by Diana Gillo and Astrid Vidal
What’s a better way to visit a place than to fully immerse yourself in it? And what better way is there to remember a place you’ve visited than by taking a piece of it with you?
Cebu symbolizes rich heritage and is home to local artistry and skilled artisanship. Here we take you through the most culturally rich area in the city with a guide to every piece you should take with you. Bonus: it all fits inside your luggage!
Paying homage to the first church ever built in the Philippines, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu is the best place to start, offering religious items and sacred relics that reflect the city’s deep devotion. A few steps outside the Basilica are small souvenir shops at Prince City Hall Building, M.C Briones Street facing La Nueva Supermart. And finally, a short walk leads to Carbon Market, where vendors offer local handicrafts and native products.
Religious Statues
Find them outside Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. These handy statues of Señor Sto. Niño symbolize Cebu as the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines and honor the patron saint of the country’s grandest celebration—the Sinulog Festival. This is a thoughtful present for Filipino families or elders who keep statues as a source of blessing and protection.
Rosaries
Find them outside Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. As a center of Catholic faith and devotion in the Philippines, rosaries make meaningful souvenirs for devoted Catholics and religious tourists. This is a symbol of the island’s religion and deep-rooted faith as Cebu City is the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines.
Bracelets
Find them outside Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. Alongside religious relics, colorful handcrafted brace- lets made of beads and stones are on sale. These hand-made boho trinkets are affordable and stylish and also symbolize Cebu’s laid-back island spirit.
T-Shirts and Tote Bags
Find them at Prince City Hall Building, M.C Briones Street facing La Nueva Supermart. Functional, lightweight, and easy to pack, these cotton t-shirts are designed by the vendors themselves. Many feature local symbols, landmarks, or cultural icons, making them distinctly Cebuano.
Ukuleles
Find them at Cebu Guitar Store, 38 Lincoln St, Cebu City. These small guitars called ukuleles are favorite souvenirs that have been crafted in nearby Mactan Island since 1919. Affordably priced at P200, they are small enough to fit in your luggage, and yet able to create nice melodies.
Woven Hats
Find them at Carbon Barracks and the 2nd level of the Carbon Market Interim Building. Lightweight, breathable, packable, and wearable, these woven hats are affordable and ideal for sun protection, as souvenirs, or even as wall decor. They come in different designs, shapes, and colors.
Woven Home Items
Find them at the Carbon Barracks and the 2nd level of the Carbon Market Interim Building. House items handwoven from Dumanjug, Cebu are perfect souvenirs for home decor enthusiasts and eco-conscious buyers. Tissue holders, jewelry boxes, coasters, and placemats of different sizes showcase functional, sustainable, and beautifully crafted items.
Keychains and Magnets
Find them at Carbon Market and anywhere around Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. These are go-to keepsakes or gifts for friends and family. These small yet meaningful items often showcase Cebuano landmarks, such as Magellan’s Cross, the image of Sto. Niño, the Sinulog Festival, the beaches of Mactan, even a miniature pusô or hanging rice. This woven rice pouch, made of coconut or pandan leaves, is a symbol of Cebu’s food culture.
Mini Abaniko
Find them at the Carbon Barracks and the 2nd level of the Carbon Market Interim Building. Locally made, and noted for its small size, these trinkets can be used as keychains, accessories, or decor.