel at the beauty of Cebu City.

Next one, the Sky Walk Extreme. Imagine walking on the edge of a tall building, on a see through floor, without railing to hold on to. This is what the Sky Walk Extreme is all about. This is a thrilling experience brought 126 meters above the ground. Scary? You will be strapped on a harness (trust the safety, otherwise you won’t enjoy it) and will be instructed to wear an orange and blue apparel.

If you are terrified with heights but you really want to try the Sky Experience Adventure, make sure you are in the best condition before you try either the Sky Walk Extreme or the Edge Coaster. These adventures may scare the hell out of you but the experience will all be worth it in the end.

You can check the rates and schedules and online reservation of the Sky Experience Adventure on its official website www.skyexperienceadventure.com.

So, are you on for a sky-high Cebu adventure?

The coolest weather in Cebu is from December to February and hottest from March to May. The rainy seasons begins in July bringing torrential downpours.

For the hottest months, it is much comfortable to wear natural fiber and lightweight clothing. If you’re heading to the beach, bring shorts, hats, sunglasses, insect repellent, and sunblock cream. You should also bring tough shoes or rubber shoes for walking. When attending formal occasions, Barong Tagalog is the acceptable formal wear for men.

Since you already know what to bring on your trip to Cebu, pack up and enjoy the trip to the Queen City of the South.

You can spend a day or two in one of the most notable places here in the Philippines even without expecting a grandiose festivity. Just like Cebu – it’s a good province to be at with or without any festival happening.

Visiting Cebu City in particular is like going to different ages and places yet you are just within the parameters of the fifth largest city in the Philippines. Here are some of the attractions and tourist spots in Cebu City.

Are you into history and old Spanish houses? Then visit Casa Gorordo, an ancient house built in the mid-19th century and owned by Juan Isidro de Gorordo in 1863. One of the Gorordos, Juan, was the first bishop of Cebu which is why a room was transformed into a chapel. Casa Gorordo is a typical Spanish house made into a museum which showcases the remnants of the past. It’s like travelling in a time capsule somewhere back in time. Located along Lopez Jaena St. and is open from Mondays-Saturdays 9:00-12:00am and 2:00-5:00pm.

Cebu City also has a couple of religious attractions. One of which is the Celestial Garden, located in the Banawa Hills, where life-size statues can be found which depicts the Station of the Cross.

If you want to have a background of the significant events that occured in Cebu, the Heritage of Cebu Monument is something you should see. The Heritage of Cebu Monument is a montage, a representation of the meaningful events in the history of Cebu. This tableau was done by notable artist Edgardo Castrillo. The Heritage of Cebu Monument can be found in the Parian District.

Try visiting these places in Cebu City and get a glimpse of the then and now of the Queen City of the South’s capital.

Summer Festival

Summer is coming and so is the Philippine Summer Festivals. Celebrate and experience the different Philippine festivals this hot season of the year.

The festival was inspired by the Filipinos’ love to share the best they can offer to members of their communities, as shown by their fondness to hold “fiestas” all year long. It will also reach out to other ethnicities, inviting people of other racial origins to discover the strength, talent, intelligence, and beauty of the Philippines and its people.

For the month of April

Kadaugan sa Mactan
Date: April 27 Location: Cebu City
A complete reenactment of the Battle of Mactan, in which Magellan’s Forces were defeated by Lapu-lapu and his warriors, resulting in the death of the Spanish explorer.

Via Crusis
Date: April 1 Location: Cebu City
A lenten activity where devotees from Cebu City and its neighboring cities and towns do their penitential procession through cities the Station of the Cross built on 12 hectares of rolling hills. the life-size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross have been patterned after the Way of the Cross in Lourdes, France.

Turumba Festival
Date: Good Friday Location: Pakil, Laguna
A procession of the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary through the streets, procession, singing and dancing to the Turumba.

For the month of May

Lapyahan Festival
Date: May 15 – 16 Location:
SAN Remegio town of northern Cebu celebrate its Lapyahan Festival. The festival is named after its white sand beaches and for having the longest shoreline in Cebu Province.

Santacruzan
Date: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Location: Nationwide
The Santacruzan is a procession commemmorating St. Helena’s finding the “True Cross”; preceded bya nine-day Novena in honor of the Holy Cross. On the ninth day, usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan is held. The Reina Elena, accompanied by a little boy representing King Constantine, and the other sagalas representing biblical characters and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin, walk under gaily decorated arches.

Mantawi Festival
The Mantawi Festival is an annual festival celebrated every May 7 in Mandaue City in Cebu, Philippines. The festival is a symbol of Mandaue City’s history. Its historical past affirms its present identity as a highly urbanized industrial center and a new tourism destination where arts and culture become tools for progress and prosperity. The highlight of the festival is a parade of street dancers and dioramas showcasing the history and culture of Mandaue accompanied by brass instruments. Industries in the city join in the celebration with their creatively-crafted floats. Other participants range from the government officials, teachers and to students. The festival also includes the parade of higantes (giants)–The people who shaped the present Mandaue City.

Tapusan Festival
Locations : Alitagtag Town, Batangas
Tapusan honors the Holy Cross. It is a whole day activity which starts at about
7:00 a.m. on the first day of May. Floral offerings are laid down during the afternoon ceremonies before an old cross in the town church. The observance peaks on the 31st of May with a colorful procession. The cross is mounted on a gaily decorated float together with other floats with flowers carrying other Marian images. All the floats are radiantly and are drawn along the principal streets of the town by the participants.

Every festivals are held only once in a year..but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop!

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You can visit any of these religious attractions in Cebu or in Batangas to reflect or to strengthen your spiritual bond with God. Have some time to do this either by yourself or in the company of your family.

In Cebu

Basilica Minor del Santo Niño – This was built on the site where an image of Sto. Niño was found. The construction was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta.

Celestial Garden – This is a twelve hectare property owned by Tanchan Foundation where life-size statues depict the Station of the Cross.

In Batangas

Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours – This is said to be the largest church in Asia and is located it the heart of the town of Taal. Its height is 98 meters long and 45 meters wide.

Carmel Church – This Carmelite convent was known to the world when the mysterious incident of “shower of petals” occured in 1991.

Chapel of the Last Supper – In this chapel you can find the life-size carvings of the Jesus and His 12 apostles seated on a table for the Last Supper. The carvings were found in the church of Mandaue City in 1601.

This Holy Week, find time to reflect on the true meaning of this season. This is the perfect time to ask for forgiveness and to thank Him for the life He has given you.

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Held every year on the third Sunday of January, Sinulog is celebrated in Cebu City to honor the Sto. Niño (child Jesus). With the beat of the drums and the thousands of people who gather for the Holy Mass, Sinulog is truly a very festive event that you shouldn’t miss if you plan to travel to the Philippines in this time of the year. Sinulog literally means “graceful dance”.

You can get the schedule of activities of the Sinulog festival as well as the route of the grand parade in the festival’s official website www.sinulog.ph.

Come and celebrate with the Cebuanos! Be part of the Sinulog@30 2010.

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Otap. This sugar-sprinkled biscuit is something light and not to sweet that you can consume a couple of pieces to satisfy your hunger. If you want a good buy, try Shamrock’s otap.

Dried Mango. The world famous delicacy from Cebu has been imitated by other countries but I think dried Philippine mango is still the sweetest. It has been exported abroad and is still continuing to gain popularity in foreign markets.

Masareal. This one’s for the sweet tooth. It’s like the other Pinoy delicacy, panutsa, the round flat peanut candy, they just differ in shape. Masareal is made from finely ground peanut in sugar syrup formed in rectangular bars.

Ampao. This delicacy is famous in Carcar City, Cebu and is the local version of rice crispies bind by sugar syrup and are formed in thick bars.

Salvaro. Another delicacy that’s so Pinoy in taste is the salvaro. It is made of shredded coconut on top of very thin biscuit.

Rosquillos. These are ring biscuits. Very light yet sweet and fun to eat. Kids would surely enjoy eating this.

Danggit. This should be deep fried to achieve that crispiness. For a more delicious danggit experience, dip it in vinegar with chilli and garlic.

So on your next trip to Cebu, don’t forget to buy any of these delicacies!

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Marco Polo Plaza Cebu houses 329 spacious and comfortable guest rooms and suites. Every room provides great amenities including internet access. Guests seeking privacy will enjoy the Continental Club rooms which come with privileges like private check-in and check-out and complimentary all-day food and drink and evening cocktails.

Meanwhile, Marco Polo Plaza,Cebu is also a home to some of the finest restaurants of Cebu City, each unique in flavor and ambience. The cuisines served in these restaurants comprise Mediterranean, South-East Asian, Western and Filipino. Guests can even relax in the Lobby Lounge where they can savor the signature Flambe as they sip on their favorite drink.

Busy folks like business executives can send that urgent fax from Marco Polo business centre or moms can get that new hairstyle at the hotel’s salon while the children are busy playing in the playroom nearby. Marco Polo Plaza,Cebu provides these and many other services that would certainly take away all the stresses and boredom.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu by the way hosts business meetings, conferences, cocktail or that gala event in one of its state-of-the-art and versatile function rooms, ballroom or even on the garden terrace.

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Most flights come from Manila with service from the two major national airlines, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, or you can fly from Singapore with Silk Air, from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific or Cebu Pacific and from Doha with Qatar Airways direct to Mactan Airport.

Cebu Pacific by the way has added Bangkok as a direct destination last 2008. The airport is located on a different island and takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the actual City. From the Airport you will need to hire a taxi (minimum price of 400 Pesos).

Meanwhile, for most tourists the only way to get around is via taxi. Taxis are everywhere, cheap and efficient. You simply flag one down and tell them where you want to go. Most drivers know where almost everything is. Almost all of the taxis in Cebu are metered. They charge 30 pesos for you to get in and 2.5 pesos for every 5 minutes they wait, and 2.5 pesos for every half km. Most of the time a taxi drivers are nice but sometimes you will encounter ones who will charge tourists more than the amount showed by the meter or not use the meter at all. Avoid these taxis unless you enjoy getting ripped off by these drivers

However, if one is indeed adventurous enough, another way to get around the city is via the colorful jeepneys that can be seen almost everywhere on the road. Jeepneys have specific routes. The routes are marked by number plus letter (i.e. 03B, 03G, 13C, 04L). Jeepenys are usually safe and cheaper.

To get in a jeepney, call the attention of the driver by waving one arm as the jeepney approaches you. Drivers usually stop once they see this arm-waving. To get off, one should say “LUGAR LANG or PARA” in a loud voice. Make sure that the jeepney driver hears you, if not, he will continue to drive you farther.

Cebu as a tourist destination is such a great place to explore. But then again, we need to be familiar with the City norms. As I have said a while ago, we don’t want to get a bad trip right?

So better consider this and have a safe Cebu trip!

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