Ever since I started traveling to Cebu, I’ve always wondered where that flagstone-wall with hypnotic concentric circular portals are in Cebu. I knew the name, Tops Lookout Cebu or simply Tops Cebu, but I always seem to miss it whenever I land at the Queen City of the South.

I’ve been to Cebu and Mactan’s tourist spots, even going so far as Camotes Island and the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, but Tops Cebu seems to be eluding me. Just where the heck is it?! And on this last trip to Cebu with fellow drinkers from Team RH, I finally found out where.

LUNCH AT CEBU’S ORIGINAL LECHON BELLY

Checking out of Premiere Citi Suites Cebu and having a sinful lunch at Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, we hailed an Uber cab and requested the driver to take us to the newest rage in the city, the Temple of Leah. The said temple is located on the mountainous area of Barangay Busay.

QUICK VISIT TO THE TEMPLE OF LEAH

En route, we asked him if it was possible for him to simply keep our meter running, as we wouldn’t spend that much time at the temple and we’d soon head to Tops Cebu—which is just a few minutes drive. He agreed. And at last, on our last few hours in Cebu, I finally saw these circular portals.

FIRST TIME TO SEE TOPS CEBU

I was actually surprised when we entered the low curved structure from the parking lot. I have absolutely no idea that this is where these circles were! I almost exclaimed my finally when I went through the entrance and saw the circular corridor.

INGENIOUS ARCHITECTURE

The architecture is ingenious. A half-circle of a building divided in equal parts by a flagstone-finished wall, and each one punctured with circular opening. A rhythm of circles bending onwards; the effect is hypnotic. For social media peeps, this place is absolutely perfect for your Instagram feed, lol.

SOME OF THE SPACES HOLD RESTOBARS

Each of the cells, made by the wall divisions, opens to a central courtyard. These are free to use by visitors, they can hang out here, have a few bottles of beer—which can be bought on a few stalls on the eastern part of the building, and even have a hotpot session. Yes, I saw a group doing just that!

OUR BAR OF CHOICE

Us, since we didn’t have no stove with us, we simply went to the bar with the most alcohol, sat our asses down on their makeshift chairs and tables, and started to drink the afternoon away. Prices of food and beer are a bit higher here, of course, since its way out of the city. We bought a few bottles, some chips, and opened our stash of lechon—leftovers from lunch.

VIEW OF THE CITY FROM TOPS CEBU

Tops Cebu, as its name suggest is at the top of Cebu. The edge of the atrium acts as a viewing deck of sorts overlooking the city. And as the afternoon faded into dusk, the air grew colder, not as cold as Baguio, but Tagaytay cold. Perfect for having a bottle or two of beer. Or in our case, a bucket or two. Or three.

TEAM RH AT TOPS CEBU ~ PHOTO BY KIRKANATOMY

It was fully dark when we finished our session and we would’ve gone ‘til midnight if not for our flights back to Manila. The problem now was how to get  back down to the city and on to the airport.

There are habal-habal motorbikes offering rides going down (PHP100.00 per person), but we just saw an accident involving one on the way up; there’s no way we’d risk a motorcycle ride on a darkened road. I saw signs around the area where we could call a ride that would fetch us, but we simply didn’t have time to spare to wait.

What we did, since most people who visit Tops Cebu ask their cab to wait for them, was ask those who’ve just arrived if we could borrow their rented taxi going down. Filipinos are generally kind-hearted and we were rushing down Busay’s winding road in no time, nervously glancing at our watches as the time ticked towards our flight time. We closed our Cebu weekend quick with an Amazing Race run to the airport.

 

HOW TO GET TO TOPS CEBU: The easiest, but most expensive way, is by taking a taxi to and from Tops (PHP800.00 to PHP1,000.00, roundtrip). If you want to commute, hail a Lahug bound jeep from Osmena Boulevard and asked to be dropped at Tops. It actually doesn’t go all the way to the lookout, you’d have to walk the last 500 meters. Another option, albeit a bit more adventurous, is to alight at J.Y. Square Mall, then ride a habal-habal to Tops (PHP100.00 to PHP150.00, roundtrip).

 

Tops Lookout Cebu
Address: Cebu Tops Road, Busay, Cebu City, Cebu
Opening Hours: 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP100.00 per person
Contact Number: +63 (909) 890-5357
GPS Coordinates Map: 10.370595, 123.870866

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