Overview Cebu is one of the most
developed provinces in the Philippines, with Cebu City as the main center of
commerce, trade, education and industry in the Visayas.
The province is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands. The province consists of Cebu Island,
as well as 167 neighboring smaller islands, which include Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands.
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History |
Somewhere between the 13th and 16th century Cebu then known as Zubu (or Sugbo) was an island inhabited by Hindus, Buddhists, animists and Muslims ruled by Rajahs and Datus. The Rajahnate of Cebu was a native kingdom which used to exist in Cebu prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.
The arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 established a period of Spanish exploration and colonization. Losing favor for his plan of reaching the Spice Islands from king Manuel I of Portugal, by sailing west from Europe, Magellan offered his services to king Charles I of Spain. On September 20, 1519, Magellan led five ships with a crew of 250 people from the Spanish fort of Sanlúcar de Barrameda en route to Southeast Asia via the Americas and Pacific Ocean. They reached the Philippines on March 16, 1521. Rajah Kolambu the king of Mazaua told them to sail for Cebu, where they could trade and have provisions. Arriving in Cebu City, Magellan, with Enrique of Malacca as translator, befriended Rajah Humabon the Rajah or King of Cebu and persuaded the natives of allegiance to Charles I of Spain. Humabon and his wife were given Christian names and baptized as Carlos and Juana. The Santo Niño was presented to the native queen of Cebu, as a symbol of peace and friendship between the Spaniards and the Cebuanos. On April 14, Magellan erected a large wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. Afterwards, about 700 islanders were baptized. |
Traditions and FestivalsEconomic Development |
The most celebrated patron saint in Cebu is the Señor Sto Niño de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus. The original statue is housed in the Basilica Minore del Sto Niño, near the famous cross erected by the Spaniards. Historical accounts say the image was given by the Portuguese Captain Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Cebu Chieftain Raja Humabon for their pledge of allegiance to the King of Spain. This event is depicted in the Sinulog Festival
Sinulog is a religious festival celebrated every third Sunday of January. The feast is held in honor of the Lord and Divine Protector of Cebu, Señor Santo Niño de Cebú and the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines. The Fiesta Señor converge a procession and take part in a Mardi Gras-like parade. All cities and municipalities in the province have their own different respective cultural festivals. Only the municipalities of Asturias, Compostela, Pilar and Tabogon have no designated annual celebrations. "Ceboom", ("Cebu" and "Boom") has been used to describe the province's economic development. With many beautiful islands, white sand beaches, luxury hotel and resorts, diving locations and heritage sites, high domestic and foreign tourist arrivals have fueled the tourism industry of Cebu. Cebu consistently gets a big share of tourist arrivals in the Philippines, and has become the tourist gateway to Central and Southern Philippines thanks to its central geographic location, accessibility and natural resources. The province also hosts various national and international conferences every year.
Cebu's extensive port facilities and its proximity to intra-Asian shipping and air routes are major factors which led multinational companies to establish offices or factories on the main island. Due to its burgeoning furniture-making industry, Cebu has been named as the furniture capital of the Philippines. Cebu's other exports include: fashion accessories, guitars, dried mangoes, carageenan, gifts, toys, watches, cameras, electronic components and housewares. |