Visit masbate ( the cattle country of the Philippines )

Masbate City is located on the Island of Masbate (pronounced (mas bah ti), which is in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. The Province of Masbate is composed of 3 major islands, Masbate, Ticao ,and Burias. Masbate Island is boomerang shaped and easy to locate by looking directly in the center of the Philippine Islands. Masbate City is the largest city on the Island and geographically located on the North Central coast of the island. 

The language of Masbate is Masbateno which is very close to illongo (spoken in Iloilo). English and Tagalog are also spoken and taught in all schools.

There are 30 Barangays (or villages) and a estimated population of over 250,000 (in 2008) in Masbate City which is the fastest growing city on the Island. 

How to get to Masbate:

By bus

There's a daily trip going from Manila to Masbate via RoRo bus, the terminal is located at Cubao in Quezon City. This is part of the Nautical Highway, the bus will be carried by the RoRo boat from Pilar to Masbate City port. It costs ₱1,150 one way for a/c buses, ₱850 for one way for ordinary buses. There is a trip in the opposite direction leaving Masbate Pier at 11:30am.

A RoRo bus also departs Masbate City daily at 8:30am bound for Cebu City, using the Montenegro Lines boat to Polambato. Fare is ₱800.

By plane

AirPhil Express, flying daily, is now the only carrier from Manila to Masbate as Zest-air ceased flying to Masbate in May 2013. Cebu Pacific also flies four times weekly from Cebu, having taken over the vacant Zest air slot. Please be aware that both airlines can and do cancel at very short notice, and it is not unusual to be returning to either Manila or Cebu when in flight due to poor weather conditions at Masbate. Both airlines leave from their respective terminals during early morning. UPDATE, May 2014: Cebu Pacific no longer lists Masbate in any of their timetables, so flying direct to/from Cebu is not currently an option.

By boat

Several boats per day depart Pilar in the province of Sorsogon on Luzon to Masbate City. By Fast craft, it is a 1.5-2hr crossing and costs ₱400, much longer if using other cheaper ferry options (3hours+, ₱250).

Two RoRo ferries leave daily at midnight from Polambato Port (just north of Bogo on Cebu Island), bound for two different destinations on Masbate. Montenegro Lines crosses to Cataingan on the western side of Masbate, while Super Shuttle Ferry operates a boat to Cawayan in eastern Masbate. Fare is ₱365 for Montenegro, ₱380 for the Super Shuttle. Both crossings take about 6hours and the return trips leave their respective ports at midday,

Asian Marine Transport Corporation runs a weekly ferry from Batangas (departs 9pm Tuesdays, ₱555) and Cebu (departs 12pm Sundays, ₱555). The ferry actually runs all the way from Cagayan de Oro on Mindanao via Cebu, (₱960 all the way to Masbate).

There are also boats from Lucena in Luzon.

Trans Asia Ferry Company runs a ferry to Cebu city on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00PM (arriving 8:00AM). It was also running on Sundays, but that no longer seems to be the case as of May 2014. Their schedules can be found here

Montenegro Ferry Company runs a daily RORO ferry to Cebu, leaving from the port in Cataingan (south of Masbate city) at 12:00 noon. Montenegro buses leave from the port in Masbate at 8:30AM to connect to this ferry. Cokaliong shipping depart from cebu port at 7pm arrive at Masbate port at 6am ( fare php720 ). 2GO shipping ( cebu via ormoc via Masbate ) depart at cebu port 6pm arrive at Masbate port 8am ( fare php680 ).

  

 

The Rodeo Masbateño Festival is an annual event which takes place in Masbate City which showcases skills in livestock handling, such as lassoing, wrestling, and riding cattle. Also included in the event are a fair and exhibitions and trade of cattle and horses. The event has taken place every summer since 1993 in the province of Masbate, which is traditionally considered the “Cattle Country of the Philippines.” Rodeo Masbateño festival is celebrate every month of April. ( whole week of celebration )

Lapay bantigue dance festival ( month of September )

lapay Bantigue Dance Festival It is celebrated annually during the City Anniversary on 30th day of September. It is a local dance art festival that originated from the graceful movements of hovering birds known as seagulls or the LAPAY, found abundant in Barangay Bantigue, Masbate.  Flocks of lapay seagulls created a marvelopus scenery and inspired the old folks to come up with a local folk dance, that since then has exited and has become an important aspect of the local culture of the people of Brgy. Bantigue and the entire Masbate. 

Here are some hotel to choose from:

Green view hotel 

located at Nursery St. City of Masbate.

For Hotel Reservations or Availability contact

056-333-6241 (if calling from inside the Philippines)

63 56 333-6241 (if calling from outside the Philippines)

63-9206119650 - mobile phone.

Baywalk Hotel 

welcomes Masbate visitors and tourists with the beautiful surroundings and friendly staff. Baywalk offers more rooms than any hotels located in Masbate proper. For more information and availability please contact Baywalk Hotel at Telephone Number (056) 333- 6648 or cell 09073042331. If calling from outside Philippines please dial the country code (63) prior to the number.

Seaman's Hotel 

located at 28 Danao Street, Barangay Bapor, Masbate City. For inquiries and reservations you may call Telephone (056) 6672-333.

SeaBlick Hotel 

is related to the MG Hotel

which is very close by.

For more information contact:

056 333-6911 (if calling from within the Philippines)

63 56 333-6911 (if calling from outside the Philippies)

GV Hotels Masbate

Danao Street, Masbate City

Tel. :+63 56 333-6844

 Here are some restaurant / café / bar to choose from:

( for now a lot of establishment are opening for restaurant and bars )

RESTAURANTS/CAFES

Name of Establishment	Location
Ampere’z	Ibingay St., Masbate City
Bulalohan Restaurant	Ibingay Blvd., Masbate City
CFT Restaurant	Cagba, Tugbo, Masbate City
D’San Restaurant	Quezon & Tara St., Masbate City
Eden’s Cafe	Airport Rd., Masbate City
Eden’s Plaza	Rosero St., Masbate City
Jonas Snack House	Tara St., Masbate City
Lantau Restaurant	Ibingay Blvd., Masbate City
Masbate Snack House	Domingo St., Masbate City
Park ‘N Eat Fastfood	Ibingay Blvd., Masbate City
Pizza Italiano	Ibañez St., Masbate City
Rendezvous Hotel	Punta Nursery, Masbate City
Snappy’s Snack House	Ibañez St., Masbate City
Shimmery Land	Ibingay Blvd., Masbate City
Winvel’s Restaurant	Zurbito St., Masbate City
St Anthony Restaurant	Quezon St., Masbate City
Xiamen Restaurant	Ibañez St., Masbate City
Tita Baying’s Food Haus	Domingo St., Masbate City

BARS/DISCOS 

Name of Establishment	Location
Angeline’s Bar	Rosero St.,Masbate City
Arma	Quezon St., Masbate City
Lantua Videoke Bar	Boulevard, Masbate City
Maui Bar	Kinamaligan, Masbate City
Morning Seven	Boulevard, Masbate City
Nichioh Laser Disc	Tara St., Masbate City
Punong Bar and Grill	Quezon St., Masbate City
Rancher’s Bar and Grill	Tara St., Masbate City
Rendezvous Bar	Boulevard, Masbate City
Roger Bistro Bar	Nursery St., Masbate City
Sakura	Ibañez St., Masbate City

Just in case you have allotted time in Masbate try to visit my link below to enjoy more in Masbate.

http://angel-celynrejusogmailcom.blogspot.com/2015/01/halea-beach-resort-san-miguel-island.html

http://angel-celynrejusogmailcom.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-sanctuary-of-masbate-city.html

http://angel-celynrejusogmailcom.blogspot.com/2013/07/cogon-paradise-to-be.html

enjoy……….

my Top 10 Tourist spot within the City of Cebu ( must visit )

1.     The capitol building of Cebu city

Declared a National Historical Landmark, the Cebu Provincial Capitol is known as one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the Philippines.

 it was built in 1937  The historic structure sustained damages during World War II but was immediately rehabilitated after.

It was designed by the late famous Filipino architect Juan Marcos Arellano, who was also the man behind structures like Manila’s Metropolitan Theater, the National Museum of the Philippines and the Manila Central Post Office Building.

The Cebu Provincial Capitol building has a U shape with three levels at the main building, capped by a dome and flanked by two-level wings. Tall columns rise from each end of the façade – the left one carrying a male statue while the right one carries a female statue, both dressed in Roman costumes.

How to get there:

----from colon area ride a jeep going capitol ( signage capitol ) fare php7

2.     The Magellan cross

Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to come to the Philippines in 1521.  When he and his crews landed on Cebu island, a native chief, Rajah Humabon, met and befriended him. Rajah Humabon, his wife and hundreds of his native warriors agreed to accept Christianity and were consequently baptized. Magellan planted a cross to signify this important event about the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith in what is now Cebu, in central Philippines. The original cross is reputedly encased in another wooden cross for protection, as people started chipping it away in the belief that it had miraculous healing powers. This prompted the government officials to encase it in tindalo wood and secured it inside a small chapel called "kiosk." Some say, however, that the original cross was actually destroyed. The Magellan cross displayed here is said to be a replica of such cross. It is housed in a small chapel located in front of the present city hall of Cebu, along Magallanes Street (named in honor of Magellan).

How to get there:

 from the down town area of colon, malalakad muna going to Magellan cross. Or ride a jeep ( signage sto.nino )

3.     Basilica minore del  santo Nino de cebu

The Santo Niño de Cebú (Spanish: Holy Child of Cebu/Batang Banal ng Cebu in Filipino) is a Roman Catholic title of Jesus Christ associated with a religious vested statue of the infant Child Jesus venerated by many Filipino Catholics who believe it to be miraculous. It is the oldest religious Christian image in the Philippines, and was originally given in 1521 as a baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan via Antonio Pigafetta, who physically handed it to Lady Humamay, the chief consort of Rajah Humabon, along with a statue of Our Lady of Remedies of Cebu (Virgen de los Remedios de Cebu) and the bust of the Ecce Homo (the suffering Christ when he was presented by Pilate to the crowd).

Note: here in sto nino a lot of old lady ( young at heart ) carrying candle asking para “padagkot, pasalamat kay to.nino”….( candle price php5/pc. to php10/pc.)

How to get there:

 from colon area, malalakad muna going to sto.nino.or ride a jeep ( signage sto.nino ) fare php7

4.     Cebu metropolitan cathedral

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, also as The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of St. Vitales (consecrated to the blessed name of Jesus and dedicated to the saint), or The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Vitales is the ecclesiastical seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cebu in Cebu, Philippines.Cebu was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595. It was elevated as a metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934 with the dioceses of Dumaguete, Maasin, Tagbilaran, andTalibon as suffragans. Before being raised as a primatial church in Cebu, the temple was the first church in the Philippines dedicated to St. Vitales and built near the fort in April of 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray Andrés de Urdaneta.

How to get there:

 from colon area, pwede mo lang malakad going to cathedral or ride a jeep ( signage cathedral ) fare php7 

5.     Fort san perdo

Fuerte de San Pedro is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu. It is located in the area now called Plaza Indepedencia, in the pier area of the city. The smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was built in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. In turn, it served as a stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries near the end of the 19th century. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

The fort is triangular in shape, with two sides facing the sea and the third side fronting the land. The two sides facing the sea were defended with artillery and the front with a strong palisade made of wood. The three bastions were named La Concepción (SW); Ignacio de Loyola (SE), and San Miguel (NE). It has a total inside area of 2,025 square metres (21,800 sq ft). The walls are 6.1 metres high by 2.4 metres thick (20 feet high by 8 feet thick), and the towers are 9.1 metres (30 ft) high from the ground level. The circumference is 380 metres (1,248 ft). The sides are of unequal lengths and the one fronting the city is where one may find entry into the fort. Fourteen cannons were mounted in their emplacements most of which are still there today. Work first started in 1565 with Miguel Lopéz de Legazpi breaking ground.

How to get there:

 from colon area you can ride a jeep going to fort san pedro ( signage sa jeep SM ) just tell the driver to drop you off at fort san pedro. Fare php7

6.     The basilica del santo nino museum

The Basilica del Santo Nino Museum was first opened to the public in 1965, for the 4th centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines of which the shrine was the center of festivities. 

The museum was established by Fr. Ambrosio "Boy" Galindez, O.S.A, to store, preserve and exhibit the religious artifacts of the local Augustinian community, particularly the treasures of the Santo Nino as "the fine arts are rightly classed among the noblest activities of man's genius..(in its) highest manifestations (as) sacred art. "The museum, is therefore as stated in the church document (Sacrosanctum Concilium) a repository of "the arts (that) are directed toward expressing in some way the infinite beauty of God in works made by human hands..."

How to get there:

 at colon area pwede mo lang malakad going to sto.nino museum, its just near sto. Nino church or ride a jeep ( signage sto.nino ) fare php7

7.     Mountain view

This is the place wherein you can relax close to nature, definitely you will love this place……to know more about mountain view click my link below…..

 http://angel-celynrejusogmailcom.blogspot.com/2013/06/swimming-with-ambiance-of-nature.html

or click this another link, http://angel-celynrejusogmailcom.blogspot.com/2012/10/mountain-view.html

8.     The south road propriety ( SRP )

  

The City of Cebu’s South Road Properties (SRP) is a whole new dimension in mixed-use development in the tropical Philippines.The SRP is located on the east coast of cosmopolitan Cebu City, capital of Cebu Province. Cebu, where the shimmer of sand, sea and sky is rivaled only by the brilliance of its illustrious history and rich culture, the intensity of its talented and hospitable people.The SRP was developed and is owned by the City of Cebu. It has a total area of 300 hectares, prime property set on reclaimed land along the city’s east coast, a stone’s throw from the central business district, the hub of trade and commerce in the central and southern Philippines.

How to get there: 

for now there is no public transport going to SRP, you can reach SRP by riding a taxi ( private cab ).

9.     The carbon public market

The Carbon Market is the oldest and largest farmer's market in Cebu City, located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, and is a major tourist attraction.It is wheelchair accessible. It is located in downtown Cebu City, on MC Briones Street, Ermita barangay, and it can be reached by most buses or jeepneys in that area. Wares sold include clothingand kalamansi, baskets from Bohol, fish, chickens, and tripe as well as souvenirs and handicrafts.

Although there is significant crime in the downtown area around the Carbon Market, the crimes are controlled by police, the vendors, and nearby residents.

in carbon lahat nandito from fruits, vegetables, meat,chickens, fish, flowers, cloths, etc....etc.....

^{how to get there:}

 ^from colon area ride a jeep ( signage carbon ) or pwede mo naman lakarin going to carbon. Fare php7

10.                        Tabo-an market

  

Tabo-an is one of the trade mark of cebu when it comes to dried fish, a lot of dried fish to choice from. You can catch a different kind of fresh fish here early in the morning and it’s cheaper compare to the market ( dito kasi ang bagsakan )

Note: pag.pumunta ka ditto mangangamoy kang dried fish din.

How to get there:

 from colon, just ride a jeep going to tabo-an ( signage tabo-an ) fare php7.