I never thought that a visit to a guitar factory would be so interesting and amusing - until my recent trip to Cebu. I had no definite factory in mind when I finalized our itinerary. All I wanted was to include a visit to Mactan Island and have time to drop by any guitar factory. I was looking forward to taking some souvenir shots and maybe join a factory tour to educate myself with how the famous guitar craftsmen of Cebu create such wonderful masterpieces.
Armed with just enough knowledge of the local dialect and determination to follow our planned itinerary, we took a jeepney to Colon (Colon is at the center of downtown Cebu and considered as the equivalent of Manila's Divisoria), another jeepney to SM, a van to MEPZI, and another jeep to the Tamia Terminal. We were able to ask a few locals at the Tamia Terminal and they pointed us to a group of tricycle drivers who can take us to the guitar factories. It took us about 10-15 minutes from Tamia Terminal to Alegre Guitar Factory.
We immediately headed inside just as a tour guide was sharing some facts about the place. He mentioned that the factory is owned by the Alegre (Mr. Fernando Alegre manages the family business) family, one of the pioneer guitar manufacturers in Cebu. Their guitars are being exported to various countries including Japan, Australia and the United States, among others.
We immediately headed inside just as a tour guide was sharing some facts about the place. He mentioned that the factory is owned by the Alegre (Mr. Fernando Alegre manages the family business) family, one of the pioneer guitar manufacturers in Cebu. Their guitars are being exported to various countries including Japan, Australia and the United States, among others.
The factory workers are very welcoming. They readily answer questions and allow the visitors to take a look at the guitars in various stages of completion. Some were even able to demonstrate how the guitar pieces are put together.
Beside the factory is a large showroom which showcases guitars of various sizes, shapes and prices. Guitar prices start at PhP130 for the toy guitars and Php700 for the small adult guitars.
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| Alegre guitars in various sizes |
A visit to the factory would not be complete without purchasing a few souvenir items. A small souvenir shop was set up just behind the factory and showroom. Visitors can choose from guitar pen holders, letter openers, key chains, refrigerator magnets, earrings, phone charms, paper weights, etc.
Address:
Pajac Abuno, 6015,
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Contact Number:
0063-32-5050706
Email Address:
alegreguitar@yahoo.com.ph
alegreguitar@yahoo.com.ph
Facebook Page:
How to get there: (From Colon)
a. for the flush traveler
If you have enough dough to spend, why not ride a taxi and worry about nothing else? :)
b. for the budget-conscious commuter
Ride a jeep to SM (P7.50) + ride a van to MEPZI (P25) + ride a jeep to Tamia terminal (P7.50) + ride a tricycle to Alegre Guitar Factory (P24).
If you have enough dough to spend, why not ride a taxi and worry about nothing else? :)
b. for the budget-conscious commuter
Ride a jeep to SM (P7.50) + ride a van to MEPZI (P25) + ride a jeep to Tamia terminal (P7.50) + ride a tricycle to Alegre Guitar Factory (P24).
I like this post. My GF said she wanted to buy me an Alegre guitar and I got curious. She wants to buy the guitar in Cebu and fly it back to Baguio. It's a sweet thing to do, and I just am happy to see your post coz somehow I got a glimpse of what my GF would be giving me. Hahahaha. Keep blogging. You're cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Toni! I'm sure you'll love your Alegre guitar :)
DeleteI have just recently been to Cebu and vivited the Alegre Guitar factory, I was very impressed with the craftsmanship and the welcoming, friendly staff. After some bartering, I walked out with a Bandurria and a six string 'Ovation' style Guitar for a very reasonable price. I am very happy with my guitar and my wife loves her Bandurria! A big thank you to the team at Alegre :)
ReplyDelete