Cebu calling

People have often asked me whether we’ve done work in Cebu, and the answer is always yes. I’ve found myself stumped though, when asked how many projects we’ve done. At least 12, which is more than I’ve initially thought, and that surprises me sometimes, because I still think of Cebu as a vacation destination and not as a workplace and the bustling metropolis that it is becoming.

Work had me happily trekking over for meetings and site visits, squeezing in a day or two to go to the beach or to the small shops to find fashion jewelry or handbags. There are also days spent “window shopping” through furniture showrooms. I often ponder the possibility of more work, a Cebu office and a beachfront apartment.

To people in my industry, Cebu is largely about furniture and home accessories. Some of the world’s best furniture brands sub-contract production to Cebu fabricators.

For people in the marine industry, it’s all about shipyards and shipbuilding. To adventurers, it is about waterfalls and beaches, diving and trekking. To food enthusiasts, it is about the tasty and succulent Cebu lechon, scallops, good restaurants and traditional pastries.

Since we’ve started work in Cebu some 10 years ago, this city has blossomed and unfolded. Many developers have explored Cebu’s potential as a place for living well. And why not? Its physical features alone deliver the backdrop for a good life—the outdoors not too far from the city, and the cosmopolitan pleasures of the city itself.

Cebu may not boast of the best sand in its beaches, but it certainly has some of the best dive spots, from sardine runs in Moalboal to deep blue dives in Malapascua. Its easy access to Negros and Bohol is a bonus. If water isn’t your cup of tea, it has the mountains, too. With new trails that have opened, there are the hills and forests to explore.

You have a choice of living in the city center, by the mountains or by the sea. Waterfront developments are aplenty, with harbor-facing dwelling units, to beachside flats and townhomes. These, for me, would be my go-to if I had the opportunity to purchase a second home.

From Manila, Cebu is a quick flight away, a perfect treat for weekends and short holidays. But if I had a chance, I’d find more work there, justify a second home, and have the best of both worlds.