Cebu

Cebu is the oldest city in the Philippines. A unique blend of tropical paradise and business haven, Cebu has been called the “Queen City of the South”, the “Seat of Christianity”, and “the next economic miracle”. 

Three centuries before the coming of the Spaniards, Cebu was already a flourishing trading post known as SUGBU and figured prominently in a book called “Records of Various Barbarian Nations” written in 1225 by Chau Jukua, Superintendent of  Foreign Trade at the customhouse in Chuan-chou, ancient China. In the summer of 1521, the Spaniards in search of the Spice Islands, led by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, came and found a civilized Malay settlement in Zubu (Pigafetta, the Italian scribe of Magellan mistranscribed the island’s name and this stuck). The natives were used to traders arriving and engaging in business with them, not unlike the joint international ventures of today’s booming economy. The local chieftain Rajah Humabon and his Queen, Juana, wined and dined the Spaniards and Pigafetta recorded in his books the use of Chinese and Thai porcelain service. The Spaniards celebrated mass and planted the wooden crucifix on the ground as a symbol of conquering the island for Spain. The natives, who did not understand the new tongue, were so awed by the grandiose ceremony that a week after 800 natives were baptized to the faith and surrendered their religious idols to the Spaniards for burning.
Across Cebu, the local chieftain of the warlike people of Mactan, Lapu-lapu, did not agree to Spanish domination and challenged Magellan’s colonization. A man of action, and fresh from his victories in Africa, the Moluccas and India, Magellan vowed to silence this recalcitrant chieftain. But Magellan underestimated Lapu-Lapu as a warrior and military strategist and so he perished in the Battle of Mactan 20 days after his arrival in Cebu. In 1565, a second wave of Spanish conquistadores led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi came back, this time, successfully outgunned the natives, colonized Cebu and started the more than 300 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

Today Cebu is a popular tourist and business destination in the Philippines. It is the country’s second largest city after Manila and is a major gateway to the southern part of the country. Though the soil in Cebu is not suited for agriculture, the island enjoys the bounty of both the mountain and the seas. It also has an export processing zone to boost the island’s economy. As a tourist destination, it offers historical sites, modern conveniences of a metropolis, local crafts and culture, and, at the same time, stunning white-sand deluxe beach resorts.

Historical, Religious and Cultural Tourist Attractions:
MAGELLAN'S CROSS
Magellan St. - Planted in April 14, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, to mark the colonization of the islands for the King of Spain. This spot was also where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana with about 400 followers, were baptized into the Catholic faith by the Spanish friars with Magellan. In 1525 to 1740, the Agustinian priests built an open shrine for the cross, but the natives began to take chips from the cross believing it had miraculous power, so a kiosk destruction took place. To protect it further, a hollow cross of tindalo wood was made to encase the original cross which still stands today.
FORT SAN PEDRO
Pier Area, Cebu City - The smallest, oldest tri-bastion fort in the country. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It has a total inside area of 2,025 sq. meters. The walls are 20 feet high, 8 feet thick and towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. Work first started on May 8, 1565 with MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI breaking the ground. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned the fort to the local Cebuanos; then it became an American Warwick Barracks during the American Regime which was later converted into classrooms where the Cebuanos received formal education.

During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, it served as fortification for the Japanese army. After 1950, Cebu Garden Club took over and fixed the inner court into a miniature garden. For a couple of years it also housed the Cebu City Zoo. In 1978 to August 15, 1993, it housed the offices of the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority. At present, it is under the care and administration of the National Museum.

IMAGE OF STO. NIÑO
Considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It was on April 14, 1521 that Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift. Forty-four years later, on April 27, 1965 when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived, a priest, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta, found the natives hostile. Legazpi attacked the settlement and set the village on fire. It was in one burnt house that Juan Camus, a soldier, found the image of Sto. Niño unscratched. Since then, the miraculous image has been venerated by the Cebuanos as its patron saint. At present, the miraculous image is kept in the parish convent, and a replica is adorned with gold and precious stones and enshrined in glass. It is housed in a side altar inside the Basilica Minor del Santo Niño.
BASILICA MINOR DEL SANTO NIÑO
This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565. The first structure of the church was, however, destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568. It was rebuilt in 1602 under the administration of Juan Albaran and was rehabilitated in 1740. On May 1965, the church was conferred the title of Basilica Minor del Santo Niño by Cardinal Antonuitte, Papal Legate during the Fourth Centennial celebration of the Christianization of Cebu.

LAPULAPU MONUMENT
Punta Engaño, Lapulapu City - Site where the battle between Mactan Chieftain Lapulapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan occured in April 27, 1521. It depicts the hero holding a bolo in one hand and a pestle on the other. Said weapons were believed to have been used during his combat with Magellan. This monument stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.

MAGELLAN MARKER
Punta Engaño, Lapulapu City about 20 kms. from Cebu City - Encouraged by the success of Christianizing the people of Cebu, Magellan crossed the channel to Mactan Island in an effort to spread the faith. He underestimated the fighting spirit of the local chieftain of the island, Lapulapu, and his men, and before he reached the shores, he was killed during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Efforts to retrieve the body of Magellan were futile inspite of the offer to trade jewelries and spices for his dead body. This marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the Portuguese explorer died.

MANDAUE-MACTAN BRIDGE
Built in 1972 at a cost of P 65 million, this 864-meter bridge connects the islands of Mactan and Cebu.
TOPS LOOKOUT AREA
Situated on top of cool Busay Hills, an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango. Cottages are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties. There are also food stalls up there. Only 15 minutes ride up from Cebu City’s Lahug area.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS
P. Del Rosario St., Cebu City - The oldest school in the country established in 1565. This was formerly called Colegio de San Ildefonso established by the Jesuits.   The University has a museum which showcases a fine collection of antique ceramicware and samples of flora and fauna found in Cebu and other parts of the country.

COLON STREET
Downtown Area, Cebu City - the oldest street in the Philippines built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, also known as Parian district. Named after Christopher Colombus, it is the heart of downtown Cebu, a glittering city by night lined with moviehouses, restaurants, department stores, and other business establishments.

CAPITOL BUILDING
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City - The seat of the Provincial government, is of pre-war vintage and has the undulating mountains of Cebu for its background. Majestic and imposing, its high dome can be seen along Osmeña Boulevard. A replica of the United States’ White House, it is one of the many beautiful capitol buildings in the country and was constructed in 1937 under the administration of Governor Sotero Cabahug.
CASA GORORDO MUSEUM
35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City - Located in Lopez Jaena Street, it is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. A tour inside this residence is a brief journey into a Filipino lifestyle in a particular period between 1860 to 1920. The place presently features noted paintings, museum relics, a courtyard, antique household items and furniture.
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Admission fee for adults is PHP 15.00 and 5.00 for children.

MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS
• Jumalon’s Museum (butterfly collection) - 20 Macopa St., Basak, Pardo, Cebu City, tel : 91029
• Southwestern University Museum - Urgello Private Road, Cebu City, tel: 2536500
• Arcenas Antique Collection - Ramon Arcenas residence, Banawa, Cebu City (Spanish period furniture, “santoses”, jewelries. Pottery and porcelain wares)
• Rose Ong Orchid Collection
• Sala Piano Museum - Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City (hundreds of pianos of varying sizes and shapes. Also venue to classical concerts and a music foundation). Open from 9:00 A.M. to 12 noon.

OTHER  PLACES TO VISIT:
MACTAN ISLAND - a coral island famous for scuba-diving, this is where beach resorts of international standards are located. Mactan beach resorts offer superb accommodation facilities and complete aqua sports facilities (scuba diving, boating, etc.). The island is also the site of the Export Processing Zone I, with 100 companies producing goods and items exclusively for export. The international and domestic airports of Cebu are located in Mactan Island.
MOALBOAL - located 89 kms southwest of Cebu City, famous for beautiful corals and reefs, white sandy beaches and excellent dive spots. Badian Beach Resort offers “AAA” class resort accommodations in the area. 20 kms from Moalboal is Kawasan Falls, a popular waterfalls surrounded by lush greeneries.
MALAPASCUA ISLAND - located 8 kms northwest of Cebu island, one has to go by land transportation to the town of Maya then by pumpboat to Malapascua Island. The island is 3 kms long and 1 km wide and has white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The little island is like an “undeveloped Boracay”. The west coast is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. A walk or tour of the whole island can be done in two hours. Malapascua is popular among divers and photographers due to the sightings of the thresher shark with its long scythe-like tail (hence, the name). Off Malapascua is the plateau of Monad Shoal, where the thresher sharks visit every morning. Logon is the main town where small eateries and general stores are located. The older townfolks sometimes refer to the island also as Logon.  There is a village church where the statue of the Virgin Mary known as “Virgen de los Desamparados” is housed as patron saint of the village.  
OLANGO ISLAND - the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary is a vital refueling stop for about 50,000 birds of 47 species (including the endangered Chinese egret Egretta Eulophotes and the Asiatic dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus) flying the east-Asian migratory route to Australia. Olango’s intertidal mudflats, sandflats and mangroves provide the birds a rich supply of invertebrates that would replenish their fat reserves for the next lap of their journey. The southward migration (from Siberia, China and Japan to Australia and New Zealand) is from late July to November, while the reverse northward migration happens from February to May. Some of the birds stay in Olango from September to March, choosing nesting sites in the island.