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The best of Cebu: sights, tastes and sounds
Cebu is home to sunny beaches, famous tourist destinations, thriving local industries and a rich history rooted in the first Spanish settlement. Its capital, Cebu City, is the oldest city in the country – founded by the Spaniards in 1565.
Award-winning documentarist and “Motorcycle Diaries” host Jay Taruc traveled to Cebu to check out the sights, cuisine and culture that make the Southern island worth a visit. Here are some highlights from his trip.
Lechon, crabs and more
The “Queen City of the South” boasts of distinctly Cebuano dishes that are a must-try for every visitor.
Despite various imitations of Cebu lechon, one name still stands out – the famous Zubuchon located in Cebu City. Even celebrity chef and television host Anthony Bourdain dubbed it “the best pig ever.”
The name “Zubuchon” is from “Zubu” – the old name of Cebu in Portuguese maps – and “chon” from, of course, lechon.
Jay interviewed Joel Binarama, owner of Zubuchon, who explained that their recipe was an old traditional recipe passed down from generations.
Zubuchon stuffs the cavity of the pig with herbs and spices, smothers the skin with coconut water, and slow roasts it over charcoal. They also pierce the skin of the pig while roasting to ensure its crispness.“Hindi kami gumagamit ng MSG o flavor enhancer. Makukuha naman ito sa natural ingredients,” Binarama added.
Cebu is also famous for its dried mangoes, and the Pro Foods plant in Barangay Mabolo is the largest exporter of this delicacy.
The Pro Foods plant is 15 hectares wide and processes up to 7,000 tons of dried mangoes every month. Aside from the typical yellow mango, Pro Foods also processes other variants such as green mango and even chocolate-flavored mango!
In the northern part of Cebu, meanwhile, is the island of Bantayan, known for its flourishing fishing industry.
It was here that Jay met Eric Salvado, a breeder of the most expensive type of crab: the Cruzan Crab. A kilo of these crabs could cost as much as P1,800.
Cruzan crabs – named so for the cross-like marking on its shell – are exported live out of the country. “Mga bili ko dito, 1,500 then kukunin sa akin 1,700,” Salvado said.
City sights and sounds
For sightseeing tourists, Lapu-Lapu City offers a unique way of enjoying the sparkling waters of Cebu.
Yellow Submarine is the newest attraction in the city, literally taking tourists under the sea to view colorful underwater life. Yellow Submarine is the only tourist submarine in the country and was only opened to the public in April 2013.
For those who can’t quite stomach diving in deep water, this may be a better alternative. Passengers’ safety are of the utmost importance; visitors are given a safety orientation, and while underwater, they are accompanied by three to four divers.
The tour lasts for 40 minutes and the submarine can go as deep as 30 feet – as high as a 3-storey building. Currently, Yellow Submarine operates 9 AM to 5 PM daily, and reservations are a must.
While in Lapu-Lapu City, Jay made sure to visit Alegre Guitars, one of the most famous makers of handcrafted guitars in the city.
Jay Taruc in Alegre Guitars, Lapu-Lapu City
It’s believed that Cebuanos learned to repair guitars from the time of the Spanish settlement. Spaniards didn’t want to ship broken guitars all the way to Mexico for repairs, so they simply sourced it locally in Cebu.
For Cebuanos, handmade guitars are more than just a livelihood but a science in itself.
Jay met an employee in Alegre Guitars who explained that guitar-making is a skill passed from one generation to the next. “My father was trained at the age of 7 so sabi niya sa akin, when I’m 7 years old, I can make 1 guitar,” he said. “It was handed down to him by my grandfather so the art of guitar making is learned through a family relationship.”
The experience was particularly important to Jay. “Hindi lang naman pagsakay ng motorsiklo ang alam ng mga motorcycle club. Sa isang banda, tumutulong din sila,” he said.
Biketoberfest
Every year, Cebu plays host to Biketoberfest, one of the largest gatherings of bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts in the country. Here, bikers from every corner of the country come together to have a good time and celebrate their common passion for riding.
Part of Biketoberfest is their “Ride for a Cause” program, where they feed up to 250 street children from Cebu City. Aside from being given food and school supplies, children are also given the opportunity to ride motorcycles.
Children lining up for Biketoberfest's Ride for a Cause program
“Ibang experience ‘yung bibigyan mo ng once-in-a-lifetime ride ‘yung mga bata,” he added.“‘Pag nakita mo na silang ngumiti, iba na ‘yung pakiramdam mo bilang rider.” – Aimee Dacanay/CM, GMA News
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Photos from Jay Taruc's Instagram account: http://www.instagram.com/jaytaruc
