Queen City wows visitors every time

CEBU CITY — This city, otherwise known as the Queen City of the Philippines, never fails to amaze foreign and local visitors like us with a hundred and one attractions.

Upon the invitation of the Department of Tourism (DoT), we recently joined a weekend media fam tour of this ancient city and other smaller cities of Cebu province.

As expected, we made a round of famous Cebu landmarks making brief stops at its museums, shrines, churches, shops, and markets. We also attended a book-launching, a tourism briefing, and a “sight-seeing” of leading hotels and resorts here and other parts of the province.

But the highlight of our 3-day visit here (Nov. 21 to 23) was our participation in the MTV Queen City Run, dubbed as Asia’s First Mardi Gras Run, with DoT Secretary Richard Gordon leading the run as special guest and speaker. The five-hour run started at 6 a.m. from Lapu-Lapu City Hall to Asiatown IT Park in Lahug where it winded up shortly before lunchtime.

Gordon stressed the need not only to promote Manila but as well as famous destinations in Central Visayas. He said that except for Cebu which has the ability to promote itself, more intensified promotions are needed for destinations such as Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

During the 11th Kalakbay Awards, 11 awardees were from Central Visayas. Acknowledging the tourism potential of the region, he sought the support and cooperation of the provincial leaders and tour operators.

He also led the book launching of “Philippine Diving: Ultimate Guide to Apo Island, Bohol, Cebu, and Siquijor,” a 210-page guidebook written by diver/instructor Ronald van de Vooren.

The author and the Cebu-based publisher, PDP Digital, Inc. are promoting the wonders of the Philippine seas, by capturing 94 dive sites in print. The book includes dive site maps, underwater drawings, and dive directions. Book photographer is Daniel Carpenter.

Our hotel-hopping covered major first-class hotels and resorts at the paradise-like Mactan Island, such as Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, and lastly shortly before we took off for Manila, Tambuli (East & West) Beach Club.

Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort, classified as a deluxe hotel, has just celebrated its 10th year last October. And with a full-time marine biologist to take care of its seawater, it’s no wonder the hotel received the Kalakbay 2003 Environmental Tourism award.

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort is older by five years and it boasts of a native concept in landscape and architecture. It doesn’t adhere to high-rise buildings because it aims to preserve its Filipiniana ambience. All 80 rooms are like “bahay kubo” (nipa huts).

Plantation Bay is the most expensive, but how come it’s 99 percent occupied? It’s probably their service, amenities, and more. We toured around the tropical lagoon resort on a golf cart. There’s the Savannah Park with a “volcano” in the pool as centerpiece, the Mogambo Springs Spa where guests can be spoiled with massage and facial/body treatments; and for an exotic taste, try the Kilimanjaro Kafe or the Fiji Restaurant.

Tambuli (East & West) Beach Club has a small shoreline but it looks good at sunset. There was a foreign couple seated on the sand, facing the calm bay with beer bottles beside them. What an alternative way to slack those tired muscles! Tambuli’s Fil-Spanish lobby also has a very “homey” feel.

And to top it all, it has the lowest and the longest standing room rate (25 years now) among the hotels mentioned above. It is ideal for budget-conscious local tourists.

The “MTV Queen City Run,” dubbed as “Asia’s First MardiGras Run,” was participated in by thousands of people – no age limit and no discrimination.

The organizers, Cebu Visitor’s and Convention Bureau, MTV and DoT-Region VII also called it a “fun run” because there was no pressure (run, jog, or walk if you please) as long as you finish the 13.4-km. track. And young and old people alike had fun running in their most comfortable attire, even on costumes and make-up!

What made the run different was the inclusion of participants in wheelchairs, led by Wowel and Mila Mercado.