Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines: An Industrial Bid

Posted on July 15th, 2007 in Cebu by Philippines Insider - Kim

Lapu-Lapu City is an industrial center in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is a historic site and a key city in the region and is bidding to become economically strong in the coming years. Here’s an overview of the many unique details about Lapu-Lapu City.

Lapu-Lapu City is located in the province of Cebu. It is on Mactan Island and is named after the island’s chieftain who, back in 1521, is believed to have killed Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator. Lapu-Lapu City was known then as Opon.

In 1886 a monument to Ferdinand Magellan was erected on the site of the battle at Lapu-Lapu City. You will also see a monument erected to Chief Lapu-Lapu on Lapu-Lapu City’s plaza.

Lapu-Lapu City is part of the Cebu metropolitan area and is connected to the rest of Cebu through the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. This bridge connects the island of Cebu to Lapu-Lapu City and the rest of the Mactan Island.

Lapu-Lapu City is a growing industrial center. It hosts a port that accommodates a variety of sea vessels. Lapu-Lapu City is also well noted for the thermal installations that supply energy for its growing economy. Corn mills and flourmills are found in the area, as well as a host of guitar shops make up Lapu-Lapu City’s industries — that also includes fishing.

The Mactan International Airport, one of the international airports of the Philippines, is located at Lapu-Lapu City. In 1979, an industrial tax-free zone was opened to cater to various business ventures and is known today as the Mactan Export Processing Zone. A lot of these business ventures are Japanese-owned, though there are still Filipino and jointly owned ventures catered there as well.

Lapu-Lapu City also draws in a number of local and foreign visitors making tourism an important part of the city’s economy. Lapu-Lapu City boasts of excellent beaches and dive spots that is home to corals and other marine life.

Two of the many famous tourist spots in Lapu-Lapu City are the Magellan Market and the Lapu-Lapu Monument. The Magellan Marker is located in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City. Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island to spread the Christian faith in the Philippines. Before he reached the island’s shores he and his men were killed in a battle dated April 27, 1521. Magellan’s body was never recovered from the natives in spite of efforts to buy it from them. The marker was erected in 1866 on the spot where the explorer died.

Also located in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, is the Lapu-Lapu Monument erected in honor of the chieftain who defended the island people’s freedom. The monument stands as a reminder of the bravery of the Filipino people.

To get to Lapu-Lapu City we either go by ship or by air. The airfare to Lapu-Lapu City from Manila would cost an average of Php 4,000 (flights scheduled daily). The travel by ship from Manila to Lapu-Lapu City would also cost as much as Php 4,000 for a luxury suite. Hotel accommodations at Lapu-Lapu City range from US $60 to US $100.

Lapu-Lapu City is a great bid for a wonderful holiday and an interesting place to start a business. The many opportunities presented by the city makes it a growing competitor in the economy of the Philippines.

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Welcome to Cebu City, Philippines

Posted on July 9th, 2007 in Cebu by Philippines Insider - Kim

Dubbed as the Queen City of the South, Cebu City is one of the historic sites and thriving cities of the Philippines. Cebu City is one of the oldest cities in the country. It is disputed to have the oldest street in all of the Philippines — Colon Street.

Cebu City may be old, but the nightlife here isn’t really ancient. Cebu City may well be termed as the resort of the Visayas region. It has a thriving commercial center, an international harbor, and is the second city in the Philippines.

The history of the Philippines is well marked in Cebu City. Its vicinity is the place where much of Philippine-Spanish history started. Here is the place where the Spanish first landed for conquest. Evidence of which is Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the country. This was built under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565, a Spanish Conquistador.

Other than Fort San Pedro, Cebu City has a host of other tourist spots to visit. Colon Street, in the downtown area, is the oldest street in the country. Built by the Spaniards during the conquest here in the country, the place was once known as the Parian District. The street nowadays is the center of Cebu City’s nightlife. Lined by movie houses, department stores, restaurants, and business establishments, Colon Street is now a center of commerce in Cebu City.

Casa Gorordo Museum is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. You’ll be treated to a tour of life in the late 1800s. The place is marked by relics of the era that includes antique furniture, and a Spanish style courtyard.

Another popular site in Cebu City is the Magellan’s cross. It features a wooden cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan over 450 years ago. It commemorates the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines.

The University of San Carlos, Cebu City is the oldest school in the Philippines. It was established in 1565 and was formerly known as Colegio de San Ildefonso.

Other tourist spots in Cebu City feature other religious sites like a Taoist Temple (a lot of people climb its 99 steps everyday just to have their fortunes read to them) and the Heavenly Temple of Charity (the natural spring located in this temple is believed to have healing effects).

Cebu City is also famous for its festivals. First of these is the Sinulog Festival celebrated every third Sunday of January. It’s the biggest festival in Cebu City, and is held in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Santo Nino de Cebu.

Some of the other festivities include the Tres De Abril Celebration (commemorating the Spanish resistance) and Paskuhan (a province-wide Christmas celebration).

How to get to Cebu City? Flights from Manila to Cebu City are scheduled daily priced at Php 1,700 to Php 4,000. Another way to get to Cebu City is by ship with costs ranging from Php 2,000 to Php 3,600. Accommodations in Cebu City range from $18 to $600 from a night at a beach resort to a room in a grand hotel.

Come visit Cebu City to experience a mix of modern and historic life. Be prepared to experience the busy city life laced with a whiff of fresh sea air.

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