Talisay's Best Lechon...

Simbahan sa Talisay

Talisay City is a 3rd class city in the province of Cebu, Philippines. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Minglanilla, on the west by the city of Toledo and on the east by Cebu Strait.

Map of Talisay

Location

Talisay City is adjacent to Cebu City about 12 km. to the south. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Minglanilla, on the west by the city of Toledo and on the east by Cebu Strait.

How to Get There

Talisay can be reached by taxi or jeepney from Cebu City. Travel time is more or less about 30 minutes.

Tourism Talisay is known for its “Inasal Baboy” (Roasted Pig). Its name is taken from the ‘Mantalisay’ tree which is abundant in the city. It is primarily a residential and trading center. Talisay City is part of a metropolitan area known as Metro Cebu.

Talisay City's Lechon Festival

“Best pig ever,” Time Magazine in their May 2009 issue of the Best of Asia 2009, Best for the Body quoted Anthony Bourdain, food guru, as he savored Cebu lechon. No contest. The best lechon (roasted suckling pig) in the country can only be found in this province and the best in the province can only be found in Talisay City. Very delectable morsel, red crispy skin, juicy meat and flavorful taste.

Manileños only know CnT as their source of Cebu lechon but if it’s a weekend and you have time to spare, head south to the place formerly known as “Yaro” in Talisay City, just around 12 kilometers and near the Catholic Church and the beach. Especially on a Sunday, still hot lechon on bamboo poles line the road ready to be chopped for waiting buyers.

One caveat though, while the price is per kilo, actual portions may be less as no weighing scales are used but are estimated only. In local parlance, mata-mata (direct translation: eye-eye) lang. During weekdays, the only way to get whole lechon is to directly source it from the roaster.

Other than lechon, buyers at the former “Yaro” can also try other items like Cebu’s dugo-dugo (blood stew), a must try and, I should say, better than those found in Manila; ginabot, deep fried intestines popularly known as chicharon bulaklak; grilled fish, squid and other seafoods. One other place in the province that claims that their roast pig is the best is in Carcar.

Note: If your only option is to buy lechon at CnT, skip their branch at the grocery section of SM City Cebu. It is overpriced by as much as 75 pesos per kilo compared to their other branch just across the mall. Their reason: mall space rent.

                                                              

       

Talisay, A City of Paradise....

The story of Crocolandia

Crocolandia was committed to propagating and conserving the natural resources and its wildlife. It is intentionally designed to serve as a place where man can be one with nature in the most intimate way possible.

A long time ago, this piece of land in Talisay City was a turtle farm, until one fateful day it became home for Magellan. Magellan is a four foot, five year old crocodile who later lay an egg, revealing her true gender, which dramatically surprised everyone. A family of animal lovers made Magellan as a pet and was quickly given a boy playmate by the name, Lapulapu. From then on Magellan and Lapulapu produced many healthy offspring that later made families of their own, increasing the population of their kind.

Later on, other animals, such as monitor lizards, snakes, owls, birds and the like were brought to the farm, where they have been kept well and taken care of. These animals became felicitous creatures of nature, living in their own little private world with TLC (Tender, Loving, Care).

The successful growth of the farm’s population was significant and inspiring. This made the owner of the farm, Mr. Go Ching Hai, his family and friends decided to share their love for animals with the rest of Cebu, Philippines and they named it Crocolandia.

The Crocolandia Foundation

Crocolandia Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to its mission in providing a shelter for nature’s neglected animals. The Foundation endeavors to enlighten the community through awareness and information of important facts about nature which will eventually help them preserve and conserve the environment.

Crocolandia is a showcase of proper care and attention that animals and plants needs to have. Crocolandia believes that the planet earth is meant to be shared with these living things, which are GOD’s creations as well.

 

Guidelines for Membership Applications

1. One single copy of the form is needed for the Processing.
2. Upon submission of the accomplished application form applicants should submit or comply the following.
a. Two 1×1 ID pictures.
b. Present any valid I.D. for verification of data stated in the Application Form.
3. Crocolandia Foundation Inc. will contact you as soon as the application is approved.
4. The Membership I.D. and free souvenir item/s can be picked-up at the park, care off the Cashier.

Membership Package for a Single Member = P1,000 per year

 

Membership Package for *Family = P2,000 per year

*Family – comprising of 2 adults and 2 children  below 18 years old.

Membership Benefits

- The membership package will allow the members unlimited entry into the park for one year.
- Guest accompanied by members will be given a 20% discount on the park entrance fee.
- Holders of a package will be issued a membership card which is non-transferable.
- Package for a single membership card includes one Crocolandia Souvenir Item.
- Package for a family membership card includes two Crocolandia Souvenir Items.

The entrance fee of P80 per adult and P40 per children below 12 years old is fair enough for the very wonderful experience you will get when you’re inside this world-class Filipino zoo. They give a 25% discount if you’re a group of 25 people and up.

 For reservations please call +63 32 273-1842

More on Crocolandia's view....

seems a giant lizard to me....

a monster in Crocolandia....

nice flower which can be found in Crocolandia

a parent and offspring encounter...