Whenever I'm in Cebu City, I like to break away from the new modern shopping malls and uptown living, and grab a taxi to go downtown - right in the heart of Old Cebu.
Of course it's not an area buzzing with tourists, but it's a chance for me to see the industrial and ingenious side of the Filipino people.
The 3 main characteristics that stand out about Old Cebu City are:
- The Modes of Transportation
- Laid-back Street Vendors and Street Savvy Kids
- Old Buildings and Historic Streets
The most widespread transportation are the visually creative Jeepneys.
The Jeepneys in the Philippines became prevalent at the ending of WWII. At the end of the war when American troops were leaving, they sold and left behind the surplus of jeeps to Filipinos. The original jeep from the Austin 7, has since been altered and extended to what now carries anywhere from 10 to 12 passengers. All jeepneys are pimped up individually and each has it's own identity - a convenient way to traverse the city.
Colourful Jeepneys
Laid-Back Street Vendors and Street Savvy Kids
Harassment from vendors is a pet peeve of mine, so when I first arrived downtown on Manalili Street and Carbon Market, I was mentally syked up to deal with what I thought would come naturally. However, it was different from anywhere else I've been it the world.
I was left alone and felt as if I needed to disturb vendors to make purchases.
Jewelry Vendor (looks more like a Street Dreamer to me)
Banana Vendor, No 35
Little Romeo, (sweet talking) Siniguelas Vendor
Mr. Cool, Ice Cold Coconut Water Vendor
Yes Granddad, I am street smart...
We should go that way...
"Shut up and Lick it"
Kids at play
Old Buildings & Historic Streets
Colon Street is the oldest street in the Philippines with old buildings that give an idea of what older architecture designs might have been.
Manalili Street and the Colon Market are densely populated with wealthy Chinese-Filipino Merchants who own and still do wholesale trading of just about anything your heart desires.
A devastatingly handsome foreigner doing wholesale shopping at Colon Market...
Once you know the ropes, it's a retailer's haven
Building across from Colon Market
Ice Cream Vendor pushes his cart
Everyday Street Scenes Colon
Streetside Beauty Parlour in Colon Market
My former visualization of what an "entanglement" is, in Colon Market
Abandoned Building
I always interact with the locals when I'm downtown hanging on the corners with my camera. They try to feel me out to find out if I'm naive or street smart for being alone in that area. Sadly, the truth is that Old Cebu City is reputed to be the nesting ground for pickpockets and con artists, but growing up in Jamaica with exposure to many elements of society has prepared me.
When I leave Downtown Old Cebu City, I feel inspired and remind myself that "once there's a will, there's a way."
Thank you for your time!
So long! Till my next blog!
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@scubahead Thank you! ;)
an amazingly well done post. Funny and thoughtful great photos. Amazing
Thank you!
This was easy for me to write.
It's a "Real Place, Real People and Real Circumstances."
true dat
Great Job @millycf1976! a beautiful capture of the city.
Did you hunt for those jeepneys? We rarely seem them in Cebu City since they have been replaced by the multicabs, unlike in Manila where they are everywhere.
@iamyohann Thank you!!
Really, I have a collection of jeepney photos. These are just some of the lot. I guess I'm always in situ of jeepney origins.
We should make a trip of it to downtown Cebu City... @scubahead loves it there too. Come to think of it, I wonder what it would look like from the air?
I can literally feel like I'm there! Great vive and atmosphere!!!
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 36/45)
@livinguktaiwan Thank you!
I hope that anyone who reads this, can vicariously live Old Cebu City with me. There's nothing superficial about this place and the people.
#REAL
Great post Camille, you have captured Cebu City beautifully.
@discoveringarni Thank you! I fell in love with downtown Old Cebu the 1 st time I went there. I'm also pleased that @scubahead shares the same sentiments of the area.
This post reminded me of Colon when we went there at night to have some street food. I missed those times already!
Nice post! Keep it up! I love posts like this because it promotes Cebu to the international community.
I just saw the 2nd part of your comment. Thank you! It's good to know that this will reach the international; community because it's not a side that non Filipinos often venture to.
@ybanezkim26 Oh, that looks lovely! Seems it hasn't changed much. I hope you can return one day...
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Thank you very much! I'm beaming!!
@scubahead post is lovely too and it got 1st place, so I'm happy! :-)
My hearts fills with pride seeing pictures of Downtown Cebu. Sad at the same time because it's not like before because of the quarantine. I can't wait to return to the bustling city.
Thank you!
I got goosebumps writing this. There is just so much energy down there. I really hope people see this side of the Philippines because there is beauty in everything. Old Cebu City has soul!
Yes! Looking forward to it opening up again too!
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