Admiring The Tranquility of Cebu Taoist Temple/Chinese Temple - Cebu, Philippines

When visiting Cebu, the Taoist Temple (Chinese Temple) is always one of the frequently visited tourist destination due to its attractive structure designs and artistry. The temple is located in Beverly Hills subdivision in Lahug, Cebu city, Philippines.

The main entrance reveals the replica of the Great Wall of China, with the eye-catching views of some dragon sculptures displayed as you enter the site.

It was built in 1972 by the Chinese community, 980 feet above sea level, giving tourists a magnificent view of the city.

One distinguishing characteristic that you can experience is the peaceful ambience around the temple. You can actually relax and take a nap on the upper part of the temple while feeling the breeze and at the same time overlooking the view of the city ;).

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, but both worshippers and non-worshippers are free to visit.

There are 3 winding routes of the temple, and has 81 steps of stairways going up, which represents the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures.

You can also see some rituals (or experience it if you want to) being performed by some devotees such as praying to the gods for a wish and more. Rituals are usually done every Wednesdays and Sundays.

But as a visitor like me, (I am a Christian) the visit is for the experience of witnessing the unique structural designs, colors, symbols and the culture instilled as reflected on the temple from the Chinese.

Fort San Pedro - Cebu (Tour Visit)

This old piece of place was established by the Spanish during the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, which functions as a military defense against Muslim raiders in the 17th century.

The fort has 3 sides because of its triangular shape, where 2 sides face the sea with artillery defenses and one side fronting the city. At present, it is now in the area of Plaza Independencia at the pier of Cebu City.

In the late 19th century, it was successfully replaced by the Filipino revolutionaries during the Philippine revolution and used it as their defense. It is built of stone mortar where guns can be seen mounted. It was also used as a prison camp during the Philippine revolution, then became and American Warwick barracks during the American regime and eventually turned over to the Cebuanos by Commodore George Dewey.

Between 1937 - 1941, it became as classrooms where the locals (Cebuanos) first received their formal education, then went back to becoming as a prison camp during WWII from 1941-1945. The fort also functioned as a hospital during the battle of liberation.

At present, it is now a museum filled with historical facts, sculpture, paintings and most of its parts can still be seen including old cannons that are still on their original places.

A private tour can also be done if you prefer to know the complete historical facts of the fort!

The Cebu Heritage Monument/Park

The Cebu Heritage Park/Monument is easy to locate when you're in Cebu and is a very close distance to the Yap-San Diego ancestral house which is also a historical attraction.

It depicts series of historical events during the Spanish era until the most recent beatification of a Cebuano martyr, Pedro Calungsod who is also included among the sculptures in the monument. You will be able to pick up what the monument is all about as you will find a mounted plaque on the area explaining about what the monument represents.

The monument was built by Eduardo Castrillo beginning in 1997 with the help of former senator Marcelo Fernan who funded the construction with Castrillo which includes private donations by some organizations and some individuals. It was done in 2000.

The sculptures were built with concrete, brass, steel and bronze. The monument also includes churches which had an important role during Raha Humabon's leadership, when he was converted to Christianity during the Spanish regime in the 15th century, and the statue of the late Philippine president Sergio Osmeña, Sr.

Yap-San Diego Old Ancestral House

If you're visiting in Cebu, Philippines, you shouldn't miss visiting this old ancestral home in one of the districts of Cebu. It is one of the oldest residential houses in the Philippines which was built between 1675 and 1700.

It was originally owned by Don Juan Yap, a Chinese merchant and Doña Maria Florido who had 3 children; - Maria, Eleuterio & Consolacion Yap.

The oldest daughter Maria, married Don Mariano San Diego in 1880 who was a district head in Parian, Cebu that time.

Then in 2008, the home was passed on to Doña Maria's great, great grandson Val San Diego who was also famous in Cebu as an art collector and heritage icon.

Several restorations were made on the home by Val to continue to stand as a historical house.

Inside the house are priceless antiques and other old treasures full of historical secrets. As you discover these secrets, they will make you understand there's more to its historical past.

There are also old and new artwork exhibits. Most of the old items are preserved.

Did you know that the construction materials of this old house were made of coral stones that were glued with egg whites? The roof was made of clay weighing at 1 kg. each, and the wooden parts were made of "balayong" and "tugas" (molave), considered to be the hardest woods of all time.

Sto. NiÑo Basilica & Magellan's Cross (Cebu, Philippines)

The church was founded in 1565 and considered to be the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country. In 1965, Paul VI made the church a basilica and named it as the symbol of the birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines.

Several renovations were done beginning in 1735, retaining the church's original features. Today, the basilica is still under the care of Augustinian friars.

In 2013, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake caused damages on the church's belfry and facade, and walls had cracks. The damages were restored immediately and later re-opened for the public once again.

The church holds the Christ child statue dating to Magellan's time and becomes crowded especially in the weekends as worshippers (including street sellers) join pilgrim processions.

Close from the basilica is a walking distance towards the Magellan's Cross. The Magellan's cross is inside a Spanish-styled pavilion which is a wooden cross. You will notice that the cross you will see is not the original (as the plaque says in the photo) but instead, is a replica used to cover the original cross.

According to the historical facts, the original cross was set up by Magellan and his fellow explorers upon arriving in the Philippines exactly as where the cross is standing today!

The Story of Mactan Shrine (Cebu, Philippines)

The shrine was constructed in memory of the Battle of Mactan in 1521 between the Spaniards and the natives, in which Lapu-Lapu was the native chieftain who resisted the leadership of Magellan to subdue and convert the natives to Christianity, as well as resisted the idea of subjecting themselves to Spain's throne. The shrine is in a covered structure that houses it.

Few meters away from the Mactan Shrine includes two more shrines; - the Lapu-Lapu shrine and the Magellan monument.

1. Lapu-lapu Shrine - is a historical bronze statue which is 65.5 feet high. He was a native leader (chieftain) who killed Ferdinand Magellan during the battle of Mactan in 1521. As you continue to look up close on the statue, you will notice that on his left hand is a shield and on his right  is a large jungle knife called "kampilan", - his only weapons that killed Magellan.

Me and family ;)

       2. Few distances nearby Lapu-lapu shrine is the Magellan monument also known as Magellan's marker or Magellan shrine which was also erected as a memorial tower for Magellan, - a portuguese explorer. The monument is overlooking the Magellan Bay and is believed to be the exact place where he was killed by Lapu-lapu.

The tower is approximately 30 meters high, with an obelisk shape on top and consists of marble. You would notice that the monument is less-maintained looking moldy and dark.

The monument has four sides, where the obelisk top is standing. On one side is the name of Magellan written in Portuguese. The 2nd side is a dedication to "Spanish Glory"; The 3rd side is the name of the Spanish governor of the Philippines; the 4th side is the name of the Spanish monarch under the rule of Queen Ysabel II.