Home at the Center Suites Cebu

Cebu City was a big city. Finding a place to stay in was a headache, especially when you're not a frequent traveler in the city.

Recently, I, together with my family, traveled to Cebu for my graduation. We looked for several hotels that could be near the university, and the must-see places in Cebu. We found a few hotels, big and small hotels. However, we ended up choosing the Center Suites. Yes, from the name itself, it was literally located at the center and very accessible to major transportation going to and from where we wanted to go, and its room rates were affordable. :)

The Center Suites Logo

map credits to agoda.com

The Center Suites

We checked in to a family standard room wherein there was a queen size bed and a single bed. It was suitable for me, and my parents. Since we stayed for 5 days, we were always out the room every day and roamed around the city's tourist attractions and shopping malls. To my surprise, when we returned to our room after a whole day's activity, the room wasn't that hot even our rooms faced the sun every day. I was told by Johnn, the COO of the suites, that the room had the technology that could resist warmth. Plus, the room cooled faster and longer with the technology they used in their rooms. I could say that this suites was among the eco-friendly suites in the world. :)

Reception Desk

The Center Suites had 46 rooms, with 24-hour security personnel and CCTV. With that alone, you would feel very safe in the suites. Then, with their friendly and accommodating receptionists, you could always ask where to go and how to get there by commuting. They also offered free wifi access. :)

The suites also followed safety guidelines. You could see smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, emergency fire exits, and emergency water hose. Inside the rooms, you could also see signage in case of emergencies that would direct you to safer grounds. 

At the ground floor of the suites, you could see the waiting lounge, reception desk, dining area and rooms as well.

Waiting Lounge

Dining Area

Going up the second floor, this cute space would welcome you. Luxurious isn't it? But once you were checked in, you could enjoy photo opts in there. :)

Living Space

The Center Suites also had a space for business or non-business meetings up to 10 pax. It was a good space and conducive for such events. :)

Board Room

The space that really amazed me here was the Chapel. It was not common among hotels or suites to have such a space for prayer. The space was very holy, inspired by the Mother and Child. Even the logo of the suites, I noticed that the letter C was the Mother and Child. :)

The Center Suites Chapel

Another space that I liked in the suites was this green space. It was refreshing even you were inside the suites. Then, there's a stairs going up the roof deck garden.

Green Space

The roof deck garden was where special events could be initiated. Approximately, around 80 to 100 persons could be accommodated in this area. :)

Roof Deck Garden

I asked Johnn of why was the suites' name the Center Suites... He told me with 3 good spiritually guided reasons: 1) it was inspired by the Centers all over the world, started by the Opus Dei, 2) the location was the logistical Center of Cebu, and 3) with Love, Care, Compassion and genuine service through being a Man for others, was the Core nature as a Hotel. He also added that the Letter C design was inspired by the Mother and Child, also the C represented the Christus found in every man.

Hmmm... Perhaps, with the name and symbols of the suites, the stay of my family was really guided all the way. We enjoyed our stay in Cebu and hoped to come back again in this Home faraway from home - the Center Suites. :)

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Travel CHALLENGE Day 2 Part 4: The Ruins

After a great meal with a chicken inasal in Silay City, I then took a ride going to Talisay City, where the Nuts Berry Garden or the Ruins was situated. From Silay City to Talisay City, it costed 13 pesos jeepney ride.

I stopped to this point below. You would see a signage that the Ruins was 2.4 kilometers stretch from the highway. I had researched about the place and said that the means of transportation going to the Ruins were hired jeepneys or motorcycles. However, looking around, I saw not even a motorcycle but jeepneys passing the highway. I told myself that it would be costly to hire a jeepney with only me alone. So, I took the first step to walk towards the Ruins. :)

Signage to the Ruins

Passing Along Sugarcane Field

2.4 kilometers was not a joke, but I was used to walk so it was not a problem. :) I passed along sugarcane fields. Then, when I came along some locals, I asked for directions. Good thing that it was not a hot afternoon because it was around 1 o'clock. :)

It took me 20 minutes to walk the 2.4 kilometers stretch. EUREKA! I found the gold at the end of the rainbow, the Ruins was then in front of me. It was so magnificent. It was well-preserved. It stood with so much story to tell.

The Ruins

The Ruins was said to be among the 12 most fascinating ruins in the world. Indeed, I searched it on the net, this structure was one with the ruins of Machu Picchu (Peru), Babylon (Iraq), Palenke (Mexico), Ayutthaya (Thailand), Colosseum (Italy), Ruins of Tikal (Guatemala), Chichen Itza (Mexico), Parthenon (Greece), Jesuit Ruin at Trinidad (Paraguay), Ruins of the Copa, and Ruins of Palmyra (Syria). It was truly a world class architecture and only could be seen at Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

The Ruins was one of the best landmarks in the Philippines where you would see a marker from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) that confirmed its fascinating architectural structure. :)

Aside from being among the best structure in world, this was also considered the Taj Mahal of Negros. This was because Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built this mansion in loving memory of his wife, Maria Braga.

Entering the Ruins, there was an entrance fee. It was 60 pesos regular, and 40 pesos for students. Upon entering, you would see the beautiful garden with its original fountain since its golden days.

The Garden of the Ruins

There were tourist guides who could accompany you during your visit at the Ruins. :) I went there alone so I waited for a group to arrive. At least, I could join them during the tour. :)

Second Floor of the Ruins

While waiting for some guests to arrive, I took my own tour around the mansion. I went to the second floor of the mansion and was so fascinated with the view. I was even surprised that there were plants on the second floor.

View from the Second Floor

The Ruins' Foundation Designs

It was visible in every posts of the mansion. You might think that these were just letters. However, these symbolized the great love of Don Mariano to Maria. These were letters M facing to each other: these letters meant for Mariano and Maria. :)

It arrived at the Ruins as early as 1:20 PM. Then, I had read that the most beautiful sight of the mansion was during the sunset. You would see the mansion lit with the sunset rays. So, I waited until 5 in the afternoon. I was a bit hopeless because the sky was gloomy and thought that the sun set rays might not be visible. However, to my surprise, here was the mansion with the sunset rays. :) See below...

5:00 PM View of the Ruins

It could be a good place where you could spend some time with friends, family or even with special someone. :)

So, the darkness was now covering the whole area. I was still planning to walk for another 2.4 kilometers, but I was a bit tired. So, I commissioned a tricycle going to the highway. :) It would cost you 20-25 pesos for the motorcycle. :)

Dusk View of the Ruins - Lovely

From the Ruins, I went back to Bacolod City to eat dinner, rest a bit and view their newly opened Bacolod Baywalk. :)

Expense Report:
Fare - P13 (from Silay City to Talisay City)
Entrance fee - P40
Fare - P25 (from the Ruins to the highway Coca-Cola)
TOTAL - P78

Travel CHALLENGE Day 2 Part 3: Chicken Inasal

After the hunting of the 31 ancestral houses in Silay City, I was then so hungry. I asked some bystanders on where could I find the best tasting Chicken Inasal... However, they pointed me to a known nationwide brand of chicken inasal. Then, I told them that I wanted something authentic in Negros. :) Nonetheless, I was directed to a nearby food park. They said nearby, but it took me around 15-20 minutes walk. LOL

As I walked around, I saw some trucks carrying some sugar cane. I could really say that I am in the sugarland. LOL

Aside from that, I passed by a school. It was great to see along the catwalk outside the school about the history of the city, the must-see places of the city, and the significant people of the city. I could really say that Silay City deserved the title of being the BEST TOURISM ORIENTED CITY of 2012.

EUREKA! After walking for few minutes... A gold mine was found! I entered the Golden Food Park. There were a lot of food choices, but I chose to order the famous chicken inasal. :)

Chicken Inasal

I ordered a chicken inasal, 1 cup of rice, and a soda for a total of 110 pesos.

I noticed something from the chicken. It was not so saucy and was blackened because of the charcoal (I just didn't know if that's the authentic chicken inasal). However, a distinct taste was entertaining my palate. I guessed that the marinade sunk in the meat of the chicken. :) Perhaps that was it! Or it was just me hungry... LOL

From there, I proceeded to Talisay City and met the RUINS. :)

Up next! The Nuts Berry Garden, Home of the Famous RUINS! :)

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Entering an Ancestral House - Jalandoni Museum

The gateway to Bacolod City is the New Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City. Silay City is home to 31 identified ancestral houses. Among the 31 houses, only 3 of those open its doors for the tourists to view and imbibe the golden days of the ancestral houses. :)

Left to right: Hofilena Ancestral House, Balay Negrense, and Jalandoni Museum

I am able to enter the vibrant pink colored Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum. Entering the museum, you have to pay for a minimal entrance fee amounting to 25 pesos for students and 50 pesos regular fee. It is open every Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

This is the time of immersing myself to its glorious past. Let's tour around the house! 

Jalandoni Ancestral House Marker

The tour starts at the living room of the house. It is very spacious and very cool. You will see a lot of antique items from dresses, sala set, piano, chairs, pendulum clock and many more. Seeing those items amaze me with how grandiose their lifestyle is. I am imagining the people from the high society long before wearing such glamorous attire, and having fun at the living room of the house. However, it is now a museum, you will see no other people around except somebody to guide you. 

At the living room of the house.

At the living room of the house

Piano at the living room

Pendulum clock in the living room

I also enter the kitchen. I see a lot more of antique appliances of the house. It is so amazing that you can still see them with your own eyes well-preserved. Especially the flat iron, I am so amazed with its appearance. It is hollow on top wherein you have to put some charcoal. Then, press it towards the dress.

Antique jar for water

Antique jars, flat iron, and mortar and pestle

I also take a glimpse of their bedroom. The bed is an antique. You can really see the artistry with its design. The holes that you see that ventilates it even without any air-condition system during those days. Everything is really fascinating. :)

The bedroom

Then, there are some other appliances such as the sewing machine. It is one of those sewing machines that uses your right hand to spin the machine. It uses no electricity, very eco-friendly. :p

Antique sewing machine

There are a lot of things that you will see inside the house. That is just the second floor of the house. I am enjoying the tour in this ancestral house. It brings me back to those days that the houses are very vivacious!

The Jalandoni Museum is so fascinating. The two other museums are more fascinating. :)

Take some time to visit these houses and be amazed with everything that you see. :)

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Travel CHALLENGE Day 2 Part 2: Silay City - Heritage Walk

Part 2: Silay City - Heritage Walk

It might not be everyone's cup of tea to walk around some ancestral houses. However, it was too exciting to do some searching on the 31 ancestral houses that this city was known for.

I arrived at Silay City at 9:25 AM. Then, I immediately started the search for the houses. :) With no further ado, enjoy a photo tour! I had here the photos and roster of the ancestral houses in Silay City:

1) El Ideal

2) Josefita Tionko Lacson Ancestral House

3) Manuel dela Rama Locsin Ancestral House

4) House of Antonio Novella Sian

5) San Diego Pro-Cathedral

6) Silay City Hall

7) Old Silay Puericulture Center

8) Jose B. Gamboa Ancestral House

9) Maria Golez Ancestral House (RCBC Bank)

10) Lino Lope Severino Ancestral House

11) Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

12) Alejandro Amechazura Ancestral House

13) Angel Araneta Ledesma Ancestral House

14) Manuel Hofilena Ancestral House

15) Genoroso Gamboa Ancestral Twin House

16) Balay Negrense

17) Digna Locsin Consing Ancestral House

18) Cinco de Noviembre Monument

19) Teodoro Morada Ancestral House

20) Delfin Ledesma Ancestral House

21) Sangguniang Panlungsod Bldg.

22) Kapitan Mariano Montelibano Ancestral House  

23) German Unson Ancestral House

24) Arsenio Lopez Jison Ancestral House

25) Vincente Conlu Montelibano Ancestral House

26) Silay North Elementary School and Public Restrooms

 

27) Soledad & Maria Montelibano Lacson Ancestral House

28) Leandro dela Rama Locsin Ancestral House

29) Antonia dela Rama Locsin Ancestral House

 

30) Sen. Jose Corteza Locsin Ancestral House

31) Jose Ledesma Ancestral House

 I couldn't imagine that I made it through! I ended around 11:30 AM. This was 2 hours and 5 minutes to be exact. Wow!

It could have been earlier when it did not rain. After I went to the Cathedral to pray, it rained around 20 minutes. Since, I left my umbrella, I had to stop for a moment before continuing the heritage walk. :)

It was indeed a very fulfilling activity that I made. I made the heritage walk for 2 hours and 5 minutes. I am also challenging you guys/gals to do it faster than I did. LOL Just kidding... :) But if you did it, don't hesitate to share your story :)

Since that was a heritage walk, I didn't take off a penny for the fare. LOL

By the way, there were 3 among the 31 ancestral houses that opened its doors to the tourists. One is the famous BALAY NEGRENSE, DON BERNARDINO JALANDONI MUSEUM, and MANUEL HOFILENA ANCESTRAL HOUSE. I would post the details soon... :) I had the chance to enter the Jalandoni Museum and it costed me 40 pesos for the entrance fee (student rate).

After this, my tummy had to be refilled. Chicken Inasal... Where were you?

Up next... Day 2 Part 3: Chicken Inasal and Talisay City's the Ruins.

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