Ask veteran runners what to do
the day before a race, and you’ll get two answers: go for a quick run, or just relax.
In my 13 years of marathon running, I have only ever done a 5-km shakeout run once. My day-before race ritual typically involves a relaxing sightseeing tour instead.
However on October 10, Saturday, I thought that I would just chill out in my room the whole day when the driver/tour guide whom I made prior arrangements with cancelled his commitment due to his employer's last-minute order. But a quick chat with the very efficient Cube Nine supervisor (Catch him in the next post!), changed everything. If I hadn't shared my predicament, I wouldn't have been referred to Allan Car Rental, and I would have completely missed the chance to rediscover Cebu City.
Setting my alarm at 6:00 am, I woke up rejuvenated. All THANKS to my two-hour massage I had the night before! With the picture-perfect morning scenery greeting me from my window, it made me more exuberant for my day’s adventure which began at 9:00am.
Enthusiastically, I went down to the lobby five minutes before pick-up time. Ricardo Mendoza, my driver/tour guide and owner of the car rental, was already there. His punctuality won me over right away. Exchanging a quick handshake, I felt the positive vibe which set a nice mood for our day.
Showing the same list of tourist spots given to me by the first guide, I asked Ric if it’s feasible to tour them within eight hours. He candidly pointed out which locations fit the timeline. We agreed on nine attractions since I had to keep a strict sked for my pre-marathon final preparations. So, I let Ric decide which one must be our first stop.
We kicked off our trip at the 7D Mango Factory Outlet in Mandaue City. Dried mangoes are the signature treat of Cebu. You cannot leave the Queen City of the South without mangoes. Buying my first batch of pasalubong (souvenirs) here did save me a good amount compared to regular supermarket prices.
For brunch, Ric drove me to the House of Lechon (HOL) when I told him that I wanted to eat sotanghon guisado (stir-fried glass noodles), some hot soup and of course the famous roasted pig.
Ric and I came before the peak-hour rush so we got a table immediately. Choosing my carbo-loading meal was effortless. My appetite was now back with a Bicolano vengeance after barely eating on October 9! Hahahahaha...
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| Cebu Express |
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| Clam and Corn Soup |
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| Bam-I Bisaya |
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| Lechon |
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| Plain Rice |
Mind you it seemed like this was my very last meal on earth! Yung tipong bibitayin na. (It feels like walking death row.) "Stuffed" is an understatement to describe my HOL overall experience. Fortunately, we still had our takeaway. Ric declined when I offered it to him, as he had already received a complimentary meal pack from HOL through his work as a tour guide. Hey! HOL is not just any restaurant — it is a Michelin-awarded spot, dear readers! This I learned when I had this photo with these lovely Cebuana ladies. It was Coco Cebu Restaurant, another Michelin-selected diner I know of, which was in my post-marathon itinerary; yet, I failed to carry on with the plan.
Next, we headed up the hills to the Temple of Leah (TL). From what I read about this must-see sight, I learned that "this was built in 2012 by Filipino businessman Teodorico Soriano Adarna as a monument of undying love and a deathbed promise to his late wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, after 53 years of marriage." Uber-WOW!
Once we entered the premises, an ancient Greek-like palace met us.
Thank god and the goddess for my all-white OOTD, otherwise I’d look completely incongruous in this palace. *guffaws* Then came the interior tour, which required braving a sea of people caught up in photoshoots and vlogging.
Inside, I was amazed by the sprawling antique collection. It loudly screamed the opulence of Cebu's old rich and elite. TL was full of treasures: classical statues, vintage books, and stunning heirlooms in every corner.
Exiting, I checked that we only spent roughly 20 mins in this tourist attraction.
After visiting the temple, we were back on the road and en route to Sirao Garden, popularly known as the Little Amsterdam of Cebu. Cruising on the rugged roads of Busay turned what could have been a simple transfer into an exhilarating part of the trip. Ric has obviously mastered driving on this track. What a relief that he did not channel his inner Max Verstappen unlike my Bukidnon driver/tour guide who at that time challenged Oscar Piastri lap times! Ha-Ha!
An anthophile, I was pleased with what I saw in Sirao Garden. This may not have matched the theatrical grandeur of Dubai's Miracle Garden, but it offered a much-needed sense of serenity while I was among the blooms.
With Ric's natural eye for photography, I walked away with killer frames.
Afterwards, we went even higher up to Tops for the ultimate view, where you can literally see all of Cebu City, Mandaue City, Mactan Island, and the ocean beyond.
It's also here where I did the famous 360-degree drone shot...
while dancing to Jennifer Lopez’s "Let’s Get Loud"!
"Life is meant to be big fun, you're not hurting anyone
Nobody loses
Let the music make you free, be what you wanna be
Make no excuses..."🎵🎶🎵🎶
Yee-haw! I’ve truly missed one of my passions, the dancefloor and the stage. Additionally, this three-minute impromptu performance double-purposed as my official warm-up for my upcoming marathon. What a way to unlock a new core memory for Php 500!
Returning to the city, I revisited Magellan’s Cross. It looked a bit different this time because it’s now padlocked for safety after the recent earthquake in Cebu. It's a beautiful piece of history to look at from the outside, though first-timers might miss it at first because of the surrounding buildings.
Next door was the famous Basílica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebú, or simply the Santo Niño Basilica. I didn't anymore enter the church because I knew I violated the dress code. Anyway, I already had the opportunity of entering and offering prayers in this basilica.
Instead, we proceeded to Islands Souvenirs nearby and bought my second batch of pasalubongs.
By late afternoon, it was time to leave the city. Early on, Ric gave me a choice between our original route and the 8.9-km Cebu-Cordova Expressway (CCLEX). Logically, I chose the toll bridge not just for the quicker commute and minimal fee, but my chance to traverse this bridge. CCLEX has been the big selling point of the controversial Cebu International Marathon which was never in my bucket list. Ahem! Ahem! The ocean vistas from the CCLEX were again calming.
Thanks to Ric’s professional driving skills, I safely made it intact to Cube Nine just before 5:00pm. Likewise, his terrific personality led to our bonding especially when we discovered that we both love tennis. I enjoy watching the games, and Ric actually plays. No wonder he was youthful-looking because of his athletic lifestyle sans cigarettes and alcohol. Whoa! To add, I was happy to hear his thoughts about the plight of our kababayans for they highlighted his sensitivity to our ongoing struggles. So you see, in Ricardo Mendoza, I didn't just get a guide; I also gained an intellectual companion and a teacher. (In case you need this kind of great service at a fair price, give Ric a buzz at 09173189605.)
October 10 was an absolutely unforgettable day just like my first visit in Cebu City. Two decades ago I made sure to reach the place where I tracked down the artisans who craft traditional ethnic accessories. To mark the occasion, I put on my native Cebuano earrings that have become my ultimate favorites and most-worn treasures.
This revisit proved it all — you have my heart, and now you have my hand, Cebu.
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