PEOPLE and
LANGUAGE
Most people living in Cebu speak Cebuano.
Cebuanos can also speak Tagalog and
English, so it is not that difficult
for non-cebuano speaking people to
communicate with them. Some may have
different accent because of other
dialect’s influence, but rest
assured that you could have a good
conversation with the Cebuanos. They
are not only hospitable but also friendly
and patient.
Weather
Cebu enjoys a dry, hot season from
December to May where temperatures
can reach as high as 37 degrees centigrade.
The rainy season usually starts on
June and ends on November. Temperatures
are pleasantly cool around 24 to 30
degrees.
Philippine Time
Philippine standard time is 8 hours
ahead of Greenwich Meantime.
Religion
Predominantly Roman Catholic. Other
major denominations include Protestantism,
Moslem.
Business
Hours
Banks-9am to 3pm. Mon. to Fri.; Government
agencies and offices- 8am to 5pm Mon.
to Fri.; Private firms - 9am to 6pm-Mon.
to Fri. and 9 am to 12 noon on Saturdays;
Shops-9am to 7pm Mon. to Sat. Most
Department stores are open on Sundays
and Holidays.
Currency/Credit
Cards
The monetary unit is the Philippine
Peso, divisible into 100 centavos.
There are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and
1,000 Peso notes; coins for .05, .10,
.25, P1 and P5. Commercial banks,
hotels, and tourist-oriented businesses
exchange foreign currencies and cash
travelers cheques. Pesos may be reconverted
to US$. Major international cards
such as VISA, Diners Club, MasterCard
and American Express are widely accepted
in major establishments.
Transportation
The Jeepney is a conventional form
of public transport. It is a remodeled
US military jeep extended to accommodate
18 passengers including driver. Getting
around Cebu on Jeepney´s is
puzzling especially for first time
visitors but its worth the adventure.
Their routes are indicated on the
sides of the Jeepney and fare range
from P4.00 or more depending on destination.
Other forms of transportation include
the bus, taxi, and chauffeur-driven
cars. Buses provide service in the
city and outbound journeys. The taxi
is the most convenient way of getting
around Cebu and could be flagged down
anywhere. Taxis also queue at most
hotels and shopping centers and can
be requested by telephone. Car rental
companies have offices around Metro
Cebu, in major hotels, and at the
airport.
Country Code
The Philippines country code is 63.
When calling Cebu direct, pls. add
63 + 32 , Cebu's area code. Please
remember the Philippines is 8 hours
ahead of GMT.
Communication
Facilities
Philippine Long Distance Telephone
Company (PLDT), the leading telecommunications
company, offers modern facilities
and services that include international
direct dialing (IDD), telex, and facsimile.
Worldwide courier delivery, postal,
and telegraph services are also available.
Major newspapers are in English. Foreign
publications such as newspapers and
magazines can be found in bookstores,
supermarkets and in major hotels.
Specialties
Cebu is known for it's delicacies,
handicrafts and stone crafts. Stone
craft, coral craft and seashells are
are very in-demand. Mangoes from Guadalupe
- fresh, dried or pureed; cut flowers
from Busay, world class guitars from
Maribago.
Chicharon (pork
rind) is one much-sought-after delicacy.
Dangit, dried fish for a hearty breakfast,
Puso, the hanging rice, Budbud, made
from sticky variety of rice locally
called pilit mixed with coconut milk
Hand-woven blankets
from Argao, Medallions of the Christ
Child.
Polished Mactan
stone, accent chairs made of wood
or rattan, elegant barongs, basketry,
brass & bronze-ware; cigars, mats,
shell craft. Fashion jewelry, trendy
mixed media (wood, stone, shell).
CLIMATE
Fortunately, Cebu is blessed with
a tropical climate. No wonder many
foreigners love to visit Cebu. We
have the moisture of 78% and so far,
we evaluated 189 degrees as the warmest
day we ever had. It usually rains
during the month of November and heats
up at the months of December, January
and February.
GEOGRAPHY
Located between 9925' and 11915' latitude
and between 123913' longitude in the
center of the Philippine archipelago,
Cebu is 365 miles south of Manila
and can be reached in an hour through
air travel.
TEMPERATURE
Mean Annual Temperature: 26.50 C
Mean Highest Monthly Temperature:
34.80C
Mean Lowest Monthly Temperature: 20.60C
Coldest Month: January
Warmest Month: May
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
Average Relative Humidity: 75%
RAINFALL (Source: PAG-ASA)
Average Annual Rainfall: 1,636.70
mm in the old
Lahug Airport, and 1,609.70
at the Cebu Customs House.
Rainfall Decreases: February to April
Rainfall Gradually Increases: May
to July
WIND VELOCITY AND DIRECTION
Average Wind Velocity: 10 km. per
hour for varying direction
Northeast Wind (amihan): November
to May
Southwest Monsoon (hagabat): June
to September
Typhoon usually comes: October to
December
Strongest Typhoon Occurred: 1989 Typhoon
Ruping
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