If there is one industry that best exemplifies the humour and the ingenuity of the Cebuanos, it is its music industry. The music scene of Cebu has seen many stars that have achieved national acclaim. Today, the industry is filled with various artists, from those with nationwide stardom to those indie bands who play gigs here and there. Various genres have dominated the Cebuano music culture. The ballads of earlier decades featured instrumentals and songs with very slow tempos and prolonged notes. Lively beats soon came along. Aside from the universal theme of courtship and love, folk stories and beliefs were also common themes in these songs. Some examples of these are the songs “Matud Nila,” “Usahay” and “Si Filemon.” The last song is a folk song that hits the hard reality of a fisherman’s meagre earnings, but it is sung in a happy tune, with a funny ending.

Novelty songs also became popular in Cebu, especially with the career of Max Surban, the “King of Visayan Music.” His comical, sometimes intentionally nonsensical, songs with catchy tunes captured the masses. Aside from their humorous and upbeat appeal, these songs put a whimsical spin on the everyday lives of the common, ordinary Cebuano.Today, another wave of Cebuano music has gained popularity: “Bisrock,” which is a combination of the words “Bisaya” and “rock.” It is a genre of rock songs that use the Cebuano language. The band “Missing Filemon” led the mass popularity of the songs. There are also Cebuano musicians who sing in English and in Filipino (the official Philippine language). Many of these have stepped into the nationwide limelight and have even produced music videos.

The Filipino jeepney is called “the king of the road.” One wonders if it is because of the jeepneys’ immense number, their loud colours, their catchy designs or the drivers’ penchant for ruling the lanes – and breaking road rules. To many citizens, it is one of the most affordable means of transportation. To jeepney owners, they are mobile canvases for creativity. For their manufacturers and operators, they are a source of livelihood. In Cebu, the minimum jeepney fare is 6.50 Philippine pesos (as of early August 2009). The rate increases for long distances until the jeepney reaches the end of its route. Jeepneys are coded with numbers and letters according to the routes that they traverse. Each jeep usually seats 16 to 30 persons, depending on how large it is.

The jeepney has become an iconic symbol for Philippine transportation not only for its extensive use. It is also depicted in many tourism brochures as a colourful and powerful vehicle. Indeed, no two jeepneys are exactly alike. Jeepneys come with graphics, illustrations, religious figures, favourite quotes and even the names of one’s wife and children. Such designs are applied either through airbrush painting or with graphic stickers. A jeepney’s hood features an assortment of items, too, including miniature horses and luxury car emblems. The body may be adorned with side drapes, flags and antennas. Although some jeepneys are pieces of art, it takes a brave and adventurous tourist to ride one. If you want to experience the common means of transportation of the majority of middle-class and low-class Filipinos, then be prepared to sit in a hot, jam-packed vehicle with a seeming stunt driver behind the wheel. Still, doing so will earn you the approval of locals. Plus, it will be a ride that you really will not forget.

If a foreigner wishes to do business in the Philippines, then he or she must understand the attitudes and dispositions of the locals. Perhaps two phrases can best guide you if you have a hope of establishing good business relations in the country: “small talk” and “loss of face. ”When you are at a business meeting with Filipinos, you should never delve into the subject right away unless your Filipino counterpart does so. Most of the time, Filipinos will begin with small talk – an inquiry about one’s travel, conversation about mutual friends or relatives, news stories and several jokes. This is because Filipinos like having a warm and cordial atmosphere. They like to establish rapport with a person before they consider him as a good potential business partner. Small talk usually lasts for several minutes, until the host or presiding party begins discussing the real business issues.

In all your dealings with Filipino partners, clients and employees — always avoid saying or doing something that will cause them to suffer a loss of face. Filipinos value their self-esteem and would usually give a polite smile instead of turning down a suggestion or criticising someone to his face. If you find that you need to reprimand an employee, be sure to do it privately and end with words of encouragement and support. Always end business talks cordially, even if something unpleasant transpired during the meeting. You will soon find, too, that bureaucracy at government agencies is highly frustrating. Do not attempt to fight this on your own. Filipinos usually leave tasks like government clearance and registration to people who are good at pleasantries, flattery and gift-giving. Many also rely on connections like relatives and “friends in high places.”

If there is a place in the Philippines that has been attracting such a diverse mix of property investors, it is Cebu. Real estate buyers have various reasons for turning their attention to the province. They invest for commercial and for residential reasons. Some desire to own homes here, either for holiday stay or for retirement purposes. There are various reasons for this attraction to Cebu. Cebu can be seen, in the property investor’s eye, as a place teeming with opportunity. Yet, while the cities are showing evidence of commercial progressiveness and infrastructure development, they still retain the light disposition and laid-back pace that are so inherent among Cebuanos. These seemingly contradicting factors actually improve Cebuanos’ quality of life.

In Cebu, urbanisation exists along with cultural beauty and heritage. The major cities are surrounded by provincial towns – some sleepy, others lively. Beyond the tall condominiums, hotels and offices, one can see a backdrop of mountains. Just thirty minutes away from the urban jungle lies the sea. This means that a holiday getaway is no problem for anyone living in Cebu. A few hours’ drive from the city will get you to the tip of the island. So, buying a home in Cebu’s major cities means getting the best of commerce and leisure. One can be near schools, malls and hospitals and still find a good vacation spot within an hour. Commercial investors also find Cebu to be a hotspot for job opportunities, as many fresh graduates from the surrounding islands come here to find employment. Those who put up hotels or flats for rent also find much revenue from tourists, from foreigners who come here to study and from foreigners who eventually decide to settle down and spend the rest of their lives here.

]]> http://www.extra-rice.com/the-cebuano-property-attraction/feed/ 12 http://www.extra-rice.com/healing-by-%e2%80%9chilot%e2%80%9d-therapy/ http://www.extra-rice.com/healing-by-%e2%80%9chilot%e2%80%9d-therapy/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:17:56 +0000 Gabriel Allingham http://www.extra-rice.com/healing-by-%e2%80%9chilot%e2%80%9d/

The “hilot” (massage), an ancient Filipino art of healing used today to relax stressed muscles, is the Filipinos’ answer to the globally booming spa and wellness industry. Traditionally steeped in mysticism and folklore, “hilot” has, for centuries, been known as a healing massage that Filipino households turn to in times of sickness. Today, practitioners of this healing art also emphasise its scientific basis to explain why this type of massage has always been so effective. “Hilot” involves not only massaging, but also the use of herbal therapy. So, “hilot” practitioners are both masseurs and herbalists. They may be called “healers.” A good healer is expected to recognise a person’s illness and its causes by studying the patient and sensing his or her energy. The healer then gives the patient a massage that stimulates the body’s electrical impulses in order to produce the necessary biochemical reactions.

This act will trigger the body’s natural ability to heal itself, which is a reaction that is similar to immunotherapy. A healer may also apply the necessary herbs on a person’s body during a massage. There are several types of “hilot.” The “hilot albularyo” combines long, slow massage strokes with an herbal mixture treatment, which may be applied externally or taken internally. “Hilot buga” uses a hot herbal compress made with various herbs, vegetables, fruits, water, vinegar and oil. This compress is applied externally and is especially used to treat illnesses. The “hilot bintusa” uses cupping or acupressure with materials like glass, with the purpose of removing impurities from one’s body. “Hilot babad” is a massage treatment that is given while the patient is immersed in water. It is used to heal tendon, ligament, joints and muscle injuries. It is advisable not to take a bath within 24 hours after a “hilot” so that the oils can be sufficiently absorbed by the skin.

Internet cafés are places where one can use a computer that is connected to the Web for a fee per hour or per minute of usage. These cafés can be found everywhere in Cebu. You can find them in malls, in street corners, near schools and even in narrow street mazes. You can find them in remote towns and in areas near the beach, too. These cafés are the perfect solution for those who do not have their own computers. They are also places of refuge for students who need to print their homework or do some research at the last minute. This is why Internet cafés are seen as profitable businesses. Various cafés may have different purposes and target audiences. There are many cafés made for gaming. In these places, you will see many teens – usually boys – shouting passionately to one another, either in triumph or in frustration, while playing popular games. Such scenes usually occur after 5PM, when the school day has ended. The more avid virtual warriors even sneak in an hour of playtime during their lunch breaks.

If you happen to step inside a dark and noisy Internet café filled with sweaty schoolchildren, then do not fret. There are also cafés that are peaceful enough for you to do serious work or communicate online. They come equipped with sufficient equipment, like printers, photocopiers, fax machines, headsets and web cameras. Another alternative would be to find a coffee shop that has Wi-Fi connection. Depending on the shop, this can come with a fixed fee or an hourly fee. Several coffee shops also allow you to connect to their Wi-Fi for free as long as you do order food or drinks. There may or may not be an electricity charge for plugging in your laptop.

]]> http://www.extra-rice.com/inside-the-internet-cafe/feed/ 13 http://www.extra-rice.com/knowing-the-philippine-peso/ http://www.extra-rice.com/knowing-the-philippine-peso/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:15:07 +0000 Gabriel Allingham http://www.extra-rice.com/knowing-the-philippine-peso/

The currency used in Cebu is the same currency that is used all over the Philippines, its mother country. This is the Philippine peso. One peso is divided into a hundred centavos. There are coins for 5, 10 and 25 cents, as well as for 1, 5 and 10 pesos. There are bills for 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. As of early August 2009, the value of a single peso was equivalent to 0.013 British pounds, 0.015 Euro and 0.021 US dollars. Depending where you are or who you deal with, you will find that prices for foreigners are much higher than for locals. In this sense, be careful when riding taxis. Always make sure that the driver is using his taxi metre in charging you a fee. Tipping is a practice in Cebu, though in not so large amounts. A typical restaurant tip would be at least 20 pesos. Some restaurants include a 20% service fee in the bill.

Cebuanos are generally regarded as “hard to please” people, but this is not exactly true. Cebuanos simply want to make sure that they have the best value for their money, and they show it in their purchase decisions. For example, when a Cebuano attends a concert, he or she wants to make sure that the entertainment he gets is worth the ticket price. Even if the artist may happen to be his favourite, if his performance seems mediocre for a ticket priced at 1,500 pesos or more, than the Cebuano audience will not be pleased. This is why Cebu is known to be the test ground that will show the true measure of a celebrity’s success. Having said thus, Cebuanos will willingly pay hundreds for a buffet that will endlessly pleasure and immensely satisfy their taste buds.

As you walk the streets of Cebu, you will find locals hurriedly walking in the streets to catch a ride or speeding in their cars to beat a yellow traffic light. One thing is common in many such scenes: thumbs busy typing away on mobile phones. In a country where approximately one out of every two citizens subscribes to a mobile phone service provider, it is not rare to see people sending out text messages or SMS. In fact, it can be quite common for people to own two cell phones, subscribing to two different service providers. This penchant for “texting” has grown to such huge numbers that the Philippines has become known as one of the countries that send the most number of text messages a day. Such a reputation once earned the Philippines a reputation for being the “text capital of the world.”

The huge traffic of SMS travelling from cell phone to cell phone has forced – or, rather, enticed – service providers to levy a one-peso fee for every message sent. However, there are certain deals that allow people to send an unlimited number of messages within a period of days for a fixed fee. These deals have allowed the texting craze to continue, so much that during Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and the Sinulog feast, text messages get stuck and arrive only hours after they are sent. If you happen to pass by the province of Lilo-an, you will see a street sign that says, “No texting while crossing the street.” Signs like this are evidence of the way mobile phones have become inculcated into the Philippine culture. You can also expect Cebuanos to pass around jokes regarding nationwide events involving politicians and celebrities, no matter how serious the matter may be.

]]> http://www.extra-rice.com/the-cebuano-texting-craze/feed/ 11 http://www.extra-rice.com/sinulog-and-beaches/ http://www.extra-rice.com/sinulog-and-beaches/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:13:57 +0000 Gabriel Allingham http://www.extra-rice.com/sinulog-and-beaches/

Alongside the famous “lechon” (roasted pig) and “puso” (hanging rice), two things stand out as iconic tourist magnets for Cebu: Sinulog and beaches. These two emblems exude the youthful vibrancy than can be found without fail all over the island. The Sinulog is a festival that occurs on every third Sunday of January. It is held in honour of the Santo Nino of Cebu. In the week before the Sinulog, Cebu’s streets effuse with symbols of liveliness, heritage and devotion: “banderitas” (colourful stringed flags) flutter above the streets, bazaar stalls line the sidewalks, open-air concerts fill the Fuente Rotunda and huge posters or replicas of historic Cebuano spots adorn roadsides and corners.

On the day itself, the citizens pour out into the streets, rich and poor alike. Tourists from all over the Philippines and the world flock to Cebu for the Sinulog, too. The norm of the day is walking – vehicles can barely make their way through throngs of revellers. Massive, decorated floats parade in the streets, as well as numerous dancers with painted bodies and creative costumes. It is not rare for the onlookers themselves to get their faces painted and to continue partying past midnight, even till the wee hours of dawn. After all, every Monday following the Sinulog is an official rest day for Cebuanos, meaning there are no classes and, for some, no work. Beaches can be found to the north, south, east and west of Cebu. In short, there are immense choices for an intimate weekend getaway or a fun party. It is common practice to hop from island to island on a wooden, motor-powered boat. There are beaches that have soft, pure white sand, especially in the south and in nearby islands. There are also plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing.

Are you looking for a unique piece to decorate your home with? If so, then you can find the perfect ornaments here in Cebu. Here, you will find handmade crafts that add a pleasing, interesting touch to your home – crafts that may be too expensive or even non-existent in your home country. One of the symbols of Philippine life is the “nipa” hut. Traditionally, this house made of bamboo sticks and “nipa” leaves served as the abode of Filipinos. Of course, time has brought modern home structures to urban areas. However, Filipinos never forget their roots. So, today, the traditional hut has found its way in many houses and commercial establishments in the form of a wooden gazebo. In Cebu, you will find such gazebos – made of hardwood, with built-in seats – for sale at reasonable prices. You can find these in places like Busay and Mactan. They can beautifully serve as a focal point in your garden back home.

However, if you are looking for ornaments that are much easier to transport, you can find them here, too. Whether you choose to look in the mall, by the sea or in the various surrounding towns, you will find many items that can serve as furniture, décor or both. You will find spoons, ukuleles, guitars, bowls, mirrors, lanterns, door frames, curtains, wind chimes and a whole lot more. These may seem to be ordinary items, but any person who lays eyes on them immediately understands why there are so precious. They combine exquisitely carved, rich wood with materials like vibrant, elegant capiz shells, once again attesting to the harmony between mountains and seas. They are also crafted by hand, making them superior both in quality and in beauty.

If you want a respite from the frozen goods sections of walled-in supermarkets, then Cebu has a fantastic alternative for you. You will never find yourself at a loss for the freshest produce here. All over Cebu, you can find markets that abound with the greenest vegetables and the most succulent fruits. You can find prime poultry, cattle and farm products, as well as batches of seafood freshly caught from the sea, all at the best prices. This is the advantage of being a province nestled in between mountains and bodies of water. If you are looking for a place in Cebu where you can buy food ingredients in their top form at low prices, then you can ask around for directions to the best local market, be it in the city or in the surrounding towns. Almost anyone on the street will know where open-air markets or “wet markets” are. When you reach the place, you will find numerous stalls with vendors calling out their wares. You will also be greeted – nay, assaulted – by the various odours of beef, pork, poultry and fish.

For the inexperienced, one might have the instinct to go back to the safe, predictable confines of cold supermarkets, which is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. Not many tourists dare venture amidst these stalls, but those who do find ultimate rewards – the undeniable freshness of the food ingredients; the adventure of truly immersing in local culture. You must learn to haggle a bit when you explore local wet markets. You should also compare prices from stall to stall, and let vendors know if you have found a better price from another seller in the market. Be sure to watch the scales with which the sellers weigh your purchases.

You have not felt Cebu if you have not eaten in Larsian Fuente Osmeña. Amidst the smoke-filled dining area of the place, one can enjoy the cheap grilled food available 24 hours of the day. If you are on a budget and want the sweet-style barbecue pork or chicken, you will definitely find Larsian the place to be. Unfortunately, the place is very public and may not be suitable for people who may be bringing precious belongings or for people allergic to smoke.

Larsian, Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City

Just beside Larsian is the ubiquitous Siomai sa Tisa. Each pork dumpling costs six pesos, and with a serving of 3 and a cup of rice, it is already a respectable meal. Even if Siomai sa Tisa originated in Tisa, Labangon, many siomai stores still use the place to perhaps advertise to the public that their siomais are good and delicious. Siomai is a great snack treat too, especially for those who are on a tight meal budget.

larsian-siomai

Other extraordinary dining nooks are shawarma places of Cebu. Although most shawarma places are found in malls, there is really no proper dining setup for these roasted beef and pita sandwiches. Shawarma is not a local concoction. In fact, this food is a Middle Eastern delicacy but has Filipinos wanting for more. Previously, many shawarma stands flooded the metropolis. Its tangy garlic sauce and onion add-ons are pure heaven to shawarma enthusiasts. Unfortunately, those shawarma shops that have successfully thrived have gone from a dozen to a handful. Still, one must try these wonderful pita sandwiches while standing. Just be careful not to get your hands soaked in the garlic sauces. Otherwise, you will end up licking them because even the sauce is great!

Special lechon….

CNT Lechon House is undeniably one of the popular lechon houses in the city. Not only is it true for the locals, but also among local tourists visiting the city. Many would order lechon and have them packed and sealed for travel. CNT roasted pigs have crunchy skins and have salty meat. Unlike the Tagalog roasted pigs wherein the lechon meat remains bland, Cebu lechons pride in properly seasoned meat retaining its juiciness and tenderness and minus the layers of pork fat. Orders can be by kilo or by one roasted pig piece.

Alejo’s Lechon is also famous for its wonderfully seasoned roasted pigs. Unlike CNT wherein there are many branches around the city, Alejo’s shop can be found in Salvador, Labangon. Even if the place is a bit far from the bustle of the city, many loyal fans still flock to their shop to get a piece of that crunchy pork skin or get orders for their parties and gatherings.

@ lechon house

All over Cebu, small lechon houses ore or less offer the same great-tasting pieces of roasted pigs. But the common denominator with these shops is they have lechon suppliers from the famous cities of Cebu that are well-known for roasting the best-tasting roasted pigs. These cities are Carcar and Talisay. If you ask a local about where these lechons were prepared and he or she answers you with Carcar or Talisay, chances are, you are getting the finest lechons in the market all over the country.

 Family Choice Restaurant “eat-all-you-can”

For nonstop serving of sea foods and baked or steamed oysters, Tong’s restaurant is the best place to go. Located in Ayala Access Road/Mabolo area, one can enjoy a full meal and more at this restaurant for less than 300 pesos per pax. Although drinks are additional charges, the meal charges are often worth it. You are not only dining in quantities but also the quality of food is exceptionally great.

On weekdays, Ding Qua Qua at JY Square Lahug offers dimsum style Chinese food as eat-all-you-can treats. Dine your Chinese favourite viands at less than 300 pesos per person. No food should be left over to enjoy the eat-all-you-can price tag. You can get a complete meal from entrée, appetizer to full meals and dessert just by paying the EAYC charge. Unfortunately, weekends do not have these buffet-style menus.

Chinese eat-all-you-can Restaurant

For other cheap alternatives, Joven’s Grill is a favourite destination for people who want to eat loads with a wide selection of viands. On Sundays, this restaurant even serves lechon or roasted pig to the delight of gusto eaters. Additionally, Royal Concourse also offers the same EAYC buffet style treats at less than 200 pesos per person. What sets it apart from Joven’s Grill is that it offers international cuisine choices like Japanese and Italian aside from the native Filipino dishes. The resto also has a dessert bar for the fruit craving that you have.

For pricier EAYCs, head up to the Chinese restaurant in Club Ultima along Osmeña Boulevard for that pricey authentic Chinese dish craving. Although expensive at 500 plus pesos per person, you get to be served pecking duck and exotic Chinese dishes prepared by authentic Hong Kong-based chefs. For sure, you do not have to pay for airfare to taste real Hong Kong food.

SutuKil – Sugba Tula Kilaw 

First choice is AA restaurant. Before they even hit big and put up all these branches around the metropolis, AA’s main branch was at the reclamation area. It was a small shanty under the category of carenderia or roadside eatery. Because of the wide array of sea foods choices and very inexpensive servings, many loyal customers flock for a piece of AA servings. Even the rich market does not hesitate to sit within the open air and tight eatery just to taste their food and mingle with all social classes. Fortunately, AA restaurant has made grilling and sutukil orders more varied and more available to the great public.

Manna Restaurant Sutukil

Mactan Shrine not only holds the landmarks of Cebu history, but also it is a place where good food and sutukil restaurants abound. In particular, No Problem restaurant specializes in cooking seafood that are grilled, stewed and prepared raw but cooked in vinegar acid. One does not expect very high class surroundings here because almost all of the restaurants in the row of Mactan Shrine follow a native-style kind of dining. Apart from good food, prices for the food are sometimes more than the usual Cebu City-based restaurants. Since most foreign and local tourists herd to eat here, chances are menu prices can go up than the usual Cebuano budget. Still, sutukil food is delectable and sumptuous.

my favourite…. burger.

Flame-It Burgers undoubtedly tops the burger movement in Cebu. This restaurant which is proudly Cebu-based boasts of great-tasting burgers at affordable prices. You do not have to travel on a plane to enjoy the best luscious burgers because Cebu has them. Apart from the typical beef burgers, they have other offerings like Hungarian sausages, and other burger varieties. You can find them at Ayala malls and at their main branch near Philhealth.Burger Joint is another proudly Cebu-based burger outlet. This fastfood chain makes burgers that are juicy and thick, a far cry from the commercially prepared burgers in most popular fast-food burger chains. One must try their onion rings as well and the burger varieties on the menu. Best of all, the burger prices are very affordable. The Mabolo branch will surely serve for that burger craving.

double cheese burger with fries

Last but not the least is Orange Brutus. A true-blue Cebuano will not leave out Brutus as one of the best burgers in town. Although the burger sandwiches are not really to-die-for, their burger steaks are the opposites. Skip the usual burger sandwiches and order for the standard burger steak or the variety topped with egg instead. Surely, you will find this burger steak meal with rice very filling and delicious. Since you are already ordering that steak, do not miss out on the mango shake too. Perhaps both come as a value meal, and guess what? You will not spending more than 150 pesos for everything. So, what are you waiting? Head to any Orange Brutus restaurant near you.

Chinese Foods…get one and pass…

Grand Majestic will probably be one of the best Chinese dining places in Cebu. Not only does it offer authentic Chinese dishes, but the restaurant also offers eat-all-you–can buffet lunch or dinner on certain days of the week. You can enjoy wonderfully delicious Chinese dishes with the enjoyment of Chinese interiors of the restaurant. Although, food rates are not typically cheap, what you pay is worth the gustatory feeling.

Harbor City Dimsum is another Chinese dining place that has jumped into the fast-food chain bandwagon. If you go to malls and popular shopping centres, you might find a branch in the area. One should try the hotpots that are affordably priced at almost fifty pesos. Viands such as Chinese favourites like siomai, sweet and sour pork and others are offered at same rates. One can easily fill-up the stomach and enjoy the delicious Chinese fare with this kind of budget.

Hungry?….select one or more…

Jochin’s Times Kitchen found near Cebu Doctors’ hospital is another small-time Chinese restaurant that packs in on their great Chinese dishes at great prices. One must try their sweet and sour pork dish and pancit canton. Although not many flock to this restaurant, loyal clients often get their catering services for their parties and packed food meals.Cebu Lumpia House is another Cebuano Chinese restaurant favourite. This restaurant has been in Cebu for many years, and they specialize on Chinese dishes like shrimp lumpia, chicken feet, Chinese lumpia, steamed rice and siomai. More or less, prices are similar with Harbor City Dimsum’s food rates.

eatery where i used to spend my meal as aid for money shortage…

Finding a great meal and keeping it a secret is not the typical Cebuano trait. The best advertisement in Cebu or in many places for that matter is by word of mouth. Word travels fast especially if it tastes great and secondly, it pays right. Are you ready?

First choice would be for Ginabutan at Mabolo, Cebu. What is ginabot? Ginabot is deep-fried chopped pork intestines that come off as crunchy appetizers. These resemble like pork chicharon which is another famous Filipino delicacy, prepared as fried pork rind. With ginabot at Mabolo, you get bigger varieties at less than one hundred per serving. Although many ginabot varieties abound in pungko-pungkos (street side eateries), ginabot in Mabolo assures you that it is well-prepared and cooked home-style. Ginabot is not for the hypertensive folks as this kind of food is rich in cholesterol and salt.

pungko-pungko

If you are craving for pizza, Alberto’s Pizza at B. Rodriguez Street would probably be the cheaper alternative to your usual American pizzas. Although it is not as packed as the fast-food chain varieties, Alberto’s gets the two thumbs up for their cheesy pizzas at very affordable prices. Take note, these pizzas are for the thin-crust lovers. And if you wish to dine in their area, one does not expect the luxurious interiors of any popular pizzeria in the city. Better, have them deliver pizzas to your place.

Late night snack

For more pizzas, JCA still is great for their humongous Monster pizzas. A box of the Monster party can easily create an instant party. MB Tavern’s at Lapu-lapu is another hole-in-the-wall place where great pizza and pasta is traditionally Italian made without the exorbitant prices.

Melton’s Halo-halo at Labangon is another go-to when one is craving for some icy concoction. According to Wikipedia, halo-halo is a popular Filipino dessert that is a mixture of shaved ice and milk to which are added various boiled sweet beans and fruits, and served cold in a tall glass or bowl. At Melton’s, you get hefty halo-halo servings and varieties of fruits on your order. Of course, prices are reasonable.

custom USB

Cebu City is one of the oldest cities in the Philippines, and its history tells that Spaniards and Chinese have greatly settled in the area during the early times. Hence, the Cebuano dialect and food are a few of the influences that are significantly and heavily contributed by these foreign invaders.

trisikad

When travelling around Cebu, you can easily spot various Chinese restaurants and Spanish-influenced eateries. But because of the American contribution, many Westernized food chains are found sprouting all over the metropolis. The diverse offerings will only make the typical tourist confused over what type of meal to try.

Nowadays, Cebu has become one of the popular tourist destinations in the country. It is no wonder that apart from the usual fare of Chinese, American, Spanish, Mexican and native Filipino dishes, other types of cuisines have entered in the food market. Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, and Japanese restaurants are found all over to cater to these finicky tourists and to serve for locals who want international varieties.

But what is the common denominator of Cebuano restaurants and eateries? Undeniably, the price is often affordable as compared with the Manila counterparts. Price is always the issue among Cebuanos, and most restaurants live longer and gain more patronage from the locals due to affordable prices combined with flavourful menus. Cebuanos love a bargain, and it is no wonder that many hole-in-the-wall diners and carenderias earn more customer traffic for the reasonable prices and good food.

Cebuano Lunch

This website aims to elaborately take the local and foreign tourist to new heights in terms of finding and discovering the very best of Cebuano food. Philippine dishes may be offered in all islands, but the Cebuano taste and manner of cooking will set any native Filipino dish different from the rest of the islands. Additionally, most of the great food suggestions are quite affordable. One might as well spend a day of food-tripping because of the value that you get from most of the restaurants and eateries in the city.

Hence, you can imagine the myriad tastes of Filipinos. Because of the foreign invaders that have stayed in the Philippines years ago, Filipinos have developed to integrate and revise popularly foreign dishes to fit the tastes of the common people. For example, the Spaniards have introduced paella, morcon, relleno and the like. But of course, in the Philippines, ingredients have been localized and the taste has been suited for Filipino tastes.

nothing better to keep your tummy happy

Chinese influences include pancit or noodles and siopao among others. Unlike the country’s Asian neighbours, the Filipinos do not share the love for chili-loving dishes. Perhaps a few cities have a knack of making spicy dishes, but majority prefer the sweet-salty taste of most Filipino dishes with some vinegar-y sourness.Most notably, preparing Filipino meals is quick, easy and simple. A wok or a simple frying pan can effortlessly make most dishes with flair. It is because most Philippine dishes are usually stewed or sautéed. In terms of naming food dishes, one can understand immediately how or what the mentioned food is all about. For example, pritong hipon—it literally means, “fried shrimp.”

For more Filipino food translations, here are excerpts from http://filipinokastila.tripod.com/Food.html:
Prito means fried; gisa, ginisa or gisado means sautéed.
Ihaw or inihaw means grilled or broiled.
Adobo is to sauté in vinegar and garlic.
Paksiw means to stew in sour fruit or vinegar, ginataan is anything cooked in coconut milk (gata).
Sinigang is like bouillabaisse, but thinner in consistency, and used fish, prawns or meat with vegetable. It is usually made sour by adding some acidic fruit like tamarind or small green kamias.

Additionally, many Filipinos love to flavour their food with various dipping sauces, locally termed as “sawsawan”. These come in the form of bagoong, soy sauce, vinegar, patis, chili sauce with accompaniments of kalamansi juice, minced garlic or onions onto the vinegar-patis combination. Some locals would also love to accompany their food with pickled shredded papaya, popularly known as achara.

grilled salmon with green mango achara

The typical Filipino day comprises of three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snack time in the afternoons is termed merienda. Since most Filipino meals come heavy with white rice as staple food combined with a few viands, merienda becomes a light treat for sweets. Native Philippine delicacies like binignit, bibingka or rice cakes, and ginataan are popular choices among locals.

Paklay – the ultimate pulutan.

1 small pineapple (half-pipe), slice into cubes
1 kilo tripe (goto or callos or goat skin), sliced into 2-inch strips, boiled in vinegar, salt and water stock from the boiled goto
6 pcs. starfruit (balimbing), thinly sliced
5 small tomatoes, chopped
3 onions, sliced
1 thumb-size ginger, sliced
1 head garlic, minced
bay leaves
whole peppercorns
achuete water (1/2 cup achuete mixed in 1 cup water)
1 small bamboo shoot (dabong), sliced, boiled then drained
cooking oil

1. In a pan, sauté garlic, tomatoes, onions and tripe.
   Keep stirring until the mixture dries up a little.
2. Add the bamboo shoots and pineapple. Mix thoroughly.
3. Add the stock followed by the achuete water.
4. Cover until the bamboo shoots and pineapple are cooked.
5. Add the starfruit, bay leaves and whole peppercorns.
   Allow to simmer until cooked.

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Otap or the oval-shapped pastry

Cebu mango is known to be the sweetest, may it be dried mango, mango juice or fresh fruit itself

When it comes to sun-dried fish, Cebu market has the large variety on it. From danggit, dried fish bone, pusit (dried squid), etc you can have it all in Cebu.

Crispy chicharon from Carcar Cebu

Native Cebu Vanilla drop cookies

Rosquillos or ring cookies, Cebu has the finest and export quality rosquillos in the country

Toasted bread with butter and sugar or commonly known as biscocho

Bañadas

Cebu’s caycay

Rice Roll

2. Taho (soybean custard)
A balut’s opposite. Tahooooo! is like a morning croak for the locals, especially for kids. Caramelized sugar and sago add up to its sweet taste.

3. Temura / Fishball
Though its Japanese food origin, affordability and good taste made to top Cebu street food. Fry, put it in a stick and dipped in a sweet and sour sauce, deliciouso!

4. Mani (Peanut)
Can avail it in different forms, boiled, fried or raw peanut. It is said to be good for the brain, so most students eat peanuts before taking their exams.

Street, delicious foods…

5. Barbecue / Camotecue
A local snack item in Cebu. It is a ripe banana or sweet potato fried with brown sugar.

6. Flavor of the road – ice cream
Usually sold by a vendor rolling a huge drum of ice cream with a small bell to attract customers especially kids.

7. Green Mango with shrimp paste

8. Siomai

9. Ngoiong

10. Kwek-kwek (fried boiled egg with orange-colored flour coating)

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Dried Rabbitfish…

If you are vacationistas (tourists) danggit is abundant and a lot cheaper in many places around Cebu but most especially in Bantayan Island, Taboan Public Market, and Carbon Public Market. What makes it a queen among all fishes is that unlike other dried fish, danggit is not too salty and not too overpowering. Danggit is also delicious whether its fresh or dried. And Dried danggit can also be obtained in boneless and unsalted form. But just be conscious when frying it in a close room because even your closet could also smells like danggit. The romantic aroma of danggit has a lot to do with the beauty of Cebu. Actually buying danggit outside of Cebu is like eating mushroom burgers in Manila, they just don’t taste the same.

Ampaw for my kids and for me too…

I’m hungry enough to eat this lechon…

Basically lechon was originally introduced as part of Spanish cuisine. It is a Spanish word for suckling pig. In Cebu, it connotes a whole roasted pig or lechon baboy. The process of lechon involves the whole pig/piglet being slowly roasted over charcoal. The younger and thicker the pig the tastier. This grueling method of roasting leaves a crispy skin and very moist meat inside. It is best served with a sauce.

Wow, lechon parade….

CnT, Mila’s Lechon, Lydia’s Lechon-Restaurant, Kang’s are just few of the many best selling lechon in Cebu. The prices may vary from PhP 3000 up depending on the kilo. Or chopped lechon is also available ranging from PhP300-Php500 per kilo.

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