Visit Cebu | Queen Of The South

Just south of Cebu City lies the city of Talisay. Once upon a time Talisay was a giant estate owned by Spanish Friars with the Talisay tree being the main landmark, hence the name. During the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945, Talisay was the headquarters of guerrilla forces resisting the enemy. In 1945 the US forces re-occupuying the Philippines landed at Talisay and then drove north to fight the Japanese.

Today Talisay is a thriving ‘bedroom’ city for many who work in nearby Cebu City. Since the South Coastal Expressway opened up, travel times from Talisay to Cebu have been drastically cut, lessening congestion along the crowded Cebu South Road. The journey along this latter road gives the impression that there is no place where Cebu City stops and Talisay City begins. However a drive along the newer coastal road takes you from city to city with open space and fish farms that offer a refreshing vista and feeling of space.

Talisay has beachside housing estates as well as houses clawing their way up the steep mountain sides that run along the city’s western boundaries. Within twenty minutes drive from the center of the city you find yourself in hidden hinterland valleys that seem a million miles from anywhere.

Attractions include the Gaisanao Mall, new market and municipal buildings and Crocolandia. Crocolandia is a genuine crocodile farm that tourists can enjoy, strolling between the pens filled with crocodiles, alligators and it even has an ostrich.

Many expats choose Talisay because it is close to the amenities of Cebu City, yet it has some clean, quiet spots suitable for retirement living.

PHOTO: Crocolandia Crocodile Park, Talisay. Photo courtesy of Leylander

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 am and is filed under Cebu Towns, General Knowledge. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.