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| Known as the “Queen City of the South” and the seat of Christianity in the Philippines, Cebu is the country’s oldest city. It has a rich historic past from the time the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan first planted the cross on Cebu’s shores. From a fishing village and trading port in the earlier centuries, Cebu has evolved as a highly urbanized metropolitan center that is now the focal point of growth and development in Southern Philippines. In contrast to the bustling metropolis, Cebu prides itself with idyllic white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Today, the island province leads in traditional and non-traditional exports and has the highest economic growth rate in the country. It has become one of the world’s favorite tourist destinations. Quick Facts Population 3 million Language Cebuano is the native tongue. While Filipino is commonly understood and spoken, the English language is widely used in business and education. Weather Cebu is ideal from December to May when the weather turns dry. It is coolest from December to February, hottest from March to May. Temperature can rise as high as 37 degrees centigrade in the summer. The rainy season begins in July. Dress For comfort, wear lightweight clothing with natural fibers. The Barong Tagalog is the acceptable formal wear for men. Never wear shorts and sleeveless shirts when visiting churches, mosques and other places of worship. Electrical Appliances Cebu is supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles. Monetary Unit The currency is Philippine Peso. Most foreign currencies can be easily changed at banks, hotels and authorized dealers. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, resorts, restaurants and shopping centers. However, smaller establishments require patrons to pay in cash. Business Hours Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday. Government agencies and offices – 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. However, private firms extend until Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00 noon. Most department stores open from 10:00am to 8:00pm daily including Sundays and holidays. Tipping There is no general rule for tipping. However, 5-15% of the bill is appropriate if there is no service charge. Public Transport One may take a colorful jeepney or bus at a minimal fare. Tricycles are popular in outlaying areas and in the suburbs. Taxicabs are widely available. Tourist Attractions in Cebu Magellan’s Cross (Magallanes St.) Planted in April 21, 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 1521 to 1740, the Augustinian 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-like structure was built to protect the cross from total destruction. 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 tribastion 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 square meters. The walls are 20 feet high, 8 feet thick and the towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. Work was first started on May 8, 1565 with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi breaking the ground. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned over 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 Japanese soldiers, when the battle for liberation was fought, the fort served as an army camp. 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 PTA and now houses the National Museum that showcases the San Diego shipwreck and Fort San Pedro diggings. Heritage of Cebu Monument (Colon St., Cebu City) Located on the original Plaza Parian, the Heritage of Cebu Monument showcases the significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod. The monument sculptural tableau is the work of national artist Edgardo Castrillo. Construction began on July 1997 and inaugurated in December 8, 2000. Magellan Marker (Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu 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, Lapu-Lapu and his men 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 the dead body. This marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died. Colon Street Located on what is known as the Parian District in Downtown area. The oldest street in the Philippines was built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Named after Christopher Columbus, it is the heart of downtown Cebu, a glittering area by night lined with moviehouses, restaurants, department stores, and other business establishments. An obelisk detailing its historical significance was constructed on its northern end. Taoist Temple Located in Beverly Hills, Cebu City. This temple preserves the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. Everyday people climb its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read. Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Sto. Niño was found in 1565. The first structure of the church was, however, destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568. It was rebuil in 1602 under the administration of Juan Albaran and was rehabilitated in 1740. On May 1965, the church was conferred the title of Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño by Cardinal Antonuitte, Papal Legate during the Fourth Centennial celebration of the Christianization of Cebu. Image of Sto. Niño Considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It was on April 21, 1521 that Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift. Forty-four years later, on April 27, 1565 when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta who formally Christianized the Cebuanos found the natives hostile. Legaspi himself besieged the settlement and set the village on fire. It was on one of the 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 Minore del Sto. Niño. Lapu-Lapu Monument (Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City) Site where the battle between Mactan Island Chieftain Lapu-Lapu 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. Capitol Building (Osmeña Boulevard, 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) It is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu, Juan Gorordo (1862-1934). 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. |
About Cebu
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