There's so much more to life than just merely surviving and grasping each day. We tend to forget the little things that gives the biggest impacts on our lives. Join me as I took a walk around some famous places in Cebu City with two of my workmates that turned into my real-life friends. Celebrate with us as we just had our small win: our job regularization.
Cebu IT Park, Cebu City, Philippines
Our meetup spot was outside Ayala Central Bloc in Cebu IT Park, Cebu City. I had a short walk from the jeepney terminal to the corners of Ayala Central Bloc. I waited for my workmate. While walking around, I saw my usual view. The beautiful buildings with amazing interiors and designs. Cebu City is indeed such a lovely city. Going to work every day with this type of view reminds me that I am indeed in a corporate jungle.
My favorite go-to drink
When my friend finally arrived, we had our favorite Starbies drink. I had the usual, my favorite pink drink, and my workmate got her favorite caramel frappe. It was the best way to quench our thirst. We then walked to the jeepney terminal as we will head to the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño and from there, we will walk going to the Carbon Market. A walking distance market from the Basilica. We will meet our other workmate there in the Carbon Market. We then walked happily with our refreshers. Oops! The barista misspelled my name again.
The Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño
As a way to give thanks for our recent job regularization, we paid a visit to the Basilica Minore Del Sto Niño. It has always been in nature for us to pay a visit to the Basilica to give thanks, repent, or simply just a usual day to pray.
Say A Little Prayer
We then lit candles and prayed. There is indeed so much to be thankful for. I have always been grateful for the gift of life, love, work, and great company. So much in life to be thankful for.
Great Finds Outside the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño
After we offered a prayer, we walked outside the Basilica and we saw so many vendors outside. There were local delicacies, religious artifacts, flowers, and so much more. It was all very pleasant to the eyes.
Cebu City Freedom Park
We arrived at the Carbon Market where we will meet our other workmate. From the jeepney stop, we walked for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes going to "The Barracks" at the Carbon Market. We met up with some of my closest friends at work to have a small victory dinner here at "The Barracks."
Upon entering "The Barracks", you will pass by the Cebu City Freedom Park just across the University of San Jose Recoletos Corner P. Lopez and Magallanes St.Cebu City, Philippines. The Cebu City Freedom Park is surrounded by solar-powered lamp posts. What an epitome of sustainability indeed.
Unleashing The Inner Child in Me
As we walked towards the Cebu Freedom Park, this vendor held a bunch of balloons that caught my attention. The balloons were filled with lights and some children wandering around bought some balloons too. I wanted to buy myself one as well, but nah, I'm too old for that.
The Barracks - The First Hawker Market in Cebu City, Philippines
The Barracks is open on Mondays to Thursdays from ten o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock in the evening, and on Fridays to Sundays, it is open from ten o'clock in the morning until one o'clock in the morning. The barracks are home to various food stalls and so much more.
Outside The Barracks
Before we went in, we took a walk outside to find out what people were selling in the stalls near the entrance. There were a lot of phone accessories, gadgets, and so much more. We then went in to grab some dinner.
Food Stalls Available at The Barracks
There are indeed a lot of food choices here in The Barracks. In the first and second photos, if you are a fan of grilled meat and grilled kinds of seafood, this stall is perfect for you. They offer a wide range of grilled choices. The third photo is the Philippines' famous "Lechon" or a roasted suckling pig which is one of the best dishes in the country. Cebu City is known to have one of the best lechons in the Philippines.
Time to Refreshen
There are a lot of refreshers available in The Barracks. There are cakes, pastries, fruit shakes, milk teas, and so much more. The place indeed offers a wide range of options.
Tuslob Buwa - To Dip in Bubbles
Lechon
Baked Scallops
What's for Dinner?
Tuslob Buwa is a famous Cebuano dish that has pig brains as the main ingredient. All you have to do is mix all the ingredients (oil, onion, garlic, pig brain, and soy sauce) into the pan and dip your hanging rice. Hanging rice is rice wrapped in coconut leaves. It is the perfect pair. We then had a pineapple shake to complete our small victory dinner.
After we had dinner, we walked going to the public market located at The Barracks to window shopping at the local thrift shops. We then walked to the jeepney stopover and went home. What a fun day indeed!