This Week in Cebu (April 24 to 30, 2017)

There will be no street parties nor road closures for the Kadaugan sa Mactan (Victory at Mactan) Festival for April 17 to 30. This was the assurance of Acting Vice Mayor Harry Radaza in line with the celebration of the 496th anniversary of Lapu-Lapu City. Nevertheless, Radaza added that at least 60 events will be held but will be spread across five venues to avoid blocking the road for traffic and security purposes.

One of the main highlights of the city fiesta is the re-enactment of the historic Battle of Mactan on April 27, 8:30 AM at the Mactan Shrine, featuring GMA 7 actress Kris Bernal and Pinoy Boy Band Superstar finalists Tony Labrusca and James Ryan Cesena.

Locals and tourists can sample local and international cuisine at the Kadaugan Food Festival. Launched last April 17, the festival is open from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Mactan Shrine and will run until April 30. Top resorts and restaurants in Mactan like Mactan Shangri-La and Spa, Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Bluewater Maribago, and Movenpick Hotels and Resorts will showcase a variety of food from their menu. Aside from enjoying food and drinks, visitors can catch local acts perform live.

Read: Exploring Cebu City’s Fun and Entertainment Landscape

Families and friends looking for a place to go in the city can head to Rainforest Park Cebu. Visitors can see various animals like birds, fishes, snakes, crocodiles, and turtles in a manmade forest with fountains and waterfalls.

Adventure seekers can try out the Jungle Adventure Rides with nine different activities such as cargo net, zip zag, Burma bridge, earthquake bridge, deep bucket, wall climbing, Jacob ladder, catwalk bridge, and the vines. Other amenities include a bar, café, restaurant, souvenir counter, gift shop, and spa and salon.

One of the popular pasalubong (take-home gift) from Cebu is otap, or puff pastry shaped like an oval then dusted with sugar. Tourists can buy otap and other baked goodies like barquillos (wafer rolls), galletas de huevos (egg crackers), and hojaldres (layered biscuits) at Shamrock Bakery and Restaurant.

The family-owned Shamrock Bakery has been in the business for more than 50 years since the pre-War era. They have five branches in Cebu and their products are available through distributors and retailers nationwide.

The Cebu Dragon Boast Fiesta 2017 will be held this April 28 to 30 at the Cebu Yacht Club in Lapu-Lapu City. This event, which is the first of its kind, will gather over 1,000 paddlers from the Philippines, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, and Africa. The local team will include paddlers from the PADS (Philippine Accessible Disability Services) Cross Disability Dragon Boat Team.

The event will kick off with a friendly competition on April 28, followed by the 500-meter and 250-meter standard and small boat races for women’s, men’s, and mixed categories.

A number of foreign embassies have issued travel warnings against going to Cebu and Bohol. The embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and France have advised their citizens to consider reports of ongoing terrorist threats if they plan to travel to Central Visayas. They have likewise cautioned foreign nationals to avoid public places and large crowds and to always stay vigilant.

On the other hand, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has urged the public to report any suspicious persons or activities in their area.

According to the weather forecast for April 24 to 30, there will be thunderstorms five days of the week in Cebu. The public is advised to stay alert in case of floods.

Last week, non-stop rains due to Tropical Depression Crising left seven people dead and two others missing in Danao City and the municipality of Carmen. About 70 families in Barangay Talamban and Kinasang-an in Cebu City also evacuated their homes due to risk of floods and landslides.