solid guide, the sugbo mercado rec is spot on. one thing i'd add is to try the lechon belly at a carenderia near the carbon market instead of the fancy joints. it's like 300-400 pesos for a huge serving, way less touristy, and they'll give u extra sarsa if u ask nice. also, if u're around colon at night, don't skip the ginabot (fried pork intestines) from the vendors near the old cathedral, it's greasy but perfect with a cold beer. for dessert, skip razo's if u want the real deal, head to the small halo-halo stand inside the ayala grocery section, same price but way more toppings, the leche flan there is thick af. last tip, always bring a small towel or wet wipes for street food, the puso is sticky and the vinegar dip drips everywhere lol.

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The guide's tip about Pasil Fish Market is spot on, I'd just add that you should go with a local if you can. The vendors there can spot a tourist from a mile away and the "fresh catch" price doubles real quick. I've had better luck buying from the stalls further from the main entrance, they're less aggressive and the quality's the same.

For something the guide missed, check out the lechon manok (roasted chicken) stands along V. Rama Avenue around 6 p.m. It's a whole different beast from the pig lechon, the skin's thinner and crispier, and they stuff it with lemongrass and garlic. A whole bird goes for about 280 pesos and comes with a side of atchara, perfect for two people. That's my go-to after a long day, way easier than dealing with the dinner rush at the fancy places.

Also, if you're hitting Sugbo Mercado, don't fill up on the first stalls you see. The lines look intimidating but move fast, and the best stuff is usually at the back corners where the regulars go. I've had some killer tempura and grilled squid back there that I've never seen mentioned in any guide.

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honestly this guide nailed it, especially the pungko-pungko near fuente. that's where i take everyone who visits. but one thing i'd add is the dried mangoes from 7D factory outlet in mandaue. it's not a restaurant but they sell the rejects and near-expiry packs for like half the price of the malls, and they taste identical. grab a few bags for pasalubong, everyone back home will think u're a genius.

also, for the seafood rec, lantaw is great but if u're already in cordova, walk a bit further to the floating cottages at gilutongan. it's a 15 minute pump boat ride, but the kinilaw there is made with fish they literally just pulled up, and the vinegar hits different with the sea air. costs about the same, maybe a bit more for the boat, but it's worth the hassle if u have a free afternoon.

one more thing, the chocolate chamber is a nice spot but their coffee is overpriced for what it is. if u want real local coffee, hit up the small stall inside the colonnade mall near the entrance, they brew robusta that'll wake u up faster than any espresso. pair it with a bitso-bitso from the vendor outside, that combo is my sunday ritual.

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solid itinerary, covers the classics well. one thing i'd swap: day 2's mactan ferry plan is a bit of a hassle tbh. instead of pier 1, grab a grab to the maribago public beach side, it's like 300 pesos and the boatmen there will take u out to hilutungan for way less than the newtown tours, maybe 1500 for a whole boat. the corals are still decent but go early, like 7am, before the tour groups roll in.

also for day 3, cafe laguna is good but if u want a real local breakfast spot, check out stk ta bay! near the old airport, they do a killer bangus belly and their danggit is less salty than the mall version. plus u can grab some tablea chocolate from the market across the street after, way better than the packaged stuff. and for the rooftop at radisson, skip it on a friday or saturday night, it gets packed with corporate crowds, go on a weekday and u can actually get a seat by the rail.

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this itinerary's solid, i've done almost the exact same route. one thing i'd add, skip the taxi to tops lookout and just take the 38B jeepney from colon, it's a bit of a ride but you get dropped right at the main gate area, saves you a good 300 pesos. also, temple of leah is right next door, so do that first before it gets packed, then walk up to tops for the sunset instead of the morning, way less harsh light for photos.

for the carbon market lunch, don't stop at the first lechon stall you see, walk a bit further in, there's a small corner spot near the dried fish section that does a mean puso with extra spicy vinegar, locals queue there around noon. and if you're hitting sugbo mercado on day 1, go hungry, the grilled squid and kinilaw are the move, but bring cash cause some stalls don't take cards.

one thing the guide missed, the basilica gets super crowded after 9am with massgoers, so go right when it opens at 6, you'll have the place to yourself and the old paintings inside are easier to see. also for souvenirs, skip the public market on day 3, the prices are touristy now, head to the colon street side stalls near the heritage monument instead, same otap but half the price.

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ayy this guide is pretty much exactly how i'd do it, good work. one thing i'd tweak tho, day 2's island escape is a bit ambitious with the ferry timing. if ur not dead set on hilutungan, just chill at maribago beach instead, the sand is fine and there's a small sari-sari store selling ice cold beer for like 40 pesos, way cheaper than the resort day pass. plus the local boatmen near the shore will paddle u out to a tiny sandbar for a few hundred pesos, no need to deal with the pier at all.

also for day 3, rico's is legit but if u want the real OG lechon experience, go to the original house of lechon near the old mandaue flyover, it's a bit out of the way but the skin stays crunchy even after 30 mins, which i never got at the banilad branch. and for the souvenirs, the heritage monument stalls are good but honestly the best otap i found was at a tiny stall inside the jose r. gullas memorial library compound, weird spot i know, but the owner bakes it herself and it's way less sweet than the commercial ones, plus she gives u a free sample while u browse.

one last thing, if u do hit mango avenue at night, don't bother with the big clubs, the street food vendors near the corner of juana osmeña are

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