WHAT’S in Cebu, besides lechon, dried mangoes, and boneless danggit?

A lot more, really, and one doesn’t have to spend a fortune to get to know more of Cebu and its many attractions.

For those who love swimming and other water sports, Cebu and its nearby islands have very good beaches while its underwater attractions are comparable to the best in the world. Island hopping, scuba diving and snorkeling have become popular activities among tourists.

For nature-lovers, Cebu is fast gaining a reputation as a favored destination for bird watching, caving and mountain-climbing.

Beyond all these attractions, Cebu also has a lot to offer in terms of culture and history with its old churches and museums.

Cebuanos, whether they can carry a tune or not, love to sing so there are a lot of karaoke joints here. Hanging out with friends or family at the mall has become a favorite pastime especially during weekends and at night.

But how much does one really need to enjoy Cebu? Can P500 go far in the city? Yes, if you know where and how. Here are 10 ways to stretch your peso and make the most of a day in Cebu.

1. For the best meals on a shoestring budget, try the canteens near schools. At the University of San Carlos (USC), the oldest university in the country, all you need is P20 for breakfast consisting of two pieces of ngojiong (a local version of spring rolls) at P7 each and two pieces puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves at P3 each). For lunch, try the food stalls near the USC or across Fuente Osmeña, offering the popular siomai sa tisa (dumplings), which is sold at P7 each, and a serving of rice or two pieces puso at P6. The AA’s restaurant near Fort San Pedro offers pork barbecue at P15, ngojiong at P5 and rice at P9. For dinner, there’s the popular Larsian near Fuente Osmeña, where pork barbecue is priced at P15, grilled chicken barbecue at P35, pork belly at P50 and grilled fish at P40. If you bring your own water, you will spend only about P95 for three meals.

2. To save on transportation costs, opt to ride in jeepneys rather than taxis, unless necessary. Most of the sites in Cebu City can be reached by jeepney, anyway. However, it’s better to take a taxi from the main street going to the Taoist Temple since you will spend about the same (P100 for a two-way ride) if you take the motorcycle-for-hire (locally known as habal-habal). Getting around for a day should cost you around P152 in transportation, including taxi fare.

3. If you don’t have any knee or foot injury, it’s cheaper to just walk to the “must-see” sites that are close to each other. For example, the Casa Gorordo Museum in Parian District is just beside the Heritage of Cebu Monument. From there, the Cebu Cathedral Museum is less than a five minute walk. Magellan’s Cross, located across Cebu City Hall, is just outside the Sto. Niño Church, which is two blocks from the Cathedral Museum. And Fort San Pedro is less than a 10-minute walk from the Magellan’s Cross.

4. Visit the museums, which are very good showcases of the history of Cebu. The museum of the University of San Carlos (P30 entrance fee), located in P. del Rosario St, Cebu City, features artifacts from the Spanish colonial era taken from an excavation site near the Fort San Pedro. Casa Gorordo (P40 entrance fee for locals and P70 for foreigners) showcases how a rich Filipino family lived during the Spanish colonial times. The Cathedral Museum (donation only) and the nearby Sto. Niño Museum (donation only) are part of historical sites that feature religious relics. On the other hand, the Museo sa Sugbo (P30 for locals and P75 for foreigners) offers visitors a glimpse of the history of Cebu, starting from the pre-Spanish era. This museum hopping trip should set you back about P120 (including P20 donations).

5. Visit the Taoist Temple, which does not charge any entrance fee, to enjoy a panoramic view of the city during daytime or, in the late afternoon, to watch the beautiful sunset.

6. Art lovers could hie off to the SM City Cebu, where the Art Center on the third level features works of Cebu artists. Entrance is free.

7. If music is your scene, check out the SM City Cebu Northwing activity area, and be treated to a daily mini-concert of soothing local band music or piano music in the early evening. Sometimes, artists from Manila are featured.

8. If you come with a laptop, SM City Cebu also provides free wi-fi connection to a limited number (200 connections at a given time) of mall goers. It’s best to access the service in the afternoon since the evening is usually busy.

9. The best place to chill out at the end of the day without spending too much is at the Ayala Center Cebu Terraces, which provides a nice ambience in the evening. You can just munch peanuts and bring your own water or drink and sit on the stairs near the small artificial waterfalls.

10. Buy pasalubong from the supermarkets at the malls. The price may be slightly higher for some items, such as boneless danggit, but you don’t have to go out of your way and spend more for transportation. Recommended buys: dried mango chips at P27 per 100-gram pack and boneless danggit at P100 per ¼-kilo pack. •