Good vibes are pouring in the Philippines right now with the arrival of Pope Francis despite another typhoon. Further south, the Queen City of the South, Cebu's Sinulog festivities are getting more and more exciting every year. I am even in high spirits even though I am miles away. With all the bad news that is happening in the world right now, the annual feast of Sto. Niño always reminds me the true essence of being a Filipino- resilient and joyful amidst all odds. 

As tradition goes on this blog, here are my newly discovered haunts in Cebu and its neighboring Bohol where I spent a few days during my recent trip to the island.

Hikay at the Calyx Center, IT Park: I was excited to try another native restaurant called Hikay. The quality (and quantity of choices) of food is on the level of my ultimate favorite Cafe Laguna, Hukad, Golden Cowrie and Chikaan.

Baked cheesy clams.

I always order sizzling squid when I eat a Filipino restaurant.

The hard-to-find spider seashell made my trip to Hikay worthwhile.

Choobi Choobi: I've been wanting to try their bucket shrimp ever since they opened a few years back and finally got to try it last month. I was feeling a bit under the weather that day, but mum got take out from Choobi Choobi. Their shrimp with salted egg is oh so deliciously salty!

Fish done the Cebuano way

Mussels with sweetcorn

Craving for my bucket shrimp with salted egg!

West 35, Balamban: The main attraction of this well-manicured boutique restaurant/hotel is the bathroom! Go check it out yourself. I came here on a good, clear day to have brunch with a view and chillax with one of my good friends.  By brunch I mean Filipino breakfast complete with rice, meat and eggs. Beware though it can become foggy and cloudy up in the mountains so plan accordingly.

Isdasilog: Breakfast done the Filipino way with fried fish, rice (lots of it!) and 2 eggs.

Brique: A sister restaurant of nearby Chikaan. Its interiors remind me of a San Francisco or New York contemporary restaurant but was not wowed with the taste of the dishes. The salmon entree came out to be very small relative to its price. Come here for the vibe. If it is food you're after, walk over to Chikaan instead.

Teeny tiny salmon

So so fried chicken

Another so so calamari.

Seafood in Bohol is LOVE. The highlight of my trip was jetting to Bohol for an annual mother-daughter bonding trip. Fresh oysters, which is hard to find in Cebu, meaty crabs and plump prawns greeted me at every restaurant I went to in Bohol. I will leave you with just gastronomic photos.

Oysters with kaffir lime

Succulent prawns with beady eyes. Yum!

Spicy, milky chicken done the Boholano way

Ube dessert. Bohol is known for its ube jam.

Flavorful and healthy palm hearts

Floating lunch at Loboc River Cruise: one of the things you should do before you die