Cebu City is now ASEAN City of Culture

Bantayan Island, northern Cebu

Cebu City has received a new designation from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the first ever ASEAN City of Culture.  The acceptance of the honor will take place on July 15-16, 2011 in a ceremony to be held in Blu Radison Hotel. The ceremony will be attended by His Excellency President Benigno Aquino, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and.the ASEAN ministers for culture and the arts and national counterparts.

Cebu was chosen for its strong creative industry like Sinulog Festival, held every third Sunday of January. Cebu is a home to many export companies in the furniture, gifts, toys, and housewares sectors. It is a major tourist destination in the country, next only to Manila, and is very popular for medical tourism.  Cebu together with Manila was nominated in 2008 during the meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers of Culture and the Arts in Myanmar. This new designation will give Cebu more international exposure and likely to attract more international tourists in the future.

I moved to Cebu in 2009 from Manila because of work and I am enjoying every bit of my experience.  Everything is within reach, allowing me to enjoy both the thrills and frills of a city life and the countryside. Cebu has almost everything a big city like Manila can offer, but without the pollution! Cebu has excellent beaches, resorts and 3-5 star hotels. Life is much simpler and less stressful. More than that, the cost of living is much cheaper. That explains why Cebu is an attractive destination for tourists and an ideal retirement place especially for foreigners. They can spread their retirement savings, spend less and yet can live quietly and comfortably. Expat community in Cebu, mostly retirees, is thriving.

Come to Cebu, and experience the warmth and hospitality of the Cebuanos!