Where all roads lead

A week before cemeteries, like this one in Argao, would be crammed. Graves would then have been cleaned and repainted. The living would stream with candle and flower offerings to the departed.

For a large Catholic country like the Philippines, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day for that matter, is one of the most celebrated occasions of the year. Aside from the usual trip to the cemeteries to offer prayers and all, it is also a time to meet and catch up with relatives and friends who have come for the occasion.

[Note: The photos above show what remains now of the colonial cemetery in Argao built in the 1900s. In the cemetery complex is a small lake. Behind the cemetery is a beach, the level of the water on the artificial lake varies throughout the day. When I visited the place the capilla was under repairs.]

Simbahan: Cebu heritage churches in watercolor

St. Catherine of Alexandria in watercolor, originally uploaded by GIBBster.

Cebu churches were once again the highlight in a painting exhibit by known Carcaranon painter Tony Alcoseba. The exhibit dubbed “Simbahan: Cebu heritage churches in watercolor” was one of the big events in conjunction with the celebration of the commemoration of the founding of the Parian district of Cebu City.

The Carcar Heritage Conservation Society and the newly-formed Taytayan heritage conservation group spearheaded the exhibit at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu last October 11 and runs until October 30, 2008.

Art enthusiasts and heritage conservation advocates alike were joined by no less than Ace Durano, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism of the Philippines and the Archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal. Both ended up buying the church paintings of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva church of Danao City and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral respectively.

Each painting costs Php65,000 but part of the proceeds go to support heritage conservation.

Cebu's Top 12 Beach Destinations

Badian, Cebu

It is unusual for a Cebuano not to love the beach. Whether he admits it or not he always has subconscious desire that takes him to the beach or any kind of body of water for that matter. After all the island of Cebu is surrounded by water. And wherever you go in the island there is always one that is inviting you.

I always make it a point that after a long workweek to take a trip to seclusion where it's just me and the sea. Whether it be a bike to the nearby shore or to a day immersed in the crystalline waters of a hidden beach. It's therapy!

I have been to most of the places around the island and the surrounding islands of Cebu yet there are more things to see, more things to discover.

Here is my list of the best beach destinations of Cebu waiting for you. What I've written down are random and are based solely on the lasting impressions I have of these places. Accessibility is never a consideration and I travel always on a budget, so trust me, these are the places to be in if you are the spartan type of person.

1. Malapascua Island
2. Bantayan Island
3. Carnaza Island
4. Moalboal
5. Badian
6. Olango
7. Sumilon Island
8. San Remigio
9. Tabuelan
10. Santander
11. Alcoy
12. Camotes Island

Pasigarbo sa SUGBO 2008

It's getting bigger and bigger every year. Gathering more than thirty contingents from various cities and towns of Cebu, the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo now becomes one of the highly anticipated events in Cebu. The festival which is one of the highlights of the celebration of the 439th anniversary of Cebu as a province.

Spectators lined up the streets of Mandaue city as contingents danced to the Pasigarbo rhythm. All roads led to the Cebu International Convention Center for the second time to host the grand showdown of the best festivals of the island.

Food, products and traditions were a common theme for all. The contingent from Badian won the best in costume award and in turn the 5th place by showcasing their most notable product, the banig. As expected, the entry from Alcoy town showcased the endemic black bird in their dance while the grand champion from Bantayan island captured the judges' hearts by presenting life at sea.

The List of Winners:

Palawod Festival - Bantayan Island

Haladaya Festival - Daanbantayan

Siloy Festival - Alcoy

Ani-anihan Festival - Tabuelan

Banig Festival - Badian

Tostado Festival - Santander

Sinamay Festival - Carmen

Soli-Soli Festival - San Francisco, Camotes Island