About Cebu City

Cebu-City metamorphosed in more ways than one, but always for the better. From a sleepy fishing village to a fledging trading port in 1521, from the first Spanish settlement named Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus in 1575 to a municipality in 1901, Cebu finally became a chartered city on February 24, 1937. Being the first and oldest city in the country, ante-dating Manila by 7 years, having the oldest school and oldest street and being the cradle of Christianity in the Far East (i.e. Magellan's cross planted in Cebu as a symbol of natives embracing the Christian faith), Cebu is replete with historical first's.

The streets of Tres de Abril and V. Rama were the sites of a fierce battle on April 3, 1898 when General Leon Kilat of Bacong, Negros Oriental spearheaded the revolution against Spanish colonialism. The Spaniards sought refuge at the Fort San Pedro and three days of relentless attacks would have spelled victory for the rebels were it not for the propitious arrival of the Spanish armada.

Miguel Lopez de Legazpi then urged his men to construct the oldest and smallest fort in the country: Fort San Pedro. As Spain intensified its colonization efforts, indignant islanders showed opposition by way of intermittent attacks against the colonizers. Thus the rebellion paved the way to the construction of Fort San Pedro, a Spanish military stronghold.

However, the fort fell to the hands of the native Cebuanos when Americans commanded by Commodore George Dewey vanquished the Spanish fleet in December 1898 in the battle of Manila Bay. With the American reign in full force in 1901, then Senate Pro Tempore and late President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. and then Congressman and majority floor leader in the House of Representatives, the late Senator Manuel Briones vigorously lobbied for Philippine Independence.

February 24, 1937 was a milestone in Cebuano history as Cebu City was granted its charter by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 58 enacted by Congress on October 20, 1936. The late Senator Vicente Rama, formerly representative of Cebu's 3rd district was instrumental as author and sponsor of the bill. It was at that time that Secretary of Interior Elpidio Quirino appointed the mayor and board members of Cebu City in his capacity as representative of Manuel Quezon.

Shortly after the landing of the Japanese Army in Cebu City on April 10, 1942, the entire province became the principal Japanese base due to its strategic location and substantial population. Cebu finally saw the light of freedom in March 1945 when American liberation forces landed in Talisay town. Liberation came in full circle in March 1946 and to restore law and order, a civil government dubbed as Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) was established in the city.

In April 1965, the entire Christian world focused its attention on Cebu City, considered as the cradle of Christianity in the Far East as it played host to the 40th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. The celebration highlighted the contributions of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta in proselytizing Christianity by way of establishing a Spanish settlement in the province. In a country where Catholics predominate, the conferment of the San Agustin Church to the title Basilica Minor del Santo Niño proved to be a momentous occasion as Rome sent its representative Papal Legate, His Eminence Ildefonso Cardinal Antonuitte.

Cebu-City is bounded by the city of Mandaue and the municipality of Consoalcion in the north; city harbor and Bohol Strait in the east; Talisay town in the south and Toledo City in the west. Of the 73 barangays comprising the city, 30 are categorized as mountain barangays with land area totaling 27,797 hectares. There are 6 congresional districts, 3 component cities, namely: Lapulapu, Danao and Toledo; 2 highly urbanized cities: Cebu and Mandaue; 48 municipalities; and 1,122 barangays.

Feasts and Festivals

SINULOG - Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January, Sinulog is Cebu's biggest and most popular festival. The feast is in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu. Fiesta Senyor, as it is widely known, is the most celebrated among Cebu's festival where people converge along the routes of a grand solemn procession and partake in the gaiety amidst a mardi gras parade immersed in with colors and the constant beating of drums.

TRES DE ABRIL CELEBRATION - Celebrated every 3rd of April in commemoration of the Spanish resistance in the south. This historic battle under Leon Kilat's leadership gave Cebu the glory of being the first major island outside Luzon to oppose Spanish dominance.

PASKUHAN, Cebu City/Province-wide - A Christmas celebration of songs and lantern-making held during the month of December to spread good cheer to local residents and visitors alike.

KADAUNGAN SA MACTAN, Lapulapu City - A one-day reenactment celebrated with pomp and pageantry every 27th of April to commemorate the historic battle of Mactan between the forces of Lapulapu and Ferdinand Magellan.

Visit also this Locations

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 - 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 Olanga. Cottages are available for daytime picnics and instant evening parties.

BEVERLY HILLS - A scenic subdivision on Lahug Hills commands a breathtaking view of the entire city.

THE NEW CEBU COLISEUM - A sports center located at Sanciangco Street where concerts and ball games are usually held.

YMCA - Along Osmeña Blvd. is a sports complex equipped with body building equipment, swimming pool, bowling lanes and ball game courts. Accommodation is also available.

Religious Tourist Attractions

Image of Santo 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, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta who formally christianized the Cebuanos, found the natives hostile. Legaspi besieged the settlement and set the village on fire. It was on one burnt houses 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.

SOME DOES AND DONT´S

Fort San Pedro

Mactan Bridge II

Mango Avenue

Magelellan´s Cross

Taoist Temple

Ayala Center

Jeepney

Every 3rd Weekend in January:

Sinulog
The Sinulog is a festival held in honor of the Santo Niño (Holy Child). The celebrations origins lie in the island of Cebu, located in the southern part of the Philippine Islands  

Tourist Attractions

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. Before he reached the shores, he was killed by the chieftain of the island, Lapulapu and his men during the battle for supremacy and freedom on April 27, 1521. Efforts to retrieve the body of Magellan were futile inspire of the offer to trade jewelry's and spices for his dead body. This marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died.

MAGELLAN'S CROSS, Magellan St. - Planted in April 14, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, this marks the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana and about 400 followers were baptized by Fr. Pedro Valderama. 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 trio-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 LEGASPI breaking the ground. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned the forth 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 Japanese soldier, when the battle for liberation was fought, the fort served as an army cam. 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.

LAPULAPU MONUMENT, Punta Engaño, Lapulapu City - Site where the battle between Mactan Island Chieftain Lapulapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan occurred 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.

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.

COLON STREET, Downtown Area, Cebu City - This is also known as Parian District, the oldest street in the Philippines built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Named after Christopher Columbus, it is the heart of Downtown Cebu, a glittering city by night lined with Cinemas, 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. One of the many beautiful capitol buildings in the country, constructed in 1937 under the administration of Governor Sotero Cabahug.

CASA GORORDO MUSEUM, 35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City - Located in Lopez Jaena Street, 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 noon 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.

FORT SAN PEDRO NATIONAL MUSEUM, Legaspi Ext., Cebu City - A product of years of research, the collection in view are anthropological and biological. The anthropological section portrays the cultural development and influence into society and its close affinity with the people of South East Asia. The biological section presents samples of the flora and fauna of the country in general and Cebu in particular.

Admission fee PHP 5.00 per person; open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM; Saturday from 8:00 am to 12 noon only

More to say

This City is a peaceful place to stay for Vacation, Investments and Business.

The IT market is growing and growing every day more.

May you visit this Place soon...

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