South Cebu: The South of the Queen City of the South

Right after the Ilocos Trip I really had this planned. A trip to Cebu to visit/celebrate my friend, Roau’s birthday. Leaving Manila is quite sad since I never thought that my cousins’ are leaving later than what I expected, they left July 8, 2016. So yeah when they left I was in Cebu, I just texted them and had a short skype sesh before they left.

During our first day we actually just stayed in the City well the usual sights to see & for our first night instead of staying in Roau’s house we decided to just stay in the hotel I stayed before, Golden Valley, since it was close to Roau’s school so that we can take a rest after the usual city tour, but none of that happened actually since we came at around 6pm already, thanks delayed flight! Though I really had no itinerary in mind for me & Katrin, I was planning to re trace the walking tour me & my college friend Pia did few years back. (which you can find HERE!)

Okay so enough with the frustration of touring Katrin since it was her first time, let’s just start with our Day tour in South Cebu. Tita Georgina (Roau’s mom) had this great plan of touring us to the south Cebu. She rented a van and a driver for us. (Thanks again Tita!)

They fetched us at around 6am in our Hotel at City Suites Ultima (at Ramos), where me, Roau & Katrin slept. We had a drive thru at McDo for breakfast and just ate our snacks along the way.

Our first stop was the castle.

Oh I was just kidding, this is Simala Church. The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as the Simala Shrine or Simala Church is located in Marian Hills, Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. It was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks from Pampanga. It used to be just an ordinary church until after the incidents of miraculous events. One of which is the shedding of tears of the Mother Mary’s image. (Source: Cebu City Tour Website https://www.cebucitytour.com/cebu-destinations/cebu-simala-parish-church-cebu-castle-tour/)

Take note of the following which are NOT allowed when visiting the Church grounds:

• Wearing revealing clothes (for ladies: mini skirts, short shorts, see through blouses and pants, tube and crop tops, leggings)

*Note: There are shawls or cloaks for rent at Php20.00 each for those who was not able to bring a skirt (but you can get FREE shawls inside the church itself but it's a bit shameful to get your attention called in front of the line of devotees)

• Smoking and Alcoholic Drinks
• Loud Noise or Shouting
• Flash Photography
• Footwear Before Entering the Prayer Room

Holy Mass Schedule at Birhen sa Simala:

• Sunday – 12:00nn & 3:30pm
• Monday to Friday – 12:00nn
• Saturday – 10:30am
• 13th of the month – 10:30am & 3:30pm

Next we headed out to CarCar Market to buy some ever famous Lechon Cebu and some snacks to eat along the way.

Next stop was Kawasan Falls. The jump off point is actually the Matutinao Badian Church. This is where usually the tourist vans stop to bring tourist to the falls. We ate our lunch, which we bought at Carcar before heading off.

Just 130 kilometers southwest of Cebu City and about three hours bus ride, the Kawasan Falls is located inside the mountains of Barangay Matutinao, Badian. Kawasan has many waterfalls. The first one is the largest of the three, and is usually the most crowded. An uphill climb for fifteen minutes will take you to the second falls, and the third falls. These 3 falls are said to be the 3 main falls, but as you climb more the more you are lead to more & more falls.

During the time of our tour, Canyoneering, a sport of exploring canyons (as by climbing, rappelling, or rafting), was prohibited. Tour guides say that it is to preserve the site and allow it to recover a bit. Though, locals says that it was due to an incident where a tourist who was under the influence of drugs drowned himself due to canyoneering, that investigation still has to be made.

*Update:
Canyoneering activities, which start at the town of Algeria and end at Badian, were suspended by the Cebu Provincial Government in June 2016 following reports of accidents involving local and foreign tourists. Originally set to be lifted last August 1, the suspension was extended for another month. Last September 1, the provincial government announced the resumption of this sought-after activity in Cebu.
 (Source: Lapat, L."[Where I've Been] At Kawasan Falls, blue is the color of fun"
http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/148617-kawasan-falls-cebu-philippines )

Lastly, Roau brought us to a simple Beach to have a simple swim among the waters. This shores are actually the shores where boats are launched to go whale watching. Though they actually have a “curfew” which is only until 12nn for the said activity.

 It was a long day, though it was nice to be able to go around the southern side of Cebu and away from the usual city sites. Once again Cebu has proven to be the my quiet place.