Photo Op: The Pacific Cebu Resort

Located in the island of Mactan, the Pacific Cebu Resort is a decent alternative to high-end and pricey resorts such as the Shangrila, Crimson and Plantation Bay. Offering basic accommodations and amenities, its simple and rustic features appeal to a different kind of crowd. It is marketed primarily in Japan as a dive resort since Mactan Island offers a rich variety of marine life and dive spots, fast becoming a favorite among diving afficionados.

During my quick visit last week, I walked around and took some shots which I would like to share with you.

The restaurant, as viewed from the beach.

Villa rooms.

Standard rooms.

The pool.

Very fine, but not so white sand.

Currently, they have special rates for local tourists. Check out their affordable rates, ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

For more information, visit their website by clicking here.

Cebu For A Day (and A Promise Fulfilled)

This was the only photo proof that I was in Cebu for a day. 

I took this shot as I settled on my seat on my flight back to Manila.

July 28 proved to be quite a busy day for me. I (as in literally alone, by mysellf) flew to Cebu to attend to a couple of meetings for work and I had to rush back to Manila that same afternoon to catch the second leg of the Azkal's game vs. Kuwait as part of my promise to my girls to join them.

I took Philippine Airline's first flight out to Cebu at 6:00 am. I left home at 4:20 am and got to the Centennial Terminal's check-in counter barely a few minutes before it closed. I heaved a huge sigh of relief when I made it on time as I had a previous experience when I was five minutes late and the check-in counter had closed up on me and the airline staff wouldn't budge on my pleas. Since then, I have learned my lesson and feel so tense whenever traffic builds up in the roads leading up to the airport. I am never at ease until I get my boarding pass. Trust me, it is never a good feeling to be always running late. Still, waking up so early is such a daunting task for me and I always find myself making it to the counter with just a few minutes to spare.

Back to July 28. The plane touched down in Mactan after an hour and 10 minutes of flying time. I took a cab to Cebu City and was quite early for my first meeting. So I grabbed some breakfast which later on proved to be my only rice meal for the day. By 9 am, my first meeting was underway and it lasted for a couple of hours.

After the meeting, as a breather, I went to Banilad Town Center in the hope of getting a pack of Zubuchon to take back home. Alas, I was greatly disappointed to find that the stall had moved to another site near Fuente Osmena. As my next meeting was to be held near Banilad, I decided to simply cross my fingers that their stall inside the Mactan International Airport was still there. 

Chains inside Banilad Town Center
(this photo was taken November 2010)

I strolled around the little mall and hoped for some good buys. I went inside Chains, an assortment of bazaar like stalls selling just about anything, and headed straight to Isabela, a supplier of little girls' dresses for Rustan's back in Manila. Their prices were 50% cheaper. I grabbed a simple party dress for my littlest girl.

And then I was off for my next meeting which lasted for an hour. Next, I met up with one of our staff who was based in Cebu. Very quickly, I was given updates and then I was off again for the airport. I haven't eaten lunch  and decided to just get something to eat at the airport. Check in was a breeze and I was eager to catch my 5:35 pm Cebu Pacific flight back. I lounged at a restaurant to kill time. Then I went inside the waiting area and looked for the Zubuchon stall. 

Zubuchon stall inside waiting area
of Mactan International Airport

fresh and frozen lechon packs

(again, both photos were taken November 2010)

Luckily, it was there and I got Anthony Bourdain's raved lechon to take home.

I wasn't so lucky with my  flight back though. It was delayed for almost 30 minutes. The staff said something about a delayed turn-around time. I sulked in a corner and called my girls and told them of my fate. I could hear their excitement as they were already on their way to see the Azkal's game.

The plane landed in Manila at way past 7pm. I easily got into a cab outside NAIA 3, quite thankful there wasn't a line at all this time. As expected, traffic was bad. I got off in the vicinity of Century Park Hotel and brisk-walked all the way to the stadium. I could hear the watching crowd roar, the excitement was palpable, and I walked as fast as I could, unmindful of the dark and the fear of getting mugged. I literally short of ran all the way to Gate.

By the time I got inside the Rizal Stadium, "the goal that Schrock-ed the world" had happened. It was 10 minutes into the second half of the game. The Azkals may have lost the game to the better Kuwait team, but they surely won the hearts of many Filipinos, football fans or otherwise. Filipino pride shone through that night. 

I, on the other hand, prided myelf in having my "mission" in Cebu accomplished. But more importantly, I took pride as a mom who flew back on the same day to fulfill a promise and simply be with the family.

Good Eats in Cebu - Part 3 - Royal Krua Thai Restaurant

On our second night, HB and I purposely veered away from Filipino food and tried the Royal Krua Thai Restaurant located at the Banilad Town Center.

Royal Krua Thai Restaurant in Banilad Town Center, Cebu

We ordered the Royal Sampler which consisted of breaded fish fillet, fried chicken pandan, Thai spring rolls, and fried beef in sesame seeds and it was served with three different sauces ...

Royal Sampler, Php 220

... and paired it with their crab fried rice ...

crab fried rice

... which was enough to nourish this happy couple below:

HB and I

Good Eats in Cebu - Part 2 - Abuhan Restaurant

For lunch on our second day, we went to Abuhan Dos Restaurant which is touted to serve the best pochero in Cebu.

Abuhan Dos Restaurant on F. Ramos Street in Cebu City

The following photos are shots of Abuhan Dos' menu to give you an idea of the restaurant's various offerings:

We did not think twice and ordered the dish which made this restaurant famous.

Beef Pochero, Medium Php 304

This was just the medium size order and HB and I had much difficulty finishing it. To say that it was sinfully delightful is an understatement. HB and I exercised self control in eating the bone marrow and each of us just took small portions. (pa-healthy kuno ;) ) The broth was very tasteful and it instantly warmed our tummies. In addition, the meat was very tender and easy to take off from the bone. 

And while Cebu's pochero is actually what Manilenos and Batanguenos call bulalo, we had no regrets in taking time to sample the Cebuano version of this classic Filipino comfort food.

Good Eats in Cebu - Part 1 - Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant

On our first night in Cebu, HB and I dined in one of Cebu's finest homegrown restaurant - Hukad sa Golden Cowrie which was located at the Terraces of the Ayala Center Cebu.

Menu board in front of the restaurant

interior dining area

exterior dining area

We chose to sit outside because we wanted to enjoy the view of the Ayala Center gardens.

overlooking the gardens of Ayala Center Cebu

For starters, we ordered the baked scallops

Baked Scallops, Php 123

and it was absolutely divine. As I popped the first scallop meat in my mouth, I felt my eyes open wide as I tasted the lemon butter and garlic and I felt the cheese melt. It was really delicious and baked to perfection. I easily understood why this dish is one of the restaurant's best seller.

Our next dish was a boo-boo of sorts. We ordered atchara (pickled unripe papaya) as a side dish and were surprised to be given this huge serving:

Atchara, Php 29

We couldn't help but laugh at ourselves and exclaimed that for less than 30 bucks, we did not order the  content of a whole bottle.

Our main course was the grilled baby back ribs.

Grilled Back Ribs Regular, Php 209

The meat was tender and succulent and it easily came off the bones. This was just the regular sized back ribs and it proved enough for a couple of not-so-heavy eaters.

We were curious when we saw that they served "blue crab" which was known locally in Cebu as lambay. For 110 bucks, we figured it was worth a try. We chose to have the crab grilled (the other option was steamed) and it was served with lemon butter sauce. 

Blue Crab (Lambay), Php 110

Though the crab was small in size, it was meaty and had plenty of the orange-colored deposits (which we Filipinos call taba or fat) beneath its shell.

Rice was served by a roving waitress who scooped it with a ladle from a wooden bucket to our plates. The restaurant's name, Hukad, was actually derived from this gesture. In addition, diners could ask repeatedly for more and eat all the rice they wanted. 

The service was good and efficient and we barely had trouble communicating with the purely Cebuano staff. Even when all our orders were served on our table, our waiter came up to us several times and asked us if there was anything else we wanted or needed.

It is no wonder then that the local Cebuanos take pride in recommending Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant. The affordable prices and quality of food make the dining experience memorable and worth coming back to.



__________________________

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
Telephone Number:  417.1301




Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant
Salinas Drive, Lahug
Cebu City
Telephone Numbers: 233.4670 ; 233.4243


Lower Ground Level, SM City Cebu
Telephone Number: 231.8530


Level 1, Robinson's Cybergate
Fuente, Cebu City
Telephone Number: 236.5740


Mactan Marina Mall
Lapu-lapu City, Cebu
Telephone Number: 238.1206


Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center
Cagayan de Oro City