A PHILLIPPINE FAIRYTALE - A Laid Back Day in Cebu - 14 December 2022

The activities scheduled for this day included Parasailing, Jet skiing and Banana Boat Ride. Since the previous morning I had been calling up, emailing and messaging companies that organise such activities. None of them returned the calls or responded to the emails and messages. Disappointed at not being able to do the activities that remained on my bucket list I decided to spend a good part of the day near the IT Park and the Malls near it. With that intention I took a taxi, after a breakfast of honey and berry cornflakes in cold milk, to Ayala Mall.

The Ayala Malls Central Bloc is said to be the hub of young urbanite Cebuanas. It is a vibrant hang-out destination for those seeking work-life balance. It features refreshing retail and dining outlets, book stores, IT related shopping experience, home stores and venues to chill out. It is one of Cebu’s most hip and happening Malls. I reached the Mall a little before 10 am and found a fairly long queue in front of the entrance because the Mall was not yet open to business. I looked around the blocks adjacent to Ayala Mall and found a preponderance of new age businesses located there, particularly those related to IT. It must be noted that much of the province's economic activity is driven by manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles and real estate. However, in the recent past IT and related industries have made an impact in employment and skills development.

While walking around the Ayala Mall my eyes fell on an outlet of Mang Inasal, which is a must try while in the Philippines. It was too early to try that but their promotion of Halo-Halo, the national dessert enticed me. Even at that early hour the outlet was busy serving its delicacies, foremost of which was the unlimited rice and Chicken Inasal. The Halo-Halo was delicious, but the quantity was huge. After taking my time over it I spend considerable time in the Mall admiring many of the displays in the retail shops, particularly locally produced jewellery, souvenirs and gifts.

Even when I was window shopping in the Mall my mind was rooted to the Chicken Inasal. Unable to control the 'urge' I decided to have an early lunch at Mang Inasal. It was fortunate that I found a place within the restaurant. My order didn't take long to come. I hadn't chosen the unlimited option, instead it was single rice, Chicken Inasal and Sprite. Along with that came chicken broth and soy sauce. Heavenly, it was. It was not just an ordinarily grilled chicken. There was something to it that made it very different, yet was a grilled chicken. No masala at all.

With that done, I came out of the Mall wanting to hire a taxi to the flower garden. That's when I spotted the habal-habal, the bike taxi. One of them agreed to take me to the Flower Garden, the Terrazas De Flores. It is considered to be a proud work of art by the local farmers using interlocking stones. Terrazas de Flores is a terraced botanical garden. Having read about the salubrious environ, the cabanas and viewing decks I reached the place only to find it closed. Disappointed, once again.

Without a doubt, one of the top attractions of Cebu City is the Tops Lookout. Last evening Jonathan had strongly suggested a visit to the La Vie in the Sky restaurant on the way to the Tops Lookout, which was closed due to inclement weather and landslides a few days back. In fact, all along the ride up the steep roads to Busay I could see many landslide locations at a distance. A part of the Busay road too was under the supervision and control of traffic enforcers.  It became much cooler as the bike took to the winding mountainous road.

La Vie in the Sky is one of the recent additions to the many mountain top restaurants on the Tops road. It has taken French dining experience to a new level, according to reviews. The location of the restaurant is such that people started going there just for the views. To discourage that and promote their business the owners now charge an entrance fee of 100 PHP that can be set off against the food and drink order. The restaurant is reputed to have some fine wines in their stock.

The decks offer glorious views of the skyline, the topo and the waters. The restaurant has been so aesthetically fitted out that it gives the feeling of actually being in one of the Parisian cafe-restaurants. After a leisurely cup for coffee on the deck, soaking in the magic and taking in every detail of the superb surroundings I left as I felt a few raindrops on my corpulent cheeks.

After some rest in the condo I walked down to the Luhag centre, briefly walking in through the wet market, where business was brisk after office hours. Fish and meat were on sale in plenty. Polite bargaining and quiet nods were the business tools. Many shopkeepers tried to entice me with deep discounts!

Not far from the Luhag junction was the JY Mall. The Supermarket in the Mall was incredibly busy with late evening shoppers filling their bags before returning home from work. I had a beef wrap in one of the eateries in the JY Mall and took a bike taxi back to Marco Polo. Cebu is on the radar of those who prefer a perfect blend of city and suburban life. It certainly has good food, beaches, a thriving entertainment scene, rich culture, happy people and modern conveniences for a comfortable life.