If only to imagine the olden days, visit the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House in the Parian District where you’ll see authentic houses built in the late 1600s. WIthin the vicinity are similar houses that bring us to a time when Spaniards roamed the streets of Cebu.
Warm Holidays in Cebu A tropical Christmas full of treats is waiting for you in Cebu Island! Take in local history, culture, food, and holiday flair. With reports by Chloe Palang. Photos by Erwin Lim Sentimental Sights Cebu is boldly painted with rich shades of colorful Spanish history. An example is the old Casa Gorordo Museum built in the mid-19th century and bought by a Spanish merchant named Juan Isidro. Occupied by four generations of the Gorordo family, the house features an art collection, a grand veranda, and an old-fashioned courtship area. One of the oldest residential houses in the Philippines is the Yap-Sandiego ancestral home, built in the late 1600s and owned then by Don Juan Yap, a Chinese merchant. His eldest daughter, Maria Florido Yap, married the Cabeza de Barangay (district chief ), Don Mariano San Diego. You’ll find century-old religious artifacts, plus the home’s original kitchenware and dining set. Heritage of Cebu in Parian Park is an elaborate monument designed by the artist Eduardo Castrillo 70 I Mabuhay Magazine I December 2012
What’s up, Cebu? For an insider knowledge on the latest restaurants, hotels, beaches, fashion trends, and events in Cebu click on http:// zerothreetwo.com.
and architects Heradio Español and Ildefonso Santos. This tribute tells the story of the whole country— from its early indigenous habitants, to the Spanish colonization, to the revolution, and finally the birth of the Philippines as an independent republic. Christmas Cravings While doing your last-minute shopping at the Ayala Center Cebu, indulge in international cuisine options at The Terraces. Choice of restaurants includes the Gustavian, Siam Thai Cuisine, or Casa Verde. For something more intimate and native, reserve a table at the Lantaw Floating Restaurant. Lantaw is a Visayan word that means “to see from a distance.” And it’s the sparkling view of Cebu City’s hills that you’ll enjoy while dining here. On the menu are Filipino favorites like kare-kare (oxtail stewed in peanut sauce), tuna belly, and alimango (mud crabs). Gifts from Cebu There’s something unique about Cebuanos and their distinct creativity. Two business ventures that make Cebu stand out are furniture and fashion. Cebu Ethnic Ventures manufactures fashion accessories from natural materials like wood and shells,