The Lapu-Lapu Shrine

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu

By Lakwatsero

This is one of the places that most of the tourist visited. Our group was lucky to have the opportunity to take a time to visit this monumental place, where Lapu-Lapu has been honored.

Lapu-Lapu Shrine Entrance

The Lapu-Lapu shrine is a 20-meter bronze statue in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines, erected in honor of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a native chieftain who defeated Spanish soldiers, and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on 1521.

The Lapu- Lapu Shrine, im not part of it's Shrine...hehehehe

The Lapu-Lapu memorial statue is on top of a pedestal surrounded by a low-level fence and shows the Cebuano hero in his native costume with a sword on his right hand and a shield on his left.

Lapu-Lapu Marker

Magellan's Death Marker

The Lapu-Lapu Shrine is inside a plaza commonly known as the Magellan Shrine park that commemorates the events of the Battle of Mactan. Thousands of foreign and local tourists visit the park every year. The park includes the Magellan Shrine and a covered structure that houses a huge mural painting of the Battle of Mactan and a commemorative marker.

"A Paint of The Battle of Mactan"

Lapu-Lapu vs. Ferdinand Magellan

The Magellan shrine is a large memorial tower built in 1866 to honor Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and is built on the area where Magellan is believed to have been killed in 1521. The obelisk has four corners that each of this sides has a corresponding inscriptions, first was "Glorias Españolas", means "Spanish Glory", second was for "A Hernando de Magallanes", stands for the portugese name of "Ferdinand Magellan", third was "Siendo Gobernador don Miguel Creus" and last was 1866 Reinando Ysabel II.

" Glorias Españolas"

" Hernando de Magallanes "

"Siendo Gobernador Don Miguel Creus"

"Reinando Ysabel II 1866"

The covered structure in the park houses a mural painting on the wall depicting the Battle of Mactan. A commemorative marker in front of the painting reads “Here on April 27, 1521, Lapu-lapu and his men repulsed the Spanish invaders, killing their leader, Ferdinand Magellan. Thus Lapu-lapu became the first Filipino to have repelled European aggression.”

Displayed Animal Skins

View at the back of the Shrine

on other Side View of "Hilton Hotel"

This monument also serves and offers different pasalubong's that are made from Cebu, from guitar's, souvenirs stuffs and of course souvenir shirts. So hope you could go here too, and visit Lapu-Lapu shrine.

Stores located inside the Shrine

Some of the Guitars

all time favorite souvenirs

Take note, if you want to buy in this place for your pasalubongs, I may suggest that you buy outside this monument, because it more cheaper nearby this place, there's also some stores outside that you can buy much more cheaper pasalubong goods and stuffs.

Entrance Fee: Free Parking Fee: P10

Dried Fish Market in Cebu

Few Minutes in Taboan Market

Taboan, Carbon, Cebu

By Lakwatsero

Our group visited and buy of course for pasalubong in the famous dried fish market at Cebu City, The "Taboan Market", because when you are in Cebu, you must not leave Cebu without bringing home the famous danggit. Danggit are small variants of salted (and unsalted) dried fish that is very popular in Cebu. Whenever someone goes to Cebu, we would always ask them to bring us danggit, dried mangoes or otap from Shamrock.

If there’s a good place to get fresh and cheap danggit or any dried fish for that matter, it would be the Taboan Market in Carbon Market, Cebu. As of February 15, where we are in Cebu, you can purchase a Danggit for 1/8 grams for P60 pesos, and most of the dried fish have the same price of danggit. Carbon Market is the biggest public market in Cebu. Taboan is just a couple of minutes walk from Carbon.

The Famous "Danggit"

Taboan sells almost all kinds of dried fishes and other dried sea foods in Cebu. Taboan’s prices is relatively cheaper as compared to those being sold in malls and supermarkets. Aside from the cheaper price, you can always haggle with the vendors for a lower selling price.

"Dried Pusit's"

Danggit is usually fried and served with garlic rice and tomatoes during breakfasts. It is paired with vinegar and chili pepper as its dip. Danggit best served right after it is cooked since it loses its crispness after a few hours. There are different variants of danggit being sold. Salted, unsalted and tocino are among the popular variants.

dried fish for sale!!!!!

Aside from Danggit, as mentioned earlier, Taboan also sells different kinds of dried fishes and other sea foods. They sell bagoong (shrimp paste), hebi (dried prawns), bottled oysters, and dried squid among others.

How to get there?

Using the public transport is very difficult especially if you’re not familiar with the public transport routes of Cebu. The best I can suggest is to take a cab from anywhere in Cebu. Tell the cab driver to bring you to Taboan. Since Taboan is very popular among Cebuanos, surely no cab driver can make a mistake of not finding the place. If you’re within Cebu City, cab fare won’t exceed 150 pesos. Taboan is only a few minute ride from the Osmeña Circle.

Information was provided by our tour guide ("Tatay Ernie"), from Rainbow Car and Van Services.

A Glimpse of Cebu Heritage Monument

Cebu Heritage Monument

Sikatuna St., Mandaue City
by Lakwatsero

Sad to say our group wasn't able to take a group pictures on this place because most of us was tired already, but enough to take souvenir pictures, because before we went to this place, we had our photo sessions, on Fort San Pedro, hehehehehe!!!!! So we just have taken some pictures of it.............hope you'll like it. Below is a brief background of this monument.

Cebu Heritage Monument

Located in the original Plaza Parian, it showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod.

Monument Marker

Hello kuya, are you waiting for someone? hehehehe

The monumental sculptural tableau is the work of national artist Edgardo Castrillo. Construction began on July 1997 and it was inaugurated on Dec. 8, 2000.

The Santo Niño Basilica Church

The Monument

Magellan's Ship

The Trade between Chinese and Cebuanos

Being commissioned by the Catholic Church, the events depicted in the monument have a decidedly religious flavor. Among them is the Christianization of Cebu starting with Rajah Humabon; a depiction of a mass; a procession of the Santo Niño, the patron saint of Cebu; a large cross (possibly Magellan's Cross) and Pedro Calungsod, the first beatified Cebuano. Add to that the various facades of churches in the background, including the Basilica Menore del Santo Niño. Well, Lapu-Lapu and Pres. Osmeña are also depicted so there is some secular heritage in the monument.

Of Course "Lapu- Lapu".

After our glimpse to this monument and souvenir pictures taken, we're headed to Lapu-Lapu City.

Entrance: Free Parking Fee: Free of Charge

A Visit to Fort San Pedro, Cebu

Fort San Pedro

Pier 1 Area, Cebu City

by Lakwatsero

On the island of Cebu in the tropical Philippines a landmark of world history rests near the sea. The stories of several countries are tied to the heavy stone walls of Fort San Pedro.

Fort San Pedro

Taken from the past!!!

Cebu from the past!!!

The History of Fuerza de San Pedro

A destination that every cab driver on the island of Cebu knows, Fort San Pedro (Fuerza de San Pedro) stands as a memory of the multicultural heritage of what is the modern Philippines. The varied cultures of Spain, America, Japan and the native Filipinos have all had their time in Fort San Pedro.

Fort San Pedro Marker

One of the old canyon can be seen in Fort San Pedro

The fort was begun in 1565 when Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi had it built for the military. Named in honour of his ship the ‘San Pedro’ the fort went virtually unknown until around 1739 when it was finally finished after 2 centuries of construction.

Fort San Pedro Museum

hall way within Fort San Pedro

From that time Fort San Pedro or ‘Fuerza de San Pedro’ was at points throughout history: barracks, a prison, a zoo, a classroom, a Japanese prison camp, a hospital, offices of government agencies and now a monument and museum. By the late 1960s the fort was in need of a major renovation. To uphold the original design coral stones were brought from the ocean around Cebu. The walls stand 20 feet high and a formidable 8 feet in depth.

view from the view deck

Overlooking the Sea

Fort San Pedro is on A Pigafetta Street in the area of the Plaza Independencia near Pier 1 facing the ocean on two sides. With dramatic views surrounding the fort it is an incredible tourist site. The interior gardens are lush with tropical foliage and flowers bloom near the ancient canons. Inside the walls is a make shift museum of antiques and remnants from throughout the history of Fort San Pedro.

Back of the Fort San Pedro Entrance

Entry to Fort San Pedro as of now is 30 PHP which is a steal to spend the day in such a treasured historical site with amazing natural features at every turn. The fort is open for visitors from about 9am to 7pm. Unfortunately the site does not have a tourist office to contact for more information but once at Fort San Pedro the locals are very helpful and interested in tourists.

Last part of barriered wall of Fort San Pedro

of course this is my photo opps!!!!!

Across from Fort San Pedro the Plaza Independencia is a large green space where visitors can see the core of Cebu city across a very busy crisscross of streets. The Plaza is a great place to people watch and check out the local transportation including colourful Jeepneys (a kind of inner city bus) and bicycles with sidecars built on.

GI Joe's with our Special Guest's.....

Another angle!!!!

Of course in every place that we've gone, there will so many happy memories to be remembered and one of this is the very important thing......the Victory jump!!!!!!!!! yahu..........

group jump

"the couple jump"!!!!hehehehe

ok hon, just take a pose....

wow....Hot Babes!!!!!!!! hahahaha!!!!!

And to end our Fort San Pedro invasion, the ladies of GI joe's take a pose too!!!!!!! Hoping to be back again.....

Entrance Fee: P30 Parking Fee: Free of Charge

Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross
Magallanes St., Cebu City

By Lakwatsero

Magellan's Cross, located in Magellanes Street, is Cebu's most important historical landmark and an important shrine.

Our 1st time visit to this Historical Place

The Magellan's Cross

In 1521 the Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, erected the original large wooden cross at this location where Cebu's Rajah Humaton, his wife Juana, and 800 followers were baptised on April 14, 1521 and the first Catholic mass in Cebu (in fact, the first Catholic mass in the Philippines) was celebrated.

Magellan's Cross Marker

The original cross gradually deteriorated as over the years the faithful took little pieces of the cross as mementos. In 1845 another cross was placed at the spot. The new cross was made of tindalo wood and inside a hollow inside splinters of the original Magellan's Cross were preserved.

with preserved painted ceiling inside this cross

Today a tiled pavillion shelters the cross and a ceiling mural depicts the scene of the first mass and commemorates the conversion of the first Filipinos to Christianity.

Our chance to take a souvenir picture inside Magellan's Cross

Actually after visiting this place, you could go on the other side of this place where the Santo Niño Basilica Church is located.

Entrance Fee : Free

Church of Santo Niño Basilica

Santo Niño Basilica

(Basilica Minore del Santo Niño)

Cebu City

By Lakwatsero

Formerly known as the San Agustin Church, the Santo Niño Basilica houses the Philippines' oldest religious relic: the Santo Niño.

Santo Niño Basilica Church

Basilica del Santo Niño Church Marker

side of the Santo Niño Basilica Church

The Basilica of Santo Niño or Basilica del Santo Niño is a 16th century church in Cebu City in the Philippines. It was built on the exact spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting the Holy Child Jesus was founded by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition.

Church Altar

some of the devotees kneel down in this place

Beautiful painted celing of the Church

The painted ceiling up close capture.

The Santo Niño is a gem-festooned statue of the holy infant Jesus, given by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana on the occasion of her baptism in 1521.

Santo Niño del Basilica

Forty-four years later, when a large fire swept Cebu city, the statue miraculously survived and was rediscovered undamaged. A church was built on the spot where the relic was found. This church -- and two later ones built in the same location -- were destroyed by fire, and the present basilica was built in 1740.

Side part of the Basilica Church

another side of the church

The Pilgrim Center
The Sto. Niño Friday Novena and Mass devotees keep increasing over the years and could easily fill the Basilica beyond its capacity. To accommodate this growing number of devotees who come to hear mass in the basilica, a pilgrim center was built within the church compound opposite of the Basilica and Holy Mass is celebrated on Fridays and other Religious Festivities are held here in the open-air, theater-like structure.
Completed in September 1990, this open-air structure can accommodate 3,500 people and was constructed from the generous contributions from Sto Niño devotees around the world. The basement of the Pilgrim's Center houses the Basilica Del Sto. Niño Museum .

The Pilgrim Center

For me and my wife where so lucky to be in this church, we have the chance to pray for our selves, our kidz, and my family and relatives. Hope to be back in this place, together with my wife and with my kidz.