Connect with us

Culture

The nine best places to have breakfast in Cebu

Start the day right! Cebu has a lot to offer in terms of breakfast, so there’s no reason to skip the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast is severely underrated – and it shouldn’t be! As the first meal of the day, it’s also the most important one, designed to fuel you for the rest of the day ahead. But with most people’s busy schedules and active lifestyles, breakfast tends to be pushed aside, replaced instead with brunch (or just plain lunch, if we’re being honest).

Skipping breakfast is a habit that should be done away with, and there are so many restaurants in Cebu offering amazing meals that’ll entice you to actually start your day right. Here are Zee Lifestyle‘s top picks.

ABACA BAKING COMPANY

The selection of fresh breads and pastries from Abaca Baking Company (Photography by Jessica McYorker/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)

The selection of fresh breads and pastries from Abaca Baking Company (Photography by Jessica McYorker/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)

If there’s one restaurant synonymous to breakfast in Cebu, it’s definitely Abaca Baking Company. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries easily makes this a favorite early morning destination, although for a more filling meal, we highly recommend the ABC Breakfast Skillet, with eggs, bacon, and sausages–and that’s only some of it!

Crossroads Mall / Ayala Center Cebu / Robinsons Cybergate / Robinsons Galleria / Paseo Arcenas 
Facebook

 

THE PIG & PALM

Avocado and poached eggs on toast (Photography by Patty Taboada/Zee Lifestyle)

Avocado and poached eggs on toast (Photography by Patty Taboada/Zee Lifestyle)

Run by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton, The Pig & Palm was bound to be a popular addition to the local dining scene, and it certainly did not disappoint in that aspect. While it draws the crowd in the evenings, the restaurant also boasts of a wonderful breakfast menu. The avocado and poached egg on toast is a must-try.

MSY Tower, Cebu Business Park | Facebook

 

CAFE MARCO

Cafe Marco (Photo: Facebook)

Cafe Marco (Photo: Facebook)

If you want a breakfast of champions, the morning buffet at Cafe Marco is the way to go. The extensive selection of international fare and local favorites will definitely fill you up. Besides, we’ll take any excuse to have malicious cookies, which are best paired with coffee.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu | Facebook

 

CAFE SARREE

Salmon Eggs Benedict and Angus Beef Tapa from Cafe Sarree (Photo: Facebook)

Salmon Eggs Benedict and Angus Beef Tapa from Cafe Sarree (Photo: Facebook)

Three words: Angus. Beef. Tapa. That’s right, this well loved Filipino breakfast is given an international spin with the use of Angus beef, and it’s a specialty you can have at Cafe Sarree. The quaint and charming ambiance will also make you linger long past the last bite.

Escario Central / Ayala Center Cebu | Facebook

TYMAD BISTRO

Tymad Bistro's bestselling crepe

Tymad Bistro’s bestselling crepe (Photo: Facebook)

Crepes for breakfast? Not the crepes you had in mind, for sure. This little bistro in Banilad takes pride in their Crepe Complete, an ensemble of a dish with Emmental cheese, ham, and eggs sunny side up–and with good reason. It’s so good, it’ll make for one of your most memorable breakfasts ever.

Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad | Facebook

BIRDSEED BREAKFAST CLUB + CAFE

Birdseed Breakfast Club's Eggs Benedict (Photography by Nath Ybañez/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2016)

Birdseed Breakfast Club’s Eggs Benedict (Photography by Nath Ybañez/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2016)

Our website has already dubbed Birdseed as the place to have the best Eggs Benedict in city. The bacon is homemade, the yolk is rich and thick, the English muffin is flavorful with the wilted spinach, and the hollandaise is served quite generously. It’s hard to top that.

Axis Entertainment Avenue, Escario | Facebook

CANVAS BISTRO BAR GALLERY

Going bananas at Canvas Bistro Bar Gallery (Photo: Facebook)

Going bananas at Canvas Bistro Bar Gallery (Photo: Facebook)

Modern Australian cuisine restaurant Canvas gives a twist to pancakes with their fluffy banana buckwheat version, with grilled ham, brie and scrambled eggs. Besides, who doesn’t love pancakes? We know we do!

One Paseo, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad | Facebook

CAMDEN CAFE

Cherry tomatoes, black beans, chickpeas, onions, bell pepper, garbanzos, corn, japaeno and lime make up Camden's Ensalada Obregana (Photo: Facebook)

Cherry tomatoes, black beans, chickpeas, onions, bell pepper, garbanzos, corn, jalapeno and lime make up Camden’s Ensalada Obregon (Photo: Facebook)

Along with its Instagram-worthy interiors, the best thing about Camden is that you can chomp on your favorite breakfast dishes all day. With regards to our New Year’s resolution, we recommend Ensalada Obregon for a hearty and nutritious fill.

Rosal St., Cebu City | Facebook

YOLK COFFEE AND BREAKFAST

Chorizo and Egg in a Pan (Photography by Christine Cueto/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, March 2015)

Chorizo and Egg in a Pan (Photography by Christine Cueto/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, March 2015)

What’s breakfast without a cup of good coffee? Yolk, tucked in one of Mabolo’s quieter streets, is one of the few bistros that specialize in third wave coffee that’s freshly roasted. It’s the perfect pair to Yolk’s extensive menu of egg-based dishes, our favorite being the Chorizo and Eggs in a Pan.

Tres Borces St., Mabolo | Facebook

Culture

Cebuano Pride: The National Museum of Cebu

Pride of Cebu

By Eva Gullas 
photos courtesy of DOT
“With the National Museum of Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the country, we open the doors to a temple in history and culture, inviting tourists and locals to witness our archaeological and natural treasures. The NMP-Cebu is not just a museum but a bridge to our past and a window into our future,” declares Christina Frasco, our Secretary of Tourism, at the ceremonial opening last July 28.
Located at the heart of the city’s historic port area, the former colonial Customs House, built in 1910, was transformed into an elegant edifice worthy of the city’s place in history. It was in Cebu where the Spanish conquistadors first landed in 1521 and where Magellan met his end at the hands of the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu. Starting August 1, the National Museum of Cebu will open its doors daily from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday.

Cebu City Tourism’s Neil Odjigue, Cembeth Hortillano and CCTC Chairperson Joy Pesquera

Worth checking is the first floor, where a few art pieces from national artists like Cebu’s own Martino Abellana, Fernando Amorsolo, and Jose Joya take pride of place. On the right wing are finds from archeological digs found all over the islands. Called Ang Karaang Sugbo or Old Cebu, they include a gold death mask and ancient vases from China. There’s also Kinaiyahan: Cebu’s Natural Wonders, which features an impressive wall containing the different layers underneath our soil. There is also a display case that interactively showcases the various elements around the area, like gold, copper, and gypsum. Another wing is Paglawig: Cultural Movember Across the Seas, showcasing the islands’ maritime history and sea bounty, including rare shells.

Museum Director Jeremy Barns, Maryanne Arculli, Andronik Aboitiz and wife Doreen, Amanda Luym

Some of the abstract art from the New York collection

It is on the second floor, though, where the museum shines. Up the grand staircase, guests are greeted by Elmer Borlongan’s massive Battle of Mactan, facing a facsimile of the Sta Maria galleon, Magellan’s flagship. Then on to a limited-time exhibit on loan from the Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974, a treasure trove of almost 90 paintings collected by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, including Ang Kioks, Sanso, Manuel Rodrigues, and many more representing both avant-garde and classic Filipino masters. The New York collection is only available until March 2024 and is not to be missed.

Writer Eva Gullas beside Elmer Borlongan’s Battle of Mactan

The National Museum Cebu has been years in the making, and this cultural milestone has finally been made possible under the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who famously said during the inauguration, “I am a museum fan, and I can stay in art museums for hours and hours.” He added, ” museums are considered valuable natural assets to a nation as they build a sense of community, document history, inspire creativity, promote tourism, and unite people through a shared heritage.” Kudos to the National Museum Board of Trustees, chaired by Andoni Aboitiz and Museum Director Jeremy Barnes, for this cultural gift to Cebu!
Continue Reading

Culture

The Uncommon Traditions that Mexicans and Filipinos share when celebrating the Day of the Dead.

Dia de los Muertos

By Allain Dumon Fonte

The 2nd of November is All Soul’s Day, a holiday that is very important to many Filipinos to remember our loved ones who passed on. This is also widely celebrated in Mexico as “Dia De los Muertos” or in English, “The Day of the Dead”. And Mexicans celebrate the 2nd of November grander than they celebrate Christmas. Well, you can witness it from the Disney movie, “Coco”.

As All Soul’s Day or Dia de los Muertos is about to end, here are some interesting traditions and superstitions that Filipinos and Mexicans share:

1. IT IS NOT ON THE 31st OF OCTOBER

Dia de los Muertos or All Soul’s Day is not practiced on October 31st or on the Hallow’s Eve as many other western cultures practice; but we celebrate it on the 2nd of November. We celebrate November 1st as All Saint’s Day or the Day of the Holy, while in Mexico they call it Dia de los Innocentes or Dia de los Angelitos to commemorate the children who died too early in life.

2. THE RITUAL

Both in Mexico and in the Philippines, we visit the grave of our loved ones and we clean it well. This is a ritual to honour their resting places and to let them know that they are never forgotten.

3. FLOWERS INVITE SPIRITS

In Mexico, they believe that the scent of flowers attract spirits. So the flower offerings are invitation to their dead loved ones to visit the living families. While in the Philippines, we believe that flowers offered to the dead exalt the souls and somehow fill in the sadness that we feel when missing our dead loved ones.

Most of the time, Filipinos choose all-white flowers to offer because white is the absence of colour, which means the absence of Joy and happiness. White also symbolises purity of soul which we hope our dead loved ones will attain as they journey to heaven. While in Mexico, they have the yellow Mexican marigolds as the official flowers of the dead that will guide them in their journey to the afterlife.

4. THE LEGEND OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

Both cultures believe that monarch butterflies are dead loved ones who visit us and show their appreciation that we have not forgotten them. A presence of monarch butterflies also means that our dead loved ones are always there guiding us and looking after us.

5. A PICNIC IN THE GRAVEYARD

Spending a night at the graveyard and picnicking with the rest of the family may sound very creepy to many; but to both Filipino and Mexican cultures, picnicking and spending a night at the cemetery is a must to show our love to our dearly departed. It is the only time in the year that families gather and tell stories of the dead loved ones and how colourful or how great their lives were.

6. FOOD FOR THE DEAD

In Mexico, they have what they call “ofrendas” or an altar where the pictures of their dead loved ones are displayed and offered with flowers, candles, and their favourite food. Very similar to the Filipino culture of cooking the favourite food of our dead loved ones and everyone in the family enjoys the food for dinner.

My family tradition involves me driving all the way to Colon street and buy that famous Snow Sheen’s “pancit canton”. This is my granddad’s favourite snack. Sadly, the old Visayan Restaurant is no longer there. My late uncle and my late grandpa love their sweet ad and sour fish. We also set up an “ofrenda” on their graveyard and eat their favourite food while picnicking in the cemetery. We do not spend a night in the cemetery; but while we are picnicking there, we usually play the songs of Pilita Corrales and Susan Fuentes that my late grandpa used to listen every afternoon while enjoying his coffee, pan de sal, and pancit canton.

What about your family traditions? Share your thoughts by commenting to this article.

MODEL: Michael Joseph Mortola Enriquez & Alexis Wingfield
PHOTOGRAPHER: Gianne Paolo Anciano
HMUA/DESIGNER: Hazel Ocaba
STYLING: GPA Lifestyle + Clothing

Continue Reading

Culture

Catch Ted Lasso the Emmy Award Winning Comedy Series on Apple TV+

Catch Ted Lasso the Emmy Award Winning Comedy Series on Apple TV+

 

Rating: *****/ *****

The multi award–winning comedy series airing on Apple TV+ is one of my favorite shows.  Ted Lasso starring Jason Sudeikis is about a fun good-natured American football coached hired by a British soccer club (AFC Richmond in London) to become their new coach.  In spite of the fact that Ted has no experience or knowledge about British football/soccer, his positive demeanor and charm helps him overcome the animosity of the team’s players, staff and fans.  Eventually Ted wins over the team and the locals as they fight for position in the English Premier League.

The show won the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and 7 Emmy Awards in its 2 seasons and Season 3 is just around the corner.  You can catch Seasons 1 & 2 of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+

Continue Reading

Trending