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24 Hours in Cebu: Tourist Trail

In town for the Sinulog festivities? Make sure to pack your itinerary with stops that’ll make the most out of your trip. Zee Lifestyle recommends some places that are on everyone’s must-visit list.

9:00 A.M. – BREAKFAST AT A CAFÉ

True, it’s not the most local stop, but The Abaca Group’s favorite brunch hangout has a menu that’s definitely worthy of a visit. The Eggs Benedict and Biscuits with Gravy are enough to power you up for the rest of the day.

The A Cafe’s Eggs Benedict (Photography by Genesis Raña, originally published in Zee Lifestyle Hotel Edition July 2011)

10:00 A.M. – TOPS

No matter how often it’s mentioned, Tops remains a favorite stop on tours around the city for the stunning views of the city, the sea, and the neighbouring islands below.

12:00 N.N. – LUNCH AT CIRCA 1900

Circa 1900, located in a turn-of-the-century ancestral home, has become a must-visit dining destination not only for its cuisine, but also to experience history and culture in Cebu. Its menu features international dishes that pay homage to Filipino culinary heritage through the use of local ingredients—definitely something for the tourists to check out.

Circa 1900 (Photography by Robo Formacion, originally published in Zee Lifestyle May 2014)

2:00 P.M. – MAGELLAN’S CROSS

Planted by Ferdinand Magellan’s men upon arriving in Cebu on April 21, 1521, the Magellan’s Cross is the symbol of the Cebuano’s acceptance of the Christian faith.

Magellan’s Cross (Photography by Snapholic, originally published in Zee Lifestyle June 2013)

2:30 P.M. – MUSEO SUGBO

A first visit to Cebu will never be complete without a short visit to the Museo Sugbo. Take a short hike from the Magellan’s Cross and travel back in time with the century-old galleries depicting Cebu’s rich history and culture.

Museo Sugbo (Photography by Candice Ruiz, originally published in Zee Lifestyle June 2010)

3:30 P.M. – MERIENDA ON THE STREET

Once done with Museo Sugbo, take a detour on the nearby side streets and grab a bite from the numerous vendors that line it. You can find carts stocked with roasted peanuts, steamed corn, pork barbecue and delicacies like rosquillos, barquillos and chicharron.

4:30 P.M. – SKY EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE

Take a walk on the wild side—at 35 stories up, that is. Sitting atop Crown Regency right along the bustling Fuente Osmeña, you can walk around the building’s ledge, ride a coaster that can tilt you to the ground, or take a zip line from one tower to the other.

6:30 P.M. – DINNER AT ZUBUCHON

What better way to indulge with some succulent roasted pork? Although their version isn’t exactly the trademark Cebu lechon, Zubuchon’s roasted pork is crisp, full of flavour, and definitely worth the calories.

Zubuchon (Photography by Kurt Fick, originally published in Zee Lifestyle November 2014)

8:00 P.M. – SOUVENIR SHOPPING

You can’t leave town without something to remember your trip by. Islands Pasalubong carries all the delicacies and products you’ll want to bring home, from dried mangoes and danger to Cebu-themed shirts and accessories.

Islands Pasalubong (Photography by Jean Yu, originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory December-January 2015)

9:30 P.M. – DRINKS AT POLITICS

If you have enough time for a nightcap, grab a drink or more at the Politics Cafe + Public House. A modern mix of industrial and brick walls complimented by plush leather seats and warm lighting make it an ideal place to wrap up an eventful day in Cebu.

Politics Cafe and Public House (Photography by John Ong)

This is an updated list from the 24 Hour: Tourist Trail originally published on the Zee Lifestyle Directory, December 2014-January 2015 issue.

Related Topics:24 hours in cebu A Cafe Cebu Circa 1900 Islands Pasalubong locales Magellan's Cross Museo Sugbo Philippines Politics Tops travel Zubuchon

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Events

A Feast for the Senses

Crimson Chefs - Masahiro Kinoshita, Naoki Eguchi, Daniel Johnston, Javier Garcia, Allan Barios, Andrew Simpson

By Joanna Cuenco

June 8 – Mactan, Cebu | For one of its biggest dining events of the year as part of the highly anticipated Cebu Food and Wine Festival, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan curated an epicurean journey that brought guests on gastronomic flights of fancy, fine cuisine. A Feast for the Senses showcased the creativity and excellence of the resort’s culinary team through a dine-around event at its four dining destinations that invited guests to sample the best that each restaurant had to offer: international cuisine at Saffron, Spanish at Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Japanese at Aka by Naoki Eguchi, and desserts and more drinks at Azure Beach Club.

Maria Paz Perdices, Ambra Anzani, Ema Onda,Kate Anzani, Kumiko Onda, Daisy Barns

Tamsin Booth, Didier Belmonte, Frances Siao, Celeste Miranda, Bert Miranda, Bob Booth

Spirits were high and beverages flowed freely the whole evening, thanks to Philippine Wine Merchant, A Wine Company, The Wine Club, Don Revy, Sommelier Selection, Engkanto Brewery, M. Lhuillier Food Product Inc., Future Trade International, Happy Living Philippines, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, and Bauhinia Brewery.

Allan Barios at Saffron dessert station

Ulysse Jouanneaud

Margarette Lhuiller and Perl Jacalan

For the after-party and entertainment at Azure Beach Club, renowned mixologist Ulysse Jouanneaud took over the bar, crafting cocktails with Bacardi, Don Papa, Cointreau, and Sula Brands. Chef Allan Barrios presented a dessert spread that included key lime pralines, vanilla bourbon truffles, honey coconut cryos, and tiny flower-potted bamboo shoots that turned out to be made of pistachio. These little works of art were planted alongside vibrant green foliage, smooth stones, and a faux fog effect that created a tropical rainforest diorama out of the dessert table.

Lechon belly station at Saffron

Dessert display at Azure Beach Club

Yellowfin tuna tataki

Grilled mackerel with laksa boullabaise

The night sky and the distant lights of neighboring islands were the perfect backdrop for a high-energy LED dance performance and fantastic fireworks display that left guests in awe and applause.

Rose Hudson

Chele Gonzalez

Brava potato with chorizo at Enye

LED and Tron Dance

Aka Private Room

The Cebu Food and Wine Festival is supported by the Department of Tourism – Philippines, Visit Central Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Month, and Cebu Pacific Air.

Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.

Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong

Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof

Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez

Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar

Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung

PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago

Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan

Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas

Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado

It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.

Events

Flying Tiger Copenhagen Lands in Cebu

By Joanna Cuenco

June 13 – Cebu City | Danish lifestyle brand Flying Tiger Copenhagen has landed in Cebu, opening its first branch in the Philippines outside Metro Manila at the upper ground floor of SM Seaside City.

Since its first store in Copenhagen in 1995, Flying Tiger has aimed to share products that not only look good, but make people feel good too. There’s something for everyone aged one to 100: toys, art materials, homeware, party supplies, workout gear, travel essentials, fashion accessories, and more. There will be fresh drops at the store every three to four weeks, so there’s always something exciting to look forward to and share with family and friends.

Product designs range from minimalist and “aesthetic” to cute and kitschy. Find lifestyle essentials like food storage and home organizers, tea towels and toothbrush holders, to some awesome things you didn’t know you needed, like a handheld sewing machine and a beach chair for your phone.

Even though the 200+ square meter space is fully stocked with hundreds of items, the store layout and neat display make it such a joy to look at all of the things and make the shopping experience easy and enjoyable. Flying Tiger believes a richer life does not cost a fortune, so items start at only P30, or even lower with some special promos.

The store opened with a traditional Danish cake-cutting ceremony with Jet Tan, Flying Tiger Copenhagen Store Operations Manager of APAC Region; Gladhys Rodriguez, Merchandising Manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Philippines; Billi Jin Esguerra-Perez, Marketing Manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Philippines; and JB Tan, Mall Manager of SM Seaside City Cebu.

Zandra Len Salvador and Drew Sarmiento

Sarree Pimentel with Lian

Rizanne Tiongko, Joanna Cuenco and Anya Morrissey

Jen and Jas Sarmiento, Rere Dakay, Kirby Yu with Kayden

Jaja Chiongbian Rama with Sebi and Georgiana

Eleni Paray, Hazel Tirol and Mitchelle Lua

Flying Tiger is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Stores Specialists, Inc., the country’s largest specialty retailer that handles a network of 593 stores and 94 brands, including some of the most recognized names in the world.

Facebook: @FlyingTigerCopenhagenPH

Instagram: @flyingtigerph