Cebu City Philippines (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbo) is the capital city of Cebu and the second city in the Philippines. It is the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and also known as the oldest city established since the Spanish times in the country.

The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines’ main domestic shipping port and is home to about 80% of the country’s domestic shipping companies. Cebu also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippines and is a significant centre of commerce, trade and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao region.

Cebu City is the centre of a metropolitan area called Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay. Metro Cebu has a total population of about 2 million people. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is only a twenty-minute drive away from Cebu City. To the northeast of the city are Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion, to the west are Toledo City, the towns of Balamban and Asturias, to the south are Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City and an aquarium attraction are located.

History of Cebu

In the 16th century, Cebu City was an area part of the Rajahnate of Cebu with an Islamic, Hindu and Animist population. On April 7, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu. He was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the King of Cebu, who together with his wife and about 700 native islanders, were baptized by the Spaniards on April 14, 1521. Magellan, however, failed to successfully claim the Philippines for the crown of Spain, having been killed by Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Muslim king in Mactan Island on April 27, 1521 in the Battle of Mactan. On April 27, 1565, Spain colonized the area with the arrival of Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi, together with Augustinian Friar Andrés de Urdaneta, sailing from Mexico, arrived in Cebu. The Spaniards established settlements, trade flourished, and renamed the city on January 1, 1571, from San Miguel (Saint Michael) to Villa del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús (Village of the Most Holy Name of Jesus). During this six year period of exploration and settlements by the Spaniards, Cebu City was the capital of the Spanish East Indies. In 1898, the city was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. In 1901, the city was governed by the United States for a brief period, however it attained the status of a charter city in 1936, and was governed independently by Filipino politicians. Following the end of the Japanese occupation in World War II, the city gained independence from colonial rule in 1946 as part of the Republic of the Philippines.

Cebu City Philippines  Government

Cebu City is an independent and chartered city. Registered voters of the city cannot vote for provincial candidates unlike its nearby counterparts (Mandaue and Talisay cities) that form part of Metro Cebu. It is the capital of the province mainly because the provincial capitol is located in it. There were proposals, however, during the time of Governor Emilio Mario Osmeña to establish an “administrative district” that would be independent from Cebu City Philippines. This would literally mean carving out Cebu City’s Barangay Capitol where the provincial capitol and other provincial offices are located. The plan however didn’t push through and was even followed by other proposals like the transfer of the capital to Balamban.

Cebu City is governed mainly by a city hall, composed of one mayor, one vice-mayor and sixteen councilors (eight representing the northern, and eight representing the southern region). Each official is elected publicly to a three year term. The chief of the Association of Barangay Captains and the President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation also managed in the city council. The day to day administration of the city is handled by a city administrator.

Michael Rama is the incumbent mayor of Cebu City Philippines. He was a former vice mayor, and was elected during the 2010 Philippine elections. The current vice mayor is Joy-Augustus G. Young.

Source: wikipedia.org

Camotes Map - Camotes Islands, Cebu

Camotes Island is located east of Cebu Island (the central part of the Philippines), West and south of Leyte Island, and north of Bohol Island.

Camotes consists of four islands, — a.) Pacijan Island or San Francisco town, b.) Poro Island that includes Poro and Tudela town, c.) Ponson Island, where you can find the town of Pilar, and d.) Tulang Island, a very tiny island.

The islands of Pacijan and Poro are connected by a paved road.

Camotes Islands are low-lying lands. There is only one hill on Pacijan and another hill on Poro. Pacijan has a fresh-water lake around two kilometers in length.

Palm trees are the most dominant plants in the Islands. There are also numerous native varieties of fruit trees and other plants.

You can also find variety of white sand beaches and tourist attractions that you will enjoy.

The figure above is a simple Camotes map, consisting of four islands. Pacijan, Poro, Ponson, and Tulang.

Coordinates:

10° 40′ 0″ N, 124° 24′ 0″ E

More here:
http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Camotes_Islands&params=10_40_N_124_24_E_region:PH_type:isle_source:GNS-enwiki#Help

pumpboat

Knowing how to get to Camotes saves time and effort. First, take your stop at Cebu City, Philippines. And then decide what mode of transport you’d like to take in going to the Island of Camotes. You have 3 options in going to Camotes. You can travel through a fastcraft, a pumpboat or through a ferry boat,- all by sea.

If it’s you’re first time around Cebu and don’t know where to go, just start at central city of Cebu, called Colon. Just take a ride by taxi or jeepney. All jeepneys pass in this street. Look for a Mandaue jeepney going to Ouano Wharf. If you are lost, just ask around a policeman, also called CITOM.

If you’re in Mandaue, and in case you miss the boat via Ouano Wharf, you can still catch the pumpboat in Danao port. Go to AS Fortuna Street corner Mandaue City, Cebu, and jeepneys going to Danao are waiting for you. If you find it difficult to ride a jeepney, there’s always a taxi cab.

If you choose Danao, take a jeepney or bus going to SM. When you reach SM, take another jeepney or a cab going to Danao. There are also Vans-for-hire, also called “V-hire”, ready in the SM terminal located just beside the main entrance of the mall. There are also jeepneys for Mandaue-Danao/Carmen routes near SM Mall.

Pumpboats

There are many available pumpboats going to Camotes. Just go to the ports of Danao , and Mandaue Ouano Warf.

From Danao port, a pumboat travels for about 2 hours or more, depending on the weather. The fare is around Php 180 pesos per passenger.

Via Danao; DAILY SCHEDULE

Cebu – Consuelo (CAMOTES
Departs: 6:00 AM | Arrives: 8:00 AM

Consuelo (CAMOTES) – Cebu
Departs: 6:00 AM | Arrives: 8:00 AM
Departs: 10:00 AM | Arrives: 12:00 PM
Departs: 12:00 PM | Arrives: 2:00 PM

Via Ouano Wharf (Mandaue); DAILY SCHEDULE

Cebu City Pier 2 wharf – Poro, Camotes
Departs: 09:00 PM | Arrives: 1:00 AM the next day

Ferry boats

You can also take the barge(ferryboat), like M/V MELRIVIC of E.B. Aznar Shipping, but it travels slower, about 3 hours or longer depending on which ferry boat. Go to Pier 2 by cab or jeepney. Pier 2 is just a few blocks away from the historical monument, Plaza Independencia. If you get pass the corners of S. Osmeña Street and P. Gomez Street. For just a few meters, you can see the gate of Pier 2. You can catch the ferryboat at the following times:

M/V MELRIVIC of E.B. Aznar Shipping

Pier 2, Cebu City – Poro (CAMOTES)
Departs: 9:00PM | Arrives: 1:00 AM

Poro (CAMOTES) – Cebu City
Departs: 1:00AM | Arrives: 5:00 AM

Shuttle Ferry

Danao, Cebu – Poro, San Francisco Camotes
Departs: 1:00 PM | Arrives: 3:30 PM

Poro, San Francisco Camotes  –  Danao, Cebu
Departs: 5:00 PM | Arrives: 7:30 AM

JOMALIA Shipping

Tel no. 346-0421

Cebu–  Consuelo, San Francisco Camotes

Departs: 5:30 AM | Arrives: 7:30 AM
Departs: 8:30 PM | Arrives: 9:00 PM
Departs: 12:00 NN | Arrives: 2:00 PM
Departs: 5:30 NN | Arrives: 8:00 PM

Cebu – Consuelo (CAMOTES
Departs: 5:30 AM | Arrives: 7:30 AM
Departs: 9:00 AM | Arrives: 11:00 AM
Departs: 2:00 PM | Arrives: 4:00 PM
Departs: 4:00 PM | Arrives: 6:00 PM

Fastcraft

Golden Express Vessel of Oceanjet is a fastcraft that travels to Camotes. Fare ranges from Php 400 pesos or more per passenger. The Bullet Express Vessel travels faster than pumpboats. Although it’s quite expensive than the regular pumpboats, the ride usually takes (at most) in 2 hours or less.

Golden Express Oceanjet contact numbers:

+63-32-2557560
+63-32-4205467
+63-32-4205468
+63-32-346020

visit: http://oceanjet.net/destinations/camotes/ for the schedules

Schedules are subject to change without notice.
For more updated schedules go to http://schedule.ph/boat/from/Cebu-City/to/Camotes

Pictures

that you can find in the area

Motorbikes, and “Habal-Habal”

Motorbike is the main Camotes transportation in the Island. You can rent a motorbike or have the driver with you to get to your desired destination in Camotes. “Habal-Habal” is a motorbike that can carry more than 6 passengers. You can find motorbikes for rents mostly at ports waiting for passengers.

Usual fare begins at : Php 50 (30 minute drive)

Jeepneys

A jeepney is a public transportation in the Philippines similar to a bus that can carry more than 10 passengers. It is smaller than the actual bus. Jeepneys were originally made by US military jeeps in World War II. Today, they are re-assembled and enhanced with decorations, and is now well-known for their flamboyant decoration. They have become a symbol of Philippine culture.

Multicabs, a semi-jeepney vehicle without the adornments, are also there to provide transportation.

Jeepneys are available during Sundays, and often in the early mornings daily at Consuelo wharf, San Francisco public market, Poro wharf in Camotes.

Vans-for-hire

Vans are also one of the means of transportation in the island. You can find usually at Consuelo wharf, public markets, and Poro wharf.

ORMOC CITY, LEYTE

SUPER SHUTTLE FERRY
Monday – Sunday

Poro, Camotes – Punta, Ormoc City
8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon

Punta, Ormoc City – Poro, Camotes
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Poro, Camotes – Punta, Ormoc City – 200.00
Danao City – Punta, Ormoc City – 300.00

VIA ESPERANZA
Monday – Sunday (No trip on Tuesday and Friday)

Ormoc City to Guingkan-an, Esperanza, Poro
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Guingkan-an, Esperanza, Poro to Ormoc City
6:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Fare: Php 170.00

* Schedules and fare rates are subject to change without notice.

Filipino, is the de facto standard version of Tagalog, spoken mainly in Metro Manila, and other urban regions. Tagalog and English are used in government, education, print and broadcast media, and business.

Cebuano, and Bisaya, are widely used in Central parts of the Philippines, like Cebu and Bohol.

Porohanon is a native language in Camotes Islands in the province of Cebu in the Philippines. Its closest relatives are Hiligaynon and Masbateño and is barely intelligible with Cebuano though it shares 87% of its vocabulary with it.

More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebuano_language

 The peso (Filipino: piso) (sign: ₱; code: PHP) is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos (Spanish) or sentimo (Filipino). Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so “peso” was the name used. The language was then changed to Pilipino (the name of the Filipino language then) and so the currency as written on the banknotes and coins is piso.

The peso is usually denoted by the symbol ““. This symbol was added to the Unicode standard in version 3.2 and is assigned U+20B1 (₱). Due to the lack of font support, the symbol is often substituted with a simple “P”, a P with one horizontal line instead of two (available as the peseta sign, U+20A7 (₧), in some fonts), as “PHP”, or “PhP”.

Philippine banknotes are currently issued in the following denominations:

5 piso*
10 piso*
20 piso
50 piso
100 piso
200 piso
500 piso
1000 piso
Source and more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_peso

Clothes. What to wear.. pants, shorts, shirts and light clothing are okay. Bring comfortable casual clothes. People living in Camotes are simple and some are still traditional. You can’t wear fancy clothing. Wear descent clothes when you go to church or a party. Wear the right clothes for the right occassions.

Shoes. Use rubber shoes/sneakers, simple shoes, slippers, and sandals.

Medicines. Bring medicines for emergency. Only few are available in sari-sari stores and you can rarely find a drugstore. Small clinics are available but opens 9am until 4pm. For women, stock up some pads and tampons, just in case. Be prepared. Mini stores are closed as early as 6 o’ clock in the evening. There are no malls in the place or a 24/7 store in a simple province, a quite and serene rural area. Have some repellents/calamine lotion ready. In a tropical island, there are always mosquitoes present especially during rainy season.

If some emergencies occur, contact the barangay tanod (chief official) or health worker at the place.

Equipments/Appliances. Be aware that most of the voltage system for electronic equipments is 220V in the Philippines . Equipments from US and other countries are usually 110 V. If you are not sure about your equipment, check the adapter. You’ll find a label says 110V or a 220V. Some equipments usually portable devices, like cellphones and other portable stuffs, are 110/220V, which means it can be plugged either 110V or 220V. You can bring an adapter/transformer for 220V. Always consult and ask assistance before you plug your equipment.

RainJackets/LightJackets/Umbrellas. For rainy seasons, which starts from September ’til February, bring some lightjackets or sweaters for your protection against the rain, and cold weather. On the summer time, from March to August, you can bring hats and wear light clothing.

Money. Bring Peso, the official currency of the Philippines. Peso bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. One peso is equivalent to 100 centavos and coins come in 5, 10 and 25 centavo variants in addition to the 1, 5 and 10 peso coins. No money changer office in the island. Have your money change at Cebu City malls including ATM’s in Cebu, an urbanized island near Camotes. You can also do it in the airport in Mactan, Cebu. Credit Cards can not be accepted in hotels and beach resorts in Camotes. There are no ATM’s in Camotes.

Food. Fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables are available in the Camotes island. You can bring canned goods, which are also available at mini stores. Filipinos usually eat three (3) times a day: breakfast, lunch, and supper. A light snack usually at 3pm and native foods are served, hot, sweet, delicious and yummy. It’s safer to buy bottled water in stores. Water may not be much available especially during hot summer, or in times of El niño.

Communications. Mobile phone cards are available almost at every store. Pay phones are rare. There are three major telecommunications company: PLDT, Globe, and Sun Cellular. Smart Communications are partly owned by PLDT. Note that phone cards of one company can not be used with the other company’s card. Country code (of Philippines) is +63. Area code in Cebu is 32.

Internet cafes are available at central towns of Poro and San Francisco.

Cameras. Have your photos printed at Cebu City, Cebu. There are no printing shops in the island.

Outing. Bring sun tan lotions or sun block lotions if you go swimming to protect yourself from the heat and rays of the sun. You can wear sun glasses and hats, too. Always bring the right gear for the right occasion.

Travelling. If you happen to ride on a pumpboat, always check if the boat is overboarding. Always check for the latest weather updates before going to Camotes.

Language. Native dialect is Cebuano, Porohanon, and Bisaya but the locals can speak and understand English and Filipino.

Time. Philippine standard time is GMT +8.

Tipping. They will be delighted if you give a tip for waiters, drivers, and porters. Most establishments and restaurants add 10% service charge as government tax. Tipping 5-15% of the bill is appropriate if no service charge was included.

Manners and Social Communications. Do invite people at least three times. Local residents are taught that it is proper to refuse for the first time or two. To them, insistence is a clear sign that the offer or invitation is genuine.

Never embarrass a locale. Honor and integrity is a way to respect a Filipino. Verbal signs like Ok (thumbsup sign), and nodding are ways to communicate with them that you are agreeing.

Greetings. Take a time to smile and say “Hello”, or “Hi”. They will appreciate it if you talk in dialect.

Some examples of Cebuano greetings:

“Mabuhay” means Long live for you and your family.
“Maayong Buntag” means Good Morning. “Maayo” means good. “Buntag” is morning.
“Maayong Hapon” means Good Afternoon. Hapon means afternoon.
“Kamusta?” means How are you?
A wave or “Adto nako” means you are leaving.

Hotels and Accomodation. Always schedule dates ahead of time. You may end up nowhere to sleep. Camotes beach resorts are almost always fully booked. It’s one hot tourist destination in the Philippines at this time. Just make some reservations to be safe. Almost all beach resorts do not accept credit cards in Camotes.

Welcome Green Lake Park

Green Lake in Lake Danao, San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu, Philippines.

Lake Danao is the only lake in the island of San Francisco, and Camotes Islands. It has a 1.5 hectare of ancient hardwood mangrove forest. It’s quite, calming, and serene atmosphere that makes you relax and adore the beauty of nature. Birds, butterflies and fresh water animals have lived in this area for a time now,-a truly natural sanctuary. Another interesting part is- it is a wide lake trapped in a small island.

Parks are created to commune with nature,- the Green Lake Park and Lake Danao Park. An entrance fee is collected, Php 15.00 per adult; Php 10.00 for children, for maintenace of the parks.

Green lake Park has also a mini food bar.

Pictures

Lake Danao Park

Lake Danao Park, San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu, Philippines.

Lake Danao Park is a lake park where you can do picnic, fishing and boating. A paddle boat is available for you to go around the lake. You can also use the boat in going across a small island at the center of the lake. The park opens 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Fees/rents:

Maintenance Fees – Php 2.00 per person
Picnic Table – Php 20.00 per table
Paddle boat – Php 50.00 per trip
Fishing – Php 25.00 per hour ( maximum of 1 kilo per person )
Pleasure boat – Php 800.00 per hour (maximum of 8 persons )
Cottage – Php 150 per cottage

Pictures