Cebu City History, Philippines
History-wise Cebu has a significant history that amuses every curious visitor. He, who asks about how the city has become the first Spanish colony and remained so for 333 years, will get his answer by journeying down memory lane. Cebu has an interesting metamorphosis from being a quiet fishing community to becoming a busy trading port in 1521.
It’s interesting how it was called by merchants various names like Sugbu, Zebu, Zubu and Sebu. After Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan discovered the city and later planted a wooden cross, the townsmen started embracing the religion of Christianity. Magellan was commanded by Spain to explore towards the Pacific and he was privileged to have come across the so-dubbed Queen City of the South where he befriended Rajah Humabon and Reina Juana, but later killed Mactan chief Lapu-lapu. His Cebu discovery was globally renowned to be a momentous expedition as it kicked off Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
Don Legaspi and Fray Urdaneta arrived in town and ordered to built San Augustine Church which is now the most celebrated church: Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in honor of the miraculous child Jesus Senior Santo Nino. Every third Sunday of January Cebu celebrates the Sinulog Mardi gras which is flocked by tourists from all over the world.
Cebu is bursting with first happenings. Aside from being the first Spanish hamlet and first crib of Christianity, it is also the oldest city in the country that has the oldest school University of San Carlos and the oldest lane, Colon Street. After more than three centuries of being under Spanish rule, a revolt against the Spaniards was initiated by General Leon Kilat of Bacong on April 3, 1898 along V. Rama and Tres de Abril streets. To protect themselves the Spanish fighters thought of putting up a shelter but Miguel Lopez de Legazpi insisted on building Fort San Pedro instead. As the invasion got intense and uprisings heated up, Spain finally relinquished the city in December 1898 when the Americans led by Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet at the Manila Bay Battle.
When American supremacy ruled in 1901, Cebu and the rest of the country took the plunge for freedom. One cherished event in Cebuano’s past was when it was bestowed with its charter on February 24 1937 as per Commonwealth Act 58 authored by late Senator Vicente Rama. It was in then that the Interior Secretary, Elpidio Quirino picked the mayor and the board members of Cebu. Because of its rising populace and smart location on the map, it was picked by the Japanese forces to be its headquarters upon their arrival on April 10 1942. Years later Cebu finally beamed for being freed by the Americans in March 1945. Independence was in full circle in March 1946, which led to the restoration of law by establishing the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit.
The rich tradition and significant history that Cebu has kept makes the world curious. Beyond that is a hospitable clique of residents who do not fail to greet global visitors. Cebu never sleeps and continues to shine as the Queen City of the South and Island Jewel of the Pacific. International visitors from America Europe Asia and Australia flock to this town any season of the year.
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Memories about Fort San Pedro
review by ultimatetravel posted more then 30 days ago
First Visit: I remember when I was a kid, my parents decided to go to Fort San Pedro and have a visit there. So they tagged me along, that was the first time I saw my parents so sweet, like a date or something. I never expected that I would ever see them in that mood and acting like they were...- All you have to know about Fort San Pedro, Cebu
review by ultimatetravel posted more then 30 days ago
This is my personal review about Fort San Pedro. Place: It was clean, well-maintained and the place was full of green. The place was preserved very well and till now after all the flood, typhoon, strong winds and other disasters that visited Cebu it is still standing tall. People: This is quite... - Centuries old house in Cebu
review by ultimatetravel posted more then 30 days ago
My students in HRM and Tourism Management, my hubby and I went out to a Field Trip and visited one of the oldest houses in Parian (a place where the richest people in Cebu lived) as what I have remembered what my history teacher discussed before. It was quite amusing try to have a glimpse of what...
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