From the many blogs that I’ve read by Cebu-based bloggers, it is clear that Cebu has a lot to offer, many of them still pretty much obscure and relatively unexploited-slash-undiscovered. But for us Cebu non-experts, there are certain things that we instantly associate with the place. “Queen City of the South”. Spanish-era churches. Excellent singers. Dried mangoes.
Magellan’s Cross. Shamrock. Danggit. These three are what this post is all about.
Staple #1: Magellan’s Cross
The two times that I was able to visit (hooooooooot!) historic Cebu, visiting the Magellan’s Cross is a no-brainer. This Christian cross was said to be given by the Portuguese explorers sailing under the Spanish flag, and became the ultimate discoverers of the islands of the Philippines. It is named after the leader of the expedition, Ferdinand Magellan.
Magellan’s Cross is essentially housed in a small chapel set just outside the equally famous Church of the Sto. Niño. Across a side street stands the Cebu City Hall.
Step inside the chapel, and you’ll find a large wooden cross. That is not, however, the original cross “planted” by Magellan. It’s been said that the original cross is encased INSIDE this wooden cross.
But what is equally famous about this place is the domed ceiling, which is reminiscent of the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This time, however, the painting on the ceiling of the chapel shows scenes of Cebu history.
And here’s a glimpse of the Cebu City Hall.
Staple #2: Otap. Or, more specifically, Shamrock Otap.
Mention the phrase “pasalubong from Cebu”, and you are most likely to be directed to the nearest Shamrock branch. They sell many Cebu delicacies, from galletas de huevo, baked polvoron (a personal favorite!), ladyfingers, hojaldres, and even baked goods such as breads. Their signature item, however, would have to be the Otap, described as a “crisp, flaky and saccharine-coated biscuit perfected only by Shamrock”.
For a messy eater like me, the flaky bit is a problem. Another reason I prefer the baked polvoron. But I won’t deny that it is the best-tasting otap from the several otap brands I’ve tasted. Visitors and tourists enter this place and come out holding BOXES filled with otaps to bring home for their friends and families.
There were a number of Shamrock pasalubong centers in Cebu and even in Mactan. Both times I was in Cebu, we went to the same place: the Shamrock Capitol Store, located on Don Gil Garcia Street.
Staple #3. Danggit
For ordinary people (like me), danggit is synonymous to “dried fish, Cebu-style”. A more accurate description for danggit, however, would be “salted, sun-dried rabbitfish or spinefoot, which are abundant and native to Cebu. It’s crunchy, tasty, and, paired with eggs, steaming rice, and some fresh tomatoes, it’s the perfect breakfast to perk you right up.
It is also quite pungent, especially when uncooked, or even while it is being cooked.
So imagine what we smelt like after spending about half an hour or so going around the Tabo-an Market, which is pretty much Cebu’s danggit “haven”.
But it’s a necessary evil, considering the number of people back home waiting for their danggit, which they have expressly ordered. (Sometimes, I feel like this concept of “pasalubong” should be regulated. Haha! Kidding!)
As a runner-up, you could also say that another Cebu staple is the Cebu “lechon”, which is Spanish for “roasted suckling pig”. Cebu also claims to be the “Lechon Capital of the World“, a title which may be in dispute by one or two other cities.
To satisfy our craving for lechon, we dropped by the CnT Lechon Restaurant in front of SM City Cebu. It was a little after 4pm when we got there, but they were already sold out, and we had to settle for some lechon leftovers. Argh. Still, it was very tasty~
I end this post with something “new” (because it’s the first time I’ve seen it done). Remember those pricey vending machines where you insert money/coins, choose your beverage, press buttons, and out comes your purchase? Well, this converted and improvised water dispenser, which we saw at a small eatery, is a play on that.
So what you do is place your cup under, insert two one-peso coins on the slot, and water will come out. You don’t even have to worry about turning it off, because it will automatically stop pouring water once it reaches close to the top. Yep, somehow, they were able to “program” it to mean two pesos equals one cup of water. Pretty nifty, eh?
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