20 Amazing Cebu Changes Since Your Last Visit – Part 1

by The Cebuano · Published October 30, 2017 · Updated September 12, 2020

Cebu is changing fast. The Cebu you knew when you left may not be the same one you come home to tomorrow. So, this week, TheCebuano is giving you a rundown of 20 exciting developments in Cebu that you definitely wouldn’t know about if you haven’t been back in recent years. What do you think of these changes in Cebu?

1. Boljoon Loses Its Plaza

First, after many attempts to restore its old (and very lovely) plaza, the town of Boljoon has decided to keep things simple and practical.

2. UP Cebu at the SRP

The University of the Philippines now has a new campus in Cebu. It can be found right across the FilInvest property at the South Road Properties.

3. Moalboal Gets Another Mall

After the opening of Gaisano Grand Mall, another Gaisano brand is now in Moalboal. Gaisano Town Center Moalboal is now open!

4. The Belfry is Back

After its destruction four years ago, and after months of work, the bell tower of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is now in good working condition.

5. Undergrounding Work

Undergrounding work has been done in various parts of the city to transfer the overhead cables underground and clear the streets of ‘spaghetti wires.’ This is one of the changes in Cebu that Cebuanos are really excited about.

6. Goodbye Marriott

After twenty longs years, the Cebu Marriott Hotel is finally closing its doors. Moreover, in 2018, the hotel will reopen under its new name SEDA Hotel.

7. Mahiga Creek Rehabilitation

The Mahiga Creek has been cleared of illegal settlers. In addition, concrete slabs now take the place of its messy and overly-polluted banks.

8. Cebu Ocean Park is Now Under Construction

Cebu’s very first ocean park is now rising right next to the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod at SM Seaside City Cebu Complex at the South Road Properties.

9. SM Partners with Cobonpue

World-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue has partnered with SM Seaside City Cebu to create the Sky Play, Cobonpue’s very first playground.

10. Downtown Cebu Gets a New Mall

Downtown Cebu will soon have even more shopping choices. CityMall Bacalso, standing right next to E-Mall, is now under construction.

11. Carcar Has a New City Center

Carcar now has a new city center which is complete with new infrastructure, road networks, and even a brand new city hall.

12. Naga City Builds a Massive Boardwalk

The City of Naga has recently opened to the general public a 195-meter Marine Boardwalk, the very first of its kind here in Cebu.

13. CCMC is Rising Fast

The construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) is now in full swing. The development stands on the exact same spot where the condemned structure stood.

14. Naga City Opens Public Pools

Naga City now has an Olympic-size swimming pool. Nagahanons only have to pay 40 pesos to use the facility. Non-Nagahanons, on the other hand, have to shell out 50 pesos to enjoy the pool.

15. Terminal 2 is Nearing Completion

The highly-anticipated construction of the second terminal of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is now in full swing.

16. Bigger (and More) Billboards

Local billboard makers have become bolder and a lot more aggressive. Massive billboards can now be seen in various parts of the city, including these ones along the SRP viaduct.

17. A Wider F. Sotto Drive

After numerous delays, the clearing and eventual widening of F. Sotto Drive (right next to the Iglesia ni Kristo church along Mango Avenue) have finally been completed.

18. Ili Rock and its New Viewing Deck

After several months of speculations and even protests, the Ili Rock Viewing Deck project was finally given a go signal.

19. Simala is Evolving

The once tiny Monastery of the Holy Eucharist or Simala Shrine has been continually growing and evolving. Today, the shrine is several stories high and has a massive lake right in the middle.