I flew into Cebu City (population 8 million) and stayed on Mactan Island in a place called Lapu-Lapu for 3 nights before meeting meeting up with the group in Dumaguete.

I visited the Magellan Cross.  It is a replica of the original cross Magellan set in Cebu in 1521.  For those who may remember from your history classes, poor ole Ferdinand was killed in the Philippines.  He sailed all the way from Spain around the tip of South America to Mexico.  Killed a bunch of people there, then discovered the Philippines and claimed it for Spain.  He was busy spreading the word of Catholicism and had one tribal leader in Cebu who apparently wasn’t so keen on the whole idea.  So what did Ferdinand do?  He ordered 60 of his most bloodthirsty soldiers to suit up, along with 1000 obedient Cebuano warriors, and in in huge flotilla he sailed to Mactan to have a word with this Lapu-Lapu fellow.  In a rush of pure European blood, he even told the Cebuano warriors to sit back, relax, and learn how the civilized world dealt with troublesome natives.  But Lapu-Lapu and his men defended their island with unimagined ferocity, and Ferdinand was soon back on his boat-fatally wounded by a spear to his head, a poisoned arrow to his leg and a mighty blow to his pride.

To end the day of sightseeing I went to Sutkil Seafood Restaurant.  At the entrance you select what you want and they cook it anyway you want.  I had ONE huge shrimp grilled with garlic and butter, some clams, and one whole fresh Calamari.   They drop it off at the kitchen and then  sit down and wait for them to bring you your very fresh seafood feast.  Check out the size of that ONE shrimp.