Cebu is the most historic province in the Philippines, and its capital, Cebu City, is the oldest city in the country. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese in service for Spain first set foot on this island back in 1521, thereby putting the Philippines into the world map. The Spaniards eventually colonized the entire archipelago, and when they left after 300 years, Christianity became their greatest legacy to the Filipino people. Today, many traces of Spanish occupation of the country can be seen in Cebu that include historic moñuments, land marks, Hispanic-era universities and antiquarian Catholic churches. History set aside and being a maritime city, Cebu is also endowed with many tourists attractions, while the business and manufacturing industries are thriving very significantly, second only to the capital city of Manila. As follows are selected features that best characterize Cebu.
Historical Sites
Image Source
Shown above is the historic Magellan's Cross. It was planted by Ferdinand Magellan, discoverer of the Philippines on April 27, 1521 to signify the beginning of Christianity in the country. Today, this cross (original encased) is both a historical and religious land mark in Cebu where Catholic pilgrims pay a visit to say a prayer. Others come to acquire a firsthand lesson in Philippine history. This site can even be considered as the cradle of Christianity in the Far East for the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in the orient.
Image Source
Situated right in the heart of Cebu City is this imposing Cebu Heritage Moñument that commemorates the arrival of the mighty fleet of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Also among these giant sculptures are those of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and his men that arrived in the country forty years later in 1561 to formally colonize and Christianize the Philippines because Magellan failed to completely convert the native earlier due to his death in the historic battle of Mactan-an island less than a kilometer off mainland Cebu. Legaspi's arrival marked the beginning of the more than 300-year Spanish reign of the Philippines.
World Class Musical Instruments
Image Source
Cebu guitar makers are well-known all over the country. Each musical instrument above is a small four-string guitar, locally known as “ukelele,” a Cebuano version of the six-string acoustic guitars. Aside from being affordable, the diminutive guitar is very handy that children learn to play it comfortably. When played very well, it can fill the air with melodious tune just like the standard guitars. Sounding boards of Ukeleles (shown above) are mostly incised with images that depict countryside Philippines.
Image Source
Shown above are purely Cebu- made acoustic guitars. They are being produced around the country, but those made in Cebu are well-known for being world class. Their sounding boards are made from a tropical fruit tree-jackfruit. Local musicians prefer such raw material for guitars because it produces musical tunes that they like most. Thus, Cebu is now the major guitar-making province in the country
Historic Mode of Transportation
Image Source
Shown above is a horse-drawned carriage, a mode of transportation brought by the Spaniards in the Philippines more than four hundred years ago. Filipinos have long used it with enthusiasm, but the advent of modernization has been slowly putting off these carriages that used to dominate the Philippine local roads. Nevertheless, here in Cebu one can still find a joyous ride on this environment-friendly predecessor of modern taxis that now dominate the short-distance transport.
Historic Churches
Image Source
Christianity is the greatest legacy of Spain to the Philippines, making the latter the predominant Christian nation in Asia. Filipinos today have embraced other Christian faith, but Catholicism is predominant. Shown above is the historic Basilica del Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus) located right in the heart of Cebu City. Having been built in 1566 by the Spaniards makes it the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines, but lost the honor when it was renovated in 1735 after it was hit by a fire. Today, the structure is reminiscent of the blend of Muslim, Romanesque, and neo-classical architecture. An image of the Holy Child Jesus brought by Ferdinand Magellan is kept in this historic church, making it one of the pilgrimage destinations by thousands of devoted Catholics from within the country and around the world.
Sinulog Festival
Image Source
Sinulog, meaning “like water current movement,” is an annual festival held in Cebu City every third Sunday of January. It is a week-long joyous celebration that honors the holy child Jesus or Sto. Niño, and culminates with a day-long street dancing of two steps forward and one step backward tempo. It is well-attended by participants from as far as the fur-flung provinces of Mindanao. Their dashing and colorful attires reflect the major agricultural products of their respective regions. While, those native of Cebu who have migrated usually return for the Sinulog and many foreign tourists as well visit Cebu for this major religious and cultural event in the Philippines.
I love the guitars..