TRAVEL AGENCIES

GRADE 8
Lapu-Lapu City, officially the City
of Lapu Lapu (Cebuano): Dakbayan
sa Lapu-Lapu; Filipino: Lungsod ng
Lapu-Lapu), is a 1st class highly
urbanized city in the Central
Visayas region of the Philippines.
According to the 2020 census, it has
a population of 497,604 people.
1. Get to know Lapu Lapu: visit the Lapu Lapu
Shrine

Out of all the Lapu Lapu tourist spots that

we’ll introduce to you, it’s best to start
with the name itself. The city is named
after a local chieftain or datu named Lapu
Lapu who ruled over Mactan Island.
Lapu Lapu Shrine
Address: Punta Engano Road, Lapu Lapu City
2. Local history lesson: Magellan Shrine

Across from Lapu Lapu’s monument is the

shrine for his enemy, Ferdinand Magellan, who
is also known for discovering the Philippine
Islands. His shrine is a large tower that was
erected in his honor, but it is also believed to be
the exact spot where Lapu Lapu dealt his fatal
blow during their battle.
3. Local history lesson: Church of Our
Lady of the Rule
Despite Lapu Lapu’s resistance, Spanish occupation was
inevitable. Cebu and Mactan Island was eventually colonized
by Spain and the Roman Catholic religion took root. Before
Lapu Lapu became a city, it was called by the name Opon and
a local church was established by the Augustinian missionaries
who were assigned to the area. In 1735, the local town of Opon
chose to name the Virgen de la Regla or the Lady of the Rule
to be its patroness, thus the parish church was named after her.
So strong was the devotion of the local people to Our
Lady of the Rule that the Philippine Catholic Church
eventually declared the church a National Shrine for
Our Lady of the Rule. The church patron day is
celebrated on November 27, when thousands of
Marian devotees visit the church and remember the
miracles performed by their patroness. Visitors may
visit the church to see the religious devotion of
Filipinos up close.
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rule
Address: B.M. Dimataga Street, Lapu Lapu City
4. Go to the islands: Olango Island and
Marine Reserve
Olango Island is the biggest of seven islands that
make up the Olango Group of Islands off Lapu
Lapu City and Cordova Town. The island is easy to
reach via a 15 to 20 minute boat ride as it is only 5
kilometers (3.1 miles) from Mactan Island. The
island is host to the most extensive reef areas in
Central Visayas and thus makes for a good diving
spot. 
Aside from this, the island also has a different
kind of visitor every year — migratory birds.
Birdwatching is a favorite activity in Olango,
especially from November to February, when
thousands of birds find sanctuary on the island.
While a day trip to the island is doable, visitors
also have the option to stay overnight at some of
the inns and resorts. The best way to see the
island is to rent a bike for a day.
5. Go to the islands: Caohagan Island
Marine Sanctuary

Who would think that this tiny island that is part of the
Olango group of islands can actually host a marine
sanctuary. But yes, Caohagan Island has been
established as a marine sanctuary in order to protect
the island’s rich marine biodiversity. The island is
inhabited by a small community of fishermen who
make a living from fishing.
Caohagan Island Marine Sanctuary
Address: Caohagan Island, Lapu Lapu City
6. Go to the islands: stay on
Nalusuan Island
Adding to the countless Lapu Lapu, Cebu tourist spots is
Nalusuan Island. What used to be just a sandbar in the
middle of the ocean became a man-made resort and marine
sanctuary — this is the story of Nalusuan Island. Found on
Olango Reef, it now houses 14 cottages on stilts right
above the ocean, which makes an overnight stay quite an
experience. The resort offers water activities and sports
such as snorkeling, diving, and others. 
Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary
Address: Olango Reef, Cordova, Cebu
7. Be a beach bum: swim at
Bluewater Maribago

If you are not too fond of riding boats, you can still
enjoy some sun and sea at one of the many resorts and
places to visit in Lapu Lapu City. One of these is
Bluewater Maribago, a luxury beach resort in Barangay
Maribago. It boasts a 110 meter (360 feet) white sand
beach and three lagoon-like swimming pools. The resort
also offers water sports such as jet-skiing and diving. 
Bluewater Maribago
Address: Buyong, Maribago, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City
 8. Buy a guitar in Lapu Lapu: Alegre
Factory
Lapu Lapu is also known for the best guitar makers in the
country, and the most popular guitar maker is the family-
run Alegre Guitar. The Alegres have been making guitars
for three generations, and if you visit their showroom and
factory in Maribago, you can also catch a glimpse of the
guitar-making process. From the making of the frame, the
polishing of the wood and the finishing touches, you will
better appreciate the intricate handiwork that goes into
making a great sounding guitar. 
Alegre Guitar Factory
Address: Pajac Abuno, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
 9. Eat the freshest seafood at
Manna STK
STK is short for SuTuKil, which in turn describes the main
ways of cooking: sugba (broil), tula (in clear soup), and kilaw
(pickled). This seafood restaurant, Manna STK, offers the
freshest seafood for guests to choose from. After choosing
which seafood you would like to eat, you then choose how
each seafood will be cooked. Manna STK is located near the
Mactan Shrine, so taxi drivers know where it is. There are
several other STK restaurants in the area though .
Manna STK
Address: Mactan Shrine, Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City
 10. Go to the islands: San Vicente
Marine Sanctuary
Located in Olango Island, San Vicente Marine
Sanctuary is a must-visit for enthusiasts of marine
biology. One of the park’s best feature is a bamboo
footbridge that is 0.50 km (0.31 mi) long and goes
through the mangroves. At the end of the bridge, over
the water, is a view deck that overlooks the rich marine
life below. It’s a great place to take your kids and
introduce them to all our friends from the ocean! 
San Vicente Marine Sanctuary
Address: Lapu Lapu City, Cebu
11. Be a beach bum: Vaño Public Beach

We hope you aren’t tired of waters just yet, because the next
item on this list is Vaño Public Beach! You’re in Lapu Lapu
City, after all, and you know it’s going to be packed with
beautiful beaches. Vaño Public Beach is exactly what its
name is. It attracts a lot of people due to its accessibility. You
can go for a quick swim, a picnic by the beach, or just
simply relax by the shore. With a lot of people visiting the
beach, you’ll feel like a local in no time.
Vaño Public Beach
Address: Lapu Lapu City, Cebu
 12. Dine in style at Ibiza Beach Club
Located at Mövenpick Hotel, this restaurant is
probably one of the most lavish places you’ll
find in Lapu Lapu. The entire area is standing
above water and has panoramic views of the
ocean. Ibiza Beach Club serves a blend of
Mediterranean and Asian food, along with an
exquisite selection of wines, cocktails, and other
drinks.
Ibiza Beach Club
Address: Mövenpick Hotel, Mactan Island, Lapu Lapu City,
6015 Cebu
13. Shop until you drop at Shangs
Island Town Center

We all know that shopping is an extremely

popular activity that people do on vacation,
and that is exactly why you’ll find Shangs
Island Town Center on this list. This place isn’t
just for shopping, though. 
Shangs Island Town Center
Address: M.L. Quezon National Highway, Datag Maribago,
Lapu Lapu City, 6015 Cebu
14. Explore Maribagini Park

Maribagini is a man-made forest and park in San Vicente,

near the marine sanctuary. For the shutterbugs out there
visiting Lapu Lapu City, this is the place you go to!
Traversing the heavily-wooded path makes for a perfect
afternoon walk. Come dusk, the very little light coming from
the sky barely passes through the spaces between leaves and
creates an eerie and dramatic atmosphere. If you’re in the city
to visit San Vicente Marine Sanctuary, don’t forget to visit
this park. Bring the cameras out!
Government Agencies Involved in
Managing the Tourism Industry
1. Department of Tourism (DOT)
By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 189, the
Department of Tourism was institutionalized in
1973. It was reorganized through Executive Order
No. 120 in accordance with Article II, Section 1 (a)
and Article III of the 1986 Constitution. DOT is the
prime tourism agency mandated to plan and set
the fundamental policies involving the tourism
sector, coordinate the policy to other tourism
agencies and become an administrative entity for
the executive branch of government
The DOT has the power to effect the following
functions::
a.) hold meetings and conferences pertaining to
tourism
b.) amend travel regulations and guidelines
c.) review all government projects concerning tourism
d.) issue licenses to tourism personnel such as tour
guides, travel agents, and travel operators
e.) regulate, supervise, and license all tourism sub-
sectors such as
hotel, motel, restaurant, resorts, and others
Organizational Structure of DOT

The agency is headed by its Secretary of

Tourism with a cabinet rank. The cabinet
secretary is assisted by the four
undersecretaries and an assistant secretary in
overseeing the stability of the tourism industry
in the country. Each of them has definite
functions and responsibilities.
· Undersecretary for Planning, Product
Development and Coordination

All of the department undertaking concerning

researches, surveys, recommendations for future
plans and policies, coordination and assistance in
the implementation of tourism-related projects,
and formulation of tourism statistics are within the
jurisdiction of the Undersecretary for Planning,
Product Development and Coordination.