Best Street Photography
Spots in Cebu, Philippines
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Cebu, an island in the Philippines, is its beautiful white sand beaches and an island life filled with serenic beach resorts and exquisite spas to experience. That part is certainly true as it is known worldwide and is advertised for it. On the other side of the coin, Cebu also has a bustling city and an urban landscape filled with history, tradition, and culture that happened to build some of its charm from it. Cebu’s street scenery changes so fast as you make your way around it and that’s why tourists and visiting people reevaluate their first impression on Cebu after touring around the city. Despite the compromising public safety of the streets, fairly common in a third world country, a larger part of Cebu’s populace are nicer than other places in the Philippines. In fact, Cebu was named as the “Safest City for Women” once in previous years. Still, that still doesn’t change the fact that there is still a fair amount of danger when walking the streets of Cebu, especially at night or at the city’s downtown area.
Looking past all of that, the people of this city have managed to sustain some of its history, traditions and cultures while being carried by the rapidly rising tides of modernization which are worthy to walk upon and capture their majesty that withstood the applications of father time.
Blog Category: Street Photography
Destination: Cebu City, Philippines
Photography: Jones Silva Creatives
Colon Street, Cebu City
1. Colon Street
Known for being the shortest and oldest street named after Christopher Colombus. Locals bustle in and out of this downtown commercial area with an array of malls, shops, cinemas, street vendors, and offices. Cebu Street Photographers roll down into this district to capture the everyday life of locals making a living or shopping for their needs and wants at a cheaper price than other places in the city. Beware at night in this street, the safety level drastically goes down as speedy snatching robbers and crime lords begin lurking in the shadows as the sun sets.
Long exposure shot of Marcelo Fernan Bridge, Cebu
2. Marcelo Fernan Bridge
The iconic second bridge built to connect Cebu and Mactan Island and known as the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Philippines. The bridge’s cables make an alluring scenery for framing and composition. The sea between Mactan and Cebu viewed from the bridge can be breathtaking depending on what the weather and time of day is, like during sunrises and sunsets. The magical night scenery of the city from the highest and midpoint of the bridge can also be shot. There’s a park under the bridge on the Mactan Island side called “Millenium Park” in which couples go for romantic dates, and the view under the bridge is also nothing short of great.
Aerial Photography of Fuente Osmena Circle, Cebu City
3. Fuente Osmeña Circle
A circular park with an iconic ivory fountain at the heart of uptown Cebu. During the day, joggers, moving vendors, and exercise groups flock the park, and when the sun sinks and nighttime marks its position, the park turns into a romantic setting in the middle of a bustling city with its light themes depending on the city’s season. Various kinds of events take place in the circle like concerts and festivals, a great place for finding all kinds of subjects to capture.
The Spanish stone architecture of the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño de Cebú
4. Basílica Menor del Santo Niño de Cebú
Walk among the historic walls of the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country. Pilgrims, devotees, local catholics, and tourists flow in and out of this basilica to pray and bask in its holiness and historic value. The Spanish stone architecture of the building has charmed numerous people and has withstood since time immemorial. The icon statuette, Santo Niño aka Child Jesus, is stationed within the church. Situated right outside of the church is Magellan’s Cross, a historical landmark which is housed by a chapel with a painting on its ceiling.
The Heritage of Cebu Monument, Sikatuna Street, Cebu City
5. The Heritage of Cebu Monument
Feast your eyes on this monument, a series of sculptures that represents a depiction of significant historical events of Cebu dating way back from the time of Rajah Humabon up to the times of Pedro Calungson. The series of sculptures represent the Basilica Del Sto. Nino, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, The Saint John the Baptist Church, Magellan’s Cross, a Spanish Galleon, Statues of Sergio Osmena Sr. and Blessed Pedro Calungsod. The tableau of sculptures are made of multiple mixed substances like concrete, bronze, brass and steel.
Aerial view of Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
6. Building Landscapes
Cebu City has a number of building filled areas, Cebu I.T. Park and Cebu Business Park are among worth mentioning where the city never sleeps. The Cityscape is composed of a blend of various buildings and some green here and there, a great photo walk around is one way to experience the modernization of Cebu, and during the night, the people are still awake and the night scenery is nothing short of attractive.
