#KaSquadGoal *EXPLORE – CEBU*

Do you still remember your friends during elementary, High school and College? Are they still existed? I guess not all… But there are times when you find some friends to a place that you thought it was unusual. Office is an area for Bread winners but this place is where our #KaSquadGoal initiated.

CEBU CITY, is the capital city of the province of Cebu and the second city of the Philippines.

At first I dreamed to arrive in Cebu and there was a promo fare so taken immediately by our squad. 

In other words, the day came when we about to go to Cebu, we are all excited but caught in our boarding time but still reached.

Smile of success #KaSquadGoal touchdown Mactan or Maktan is a densely-populated island located a few kilometres from Cebu Island in the Philippines. The island is part of Cebu Province and it is divided into Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova. 

By the help of our driver “Kuya Sam” we toured Cebu City. We go to places frequently visited by our countrymen who went to Cebu. Its advisable that better take a private car while exploring Cebu due source of transportation in remote areas.

Welcome to Lapu- Lapu City, officially the City of Lapu-Lapu and formerly called Opon, is a 1st city income class highly urbanized city in the region of Central Visayas, Philippines. It is one of the cities that make up Metro Cebu in the Philippines.

 Welcome to Sirao Garden also known as the Little Amsterdam or the Mini Holland of Cebu. Sources say that these flowers come in yellow and red colors which are closely associated with the colors of Sto. Nino of Cebu.  Elena loves the Sto. Nino so dearly that she and her husband started to plant celosia flowers on their hillside land, through the labor of their garden caretaker. 

 Entrance fee is P20.00 - renting Costume P30.00. 

Next stop! Temple of Leah this Temple was constructed as a symbol of my undying love and ceaseless devotion to Leah Villa Albino-Adarna. And because this was made out of love, it doesn't only welcome visitors with the spectacular view of the city but also with the warmth of the place.

This new attraction is perfect for those who would want to appreciate the structure while checking out their art gallery and museum. This is also perfect for photo shoots especially when you include the entire #KaSquadGoal that really take advantage to what you visit in Cebu. 

Too early and we are all excited for extreme experiences, we went to mountain views rope course on the way from Temple of Leah. for only P150.00 you can try and finish the rope challenging obstacle course that test your balance, upper body strength and your will power among other things. 

At first, we thought it's easy but when we experience it was very tiring also by the cause of tedious and frightening height that’s why you cannot really avoid deceiving the levels. 

What to wear: Anything comfortable but make sure you wear shoes and socks to save on the expenses. Shoe rentals are 50 pesos and if you don’t have socks you’ll have to buy one for another 50 pesos. You must wear shoes for safety purposes. 

Lunch time!! Searching the vaunted dish of Cebu City lechon according to  sources and reviews that we gathered in social media, “Zubuchon lechon” must try when in Cebu, so we immediately went to the area its truly delectable - worth the fee. 

Burrppp .. We're strong and in full plan to go to our next itinerary “Simala Parish Church” - Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as Simala Shrine or Simala Church, is a castle-like church located in Marian Hills of upper Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. 

Simala Shrine was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks from Pampanga, after the occurrence of several miraculous events, including that of Mama Mary's shedding of tears. Because of the said miracles, Simala Shrine became so popular that devotees and believers flock the shrine, hoping and believing that their prayer requests would be granted. The shrine's castle-like and picturesque structure makes it even more popular, drawing local and foreign tourists, alike. 

After praying, seeking guidance, blessings and opportunities that came into our lives we went to another side of CEBU to simultaneously watch and climb the top of the Osmeña Peak - the highest point in the island of Cebu. This stunning site offers a dramatic view of jagged cliffs with a view of the sea in the distance. Locals often liken the view to Bohol’s Chocolate Hills. But instead of rolling curved mounds, the hills here have sharp protruding peaks. Set amidst the limestone cliffs, the hills resemble a field of gigantic green Hershey’s Kisses.

 Delicacy of life in Cebu a nutritious and healthy lifestyle also because of the fertile soil that nursing and provides good harvest to the local people such as cabbage that you can buy just the amount of a full at P50.00 only. 

Day 1 ended, On the second day of exploring Cebu, we try the most popular in Cebu City -  whale watching. Before the encounter, we need to undergo in short briefing on how to interact to Whales do’s and don’ts during the time allotted in interaction.

 It was really stunning to see and mingle with the Whales underwater. Surprisingly I ask “kuya banker” how many whales are in that area – he answered me whales only visit deliberately in the area to eat during morning and at noon returns to the sea.

 Whale watching – DONE!! to continue the tour we went to Baluarte Oslob also in Cebu to witness the tower who became part of our history. According to reviews Seven fortified watchtowers were installed along the coastline of Oslob as a defensive strategem against Moro attacks. The defense system prove efficiency in 1815 when a pirate offensive was successfully repelled that the raiders never came back again. One of those towers was Baluarte which today serves as a historic centerpiece on a lovely bay side park.  

Blessed the people of Cebu, because they having churches which includes in a long history of our country. Parish Church of Immaculate Conception (Poblacion)-This church has suffered and survived fire damages during the Japanese occupation in 1942, and two other incidents which dated 1955 and 2008. I’am very lucky that I reached this place once I in my life #KaSquadGoal.

 Indeed, it’s more fun in the Philippines and we will not stop until we reached all the places here in Philippines. We went to the place where we need to polish our courageous to jump in high area to prepare ourselves for our Canyoneering Adventure on the next day.

 Aguinid falls having different levels offered to the public but if you are brave enough and you love extreme adventure you can run continuously up to the top of the falls, and experience different obstacles of rock formation by the help of your #KaSquadGoal.

 The trail to the area is so slippery you need an intense focus while stepping the stone. At first is not hard to imagine that you will reach the paradise of nature curved stones, cold water in the area that serves as real tourists’ attraction here. 

Say hooray for today, the second day ended like this, a tedious but very memorable day. It is common to assume the happiness of this life is more important that the happiness of future lives. We work so hard and put so much to experience these. #KaSquadGoal. 

Canyoneering Adventure + Kwasan Falls if your fit enough you can finish this trail in 4 – 5 hours but if you like us who prioritize pictures than hours in our trail more likely you finish this whole day as what we do. #KaSquadGoal.

To all we been through this adventure is one of a kind for all of us. All are excited especially when we are about to ride to habal – habal a source of transportation here in cebu (a motorcycle- but not ordinary motorcycle it can carry 4 to 5 persons at the same time.

We trail on top of the mountain. 

And we reached the the beginning of the frigid water, thanks to our life jacket we were able swim in a deep area. 

We trail and it was really tiring good thing that we used to purchase nourishing food in the area. P5.00 for 1 delicious Maruyang Saging. Burppp.. 

To complete our vacation its “pasalubong” time. Known for its wide range of dried fish displays, Taboan Public Market is one of the busiest and most famous markets in Cebu, and its popularity can be blamed on all the danggit that Cebuano vendors diligently sell here.

This Cebuano pride is best eaten when freshly fried and paired with some hot rice. Don't forget to dip it into spicy vinegar and use your own hands while eating to have a great danggit dining experience!

Explore. Dream. Discover – Go find yourself!!