Where we are

Being in the heart of Cebu City, CPILS offers ample opportunities to speak English, an affordable lifestyle, and access to various popular tourist spots nearby.

Great Location

Address: Benedicto Bldg., MJ Cuenco Avenue, Barangay T.Padilla, Cebu City, Philippines  6000 (Former Harbor View Hotel)

CPILS is located at the heart of the Philippine archipelago, the city of Cebu, home to a population of over 900,000. CPILS is less than an hour’s drive from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Shops, malls, hospitals, coffee shops, restaurants, and other tourist attractions are conveniently accessible to students from CPILS’s location. It has the best location among all other ESL schools

7-Eleven Convenience Store
Just about a minute walk from CPILS

Nuat Thai Foot and Body Massage in M.J Cueco Ave.
Just about 4-minute walk from CPILS

Three-Sixty Pharmacy / Drugstore
Just about 3-minute walk from CPILS

Julie’s Bakeshop
Just about 3-minute walk from CPILS

Robinson Galleria Cebu

Strategically located a 5-minute ride from CPILS, it showcases world-class architecture and vibrant indoor landscapes. This six-story commercial complex has more than 200 shops, restaurants, a department store, a grocery store, and a wide choice of dining options.

It also features an entertainment complex with six cutting-edge cinemas, complete with a stylish lounge and ergonomically designed chairs, all equipped with the latest Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.

SM City Cebu

A seven-level complex, it is a large shopping mall located in Mabolo, just an 8-minute ride from CPILS. It is owned and developed by the country's largest shopping mall owner and is considered the fifth-largest shopping mall in the Philippines.

Not just retail stores and branded shops, the mall offers a wide range of dining choices, from fast food and coffee shops to local restaurants and international cuisines, including buffet restaurants and more.

SM Seaside Cebu

Another large mall, owned by the country's largest shopping mall owner, is located in South Road Properties, on the east coast of cosmopolitan Cebu City, just a 12-minute ride from CPILS. It is the largest mall in Cebu, the fourth-largest shopping mall in the Philippines, and the sixteenth-largest in the world.

This 4-level, circular-shaped retail mall features multiple anchors, including a department store, supermarket, a 5-theater Cineplex with an IMAX Theater, an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, and an Olympic-size ice skating rink. The mall boasts over 800 food and retail shops, including international brands.

Il Corso Filinvest Malls

Another mall in the South Road Properties (SRP), just a 12-minute ride from CPILS, Il Corso Filinvest Malls is a redefined lifestyle destination offering a unique blend of conventional shopping and specialty dining, complemented by panoramic sea views and open spaces.

It provides a refreshing recreational experience, combining good food and a fresh breeze with comfort and ease. The mall's restaurants feature a variety of options, including Filipino culinary favorites, American-style hamburgers, tasty cakes and desserts, and seafood classics, perfect for completing the seaside experience. For those who enjoy outdoor dining, tables and seats are also available outside for some fresh air.

Ayala Center Cebu

A 7-level modern and expansive shopping mall located in Cebu Business Park is just a 9-minute ride from CPILS. In addition to shopping for both local and international brands, the mall offers an excellent variety of food and drink options.

“The Terraces” at Ayala Center is a multi-level dining and entertainment enclave featuring a beautifully landscaped park, lush greenery, and stunning water features—perfect for socializing, relaxing, and dining. This area also hosts various events such as festivals and concerts, adding to its vibrant atmosphere.

Cebu IT Park

Cebu IT Park (formerly known as Asia Town IT Park) is a 16-minute ride from CPILS. It is home to employees from numerous call centers and multinational companies. In addition to its variety of restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls, it is one of the busiest areas in the city, especially at night.

Cebu IT Park is a great place to unwind after class, work, or during weekends. It has become a popular hangout spot for both foreigners and locals looking to immerse themselves in the Cebuano lifestyle.

The MALL in Nustar Resort Cebu

NUSTAR Resort Cebu is the first and only luxury mall in Cebu, as well as the Visayas and Mindanao regions. It offers exclusive luxury shopping, exquisite dining, and diverse family entertainment. The mall features a well-curated mix of global luxury brands and the finest local and international cuisines, all set within stunning interiors.

Discover and experience the world at The Mall in NUSTAR Resort Cebu, located in South Road Properties (SRP), just a 12-minute ride from CPILS.

Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Cebu

Just a 7-minute ride from CPILS and near Ayala Mall, this hotel offers a range of amenities to help you unwind, including a rejuvenating spa and a refreshing pool with stunning views of the city. Indulge in a culinary journey at the hotel’s Puso Bar and Bistro, where diverse flavors await. From global cuisines to regional delicacies, each dish is freshly prepared and served with impeccable service.

Radisson Blu Cebu

Just an 8-minute ride from CPILS, the hotel is conveniently connected to the popular SM City Cebu mall via a covered walkway. Guests can relax at the expansive outdoor pool and enjoy refreshments from the pool bar. The hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center and a holistic spa, making it a perfect destination for a completely relaxing weekend or holiday.

University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMed)
Just about a 7-minute ride from CPILS

Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital
Just about an 8-minute ride from

Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital
Just about a 9-minute ride from CPILS

Hi-Precision Diagnostics & Medical Laboratory Clinic
Main Branch is just a 7-minute ride from CPILS

Students may not need to go out, but instead have the convenience of having some toiletries, food, and drinks delivered to school before curfew hours. Food Panda and Grab are two of the most reliable delivery

Transportation in Cebu City that students may take to their destinations:

Traditional public
transportation / jeepney

Grab Car
(like Uber, book through a phone app)

Taxi/Cab
(may book also through Grab app)

Motorcycle (Angkas/Grab)
(book through a phone app)

Modern public transportation

Cebu Mybus
(selected routes only, uses bus card)

Indeed, the Philippines is an attractive destination for English study. The Philippines is the only truly bilingual country in Asia. English is widely spoken all throughout the archipelago, alongside the Filipino language. English is used in schools as the official medium of instruction from pre-school to university. Being so, most locals, especially the educated ones, have acquired a near-native level of proficiency in English. Filipinos, especially Cebuanos, are friendly and very accommodating, so foreign travelers find it very easy to interact with the locals.

There are more reasons why many students come to Cebu, Philippines to study English.

Why Study in the Philippines

Studying in the Philippines, especially in CPILS, has many advantages such as

✓ Students have many opportunities to speak.

Western countries usually have between 10 and 16 students per class if the class time is 100 minutes. The amount of time spent talking with the instructor is 3–5 minutes per student. On the other hand, in the Philippines, there are more opportunities for students to speak because the class is held in small groups such as one-to-one, one-to-two, and one-to-four classes. In CPILS, students have more chances to practice and apply the grammar structures and vocabulary they have learned in class.

✓ Study and living costs in the Philippines are much lower than other schools abroad.

The skyrocketing living expenses in advanced countries have made overseas education an economic burden, limiting the opportunity for English study. The Philippines is an alternative destination that offers the same quality English education but at a much lesser expense. The cost of living in the Philippines does not put pressure on the students’ financial resources. The education cost is 50–60% lower than in Western countries. Students are able to live comfortably and conveniently even on a very limited budget.

✓ Make friends easily and learn more about other cultures.

Many students from different countries come to CPILS to study. Interacting with different students helps them learn from each other. Also, making friends or interacting with other locals is a good way to practice communication. If you’re still not fluent in English, it might be challenging to communicate with Westerners. The Philippines is different. The Filipino people are easy to communicate with, regardless of the student’s fluency. Filipinos are more helpful and accommodating to foreigners.

✓ Enjoy various leisure activities and tourist spots of the country

Leisure activities abound in Cebu. There are also many interesting places to visit on the weekends. Here are some places that you may want to enjoy with your friends:

Magellan’s Cross

Considered the most iconic landmark in Cebu, Magellan’s Cross is located in Cebu City, a 5-minute ride from CPILS. In 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross on the very spot where it is now (a kiosk was built for it). Said to possess supernatural powers, it's always crowded with devotees and tourists. Inside the kiosk, you will see a mural on the chapel ceiling that tells the story of the royal couple and how the locals were first baptized into Christianity.

San Augustin / Basilica Minore del Sto Niño

The oldest religious relic in the country, San Agustin Church, was given as a baptismal gift by Magellan to the Queen in 1521. The church survived fires and other catastrophes throughout the years. However, the small Child Jesus statue in the church was left untouched. Since then, many believers have honored the statue of Child Jesus (Sto. Niño) because of this miraculous event. The church is located near Magellan’s Cross, a 5-minute ride from CPILS.

Fort San Pedro

Interested in historical places? You should not miss going to Fort San Pedro, a 22-minute walk or 4-minute ride from CPILS. It was built in 1738 to protect the island from Islamic settlement. It was used as an American barracks in World War II and was also occupied by Japanese troops to be used as a prison camp.

Taoist Temple

About 6 km from downtown Cebu, the temple is located in Beverly Hills, Lahug, where the wealthy reside. It is only a 16-minute ride from CPILS. Going up through 99 steps, it’s a perfect place for meditation and relaxation, with a spacious balcony offering a sweeping view of the city and Mactan Island. Near the temple, the affluent villages are scattered in dense forests. It was built by Cebu's Chinese community in 1972.

Temple of Leah

Known as the “Taj Mahal of Cebu,” the Temple of Leah is a humble Roman-style shrine built by Teodorico Soriano, a wealthy Cebu businessman. The temple is in honor of his late wife, who died of lung cancer. Complete with enthralling Doric columns and arches, it is a sanctuary symbolizing a husband’s undying love for his wife. It also showcases their shared passion for art, literature, and culture. If this interests you, it is a 32-minute ride from CPILS.

Sirao Flower Garden

Known as Cebu City's “Mini Holland” or “Little Amsterdam,” it is a picturesque flower farm with a breathtaking array of vibrant blooms, including celosia, sunflowers, and hyacinths, set against the surrounding mountains. First, take a ride to JY Square, Lahug, a 13-minute ride from CPILS. From there, take a motorcycle to get to the garden, which will take about 30 minutes. Enjoy the ride!

For those interested in old structures, ornamented antique furniture, ancient tools and equipment, and other historical items, we have museums in the city that would satisfy your interests, such as Casa Gorordo, San Carlos University Museum, National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu, and many more. They are just a few minutes from CPILS. The Museo Sugbo (Cebu Museum) is just a minute’s walk from the school.

In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are more holiday destinations in Cebu and other places in the Philippines. Travel costs are much lower than in other countries, and most importantly, you can freely use English for communication.

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort

Lapu-lapu City (about 38-minute ride from CPILS)

Bluewater Sumilon Beach Resort

(Less than 4 hours ride from CPILS to Oslob, Cebu, then, take a boat ride to the resort)

Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel

Lapu-lapu City (about 40-minute ride from CPILS)

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa

Lapu-lapu City (about 32-minute ride from CPILS)

Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark

Lapu-lapu City, (less than 5 hours ride from CPILS)

Anjo World Theme Park

Minglanilla, Cebu (about 30 minutes ride from CPILS)

Papa Kit's Marina and Fishing Lagoon

Liloan Cebu (less than 1-hour ride from CPILS) offers adventure rides and aqua sports, and features a new inflatable water park for an exciting day of fun.

Cebu Safari and Adventure Park

Carmen Cebu (less than 2-hour ride from CPILS) invites you to live your adventures in the WILD, from animals to flowers, and from sky rides to mountainous terrains.

Kawasan Falls

Alegria Cebu, (less than 4 hours ride from CPILS)

ocean park

Cebu Ocean Park

The journey from CPILS (Center for Premier International Language Studies) to Cebu Ocean Park covers a distance of 5.1 kilometers, typically taking around 11 minutes via the Cebu South Coastal Road. This route provides a direct and convenient path, allowing travelers to enjoy a smooth drive with scenic views along the coastline as they make their way to one of Cebu’s popular attractions.

Whale Shark Watching/Swimming

Oslob Cebu, (less than 4 hours ride from CPILS)

Bantayan Island

Go to Hagnaya Port (less than 3 hours ride from CPILS, then ferry boat to the island).

Timubo Cave Pool in Camotes Island

(Less than 2 hours ride from CPILS to Danao Port, then ride a ferry boat bound for Consuelo Wharf).

Malapascua Island

(Less than 4 hours ride from CPILS to Maya New Roro Port in the North tip of Cebu Island, and from there take a quick ferry to the island).

Most Visited Tourist Destinations outside Cebu

Chocolate Hills (Bohol)

(About 2 hours boat ride from Cebu) Home also of the 2nd smallest primate in the world, Bohol is also known for its floating restaurant.

Boracay (Aklan)

(About an hour flight from Cebu) Popular for its beaches and blessed with a long stretch of powdery white sand, crystal clear and azure waters, and a stunning sunset. Boracay is the most iconic island in the Philippines.

El Nido (Palawan)

(Takes 1.5 hours to fly from Cebu) Famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, and splendid limestone rock formations. El Nido is arguably one of the most popular resort destinations in the Philippines.

Siargao Island (Surigao del Norte)

(Takes an hour to fly from Cebu) Known as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines”, Siargao is mainly responsible for introducing surfing to the country. Apart from surfing, it is also open to other activities such as cave explorations and rock climbing.

Tumalog Falls

Oslob, Cebu, (less than 4 hours ride from CPILS)

It’s more fun in the Philippines!