Cebu is located between 9 degrees 25 minutes North and 11 degrees 15 minutes North latitude, and between 123 degrees 13 minutes East, and 124 degrees 5 minutes East longitude in the center of the Philippine Islands.

“Economic drivers”. The major economic drivers of growth in Cebu in recent years have been tourism and the IT (information technology) sector. These economic drivers add more zip as well as base for growth.

The nation’s economy has been growing at around seven percent per year recently. The region’s gross regional product (GRP) grew 12.5 percent in 2010, 9.3 percent and 8.9 percent in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Central Visayas (Region VII) consists of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental. Cebu is the dominant and most prosperous. Fifty-six percent of Metro Cebu’s total economic output is due to industry. Services account for 36 percent. As a mountainous island, agriculture accounts for only eight percent of its output.

Though Cebu’s output dominates in the region, its growth has a positive impact on regional provinces. For instance, as tourism in Cebu grew, the potentials of Bohol and Dumaguete (in Negros Oriental) became even more marketable.

One is by choosing from the various canyoneering escapades and have a journey for three to six hours from Alegria to Badian, and the other is by a short trek to the waterfalls.

Trying a canyoneering tour to Kwasan Falls is an exhilarating water adventure that takes you through towering gorges and stalactite boulders. You get to swim and rappel through the river canyons, and even jump off 30-foot high cliffs into the blue pools of Kawasan Falls.

The final leg is the third and most top tier of the Kawasan Falls - or Kabukalan Spring - from where the water comes. If you're not interested to try canyoneering, you can participate in a strictly Kawasan falls adventure instead.

For those who want to take the easier route when it comes to Kawasan experiences, you can go directly to the main entrance to the falls in Badian, then walk for a kilometer and a half to the first tier, where the basin and several cottages are located.

Most visitors prefer to end their visit here, although you can opt to walk further uphill to reach the second and third tiers of the falls. 

The best part is, Bantayan Island is not as commercialized and crowded as Boracay. If you want a relaxing vacation by the beach and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets, Bantayan Island won’t disappoint you.

Bantayan Island is blessed with several sprawling white-sand beaches and calm azure waters. Most of the beaches in Bantayan Island are within resorts or owned privately, but they are accessible to the public for a small fee.

You also don’t need to check in at any of the resorts to enjoy the beaches. It's one of the best tourist spots in Bantayan Island.

Bantayan Island's Kota Beach is one of the best beaches in the Philippines. It features a sandbar and a lagoon that makes a perfect spot for wading in and sunbathing. Paradise Beach, on the other hand, is a serene stretch of white sand beach that features beautiful rock formations. 

Bantayan Island also boasts two natural cave pools, the Ogtong Cave and the Sto. Niño Cave. A natural cold spring feeds both caves, so you can expect chilly water that's great for cooling off after a morning of beach-hopping.

If you’re up for a Cebu hillside tour, the Temple of Leah is an excellent place to start. Located in the hills of Busay in Cebu City, Temple of Leah is a towering seven-story building inspired by ancient Roman architecture.

However, it’s most photographed features are the two golden lions by the main stairs and the nine-foot bronze statue of Leah V. Albino-Adarna, for whom the temple was built for. Similar to the Taj Mahal of India, the Temple of Leah was constructed as a symbol of undying love of Teodorico Soriano Adarna for his late wife, Leah.

However, unlike the Taj Mahal, the Temple of Leah is not a tomb. The 24 chambers of the Temple of Leah houses the namesake's massive collection of antiques, art, Chinese jars, and books. The temple is open to the public, so be sure to stop by or try Temple of Leah activities and be entranced by this grand gesture of love

Said to have cost over PHP 80 Million, this grand structure boasts granite floors, Doric columns, a marble fountain, and several Grecian-style statues. 

So en route to the peak during your Osmeña Peak hiking experience, you will pass by several vegetable farms and see livestock grazing the terrain. 

The picturesque trail to Osmeña Peak is an easy leisurely hike that takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Once you reach the top of Osmeña Peak, you will be greeted by a stunning jagged skyline, a panoramic view of Cebu’s southeast coastline, and a glimpse of Negros. It can be windy at the peak, so take care not to lose your footing.

Don’t worry, the craggy rock formations and the breathtaking vista of South Cebu and distant Negros Oriental at the summit will surely make the trek to the top worth it.

Mantalongon, Dalagutes is also dubbed as the “Summer Capital of Cebu” due to its chilly climate. Many local travelers from the lowland cities come to the scenic Osmeña Peak to escape the summer heat. You may want to bring a light jacket if you’ll be hiking early in the morning, as it can get cold during this time.

The Portuguese explorer, Magellan, is attributed to bringing Catholicism in the Philippine Archipelago. History books tell the story of how Magellan reached the Cebu in 1521, planted a crucifix, and successfully converted the natives to Christianity. The city of Cebu soon grew around that historical site. 

Magellan's Cross is housed in a Spanish-style octagonal pavilion in front of the Cebu City Hall. The large wooden CrossCross displayed in the pavilion is made of Tingalo Wood and is said to be encasing the original CrossCross inside of it.

The unique crucifix was seen as a miraculous relic, so natives started chipping away pieces as a souvenir. To protect the CrossCross, the 10-feet replica was built to encase it. Today, the replica stands atop a marble podium with a plaque that states that this was the very site that the original crucifix was planted on April 21, 1521.