i also think you should go to thailand because the phils are too dangerous/unstable, but if you do decide to go to cebu:
-fly there on international flight, even if you have to pay through the nose to do so (you shouldn't)
-try to get a local rate at the shangri-la (can be as low as $50 per night). plantation bay also offers similar discounts, but i'm not a fan of the property (too disneyish)