The CCLEX -or the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway – was the “star” of our recent trip to Cebu just this weekend.
Some members of the Pampanga Press Club were given the privilege to be part of the tour, courtesy of the NLEX Corporation, which highlighted the 8.9-kilometer bridge that links Cebu City and the town of Cordova.
This four-lane bridge has opened up Cordova’s commerce, making it one of the emerging economic areas in Cebu province.
What was once a 2 to 3-hour drive from Cebu to Cordova has been cut down to 45 minutes, thanks to the CCLEX.
Now considered as the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines, the structure is not only open to 4-wheeled vehicles, but also to motorcycles. A bonus is a protected area for pedestrians and cyclists.
The CCLEX has become more than just a structure, too. It is now among the province’s tourist destinations. For some, their trip would not be complete without a ride though the bridge.
It not only shows a view of the Cebu City skyline, but it also highlights the mangroves in the area. The bridge skirts around the mangroves in a bid to protect the environment, making it a perfect ecotourism spot.
The CLLEX was also built in such a way that small boats can pass, giving fishermen access to their traditional fishing grounds.
This bridge has given the town of Cordova a new way of life. It is now a first-class municipality, with bustling businesses left and right – and a number of resorts including the Solea Mactan Resort, where we were billeted.
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To say that Solea is spacious is an understatement. It was huge! It is an immense garden resort with a panoramic view of the sea. It has a lot of pools, and two of them are infinity pools – just take your pick and you’re good to go.
They have various meal offerings to satisfy every discriminating palate, plus welcome drinks that would soothe your thirst. Their ginger lemon drink was a thirst quencher!
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Day 2 was spent out at sea – literally. Donned in swim gear and with sunblock in hand, off we went to island hop.
Despite the heavy rains the night before, the weather was nice that day, and we were ready for an adventure.
On the boat, we had lunch of seafood and favorites like menudo, fish fillet, and lumpiang shanghai, as well as shellfish and sea urchin. The star of the show though was the lechon belly. Melt-in-your mouth meat and crispy skin? We were all scrambling for the delicious treat!
Our island-hopping adventure was cut short though, because of the low tide, which prevented us from going near the islands. But we’ve already had our fill of sea and food by that time, so we didn’t really mind.
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What made the trip really interesting was a visit to the famous 10,000 Roses. We got there around 5PM, just when the sun was setting. When the night fell, the roses started to glow.
That was a sight to see. What’s even more heartwarming were the people who trooped there with their families and friends, trying to capture a perfect moment with a perfect photograph amid the sparkling, white roses.
We had a blast there, and our tummies were filled with good food from the Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant just a stone’s throw away from the tourist spot.
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Many thanks to the NLEX Corporation for continuing the tradition of spending time with the PPC. They are not just trips, but moments and time well spent with friends and family.
