Cebu Insights PH

14/02/2026

Get ready for the vibrant Sinulog 2026 Festival Queens street dance! 👑💃
Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-o1tTnERRGc?utm_source=facebook_reels&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sinulog_2026_festival_queens

19/11/2025

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. 🎄

The iconic 120-foot Christmas tree at the Fuente Osmeña Circle is almost ready for the advent season.

Construction for the tree started last October, but this was halted after the city was struck by Typhoon Tino. The workers has fast tracked its construction, now nearly finished.

The annual lighting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025.

Are you ready to see the iconic structure rise?

14/11/2025

What is your favorite among the selected Cebu restaurants in the Philippines' first time in the Michelin Guide 🍚🍜🍕🍖🍢?

Bib Gourmand 🏆 (restaurants that offer exceptional value-for-money):

🏠 Abaseria Deli and Cafe - home-style cooking made from personal experiences

8️⃣ CUR8 - reimagined Asian dishes with stylish interiors designed by its architect owner

🐡 Esmen Carenderia - the iconic streetside eatery offering Cebuano staple Larang

⛰ Lasa - mountainside restaurant serving Filipino comfort food with a twist

🐮 Pares Batchoy Food House - low-key hole-in-the-wall known for flavorful beef noodles.

🐷 🌴 Pig & Palm - fine dining restaurant run by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton

MICHELIN-SELECTED ✅ - (meets Michelin criteria but not enough to be awarded)

🚪 Abli - contemporary spin on traditional Cebuano cuisine like the "Murag Torta"

👪 Ato-Ah - fine-dining restaurant in IT Park with elevated Filipino food

🥥 Coco - a Korean-owned restaurant on Mactan Island mixing Filipino and Thai flavors

🥘 DIP - the official restaurant of the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort

👨‍🍳 Enye - the official restaurant of the Crimson Resort & Spa, managed by Chele Gonzalez, who has previously worked in Michelin-awarded restaurants

🍖 House of Lechon - offers authentic Carcar-style Lechon in Cebu City

🍜 Kamakura - the only restaurant offering authentic soba noodles.

🌊 Lantaw (Compostela) - seaside al fresco dining with scrumptious dishes from around the Visayas.

🥙Maya - Southern California-style Mexican fare such as fajitas, burritos, tacos and the country's largest agave tequila bar.

🥣 Pares Pares (N. Escario Street) - serves beef pares, with tender meat in a sweet-spicy sauce.

🍽 Sialo - consists of 15 courses with a refined list of wines.

🍲 Socarrat - a Spanish restaurant with a bodega-style charm with paella, croquetas and more.

14/11/2025

What do the Bai Hotel, Dusit Thani, and the Bluewater Sumilon have in common? 🏆 🌊🏨

Aside from being some of Cebu's best vacation spots, these high-end resorts are the Philippines' picks for the World Travel Awards.

They won for Leading Business Hotel, Family Resort and Private Island Resort, respectively. Other Cebu companies were also recognized during the prestigious event.

Learn the complete list of winners here:

Several Cebu resorts were recognized among the world’s best at the World Travel Awards, honoring excellence in global tourism and hospitality management.

14/11/2025

Do you know the history of Cebu's classic heart-shaped rice, Puso 🍚?

Puso weaving has been prominent in Cebu, even way before the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s. Hanging rice was said to be an offering to the gods during religious celebrations.

Puso is said to be placed near trees before extracting their sap before making tuba. Additionally, it was also used to pray for a good harvest, and even to drive away demons.

Today, hanging rice is a street food staple in Cebuano street food, and potlucks by the beach. It is an image that reminds Cebuanos of home.

Read more about this here:
https://cebuinsights.com/food/filipino-food/history-of-puso-cebu/

10/11/2025

Last week, the Cebu City government declared a State of Calamity amidst massive flooding in several areas around the island, including especially Barangay Bacayan.

As of November 9, 2025, over 224 people had lost their lives as notable landmarks were submerged in high waters. Many have called this the worst flooding disaster the city has ever experienced.

We at Cebu Insights send our sympathies to the families and loved ones of those affected by this massive tragedy.

08/11/2025

This quaint streetside cafe just got noticed by the Michelin Guide!

Fresh off being featured Erwann Heusaff's Cebu vlog, the Abli Cafe near the Capitol Site received a coveted recommendation from the world renowned travel guide. It was one of 18 culinary establishments that were given a special feature in the Michelin Guide 2026!

Abli is known for their rather unique take on Filipino food, particularly with dishes like the "Morta" or "murag torta" which is a classic Argao delicacy topped with a generous serving of a sweet cream.

EXACT LOCATION 📍:
Across from Paolito's STK ta Bai, A. Climaco Street., Cebu City.

OPERATING HOURS ⏰:
10 AM to 9 PM

07/11/2025

Cordova's Roro Port is known primarily as the town's transport terminal to the neighboring island of Bohol, but its proximity to the Olango Island Group has also made it the starting point for many island hopping activities.

Similar to the tours in Lapu-Lapu, they pass major islands such as Gilutungan, Nalusuan and the main Olango Island.

Which part of Mactan Island do you like going on island hopping tours?

07/11/2025

One of Cebu's best Lechon restaurants was just recognized by the Michelin Guide!

Since opening in 2015 on Acacia Street, House of Lechon has made authentic Carcar-style lechon, with its sauce made from the pig's droppings, more accessible to travelers and locals alike. The original branch is located within a quiet neighborhood near the Ayala Center Cebu.

Since then, it has been frequented by countless tourists and Lechon enthusiasts all around the Philippines. Now, it has reached a wider audience as an official selection for the Michelin Guide 2026.

EXACT LOCATION 📍:
Acacia Street, Cebu City, Cebu

OPERATING HOURS ⏰:
10 AM to 9 PM

07/11/2025

The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit System is set to open the first package from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to the Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Here's what you can expect for its long-awaited opening:

- Areas Included

The Package 1 route stretches from the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to the Fuente Osmeña Circle. This 2.38 kilometer route is at the center of the project’s proposed 13-kilometer route stretching from the Cebu South Road to the IT Park.

- CiBus as bus operators.

The Cebu BRT tapped the Cebu Interim Bus Service (CiBus) as its bus operator. These modernized, air-conditioned buses from Vallacar Transit served as a precursor to the BRT, showcasing its proposed route.

These buses can carry 48 seated and 16 standing passengers according to Sunstar Cebu (2020). Notably, these white buses serve as one of the main public transport options connecting IT Park and IL Corso Lifemalls.

- Where to board

Passengers may board at designated bus stations along the route. For Package 1, these are at Fuente, Cebu Normal University (CNU) and the CSBT.

- Travel Time and Pricing

The Osmeña Boulevard ride is said to be at most six minutes long, or four without stopping. A ticket costs Php 15, the minimum fare for modernized public transport vehicles in the Philippines.

*****

The city has waited nearly three decades for the Cebu BRT to come to fruition. While the full package remains to be seen, this long-awaited pilot run is a clear indication of the city’s progress.

Whether or not it is the definitive answer to the city’s traffic woes, this is one project that will benefit both commuters and private vehicle owners. The city is traveling closer to a better travel experience.

Photo by Jussie2024 on Wikimedia Commons