Cruising along the Cebu South Coastal Road, haven’t you noticed how this stretch of asphalt and concrete has reshaped Cebu City’s southern edge? The Cebu South Coastal Road isn’t just a road. It’s a statement. A testament to Cebu City’s ambition and a gateway to its future. This vital artery, part of National Route 840, connects Talisay City to downtown Cebu City, offering a breezy alternative to the often-congested Natalio Bacalso Avenue. But the road itself is just the beginning of the story. The Cebu South Coastal Road owes its existence to the South Road Properties, or SRP, a massive 300-hectare land reclamation project. What was once open sea is now a bustling hub of activity, thanks to this ambitious undertaking. Imagine, back in the late 1980s, then-mayor Tomas Osmeña envisioned transforming the sea between Cebu City and Kawit Island. This island, once a quarantine facility during American rule, was destined for bigger things. The South Road Properties, initially conceived as a home for light industries, evolved into a vibrant mixed-use development. The project commenced in 1997, fueled by a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and reached completion in 2004. The Cebu South Coastal Road, the very road we are on, became the lifeline of this new district, connecting it to the mainland. The SRP isn’t merely reclaimed land. It’s a canvas on which Cebu City is painting its future, and the Cebu South Coastal Road provides the access. Look around. From the SM Seaside City complex, a sprawling development with the largest mall in Cebu, to the City di Mare, a “city by the sea” with its resort-style mall, Il Corso, the SRP is brimming with life. And it’s still growing. The Cebu South Coastal Road has become more than just a road. It’s the main street of a new Cebu City.
Archdiocesan Shrine of San Roque
Were the whispers true? Did a simple fisherman, guided by a mysterious voice, truly carve the image of San Roque