Trust your gut. There'll be lots of smiling faces offering to help — don't trust someone just because they smile. They're looking to separate you from your money. There are a lot of good people here and plenty of adventures. Unfortunately, you didn't plan well and now you're asking for advice. My advice: if you're staying at a high-end resort or hotel, you'll be fine. If you're on a modest budget, be careful. Cebu feels safe, and nothing bad will happen to you as long as you stay aware of your surroundings.

Don't fall in love with a bar girl.

Don't take the white taxis.

Get out of the city. Head toward Oslob or up north. The provinces are 100 times better than the city.

Make sure to fill out the eTravel form. It has to be done within 72 hours of arrival. https://etravel.gov.ph/. It's free, so avoid any site that charges a fee.