I am pregnant now and the things that I could do or go to are very limited.  For example, I cannot travel that much especially if I have to fly-in to the destination.  Hence, all I could do right now is wander to places I want to travel to in and out of the country.  If there is one city in the south that I keep on coming back to, it is only Cebu City.

I have been to Cebu so many times already and I will never get tired of this beautiful city.  There is so much to love in Cebu.  I have not even gone to the farther side of it and yet, I already am in love with it.  How do I love Cebu?  Let me count the whys! 

What’s To Love In Cebu City:

PEOPLE
First of all, I love the very friendly and smiling people of Cebu.  Everywhere I go to Cebu, I always find people willing to help and give me directions when I am lost.  Wait what?  Why do I get lost?  Well, sometimes I travel to Cebu alone for business.  On my free schedule, I wander its streets by myself.  I ride their PUJs to get from one point to another.  I am just an adventure seeker like that.  I want to experience the city by immersing myself in it.  Through this, I get to know the locals and I really admire them for their hospitality and warm smiles.
FOOD
This is first thing that comes to my mind whenever I would land the city.  I love their delicious food!  My favorite of course would be Cebu’s lechon.  I have never tasted any other lechon that is as flavorful as the lechon of Cebu.  Next on my foodie list would be Danggit and Dried Mangoes.  My favorite local restaurant in the heart of the city is Larsian where you could eat with bare hands and devour their grilled meats with puso “hanging” rice.

Another restaurant I frequently visit is Hukad which serves Filipino cuisine served in local containers like “palayok” and wooden spoon or “sandok”.  I also go to Casa Verde which serves one of the most sumptuous steaks and other mouthwatering dishes.  Lastly, this is where I usually spend a quiet night with friends over a glass of wine and some French pastries: La Vie Parisienne.
So now, you know where I got the extra calories that continue to bulk up my lovable and huggable body!

EVENT
SINULOG!  What else?!  I went to Cebu twice to celebrate the feast of Sto. Nino, the Sinulog Festival.
Whenever it’s Sinulog, you couldn’t contain people’s energy.  It’s overwhelming and it actually affects you too much that you just want to dance and sing with everybody all day.  I love the street dance parade, the crazy parties at night, and the infectious happiness of everyone you meet.
Their Sinulog theme song which is played all over the city, in the streets, in every building, and in every mall becomes my LSS that I could hum to it even when I’m sleeping.  Celebrating Sinulog is nothing less than AWESOME!  Aack!  There’s just too many happy and festive people at this time of the year!

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
What makes Cebu very special is that it’s also very rich in history.  You could see it everywhere you look in Cebu.  I’m happy their local government makes an effort to preserve these historical landmarks and places.
The Magellan’s Cross is right beside the historical and well-preserved Basilica de Sto. Nino Church.  You could also visit other historical places in Cebu such as Lapu-Lapu Shrine, Fort San Pedro, Yap Sandiego Anscestral House, and Cebu Heritage Monument.
TABOAN PASALUBONG CENTER
I would never miss a chance to go to Cebu’s most-visited pasalubong hub, Taboan.  It literally means, you see the dried fish or seafood in giant tabo or tubs.  Danggit is the best-selling pasalubong alongside dilis and dried squid.  You could also buy (my favorite) Rosquillos, Dried Mangoes, Otap and so much more!
If you visit Cebu City, please, never miss a trip going to Taboan early in the morning.  By the way, my advice is to make sure that after you come from Taboan, you go back to your hotel to shower and change clothes before riding the plane, unless you want to smell like danggit all day.

THE SAN PEDRO CALUNGSOD CHAPEL IN SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU

Did I mention before that I love churches?  I love old and historical churches, and I also love new churches.  I am in love with any church structures and the feeling it gives me when I am inside.  It is serene, peaceful, and solemn.  The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is the first structure in SM Seaside Complex.  The chapel was donated by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad Sy to the Archdiocese of Cebu, and is dedicated to San Pedro Calungsod.  It is being compared to the first structure in SM Mall of Asia Complex which is the Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  If you do not know it yet, San Pedro Calungsod is the first-ever Visayan saint canonized just last year in the Vatican City.  The church could accommodate over 800 people at the same time.  So while you are here, you better go to SM Seaside City Cebu.  It should be one of your top lists of places to visit or experience when coming to Cebu.  It is now the biggest mall in the Queen City of the South, Cebu and visiting it is like being part of history.  It is designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design, and planning firm from Miami, Florida.  It is popular for its Nautilus Design modern concept, the iconic Cube, Sky Park, Seaside Tower, and shopping haven carrying global brands and Cebu’s best.
Oh, did you know that SM and PAL (Philippine Airlines) has an on-going promo wherein 30 lucky families of four will get a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Hongkong Disneyland!  For a minimum of P1,000 single-receipt purchase made within the promo period from any SM Seaside City Cebu tenant entitles the shopper to one (1) raffle coupon.  Then, a minimum purchase of P500 single-receipt on Disney merchandise from selected SM Affiliates (SM Store, Toy Kingdom, and SM Supermarket) entitles a shopper to one (1) raffle coupon.  Customers may get two raffle coupons if they avail of the e-Plus card or use their existing e-Plus card.  Customers should present their credit card transaction slip for purchases made using credit cards.  Customer must present proof of purchase at the designated promo booth.  The promo duration is from Feb 12 – March 13, 2016. For more information, LIKE SM City Cebu on FACEBOOK.

Having mentioned these to you, can you just imagine how intense my love is for Cebu City?  If there’s any place I would like to reside in or settle in, that would be Cebu City.  In Cebu, I always feel welcome as if I am not away from home.  For now, let me enjoy my pregnancy and the coming of our newest addition to the family.  Cebu City, I’ll reunite with you soon!