All eyes on Cebu

Cebu is a year round top destination in the Philippines because the island literally has it all—the country’s most iconic heritage sites, pristine white sand beaches, the best diving spots, a heady mix of urban flair and provincial charm, a booming economy, a lovely new international airport, and, of course, the Cebu lechon. January is the peak travel season in Cebu as the island celebrates the annual feast of the Santo Niño or the Sinulog, the biggest religious festival in the Philippines. This year, however, for the very first time, the annual pageantry of dance, faith, and devotion to Santo Niño (that, in recent years, have been marred with wild street parties on the parade route) won’t be the main and biggest event of the month. The century even. In a week’s time, 15,000 delegates from the Philippines and abroad will gather in Cebu for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC). But Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vibal is positive that millions of Cebuanos and Filipinos will come to Cebu [...]