Taoist Temple
Preserving the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher, the Temple offers a nice break from the hustle and bustle of down town Cebu. There are some 81 stepsrepresenting the 81 chapters of the Taoism scriptures. On reaching the top you can light joss sticks and have your fortune read. (Note! on a hot and humid day the 81 steps to the top feel like 181, so just take it slowly).
Guitar Factories
Lapu Lapu City Mactan Island, is the home to the majority of the Guitar manufactures in Cebu. Visiting one of the many factories will enable you to actually see how guitars are made. Whilst the Guitars are made on Mactan the materials typically used have to be shipped in from Mindanao, as they are not found on the Island of Cebu.
My recommendation is to visit Alegre Guitars, they have a great place and the staff are very helpful and friendly. You can buy guitars directly from the factory and they even take credit cards. Alegre Guitars has a couple of general gift stalls and somewhere to buy a drink. Well worth a visit.
Lapu Lapu Monument (Mactan Shrine)
Inspired by his success in bringing Christianity to the people of Cebu, Ferdinand Magellan crossed the narrow channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the Catholic faith. Whilst still wading to the shore, he was killed by island chieftain Lapu Lapu leading his army of men during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Magellan’s body was never recovered and in 1866 a marker was erected as a monument to this great explorer, marking the spot that Magellan was slain.
There is a great deal spoken with regards to the Hero of the Philippines, Chief Lapu Lapu, much of it surrounded in myth and legend. However this is a nice place to visit the grounds are very well kept and you can have a great seafood meal in one of the several fish restaurants next to the shrine. Why not check out the shell vendors just outside the shrine and marvel at the exquisite designs made purely from shells.
University of San Carlos
The University of San Carlos is the oldest school in the Philippines, established in 1565. Formerly called Colegio de San lldefonso and established by the Jesuits.
The museum is a product of many years of research activities of the Anthropological Department’s faculty in Central and Southern Philippines, it has four galleries: Spanish Colonial, Ethnographic, Archeological, and Natural Science.
Casa Gorordo Museum
Home to the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu, Juan Gorordo (1862-1934). Walking into this residence, you step back in time and get a view Filipino lifestyle in the period of between 1860 & 1920. Featuring noted paintings, museum relics, a courtyard, antique household items and furniture.
A special project of Don Ramon Aboitiz is the Casa Gorordo Museum, situated in the middle of the Parian district, one of the oldest streets/districts in Cebu. Don Ramon acquired the house in 1980 and turned it into a museum.
Magellan’s Cross
When Magellan traveled from Spain to the Philippines in 1521, he brought with him in a wooden cross. This cross was planted at a place called Sugbu, now Cebu, to symbolize the colonization of the country on behalf of King Philip II of Spain.
To preserve the cross the original has been encased in an outer layer of tindalo wood, mounted on a concrete pedestal, and housed in a tile-roofed kiosk. The roof of the kiosk is adorned with a painting depicting the landing of Magellan in Cebu and the planting of the original cross on the shore.