More than the undeniably beautiful beaches, rich culture, vibrant feasts, and amazing people, Cebu is known as the home of the best-tasting local delicacies — including its distinct lechon. In fact, Cebu lechon has always been touted as the best lechon in the Philippines where this is always present in special gatherings with friends and family.
Though lechon can be bought almost anywhere in Cebu, only very few can actually deliver — the tender juicy native and crispy lechon Cebuanos have always loved. Ayers Lechon, one of Cebu’s emerging suppliers of the best-tasting lechon, promises to live up to your expectations and fix your Cebu lechon cravings.
Cebu’s Ayers Lechon is a popular Filipino restaurant in Cebu where you can get your hands not only on the mouth-watering Cebu lechon, but also other delicious native Filipino dishes.
Aside from the regular and spicy lechon, other best-sellers include Sizzling Lechon Sisig, Dugo-dugo, Paksiw, Prichon, and the new Lomi and Sinigang Lechon.
Sisig – P60
Dugodugo – P40
Ngohiong with Rice – P33
Kimchi – P40
Spiced Bangus – P99
Pork BBQ – P99
Chicken BBQ – P99
Bopis – P55
Paksiw w/ Rice – P79
Sinigang Lechon – P250
Food Menu
What also sets apart Ayers Lechon from others is, the restaurant has more than 10 branches all over Cebu — with one at Mactan Airport (Domestic Departure area). Its main branch is at Gate 777 across Cebu Country Club in Banilad.
Most of all, you will love their flagship store at Mango Square in General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City. They have live acoustic nights every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM. The area is very spacious, too!
Other information
Branches
3/F SM CITY CEBU -260-7438
SM CITY CEBU SUPERMARKET – 0922-471-8604
3/F SKYPARK SM SEASIDE – 231-9781
MCIA DOMESTIC DEPARTURE – 233-5600
G/F ELIZABETH MALL – 253-5553
GAISANO CAPITAL SOUTH – 253-2116
2/F i2 BLGD. IT PARK – 0923-734-0022
SKYRISE 1 BLDG. IT PARK – 238-1525
THE MACTAN NEWTOWN (ALFRESCO – 232-1475
MANGO AVENUE – 266-5705
3/F JCENTER MALL (FOOD COURT) – SOON TO OPEN
GATE 777 ACROSS CEBU COUNTRY CLUB, BANILAD ROAD CEBU CITY (MAIN OFFICE) – (032) 231-7615 / 0922-826-8133 / 0927-440-6891
There are a lot of things to do in Cebu. You can swim in the beach, you can chase waterfalls or you can have a glamping trip. Or you can feel at home and dine and enjoy the picturesque view at Balay sa Busay. It is where you experience the tastiest modern Filipino food while enjoying the unobstructed, magnificent view of Cebu.
Balay sa Busay is the newest mountain-top restaurant in Cebu and we just love everything about it.
Comfort food made interesting!
“There are always those hard times when we miss home cooked food. The feeling of eating at home with the taste that we know of… nobody can take that away”.
If this is what you are expecting from Balay sa Busay, we hate to burst your bubble because you will surely get more than the “familiar food” feel. It is comfort food made interesting.
Balay sa Bulay serves modern Filipino food… recipes made with the Filipinos’ taste buds in mind. The resto makes use of native ingredients and used it differently. It is hard to find a word to describe how familiar, at the same time, distinct the food is. Two things for sure, the food is interesting and delicious!
We will just let these mouthwatering food photos below speak.
Paella-inspired Pinakbet Rice
Stone-pot Pochero Rice
Pancit-Batil-Patong
Adobong Binisaya ni Bebe
Balay sa Busay will also serve Lechon very soon. What a delight!
Cocktails and drinks are also available. The view is best enjoyed with a glass of Kyle’s Margarita!
MENU
The gorgeous house!
The view at Busay never fails to capture our hearts and Balay sa Busay have an unobstructed view of Cebu. Great food with a great view, what more can we ask.
The restaurant gives off a very comfortable feeling and a lot of breathing. The high ceiling, the home-like interior and almost every part is Instagrammable. I mean it, because even the comfort room has a vanity mirror.
Dining in the alfresco area with a magnificent view is a pleasant experience. And it sure would be heart-melting to be dining surrounding with fog.
Other information
Operating hours: 11AM to 11PM, Mondays to Sundays
WiFi: Yes
Contact number: (032) 354 7169
Social:Facebook Page – Open for reservations / bookings for exclusive events or private parties. They also have a function room that can accommodate up to 40pax.
How to get there?
Exact location: Brgy. Busay, Cebu Transcentral Highway, Cebu City — along the road on the way to the popular Tops Lookout (20-30 minutes drive from JY Square Mall in Lahug, Cebu City)
BY CAR: (Best option) Parking space available. Just search for ‘Balay sa Busay’ or ‘Tops Lookout’ in Cebu Transcentral Highway via Waze or Google Maps. ‘Balay sa Busay’ restaurant is located beside Cabanas.
BY HABAL-HABAL: Hire a habal-habal driver (Motorcycle for hire) near JY Square Mall in Lahug, and inform him to drop you off at the said restaurant or at Tops Lookout. Estimated fare is P100 per person (max of 2).
BY TAXI: Hiring a taxi cab is possible but that can be hefty. Most of them won’t give you a metered reading system – hence, they’ll be offering you an estimated fare in going there.
Got an important document to send on the same day? Left your key, headphone or charger but nobody at home has the time to deliver it to you? Sending a special gift to a special someone? Whatever it is, KARGADOOR.PH will save YOUR day!
Proudly made by a Cebu-based tech startup, the KARGADOOR.PH provides you a hassle-free transportation and delivery services ranging from various types of vehicles — from a motorbike that can deliver a small parcel or food and drinks, to trucks that can deliver household items for lipat-bahay or even huge supplies like construction supplies or equipment, and machinery.
Whether you book now or book later, KARGADOOR.PH allows you to manage your bookings, transportation and requirements. Try it now and start booking your lipat-bahay, furniture purchase, parcels, documents, groceries, and food.
How to start booking?
Step 1: Open Kargadoor.ph.
On your mobile phone or laptop, open Google Chrome or any web browser, and go to www.kargadoor.ph
Anytime this year, they will be launching the mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.
Step 2: Reserve now or later.
Simply enter all the details. You have the option to reserve a vehicle now or at a later date.
Step 3: Confirm.
Select and confirm a vehicle, then BOOK!
Yep, it’s that easy!
Sample
What they deliver?
They deliver almost any kinds of item — from the smallest parcel and food items that can be carried by a motorbike, to the huge supplies that can be delivered by a truck.
Known for its wildlife sanctuary, Olango Island is a group of islands found in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines and is a part of Cebu Province. It lies 5 km east (20-minute boat ride) of Mactan Island and is a major tourist destination in Cebu.
Recently trending on social media is this relatively new resort in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City — the Talima Beach Villas & Dive Resort. It has been recommended for its affordability, very accommodating staff, good food, and relaxing beach vibes.
Exact location: Brgy. Talima, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu — 1-2 hours away from the city.
Olango Island is only about 20 min boat ride from Mactan Island. There are 2 piers to catch boats, one is located in Hilton Port (beside Mövenpick Resort in Punta Engano) and the other is in Portofino resort. Boat fare is only ₱15 /head (one-way).
– From SM City, ride a 01K jeep (across APM Mall or near Sun Gold) going to Parkmall. Or ride 01K jeep from Emall. – From Parkmall, ride a jeep heading to Punta Engaño and drop off at Angasil port beside Movenpick Resort. Boat fare is ₱20 per person (one-way). – Once you have arrived at the port, look for the boat going to Olango Island. – From there, ride a motorcycle and inform the driver to drop you off at Talima Beach Villas and Resort. Motorcycle fare is ₱30 per person (one-way). Or you may opt for a tricycle — fare is ₱150 good for 4-6 persons.
Christmas is indeed merrier this year for the Cebuanos because winter is finally coming to CEBU!
As the “-ber” months settle in, there’s no stopping us from celebrating the Christmas season! Just in time for the holidays, our winter dreams are finally coming true — frolicking the white snow, exhaling the ice cold environment, and building our own snowman! It’s going to be winter everyday in Cebu, at the world-class snow capital of the Philippines — Snow World Cebu!
SNOW WORLD CEBU, a world-class indoor theme park, is the FIRST of its kind in the Southern part of the Philippines that offers the public a touch of real snow, the thrill and excitement of ice slide and stunning ice sculptures carved by the finest carvers in the Philippines.
With an area of 2,000-square meter, Snow World Cebu is bigger than its counterpart in Pasay City, Manila. It is open DAILY from 1PM to 8PM on weekdays and 11AM to 8PM on weekends.
Exhaling in a really cold environment, the water vapor in your breath condenses into lots of tiny droplets of liquid and ice that you can see in the air as a cloud, similar to fog.
Here are some of the exciting highlights we can expect at Snow World Cebu:
✔ Real natural snow experience
✔ Ice slide ride
✔ Viewing of giant ice figures
✔ Keep your tummy warm while inside this winter wonderland by ordering hot coffee and chocolate at the ice bar.
…there’s just really a lot to do at the amazing SNOW WORLD CEBU!
Rates & Other Information
Entrance fee: ₱350 per head (both adults and kids) – Unlimited entry on that day – NO time limit inside
Opening date: starting November 11, 2018
Operating hours: – Mondays to Fridays: 1PM to 8PM – Saturdays & Sundays: 11AM to 8PM
Friendly Reminders
Any kinds of camera, video camera and mobile phone as camera are NOT allowed to use inside Snow World. There are in-house photographers who can take your photos for ₱200 per printed photo (with soft copy or online access at online-mypictures.com.ph.
Not for the guests who has hypertension, asthma, pneumonia, cold, fever & flu, heart problem, previous operations in the bones (minor and major), with Claustrophobia and pregnant women.
Wearing of sandals, slippers, and/or high heels are NOT allowed inside Snow World. However shoe rental is available.
Only children of 3 years old and above are allowed to enter Snow World.
Guests who are 4 feet tall and above only, are allowed to do the ice slide. Below 4 feet must be accompanied by parents or guardians.
Exact location: Snow World Cebu is located inside Belmont One’s Anjo World Theme Park in Cebu South Road, Upper Calajoan, Minglanilla, Southern Cebu — only 1-1.5 hours away from Cebu City and 15-30 minutes from Starmall near SRP.
BY JEEPNEY: – From CIT University or Punta Princesa or Bulacao/Pardo, ride any jeepney (usually 43/44) going to Minglanilla / Naga. – From SM City Cebu, ride any jeepney (usually 10H) bound for Bulacao or Pardo. From there, ride another jeepney (43/44) going to Minglanilla / Naga. – Or from Ayala Center Cebu, ride a 12L jeepney going to Punta Princesa. …then inform the driver to drop you off at Anjo World Theme Park or at Petron Gas Station in Calajoan.
BY BUS: You can also ride any bus or mini bus going south from the South Bus Terminal. Make sure to inform the driver or konduktor ahead that you’re dropping off at Petron Gas Station in Calajoan, Minglanilla.
BY CAR/GRAB/TAXI: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps, and set your destination to “Belmont One” in Minglanilla.
Eat-all-you-can’s are popping out everywhere. It’s a thing now, but still a sure hit among Filipino customers. Though satisfied, it cannot be denied we feel guilty after exiting from a buffet restaurant.
Persian Palate, a relatively known veggie restaurant in Cebu, recently introduced their healthy, veggie buffet at a very affordable price of ₱195 per person. Not only you can enjoy a guilt-free gastronomic experience where your stomachs are literally the limit, this can also be the time you’d consider eating healthy, living healthy.
Open every Thursday to Saturday from 6PM to 10PM, Persian Palate is located at Mango Square in General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.
Food Choices
Other information
Buffet price: ₱195 per person
Buffet hours: 6PM to 10PM, Thursdays to Saturdays only (Mango branch only)
Exact location: Mango Square, General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City — only 5 minutes away from Fuente Osmena Circle.
BY JEEPNEY: Ride any jeepney going to General Maxilom and drop off at National Bookstore or Mango Square Mall.
– 12L, from Punta Princesa/Labangon or Banawa
– 04C, from Lahug / Carbon, Colon
– 17C, from Apas / Carbon, Colon
BY CAR: If you’re bringing your own vehicle or hailing a taxi/Grabcar, just navigate with Waze or set your destination to “Mango Square” where National Bookstore is located. Parking space is available.
Well, if you ask me, I will NEVER get tired of hearing the word UNLIMITED when it comes to food. Besides getting more value of my hard-earned money, I just can’t say no to good food, most especially if it’s a buffet or eat-all-you-can. And this particular Mexican restaurant is getting some attention on social media.
MexiMama – Fast Good Mexican Diner at Parkmall Cebu has been offering this for quite some time now — the UNLIMITED Ribs, Wings & Pork Chops with unli rice and bottomless iced tea for ₱299 per person only. Because of its massive success, they are making the “unli promo” a regular option now, and is available daily from 11AM to 9PM.
MexiMama is located at the 2nd floor West Strip Area at Parkmall Mandaue near the New Terminal.
✔ UNLIMITED BBQ Ribs
✔ UNLIMITED Chicken Wings
✔ UNLIMITED Pork Chops
✔ UNLIMITED Rice
✔ BOTTOMLESS Iced Tea
With 6 sauces to choose from: Mango-Jalapeno, Sweet Chili Soy & Lime, Orange Chipotle BBQ Sauce, Garlic Parmesan, Spicy Teriyaki, and Lime, Habanero and Honey Glaze.
…all these for only ₱299 per person!
The Rules
NO Leftovers
NO Take aways
Refills will be done once items are fully consumed.
Exact location: 2nd floor West Strip Area at Parkmall Mandaue (near the New Terminal) — 15-30 minutes away from SM City Cebu.
BY JEEPNEY: Ride any jeepney going to Parkmall. Or from SM City, ride a 01K jeep (across APM Mall or near Sun Gold) going to Parkmall. Or ride 01K jeep from Emall. ₱7-15 fare.
BY CAR: If you’re bringing your own vehicle or hailing a taxi/Grabcar, just navigate with Waze or set your destination to “Parkmall”.
Want to host the best and coolest party in Cebu? Chillout Mobile Bar is sure to impress your guests with an amazing line of drinks and cocktails.
Established in 2011, Chillout Mobile Bar is the first beverage catering service (mobile & cocktail bar) in Cebu. They offer UNLIMITED drinks — cocktails, mocktails, shooters, flamers shots — for as low as ₱120 per person, and cater any kind of events like bar hosting, private/corporate events, weddings, debuts, house or pool parties, etc. This is also perfect for the Holiday and Year-End events like Christmas Parties, Corporate Gatherings, and Corporate Year End Parties.
To pump up the party vibes, Chillout Mobile Bar also has its own LED-powered bar set-up to any venue or anywhere you want it. And they have 6 affordable packages to choose from.
*Unlimited Drinks has a time limit of 3 hours. But you may contact them to customize packages for you.
Following her highly successful two-night solo concert in Manila last February, Moira dela Torre is all set to bring the “Tagpuan” concert to Cebu this November 17, 2018 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino — with special guests Yeng Constantino and YouTuber Janina Vela.
2017 proved to be a breakthrough year for Moira with “Titibo-tibo,” the song she interpreted in Himig Handog 2017, bagging the grand prize for the prestigious songwriting competition, and her covers of popular OPM hits “Torete” and “Sundo” gaining tremendous traction.
Cebuanos will surely enjoy a night of pure music featuring the artists’ Hit Singles and OPM Songs. This concert is brought to you by TSE Live, Inc.
Here’s everything you need to know about the concert:
CONCERT DETAILS:
MOIRA DELA TORRE, LIVE IN CEBU
Special guests: Yeng Constantino and YouTuber Janina Vela
November 17, 2018 (Saturday) @ 8PM
Grand Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
It is no debate that Bantayan Island is a world-renowned beach destination in Cebu. It has one of the most amazing pristine white sand beaches in the Philippines with so many beautiful attractions you can tour around the island. And there is this little island nearby that became very popular because of “word of mouth”.
A 30-minute boat ride from Bantayan Island, Virgin Island is one of the main attractions in Bantayan Island that has an untouched white beach and crystal clear waters where snorkeling can be enjoyed.
Though more expensive than usual and may not be ideal for budget-conscious travelers (see rates below), Virgin Island is private and maintained in good conditions. It is perfect for tourists who really have the heart for beaches and those who want to just chill and relax. The island also has cottages that you can rent price would depend on the type of cottage you would like to rent. There are hammocks which are free. And there is a local restaurant bar so you can have a meal or a drink.
Photo by Raynard Vaño
Photo by Raynard Vaño
Photo by Raynard Vaño
Things You Can Do at Virgin Island
✔ Pristine white sand beach (at par with Boracay)
✔ Snorkeling
✔ Beach volleyball
✔ Chill. Drink. Eat.
TRAVEL TIPS
Virgin Island is deal for groups (at least 5pax). If you are a solo traveler or a couple, you might need to shell out more. It’s best if you join other groups from the mainland or book a tour package.
Everything is expensive in the island. If you want to save, bring:
– Water & food (You can save a lot if you buy from the public market in the mainland)
– Goggles, Snorkeling gears (or rent ahead from the mainland)
The beach is really great, but don’t expect too much on the island’s facilities and amenities.
If you need to sit on the cottage area, you will be asked to pay. If you don’t want to pay, you can bring your own portable chairs.
Rates & Other Information
Boat ride
There is no regular passenger boats from the mainland. Make sure you ask around if there are no boats. Or plan ahead with the hotel or resort you’re in.
Below are the estimated boat fares for your reference. Note, these are not fixed but being a good negotiator is an advantage.
– ₱1,500 one-way good for 12 persons (or ₱125 each)
– ₱1,000 one-way good for 8 persons (or ₱125 each)
Day Use Rates
Entrance fee: ₱500 for 2 persons, and ₱100 additional per person in excess of 2
Cottages: ₱300, ₱500, ₱600, ₱1,000 and ₱1,500
– Day use: 9AM to 5PM
Overnight Rates
NON-AIRCON COTTAGES
– Cabana: ₱1,500 for 2 pax (maximum of 4 pax)
– Open cottage: ₱1,500 for 5 pax
– ₱200 for every succeeding persons
AIRCON COTTAGES
– Bamboo Cottage: ₱3,000 for 2 pax. Maximum of 4 pax.
– Family cottage: ₱5,000 for 4 pax. Maximum of 6pax
– Barkada cottage: ₱7,000 for 8pax. Maximum of 10pax.
– ₱300 for every succeeding persons.
*Rates may change during peak season (December, April, May).
Exact location: Virgin Island, Sta.Fe, Bantayan Island, Northern Cebu — 4-5 hours away from the city.
If you want to go to Virgin Island, you have to go to Bantayan Island first.
Buses that will bring you to Bantayan Island are found at the North Bus Terminal. Take the bus going to Hagnaya. Travel time is approximately 3 hours. From Hagnaya take the Express Ferry Boat to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island. Travel time is approximately 1-hour ride to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island. A Ro-Ro vessel from Hagnaya to Santa Fe is also available.
After reaching Bantayan, you can charter a boat headed for Virgin Island. While you can reach Virgin Island from any part of Bantayan, the best jump-off point is in Sta. Fe. It is also advisable to visit the island with group of friends to reduce the cost of hiring a boat.
FARE
• Bus – P170 per way / P340 roundtrip (20% discount for students, present School ID)
• Ferry & Terminal Fee – P180 per way / P260 roundtrip
