Boarding the MV Logos Hope

Okay, so this might be anticlimactic to have this post now that the ship has long ago sailed, so to speak, but I would still like to share my experience with the MV Logos Hope.

There she is, MV Logos Hope - the largest floating book fair

Before I start retracing my steps that day I boarded this vessel, let’s get things clear first for all Cebuanos out there who are burning with curiosity about the word “logos”. Okay, so it is not anything malicious and not a crime either. The word is actually Greek and its basic concept means “word”.

Therein lays the wonder of the MV Logos Hope for it is the largest floating book fair in the world. It is operated by GBA Ships e.V., a German charitable Christian organisation. The vessel is a successor to other equally great ships such as the MV Logos, MV Logos 2, and, yes, the MV Doulos, which visited Cebu a long time ago as well.

I learned about Logos Hope docking in Cebu through the advertisement about it plastered on the huge billboard in Foodland area. I really did not think of going to see it, although I thought it seemed interesting, until a friend of mine wanted to go there on a lark. We went last January 21 and it was a beautiful Saturday with clear skies, perfect for satisfying our inner bibliophiles. Since we had other plans for the afternoon, we decided to board the ship, get crazy on books, and explore everything in just an hour.

This was the ship's opening hours. By the way, Logos Hope was here in Cebu for just a month - Jan.12 - Feb. 12, 2012

We taxied ourselves to the Plaza Independencia area. Behind the Malacañang sa Cebu building was the Logos Hope docked calmly. It was a huge enough ship and presented a pretty picture sitting there while gentle waves lapped at her sides. We got there before the gates opened and soon we were lining up towards the entrance along with a bunch of kids and teachers on a field trip.

Entrance fee was Php 20 for adults and free for kids and we were welcomed by the ship’s volunteer crew. Yes, as I understood it, most of them were volunteers, not surprising as all the operations are under a charity organisation. The crew was multi-racial but despite their differences, their unity under one cause showed through the smooth flow of things there. Before I proceed, here’s a short overview of the Logos Hope’s cause – promote education and spirituality in wherever parts of the world they are needed. For a broader sense of what they do, you can read their vision and mission.

this was the history wall on the ship; it detailed the history of Logos Hope and her sister ships

As we entered, we were greeted by a Caucasian and he took 5 minutes of our time to instruct us how to best navigate the inside of the ship. After that, they allowed us to enter and, boy, was I blown away by all the wonderful and, best of all, cheap books! The prices are in “units” and one unit equals one peso. Books that would cost 500 pesos and above in local bookstores were only going for 100-400 units there. Score!

upon entrance, we were given a short orientation here on how best to explore the ship

this is the area where all the beautiful books are; one just got to love real books in this electronic age!

Well, there were no mainstream materials there but there were plenty of classics like the Secret Garden and The Little Prince. There were also some books I used to devour when I was in high school – Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. And since the ship is under a Christian charitable organisation as I mentioned, there were plenty of bibles and other spiritual materials on board. There were also lots of health-related paperbacks and cookbooks. They sold other knickknacks and souvenir items too like cups, shirts, pens, and decors. There were also music CDs on some shelves.

It was a definitely fun hour just roaming around and touching hard covers and reading prologues and blurbs.

more books

When our planned one hour of visit came to an end, I headed towards the counter with intentions to pay for a Secret Garden copy. However, my eyes were lured towards some more books just between the counter and the exit. Since I was not allowed to go to that section without paying for my Secret Garden, I left the book with the guard intending to come back for it later.

Nancy Drew books - nostalgia much!

When my friend and I got to those books near the exit, we were once again surprised because we found there some really great informational textbooks. There were hard covers on Sociology and Criminal Justice. There were also some pretty heavy volumes on health and other courses that would surely give me a headache. The best thing of all was that everything was so affordable. If you wish to buy books in that area, all you have to do is choose either the white bag (250 php I think) or the blue bag (500 php). With the white, you get to take home one book and with the blue, you get to choose three. Of course, I chose the blue bag and brought home with me one book on contemporary management, one on making public speeches, and one on the history of the western world. Needless to say, these might have cost me thousands but I got them for just 500 php and they were brand new and one book even had a CD to go with it! Oh yeah!

3 nice books I brought home with me

By the way, I did not go back for my Secret Garden hehe. I’ll just get one next time. With our one hour officially over, my friend and I said goodbye to the MV Logos Hope and proceeded to our afternoon plans.

All in all, it was a novel experience for me and I am glad the largest floating book fair decided to dock in Cebu!

Other pics from our visit (just amateur shots so please bear with me ^_^)

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How to Process Philippine Passport through a Travel Agency Part 2

As promised, here is the second half of my 2-post series detailing the processing of a Filipino passport here in Cebu. As can be recalled, I took the relatively easier way, which was to contact a travel agency. For all those who went to the DFA on their own or are planning to, I have nothing but respect for your perseverance. Unfortunately, I am not blessed with a lot of patience and I had limited time, so that’s why I went with an agent.

Personal Appearance

As mentioned in the first post, I was asked by Destination Specialists to pick the date that would be most convenient for me to appear at the DFA office. This was really nice since I could not leave work that easily. By giving me full control of the schedule, I was able to properly file for a leave and prepare everything at work before my absence. So far so good.

The liaison tasked to take care of me at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Osmeña Boulevard, San Roque, Cebu City went by the name of Sylvia Taguibolos. I contacted her a day before my scheduled appearance just to make sure things are okay. She communicated well and verified the instructions given to me, which were:

1. Ensure you have all the necessary documents before going to the DFA.
2. Once you arrive there, just text Liaison to confirm your arrival. (The agency will provide you with your liaison’s contact number.)
3. Expect the “appearance” to take two (2) hours or more. In my case, it actually took almost five (5) hours; more on this later.
4. Shorts, sleeveless, & slippers are not allowed inside the DFA Office. Just wear blouse or shirts with collar.
5. During “Appearance”, please do not forget to DOUBLE CHECK all your encoded/printed personal data BEFORE SIGNING.
6. Please do not purchase tickets if your passport is not yet with you. – common sense I’d say.
7. A bit of disclaimer from Destination Specialists: The agency does not guarantee an in-time release of your passport. – So please do not harass them or badmouth them when your passport is late or your application got rejected. These would most likely be due to the inefficiency in government offices or you providing incomplete or inaccurate documents.
8. Failure to appear at DFA will be charged for a No Show Fee of Php 500.00.

Sylvia then told me to just go to the DFA at 2PM, which was a far cry from going there at dawn if I decided to do everything on my own. In fact, I was supposed to get there at 1PM, but she told me to come an hour later since the place was still packed.

Here’s how things worked. Sylvia got there early and reserved a priority number for me. Basically, she was holding my place in the very long line that started since dawn. When I arrived there, she allowed me to sit while waiting while she was the one who stood and got in the slow-moving line. She only called for me when my turn for the first phase of the “appearance” was near. I’ll go through what happened step by step for clarity.

1. Inspection of Documents

This involved a row of around 5 DFA officers seated at a table waiting for applicants to come to them and show them the required documents. When it was my turn, I seated myself in front of an old man who squinted his eyes out to see the data on the papers I brought. I was really nervous because my NSO was a bit illegible, but fortunately my Civil Registrar Birth Certificate and Baptismal Certificate were clear. Everything checked out, so I got through the first round without hitches. All my documents were taken by the checker and given to the next officer in charge.

2. Payment

For this part, someone will be calling the applicants’ names via loud speaker. Once I heard my name, I lined up again, this time to get to the payment booth. As for the money, Sylvia gave me the amount I needed. If you are confused, it’s like this. I paid at Destination Specialists’ office the amount of Php 1,800. At the DFA, Sylvia gave me the Php 950 needed by the government. The agency took the rest as payment for their services.

3. Picture Taking

After paying, I needed to go into a third line, this time so my passport picture would be taken. Based on observation, I believe there were supposed to be at least 4 stations in the DFA office for this purpose. When I was there though, most of the stations and other tables there were vacant save for two. All the while, I keep hearing other officers say other computers were broken, etc. etc. In short, everything got seriously delayed. People were starting to get pissed and I was becoming hungrier.

I finally got my picture taken 3.5 hours later from when I arrived. Naturally, since I was hungry and dehydrated, I looked like I had the biggest problem in the world in my photo. Thankfully, when I asked nicely, the guy who took my picture agreed for me to do a retake. There wasn’t much of an improvement but at least I was able to produce a hint of a smile there.

By the way, the person in charge will enter the details you provided in your form into the computer before taking the picture. Make sure that what he is entering is correct or you will have problems later on.

4. Checking of Data

This is a step I really appreciated. After all of the above, you will be given a printed copy of the data entered by the guy at the photo station. This would be your last opportunity to check if everything is correct. Specifically check your name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender. Make sure all spellings are correct and that everything is accurate. This way, you will not suffer the despair that comes after the euphoria of receiving your passport only to find out that the info is incorrect and you have to go through the whole soul-wrenching process again.

After this, you need to sign on that paper and submit it to the person waiting for it. Then you are done and you can finally get out of there as fast as you can!

Now Where Is Destination Specialists in All These?

Despite the tediousness and misery inherent in the processes I’ve just described, I’ve got to say that my liaison Sylvia was very helpful all throughout. These are just some of the things/ways in which she provided assistance:

1. Stood in the long line leading to the first phase for me. Only called me to line up when there are only less than 10 people ahead of my turn.
2. Provided me clear directions so I would not get lost as to which lines are which. Trust me, there are no straightforward lines in the DFA.
3. Guided me properly with the basic processing steps and made sure I do not miss my name being called during Step 2.
4. Reminded me what to carefully check during phase 4.
5. Waited until I was done with everything.
6. MOST IMPORTANT: queued up for me early in the morning so I did not have to spend one whole day at the DFA like the others there. I only spent around 5 hours there because of the missing photo stations. Otherwise, I’d be there not longer than 3 hours.

Bonus: My passport will be delivered to Destination Specialists’ SM office and Sylvia will just contact me once it’s available. I would not have to go back to the DFA office anymore. Happy me!

So that’s basically it guys. If you have questions or clarifications, drop me a line at the comments section.

To end this post, here is some useful advice for you all.

Top Tips:

-          Don’t wear long sleeves during the “appearance”. It will be torture.

-          In case you cannot help that your closet is composed only of sleeveless clothes, do not worry. When I was there, the DFA seemed not to mind and still let people with their arms exposed inside. During the taking of your picture, you will be asked to wear a collared blazer there, so no worries. That is, if it does not bother you that such a blazer has been worn by countless sweaty people in sleeveless shirts before you. But to be safe and to show respect for government regulations even if no one else does, do wear a blouse/shirt with collar.

-          Bring bottled water and biscuits to help you survive the long wait.

-          Be friendly to the people before or after you in the lines. This way, you will have someone to talk to and not be bored out of your wits. Moreover, you can have someone to hold your place in the queues if ever you need to go to the toilet.

-          Bring a fan because it can get too hot there.

-          Do not be surprised if you see well-dressed people arriving in the afternoon to get a passport and finishing the whole process in less than an hour. Even without a liaison to help them, they have “friends” at the DFA and they are ushered into a special room, where apparently are at least one photo station and very accommodating officers. Money can really move mountains, if you know what I mean.

How to Process Philippine Passport through a Travel Agency Part 1

If you are like me, often busy with all sorts of commitments, then processing a Filipino passport the normal way will surely be like a trial by fire. You have to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA (located in Osmeña Boulevard, San Roque, Cebu City) very early in the morning and join the existing long queue to the universe knows where. Arrive later than 8AM and you will not probably obtain a priority number anymore. In fact, arriving at 6AM might already be too late. You will then have to come back the next day to start the ordeal all over again.

I’m really not sure up to how many people this government office serves per day, but if you are lucky to obtain a priority number, then you will have to line up there until noon or beyond. Yes there are seats and there are fans constantly turning. Unfortunately, the last time I was there, the air conditioning units were barely functioning and the rundown DFA office was filled to the brim with hopefuls trying to jumpstart their adventures abroad. Since it is a fact of life that the Philippines is a tropical country, then it goes without saying that the claustrophobia-inducing DFA office would be hot and humid. Being inside it for hours on end will definitely get you wondering whether you were indeed lucky to have that priority number or some karmic powers are seriously working against you.

Suffice it to say, processing your passport the normal way is not recommended. Yes, you could save a lot of money, but you have to ask yourself if all the aggravation you are bound to experience there are worth it.

I thought I could do better with my time, particularly because I only took one day off from work, so I decided to go the relatively easier way – process a Philippine passport by way of a travel agency. I contacted Destination Specialists located in C174 Upper Ground Level, SM City Cebu. They also have branches at Elizabeth Mall and Banilad Town Center (BTC) for your convenience. Aside from assisting with passport matters, they also offer tour packages and visa assistance for select countries.

Why Destination Specialists?

The reasons why I chose this travel agency are really nothing special. It’s just that:

-          My father knows someone there

-          A friend has already used their services and had nothing to say against them

-          They’re in SM, a very comfortable location for me

-          I thought their prices were reasonable

-          For some reason, I had a feeling they are professional and reliable

So, I went to SM early last November and made some enquiries. I arrived at the mall, I think, beyond 6PM already. Unfortunately, this was already after office hours of the travel agency. The sign on the door said Closed but I could still see people inside. Since I was already there, I turned on my thick face mode and decided to chance it. I did not even plead that much when one of the ladies at the counter (she was pregnant and badly needed to go to the toilet) graciously accommodated me! I was so happy and my hopes that the agency would provide great service started to become true.

The process was pretty straightforward. The lady gave me a form to complete at home, a list of requirements, and easily understandable instructions. After accepting my payment, I was asked to schedule my appearance at my most convenient time. After blocking my chosen date, I was given the name and contact number of their representative or liaison who will take care of me at the DFA office. First step done on a Saturday evening!

Requirements

Now, before I describe my appearance at the Department of Foreign Affairs here in Cebu, here is the list of requirements for first time applicants.

1. Application form (for below 18 applicants, must be filled up and signed by parents)

2. 3 pcs. recent passport size pictures, colored with white/blue background (shirt with collar) –  1 pc attached to the form would do. The actual photo for your passport will be taken at the DFA.

3. Original authenticated birth certificate from NSO

4. Original authenticated marriage certificate from NSO – for married women

5. Valid I.D. (driver’s license, school I.D., voter’s I.D, office I.D.) – EXCEPT POSTAL ID

6. Original baptismal certificate/voter’s affidavit/transcript of records/NBI clearance – ANY 2

7. Notarized joint affidavit of two disinterested persons (for destroyed birth record)

8. Passports of both parents ( for below 18 applicants )

9. Personal appearance (with both parents for minors 7-17 years old)

10. CFO certificate (if fiancée or if married to foreigner)

11. Original marriage certificate of parents (if no entry of date and place of marriage of parents in the birth certificate)

12. Original proof of residency/must be at least 6 months stay in Cebu (proof of billing, voter’s registration record, employment certificate and ID, etc.)

NOTE: THUMB PRINTING SHOULD BE DONE AT THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE DURING APPEARANCE

What I actually submitted were the following and they were okay:

1. NSO (original) – can be obtained online at eCensus
2. Civil Registrar Birth Certificate (original)
3. Baptismal Certificate (photocopy; bring the original during appearance)
4. NBI for Travel (original; colored Green) – must be obtained beforehand at the NBI office
5. Company ID (photocopy; bring the original during appearance)
6. Completed form with one passport photo attached

Note: Make sure your name (first, family, and middle names), place of birth, date of birth, and parents’ names match in all these documents. Also, make sure they are clearly written. A human, in my case an old guy whose eyes seemed to be failing, will check these at the DFA. Illegible or inaccurate data on your documents can lead to a rejected application, so be careful.

Fees

Asking a travel agency to help process your passport will require higher than normal fees. For comparison, here are the costs you can expect to pay when you go there very early morning to line up:

Regular Processing: Php 950.00

Rush Processing: Php 1,200.00

An additional fee of Php 200.00 will be charged for processing of Lost Passports if still valid.

Destination Specialists charge these:

Regular Processing: Php 1800.00

Rush Processing: around Php 2,100.00 (can’t be certain for I chose Regular)

Yes, these might look a bit too expensive at first glance, but if you factor in lunch and snack costs while lining up on your own at the DFA plus the considerable time, effort, and patience you need to spend, then for me, the agency’s charges are just fair. And if I think about how great their people and how good their services are, then I’d even say I got a good bargain.

Now, since this has become another long post, I’d tell you about what happened during my personal appearance at the DFA later. The goal would be that after this 2-post series, all of you my dear readers will find processing a Philippine passport here in Cebu a breeze. So stay tuned!

Cebu Transportation That Are Adventures in Themselves

In visiting Cebu or other islands in the Philippines, you will quickly learn that the ubiquitous colourful jeepneys are the kings of the road. Bearing down on whichever lane with their lively pennants and sometimes garish decorations, other drivers subconsciously make way for them. In some parts of Cebu where traffic rules are not so strict, jeepneys can even stop in the middle of the street or swerve to the opposite lane just to pick up passengers. Local motorists have accepted this as the norm but foreigners often get memorable and, often, heart-stopping adventures when they decide to ride a Philippine jeepney.

However, if you think that the jeepney is the only Cebu means of transport where you can get a thrill equal to what amusement park rides can provide, then think again for there are surely more that you can sample to get the adventure of a lifetime:

1. Habal-Habal – small motorcycles (close in size to scooters) that ply the narrower streets of Cebu and other places in the Philippines. You can usually find them in areas where concrete roads are not yet evident or in mountainous regions. It is an adventure to ride one because there are often no helmets involved and there can be really crazy habal-habal drivers. When you add cliffs that are often a part of mountain roads or heavy rains to the picture, you can be sure to have a trip you will not soon forget. Word of the wise: make sure you hold that metal thing at the back end of the motorcycle seat when riding a habal-habal if you do not want sudden stops, crazy swerves, and really bumpy roads become a discomfort.

coasting along... see, no helmets

2. Tri-sikad – These are bicycles with sidecars attached to them where passengers can sit. When riding one, expect the driver to pedal his heart out just to get you to your destination, often just over the next block or corner. You can also expect a leisurely pace of travelling, allowing you to enjoy the surrounding sights, smells, and, yes, the dust too. Now, what is so adventurous about this? Well, imagine your tri-sikad slowly running along a wide street with jeepneys and habal-habals coasting along as well. Remember what we’ve said about the jeepneys or the habal-habals so far? Still did not get the picture? Well, add to that street some huge dump trucks, taxis, and SUVs. Then realize that traffic rules in the Philippines are not at all like that of developed countries.  Can you imagine now how fun and thrilling riding a tri-sikad could be?

oh yeah, you get trisikad races too...

3. Tricycles – these are motorcycles with sidecars attached to them for passengers. Trikes are basically just upgrades of tri-sikads and are similar in concept with Thailand’s tuk tuks, hence the excitement of riding one does not fade at all. Just imagine the scenario above and replace the tri-sikad with your tricycle and off you go with your adventure! The added bonus – you get to share the tricycle with 4-5 more people.

yep, this is the tricyle filled with people

Now, does this mean that you should avoid all local transportation in Cebu or the Philippines in general at all costs and just stick to taxis? It is up to you really, but where’s the fun in simply riding metered air-conditioned cars? If you really wish to experience the real Cebu, get more contact with the locals, and have a memorable adventure as well, the modes of transport listed above are definitely worth a try!

UCC Café – Beautiful and Quiet Place within Busy Ayala

Since Ayala is one of the two most popular malls in Cebu, you can expect that it would be crowded. That’s not really bad at all, but if you want to find a secluded and peaceful place for a while so maybe you could do your work on your laptop or just get some peace and quiet for an hour or two, then the Ueshima Coffee Co. (UCC) Café Terrace is highly recommended. It is located at the ground floor of Ayala Terraces towards the Marriot Hotel side.

What to Expect?

This fusion café offers excellently blended coffees, gorgeous parfaits, mouth-watering pastas, and selected delicious Japanese dishes, ensuring that you will have plenty of choices for your gastronomic satisfaction. More important, UCC is not crowded at all. I’ve been there with friends a few times during dinner hours and we only got to share the café with 2-4 groups of guests during those moments. Since the restaurant/coffee shop adopted a contemporary interior design, the whole place feels so clean, spacious, and relaxing that the nearby Ayala crowd fades fast to a distant memory.

A very organized counter area with rows of for sale coffee beans for your tasting pleasure

cozy modern ambiance provided by the cafe to guests looking for quiet and relaxation or an intimate place to talk with friends

Speedy Internet Connection

This is definitely one of the many things that elevate UCC Café Terrace in my opinion. Because of the calm atmosphere it offers, it naturally attracts laptop, tablet, or smart phone-bearing individuals looking for a place where they can work on their gadgets in peace. And, of course, all of them would appreciate fast Internet connectivity. With that said, the many times I was at the coffee shop, I had to share the bandwidth with several people, but I experienced no problem at all. I accessed all my favorite sites with ease and was even able to stream Youtube videos easily along with my friend across the table who was downloading something. The best thing of all – WiFi is free! So, yeah, UCC is definitely on top of my list when it comes to relaxing but well-connected hangout stops.

Cafe Mocha and White Mocha - Php 125 and Php 150 respectively

Caramel Macchiato - Php 125.00

The Service

The waitresses at UCC are very nice and attentive. With them greeting you a bright “irasshaimase” (the Japanese word for “welcome”) the moment you walk in and saying a warm “thank you for coming” when you head for the door, they really get the fine points of serving guests to a tee. Ask them for two glasses of cold service water and one glass with normal temperature and they will comply even if they have to lug around two different pitchers for you.

Adobo Flakes Pasta - Php 369.00 - the pasta that I will never get tired of

Seafood Risotto - Php 399 - makes me hungry just looking at it. The shrimp and talaba just beckons!

And just to sweeten the pot, the coffee shop/restaurant even pays attention to the details by giving you a knife that stands poised on its blade and service water from a pitcher with lemon soaked in it, letting you know that water can taste more refreshing than it already is. And when your glass is running empty, you do not even have to call the attention of anybody for refill as a waitress would head right over to your table to attend to all your needs. And the icing on top of the cake is the very handy button that you can press to buzz the counter attendant just in case you think they are not paying enough attention to you.

Creme Brulee Cofi Cooler - Php 175.00

The Food and the Price

For me, there is no doubt that at least 80% of what is on UCC’s menu is delicious. I’ve tried several of their pastas, risotto, coffee, parfaits, and desserts and so far there is no dish that I did not like yet. As for the price, I hear many people saying the café is expensive. With dishes at the Php 200 – 300 range and coffees priced at Php 150 – 300, the café can indeed seem pricey at first glance. However, if you stop and consider that the ambience is simply great, the service superb, and the Internet connection very reliable, then the prices are just worth it.

UCC Dessert: Mango Crepe - Php 229.00 - sweetness goodness that melts in your mouth with wild abandon

Choco French Toast – Php 279.00 – sinfully delightful toast is all I can say

Fruit Parfait - Php 229.00 - the parfait you don't wanna eat because it just looks so perfect, but when you do start eating you just cannot stop! Every layer is surprisingly good.

The Verdict

I know it seems that I work for UCC (I don’t) because of the way I am praising them here. However, I just cannot stop myself from expounding on their virtues. I really like the place and I may be doing myself a disservice by trying to promote the café to more people, which might ruin its uncrowded state. Oh no! Seriously, though, I highly recommend the UCC Café Terrace located in Ayala for its enjoyable and peaceful ambiance and good food. I’d definitely go back there many times as long as I’m able.

Fort San Pedro, Cebu – A Memory Lane Worth Exploring at Least Once

If you are looking for a historical place to visit in Cebu, then aside from the Magellan’s Cross in the center of the city, Fort San Pedro is definitely worth seeing. You can explore it in just half a day.

Fort San Pedro front and entrance

3-4 hours would be enough time to learn an important slice of the history of the Queen City of the South and you’ll have the afternoon to maybe have a picnic at the Plaza Independencia right in front of it if the weather is okay or just cool off in SM or Ayala.

Entrance fee is Php 100 (subject to change over time) and opening hours are from 8AM to 6PM. It is advisable you go on a weekday to avoid the crowd and fully enjoy the now museum-park structure. Weekends are still okay though, but be prepared to encounter more tourists. If you really do not like the crowd, avoid going to the fort during the Sinulog period as it will be packed and the place is not that big.

pictures depicting the history of Cebu found along the fort's entrance hallway

picture of the Spanish ships arriving in Cebu

Located at Pier Area Cebu City, it is easily accessible by taxi. All cab drivers know where it is so no problem. From the city, the fare can cost around 100-120 php. From Mactan, the ride could set you back around 200 pesos or more.

small museum inside Fort San Pedro

As mentioned, Fort San Pedro is now a museum and a park. But carved on its old walls is the memory of the turbulent past of Cebu. The fort was constructed under the direction of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The main reason behind its creation is the fact that the Spaniards were not really welcomed by all the locals then. There were revolts and lots of hostilities so the Spaniards had to build this small defensive structure to protect themselves.

the fort courtyard

Over time, Fort San Pedro served many purposes. When the Americans with Commodore Dewey at the lead ousted the Spaniards, the fort was turned over to Cebuano revolutionaries. Later on, it became a part of the American Warwick Barracks. Then it transitioned into an army camp. Years later, it had to undergo various restorations. Presently, it is a park, a museum, and a wonderful tourist attraction. It is not for people looking for a very immersive experience though. Truthfully, there is not much there now except for Spanish structures, a few cannons, a courtyard, and old walls that just manage to convey a historical atmosphere. However, it is perfect for visitors just wanting to relax, know a bit of Cebuano history, and take loads of pictures.

old but dignified Fort San Pedro

fort side view

Add it to your itinerary when you have the time for it will surely help you know Cebu, its history, and its people more.

one of the cannons inside the fort

do enjoy Fort San Pedro when you have the time while visiting Cebu

To see more of our pictures taken when we visited the place, simply view the video below. A caution though to those who want to see things first hand. The slideshow pretty much covered the whole place, so just skip it if you wish see things at the fort with your own eyes. Whichever you choose, enjoy!

Pizzeria Michelangelo – Pizza and Pasta Goodness

There’s nothing like Italian food to take you on a gastronomic roller coaster ride. At times, the tastes you come across are subtle and at times explosive.  But one thing is clear – there is always joy to be had from delicious pizzas and pastas. And one of the best places so far that I really like going to when it comes to Italian cuisine in Cebu is the Pizzeria Michelangelo operated by the Cebu Country Farmer’s Market.

-Location-

Address: #1 Paseo Saturnin0, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad

Contact #: 236 – 4297

How to Get There: Wherever you may start, just get yourself to Foodland in Banilad. This is a very well-known landmark and most taxi drivers know this place. If you are going by jeep, just look for the sign on most jeeps’ front windows that says Foodland. Jeeps that go to Tintay or Talamban also pass by this area. To be sure, just ask the jeepney driver for assistance.

Foodland is a horizontally long building subdivided into several establishments, which are mostly restaurants, hence its name (the bldg. name is huge enough to not be missed). Directly in front of the building is an overpass.

On the left of Foodland, you will find a road which goes to Maria Luisa. A few steps into this road, you will see a building that is still under construction. Right next to it is another commercial building and at the back of that structure is Pizzeria Michelangelo. Just approach the guards there and ask where the restaurant is to avoid getting lost. There is enough parking space, so do not worry if you are bringing your own car.

here is a map the restaurant provided in their Facebook page; hope this helps

-The Food-

Two of my lady friends and I stumbled into this place one rainy afternoon and as per usual, we ordered different kinds of pastas to share among the three of us because, hey, that’s just the best way to get to know a new restaurant. The moment we tasted each of our orders, we were hooked! The herbs they used just provided enough interest to the dish. Nothing was overpowering, everything were just balanced. The sauces were creamy when they needed to be, spicy when required, and simply delicious!

What is more important is that the prices were, in our opinion, affordable enough for such fine food. The pastas ranged from Php 170 to around Php 250 but per serving is worth the money because each dish can make you really full already. As for the pizzas, they are around Php 300 or more depending on the type you are ordering. Regular Coke in can and Sola iced teas cost Php 60.

Below are some pictures of what we’ve ordered so far the two times that we visited Pizzeria Michelangelo. Please forgive the picture quality for I’m not really an expert photographer

Pizza Capricciosa - Php 340.00

Pizza Hawaiian - my favorite! Yes, I do like to have pineapples on my pizza :p This costs Php 300.00

Aglio Olio - pasta with olive oil and some herbs. I highly enjoyed this one for its tasteful simplicity. - Php 170.00

Alla Carbonara - sinfully good carbonara. The sauce was creamy and everything just slides down your throat in perfection. - Php 240.00

Polpette al Prezze Molo - I'm not entirely sure about this name, but basically this is pasta with some sort of meatballs, perfect for a filling meal. - Php 320.00

Budino Di Cioccolato Bicolore - chocolate and cream goodness. This dessert was so delicious, we ordered three in a row despite the fact that we were so full already @_@ - Php 150.00

There you have it. These are just some of the many things you can get at Pizzeria Michelangelo though. There are certainly more dishes waiting to satisfy your taste buds, so yeah, they are definitely worth a visit.

-The Ambiance-

Pizzeria Michelangelo takes its name and theme seriously. The restaurant definitely feels like something you can find in Italy, or at least it does to a Filipino like me. It is warm and welcoming. Lighting is enough for a fun dinner with friends. The whole area, particularly the counter/bar/kitchen spot seems to be clean. Plus, the whole place is filled with Michelangelo-related art. Overall, I have no complaints with the ambiance.

what the restaurant looks like inside

creative art on the wall; interesting but not obtrusive

If you wish to eat there in relative peace though, go in the afternoon as there are not much of a crowd then. Towards dinner, people would start pouring in. Most customers are foreigners, by the way, but that’s just Italian food. It attracts people from all walks of life. Anyway, if you do not mind the crowd, then going there by lunch or dinner time is no problem.

some more themed art

-The Service & Modes of Payment-

The first time we went to Pizzeria Michelangelo, we were the only customers, so the waiters were really able to pay attention to us. They were courteous and friendly enough that we had no problem.

The second time I went there with another group of friends, it was near dinner time and the restaurant was already crowded. I don’t know if they were understaffed or what but the service was kinda slow then. It took us a lot of time to catch the attention of the available waiters and when we requested our bill, the cashier really took a long time producing it. There seemed to be a commotion at the cash register area as well. I don’t know if it was just our bad luck that time but, hopefully, their service and organisation would improve the next time I go there. I have no problem giving them the benefit of the doubt though because they were still nice despite the slow service.

Aside from that, they also provide a strong WiFi connection, which is always a plus in my book.

As for the modes of payment, the restaurant offer convenience by accepting either cash or credit card.

All in all, I really enjoyed Pizzeria Michelangelo and would have no problem bringing again my friends there.

I hope you enjoyed or at least found this review helpful. If you have questions, please just post in the comments section. If you have similar experiences or a completely different one at the pizzeria, do share. ^_^