Cebu City, a first income class highly urbanized city and the capital of Cebu is the commercial, cultural and political core of Southern Philippines. If you are on vacation in Cebu, you might find yourself wondering what to do, particularly during long holiday weekends. After moving to a place near Ayala Center Cebu – the region’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination, I have listed all of the fun and interesting things to do in Ayala Mall’s masterfully-designed space. What I love about Ayala is the range of dining for various budgets and well-thought-of retail and leisure choices embodying the distinctive taste of Cebuanos like me.
7:30am
Walk to Ayala Mall. If you are in an area located inside Cebu Business Park or an area within the Ayala Center perimeters, I suggest walking to Ayala Mall. Regular walking is good for you because cardio-vascular exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, increasing overall fitness. Traffic and safety are also regulated and rigidly observed. It is not surprising that joggers, skateboarders, and even those who just enjoy leisure walking find this jogging area safe and secure.
8:00am
Work out at Golds Gym. Bikini season means taking the journey toward a healthier and better version of yourself at Gold’s Gym located at the 4th floor of Ayala Center Cebu! They’re open from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.
Useful tip: Do sauna after your workout. Sitting in the sauna applies heat all over your body, helping you boost your recovery.
10:00am
Have breakfast at The Pancake House. You’ve just finished a tough workout and your body is screaming for some nourishment. What should you eat to refuel and repair your muscles?
The Pancake House in Ayala Terraces serves the best pancakes in Cebu, and they have some delicious varieties like Classic Country, Bacon and Cheese, Caramel Banana Walnut and more.
11:00am
Coffee Break. Café Saree located at the ground floor of Rustan’s Ayala is a charming place to sip coffee and enjoy a good book or catch up on some current events. Also, post-workout brew can be good for you. Studies have found that caffeine can decrease muscle pain after you work out.
My recommendation: Stick with one cup of coffee after the gym since too much caffeine can make your heart race and leave you feeling jittery.
2:00pm
Watch a movie at the Ayala Cinemas. You can avoid the hassle of lining up every time you watch a movie- especially if it’s a blockbuster. You can purchase and reserve your tickets anytime through www.sureseats.com. How convenient!
4:00pm
Shop and Stroll. There are a few malls that allow shoppers the leisurely shopping environment they crave for, and Ayala Mall is definitely one of them.
From big retail brands like Zara, H&M, Pull & Bear, Bershka, and Ever New to national brands, Ayala Center Cebu offers an authentic shopping experience, whether you are going on a spree, strolling, or just taking in the scene.
6:00pm
Have fun and play at Timezone. Timezone is your one stop spot for total fun. This place is not just for kids but also for young adults and couples who enjoy Timezone as a stress-relieving setting to meet colleagues and friends alike.
Useful tip: There’s more than one way to play- Buy a timed play fun package in store or load up your card. There’s no minimum amount!
7:00pm
Dine with a view at Sky Lounge by Blue Elephant. There are only so many blue sky days so don’t wait to start dining on the patio of this Thai restaurant. Situated on the 19th floor of Apple One building, you can walk from Ayala Active Zone to Blue Elephant Sky Lounge. This restaurant bar opens at 5 PM and closes at 2 AM. Moreover, it overlooks Ayala Center and there’s clearly a great view up there making the Sky Lounge’s terrace the ultimate happy hour spot.
Cebuano born and bred, Mitz is a registered nurse turned Marketing Manager for foodpanda. A devoted lover of words and wit, Mitz wanted to try her hand at writing. She will never refuse a piece of dark chocolate or anything matcha.
