In between downing mango shakes, consuming endless plates of putomaya and clinging to the aircon, we did manage to see some sights in Cebu.
While I had penned a long list of places and restaurants that I was eager to visit, the forty degree heat definitely posed a challenge to ticking them all off. So, for our first day of sightseeing, we narrowed it down to a few, including the ol’ reliable Taoist Temple and also the Temple of Leah as I was particularly curious to see how both had changed since my last visit.
Enjoy some snaps from our first sightseeing adventure in digital as well as the ones in 35mm film that survived the battle with a fogged up camera lens from the heat and endless airport scanners!
Hopping in the car, we kickstarted what would be a long, long day of driving on the busy Cebu roads.
Nearly every single time I’ve been in the Philippines from when I was a tiny baby up until aged eighteen, I’ve managed to wind up in hospital due to dehydration. I’m a strong gal but also a very weak gal, at times, and my body does not deal with extreme heat (we’re talking anything over 13 degrees tbh) very well!
I am pleased to say that I, by some small miracle, did not end up in hospital this time!! However, I did spend a lot of the car journey chugging on electrolyte drinks, and this is all very a long winded way to say that I am heartbroken that I didn’t manage to get one good snap of the new Cebu–Cordova Bridge despite driving on it multiple times throughout my trip. It is a 10/10 bridge though – just take my word for it!
Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu
Founded in 1565 and located in a city block bordered by Osmeña Boulevard, D. Jakosalem St, P. Burgos St. and the Plaza Sugbo where the Magellan’s Cross is located, the Santo Niño Basilica is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, dating back to the early Spanish colonial era.
While we skipped attending a service to spare me having to struggle with the massive crowds in the searing heat, we made a pit stop to light candles and take in its beautiful architecture.
Despite the crowds of churchgoers and tourists, the atmosphere at the church is tranquil and I’d love to go back on a less boiling day so we can fully explore all it has to offer. Within the complex, there is a library, an open-air pilgrim center and a museum which houses antique vestments and furniture as well as old church documents dating back to the 17th century.
Cebu Taoist Temple
A place that I will always come back to when I’m in Cebu is the Taoist Temple in the city’s Beverly Hills subdivison. Built by Cebu’s Chinese Filipino community in 1972, the temple sits 360ft above sea level.
Greeted by a ginormous dragon statue as you enter, the temple is multi-tiered, multi-hued, with winding stairways and a spacious balcony offering views of downtown Cebu. Visting in the early morning once the temple opens is highly recommended as it often fills up with tourists and locals very quickly, especially as the site is free to visit.
Despite being the busiest I’d ever seen it, I still have such a strong fondness for the Taoist Temple. The dragon statue at the entrance is iconic and brings back extreme nostalgia of the last time we visited as well as childhood photos from our trips there when I was very little.
With stunning architecture and landscaping (the bougainvillea is always a favourite of mine!), the Taoist Temple is a real treat. There’s many components and structures which makes it somewhere you can wander for hours. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well.
Even when crowded by people eager to get a good Insta shot by the pagoda or the many dragon statues, there’s still a serene atmosphere and you can always sit in the hall or admire the koi when you want a break.
It’s only a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it very easy to get to by car. Yet, thanks to the lush green of the courtyard and the intricate detail on the buildings, it feels like an entirely different world!
Temple of Leah
Built in 2012, the elaborate Temple of Leah is a testament to undying love. Built by renowned Filipino actor, Teodorico Adarna, in memory of his beloved wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, the temple sits on a hill in Busay.
It borrows inspiration from Roman and Greek architecture, featuring neoclassical designs, towering columns and a majestic staircase. The walls are adorned with various art and photographs detailing Leah’s life. Teodorico has sure set the bar high!
I first visited the Temple of Leah in 2016 when it was still undergoing construction and was captivated by the elaborate nature of it all with its statues, ornate carvings and chandeliers. While the temple remains beautiful, it has certainly changed.
For one, the Temple of Leah now charges guests for entry. When went in 2016, entry was free presumably due to the temple’s unfinished state. Now, guests must fork up around 120 pesos (£4-5 depending on the rate) per person on weekdays, rising to 150 on weekends. This isn’t wholly unreasonable but the temple pales in comparison to the Taoist Temple, which is a free and arguably more cultural alternative.
Leah has also gotten a lot more busy and I can see why. Its opulent architecture lends itself nicely to those looking for an eye-catching Instagram backdrop. You will be shooed by visitors who are trying in vain to get a shot with zero people in the background, which is near impossible unless you’re there very early in the morning.
Truthfully, I was expecting more as it had been eight years and I anticipated work would be finished. I’m not sure if it has but either way, the site itself felt the exact same just with more people. There’s no doubt its a stunning piece of construction with a very heartwarming story behind it, but the space is limiting. There’s a large open plaza with a restaurant, but next to either of the golden lion are rows of parked cars and vans, which disturbs some of the ambience slightly.
As much as I admire the extravagence of the site and will be adding ‘devoted to building a temple in my memory’ to the list of requirements in a future husband, I will be giving Leah a miss next time I’m in town!
Sachiko’s Little Kyoto
A new tourist attraction that has cropped up in the eight years that I’ve been away is Sachiko’s Little Kyoto.
Located in the highlands of Babag, Sachiko’s Little Kyoto offers Cebuanos and tourists alike a taste of Japan. Literally, it has Japanese food stalls and a cafe serving Japanese treats such as ramen, gyoza, teriyaki and maki.
Entry to Little Kyoto will set you back 60 pesos (£2-ish) person which is worth it so long as you’re not visiting during a drought, which is what happened to us! Googling Sachiko’s Little Kyoto will uncover photos of the vast botanical gardens spread across varying levels of the mountainside.
While there was plenty of greenery, much of the colourful flowers had dried and died when we visited, which was such a shame as I imagine Little Kyoto is absolutely gorgeous in full bloom. We also had Sirao Garden aka Little Amsterdam on our trip list as well but binned it off once we saw how the heat had sadly impacted the landscape.
Those seeking Instagrammable locations in Cebu will LOVE Sachiko’s Little Kyoto.
Walking through the Torii gates adorned by Japanese paper laterns and lamp posts, you quickly get a taste of all the photo opportunities the site has to offer. This includes a reclining buddha statue, statue of the loyal Hachiko, life-size replicas of anime characters, maneki-neko cats and daruma dolls. Minnie and Micky Mouse are also there!
While there are plenty of decks and spaces to take in the panoramic views of the mountains, it’s worth noting that getting into Little Kyoto will be tricky for those with mobility issues. The Taoist Temple and Temple of Leah both have enough to keep guests who struggle with stairs occupied but to access much of the sites of Little Kyoto, one has to battle with a hefty amount of steps and stairs, which was tough enough in the extreme heat!
That being said, on our next visit, we’ll likely return to Sachiko’s Little Kyoto and ~hopefully~ see the landscape in bountiful bloom.
Out of all sites we visited that day, the Taoist Temple continues to reign supreme. The Philippines – and Cebu, in particular – is rapidly evolving to modernise and add more attractions for locals and visitors.
It’s really exciting to see the difference in eight years, especially how old landmarks are thriving and adapting and the newer venues that are quickly making a name for themselves with the influencer crowd.
We had more sites saved for other days but we naturally, finished this day with mango shakes as we watched the sun go down at the Dusit Thani.
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