Cebu General Info

Cebu (Sugbo) is located at the heart of the Philippines and is also centrally located in the Visayas which is to the West of Leyte and Bohol and to the East of Negros and since it is surrounded by much larger islands this makes Cebu less prone to typhoons and of the rare storms that do reach Cebu, they are already much-weakened.   Cebu stretches 225km from North to South with 167 smaller islands including Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands.  It has hills and mountain ranges along the northern and southern parts of the island with the highest mountains reaching over 1000 meters.  It has 6 cities namely Danao City, Lapu-lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Toledo City and Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines dating back to 1521, as its capital.  Cebu is one of the most highly developed provinces in the country with Cebu City, named as "The Queen City of the South" suggesting that this glamorous city is one of the main cities of the country being the main center of entertainment, industry, trade, commerce, and education in the Visayas.

Cebuano, Tagalog, and English, the main language used in educational institutions, are widely spoken in the province.

Being the first province under control of the Spaniards, majority of the population is Roman Catholic.  The Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Cebu and the Sto. Niño are most revered in Cebu.

History:

On March 16, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu and was met by the King of Cebu, the Raja.  Shortly after the Spaniards had converted the Raja and his queen to Christianity and as a symbol of friendship and peace the queen was presented with the Sto. Niño (and this is depicted on the yearly festival- Sinulog).  On April 14, a large wooden cross on Cebu’s shores was raised by Magellan (a famous tourist spot known as Magellan’s Cross).  Due to a dispute of uncertain in nature, the Battle of Mactan occurred on April 27, which defeated the Spaniards and Magellan killed by the rival of the Raja, Lapu-lapu, the King of Mactan Island.  Several expeditions were sent to the country and for over 300 years the Spanish ruled until 1898, when the Americans came.  In WWII, Cebu became a Japanese base during their occupation in 1942 and with the combined forces of Cebuano and American forces, Cebu achieved independence in 1946.

Infrastructure:

Cebu’s infrastructure is the reason for its economic success.   Its airport, Mactan International Airport, has regular international flights.  Its port, Cebu International Port, is largest and main port of entry in Central Visayas.  Cebu also has several business districts among them is the Cebu Business Park, a prime business and commercial center in the country.  And there is also the Asiatown Information Technology Park, South Road Properties Special Economic Zone, Mactan Export Processing Zone, which areas for the best in business, technology, and tourism.