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Cebu City

Philippines Travel Guide

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Pilgrims endure the rain to hear mass on the 6th day Novena for the coming Fiesta of Sr. Sto. Niño held at The Basilica Del Sto. Nino De Cebu, Cebu City, Philippines..Cebuanos and devotees alike recite nine consecutive days of prayers, also known as the Novena, in celebration and thanksgiving to Señor Santo Niño..Masses are held every other hour from early morning until evening during the Novena in order to cope with the enormous crowds that flood the Basilica.

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Overview

The capital of the Southern Philippines, Cebu City is a bustling metropolis, the hub of a three-million-strong conurbation. Aesthetically, it's gritty and not exactly easy on the eye, but the city is also relatively cosmopolitan thanks to a surging English-language school industry (many Koreans and Chinese study here) and well-regarded universities (which draw Filipinos from across the nation). Historic sights are slim on the ground, though there are some colonial-era buildings, and the traffic is notorious – but you'll still find plenty to do. Cebu City's energy is infectious: its bar and club scene is justly famous throughout the archipelago and dining out is a delight, with a dizzying choice of restaurants. And with Cebu airport being expanded to accommodate many more domestic and international flights, the city's continuing prosperity seems assured.

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