Vios Cup Cebu 2015: Pre and Post Race

May 16-18, Cebu City

I have to accept that this fast-paced life isn't going to slow down for me. I felt like I just came home from Cebu, and hadn't really fully rested yet (thus getting badly ill during one of my best friends' bridal shower, boo). This weekend, though, I'll be flying back to the sunny south of the country for another wedding of a family, so I might as well catch up with my blog stories for this Cebu trip! Wah!

It wasn't my first time in Cebu, I've been there around 2 or so years ago to celebrate my birthday and experience the Sinulog Festival. During that trip, I was able to go around the city, thanks to being with Pax who has been there a lot of times. We toured the hot spots like the Magellan's Cross, Mactan Shrine, Philippine Taoist Temple, and even go on a ukulele hunting (post here and here).

For this Cebu trip, I was with Sarah naman. We have schedules to follow and a provided shuttle (hotel - race venue - Ayala Mall) for being bloggers for the Vios Cup 2015. 

All the Vios Cup attendees stayed at the Marco Polo Hotel. I am used to having room buddies and go cowgirl mode during blog travels, but this time, we were pampered by the brand and were even given our own rooms! Ang saya!

Ahhh! I love my own space! Everything's clean, view is good, and I have a tub all to myself! :)

Pool area of the Marco Polo Hotel:

Looking back, I'd say that this trip is more of a food trip! Kung ano ang kinulang sa tours, was compensated by a lot of good food and 3x merienda (hehe). Actually, hindi pa natutulog pero niloolook forward na namin kaagad ni Sarah ang breakfast! The best breakfast spread!

On our first night, after watching the Vios Cup Qualifying and Practice, Sarah and I decided to make the most out of the day and asked for nearby hangout recommendations from the hotel receptionist. We were then lead to La Vie, which turns out to be a place na napuntahan ko nadin during my first time in Cebu. Actually hindi ko lang siya basta pinuntahan, it was where I celebrated my riot wine-night birthday dinner!

The place looks HUGE now, the lot is occupied by different restaurant section. At ang daming lights! People go there for the "ala cherry blossoms" decors that looks pretty during daytime.

Hello again La Maison Rose! :)

We decided to stay in another part of the compound - at the La Vie Parisienne - where we had outdoor breads and coffee muna before having dinner with the Vios group. I love the ambiance of this place, it is a quaint bakery, wine bar, and a food grocery. Babalikan ko to to try the other selections.

The whole Vios team had dinner and socials at the Circa 1900. Like La Vie, the place is an old house converted into a homey yet fancy restaurant. Food is good, and the restaurant is in a quiet, secluded area our cab driver didn't even know about it at first (thanks for the directions Google Maps!). We had buffet style dinner at the garden area, with nice music, and even met the racers and notable people from Toyota.

Sarah and I spent the rest of the night at the lobby of our hotel. Music is very 90s Bryan Adams Everything I Do I Do It For You (hehehe), which I enjoyed with my Amaretto Sour before calling it a night.

With our short stay and minimal free time, Sarah and I also found ourselves going to Cebu's Ayala Mall twice. Naka shopping pa kami sa Topshop ng lagay na yan, haha! We also went to the Dessert Factory twice. Gustong gusto ko the chocolate cake I had there, but the best sa lahat is our total bill (together) was asa P300 lang! :D

And lastly, another place that we've been to was during our 2nd (also our last) night in the city: The Monastery, and no it is not a church...

... But a really cool and well-designed beer garden! Formerly named The Outpost, the place is a feast to my eyes. Our Cebu blogger friends Banisa and Sam met us there to try Cebu's Craft Beer (smooth!)... But ang pinaka the best sa lahat yung pizza nila! Super gooey and cheesy! :p I also enjoyed the music that night, was able to carry good conversations with the girls nang hindi nag sisigawan, haha.

Special thanks to Toyota Philippines for having us, and to the DMG group for taking care of us!