Get away for the day on Mactan Island and uncover its rich history, discover local crafts and feast on fresh favorites from the sea served SuTuKil style.

DURING A PERIOD WHEN trading vessels busily plied along pre-colonial Cebu’s waterway, Mactan Island was called Mangatang, a word which loosely describes a “pirate” or “to lie in wait”, according to oral histories recorded by antiquarian, historian and poet, Jovito Abellana. Fast forward to present day Mactan and the island still flourishes with a diverse economy fueled by different industries from tourism, trade, manufacturing and real estate. Here’s how to spend a day in Mactan.

Morning

Start your day with a visit to the patron saint of Lapu-Lapu City, Our Lady of Rule, at the Birhen sa Regla Church. Formerly called Opon, the city was renamed Lapu-Lapu in 1961 in honor its first local hero. Many of its residents still refer to the city by its old name and believe that their patroness has miraculously kept them safe and protected during catastrophes like World War II and the super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. A citywide celebration takes place during Lapu-Lapu’s fiesta every 21st of November with weeklong festivities highlighted by a fluvial parade and a religious procession. Pick up a souvenir from one of Mactan’s guitar factories. Many family-owned enterprises on the island produce fine quality string musical instruments, a tradition that has been passed down through the generations. Cebu’s long history of guitar-making dates back to its Christianization when Spanish friars needed to repair the guitars they brought to the Philippines. Mactan’s talented craftsmen have been handmaking acoustic guitars along with ukuleles and mandolins using imported and local woods like jackfruit, narra and black wood ebony, and even customize orders with shell inlays designs. Popular guitar makers on Mactan Island include the Alegre and Malingin families, Ferangeli, Inday Celia’s and the New Susing’s.

Lunch Break for a seafood lunch and have your Sutukil experience. A row of restaurants near the Liberty Shrine displays an assortment of the local fishermen’s catch of the day. Choose from the freshest fish, prawns, lobsters, crabs, squid and shells and decide how you want these served.

Sutukil is a portmanteau to describe three common methods of preparing fresh seafood: Su, for sugba (to grill), Tu for tuwa (to cook as a soup) and Kil for kilaw (to eat raw or uncooked). Fish kinilaw, a popular Filipino dish where vinegar is used to “cook” the fish -without any heat- is much like a ceviche. It’s the perfect appetizer with a cold beer. Afternoon After lunch, step back in time and take a stroll to the Liberty Shrine. The small historic park is said to be the site of the Battle of Mactan of 1521 and holds two historic markers. The 30 meter-high coral stone Magellan Monument dedicated to Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan bears the inscription, Glorias Españolas (Spanish Glory). He captained the Spanish expedition that completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. Close by stands an imposing 20-meter bronze statue that memorializes Lapulapu, the native chieftain of Mactan who led his men in the victorious battle that defeated Magellan and the Spanish forces.

Dinner Wind down your day with cocktails at the Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu and catch their live cultural show featuring folk and fire dances and the “tinikling” every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6-7pm at the Buko Bar.

If one day is not enough, continue your adventures with a day trip to Olango Island where the 920-hectare Olango Island Wildlife Bird Sanctuary is its main attraction. Or discover a whole new world underwater from the island’s three dive sites namely Mabini Point, Baring and Santa Rosa that are suitable for experienced divers.