Cebu, Philippines consists of 167 surrounding islands. This long and constricting island is situated to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands and to the east of Negros. Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and Camotes islands are just few of the 167 islands surrounding the province. The province mainly has coastlines, limestone highlands, shore plains, prevailing hills, and chain of mountains crossing the northern and southern parts of the island.
The ancient metropolis in the country, Cebu City, is the province's capital. Along with four abutting cities are Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City and they form part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area.
Cebu is one of the most highly developed provinces in the country with its capital city as the main hub of education, trade, commerce, and industry in both central and southern parts of the Visayas.
The Province's Cultural and Historical Heritage
With an approximately 3.5 million dwellers, it is not unusual to hear its inhabitants speak in different languages. Although Cebuano is considered as its official language, Cebu dwellers are familiar with other languages in the country that include Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray and the like. Some of its dwellers are fluent in speaking Spanish especially the mestizo dwellers of the province. Chinese is a common language of the people in the Chinese community while English is considered as the universal language and is used as a medium of teaching in schools and universities and in media, commerce, and government as well.
Majority of people in Cebu are Catholics. This simply shows in the people's devotions to Santo Nino de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus as their patron saint. Apart from the Catholicism and existence of Roman Catholic Archdiocese in the place, it also has other churches such as the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, San Carlos Church, Santo Rosario Parish Church, and Sacred Heart Church. There are also non-Catholic churches, mosques, temples and other worship place found in the island.
Cebu has historical landmarks that will definitely bring its guests hundreds of years back and tell the stories behind it. It has the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino which is a 16th century church found in the very heart of the city. The location of this church is the exact place where a sculpture portraying Jesus as a black Holy Child was made.
Other than that, the province also has the Cebu International Convention Center, the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Fort San Pedro, Lapu Lapu Shrine, the Magellan's Cross, Magellan Shrine, Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the famous Taoist Temple.
The Best In Cebu
Every province in the Philippines has its own celebration and merry making. Cebu is popular for its Sinulog Festival, a religious feast celebrated every third Sunday of January. This is in honor of the Senor Santo Nino de Cebu that commemorates the arrival of the Portuguese explorer in the person of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines.
A number of festivals are also celebrated in the province. They have the Mantawi Festival held in Mandaue City, Paskuhan, Kadaugan sa Mactan, Virgin of the Rule Fiesta, Kabanhawan Festival and a whole lot more. Each festival has its own reasons for celebration and behind those reasons are the histories that brought about everything in Cebu, Philippines into its existence.
About the Author
Jose Maria Abada is a writer for Philippine Travel Guide. You can find helpful information about Cebu Philippines and Cebu Beach Resorts on this website.
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