Cebu

Cebu city isn't safe, and internet is really slow unless you have a fiber connection.
Most of areas are unsafe at night, some are sort of dangerous at daylight too.
Even in deep province of Cebu island (such as Carcar city) I've been feeling much safer than here.
Also don't forget about terrible road traffic and the fact that most of locals here doesn't speak English.

Peacev = Bad, Racial Tolerance = Bad, LGBT Friendly = Bad

Sorry but this is simply not true here in the Philipines. The Koreans and the Chinese are very rude, unsofisticated not to mention dominant. But that something you'll see all over Asia nowadays.

I think revieuwers should at least try to notice the difference between Asians.

Professional fulltime Traveler since 2007

Just don't. Want to get ANY work done? Don't come here. I'm here now, hey. I wanna die. If 50 Kbps is your thing, let's go. Just don't go to this country in general. Internet is so bad, even Laos and Cambodia were MUCH better when it comes to free internet in coffee shops and co-working spaces.

Thinking about going to Manila or Cebu for travel + work? Don't.

By instant rock star status you mean the local idiots who point, laugh and stare and gossip in Bisaya? People are not friendly and should be kept at arm's length. Cebu is probably the best city in the Philippines though so all is not lost.

Lived in Cebu City for 15 years and as you can understand I liked it coz else I would have left. Started a business with 7 employees. As a white foreigner you get instant rock star status. The people are outstandingly friendly.
The air, traffic and humidity is terrible. It's a safe and fun city. Best public WiFi is in Starbucks. Lots of retired American Expats. Left when my two children entered middle school, no good affordable schools.

Stay near Cebu IT Park or Cebu Business Park. Hot and humid city, so use the Grab app, turn the AC on always, and shower daily. Must get a decent Cable ISP with Sky Cable or DSL line with PLDT, the LTE with Smart and Globe Data are lousy. You will not get any decent work done when you're in Bantayan / Camotes / Kawasan / Badian because you can only use LTE in these areas, and the signal is spotty. Airbnb condos in the city offer WiFi, join Facebook groups in Cebu, I noticed that they would usually advertise there. Good luck!

So so. Better than Manila as long you stick to Central Cebu. Terrible city to visit. Surprisingly decent and charming to live in. over time.