Cebu

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Province of Cebu
Provincial seal of Cebu
Map of the Philippines with Cebu highlighted
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Capital	Cebu City
Divisions
- Independent cities	1
- Component cities	9
- Municipalities	44
- Barangays	1,066 including independent cities: 1,203
- Congressional     districts	1st to 6th districts of Cebu (shared with Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities) including independent cities: 1st and 2nd districts of Cebu City
Population
- Total (2007)	2,439,005 (6th out of 80) including independent cities: 3,848,730 (1st out of 80)
- Density	494.4/km² (7th out of 80) including independent cities: 724.7/km² (6th out of 80)
Area
- Total	4,932.8 km² (21st out of 80) including independent cities: 5,331.1 km² (22nd out of 80)
Founded	April 27, 1565
Spoken languages	Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and Spanish.
Governor	Gwendolyn Garcia

Cebu (Cebuano: Sugbo, Spanish: Cebú) is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu island, and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte, and Bohol islands. Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers (140 mi) from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango, and the Camotes Islands. Cebu has a narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains. It also has predominant rolling hills, and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern, and southern lengths of the island. Cebu's highest mountains reach over 1,000 meters. Flat tracts of land can be found in the towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan at the northern region of the province. Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with four neighboring cities which include Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City, and eight other municipalities. Cebu's infastructure is served by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport located in Mactan island.

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 central, and southern islands of the Visayas. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls. The UK-based Condé Nast Traveler Magazine named Cebu the seventh best island destination in the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007,^[1] eighth best Asian-Pacific island destination in 2005, and seventh in 2004.

Demography

Cebu has a population of about 3.5 million people.^[2] Its largest city recorded a total population of 798,000 people.^[3] Cebuano is the official language spoken in Cebu, and it is also spoken in most areas of the central Philippines, including Bohol, western Leyte, Negros, some parts of the southern Philippines, including Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao, Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga Peninsula.^[4] There are about 20 million speakers of Cebuano.^[5] Most of its people are conversant in other Philippine languages including Tagalog, as well as other Visayan languages such Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, and other languages. In the Camotes Islands, a native language related to Waray-Waray called Porohanon is spoken, and in Santa Rosa, Bantayan Visayan is also spoken. Spanish is spoken by its mestizo, and Spanish communities, while English is used on education, media, commerce and the government, and Chinese is spoken by its Chinese community.

Religion

The Magellan's Cross kiosk in Cebu City.

The patron of Cebu is the Our Lady of Guadalupe. But most of the people regard the Santo Niño de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus as their patron saint. The statue is housed in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, and San Nicholas de Tolentino. According to Philippine historical documents, the Santo Niño was given by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of the native chieftain of Cebu. The friendship is depicted in Cebu's cultural event, the Sinulog where street parades, and loud drum beats preceded by a Christian mass is celebrated. Cebu has a Roman Catholic Archdiocese, and has several major churches, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, San Carlos Church, Santo Rosario Parish Church, San José-Recoletos Church, Sacred Heart Church, and other Christian churches, as well as several other non-Catholic churches, mosque, and temples.

History

Between the 13th, and 16th century Cebu then known as Zubu (or Sugbo) was an island inhabited by Islamic, and Animist tribes who traded with the neighboring islands of Malaysia, and Indonesia. The arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 established a period of Spanish exploration, and colonization.^[6][7]

A map showing the route of the Magellan expedition circumnavigating the world.

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 enroute to Southeast Asia via the Americas, and Pacific Ocean. They reached the Philippines on March 16, 1521. Rajah Kolambu the chieftain of Mazaua told them to sail for Cebu, where they could trade, and have provisions.

Pigafetta's illustrations of Cebuanos during the expedition.

Arriving in Cebu City, Magellan, with Enrique of Malacca as translator, befriended Rajah Humabon the native chieftain of Cebu, and persuaded the natives of allegiance to Charles I of Spain. Rajah 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 native Cebuanos were baptized.

Magellan soon heard of a tribal chieftain named, Datu Lapu-Lapu, in nearby Mactan Island. It was thought that Rajah Humabon, and Datu Lapu-Lapu had been fighting for control of the flourishing trade in the area. On April 27, the Battle of Mactan occurred where the Spaniards were defeated, and Magellan killed by tribes in Mactan Island. According to Italian historian, and chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan's body was never recovered despite efforts to trade for it with spice, and jewels. Magellan's second-in-command, Juan Sebastián Elcano took his place as captain of the expedition, and sailed their fleet back to Spain, circumnavigating the world.

Survivors of the Magellan expedition brought tales of a savage island in the East Indies with them when they returned to Spain. Consequently, several Spanish expeditions were sent to the islands but all ended in failure. In 1564, Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi sailing from Mexico arrived in 1565, and established a colony.^[8] The Spaniards fought the chieftain Rajah Tupas, and occupied the villages. The Spaniards established settlements, trade flourished, and renamed the island to "Villa del Santíssimo Nombre de Jesús" (Town of the Most Holy Name of Jesus). Cebu became the first European settlement established by the Spanish Cortés in the Philippines. In 1595, the Universidad de San Carlos (University of San Carlos) was established, and in 1860, Cebu opened its forts to foreign trade. The first printing house ("Imprenta de Escondrillas y Cia") was established in 1873, and in 1880, the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (College of the Immaculate Conception) was established, and the first periodical The Bulletin of Cebu ("El Boletin de Cebú") began publishing in 1886. On June 12, 1898 marked the end of the Spanish period, and in 1901, Cebu became a municipality. The island became a charter province in February 24, 1937 during the American period.

Cebu, being one of the most densely populated island in the Philippines, served as a Japanese base during their occupation in World War II which began with the landing of Japanese soldiers in April 1942. Almost three years later in March 1945, combined Filipino, and American forces landed, and reoccupied the island during the liberation of the Philippines. Cebuano rebel soldiers led by an American, James Cushing, is credited for the establishment of the Koga Papers which is said to have changed the American plans to retake the Philippines from Japanese occupation in 1944, by helping the United States, and the Philippine Army enter Cebu in 1945. The following year the island achieved independence from colonial rule in 1946.

Infrastructure and electricity

Crossing at the Cebu Business Park.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Mactan Island has regular direct flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), Busan and Seoul (South Korea), Tokyo-Narita (Japan), Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Shanghai-Pudong (China), and Doha (Qatar). There are also direct transfer flights via the capital's NAIA that connects the city to other destinations in the world.

With the number of weekly international flights to and from MCIA is increasing, a new international terminal has been proposed. The Cebu International Port is the largest, and the main port of entry in Cebu, and of the Region of Central Visayas. Cebu also has several business districts attracting different industries. Among them is the Cebu Business Park, a prime business and financial center in Cebu City. Nearby is the Asiatown Information Technology Park, built on what was once the location of the Lahug Airport (Cebu's old airport prior to Mactan International), another business district that caters mostly to businesses related to the information technology industry such as software development, telecommunications, engineering research and development centers, business process outsourcing, including a number of call centers, and other industrial businesses.

South of the city is the South Road Properties Special Economic Zone, a large reclaimed property. It is a prime real estate zone that will house a business district, a tourism zone, and an industrial area patterned after the Mactan Export Processing Zone on nearby Mactan Island. The new South Coastal Highway, which stretches from Cebu City to Talisay passes through the property. A 1.2-kilometer tunnel, which passes beneath Plaza Independencia is currently being constructed at the highway's entrance in Cebu City to connect it with Sergio Osmeña Avenue which traverses the North Reclamation Area.

The city receives its electricity from an interconnection grid with the Leyte, and Negros Geothermal Power Plants which also powers majority of the Visayan Islands. There are also coal-fired power plants. Distribution of electricity is provided by the Visayas Electric Company. Telecommunication facilities in the city are abundant provided by some of the country's largest telecommunication companies. Connections to the internet are also available.

Economy

About 80% of its domestic shipping are located in Cebu. The island has the most domestic air, and shipping and cargo vessels in the Philippines. The island also has a major industrial, commercial, trade, and educational system. Its extensive international port facilities, its accessibility to Asia, and the rest of the world has led more than a hundred firms, with multinational companies like Mitsumi, Pentax Corp., Marine Colloids, Fairchild Semiconductor, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, Muramoto Audio-Visual, Lexmark International, Asahi Optical, Teradyne, NEC Technologies, Timex, Olympus Optical, United Technologies, Maithland-Smith, Taiyo Yuden, and other companies to established manufacturing industries on the islands, leading the whole country in exports with growth rates for the past 5 years averaged close to 20% higher than that of the entire nation. Government support and incentives provide a major developement for its growth.

Cebu's labor force is oriented towards non-agricultural lines, and is rated one of the most productive work force in the country. High domestic, and foreign tourist arrivals, geographic location, accessibility, and natural resources have fueled the developement growth of Cebu with an excellent industrial record, and now the fastest growing economy in the Philippines.

Cebu is home to some national, and international corporations like AAA Commercial Broker & Consultancy Inc, Ayala Corporation, Gaisano Group of Companies, Aboitiz Group of Companies, WG&A, Norkis Group of Companies, Bigfoot International, Lexmark Philippines Inc., Lhuillier Jewellers, and among others. Its international port (cargo and container) is currently one of the busiest in the country. Homegrown brands in the city have expanded throughout the past years finding a niche in the national and even in the international market like Penshoppe, Oxygen, Loalde, and Island Souvenirs. Other homegrown brands that have expanded outside the city, and province include BO's Coffee Club, Julie's Bakeshop, Orange Brutus, Mother's Fried Chicken, and other businesses.

Due to its burgeoning furniture-making industry, Cebu has been named as the furniture capital of the Philippines. The Department of Trade and Industry in Cebu is aiming to develop this aspect of Cebu's economy by specifically targeting small to medium enterprises or SMEs whose products are considered export-quality. Cebu is also becoming an IT hub as many companies, either local or outsourced, are establishing their headquarters in Cebu. The city has become a site for various call centers, and BPOs. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an organization of Cebu's businesses, are hedging the city's growth and economy on information and communications technology, with the aim of making it a premier ICT investment, software, and e-services hub in Southeast Asia. Shipbuilding companies in Cebu have manufactured bulk carriers of up to 70,000 metric tons deadweight (DWT), and double hulled fastcrafts as well.

The Cebu International Convention Center serves as a landmark in recognition of Mandaue City’s involvement in the international trade since the establishment of Philippine history. As venue of the 12th ASEAN summit, the city continues to establish an important role in international industrial relation, becoming the core of development, and strengthening its role as the growth center of the province of Cebu.

Education

The Philippine elementary school begins in grade 1 to grade 6. The high school program takes four years to finish, taken after graduating from elementary school. Cebu is the main educational institute in the central region of the country. It has several large universities each with a number of campus branches throughout Cebu City, and more than a dozen other schools and universities specializing in various courses such as Medicine, Engineering, Nautical courses, Nursing, Law, Computer and IT, and other professions.

The most prominent of these universities are the University of San Carlos,Cebu Doctors' University, University of the Philippines Cebu College, Cebu Normal University, University of San José-Recoletos, Cebu Institute of Technology, Asian College of Technology, University of Cebu, Southwestern University, University of the Visayas, and Velez College, and Cebu Institute of Medicine. Its newest university, Cebu Doctors' University (formerly Cebu Doctors' College) was elevated to university status on November 2004. It is located in the Cebu Boardwalk in nearby Mandaue City. Cebu's first film school, The International Academy of Film and Television was established on Mactan island in 2004.

Media

Cebu has television and cable stations namely: Cebu! Television Channel 28, Real Cebu Television (RCTV - 36), and the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN 47) (a religious station partly owned, and endorsed by the Archdiocese of Cebu). Cebu! Television Channel 28, and the Real Cebu Television (RCTV - 36) are only seen on cable television, and CCTN operates an UHF frequency on channel 47 on free TV. It can also be accessed through Skycable's channel 56.

Despite having these local stations, Cebuanos prefer to watch the Philippines' two dominant television networks namely: ABS-CBN Broadcasting, and GMA Network. While national newspapers have presence in the island, Cebu has English-language local newspapers: The Freeman, Sun-Star - Cebu, and Cebu Daily News, while there are also Cebuano language newspapers, SunStar SuperBalita owned by Sun Star, and Banat News owned by the Freeman. Each of the local newspapers sell for about 10 peso a copy, which is much cheaper than their national counterparts.

Government

• Governor: Gwendolyn F. García
• Vice Governor: Greg Sánchez

Congressional districts

• 1st district: Rep. Eduardo Gullas (1-CEBU-KAMPI)
• City: Talisay City
• Municipality: Carcar, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, and Sibonga
• 2nd district: Rep. Pablo García (1-CEBU-KAMPI)
• Municipality: Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Argao, Badian, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Ronda, Samboan, and Santander
• 3rd district: Rep. Pablo John García (1-CEBU-KAMPI)
• City: Toledo City
• Municipality: Aloguinsan, Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Pinamungahan, and Tuburan
• 4th district: Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (1-CEBU-KAMPI)
• City: Bogo City
• Municipality: Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan
• 5th district: Rep. Ramón Durano VI (NPC)
• City: Danao City
• Municipality: Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod, and Tudela
• 6th district: Rep. Nerissa Corazón Soon-Ruiz (1-CEBU-KAMPI)
• City: Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City
• Municipality: Consolacion, and Cordova

City

Cebu is subdivided into 6 cities, and 47 municipalities. In 2007 the towns of Bogo, Carcar and Naga, respectively became cities. Bogo, Carcar and Naga, along with 13 other cities in the Philippines, were demoted back to townhood the next year by the Supreme Court citing that the 16 cities did not pass the requirements of cityhood.^[9]

• Cebu
• Danao
• Lapu-Lapu
• Mandaue
• Talisay
• Toledo

Municipality

Landmark

Cebu Heritage Monument.

• Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
• Cebu International Convention Center
• Cebu Provincial Capitol
• Fort San Pedro
• Lapu Lapu shrine
• Magellan's Cross
• Magellan shrine
• Marcelo Fernan Bridge
• Taoist Temple

Festival

• Sinulog is a religious festival celebrated every third sunday of January. The feast is held in honor of the Christian image of the Señor Santo Niño de Cebú (Lord Holy Child of Cebu), and the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines. The Fiesta Señor (Festival Lord) converge a procession, and take part in a mardigras parade.

• Mantawi Festival are tribal dances, and music held in Mandaue City.

• Paskuhan is a christmas celebration of songs held during the month of December.

• Kadaugan sa Mactan is a re-enactment held in Punta Engaño, celebrated every April 27, to commemorate the historical Battle of Mactan between the soldiers of Datu Lapu-Lapu, and Ferdinand Magellan.

• Virgin of the Rule Fiesta is held to honor the patron of Opon on November 20 to November 21 which includes social event, and traditions of the people, including feasting, and a procession of the patron saint.

• Kabanhawan Festival is a festival which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The festival is held in Minglanilla.

• Semana Santa sa Bantayan is a religious tradition, accompanied by a celebration of the semana santa or holy week activities in Bantayan Island.

• Fiesta sa Carcar is celebrated on November 24 to November 25 in honor of the town's patron, Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The town of Carcar is known for its old Spanish style houses. During the festivities, the residents invite their friends, relatives, and town visitors into their homes to feast on traditional Cebuano cuisines.

• Nuestra Señora de Regla Fiesta en ciudad de Lapu-Lapu is a festivity celebrated to honour the patron of Opon on November 20 to November 21.

• Tagbo Poro is celebrated every January in honor of the Santo Niño de Poro.

• Tres de Abril is held every April 3 in commemoration of the colonial resistance in the southern Philippines.

• Siloy Festival is held every August 26 in the town of Alcoy.

• Haladaya Festival is held in the town of Daanbatayan in honour of the chieftain Datu Daya.

• Bakasi-Dinagat Festival is celebrated in the town of Cordova.

• Pastores de Naga is a christmas celebration held in the municipality of Naga.

• Hinulawan Festival is a festival in Toledo.^[10]

• Lapyahan Festival is a festival celebrated in cognizance with the municipality of San Remigio's festivities. It is named after the "lapyahan" meaning "shoreline". The festival is a combination of the town’s history, and its tradition.

• Kinsan Festival is held in the town of Aloguinsan every June 17. It is a festival held to promote the fish, "kinsan", a popular fish in the town.

• Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival is celebrated in 2007. It features all the festivals of the cities, and municipalities of Cebu.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cebu

• Official Website of the Provincial Government of Cebu
• The Official Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines - Cebu

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Coordinates: 10°20′N 123°45′E / 10.333°N 123.75°E / 10.333; 123.75