Cebu Photoshoots

Locations

Where to shoot in Cebu

The Temple of Leah sits in the hills above the city — a vast neoclassical structure of columns, lions and staircases built as a private memorial. It is theatrical, it looks like nowhere else in the Philippines, and the view back over Cebu from its terrace is the bonus.

Sirao Garden, on the same ridge, is rows of celosia in blocks of orange, pink and red with the mountains behind. Locals call it Little Amsterdam and it is at its best in the morning.

The old quarter downtown holds Magellan's Cross in its small pavilion, the Basilica del Santo Nino beside it, and Fort San Pedro, the oldest triangular bastion fort in the country.

Mactan and Lapu-Lapu, across the bridge, give you the coast — resort beaches, clear shallow water and boats drawn up on the sand.

The Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills is a steep climb of dragon-flanked stairs in the hills above the city.

Further out, Kawasan Falls at Badian and the coast at Moalboal are full-day trips from the city rather than add-ons.

Timing

Dry season, and start early

The dry season runs roughly from December to May and is the reliable window for outdoor work. June to November is the wet season, with heavier rain and the risk of typhoons.

Heat and humidity make the middle of the day difficult in every month. Early morning is better for the light, for the crowds at Sirao and the Temple of Leah, and for simply being comfortable.

The Sinulog festival takes over the city each January and is extraordinary, but it fills every hotel and closes streets across the centre. It needs planning for rather than stumbling into.

Rain here tends to arrive hard and pass quickly rather than settling in for the day, so a shower rarely ends a session.

What to wear

Light fabric, and cover for the churches

Humidity is constant. Light, loose fabric photographs better and feels better than anything fitted or heavy.

Sirao's flower beds are intensely coloured. Solid white, cream or pale blue stands out cleanly against them; busy prints disappear.

The Basilica and the Taoist Temple are active places of worship with modest-dress expectations. Something to cover shoulders is worth carrying.

The hill locations involve stairs and uneven ground, and the roads up are steep.

Before you go

Traffic, entry fees and religious sites

Cebu City traffic is heavy and unpredictable, and the hill locations are a slow climb. A shoot covering both the city and the ridge needs realistic travel time built in rather than optimism.

The Temple of Leah, Sirao Garden and the Taoist Temple each charge entry and set their own rules, including on tripods and commercial shoots. We confirm what is permitted before building a session around them.

The Basilica del Santo Nino is one of the most important religious sites in the country and is busy with worshippers rather than tourists. Shoots there are brief, quiet and secondary.

Island and waterfall trips run on boat and vehicle schedules, so they are planned days.

Arranging it

How a Cebu shoot gets booked

Cebu shoots are arranged directly with our team rather than booked online. Tell us your dates, how many of you there are and whether you want the city, the ridge or the coast, and we will confirm what can be arranged and what it will cost.

If you are travelling in January, mention it. Sinulog changes what is possible across the whole city.